• GPS navigation system in automobilegps navigation system in car image by jedphoto from Fotolia.com
  
  Developed by the U.S. Department of Defense, the Global Positioning System (GPS) is a navigation system based on satellite communication. It was originally designed by government and military applications, but is now widely available and free for commercial and individual use. GPS applications range from vehicle navigation systems to handheld receivers shuttled around by pedestrians, and have numerous advantages.
  
  

Tracking Vehicle History

• Capture and storage of a comprehensive history of GPS vehicle travel data and uploading it for management to review is known as "breadcrumbing," according to Electric Compass. Although this process does not give managers a bird's-eye view on the locations of employees in real time, breadcrumbing adds value to organizations that schedule activities in the field. By reviewing a breadcrumb trail -- a depiction of a vehicle's path at every minute, every mile and every stop -- a manager can see what actually happens in the field. This data can be leveraged to identify ineffectual routing, patterns in customer service, unproductive driver hours and dangerous driving practices. By tracking vehicle history, organizations can conserve fuel, lower maintenance expenses and boost productivity and safety.
  
  

Tracking in Real Time

• Also known as Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL), a real-time tracking system allows vehicles to establish their location over a wireless network at periodic intervals. These systems employ an interface based on a map. Dispatchers can view the vehicle's location on the map and report on the vehicle's whereabouts. Additional features include geofencing, which signals a dispatcher when a vehicle goes in and out of a preplanned area. Although real-time tracking incurs wireless network costs, it provides enhanced security for important vehicles. Advantages of real-time tracking include better management of fleet movement, improved accountability, day-to-day efficiency and completion of time-sensitive tasks.
  
  

Turn-by-Turn Navigation

• A well-known use of GPS is to furnish drivers with turn-by-turn directions in real time. Although electronics and car manufacturers perceive this solution as the killer application with regard to consumers, it requires proprietary hardware that only serves one function and therefore is not as attractive to large organizations. These systems employ navigation algorithms to determine the optimal route to the driver's destination. If the driver misses an instruction or makes a mistake, the system will automatically calculate the route again. Some systems even furnish points of interest such as gasoline stations, restaurants and hotels. By receiving accurate driving instructions, drivers avoid unnecessary losses of time and mileage and improve safety.