Not only can a GPS equiped handheld with the Tracer Pro Pak software show you where your workers are, capture work ticket information for HVAC and Property management, but it can also save your life. Search and rescue personnel can use GPS Cell Phone Tracking to locate you in an emergency. On August 16th, the Civil Air Patrol did just that in Arizona.
HVAC companies do more than service and install equipment. Unlike most other industries, beyond service and install, HVAC companies are delivering serialized warranty systems made up of different components, some times from different vendors. During the course of an AC life span, models and regulations change,
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Fleet Tracking
further complicating the business. Bottom line: A lot of details that can get messed up. Managing these details with less paperwork and less administrative time becomes critical in this economy. To maintain or increase profits, Tracer provides several measurable cost savings:
Using GPS, Tracer allows technicians in the field to complete their job details in a legible fashion with fewer mouse clicks and transmit that information to accounting within minutes. Details for the next job along with navigation instructions can be displayed on the screen.
To reduce gas, Tracer scheduler helps dispatcher schedule service not just bases on first available technician for the job, but also on when will a technician be near the service location.
As the economy slows down, service companies recognize that they have to control costs. They can not raise prices in this economy, so vehicle tracking with GPS becomes attractive. Simply put, when a worker leaves the office, no one knows if he or she took a 1 hour lunch break or a 1.25 hour lunch break. If you have 15 field workers, each taking an extra 15 minutes on lunch on your dime every day, it amounts to quite a bit. (18.75 hours to be exact and assuming a payroll plus benes of $25 per hour - that amounts to $470 per week). Mr. Service Company Owner: You could be driving a Mercedez S Class and pay for the gas and insurance for that with money left over. 
With GPS Vehicle Tracking, you not only know where your workers are in real time, you also know their top speeds and where they have been. If you choose a Windows Mobile tracking system, your workers can complete job tickets, work order forms right on their phones instead of paper that needs another employee to process at the office. (This is called Forms Automation). The phone sends the information right into your payroll system, invoicing system and inventory system. You could eliminate upto 20 hours a week in paperwork and increase your accuracy, timeliness and reliability.
And we have not mentioned a lower environmental impact with less paper.
For more information, call 888-281-4588 or email customerfirst@tracerpropak.com
Sprint recently released the new Palm Treo with Bluetooth, GPS maps and navigation running the new Windows Mobile 6.1 software. Unlike previous Treo’s running the Windows Mobile software, this Treo brings the useful shortcut feature from the Palm Treos. And unlike the IPhone, the Treo battery can be easily replaced in the field by easily snaping open the battery cover.
Tested by Tracer Pro in Hillsborough County, the Treo 800W proved to have less dropped calls than the Iphone on the 3G network. (Switching off the 3G on the Iphone minimized the dropped call). GPS turn by turn navigation with Garmin like maps was a breeze (turn by turn is not available on the IPhone without the purchase of additional add on software). While a great improvement over the previous Windows Treo, the Treo browser still does not hold a candle to the IPhone Safari Browser. The overall screen clarity of the IPhone still has all other devices beat not to mention the automatic change in orientation from portrait to landscape which the Treo does not have.
Also new with this Treo is Stereo Bluetooth and embeded Wi-Fi. This PDA Phone is a great value at $249. Installing the Tracer Work Order Software turns this device into a great Vehicle Tracking business utility for companies in the Landscape, HVAC and Real Estate Property Management industries. Sales Force Automation is also improved with Tracer’s GPS compatability which integrates GPS information into the users work flow (so the user does not have to open a separate application to make use of GPS, navigation or map functions).
Highlights
Mobile versions of Microsoft Office, Outlook and Internet Explorer
Wireless Email - Corporate and Personal
Key Features
Sprint TV® enabled
Speakerphone
Built-in camera
Web, email capable
Bluetooth
External display
GPS enabled
Memory card slot
Broadband speeds where available
Property Management Companies, Pharmaceutical Companies, HVAC Companies and any company that has workers outside the office will benefit from GPS enabled Location Based Solutions (LBS). The compelling factors: High price of gas, slower economy, and the need to do more with less.
How does it work? Workers use smart phones with software that use GPS location and time information to automatically start and stop work tickets, automatically fill in customer location and contact information. And take this information and automatically update the companies sales, inventory, payroll, invoicing and work order systems. Now that there is a great idea - I dont care who you are.