[NA] Company Vehicle GPS "Transponders" [NA]

AggieMike88

AggieMike88

Touchdown! Greaser!
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The original "I don't know it all" of aviation.
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KDTO (Denton Enterprise)
I'm looking for suggestions and PIREPs on the GPS devices that I can attach to my company vehicles (delivery trucks) that will allow me to view where the truck is while it's out and about taking parts to my customers.

This would be a permanently mounted device that my drivers cannot disable and is independent of their individual cell phone use. Bonus would be an online service that permits me setting up geo-fences so that I can be alerted when he crosses these fences.

I know these usually come with an online service, so I'd like to know about those (pricing, features, service, your satisfaction).

Your help is appreciated!
 
Mike, I have a company pitching me right now for us to offer their product, it's an anti-theft, theft recovery tool, but the "optional coverage" will give you live tracking as well, I think it's $10 per month. The company is called Sky Link, www.mysky-link.com may give you more information or give you a rep or dealer in your area, we haven't signed up with them yet, so I don't have all the particulars.

AggieMike88 said:
I'm looking for suggestions and PIREPs on the GPS devices that I can attach to my company vehicles (delivery trucks) that will allow me to view where the truck is while it's out and about taking parts to my customers.

This would be a permanently mounted device that my drivers cannot disable and is independent of their individual cell phone use. Bonus would be an online service that permits me setting up geo-fences so that I can be alerted when he crosses these fences.

I know these usually come with an online service, so I'd like to know about those (pricing, features, service, your satisfaction).

Your help is appreciated!
Click to expand...
 
Sac Arrow said:
AggieMike, you are so big brother!
Click to expand...

It's as much a customer service tool as making sure the driver is where he is supposed to be.

It's not uncommon for the shop customer to call in asking for an update to the delivery time. With the service I'm asking about, I can quickly update them with the information.

Additionally, if he is held up by the customer or a vendor for a time longer than reasonable, then I'd like to get an alert so I can call that location and ask what the hold up is.

But I do want to apply the "big brother" aspect when it comes to the route he drove (review habit of too much back tracking and criss-crossing) and if he "goes out of bounds" when he shouldn't be.
 
I have no problem with a private company knowingly tracking their vehicles. The driver is aware of this, and should be operating the vehicle only in the best interest of the company.

What I am against is government tracking us without our knowledge through implanted vehicle GPS's and things like toll road E-Z Pass. Now that is Big Brother.
 
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My company recently canned a service mechanic because we were able to show his company work truck was parked for 3 hours (after normal work hours) at a bar between his work site and his house, via the GPS transponder. Clear violation of company policy for the work truck to be used for personal use, to say nothing of the alchohol consumption and liability of driving the company truck afterward.

Of course, it also wasn't his first violation, but that's another story.
 
AggieMike88 said:
It's as much a customer service tool as making sure the driver is where he is supposed to be.

It's not uncommon for the shop customer to call in asking for an update to the delivery time. With the service I'm asking about, I can quickly update them with the information.

Additionally, if he is held up by the customer or a vendor for a time longer than reasonable, then I'd like to get an alert so I can call that location and ask what the hold up is.

But I do want to apply the "big brother" aspect when it comes to the route he drove (review habit of too much back tracking and criss-crossing) and if he "goes out of bounds" when he shouldn't be.
Click to expand...

I say that tongue in cheek. My inability and unwillingness to use smilies in posts contributes to confusion, I know.

Anthony said:
I have no problem with a private company knowingly tracking their vehicles. The driver is aware of this, and should be operating the vehicle only in the best interest of the company.

What I am against is government tracking us without our knowledge through implanted vehicle GPS's and things like toll road E-Z Pass. Now that is Big Brother.
Click to expand...

Agreed.
 
Kelvin said:
I have an employee that abuses the crap out of the company vehicles...we are exploring this company...

[FONT=&quot]http://www.brickhousesecurity.com/product/trackport+gps+tracker.do [/FONT]

I am deciding if I am doing this to correct this behavior or to build a case to fire him...

Let me know what you find...
Click to expand...

What I did to address abuse is

  • I pay only by the stop, no hourly or salary. This ensures he only is paid for what he completes and if we are having a light day, he either comes back early to do some "chores" or "projects" (also paid by the item) or opts to go home early after he completes the prep for next delivery day.
  • Speeding tickets are his financial responsibility, as is any rise in insurance premium from incidents such as this.
  • Maintenance issues that he could have prevented are his financial responsibility. He is taught and coached how to minimize the risk of this happening (pre-departure check, frequent oil/trans service, drive normal and safe, avoid items that cause tire puncture)
  • If an accident occurs that is deemed preventable by him, he pays for the deductible and the increase in premium.
  • No smoking in the truck (exposure to tobacco smoke can give me a bad headache)
  • It is his responsibility to keep truck nice and clean. It is a "advertising" item that represents my company. And since we're automotive related and we're selling parts, it make sense for us to show we care for the parts we sell by caring for the vehicle that brings them.

Kelvin; there might be additional reasons that are employment related as to why he is doing harm to this truck. So a conversation with him to find out why might be warranted. (and set the rule that "I don't know" isn't an allowed answer).

But if you set it that he has some financial responsibility for the truck, they tend to take better are of it.

Others might say I'm a hardash about this... but I've chased off lots of non-productive types and the ones I have are the right ones to ensure profitability.
 
AggieMike88 said:
What I did to address abuse is


  • Speeding tickets are his financial responsibility, as is any rise in insurance premium from incidents such as this.
  • Maintenance issues that he could have prevented are his financial responsibility. He is taught and coached how to minimize the risk of this happening (pre-departure check, frequent oil/trans service, drive normal and safe, avoid items that cause tire puncture)
  • If an accident occurs that is deemed preventable by him, he pays for the deductible and the increase in premium.
  • No smoking in the truck (exposure to tobacco smoke can give me a bad headache)
  • It is his responsibility to keep truck nice and clean. It is a "advertising" item that represents my company. And since we're automotive related and we're selling parts, it make sense for us to show we care for the parts we sell by caring for the vehicle that brings them.

Are you really able to inforce these rules? Especially the part about insurance premiums and preventable repairs? I would love to be able to hold my emplyees responsibe for these things, but I don't think I would have any employees left if I did.

Josh
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Kinda sorta on the enforcement.

In the 18 months since I implemented that rule, we haven't had any incident once I explained what it could mean to the fellow financially. He's super aware and super careful now.

Sometimes letting the employee be successful at some other place of employment is the right idea. With the continuing tough economy, and margins getting slimmer, it's even more important that we don't let the inmates run the asylum and pull us down with them. It might take a while to find the right employee for the position, but when you do, life is much better, more profitable, and you're able to reward them more versus beat down the bad one.

In a small biz, I got enough to do with my own tasks without getting pulled in to silliness and chaos of an employee not doing theirs. I set a high standard, frequently share my vision, and then properly reward them when the meet or exceed my standards/expectations.
 
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Qualcomm has been in the business for ever and a day. They are the standard for tracking commercial trucks, and should be able to cover your needs as well.

Sent via teletype
 
We're using geomoto and it serves it's purpose. The unit plugs into the OBD II port so installation is easy and tracking can detect if the driver pulls it out. For the most part employees seem to like having them since we can tell if they get stranded somewhere (they're in pretty remote locations and can have severe weather). Geofences are simple to setup and the email notifications work fine. All comms are cellular so that can be a limitation for some areas. At least we know where the last "ping" was if we have to go looking for someone.
 
Kelvin said:
I have an employee that abuses the crap out of the company vehicles...we are exploring this company...

[FONT=&quot]http://www.brickhousesecurity.com/product/trackport+gps+tracker.do [/FONT]

I am deciding if I am doing this to correct this behavior or to build a case to fire him...

Let me know what you find...
Click to expand...

You are in North Carolina - bring him in - ask him directly. If he lies - fire him for lying. Then when he sues you - HE has the burden of proof he was not lying . . . makes your case for you. People need better lawyers - or at least lawyers who actually litigate who can tell how to prep the case to make the guy look like a bozo.

Edit: AggieMike - that policy is gonna come back to bite you one day. . . . maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow but soon and for the rest of your life you will regret enforcing it . . .

There are better ways - such as written contracts - sounds to me like you have independent contractors perhaps? gotta be real careful there . . . but prob already know that- but Texas is getting more ex-California bureaucrats every day in its Dept of Human Labor Capital or whatever the F its called now.
 
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comanchepilot said:
Edit: AggieMike - that policy is gonna come back to bite you one day. . . . maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow but soon and for the rest of your life you will regret enforcing it
Click to expand...

Right now, I'm hoping the saber rattling continues to do the job.

Main focus is snapping the brain awake and getting him to remain responsible versus "that's not my problem"

And the driver is a regular W2 employee.
 
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