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Vehicle Tracking: The Benefits of Live or Real Time GPS Locates

10/22/2015

One of the major advantages of GPS vehicle tracking is that businesses are able to view their vehicles’ location in real-time. Real-time tracking lets a business have direct control of their vehicles while they are en route, which allows them to make better decisions and improve customer service.

With the advancement in telematics technology, companies like Vancouver based BLACKRIDGE Solutions are now able to offer LIVE tracking through solutions like Geotab's GO7 device., With real-time tracking there is always a slight delay in the refreshing of the vehicles location on the web portal screen, while in Live tracking you can actually seamlessly see the vehicle move on the web portal screen. This allows fleet managers to see exactly where a vehicle is, immediately know if it is speeding and be able to accurately predict when it is expected to arrive at a given destination.

Live and Real-time vehicle tracking provides many advantages:

Increased Productivity:
Companies that are using a Live or Real-time tracking system increase the amount of service calls per day by approximately 23%. With live tracking, fleet managers can easily identify drivers that are not operating their vehicle efficiently. In addition, drivers are more likely to drive with better driving habits, obey guidelines and take the most direct routes when they know they are being closely monitored.

Improved Customer Service:
Live tracking systems help improve customer service with improved response times and increased productivity. On average, the drivers that are monitored with a real-time tracking system arrive within the promised response time 46% more often. The improved customer service alone, from implementing a GPS tracking system, often increases revenue by 16.4%.

Reduced Fuel Costs:
Fuel costs are one of the highest operating expenses for a business with a fleet of vehicles. Real-time tracking allows business owners to manage these expenses effectively by decreasing idle times, improving dispatching and routing, monitoring speed and getting an alert to stay informed of necessary vehicle maintenance.

Reduced Labor Costs:
If drivers are being paid an hourly rate, GPS fleet tracking prevents false time claims and extended trips to job sites.

Speed Monitoring:
Real-time GPS tracking sends alerts to the business owner or fleet manager if a driver exceeds the set speed limit. Speeding causes higher fuel consumption, and increases the risk and severity of automobile accidents.

Reduced Unauthorized Use:
Fleet managers will automatically be notified by the real-time tracking GPS system when a vehicle is driven outside of working hours or in areas that are not authorized.

Theft Recovery:
Owners know where their vehicles are around the clock. If a vehicle is stolen, the real-time tracking system can be used by police to locate the vehicle.

Hands-Free Mileage Logbook:
Business owners won't have to rely on their drivers to record all of their mileage logs or job arrival and departure logs. All of that information will be automatically calculated and reported by the real-time tracking system

In addition to all of the above live and real-time tracking advantages, BLACKRIDGE Solutions provides many extra benefits making them an industry leader. Implementing the Geotab GO7 GPS tracking system includes: Live (no delay) or Real-time (15 second) tracking refresh rate, audible or voice (GO TALK) driver feedback, vehicle diagnostics, Garmin integration, mobile phone viewing application, simple plug and play installation, and much more. BLACKRIDGE Solutions provides cost-effective fleet management system tailored to your business.

To learn more, contact one of our fleet consultants today at: i[email protected] or (778) 686-5799

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GO TALK: Telematics Solution That Speaks To The Driver

10/20/2015

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Vancouver, BC: October 20, 2015 - BLACKRIDGE Solutions, a leading provider of,Geotab M2M/IoT fleet telematics technology, has today begun offering GO TALK — a new driver awareness tool designed to transform the way driver coaching happens behind the wheel by providing real-time verbal feedback to fleet drivers.

GO TALK is an add-on module for the Geotab GO7 vehicle tracking device that combines GPS tracking, accelerometer and diagnostic data, as well as other manager programmable data incorporating time of day and location zones to relay instant, spoken instruction and safety information direct to fleet drivers. GO TALK also passes information back to the fleet management center on driver behavior and the effectiveness of responses to the audible coaching.

With virtually infinite options for event rules that trigger any message to the GO TALK device itself, the new solution offers a wide range of safety and security advantages. Fleet managers can extend the default functionality by adding custom event-triggers into the fleet management control system.

GO TALK can issue coaching notifications to drivers for events such as:

Fastening seatbelt
Entering a restricted area
Exceeding a speed limit set by the safety supervisor
Leaving the engine idling for too long
Experiencing aggressive acceleration and harsh braking
Driving excessive hours
Driving outside of State

GO TALK is designed to work with Geotab’s GO7 fleet telematics device which already records and reports data on driving habits, safety, and health of vehicle information such as seat belt use, fuel consumption, and engine diagnostics.

GO TALK will connect to the Geotab GO7 device through Geotab’s IOX add-on interface as an addition to the existing IOX options that includes Driver ID, sensor input, connected smart device and other options for running and improving business operations.

For further information or to sign up for a 30 day free trial, contact BLACKIDGE Solutions at:
(778) 686-5799 or [email protected]

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Satellite Tracking Device: Choosing the Best

10/15/2015

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For many businesses, the satellite tracking device has become an indispensable tool for fleet management and asset tracking. Originally, Global Positioning System, also known as GPS, was developed for the US military by the Department of Defense. Currently, GPS is available for civilian use all over the world. Businesses are learning how to leverage this extremely powerful technology to improve the way they conduct business.

BLACKRIDGE Solutions satellite tracking devices help managers effectively manage their fleets. The easy-to-use internet-based fleet management software provides accurate location information, route history and driving data including drivers’ behaviors. It has been proven that using BLACKRIDGE Solutions satellite tracking devices can increase a company’s bottom line, reduce overhead costs, increase productivity, improve driver safety, and reduce fuel consumption. Effective fleet management can also help improve overall customer satisfaction.

The fleet management software gathers and organizes the driving data so that fleet managers can improve their operational efficiencies. Customizable reports and alerts can be set up to notify fleet managers of drivers’ behaviors such as speeding, excessive idling, aggressive driving, route deviation, unauthorized vehicle use and seat belt usage. Reminders can also be set for upcoming preventative maintenance based on vehicle mileage, engine hours or time.

In addition to fleet management, BLACKRIDGE Solutions SmartOne Sat can also be used to track a company’s assets such as equipment, containers or trailers. It is not enough to have a list of important company assets. Not keeping track of valuable company assets can lead to huge financial losses. It is critical for companies to know where their assets are located at all times. The SmartOne Satellite Tracking Device can be easily synchronized with BLACKRIDGE Solutions fleet management software for easy location.

BLACKRIDGE Solutions has other satellite device tracking options and add-ons such as inReach SE Satellite Communicator and Loner BRIDGE, vehicle cameras, tire monitoring, wireless gas detection, trailer temperature monitoring, Man Down System, and much more.

For more information about BLACKRIDGE Solutions satellite tracking devices or other fleet management tools, Contact Us.

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THIRD PARTY DEVICE INTEGRATION: Geotab GO7 Fleet Tracker

10/14/2015

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BLACKRIDGE Solutions integrates with a large variety of different third party devices. Some of the most popular applications include the following:

Garmin device integration ... to deliver notifications to your drivers.
Iridium Satellite ... to enable connectivity when traveling out of cell coverage.
Hours of Service ... to log how long your drivers have been on the road to help keep them safe.

The IOX platform was developed as a modular solution to the integration problem. The platform allows for flexible product support while keeping individual costs down. The Third Party Protocol was designed to easily allow the integration of external devices. By utilizing the IOX platform & Third Party Protocol, starting the integration process is simple.

Step 1: Request an External Device ID
Our software needs to know who it's talking to. Contact BLACKRIDGE Solutions to obtain an External Device ID unique for your product. We will save a record when we see your device to indicate it was found.

Step 2: Request Status Data IDs
It is always beneficial to know what data you're sending and its format. You can apply a different offset and conversion factor for each type of data. Request a distinct ID for each type of status data you want to send.

Step 3: Implement Third Party Protocol
It is important all devices involved speak the same language. The Third Party Protocol attempts to link with the device connected and expects messages to be structured in a certain way. A checksum is included to help ensure the integrity of the data during the process of transmission.

Step 4: Use the data
Once BLACKRIDGE Solutions has the data, what can be done with it? Take a look at the Software Development Kit (SDK). With this powerful tool you can create new applications, custom reports, or integrate the data into your own systems.

Could integrating your device with BLACKRIDGE Solutions add value to your products and expand the capabilities of your current solution(s)? Contact us to learn more.

Original Article From Geotab:
Expand Your Telematics Solution: Third Party Device Integration

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Work Alone Safety: Real Estate Agents

10/14/2015

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Recently in Arkansas, real estate agent Beverly Carter was reported missing when she did not return after showing a home to a potential client. Tragically, her body was found a few days later and a suspect is in custody, who is believed to have targeted Mrs. Carter because of her profession and because she at times worked alone.

You love your career as a real-estate agent – it comes with a lot of freedom and flexibility, and can be very financially rewarding. However, by the fact you may be working alone, you could be putting yourself at risk to having an accident or a violent attack without anyone even knowing.

Managing an Open House by yourself?

A sign on a lawn inviting strangers in to a house where you are working alone creates a lot of safety concerns.

By using the Check-In feature built in to the new Loner MOBILE app you can quickly and easily confirm you are safe and everything is okay without having to make a phone call. Failing to check in at specific time intervals will initiate a Missed Check-In alert, sending out email and text notifications to pre-determined contacts advising them of the situation.

Showing a house late in the evening?

Similar to the Missed Check-In alert, with the Loner MOBILE app you have the ability to signal an Emergency Alert directly from your smartphone which will not only notify pre-determined contacts that you require immediate assistance, but it will also provide a highly accurate GPS locate of your current location ... even if traveling in a vehicle. This is important in situations when you are somewhere no one knows about or is aware of.

Preparation and vigilance is key to your continued safety. Realtors like many other professions face dangers every day, so remember that you are worth fighting for and have more power than you may think. At the end of the day when selling others their homes, it is even more important that you arrive back to your own safe and sound.

To find out more about the Loner MOBILE app and how it can provide greater safety to you while working alone, contact BLACKRIDGE Solutions at: (778) 686-5799 or [email protected]

Loner MOBILE
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Available on: Android
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Taking the Bark Out of Lone Worker Safety

10/8/2015

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Many of us are not aware, but the role of an SPCA Inspector comes with a high degree of risk on a daily basis. Usually working alone and interacting with aggressive animals and not-so-happy pet owners, the personal safety of the Inspector is always of concern.

As a non-profit organization, the BC SPCA went out in search of a work alone safety solution for their Inspectors that not only provides the highest degree of safety in a variety of different scenarios, but also demonstrates fiscal responsibility.

So the BC SPCA turned to BLACKRIDGE Solutions to help develop and deploy a work alone safety solution that met Federal and Provincial work alone safety legislation and allowed the Inspectors the comfort of knowing that if they were ever in distress and required immediate assistance, it was available to them 24/7/365, including non-emergency situations.

The Loner solution deployed by BC SPCA provides the Inspectors the ability to request assistance in several different situations:

Emergency Alert: if the Inspector experiences a medical or physical situation that requires immediate attention, they can pull down on the latch on their Loner device they are wearing and an alert is sent to a 24/7 Monitoring Centre, along with email and text messages to pre-defined contacts. The alert will provide the exact GPS location of the Inspector, even if he is indoors, within 10 seconds. Emergency services can be quickly deployed to the exact location for immediate assistance.
Silent Alert: If the Inspector is in a situation where he requires back-up assistance, by pressing in on the latch on the Loner device, an alert is quietly sent out to the Monitoring Centre and pre-defined contacts letting them know that it is a silent alert situation and that the inspector requires backup support. Whether that is co-workers nearby or police services, assistance can be quickly dispatched to their GPS location.
Missed Check-In Alert: If the Inspector fails to Check-in at regular intervals by pressing in on the latch on the Loner device, an alert will be generated letting the Monitoring Centre and pre-defined contacts know that the Inspector may require assistance
No-Motion Alert: If the Inspector encounters a situation whereby they become motionless (unconscious) for a set period of time, the Loner device will automatically trigger an alert notifying the Monitoring Centre and pre-defined contacts that the Inspector may be in an unconscious situation and requires immediate assistance. His exact GPS location will be provided with the alert that was sent enhancing the speed at which assistance is provided.
Fall Detection Alert: Similar to the no-motion alert, the fall detection alert will automatically send out an alert if it senses the Inspector had a serious fall and could potentially be unconscious and unable to request assistance. Like all of the other alerts, the Monitoring Centre and pre-defined contacts can quickly and efficiently be able to provide assistance to the Inspector, thus minimizing the seriousness of the incident.

Ensuring the safety of their Inspectors on a daily basis is extremely important to the BC SPCA and the Loner solution provides the level of safety they require to ensure all employees working alone go home safely at the end of their shift.

For further information on the Loner portfolio of products or on other leading work alone safety solutions, contact BLACKRIDGE Solutions at: (778) 686-5799 or i[email protected]

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Vehicle Tracking: The Benefits of Live or Real Time GPS Locates

GO TALK: Telematics Solution That Speaks To The Driver

Satellite Tracking Device: Choosing the Best

THIRD PARTY DEVICE INTEGRATION: Geotab GO7 Fleet Tracker

Work Alone Safety: Real Estate Agents

Taking the Bark Out of Lone Worker Safety

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