Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Contact GPS suppliers and distributors to schedule product demonstrations

Product demonstrations are important when purchasing GPS systems. Demonstrations allow you to see the features and capabilities each product has to offer as well as determine the ease of use.

I recommend: Gorilla GPS Suppliers and Tiger GPS offer GPS navigation systems and accessories manufactured by Magellan, Garmin and TomTom. Trimble offers GPS systems appropriate for agriculture, engineering and construction, and fleet management applications.

Research applications and advances in Global Positioning Systems technology

Learning how others in your field are using and benefitting from advancements in technology can present options and possibilities that you may have overlooked.

I recommend: Trade shows provide a quick and easy way to get a GPS systems industry overview by talking with vendors and discussing what their products have to offer. GPS World allows individuals to register for enewsletters and webinars to stay abreast with GPS technology and its applications while Trimble provides news releases regarding their products.

Ask GPS System Providers if your GPS device is subject to FCC regulations

The FCC's Code of Federal Regulations Title 47 Part 90 pertaining to Private Land Mobile Radio Services applies to certain GPS navigational systems.

I recommend: Review the Private Land Mobile Radio Services regulations to gain a better understanding of the FCC’s regulations. One should ask the GPS distributors and suppliers that they consult if the device(s) you choose are subject to FCC regulations. Should your GPS system fall under FCC regulations, you can either retain an attorney specializing in telecommunications law or contact a consultant such as Spectrum License Consultants, Inc. to provide support with FCC licensing.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Ask the GPS suppliers and distributors you contact if they will give you a free trial period to test their product. Sales representatives wanting to make a sale, sometimes extend this courtesy to potential customers. Having the ability to test GPS devices (especially those utilizing GPS tracking software) in the manner that you will be using them will enable you to see firsthand how they will affect your company.

1. Manage a fleet. By equipping your fleet vehicles with GPS tracking equipment, you can track vehicles, assess logistics and pinpoint solutions for improvement.
2. Improve accuracy. Construction and surveying are exacting sciences that benefit from GPS devices, which decrease errors.
3. Increase productivity. Farmers benefit from GPS farming systems that allow them to track field operations, map field conditions and analyze data for planting and irrigation.

Action Steps
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Compare GPS navigation systems before you buy

Not all GPS devices are the same. Consider power, signal strength, visual displays, features and cost when shopping for a GPS system.

I recommend: Check out the variety of GPS equipment from major manufacturers, including Garmin, Magellan, Leica and Trimble.

GPS devices can be used in automobiles, boats and airplanes

If your vehicle, boat or airplane doesn't come automatically equipped with a GPS system, you can invest in portable GPS systems that work from any vehicle.

I recommend: MyPilotStore.com has a variety of portable GPS navigation systems and GPS trackers that send out a signal of your location in the case of an emergency. SkyGeek.com sells aviation GPS systems, handheld units and portable systems. The GPS Store provides GPS navigation systems for installation in automobiles and come with features, such as speech navigation, mapping and real-time traffic monitors.

Commercial GPS systems can be used for surveying, construction and agriculture

Farming has gone high-tech, along with other vocations that have jumped on the GPS bandwagon. Contractors and land surveyors also benefit from using customized commercial GPS systems.

I recommend: Improved Construction Methods sells a variety of GPS equipment for surveying purposes. GPS systems for farming by Hemisphere GPS or AutoFarm provide precise guidance for field operations or collection of map data on tillage, applications, planting, weeds, insect and disease infestations, cultivation and irrigation.

GPS tracking software can be used to monitor and protect fleet vehicles

GPS tracking allows you to audit your drivers and gives you a better chance of recovering stolen fleet vehicles.

I recommend: BrickHouseSecurity.com offers GPS fleet management systems and software to track the movements of company vehicles. GPS Fleet Solutions provides small to mid-sized fleets with tools for tracking vehicles, trailers or heavy equipment. Check out their online real-time calculator and historical calculator to see how much you can save by investing in a GPS system.

Online GPS tracking is a viable option for small businesses

Rather than investing and maintaining GPS software and tracking systems, you can opt to track your fleet with online tools. Some providers of GPS fleet management systems offer monthly billing and online tracking.

I recommend: Discrete Wireless offers online GPS tracking with monthly billing plans. ExtremTrac Technology is a web-based fleet GPS tracking and management solution that offers remote monitoring, route analysis, distance calculations and real-time map refreshing.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Using GPS fleet management systems, fleet managers can find ways to consolidate routes to cut fuel costs.
• •  For salespeople, GPS devices can minimize driving time. GPS navigation systems prevent you from getting lost, and may come equipped with features that guide you around traffic tie-ups and road construction delays.
• •  Fleet managers may be able to track local vehicles by equipping them nothing more than GPS trackers or beacons in the vehicles.

Action Steps
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Contact GPS suppliers and distributors to assist you in finding a GPS device that suits your needs

GPS suppliers and distributors can prevent one from feeling overwhelmed by reviewing the aforementioned GPS systems basics with you. Providing them this information will enable them to provide better assistance to you in identifying specific GPS tracking systems that contain the features you desire.

I recommend: ATTI's Shadow Tracker ® tracking system provides customers a variety of vehicle tracking programs to accommodate fleets of all sizes. GPS North America is a web-based vehicle tracking system that allows the ability for one to create and edit routes.

Research online GPS system product testimonials regarding the products that interest you

Online product testimonials are an invaluable resource in determining whether a product will suit your company's needs. Existing users can provide insight as to how they use the product and what they wish they had done differently or will do differently when they upgrade their vehicle tracking system.

I recommend: GPS Fleet Solutions, ATTI and Fleet Tracking Solutions list product testimonials from clients on their websites.

Verify when opting for cellular GPS tracking system that the carrier's network provides coverage

GPS enabled cell phones are a simple and affordable GPS tracking solution. However, one should bear in mind that they lose tracking capabilities should the vehicle leave their network coverage area.

I recommend: Nextel, AT&T/Cingular and Sprint are popular cellular providers that provide their network coverage areas online.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Inquire as to whether your insurance company offers discounts on GPS navigation systems. Several insurance companies consider GPS devices an anti-theft device and you may be able to receive a discount on your premium.
• •  Management can utilize GPS tracking systems to observe drivers to ensure they are making their deliveries in a geographically logical, systematic manner instead of making random, unorganized deliveries within their sector. Other GPS solutions provided to managers include the ability to monitor the speed that drivers are traveling, how long they spend at each delivery location, and if they travel outside of their delivery area without authorization.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

GPS navigation

The use of GPS for navigation is one of the most vibrant consumer-oriented applications on the market. Navigational GPS sells to nearly anyone with a vehicle. But GPS navigation tools can be equally valuable to a business, such as a courier service or delivery department, that goes out on the road frequently.

I recommend: Get definition and guidance on GPS navigation from Consumer Reports.

GPS tracking

GPS tracking is also very valuable for businesses with a fleet or with multiple vehicles or mobile assets of nearly any kind. GPS embedded technology can 'report' on the whereabouts of a tracked vehicle or item.

I recommend: Find out a lot more about today's GPS tracking options for business at Tracking the World: the blog.

GPS for farms

Another big use of GPS is in agriculture. Farmers use GPS for crop management and other tasks, bringing one of the oldest professions into line with the technological advances of this century.

I recommend: Find a brief overview of GPS applications to farming at this Google Books page. Also, see Martens Farms about mapping software for farms.

Portable GPS

Another big term in GPS systems is portability. While many models of the past were bulky and built into machinery, with today's light weight portable GPS devices, users can interact with the satellites while sitting at a restaurant table.

I recommend: Check out more on portable GPS and its results at this PC Magazine Guide.

Geospatial map development

Since the advent of GPS and electronic devices, paper mapping has been migrating onto the Internet. This change is not without complexity in some fields.

I recommend: Learn more about applications and methods for doing geospatial map development with GPS at this Stanford University guide.

GPS utility

Though some use the term for any GPS software that is useful to device users, this term also applies to a specific kind of program that helps users migrate GPS map data and do other tricky jobs.

I recommend: Find out all about GPS Utility at this guide from the Virginia Geospatial Extension Program.