GPS Tracking ROI

One of the greatest features of the GPS and the main reason it has become a utility for the world is that there is a signal available for the world to use in what we call in the military security business “non-secure”.  This is the standard GPS signal that virtually everyone means when they talk “GPS”.  In fact, it is even called the SPS (Standard Positioning Signal).

The GPS, however, has other signals available which are not free to use or open to all customers.  These are specially encrypted sgnals, typically only available to US and allied military users and government users approved by the US military.

Why on earth have asystem with two separate sets of signals?  Almost like having two completely redundnat systems built into one .. double the cost .. another fabled “$600 dollar toilet seat”?

Well, not quite.  This has been amajor concern of mine for years, but a lot of information has been sensitive or even formally classifed as Secret by the US government, and thus off limits for me to write about.  But hey, if it’s on the Discovery Channel …..

The second, more sinister, method is called spoofing. In spoofing, the intended target doesn’t know that the signal received from a GPS unit is wrong: A spoofer creates a false GPS signal that passes as a real GPS signal, and an incorrect time or location appears on the intended receiver.

Safeguards Needed? | Video: Discovery Tech

Oct. 2, 2008 — Computers have been hacked for decades. But now, scientists at Cornell University and Virginia Tech are now warning about the dangers of “spoofing,” or hacking into the Global Positioning System (GPS) that controls everything from car navigation to national power grids.

“The average person doesn’t realize how much infrastructure is based on GPS and how vulnerable it is,” said Brent Ledvina of Virginia Tech, who helped build a spoofer to show weaknesses in the system. “But the truth is that a lot can be done about these vulnerabilities.”

A GPS receiver detects signals from about 30 orbiting satellites. Based on the time it takes for the signal to reach the receiver and the direction it came from, the receiver can triangulate an exact time and place, down to hundreds of nanoseconds, according to Ledvina.

The easiest way to mess with a GPS device is simply to jam it, or create a false GPS signal that overpowers the real GPS signal. In this case, the victim would know about the sabotage right away; often the GPS receiver simply doesn’t work. Full Discovery GPS spoofing article here.

To learn more about what is really going on in the world of GPS Tracking and how it can provide a secure ROI for your business, be sure to subscibe to the GPS Tracking ROI blog so you don’t miss a single article.

Will I be showing my age if I bring up the movie Wild in the Streets and President Neil Sky’s aversion to trusting anyone over 30? The folks who dreamed that saying up are now all long over thirty … but not many realize that "live" GPS is now over thirty as well.

A tip of the blog hat to Tim Flight over at the GPS Review for posting a note on the anniversary of the first GPS satellite from Vandenberg AFB, California on the 22nd of February back in 1978.

Even though there are hundreds of thousands of us depending on signals from the existing GPS system every second of the day, I’m pretty surprised how little note was made of this event.

It’s always "good fun" to mock government programs, especially military programs of note … like the $600 toilet seat … a myth even older than GPS … and after 38 years with the Air Force, some of that time in program acquisition activities I can agree there are stories worth mocking … but we really should give credit where credit is due.

The NAVSTAR-GPS program was a US military research, development and acquisition program from day one.  The program still operates 100% today under the funding,control and day-to-day direction of the US military … in particular the 2nd Space Wing at Schriever AFB in Colorado.

We haven’t has a president since Ronald Reagan who gave a care what other countries thought of the US … and it’s pretty fashionable all around the world to make fun of the USA … and that’s fine … I advocate freedom of expression everywhere … but make sure you aren’t using your GPS to find your way to the protest rally, ‘kay?

Happy Birthday GPS

It’s beginning to look as if my “Cute” little title will prove a little hollow … neither the Red Sox nor the Rockies have been hitting anything out to Lansdowne Street, but for a fan, there’s always tomorrow … or Sunday in this case, when the Series resumes in Denver and both teams get a chance to bomb Blake Street. But I did promise a short series today to highlight some of the many uses and business advantages available through GPS tracking systems over and above putting little dots on the map to show where the trucks are. The series so far:

Intro

onboard security

diagnostic sensors

GPS tracking

GIS mapping

real time wireless communications

Internet and client software applications

reports

24/7 remote security monitoring and response

integration service

Today we’ll take a look at two often overlooked features, Onboard Security and Diagnostic Sensors. I’m looking at these two features together because they often function similarly and sometimes even wire to the same terminals of an on-board GPS tracking unit.

(more…)

If you’re going to Boston in the next few days you can park on Lansdowne Street, but I wouldn’t recommend it, since the Blake Street Bombers will be in town. I’m sure the Red Sox will already have the signs up like my headline … not responsible for broken windshields, or damage to anything else of the customer’s. Use at your own risk.

Sobeys, Inc. has chosen to implement Safefreight Technology’s trailer temperature monitoring and GPS fleet management solution. Safefreight’s Smartfleet technology will be deployed on 90 trailers in the Sobeys fleet which delivers temperature sensitive food products to 189 retail store locations and 3 distribution centres in Western Canada. Sobeys now has the ability to track vehicles by location, audit inventory movement between distribution centres and store locations, and monitor up to three temperature zones within their refrigerated transport trailers. Rest of the article on why GPS/Tracking/monitoring for your own protection here.

Here’s the sort of things you should be looking at to protect yourself as a transportation user.

(more…)

SkyWave Mobile Communications, the global leader for two-way satellite telematics, announces it has exceeded sales of 110,000 terminal units at the close of its most successful year to date, solidifying the company’s position as market leader.

Bolstered by the recent launch of the DMR-800D terminal and the SkyWave IsatM2M network service, SkyWave has shipped over 30,000 units this year alone, representing growth of 40% year-over-year. This year also marks the company’s 10th anniversary, establishing SkyWave as the only D+ network operator with over 10 years in operation… Read more about SkyWave’s 40% growth rate here:

It was nice to see this news release this morning.  For years the GPS tracking world has been handicapped by an attitude rather than hard facts.  The “word” has always been that terrestrial-based communication links, like cellular, are cheaper than satellite data service.  The facts are, when properly designed and implemented, satellite-based systems can be as cost-effective as ground-based systems.  More importantly, as you’ve read here often, there are many times when cellular just won’t do the job, even if it’s”cheap”.  If a technology doesn’t perform, it’s cost goes up asymptotically.

For some years now I’ve been frustrated by a number of satellite companies not being able to know what value they really offer, slowing market penetration and perpetuating the “satellite costs more” myth.  Skywave is unique, not for their equipment (there are a number of competitors who have used the proven INMARSAT D+ service), but for their marketing expertise.  Hat’s off!

If you think satellite always costs more than cellular, you and I should talk.

I only get my US mail every two weeks here at the current home of the GPS ROI blog. This is fine with me … I do almost everythig on line anyway. It does, however make the bi-weekly arrival of the courier a bit more of an event than the USPS letter carrier dropping of the dreck that passes for mail back in the USA.

While I was working on a few other projects I needed to do before I got ’round to posting on this blog, the doorbell rang and there was the courier with my mail packet. I noticed rigt away it was thick and larger than usual.

It’s as if Christmas had arrived here in September. The annual ESRI Map Book. Between that and the Sopranos DvD I got for my birthday this week, blog posting may be a little slow (er than normal)

ESRI, as many of my regular readers know is a fantastically successful GIS (Geographic Information System) company based in Redlands, California that has become the world leader in GIS. A basic description of GIS is to take graphical map data, when possible GPS-derived locations on the map and combine the “picture” side with database information. Census data to show income in areas of a city, geophysical survey data to paint a map with the most potentially successful areas to find oil, you name it … anything you have tabular data on for your business or research work almost certainly has some geographical component and almost everything can benefit from being visualized on a map.

The Map Book is a collection of work submitted by ESRI users to show the ways they have used maps and data to illustrate information … and the combination of diverse busiess and socially beneficial ideas combined with the actual artistic beauty of many of the products is simply fascinating. Fortunately, ESRI publishes the best of the Map book online. Go, look, learn, enjoy.

I’ve been having a bit of bother with my archive pages … they don’t display all that is in the archives and the navigation is a bit busted.  I’ll fix it soon I hope … meanwhile here’s a “Brute Force” look at everything that was published in July … In case you missed an article.

Archive for July, 2007

What You Don’t Know Can “Bite” You — FMCSA Hours Of Service Rules Part 1

I’ve used the premise many times that one of the bona fide paybacks (ROI) of using GPS tracking on your business vehicles is being able to know that you’re complying with the US FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) regulations. The ones regarding HOS (Hours Of Service) for drivers are particularly complex … and […]

July 30th, 2007 | Posted in GPS Tutorials | Edit | No Comments

Something Useful For The “Crackberry”

Just noticed the fact that this was a service for Blackberry users.  Sorry to say in the usual meaningless trash bin of mainly ” say nothing” press releases this one almost got deleted.
T-Mobile Austria customers can now receive turn-by-turn GPS-enabled voice and on-screen directions directly from their BlackBerry smartphone through a new service called TeleNav GPS […]

July 29th, 2007 | Posted in GPS for Business | Edit | No Comments

Build a Fleet Management Network You Can Be Proud Of — Installment Two

A few days ago I mentioned the NetworkCar offerings in an attempt to get business owners to pick themselves up by their own bootstraps and stop acting like they were powerless to improve their business.  Since then the stock market has taken a nosedive and who knows what sort of fuel price hikes will be […]

July 26th, 2007 | Posted in GPS for Business | Edit | No Comments

You Should Have A Voice In GPS

The GPS Lodge featured this recently. I’m jumping on it because it is just that important, both from a safety and a freedom standpoint::

Spain Considers GPS Misuse Illegal
Wow in a bold move, Spain is considering making it illegal to use/type on a GPS system while driving. The fine would be €300 as well as […]

July 26th, 2007 | Posted in GPS for Life | Edit | 2 Comments

Things Are Looking A Little Better Now

Isn’t it amazing how Dollars and/or Euros can “talk”? You’ll recall a number of articles, (samples here, here and here) past and recent I’ve penned about the somewhat ill-advised Galileo navigation system, a big candidate in my book for the Harvard Business School’s top choice in their “how not to build a business” series.
But […]

July 25th, 2007 | Posted in GPS Background | Edit | No Comments

Build a Fleet Management Network You Can Be Proud Of

No secret here that we talk about and recommend to nearly everyone that they use GPS tracking to insure business success and gain a terrific ROI on their investment.  But a justifiable criticism is that we don’t make enough specific recommendations.  Well, let’s get specific.
Siemens is a world leader in fleet telematics products.  their modules […]

July 24th, 2007 | Posted in GPS for Business | Edit | No Comments

GPS Tracking Benefits With Total Privacy

Who among us hasn’t seen a set of routing instructions from some GPS or mapping provider that hasn’t made us scratch our heads? “These guys are dumb” is a usual thought. “I wouldn’t go that way, I’ll hit way too much traffic” is a common fault. it’s one programming task to take […]

July 23rd, 2007 | Posted in GPS Traffic | Edit | No Comments

Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? GPS Might Lead You There

Now this is kind of cute. You’re running a casino. The US is staggering under its load of un-ending Iraqi bush self-aggrandizement debt. Foreclosures are shooting through the roof. Outsourcing takes all the good jobs. Gas costs $3 a gallon and Ford keeps rolling out DUV’s. So what’s […]

July 20th, 2007 | Posted in GPS for Business | Edit | No Comments

GPS Tracking Brings In The ROI For Service

Proof that there is money in service and GPS tracking can bring it to the bottom line.
OK, Quick, don’t look up at the top of the page … what’s the title of this blog? GPS ROI, right? I’ve written a lot of times how much money you can bring to the bottom line […]

July 19th, 2007 | Posted in GPS ROI | Edit | 1 Comment

A Mile Is Still Not Always A Mile — But Closer Now

REAL-TIME ASSET TRACKING
03/14/2007
Stemco’s ‘BAT RF’ system has been teamed with the SkyBitz Global Locating System (GLS) to offer mileage readings in conjunction with real-time trailer tracking. They’ll provide a direct interface between the two to enable accurate trailer mileage readings. Availability is mid-year 2007.
Using a wireless module installed with the SkyBitz GLS 200 trailer-tracking unit, […]

July 18th, 2007 | Posted in GPS That Isn’t | Edit | No Comments

GPS Prevents Lightning — Or Something Like That

MONTREAL, QUEBEC — (MARKET WIRE) — 03/13/07 — In the early morning of February 12th a Vigil client awoke in horror to realize his beloved 2003 Toyota Rav4 had been stolen from right out front of his home. Within seconds the client was in contact with Vigil’s ULC approved monitoring center, Protectron. The vehicle was […]

July 17th, 2007 | Posted in GPS Crime | Edit | No Comments

What Parents Ought to Know About Teens, Driving, Cell Phones — And GPS

By Michael Santo
Executive Editor, RealTechNews
It made national headlines, five cheerleaders killed in a car crash after going out to celebrate their graduation. But cell phone records show the phone was being used for text messaging right before the accident.
Cell phone records show a text message was sent from the phone belonging to the driver, Bailey […]

July 16th, 2007 | Posted in GPS Teens | Edit | No Comments

Who Else Wants A Radius Map?

Everything on the ‘Net is about niches. One subject is dull and boring (a speciality of mine?) and another subject clicks … who can say? But what people search for and read about, I write about.
I’ve mentioned the 100 and 150 air mile radius rules for “local” commercial vehicle operations a number of […]

July 13th, 2007 | Posted in GPS Tutorials | Edit | No Comments

What Do You Bet He “Can’t Afford” GPS Tracking For Company Vehicles

SkyCaddie marries two things I’m really passionate about–golf and GPS technology. Location is a powerful piece of information, and there are lots of killer applications being built around it.
Knowing where you are is very important to knowing where you’re going. In the game of golf, strategically being able to manage your play against the course–where […]

July 12th, 2007 | Posted in GPS Sport | Edit | No Comments

At Least They Are No Longer Claiming They Will Be Better than GPS

David Gow
Tuesday July 10, 2007
Guardian Unlimited

Artist’s impression of a Galileo GPS satellite. Picture: ESA/AFP
A fresh Franco-German row over the funding of Galileo is threatening to derail the EU’s most ambitious project, the €3.6bn (£2.4bn) global positioning satellite system designed to rival the American version, a senior executive in the private sector consortium due to run […]

July 11th, 2007 | Posted in GPS Curmudgeon | Edit | 1 Comment

Got A Chuckle When I Shouldn’t Have

I was looking at the web site of a large GPS Tacking organization tonight. Just after I left the business they were doing some partnering with the company whose products I used to handle and I was checking on what they might have rolled out new. They had an excellent little assessment quiz […]

July 10th, 2007 | Posted in GPS Curmudgeon | Edit | No Comments

Some Nations Care About Their Teens

Such technology will let Australians opt for “pay-as-you-drive” insurance, where the cost of premiums go up or down depending on how far and when a car is being driven.
The technology will also have a positive effect on road safety, according to Mr Issa.
“If the car’s driven by a P-plater between 11 o’clock at night and […]

July 10th, 2007 | Posted in GPS and PAYD | Edit | No Comments

Get Rid of Your Unproductive Workers Once and For All

Looking back over a lot of the posts I have made over the past couple years I have come to the conclusion I have been “pussyfooting” a bit about what is really going on out there in the workplace. especially the mobile workplace … employees on the road, with the expectation that they will […]

July 9th, 2007 | Posted in GPS for Business | Edit | No Comments

Here’s a Quick Way to Turn Service Tech Overhead To Profit

OK, I want you to do a little work for yourselves here. Go to this Aberdeen Group link and download the free, authoritative fleet management report. Yes, you’ll have to give them an email address, but you can always give them an anonymous, throwaway one and it will be worth it. A […]

July 8th, 2007 | Posted in GPS Case Studies | Edit | No Comments

Little Known Ways to Profit From GPS Tracking — Part 2

Most employers have established a mileage allowance for work-related automotive travel. The IRS has set the mileage reimbursement rate that employers may pay employees who use their own cars for company business without detailed documentation at 48.5 cents per mile for 2007. Employers that use the IRS mileage rate or a lower rate may deduct […]

July 7th, 2007 | Posted in GPS for Business | Edit | No Comments

Little Known Ways to Profit From GPS Tracking

There are more than 24,000,000 Americans living in what the US EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) determines are “Nonattainment” areas for PM (Particulate Matter ) air pollution standards.  You can read a lot about PM standards and why you, and your municipality, county and state cares here:
http://www.EPA.gov/oar/particlepollution/
What does this have to do with GPS Tracking?  […]

July 6th, 2007 | Posted in GPS for Life | Edit | No Comments

GPS Legalities Series — Part 3

Here’s a couple examples of how a city and a county I have worked with made GPS happen for them, kept it legal and kept their employees happy … well, perhaps not too unhappy.
Important Disclaimer:
I am not an attorney, I don’t even play one on TV, and I can not provide legal advice. This information is […]

July 5th, 2007 | Posted in Intelligent Folks | Edit | No Comments

GPS Legalities — Part 2

Recently I posted a very well-received article on the basics of using GPS to monitor employees. There is certainly a need for more information on this, including some of the “catch 22’s” that may result. From the number of searches I get daily looking for information on this subject there is no doubt […]

July 3rd, 2007 | Posted in GPS Privacy | Edit | No Comments

GPS Tracking Sponsorship — Thanks, Guys

I’ve been a little remiss in the past about acknowledging those who help me make this blog a success. Some pay money, others help for free and I few I even pay, but they’re well worth their modest fee.
First and foremost, since I just renewed my contract for the coming year, let me thank […]

July 2nd, 2007 | Posted in GPS Curmudgeon | Edit | No Comments

GPS Legalities Primer

A lot of searchers recently have been digging around for information on the legalities of GPS tracking, especially for public employees.  It’s a bit amazing to me how little is currently on line on these sorts of issues.  A good place to start looking is an article on findlaw by Daniel R. Sovocool of Thelen Reid, […]

July 2nd, 2007 | Posted in Intelligent Folks | Edit | No Comments

How To Be A Successful Criminal —Learn About GPS

Can’t resist. here’s another “Stupid Criminal” story where GPS (and smart thinking by the police) saved the day:
Investigators in Kittitas County say a stolen car equipped with the OnStar GPS system helped detectives crack theft ring.
Undersheriff Clayton Meyers said that over the last two months burglars have hit many vacation homes in the area, […]

July 1st, 2007 | Posted in GPS Crime | Edit | No Comments

• Recent Entries

• • What You Don’t Know Can “Bite” You — FMCSA Hours Of Service Rules Part 1
  • Something Useful For The “Crackberry”
  • Build a Fleet Management Network You Can Be Proud Of — Installment Two
  • You Should Have A Voice In GPS
  • Things Are Looking A Little Better Now
  • Build a Fleet Management Network You Can Be Proud Of
  • GPS Tracking Benefits With Total Privacy
  • Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? GPS Might Lead You There
  • GPS Tracking Brings In The ROI For Service
  • A Mile Is Still Not Always A Mile — But Closer Now
  • GPS Prevents Lightning — Or Something Like That
  • What Parents Ought to Know About Teens, Driving, Cell Phones — And GPS
  • Who Else Wants A Radius Map?
  • What Do You Bet He “Can’t Afford” GPS Tracking For Company Vehicles
  • At Least They Are No Longer Claiming They Will Be Better than GPS
  • Got A Chuckle When I Shouldn’t Have
  • Some Nations Care About Their Teens
  • Get Rid of Your Unproductive Workers Once and For All
  • Here’s a Quick Way to Turn Service Tech Overhead To Profit
  • Little Known Ways to Profit From GPS Tracking — Part 2
  • Little Known Ways to Profit From GPS Tracking
  • GPS Legalities Series — Part 3
  • GPS Legalities — Part 2
  • GPS Tracking Sponsorship — Thanks, Guys
  • GPS Legalities Primer
  • How To Be A Successful Criminal —Learn About GPS

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