Thinking about tracking your workforce using GPS-enabled cell phones or handhelds? Although handheld GPS units can be a cost-effective way to obtain entry-level tracking, a hardwired solution is much more reliable.

Unfortunately, handheld solutions are completely vulnerable: "My battery died," "I left my phone in the truck," "I forgot my phone and I had to go back home," are just a few of the excuses you will hear. These units require too much input from the user . . . to keep it charged, to keep it on their person, or in the truck, and so one. These units can easily be manipulated and disabled.

You take your business seriously, so it just makes sense to get the most reliable real-time vehicle status, accurate street maps, and Google Earth 3D capabilities (e.g., traffic, weather) for improved tracking, routing, and dispatching capabilities. Ultimately, you will build a much stronger organization that responds quickly to customer requests and the ever-changing conditions in the field.

See a more in-depth analysis of Handheld GPS units verses Hardwired units.