In today’s world of technological growth, keeping track of your resources, human or otherwise, has become a priority. This ensures that you can track movements, reduce travel time and the cost associated with communication. More and more organizations are using wireless and location-based technologies (such as GPS). They are used to locate, track, and manage mobile workers and their tasks. This is to enable ease of work both on the field and inside the office.

Using this technology, you can set up a group for your team based on hierarchy for controlled access to tracking.

You can track vehicles, machines and consignments. With that information, you can correct course to ensure that goods and services are distributed in a timely manner and increase real-time visibility. Mobility and location-based tracking also increases productivity by ensuring that the supply chain is predictable and decisions made are data-driven.

According to a white paper by Colinbennet, “There are a wide variety of “mobile technologies” that are portable, that rely on wireless transmissions and that may be used to communicate from any location to another device.  But none of these inter-related definitions implies per se that the location, less still the identity, of the user is necessarily known.  This surveillance potential requires a further convergence of technology, standards-setting and organizational interests to produce what has come to be called, “location – based services” (LBS).”

There are many organizations that are offering and adapting to solutions of mobility and location-based tracking services. Additionally, there are an array of products that are marketed towards individuals different categories. The reason organizations are adapting to it include:

GPS Tagging and GPS fencing in workforce

• Data Capturing: Users can capture all kinds of data using this technology. Electronic signatures, wireless forms, images and photos, are only some examples of that which get digitally captured.
• Cheaper GPS: With GPS tracking and monitoring available in almost all mobile devices, GPS solutions are cheaper and easily adaptable.
• Return on Investment: Mobile workforce management solutions provide quick return-on-investment benefits. The paperwork and labour expenses are all benefits of the ROI. Additionally, quick turnaround time in terms of field responses also adds to the ROI of using this technology.
• Reporting: When everything is recorded, reporting becomes that much easier. When the right kind of reports are arrived at, processes can be tailored to make them more effective.
• Organization: When you are aware of where your resources are, the organization of them becomes that much more efficient. This overall saves travel time and makes the process of dealing with distribution easier.
• Emergency connections: If you are in an emergency, the mobility and location-based tracking systems help you find help sooner. The apps that send out SOS messages are very important especially in times of emergencies.

There are multiple reasons why these technologies are gaining popularity. However, it is important to remember that technology also comes with its share of challenges. As more data goes online data security becomes vulnerable. This must be checked for and updated from time to time. Also, with organizations being able to track your moves, privacy becomes a challenge. As much as this technology is overtaking our lives, it is vital that you remain sensitive to the risk that comes with technology.