If you answered ‘Yes’ to any of the following, then GPS tracking and geofencing software could greatly benefit you.

There are a number of benefits to using this technology. They can improve operational efficiency, reduce costs, keep your fleet and assets safe, and allow you to provide better customer service. Thus, giving you an “almost unfair” advantage over the competition.

To help you better understand the benefits of GPS tracking and geofencing technology, consider these useful pointers.

Improved fleet safety–

By installing a simple tracking device to your fleet, this will enable you to monitor your fleet via a smartphone, laptop, desktop computer or other Internet-enabled device. You can track their location, set custom routes, and even monitor their fuel usage, speed, travel history and more.Plus, you have the freedom to track as little or as much information as you like.

However, when it comes to fleet management, one of the greatest safety features is geofencing. What is geofencing? It is a location-based service, in which an app or other piece of software, uses GPS, RFID (Radio-frequency identification), Wi-Fi or cellular data to trigger a pre-programmed action when a mobile device or RFID tag enters or exits a virtual boundary.

Put simply, if you install a GPS tracking device or RFID tag on your fleet, you can then set up a virtual boundary around them. This boundary can be as small or large as you like. And you can draw it in any shape or configuration. Once set up, each time a tracked vehicle enters or leaves the virtual boundary, an alert notification (via push notification, text message or other alert) will be sent to all suitable devices.

Best of all? You can automate the virtual boundary to switch on or off depending on the time of day. So, if you want the boundary to be smaller – for example, when the vehicle is stationary and stored overnight – then you can do that. As a result, you will be instantly notified if there is any suspicious movement, even if it is outside of normal business hours.

Route planning for reduced response times–

GPS tracking gives you the power to plan your routes in advance. With the help of real-time traffic information, the software can also help you choose the fastest, most optimal route, so that you arrive at your destination sooner and consume less fuel.

As a result, you will be able to improve fleet operational efficiency, and provide a faster turnaround for deliveries. Which, in turn, will make your customers happier, and ensure they use your business again in the future.

To discover the true benefits of GPS tracking and geofencing software, request a FREE demo of UniGuard today.

Monitor employee performance and conduct–

Driver safety is paramount to the success of your business. For this reason, unsafe driving not only puts your fleet – and the general public – at risk of danger, it can also tarnish the reputation of your business.

GPS tracking software is a seamless, non-intrusive way to monitor employee performance. As mentioned previously, you can use the software to monitor a range of conditions, such as fuel consumption, speed, travel history, and even accident history.

This means, you can quickly spot any discrepancies in each driver’s history, and then take appropriate steps to solve the problem.

Improve employee communication–

These days, the benefits of GPS tracking and geofencing go beyond just location tracking and monitoring.

Featuring in-built task assignment capabilities, instant messaging, alert notifications and more, software like UniGuard makes it easier for staff and employers to stay in touch around the clock, no matter where they are located.

Want to assign tasks and reminders to key staff members? Want to give your employees the ability to quickly report field incidents? Or perhaps give your lone workers a direct line of communication to support staff?

All of these benefits (and more) are available to you with the right GPS tracking and employee management software.

Since 1997, UniGuard has been helping businesses streamline their workforce, improve the quality of their service deliveries, and stay compliant with the latest industry and government standards.

To request a FREE demo of UniGuard, contact us today.

The post Top 4 Benefits of GPS Tracking and Geofencing appeared first on Staff & Asset Tracking with Workforce Management Software by UniGuard.

These tasks range from managing payroll and arranging schedules through to submitting leave requests, collecting and analysing data, providing customer service, and staying compliant with your legal responsibilities.

These days, a key benefit of workforce management software is that it’s compatible with virtually all mobile devices and platforms, giving businesses the flexibility to manage their team anytime, anywhere.

By streamlining and automating these tasks, which were once carried out by dedicated professionals, this enables businesses to be more productive, efficient, secure and compliant with industry regulations. It also frees up a business’s time to focus on core duties to help them gain a competitive advantage, foster a better workplace culture, retain key staff for longer, and attract higher quality candidates too.

Let’s take a closer look at the benefits of workforce management software, and how it can help accelerate your business growth.

1. Boost employee satisfaction

Companies with happy and satisfied employees have a strong chance of success. By giving your employees greater control and flexibility with workforce management software, they have the freedom to manage their daily activities with ease. With the right tools, they can submit leave requests, view and edit schedules, confirm shifts, clock in/clock out, respond to individual tasks and heaps more.

Not only does this reward employees with a higher level of responsibility, it also frees up time for management and employers, as they can communicate with workers more efficiently.

2. Increase company compliance

All companies are required to collect and store various types of data. These include employee records, incident reports, payroll, terms and conditions, company policies and more.

By condensing this information into a unified, cloud-based platform, businesses can quickly confirm that they are meeting their specific requirements, and that all of the information they need to submit to the necessary authorities is ready and waiting. For instance, workforce management software can greatly speed up the process of reporting and submitting to the Australian Tax Office (ATO), as your payroll and employee data will already be there.

Most importantly, businesses will also have the correct evidence when it comes to reporting incidents, which can assist with submitting workers compensation claims.

3. Improved data analysing

Regardless of your industry type, data is essential to gaining a competitive advantage. With the ability to review past and current data in real-time, it can help you make informed decisions that make a positive, long-term impact on how you do business.

From customer purchase trends and travel route optimisation through to employee performance and profitability. With hard data, you can analyse every aspect of your business under a microscope, and then compare and contrast the data to reach logical conclusions and ‘see the big picture’ of your business overall.

4. Save time and hassle

Prior to the advent of workforce management software, the tasks we’ve mentioned so far were left to a few dedicated experts, including HR, payroll and management, to name a few. As a result, this meant certain tasks took longer to complete than usual, and it required different departments to communicate with each other manually, without the convenience of a unified platform.

Fast forward to today, and the benefits of workforce management software has made those issues a problem of the past. These days employees, management and departments can now communicate with each other on a streamlined, unified platform, enabling them to check in on each other at virtually any time.

By bridging the gap between departments, this greatly improves response times, leads to better customer service, and overall makes businesses more efficient than ever.

5. Improved mobile workforce management

With the rise of remote work around the world, businesses need custom solutions that enable them to keep in touch with employees who are offsite.

This need also applies to businesses in the transport and logistics industry, where remote workers – who are sometimes classified as lone workers too – need to be regularly monitored to ensure their safety and wellbeing.

Workforce management software is the answer to these problems. By connecting your entire remote workforce to the same workforce platform, this makes it easier for you to monitor performance, submit job requests, send and receive messages, record payroll information, and much more.

Better still, with the likes of Uniguard, you can track your remote workers’ location via Maps, which lets you review and optimise their travel routes, respond to potential emergency situations, and also protect your fleet from damage and theft.

6. Improved customer service

It’s a fact. The happier your customers are, the more likely they’ll return. One great way to improve your customer service is with workforce management software.

How so? Well, by implementing all the benefits of workforce management software into your business – improved performance and productivity, reduced staff turnover, greater safety measures, and a more streamlined approach to assigning jobs – the end result is that your customers will receive the care, attention and service they truly deserve.

You’ll be better equipped to respond to customer queries, keep them updated on progress, and either complete projects or deliveries on time – if not, faster – than you could before. This way, your business will be able to work smarter and faster, and your customers will thank you for it as well.

UniGuard is a leading provider of workforce management solutions including Fleet Tracking Software, Real-Time Recorders, GPS Trackers and much more.

To learn more about the benefits of workforce management software, and request a FREE demo of UniGuard, get in touch today.

The post Top 6 Benefits of Using Workforce Management Software appeared first on Staff & Asset Tracking with Workforce Management Software by UniGuard.

But with such little time to prepare this leaves many companies ill-equipped to adapt to the unique challenges that come with leading a remote team.

From setting clear expectations and choosing the right workforce management software through to conducting meetings and retaining employee satisfaction.

Yet, by following these simple steps, running your business from afar can be just as efficient and rewarding as being onsite.

1. Provide cross device communication

Have your team sign up to a workforce management software that lets them stay in touch on a single platform through any device – be it a smartphone, laptop, desktop, tablet, or even two-way radios.

Not only will this make it easier for the team to collaborate, share ideas, resolve disputes and customer complaints, but also help you assign tasks to individual staff and approve them on the fly.

2. Protect your lone workers

You must treat your remote workers the same as you would a lone worker. That being people who work by themselves without close or direct supervision. There are steps you can take to ensure each home is suitable for work purposes.

For instance, undertake a risk assessment of each worker’s home environment. Do they have access to an extinguisher in case of fire? Is their office furniture fit for purpose and ergonomic? Do they have a stable internet connection? And much more.

From there, put in place a remote monitoring system that makes it easy for remote workers to stay in touch, submit incident reports, and alert yourself (plus the team) to potential hazards with minimal effort.

3. Set clear and fair work expectations

Just like being onsite, be sure to set fair, reasonable goals that your remote workers can achieve on a consistent basis. And make sure those goals align with your short and/or long term business objectives. Don’t lose sight of the bigger picture!

However, where possible, be flexible with your deadlines, as some workers may need more time to complete tasks and report in due to unavoidable commitments – i.e. parenting duties.

More importantly, your remote team will appreciate the flexibility, as it enables them to work efficiently in a manner that suits their lifestyle.

4. Reward outstanding work – and swiftly rectify issues

Choosing the right workforce management software is vital to tracking team progress and rectifying issues.

Use the software to give each remote worker a unique profile. This allows you to assign specific tasks, monitor their individual performance goals, and relate it back to your overall strategic goals.

Arrange weekly, fortnightly, or monthly one-on-one meetings with remote workers – either audio or video – to give them a fair, objective overview of their current performance. Be sure to reward outstanding performance, but don’t be afraid to raise any issues and give them steps on how to improve.

As a result, your remote workers will know what they’re doing well, where they can improve, and how their efforts contribute to the overall success of the business.

If you’d like to better manage your remote team and improve the delivery of your services, click here to see a demo of UniGuard in action.

The post How to Manage Your Workforce When Working From Home appeared first on Staff & Asset Tracking with Workforce Management Software by UniGuard.

Construction sites have heavy-duty tools, equipment and machinery. Transport companies have trucks they need to carry out deliveries both locally and interstate. And tradespeople like electricians need to have parts with them at all times to carry out maintenance tasks on the spot.

If any of these assets were to be lost, stolen or damaged, it could easily bring business to a grinding halt.

That’s exactly what GPS asset tracking aims to prevent. Here are just some of the many powerful tools you can use to ensure your assets are safe and reliable.

Set up virtual parameters to prevent theft, loss, and misuse

Also known as geofencing, this is a virtual parameter that functions as a designated zone, which determines how far an asset can travel. The beauty of this feature is that you can trace out the exact area where the asset can go. So you have the freedom to establish limits that best suit your unique work situation.

Whenever the asset enters or leaves this perimeter, you will be instantly notified via the software. As a result, you can quickly figure out if the vehicle has been lost or stolen or being misused by a worker, and then take the appropriate measures to respond to the situation.

Real-time fleet tracking for ongoing peace of mind

Whether you need to monitor the whereabouts of vehicles, heavy machinery, cargo, or anything else; real-time GPS asset tracking provides up to the minute updates on the exact location of your assets. This way, you will know exactly where your assets are located, at any time of the day or night.

When combined with location history, you can review the exact route your vehicles have taken in the lead up to their current location. This can help you retrace the vehicle’s steps and increase your odds of finding lost or stolen vehicles. As a result, you will have peace of mind knowing that – no matter what happens – your assets are in good hands.

Improve the lifespan of your fleet with routine maintenance and service reminders

Tired of having to remember to book individual service reminders for your vehicles? Concerned about not having your fleet routinely serviced in a timely and consistent manner?

If so, then fleet tracking can help you.

With routine maintenance and service reminders, you can create unique maintenance plans for each of your individual vehicles. This means you can set up reminders to meet the official manufacture standards of the vehicle itself. So, you can tell the software to send a reminder based on different parameters, such as based on time (i.e. every six months), odometer readings (i.e. every 10,000kms), and hourly run times (i.e. every 5,000 hours). This way, each separate vehicle gets the service it needs at the appropriate service intervals, without any risk of overlap.

For a real-time platform that makes it easy to monitor and manage your vehicles and assets at any time, UniGuard has you covered.

To see how GPS asset tracking can benefit your business, request a FREE demo today. Simply fill out the online form. And a qualified UniGuard expert will show you how it can help your business grow.

The post How to Protect Your Assets With GPS Tracking Technology appeared first on Staff & Asset Tracking with Workforce Management Software by UniGuard.

Over time these issues can build up and cost your business in lost profits, reduced customer satisfaction, and increased employee turnover due to unsafe lone working conditions.

By implementing a smart GPS fleet tracking system into each of your vehicles, you can regain control of your fleet and reap the rewards of a safer, more productive, and profitable business.

Here are 4 ways GPS fleet tracking can produce winning results for your business.

1. Reduce fleet operating costs

GPS tracking can help reduce operating costs in a number of ways.

Firstly, the presence of a GPS tracker can help curb unsafe driving habits such as speeding, fast braking, tailgating, and frequent overtaking. As a result, drivers are less likely to get a speeding fine, lose their license, or get into a road accident.

Furthermore, GPS fleet tracking can be used to reduce idle vehicle activity.

When vehicles are idle they burn unnecessary amounts of fuel. So they need refuelling more often, more frequent maintenance due to engine wear-and-tear, and they produce more harmful emissions. Thus, costing you money and negatively impacting the environment.

With a GPS tracker, you can help curb unnecessary idle activity. You can also take the opportunity to promote best eco-friendly practices, by instructing drivers to switch the vehicle off when:

• Loading and unloading
• Processing paperwork
• Parked and talking on the phone
• Eating or sleeping

Find out how UniGuard can reduce your fleet operating costs. Book a FREE demo with a UniGuard specialist today!

2. Optimise travel routes for faster deliveries and increased customer satisfaction

With real-time GPS tracking you can plan trips ahead of time and optimise each route to ensure faster deliveries.

By taking into account a variety of factors – such as type of vehicle, narrow roads, low bridge clearance, traffic congestion, weather, and much more – the device can automatically produce the safest, most optimal route for the driver.

Of course, you can fine-tune the journey if you need drivers to slightly deviate from their intended destination for other purposes.

As a result, your drivers are more likely to avoid delays caused by construction, road accidents, and peak hour traffic jams. This way, drivers will arrive at their destination sooner and keep customers satisfied.

3. Improved safety

Lone drivers who travel to remote locations are at a greater risk of danger than other drivers.

For this reason, you need a system that enables you to keep an eye on your fleet at all times, and be instantly notified when a problem arises.

With real-time GPS tracking, you can not only track the precise location of your drivers, but also notify them of unsafe driving conditions and be notified if they run into trouble. This way, if a driver becomes lost or stranded, you or another staff member can quickly respond to assist the driver.

By providing a safer work environment for drivers, you’ll be able to retain key workers for longer and avoid the costly burden of insurance claims, delivery delays, and worker’s compensation claims.

Most importantly? Your workers will have peace of mind knowing they’re in safe hands, no matter where they are.

4. Reduce the risk of theft

According to recent studies, 53,564 vehicles were reported stolen in Australia in 2018 – that’s one every 10 minutes!

That’s why it’s vital to implement GPS fleet tracking into each of your vehicles. Let the experts at UniGuard provide you with the right GPS system to complement your business needs.

The reason for this is simple: when a thief detects the presence of a GPS tracking device, they’re more likely to avoid it and move on.

And, in the event a thief does manage to steal the vehicle, the tracking device makes it easy for both you and the authorities to quickly track it down.

You can even increase response times by setting up a temporary geo-fence around the perimeter of the vehicle. So, if the vehicle leaves the virtual perimeter during a designated time period, you’ll be instantly notified so you can take swift action.

UniGuard is an advanced platform designed to put you back in control of your fleet. To discover the benefits of GPS fleet tracking for yourself, book a FREE demo with a UniGuard specialist today.

Fill out the online form to get started.

The post Using GPS Fleet Tracking to Boost Productivity and Profits appeared first on Staff & Asset Tracking with Workforce Management Software by UniGuard.

Here is a simple breakdown of how two-way radios work, and what they can do for you.

How do they work?

In essence, two-way radios are electronic devices that are able to both transmit and receive radio signals.

Most two-way radios operate on a radio frequency range of between 150MHz to 900MHz. Generally speaking, radio waves in this frequency range can only travel in a straight line, and cannot travel over the horizon or behind solid objects.

However, there are some exceptions to this rule. For instance, radio signals broadcast at around 900MHz can penetrate through walls and objects, and reflect or bounce off some surfaces in order to reach their destination.

For this reason, it’s vital that you choose the correct frequency for your organisation.

Another aspect to consider is the power output of your two-way radio. The amount of wattage has a significant impact on how far a two-way radio can transmit and receive signals.

Most handheld two-type radios broadcast at around 1-5 watts, while a two-way radio installed in a vehicle can broadcast around 5 to 100 watts. As a general rule of thumb, the more watts, the further the radio can transmit.

However, the higher the wattage, the faster the battery will drain. Therefore, battery powered handheld radios with a high wattage, although useful, are only beneficial if you have a constant supply of backup power.

Types of two-way radios

Two-way radios come in two varieties: half duplex and full duplex.

A half-duplex two-way radio can both transmit and receive a radio signal, but not at the same time. To alternate between the two functions, you typically hold down a button to transmit a signal (i.e. speak into the device), and then let go of that button to receive a signal from other devices.

On the other hand, a full-duplex radio allows the device to both transmit and receive signals at the same time. Mobile phones are a good example of a full-duplex device, as you don’t have to push a button to talk (or let go of that button to hear the other person speak). Most modern two-way radios are half-duplex. Why? Because they’re cheaper to manufacturer, easier for people to share and comprehend vital information (people are less likely to talk other each other), and compatible with a range of radio frequencies to suit both indoor and outdoor settings.

For more information about how two-way radios work, contact Uniguard today.

Frequency ranges and their uses

As previously mentioned, different frequency ranges are used for different purposes.

For most applications, the three categories you need to choose from include: VHF (Very High Frequency), UHF (Ultra High Frequency), and 900 MHz. Each frequency range has their own unique pros and cons. Although, in most cases, it’s abundantly clear which range is best suited for your exact needs.

Here’s a quick breakdown on the various frequency bands and when to use them:

VHF (136 – 174MHz)

Ideal for outdoor or rural settings where you need maximum range with little to no obstructions.

UHF (403 – 470MHz)

Ideal for when users located both indoors and outdoors need to communicate with each other. This level of versatility makes it the most commonly used frequency band.

900MHz

Ideal for users who need to communicate with each other in the same building.

Unsure which two-way radio is right for you?

Picking the right communication method for your employees is vital to the success of your business.

For starters, you need a system that is reliable. This is vital when it comes to monitoring lone employees, responding to emergency situations, and keeping morale and productivity high in the workplace.

Secondly, you need access to the latest safety features. These days, modern two-way radios do far more than just let you communicate with other users. Features like in-built GPS, location tracking, task allocation, and request call-back buttons, enable you to closely monitor your employees in real-time to ensure they are safe, productive, and compliant.

Furthermore, you can even give workers key checkpoints to follow while on route to their destination. This way, you can be sure they are following your directions and arriving at their destination on time, every time.

Finally, you want a system that meets your unique requirements. Two-way radios come in all shapes and sizes. Depending on your industry and circumstances, you may not need the latest bells-and-whistles to achieve your business goals.

On the other hand, you may be unsure of what you need to suit your particular needs. In this case, by talking to a trusted supplier of two-way radios and other communication solutions, they can assess your needs and recommend the best system for you.

For more information on how two-way radios work – and what they can do for you visit our Two Way Radios page or contact Uniguard today.

The post How Do Two-Way Radios Work? appeared first on Staff & Asset Tracking with Workforce Management Software by UniGuard.