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Fleet management systems have been around a while and have become so complex that it has evolved into Field Resource Management. This article explores 5 reasons why all fleets need at least a basic Field Resource Management system.
A Boeing Global Positioning System (GPS) IIF-1 satellite, built for the U.S. Air Force, is expected to be launched into orbit soon. Boeing is currently under Air Force contract to build 12 GPS IIF satellites. This will be the second satellite launched under the 12 GPS system satellite contract.
The GPS IIF satellites, with a design life of 12.7 years, will have improved anti-jam capability and substantially increased accuracy from earlier satellite versions. The GPS system signals are so accurate that time can be calculated to within a millionth of a second, velocity within a fraction of a mile per hour and location to within feet.
Min Kao, the co-founder and CEO of Garmin, an industry leader in GPS system devices, just bought the 41st-floor condo at 15 Central Park West for $40 million from real estate developer William Lie Zeckendorf. The transaction is Manhattan’s second most expensive of the year, after the $44 million sale of the Duke Semans Mansion. The Journal reports that the final price actually comes out to $9,940 per square foot, not counting the enormous terrace.
Like many wealthy buyers, the CEO of corporate giant Garmin GPS purchased the apartment through a limited liability corporation, so until now his identity had not been disclosed. Mr. Kao was born and attended college in Taiwan. Over the past several years he has lived in the U.S. Forbes last year estimated his net worth at $1.6 billion, down from $4.7 billion in 2007, following a decline in Garmin stock.
Fleet management take heed. Several trucking industry regulations have recently been proposed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The proposed truck driver hours-of-service and speed limit regulations will have a huge impact on the trucking and transportation industry. The proposed rules are stirring up quite a heated controversy.
On Dec. 23, 2010 the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issued a regulatory proposal that would revise hours-of-service (HOS) requirements for commercial fleet truck drivers—requirements that have gone through multiple iterations and sparked numerous legal challenges since 2004. The rules are expected to be finalized by July 26, 2011.
GPS tracking systems are now being used by several ski and snowboard resorts worldwide for two primary reasons: more safety and more fun. Many families love going on ski/snowboard vacations together. But sending your young off children off to ski school by himself can be a bit disconcerting. What happens if your child gets lost or hurt on the mountain, how would you know? How would you be able to find him?
Well, don’t fret. The good news is that with a specialized GPS tracking system called Flaik, skiers and snowboarders can be located in real-time. If a skier needs to be located immediately, a resort employee can log into the system with an internet connected computer or phone. The web-based GPS tracking system can instantly display the child’s exact location.
Fleet GPS tracking systems are being used more and more by local San Diego businesses, especially service-based businesses with unsupervised mobile employees on the road. A vehicle GPS tracking system can not only improve worker efficiency but a GPS tracking system can also help to cut fuel costs and improve customer service.
“Within 90 days we were able to increase profits by over 10%. Wireless fleet management systems can put a spotlight on a worker’s habits that waste time and consume excessive fuel. Even the best employees aren’t always working as productively as they could be,” said John Barr, President of San Diego Windows and Decks Cleaning Services.
GPS tracking devices were handed out all weekend to elementary and middle school aged children by the Red Cross in Beijing. The GPS tracking phones look like a big wristwatch and were designed especially for children. The Red Cross is handing out 20,000 tracking devices this month and hopes to give out a total of 100,000 GPS tracking devices by the end of 2011. The GPS tracking system enables parents and guardians to know where their children are at all times.
The GPS tracking wristwatch phone can call up to four numbers and can receive calls from up to 20 different numbers. With the push of one button, children can instantly be connected talk to their parents. Children can also use the GPS tracking devices to set off an alarm by pressing an SOS button. The GPS tracking system is also able to notify parents when children who carry them are close to dangerous places, such as rivers, construction sites and highways.
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is accepting nominations for its CoolCalifornia Small Business Awards, which recognize small California businesses (under 100 employees) that have shown leadership and taken action to reduce their energy bills and greenhouse gas emissions and made notable, voluntary achievements towards reducing their environmental impact. Nominations are being accepted until January 24, 2011.
Two categories of awards will be given — one recognizing the CoolCalifornia “Small Businesses of the Year” and another to the CoolCalifornia “Climate Leaders.”
The businesses of the year must demonstrate significant, measurable actions taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, save energy, invest in clean or renewable energy, purchase environmentally-conscious products such as hybrid or electric vehicles, and educate employees, customers and the general public. The “Climate Leaders” will be the most proactive nominees in reducing environmental impacts, through changes that may include efficient lighting, recycling programs, increased weatherization or the buying of environmentally-friendly products.
GPS tracking systems are being used across the US to help drivers get through the tough winter months. This winter has been especially tough on many parts of the US, particularly the North West. Even cities such as Las Vegas, Atlanta and Austin are getting snow this winter.
When it snows a lot like it has been, most people wake up and want to know when the next snow plow will be coming through their neighborhood. Often times the information is difficult and/or time consuming to find, if it is even available at all. But now, thanks to a real-time fleet GPS tracking system and a city website, residents of Castle Rock, Colorado town are now able to stay abreast of snow plow progress throughout their community in real-time 24/7.
GPS tracking systems were installed in the City of Dallas’ garbage trucks at the end of 2009. At that point in time, some people were not convinced that the GPS tracking system would be worth the hefty price tag of $700,000. Several City Councilmembers voted against the deal over concerns echoed by the sanitation drivers union and a rejected GPS bidder. “There’s no proof that it’s going to work,” said union spokesperson Elisa Gonzalez. ”
But the majority of City administrators believed that by monitoring sanitation workers and improving the fleet management efforts of garbage trucks, they would be able to reduce overtime and increase overall efficiency and performance of waste removal teams. And turns out, they were right.
Dallas City Officials recently announced that the tracking system (in the first 12 months of use) has saved the city $677,000 – almost paying for itself. That means the GPS tracking system is saving the City of Dallas a little over $56,000 month. Now that is an amazing ROI!
