ELMS - Employee Location Management System

The Track 24 Employee Location Management System (ELMS™) is web-based software  that provides organisations with the ability to pin-point their employees and and respond quickly in the event of an emergency.

If an incident such as a terrorist attack, civil unrest or an environmental disaster took place, ELMS helps organisations identify those who are safe, and focus attention on those who are in need of assistance or unaccounted for. ELMS then provides organisations with a mechanism to communicate with those affected by a crisis, and to coordinate an effective response.

Employees are able to manually update their own safety status, location and itinerary online, through SMS, or smartphone applications. Security Managers and administrators can then view location data on a digital map, and be kept notified of any change in the location or safety status of an employee.

The benefits of ELMS

• ELMS immediately identifies the location and safety status of staff during a crisis. This allows focus to be directed towards those who are in need of assistance or unaccounted for.
• Duty of care to Employees – ELMS provides organisations with an established process which demonstrates an organisation’s commitment to the safety of its employees and helps to satisfy legal obligations.
• Increased effectiveness – While Travel Management Systems generally focus on flight details, ELMS allows employers to monitor staff whereabouts at all times.
• Affordability – ELMS provides a solution that can be implemented cost-effectively across an entire global workforce.
• Latest technology – Many organisations are exploring how the use of phones and of the internet can improve security processes. ELMS is the solution.

The many uses of GPS Tracking Devices

GPS Tracking is now a part of our day to day lives.  Like it or not, if you have one of the latest smart-phones you are probably now also carrying equipment that is capable of pinpointing your exact position, with the right software installed on it.

Over the last decade, technologies have improved and manufacturing of GPS devices has reduced in cost, so the equipment is now much more readily available to the public.

GPS Tracking was originally intended for military use, and you can see its benefits.  Being able to track the location of troops on the ground, or expensive military equipment is a massive advantage over any opposition forces, however in todays world we see GPS being used for what might be classed as more trivial things.

For example, Pet Tracking devices are now very common, if not in my opinion and little unsightly.  Attached to the collar of your beloved cat or dog, the device allows you to keep tabs on their whereabouts - useful if the dog springs his lead or if you are simply curious as to where you cat might go on an evening.

The tracking of expensive assets such as cars, trailers and boats is also big business in the GPS tracking world.  Some modern cars are even coming with the technology built in.  Did you know that in some cases this might even save you money on your insurance?  Fitting devices to expensive assets is great for peace of mind and also helps the police to recover and return your property efficiently.

Believe it or not, tracking people is a very common use of GPS devices, and whilst this may scare some people who are not comfortable with the big brother approach this can be extremely useful for keeping tabs on younger children.  Todays world is very different to that of say two, or even one decade ago, and the knowledge that your child is safe and sound and where they are supposed to be is a huge weight of anyones shoulders.

Finally... Sports.  GPS Tracking is huge in modern sport. Not only in the 'big' events such as orienteering and marathon running but also in professional sports training.  GPS can be used for much more than tracking the position of someone or something.  Taken that one step further, with the right software, you can measure distances and even speeds.  This is a huge advantage for the modern athlete as it allows them to manage their training schedules in more detail than they have ever been able to before.

So in summary, for one small unit, GPS Tracking Devices can have many different uses, not all of which will be listed here, but this article gives you a small insight into just what is possible.

Security Tracking Solutions vital to operations

Security Companies are in the business of providing protection for people and assets and it’s highly important that they have a strategy in place to be able to prevent potential crisis or be able to react quickly in the event of hostility breaking out.

Much of the time the security teams are on the ground, either at an event or a venue, but in certain situations a small team may be working remotely as part as a convoy or close protection team. This is where GPS technology can come into it’s own.

By utilising GPS technology security teams can stay in constant contact with their managers no matter where they are in the world. This can be done via Satellite Phone (voice communication) and / or personal GPS Tracking devices that allow the security company to monitor the exact - yes exact - location of the team working remotely.

Security teams are up against different challenges depending on what type of job they are working on. They might be working on a close protection gig for someone famous or powerful, and it’s important that a third eye can monitor the local area for any signs of suspicious activity. The security team might be looking after assets in a convoy that might be valuable to a third party so it’s important that the pathway is clear of conflict and hostility so the convoy and security team can pass without issues.

Security Tracking solutions can help to save lives as part of any crisis management plan. It is possible that hostile situations can arise at any time, especially where there is a person in power (or someone famous). Security Teams are an important part of many operations but without the use of GPS Technology these teams are effectively blind in their work. The GPS Technology provides a lookout for them, a third eye – a safety net in giving them the opportunity to know what potential conflict is around them, giving them time to prepare for the worst case scenario in an attempt to protect and save lives and assets.

GPS Solutions are now a part of everyday life in our cars and even mobile phones. The technology is becoming more and more affordable. But then what price can you put on life?

How GPS Tracking has changed our lives

It's easy to take things for granted, non more so than when it comes to technology that we come to love and use day in day out.  Technology becomes a way of life, and after a while people become dependent on it and very often take it for granted.  Consider the internet, for example.  When people lose their email and ability to browse they can often feel lost or unsure what to do!

The same could be said for GPS Tracking technology.

GPS Tracking technology was a major breakthrough for the US Military back in the 70s as a network of satellites was deployed to transfer communications from global devices back to central command posts.  GPS Technology in the military has become so important know it would be difficult to see how the forces might cope without it.  It is literally saving lives on the front line and allowing tactical teams to plan and deploy with a better understanding of terrain and enemy movements.

But its not just the military who have benefited from GPS technology.  Over the last few years we have seen a boom in the consumer retail trade and many different products targeting different applications of GPS Tracking.  From our pets to our cars, we can know track anything that moves, in near real time, or set up features known as geo-fences so that if something moves outside a designated boundary we receive an alert on our mobile phones or email accounts.

Why have we become so affectionate with GPS Tracking?

The thought of being able to track something of value in near real time is quite an exciting prospect, especially with the cost of purchasing the devices now becoming more affordable due to mass production.  The thing about GPS Tracking solutions is that there is no end to the different applications it can be used for.  It can literally be used to keep track of your car (vehicle tracking is one of the most common uses), boat or caravan - or if you want you could use it to keep track of your children whilst they are out playing with their friends.  

It's not just limited to home use though.  Many businesses make use of the technology by deploying tracking systems to fleets or remote workers.  

Sports teams use GPS tracking devices, not only in extreme events such as mountain climbing and trekking, but they can also provide accurate information for training when it comes to speeds and distances achieved during a session.

There is no definitive list of things that you can use the technology for, but one thing is for certain is that that is has changed the way we live, for the better, and will continue to do so for the years ahead.

GPS Tracking in the Work Place

GPS (Global Positioning System) Tracking technology was first introduced into systems used by the US Department of Defence back in 1973. Prior to that the technology had been undergoing design and investment dating back as far as the 1960s.   24 satellites were launched between 1989 and 1994 as the US declared that the technology was to be made available for civilian use in 1983.

GPS Technology allows us to pinpoint the exact location of devices, in real time, as they travel around the earth making it an ideal solution for tracking assets, vehicles and personnel.

The network of satellites that orbit the earth are still managed and maintained by the United States of America, but now used freely by the rest of the world.  Many manufacturers and resellers of GPS Tracking devices have no appeared on the market which has significantly driven down the cost of the technology and made it accessible to both businesses and consumers alike.

The GPS Tracking devices work by regularly sending co-ordinates to the network of satellites that are they relayed back to earth, sometimes to a central computer system.  This information can then be viewed by civilians using mapping software which allows them to visually determine the location of the device and asset / personnel that it is attached to.

So how do businesses benefit from GPS Tracking Technology?

Many people tend to think that business involves sitting behind a desk and working on a computer, but in reality a business could own thousands of vehicles or even have employees working in remote parts of the world.  This is where GPS can help.

Attaching a GPS Tracking device to any valuable asset, such as a vehicle or even consignment in delivery, means that the business is able to keep a track of, not only its current location, but where it has travelled during its journey.  It is able to calculate the average speed of the journey as well as identifying if it has gone off course or stopped for any lengthy period of time.  Vehicle Tracking devices can help to reduce the operating cost of your fleet.

GPS Tracking technology in company vehicles could not only help to reduce fuel costs (as employees know not to abuse the privilege of driving a company vehicle) but also help to reduce the insurance costs of the fleet as there is more of a chance of the vehicle being recovered in the unfortunate event that it is stolen,

For employees and personnel, GPS Tracking is particularly useful for remote workers.  A remote worker is defined as someone working away from the general place of business, so it could be a sales person visiting other companies 200 miles away or it could be an aid worker visiting a unfamiliar, unstable country thousands of miles away.

GPS Tracking technology can not only be used to react to situations, but also to help avoid potential risk.   Risk Management is an important part of any business as they have a duty of care to show for their employees, assets and customers.

GPS Technology can help businesses manage risk and also potentially save money for a relatively small investment.

5 uses of GPS Technology for Consumers

GPS Technology is now widely used in consumer devices. The technology allows us to pinpoint the exact location of anything that it is attached to. The biggest use for this is technology is assets that move or tracking people (for legitimate reasons of course!)

More consumers are using GPS Tracking Devices each and every day. The range of applications that the devices are used in seems to be growing, although the general trend is that it is attached to non static objects, generally of value.

Here are 5 different consumer uses for GPS Tracking Technology :

Cars and Vehicles

One of the most common uses of GPS Technology is vehicle tracking. With a small device fitted to any vehicle it is easy to monitor the exact location of the asset. This means that if you vehicle is lost or stolen you can easily retrieve it. In some circumstances it may even help you locate your parked car if you have forgotten where you left it - it does happen!

Tracking Loved Ones

Kids out playing around the estate or at the local playground? With a discrete GPS Tracking device you can monitor the location of their whereabouts which keeps your peace of mind at rest. WIth certain GPS Tracking systems you can also set up boundaries so if the GPS Tracking devices passes the boundary it signals an alarm or alert.

Tracking Pets

GPS Technology can be used both on dogs and cats. How often have you wondered where your cat gets to at night? With a GPS Tracking device you can monitor its exact location and map out its nightly route. If you have a dog that you often let off the lead, you know how quickly they can react to a scent and often forget about who they are with or where they are. Its easy for them to get lost quickly. With a GPS Tracking device fitted to the collar of the dog you can easily locate and retrieve your best friend!

Remote Assets

Remote Assets are ideal candidates for GPS Tracking devices. Do you own a boat or a Caravan that is often left unoccupied for large parts of the year? With a GPS Tracking device fitted you can keep a third eye on any unexpected movement of the asset which helps to you to react quickly and track down the exact location of its whereabouts.

Sports Events

OK, not all sports events benefit from the use of GPS Tracking devices, but remote sports such as orienteering or mountain trekking certainly can! If your loved one or family member is taking part in a remote trek around a mountain range what better way to keep in touch than knowing exactly where they are. Whats more, some GPS devices also come with the ability to communicate with each other, although these are generally more expensive than standard tracking devices.

All in all, GPS Tracking technology can be used to trace anything that moves. Usually consumers will attach the technology to something of value. There are many more potential uses than the 5 mentioned above, but these are generally the most common.

The role of GPS in Blue Force Situations

GPS Tracking is now common place in the consumer world, but what people don't always realise is how pivotal it is in the military. Blue Force is a term that is often used in the military, meaning friendly forces, or those on your side, and the tracking element of the phrase "Blue Force Tracking" relates to the ability to trace the location of the army personnel.

Blue Force Tracking is ideal, not only to be able to locate the exact position of troops on the ground but also to be able to communicate with them and trace expensive assets.

Military Personnel are often asked to go to work in unchartered and foreign environments. They often do not know the area nor the climate of where they are asked to go to work. GPS tracking devices act as their third eye. By being able to pinpoint the position of forces on the ground, the GPS technology provides the advantage to personnel in a central command post, enabling them to communicate with troops on the ground to help avert conflict, danger and crisis.

GPS and Blue Force Tracking isn't just restricted to personnel. Military assets can cost billions of dollars, and can be destructive if they get into the wrong hands. That is where GPS technology can come into its own. By attaching GPS tracking devices to military assets the forces can keep track of assets should they come into enemy hands, allowing for easy retrieval if required. Valuable military assets that need to be traced could be anything from jet fighters to general artillery and weapons.

GPS technology is not only about the ability to pinpoint the location of personnel, it also combines the ability to be able to communicate with the troops on the ground without relying on local GPRS (Cell) transmitters. The advantage of this over local Cell Towers is that GPS technology does not require local transmitters as it uses GPS Satellites that orbit the earth, so as long as the terrain is clear the signal strength is more than often reliable.

GPS Technology isn't just an aid to Blue Forces in terms of location management, its a way of ensuring that troops are safe and kept away from potential crisis situations. Not only can the GPS technology be used to keep tabs on the friendly forces, it can also be used to keep a location on the enemy and helping to keep the friendly forces away.

In summary, in the Military, the use of GPS Technology and GPS Tracking devices is like having someone looking down from the sky to manage the location of the troops and ensuring that crisis management is at the forefront of the mind at all times.