One of the most successful applications in enterprise mobility is Global Positioning System (GPS), which is used by drivers to assist in the effective management of field operations for a range of industries. Applications include van sales for FMCG and Proof of Delivery (POD) and track 'n trace for transport and logistics industries.

ProScan Mobility has deployed numerous mobile applications integrating GPS technologies to deliver productivity and reduce costs across many organisations, specifically the transport and logistics industry.

The latest mobile devices now include integrated GPS, which connects with a company's back-end system, allowing for the collection of data and use of GPS information in the field. There are several applications for GPS on mobile devices in the enterprise markets:

• Turn by Turn Navigation

In consumer GPS application, the driver of the vehicle is responsible for inputting the address. It differs in an enterprise application as the mobile computer extracts the information from the back-end system, automatically inputs this information and guides the driver to the destination, without the driver inputting any information.

This is an invaluable tool in a delivery environment, such as couriering, where customers are unique rather than daily repeats. In addition, there is no loss of productivity with a replacement or casual driver, as they can immediately follow an unknown route directed by the GPS device.

• Route Planning

A mobile device with integrated GPS enables an enterprise to collect the geo-coordinates of the delivery addresses of all their customers. This information, which is uploaded to the back-end system and updated dynamically, is used for route optimisation of deliveries to various customers.

• Bread Crumbing

Very little real-time information has existed about delivery activities in the field, such as delivery status, times and signatures. Typically, system updates took place the following day and were subject to human error. Another great benefit of integrated GPS technology in mobile devices is 'bread crumbing', which means that the route of the vehicle is tracked online in realtime, so that additional deliveries or collections can be included in the schedule and allocated to the nearest vehicle.

This is also an invaluable management tool from a retrospective point of view, as it keeps a record of routes for future analysis, particularly for example, where companies have Service Level Agreements(SLAs) with customers. If there are queries or disagreements, a history of the vehicle route can be analysed.

Not only does this technology enhance a company's service delivery, but provides information about driver performance, which serves as a coaching tool for managers to improve driver efficiency.

Add GPS to your mobile application

ProScan provides a dedicated GPS navigation and tracking solution for your enterprise mobile computers with Electric Compass' Enterprise Navigator, a full-featured GPS turn-by-turn navigation product for mobile computers designed to be integrated with your mobile workforce solutions. Benefits include increased efficiency, safety and reduced fuel and labour costs.

Product features include:

• Turn-by-turn GPS satellite navigation with voice commands
• Maps for Southern Africa, North America, Mexico, Brazil, Europe, Middle East, and Australia
• Voice prompts and text in languages including English, Spanish, European languages and Arabic
• Operating system support for Windows Mobile 5/6 and Windows CE 5 and higher
• API for integration with your application for passing address information into Enterprise Navigator

Enterprise-friendly licensing makes it easy with GPS solutions designed to work with your mobile application to add tracking, navigation and other GPS capabilities.