GPS Software for Free

Screenshot of LocateA.net home page

GPS-enabled tracking and locating software and applications do not always require such payment and charges. Just like any GPS application for android and smart phones, some GPS software are readily available for public consumption. 

The free GPS service can be used to locate live positions of moving objects such as vehicles, mobile phones, or even people in a map. The software's main purpose of tracking can be beneficial on its users and its limitations can be, on the other hand can be complemented by top-graded GPS device. 

LocateA.net offers Vehicle Tracking 100% Free for everyone which is beneficial for individuals who need GPS applications. Everyone can use the software as long as the individual's mobile phone is - Java enabled, Windows Mobile 5 or 6, Windows Mobile Smart Phone, or Windows PPC 2003.Also, if a desktop or laptop has bluetooth or a Bluetooth 'dongle' with Bluetooth GPS Receiver, anyone will be able to track anyone, even themselves on the move with their Laptop! [3G Card Required].

GPS Development Through Time

Discussing about GPS technology is a complex task but looking through its history, from its discoverers' inception to how it is today makes the course easy. 

Photo of Sputnik from Flickr.com

Global Positioning System or GPS Technology is not a one-day-developed and implemented research. Like any other systems, GPS developed through time, and continuously developing to further cater the needs of the sectors it supports.

 During the early 20^th century, the early type of GPS called the Ground-based Radio-navigation Systems was used. LORAN and Decca NavigationSystem have been helpful tools during the Second World War as a vital defense technology and later on used for commercial applications.

October 4, 1957 is marked as an important date when Sputnik, recognized as an “artificial star” was launched by the Soviet Union. Sputnik has been the way how researchers verified that satellite’s position could determine a subject’s position using its emitted radio signals.  
 1996 is an extraordinary year of GPS breakthrough, when Whitehouse announced that a higher level of GPS accuracy is already available for everyone, including the civilians. Development of the system constantly flourished as a lot of researchers found it helpful and interesting.

GPS Application vs GPS Tracking Device

H61 Boeing GPS-12 Satellite Source: Flickr.com

Navigation tools which primarily uses GPS has been used in the Philippines for a relatively long time. but counting the years of GPS usage doesn't mean that it is widely used. The emergence of GPS applications in android phones has helped on GPS' familiarity among people. These applications should be clarified to be supplemental for a GPS need but can not replace a real GPS device with a specialized system.

In reality, companies and even individuals aim to get GPS device for different purposes - fleet management, security, vehicle tracking, and the sort. These special needs are the things which GPS Applications are limited to provide.

As an individual wrote on her Advantages Of A Vehicle Tracking System blog, she stated:

GPS tracking does not just provide you with important information on your own business’ assets, but is another great way to prevent your employees through committing thievery.

If you are a business owner, you would certainly be nicely practiced in cutting down on the costs sustained because of your business such as shopping around for the best prices, reducing staff hours, avoiding unneeded purchases, and so on. VehicleMonitoring System is promoting to be probably the most effective fleet management tools which help in reducing fuel costs. You simply obtain the data and you will know exactly what lengths you went, how long it took you and where you proceeded to go.

With the functions and capabilities of a GPS device, no GPS Application on Android or any Smart Phone can perform better than it.

Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation (SHELL) renews its partnership with WTI

Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation (SHELL)renews its partnership with Webcast Technologies Inc (WTI). WTI, with its diverse portfolio of technology solutions and services, has been the GPS provider of Shell for the past five years dating back to October 2006.

WTI thru the inputs of Shell has provided several innovations.

The GPS data is linked with the performance of every driver using a keypad module. Each driver has an equivalent driver pin code for identification. The driver login and logout as well as break time are monitored. The Shell drivers are limited to 11 working hours per day and 6 working days per week to ensure optimum driving conditions.

The system is tied up with a driver reward and consequence management. When a driver commits a violation such as over speeding and harsh braking this increases the chance of accidents as well as reduce vehicular performance. By providing the reward and consequence management system there is increased effort among the drivers to meet the driving parameters of Shell and thereby increasing the overall work efficiency.

The data is tied up to the Insight Browser where the data of driver performance can be viewed among all authorized Shell personnel nationwide as well as abroad. The data is provided thru a secured data center housed in UP Ayala Technohub, where the central office of WTI is located.

For the current implementation, WTI added the accelerometer functionality for added accuracy and precision on Harsh brake and Harsh Acceleration monitoring. WTI also initiated a second by second recording of data which can last up to 1 year. Future developments include the RFID for proper identification of drivers.

Awareness Againts Burglary

Theft occurs adamantly unpredictable. Devices which one can put or install in his/her assets can help in preventing possible robbery. Information about the robbery "hot spots" will also be a big help in one's preventive measures. This article is written to notify all moving asset owners to avoid passing through the roads of Gapan-Olongapo due to several incidents of hi-jacked trucks, along the Jose Abad Santos Avenue, Lubao, Pampanga.

Sample tracking report provided by WTI

Theft cases range from fuel thieving from trucks (loading petroleum/fuel tanks) to stealing the whole truck. As an industry concerned and in line with the prevention of such circumstance, WTI aims for the safety of everyone. For inquiries on how to avail tracking and security devices for asset management, just contact WTI through info@findme.com.ph or call us at (02) 441-0016 to 23.

Everyday, usual as it may be, businessmen should always be prepared and secured with their assets. Because at the end of the day, everyone must face the reality that possible crimes and theft doesn't exempt any special day or occasion.

WTI and its technology

Tracking and management systems utilize two distinct areas of expertise. First is the determination and management of positional and other data through state-of-the-art technologies: Geographic Information System (GIS) and Global Positioning System (GPS), and second is the telecommunications (Global System for Mobile Communications) which enables data to be monitored and displayed at a centralized control center where in turn it can be distributed to authorized users through a base station or through the web.

FindMe LBS (location-based services) is 100% Filipino-owned and a proprietary service offered by WTI. Webcast Technologies, Inc. is one of the first in the country to commercially offer digital maps, asset tracking and monitoring systems based on GPS (global position system) technology.

What WebcastTechnologies Inc. is all about?

Webcast Technologies, Inc. (WTI) is a technology-based company operating across the Philippines. For 11 years, WTI continuously strengthens and consistently supports the key members of the Philippine business community. Research and development, and core technologies including GPS devices and GIS are done in-house. These technologies have been successfully integrated with GSM and the Internet to make businesses cost-effective and deliver accurate information crucial to different types of business.

WTI specializes in providing integrated positioning solutions, which primarily utilize the Global Positioning System (GPS). Projects undertaken have ranged from the design and installation of real-time GPS control networks for world-class projects, to fleet tracking. WTI has successfully completed major projects in the Philippines. Through its network of strategic alliances with companies who are experts in their field, WTI is able to draw on a resource of industry leaders to offer solutions that are tailored to its clients needs.

Asset Management and Technology

We are now in an internet age. This period of information era has brought about such changes in a modern-day Filipino lifestyle. Benefiting from these technological advances is the smartest thing to do for a better way of life especially when owning a business.

Source: TravelImages.com

Asset Management through the State-of-the-Art Technologies

Owning and managing an industry is not that easy. Asset management for different sectors is the most integral part in keeping up a business. With the recent technological developments, technological aid is applicable to every Industrial Sector.

Know which SECTOR your business belongs

Source: Nexell.net

Below is a categorization of industries based on the goods and/or service offered:

•             Primary (includes businesses which extract directly from earth, includes farming, fishing, logging, and mining)

Development of Weather casting technology helps plantation owners know when will be the best and worst time to plant crops. Companies whose main products are fruits and vegetables largely benefit with the weather monitoring system because with the proper use of the weather information, best quality and quantity of harvest is within reach.

•             Secondary (involves the processing and manufacturing of products from primary industries – factories)

Being sure that the products are in good condition and preventing these from being stolen are the reasons of the development of tracking and security systems. These systems help in the betterment of the business' operations as well as to prevent losses of the company.

•             Tertiary (service industry, including financial institutions, transport, restaurants, etc.)

For banks, money changers, pawnshops, and the sort, security is vital. Also, safe transportation of products from the factory to warehouses, to secured delivery of goods to consumers is important. Well-developed tracking and security system is what these type of businesses use for efficient management of their products.

•             Special Sector (includes intellectual services – IT, research, etc.)

It is an industry which is knowledge-based. Meetings, conferences, and the sort are very much important for this sector. Nowadays, technology has aided the primary problems of being late for appointments and meetings due to heavy traffic and tight schedules through an efficient video communication. Video conferencing at its best of course requires the best equipment and finest system.

Research industries on the other hand will competently run through the developed GIS, GPS, GSM, SMS, GPRS, Telemetry technologies.

TrackMe: Vehicle Tracking and Management System

The TrackMe Vehicle Tracking and Management System utilize advanced Global Positioning System (GPS) and Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) technologies to provide you with real-time vehicle monitoring capability.

With TrackMe, you can view necessary information on your vehicle through a secure website from any computer with internet access, allowing you to increase the operational efficiency of your fleet as well as ensure the security of your assets.

With its basic and optional add-on features, fleet managers can now easily overcome the current limitations of the existing fleet system, which will lead to an accurate and real-time location of assets.

Basic Features

·         Real-Time Vehicle Tracking (Interval, Historical and On-Demand)

·         Instantaneous Speed Recording

·         Zoning Alerts/Geo Fencing (Home Bases/Hot spots)

·         Speed alerts

·         Harsh Braking, Harsh Acceleration, Over speeding, Idle, Tampering, Out of route Alerts

·         One year data storage

·         Running Time and Idle Time Utilization Reports

Add-on Features

·         Triggered Alerts (Door Openings, Ignition sensing, Engine and Cargo temperature monitoring, Engine over revving, Driver Activities)

·         Location notification via mobile phone

·         Emergency alarm transmission

·         Engine Disable system for THEFT/HIJACK RECOVERY

·         One way or two way voice communications

What is Poor Fleet Management?

Managing what one can not measure is an impossible task. 

Manual Fleet Management System is a source of headache Source: Flickr.com

That is the reason why Fleet Management is a vital character in a Fleet Management Scenario. With the proper use of technology, some companies are able to develop the Fleet Management System and backs up the key economic players from different industries. 


Because in REALITY, existing Fleet System has a lot of limitations:

Inaccurate Management Report

Accuracy in data encoding (trip tickets, for example can be easily modified) and scaling up is an important                 concern. Human error is very rampant on manual data logging which may have a great effect on any business                 operation.

Inefficient Fleet Capacity Distribution

Time lapse on manual data encoding, analysis and feedback approximately takes two months. Consequently, immediate data of vehicle usage including an overview on how the entire fleet is being used and maximized is not readily available. Thus, fleet managers become inefficient in determining their fleet distribution.

Increased Gas Consumption and Inefficiency

Provision of data during vehicle on transit is not available since the idling time and side trips can’t be checked by a manual system. Routes are not being maximized resulting to inefficient and increased gas consumption.

Increased Asset Damage and Accident

Manual system has no means of monitoring safe driving standards, over speeding, harsh braking and harsh acceleration, and vehicle usage efficiency. Poor consequence management on fleet manager’s end is expected.

Being in the IDEAL Fleet Management Scenario is not that hard, if a Fleet Manager has a combination of properly developed technology, system, and service.