5 Reasons Why Employee Tracking with GPS is Important

GPS, or Global Positioning System, initially designed for military navigation, has found myriad applications in our everyday lives. From helping us navigate unfamiliar cities to finding the nearest coffee shop, its utility is undeniable. GPS has revolutionized how we manage and oversee operations in the context of businesses with a mobile workforce - whether it's delivery services, field sales teams, or on-site repair personnel.

The rise of mobile workforce management tools is a testament to the growing need for such technological solutions. As businesses expand their reach, the challenges of managing a team spread across vast geographical areas become more pronounced. Traditional methods of manual check-ins, paper-based reporting, or relying on word of mouth are no longer efficient or reliable. Enter GPS-based tracking tools designed to bridge the gap between managers and their teams, ensuring transparency, enhancing productivity, and building trust. The proliferation of these tools isn't just a trend; it reflects an evolving business landscape where real-time data and instant communication are vital for success.

In this blog, let's explore the top 5 reasons why tracking employees with GPS has become important.

The Evolution of Employee Tracking

Historically, employee tracking was a manual and often cumbersome process. From punch cards to time sheets, businesses relied on tangible evidence of an employee's work hours and whereabouts. As industries grew and technology advanced, the need for more efficient systems became evident. Enter the digital era, where time clocks evolved into electronic swipe cards and biometric systems. However, the integration of GPS technology truly transformed the landscape of employee tracking. Originally a military navigation tool, GPS was soon adapted for civilian use, finding its way into cars, phones, and business operations. With the widespread adoption of smartphones and the advent of cloud computing, GPS-enabled employee tracking apps became more accessible and affordable. These tools allowed businesses to monitor field teams in real-time, optimize routes, and ensure accurate reporting. This shift improved operational efficiency and ushered in a new era of transparency and accountability in the workplace.

5 Reasons Why Employee Tracking with GPS is Important

Managing and overseeing a mobile workforce can present numerous challenges in the modern business landscape. GPS-based employee tracking has emerged as a solution to many of these challenges, offering a range of benefits that can enhance efficiency and accountability. Here are five compelling reasons why businesses are increasingly adopting GPS for employee tracking:

• Personal Safety: GPS tracking can be a lifeline for employees, especially those working in remote locations or odd hours. In emergencies, such as accidents or health issues, their exact location can be quickly determined, allowing for faster response times.
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• Security Against Threats: In professions where employees might be at risk—like delivery drivers in high-risk areas—GPS tracking can offer an added layer of protection. Any unusual stops or deviations can trigger alerts, ensuring quick interventions if needed.

• Optimal Routes: GPS tracking enables route optimization, helping employees reach destinations faster and with fewer delays. This not only saves time but also reduces fuel costs.
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• Reduced Idle Times: Managers can monitor if a worker spends too much time at a single location, allowing for timely interventions to ensure tasks are completed efficiently.

• Instant Updates: Managers can view the real-time status of tasks and employee locations, making it easier to provide updates to clients or adjust schedules as needed.
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• Accurate Reporting: The data gathered from GPS tracking eliminates guesswork, ensuring that timesheets and logs are accurate, leading to fairer evaluations and billing.

• Better Service Delivery: Real-time tracking ensures that appointments are kept and delays are communicated promptly to customers.
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• Proof of Service: In instances where service delivery is disputed, GPS logs can provide evidence of an employee's arrival time and duration at a location.

• Fuel Savings: As mentioned, optimized routes mean less fuel consumption. Additionally, monitoring can reduce excessive idling, which also consumes fuel.
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• Maintenance Costs: By monitoring driving behaviors, businesses can identify and correct practices that might lead to increased wear and tear on vehicles, thereby extending the lifespan of their fleet and reducing maintenance costs.

Use cases of GPS tracking across industries

The appeal of GPS-based employee tracking transcends traditional industry boundaries, offering valuable benefits to a myriad of sectors. The capability to monitor, manage, and optimize workflows in real-time has proven indispensable. Here's a closer look at how various industries harness the power of GPS tracking:

• Route Optimization: Transport companies can plan the most efficient routes, factoring in traffic, weather, and road conditions, ensuring timely deliveries.
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• Fleet Maintenance: By monitoring vehicle usage and driving patterns, companies can preemptively address maintenance needs, extending vehicle lifespan and reducing downtime.
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• Theft Prevention: Real-time GPS tracking can deter theft and aid in the swift recovery of stolen goods or vehicles.

• Territory Management: Sales managers can allocate specific territories to representatives, ensuring even coverage and minimizing overlaps.
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• Performance Analysis: By tracking the number of visits and duration at each location, managers can gauge the effectiveness and efficiency of their sales teams.
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• Real-time Collaboration: GPS tracking facilitates instant communication between field reps and the home office, ensuring that any on-the-spot decisions or changes are swiftly communicated.

• Rapid Response: Ambulances and emergency crews can be directed via the most efficient routes, ensuring critical aid is delivered promptly.
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• Patient Transport: Non-emergency patient transport can be tracked to ensure patient safety and timely movement between facilities.

• Asset Management: Companies can track the movement and usage of heavy machinery, ensuring optimal utilization and preventing unauthorized use or theft.
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• Project Management: Supervisors can monitor crews' arrival and departure times, ensuring that project timelines are adhered to.

Choosing the Right GPS Tracking Solution for Your Business

Clearly define your business's primary objectives for GPS tracking (e.g., fleet management, asset tracking).

• Prioritize essential features such as real-time tracking, geofencing, and customizable reporting.
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• Opt for an intuitive user interface with a comprehensive dashboard.
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• Ensure the solution is compatible with your existing software and tools.
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• Verify the availability of a mobile app or mobile-responsive feature.
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• Choose a scalable system that can adapt as your business grows.
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• Test the solution's data accuracy and reliability during a trial period.
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• Investigate the system's data security measures, including encryption and privacy regulation compliance.
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• Evaluate the quality of customer support and any training offerings.
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• Understand the complete pricing structure, including potential hidden costs.
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• Consider the solution's global coverage, especially if your business operates in multiple regions.
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• Assess the frequency and quality of software updates to ensure longevity.
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• Ensure that the solution provides both historical and real-time data tracking.

Employee Tracking Features of Cryotos CMMS

Cryotos CMMS, with its comprehensive suite of employee tracking features, empowers businesses to operate more efficiently. It is an essential tool for businesses aiming to achieve operational excellence by offering real-time insights, ensuring safety, and facilitating optimization.

Cryotos CMMS offers a comprehensive GPS tracking feature, allowing managers to monitor the real-time locations of their employees. This particularly benefits businesses with field technicians or remote teams, ensuring they are at the right place and time.

In addition to location, managers can view the status and progress of tasks assigned to each employee. Cryotos CMMS ensures timely completion and helps resolve any potential delays or challenges immediately.

Cryotos CMMS facilitates accurate monitoring of employee work hours. By tracking when an employee starts a task and when it's completed, managers have a clear view of work patterns, ensuring transparency and accountability.

For roles that involve travel or on-site visits, the GPS feature of  Cryotos CMMS can be utilized to optimize routes. This minimizes travel time, ensures punctuality, and can even lead to reduced fuel consumption cost savings.

Cryotos CMMS likely offers robust reporting tools, giving insights into employee performance metrics, time spent on tasks, frequent travel routes, and more. This data can be instrumental in making informed business decisions.

Bottomline!

Integrating GPS into employee tracking systems isn't just a technological advancement; it's a paradigm shift in how businesses manage and optimize their workforce. As we've explored, the ability to track employees using GPS brings about enhanced productivity, improved safety, increased accountability, optimal resource allocation, and streamlined operations in an era where real-time data is crucial for informed decision-making; having GPS-based insights provides businesses with a competitive edge. As tools like Cryotos CMMS continue to innovate and integrate such advanced features, organizations are equipped to monitor and proactively elevate their operational standards. Investing in such solutions is no longer a luxury but a necessity for businesses aiming for growth, efficiency, and excellence in the modern landscape. Let us know how we can help you today!