George V said:
I'm going multi-truck next week (maybe) and bought a cheap-o gps to track my truck.
http://www.zoombak.com
I'll be pissed if he's out doing side jobs with my fuel, chems and equipment.
Anyone else using gps to track their equipment or am i just being a control freak?
George,
Being a "control freak" can be a good thing for everyone involved IF you do it right. Many of our multi-truck
SFS members are implementing on-line, real-time GPS tracking of their vehicles.
A good GPS system will inform you (immediately by cell phone if you wish) if your people are going over the speed limit or off of a pre-programmed route. It can also let you know when the machine is running and the total number of hours a day and will automatically track maintenance for you also. An additional benefit of real-time GPS tracking is you can know instantly on the screen where each crew is in the event of an emergency call like a water damage.
HOWEVER, no one should be lulled into a false sense of security just with GPS simply because only tracking where the vehicle is does not let you know what is going on inside the house and that is where the real potential for abuse occurs. We call it "side work" in
SFS and it is the hidden cancer of this industry.
The way you handle this doing extra work for cash (whether you use GPS tracking or not) is with "friendly" unannounced random, "just stopping by" checks. Check where your employee is going to be, stop by unannounced and just walk in on them. Pick up the work order clipboard and heaven help them if they are cleaning in an area that is not written on the work order.
Simply put- it is all about adding "accountability" to your company. The problem is your techs quickly learn they can be "loose cannons" out there and they create their own 'little kingdoms". Real-time GPS tracking is a useful tool in this but not the only solution.
Steve
www.SFS.JonDon.com
PS George, IF you are interested in this "Adding Employee Accountability to Your Company" issue you can download a free 8 page checklist I did up right here:
http://sfs.jondon.com/2999/resources/sp ... ur-company
People tell me the ideas in it have saved them a lot of grief with their employees.
