Man it's been a long time since I last updated the blog.  I mean a really long time. 

Sorry.

Okay, so I have another great story that I wanted to share with you.

May 26th, 2010 was a crazy day.  I was laying in bed and heard my phone ringing.......it was early.  So, I rolled out of bed to see who was calling.  What I found was a voicemail from Janice Smith with US Lawns Myrtle Beach.  I could tell by the way the voicemail started that something was wrong.

I immediately picked up my phone and called her back. 

Janice picks up and tells me that 2 of their maintenance trucks were stolen overnight.  And, since she is not normally the one looking at GPS tracking information, she could not operate the website. 

I fired up the laptop with her on the phone and walked her through how to find her trucks.  After a few seconds of tracking, we found them.

So, Janice called the local authorities and gave them the address.

A few hours passed, she called back.  They found the trucks, but all the equipment was gone.  All of it.........$250,000 worth of it...........gone.

We got back on the tracking site.  I pinpointed an address that the vehicles made a brief stop at before leaving the trucks at their final resting place.  She sent the police to that address.

Guess what?

Found ALL of the equipment........ALL OF IT.......$250,000 of it.

Do you have the peace of mind knowing that if your equipment and trucks are stolen in the middle of the night that you can find it?

If you do not, I suggest you call me right now.  Don't wait until your trucks are stolen to call me, do it right now.

For $299 and $30 a month, you can have this same system.

So, I decided to join my install team on a little road trip.  I enjoy visiting customers, and I really enjoy being on the road............well, every once in a while.

Anyway, the itinerary was set on Monday, and we were heading out on Tuesday afternoon for Birmingham, AL.  After a quick stop in Spartanburg to visit a customer, off we go.  Through Anderson, through Atlanta.

Probably 15 minutes outside of Atlanta, we hear this noise.  Sort of distinct, one that we have not heard or were familiar with.  Almost as if a door had opened in the truck.  We look around, but nothing really sticks out as being wrong.

Continuing on..........

About an hour after this noise was heard, I notice a road noise, a very loud road noise.  Again we think that one of the doors was not completely closed, so we look...............nothing.

Immediately after looking around for the opened door, I turn around to look at something in the backseat.  When I do that, I notice that the back window has this weird glare on it.  All of a sudden, the bottom of the ENTIRE back glass flips up into the air.........like an overhead compartment on an airplane.  So, the top remains attached, and the bottom is swinging freely in the 80 mile an hour breeze that we are creating.

Well, desperate times call for duct tape measures right?  I always thought that the saying of "duct tape fixes anything" was just a joke.  Well, now I know that it is not.  I remember in the Marine Corps learning how to adapt and overcome.........so here it is:

All of us at OneBridge Communications would like to welcome US Lawns of Memphis to our customer base.

US Lawns of Memphis is a full service commercial landscape company specializing in making sure that your commercial property is always beautifully maintained. 

GPS asset tracking helps US Lawns manage employee timesheets, as well as monitor what properties are being visited and for how long. 

This creates efficiency and accountability within their organization, allowing them to keep profits up and wasted expenses down.

Want to know more about it?  Call us: 877-212-4828

Talk soon,

T

So, what better way to update the blog than to tell you a great story that I heard.

Okay, here's the scenario:

2 companies involved in the story.  1 company is a current GPS client of ours, 1 is a prospect (someone considering purchasing GPS).

I am in the process of working with the current customer to help them streamline some dispatch processes, which will help them become more efficient through GPS.  During that process, we realize that something does not add up.  After looking over various reports, we notice that company technicians are basically stealing 1 hour per day from the company. 

BINGO!! BAM!! GOT 'EM!!

Whatever you call it, something that I sell has just identified an unjustifiable expense so I am happy.

Here's the math behind it:

1 hour per day x $21 per hour (average technician hourly wage) x 5 working days x 17 technicians = ALOT OF DANG MONEY RECOVERED

Okay, enough math........

Later that day, I am in a meeting with my prospect, and I ask him what would happen if he had a system that would allow him to verify the accuracy of the time sheets that his employees turn in.  Then I said, "What if I could install a system on your company trucks that would give you the ability to potentially recover one hour per day, per employee?"

His response, "That is just the cost of doing business."

I was like.........Wha???..............Huh???

Now, I am not one to tell someone how to run their business, nor is it my place to laugh at someone for making a decision about their business, but "the cost of doing business?"

Let me ask you this..........what is your "cost of doing business?"

Is it taking customers to lunch? Buying season tickets to your local pro sports team to entertain clients? Is it buying new office equipment to make your office more efficient? Or, is it allowing employees to steal from your company by fudging numbers on timesheets?

If it's the latter, I recommend you do something about that.

You can, but you have to make that decision.

Decide to manage your company, not let it manage you.

It's easier than you think.  And, I guarantee a return on your investment!!  How's that?

Call me............1-877-212-4828.

Until then,

T

I am sitting here tonight enjoying the rumbling of thunder and the sharp flash of lightning.  Ah...........spring is finally here.

I thought tonight would be a good time to discuss Google Voice and the many features that come with it.  If you do not know what Google Voice is, well, let me tell you about it.

Google Voice is a service provided by Google that basically allows you to organize ALL of your telephone numbers in one place.  Waiting on that important call?  No problem.  List your numbers with Google Voice, and allow Google to transfer that important call to whatever phone you may be sitting beside at that time.

Here is how it works.  Once you have an account with Google voice, you can simply log in to your account and choose a Google Voice telephone number.  Once you have done that, you can list all of the telephone numbers that you currently have.  After passing out your Google Voice number, people are able to call that number and get in touch with you at any of the numbers that you have listed!!  Want that business call to ring at home?  It can happen?  Want to transfer a call from your office phone to your mobile?  That can happen.

The only drawback......you have to use a Google Voice telephone number.  It's really not that bad, and you can easily find numbers that are local to your area. Also included with Google Voice is voicemail to text, for free.  Hate checking voicemail?  Me too.  You can setup Google Voice to accept your voicemail calls.  Google will then translate those calls from voice to text, and deliver them straight to your email address........pretty slick.

Last drawback of Google Voice?  Well, you have to be invited to join.  You can logon to Google Voice and ask them to invite you.  It took me roughly 4 days to get my invitation......but, I think I was lucky. 

I have 3 invites that I can hand out.  Tell me in the comments why you think you deserve one, and I will decide who gets them!!

Until next time,

T

OneBridge Communications, LLC announced today a new program to help companies save more money. 

The promotion runs from now through the end of July, and allows companies to rent GPS units without signing any long term agreements. Upfront costs are minimal with only a $100 per truck installation fee.  Everything else is covered in your monthly rental fee.

All tracking is in real time, with 5 minute updates while the vehicle is moving.  Accessible from any computer that has an internet connection, users are able to find locations of vehicles from anywhere.

Can't get to a computer?  That's fine.  You can also use any PDA device to find your vehicles as well?  Don't have a PDA?  That's fine too!!  This system provides you with a toll free number that can be called where you are able to here the last location of your vehicle through a voice activated system.

Return on investment is guaranteed!!

If you are interested in this system and promotion, please send an email to info@onebridgewireless.com.

This post is a little overdue, and most of you may already be aware of the new laws governing cellphone usage while driving in North and South Carolina.  However, we figured that this would be a good time to revisit what the new laws are, and how they affect your personal usage, as well as your employees.

On December 1, 2009, North Carolina updated their cell phone laws to a newer version of what was already in place.  Before, users over the age of 18 were allowed to use cell phones while driving, unless they were operating a school bus.  Those laws have now changed to read the following:

         - No user shall use a cell phone while driving for text messaging, electronic email, music, games, camera, or internet functions.
         - Fine of $100 plus court costs, but no points
         - Exceptions are only for police, fire, and medics

South Carolina is a little different, or behind the times you could say.  Although South Carolina does not currently have any set cell phone driving laws in place, they do have what is called a "distracted or inattentive attribute under Contributing Factors.  So, instead of pulling you over for using your cell phone while driving, you can be ticketed at the scene of an accident if it is determined that you were using your cell phone instead of paying attention to the road ahead.

Common sense in any situation like this would tell you to put the cell phone down and concentrate on driving.  If you must use the phone while driving, find a safe, secure spot to pull over and complete the task that is needed, and then continue to operate your vehicle.  Text messages, email, and internet are not as important as human life.

Company vehicle usage policices or company cell phone policies should cover these issues.  If you do not currently have a set company cell phone policy, give us a call.  One of our consultants can help you create and establish a company cell phone policy.

Until next time,

TLS

NC Cell Phone Laws.pdf (16.65 kb)

Sprint has announced that they will launch the Motorola i1, an Android based smartphone.  This phone, like many other Android phones has a vibrant touchscreen, all the fun features of Android 1.5, and one thing that no other Android has...........PUSH TO TALK!!!

The first of its kind, the Motorola i1 will definitely pump some life into a network (iDEN) that could really use some right now. 

This feature list is not confirmed as of this posting, but here they are:

- 3.1 inch touchscreen
- 5MP camera
- Wi-Fi
- Bluetooth 2.1

Last, the Motorola i1, named the Opus One, will contain the MOTOBLUR UI, which will link all of your social networks together in one spot.  The only downfall to the phone is that it will not run on

Sprint's 3G network, but will work on iDEN's slower data network.

With that being said, a touchscreen, Android based smartphone with Push to Talk is right up our alley.

We are excited!!

Until next time,

T

Too often, I receive questions from business owners that start like this, "How do I know that I need to track my vehicles?"  Business owners today want to make sure that the purchases they authorize for their business are actually going to help their business.  Owners also want to make sure that the purchases they make have a return on investment.  One that is measureable, one that is verifiable.

The answer to this question is simple.  If you are considering this purchase, it's probably time.

But, most business owners that we come in contact with have the same feelings when it comes to tracking people.  Either they do not like the idea of it, they trust their employees, or they do not want to make employees feel uncomfortable.

My response to those feelings is also fairly simple. 

What I am trying to say is that GPS vehicle tracking is so much more than just an employee accountability tool.  If the only reason companies purchased GPS was to hold employees accountable, well, we would have to close our doors.  There are so many more uses for vehicle tracking that have nothing to do with employee accountability.

For example, GPS vehicle tracking can be used as an invoice accountability tool.  Hmmmmmmm, what does that mean.  Let me ask you this, how many times has a customer called in to dispute the number of labor hours on an invoice?  How many times has a customer called and complained about your service truck not stopping at their house and completing a service? 

A question that I would ask you is, "How many labor hours are being erased because your company has no way to prove that your technician was there for the 2 hours that were billed, or that the service was performed?

How nice would it be to log in to a system that provides the information to prove that you are accurately billing that customer, or that your service truck stopped at Mr. Doe's house for 2 hours while your technician sprayed for bugs?

Now do you see what I mean?

To learn more, simply provide us with your contact information.  One of our GPS consultants can provide our free fleet analysis that will take an in-depth look at how you currently operate your fleet, as well as complete and ROI analysis on your business.

This free consultation takes about 30 minutes to complete, and there is no obligation for you to purchase anything.

Until next time,

TLS

For a carrier that many have deemed to be "in trouble", Sprint has turned up the heat with a sweet lineup of new Android phones.

Rumors say that HTC will unveil the new "Supersonic" at the CTIA show next week in Las Vegas.  This phone has a lot of hype surroounding it, and is said to have the ability to use Sprint's new 4G network...........a system that no other carrier currently has.

Other phones launching on Sprint include the Nexus One, as well as a new Blackberry named the "T", short for Talladega.

Whatever happens with Sprint, it seems like it will be an exciting summer of phone launch's from Sprint.

Also from Sprint, Android 2.1 software will be pushing out to existing HTC Hero's and Samsung Moment's in the next few weeks!!

Until next time,

TLS