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?

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.

Track24 PackMaster Lo-Pro Launch

PackMaster Lo-Pro is a personal tracking device that operates on the Iridium satellite network, which offers complete global coverage.

PackMaster Lo-Pro provides an emergency alert and text messaging capability anywhere in the world. Combined with the Track24 C4i web platform, it affords visibility over deployed personnel and becomes a vital system in your organisation's management of risk.

The integral panic alarm triggers visual and audible alerts on the C4i Platform, precisely locating the individual on digital mapping, and automatically generating SMS and e-mail alerts to notify key personnel in your organisation.

The text messaging capability allows you to send canned or free-text messages to the C4i Platform. In the event of an incident or crisis situation, PackMaster Lo-Pro may well represent your only reliable means of locating your personnel and communicating with them.

The Packmaster Lo-Pro is an ideal device to assist with risk management in your organisation.

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?

GPS Tracking, Personnel Tracking and Crisis Management

The increase in popularity of GPS technology has meant that GPS tracking devices are now more popular and more affordable than ever before.

GPS technology now plays an important part for workers, both in the corporate world and remote workers serving the forces.

GPS can be used for many different tracking appliances, from Maritime Tracking, Military Tracking, Vehicle tracking and Personnel Tracking. Examples of where remote tracking might be useful include peace workers, aid workers, government workers in areas of conflict, military workers and maritime.

Remote workers, especially those that work in abroad, may find themselves in uncomfortable situations from time to time but by using personnel tracking devices their locations can be monitored at all times, and conflict can often be avoided by it happens. It’s all about being proactive rather than reactive. Aid workers often work in high risk environments for the benefit of others, often putting themselves in dangerous situations. Thanks to GPS tracking devices the risk can be reduced as the location of the workers can be monitored from central management bases.

Personnel Tracking devices aren’t just about tracking the location of the remote workers. They are also about being able to communicate with people in remote locations helping to aid with crisis management. This is why satellite technology is so useful, because no matter how remote the location they can still make contact through Satellite phones keeping in touch with the central base at all times.

Another example of where Personnel tracking might be used is search and rescue operations, especially in high risk areas such as mountain ranges. They might even be used for sporting events such as skiing or mountaineering. The uses of GPS tracking devices are totally flexible.

Satellites are ideal for both tracking and communication. The network of satellites that orbit the earth enable GPS devices to clearly communicate without having to rely on local cell towers (which is how mobile phones work). Occasionally, if the area is heavily built, or dense such as a rainforest then signal might be an issue. Sometimes, heavy cloud or adverse weather might also affect the GPS signal, but generally speaking GPS technology is the ideal way to implement a personnel tracking solution.

Nomad - Redifining Risk Management

Imagine a MOTOTRBO digital radio system with integrated GPS and panic button. Imagine Nomad. The extensive applications of the Nomad tracking system redefine risk management. Nomad turns your standard digital radio communications into a state of the art global tracking and crisis management solution. Combining the versatility and low cost of radio with a tracking and emergency alert capability, Nomad is ideal for close protection teams, infrastructure, perimeter and maritime security.

The Nomad system comprises multiple radio handsets, each handset providing the user with personal tracking, panic button and voice communication. Complete integration of the Nomad system into the web-based Track24 crisis management software, the C4i platform, allows operations staff to monitor all radio users on one common picture from anywhere in the world. TrackingEach handset has handheld GPS tracking capability and transmits its exact location back to a master handset.

The frequency of position reporting can be remotely programmed from the Track24 risk management software, the C4i platform, from 30 second intervals upwards. Because Nomad is a radio-based system, there is no ‘air-time’ cost associated with its tracking capabilities. Panic alarmThe Nomad handset features an integral panic button. Once activated the device becomes a handheld distress beacon, sending audible and visual alerts to the Master handset and the C4i platform. Notification of the alarm is also automatically forwarded via e-mail and SMS to nominated recipients.

5 ways in which you can help aid workers in a remote environment

Aid volunteers often work in a high risk environment, be it from civilians fighting for aid or political conflict and fighting. Working in a foreign environment can often be quite a strange experience and it’s important to make the team feel at ease and as comfortable as possible so that they can concentrate on the task at hand.

There are many ways in which this can be achieved, some of which are really simple and easy to implement.

Here are 5 ways in which you could help aid workers when working in a remote, high risk environment:

1. Prepare them by educating them about their surroundings. Working in a strange place is often daunting as it is, but to work in a remote location, with people speaking a foreign language takes it to another level. Where possible provide your aid workers with maps and navigation equipment so that in the event of them getting lost they stand a chance to find their way back to base.

2. Supply them with enough food and water if they have to leave the base. But don’t just give them enough for their journey. What if they get lost or stranded? Supply them with enough rations to ensure that in the event of crisis they stand a chance of getting back to a safe place.

3. Supply them with GPS Tracking technology. With the simple use of a Motorola GPS enabled radio you can deploy a mobile tracking solution that keeps you in touch with your aid workers 24/7. Not only can you communicate with them via radio communications (should the local infrastructure allow) but you can also use the integrated GPS transmitters to track positions of the workers at all times.

4. Supply your team with suitable clothing. In some countries the weather can change in an instance. Make sure that they have suitable clothing for heavy rain or extreme heat so that they can use it when required.

5. Train them for first aid. Remote workers should always work as a team, and if one of the team is to become sick or injured its important that another member of the team is able to quickly and efficiently perform medical treatment to prevent the situation becoming worst. These are just 5 areas which touch the surface of remote working, but

just by taking notice and acting on them could help to save the lifes of workers in high risk situations.

Track 24 provide global tracking and crisis management solutions. The Nomad Personal tracking device is specifically designed to help remote teams, such as aid workers or military personnel

NOMAD - A breakthrough in Communications technology

Think about this...... A MOTOTRBO radio system with inbuilt GPS and panic button. The extensive applications of Nomad redefine risk management.

Nomad simply utilises your existing radio comms and transforms it into a state of the art tracking and crisis management solution. The versatility and low cost of radio with a tracking and emergency alert capability creates an ideal for close protection teams, martime security, miltary, infrastructure and perimeter teams.

The Nomad system comprises of a number of radio hand held devices, with each handset providing the user with personal tracking, panic button and voice communication. Complete integration of the Nomad system into the web-based Track24 C4i platform allows operations staff to monitor all radio users on one common picture from anywhere in the world.

The MOTOTRBO radio is an easy choice of radio for the NOMAD system as each handset has an in-built GPS receiver and transmits its exact location back to a master handset. The frequency of position reporting can be remotely programmed from the C4i platform, from 30 second intervals upwards. No air time costs are associated with the solution due to the fact that it is a radio based system.

For more information on NOMAD, and other risk and crisis management solutions visit the Track 24 web site at www.track24.co.uk

Packmaster - Personal GPS Tracking Unit

The PackMaster is a personal tracking and safety system combining GPS technology and satellite communications. The Packmaster unit is independent of localised mobile phone infrastructure and therefore is operational world wide - from freezing arctic conditions to remote deserts and jungles.

The Packmaster is an ideal solution for tracking military personnel, expedition members and workers in remote areas. A PDA with integrated panic alarm functions as a handheld GPS, and provides a two-way messaging capability.

PackMaster is fully integrated to the Track24 C4i platform, allowing operations staff to view not only their personnel, but also vehicles and other assets, on one common picture.

Tracking

Inmarsat's geostationary satellites allow personnel to be tracked anywhere in the world. From the C4i platform, the unit can be remotely programmed to send automatic reports from two minute intervals upwards, meaning that a security manager can quickly adjust the reporting frequency in response to changing threat levels.

The lightweight Packmaster device can be comfortably handheld; allowing staff freedom of movement to carry out their task. The integral NiMH battery pack will power the unit for up to 40 hours between charges.
Alarms and messaging

* Panic alarm: alerts are audible and visual on the C4i platform.
* Rapid Locator Button: allows the user to manually transmit position reports.
* SMS forwarding: alerts can be automatically forwarded by SMS and email.
* Geofences: unplanned departure from locations or routes can be automatically detected.

Messaging and navigation

The messaging option provides a life line of communication for any remote worker, allowing simple and reliable satellite communication with an organisation's control centre.

It acts as a two-way text messaging device between the internet application and the PackMaster, monitors the performance of the tracking unit and provides a GPS position in latitude/longitude and MGRS format, speed and altitude. The data from the on-board GPS is also fed into the navigation application, displaying the current location on the PDA's mapping. The navigation application allows users to follow pre-planned routes whilst the data logger allows the actual journeys to be downloaded onto a PC. Hazards and features can also be plotted on the PDA's mapping, storing its GPS location for later use. Hover over the image on the left to view the PackMaster with PDA attached.