The Location Powered Enterprise
Part Five: GPS-Based Vehicle Navigation

In this, our final entry in our series on the "Location Powered Enterprise," we look at one of the best-known uses of GPS technology – Turn by Turn Navigation or "Route Guidance." This simply means using GPS and a computer to provide “turn-by-turn” driving directions to the user in real-time. Automobile manufacturers have embraced navigation as a “killer” consumer application, as evidenced by the almost ubiquitous presence of navigation systems in high-end car advertising. Most consumer users rate their GPS navigation systems as highly useful.

Consumer-style solutions have historically been less attractive to enterprises due to these systems’ reliance on expensive and complex stand-alone technology requiring proprietary, single-purpose hardware such as DVD drives and in-dash modules. The good news is, as we’ve seen in other "location powered" technologies, the development of GPS capabilities for mobile computers has also put GPS navigation within the reach of the location powered enterprise.

All GPS vehicle navigation systems use GPS to calculate the user’s current position and then employ navigation algorithms to calculate the best route to the user’s planned destination. Navigation software on a handheld or other computer then provides the directions, which may be in the form of a digital map, turn-by-turn text directions on the computer screen, or voice instructions through text-to-speech output. “Spoken” instructions are typically the best for enterprise users as this “eyes free display” doesn’t require the driver to take his or her eyes off the road to look at the screen.

An important feature for enterprise use of a navigation system is a software developer’s kit. This allows it to be integrated with other mobile applications, so that, for example, a work order management system could include a “Navigate” button that allows a field worker to get help if he or she doesn’t know how to get to a destination.

Enterprises can benefit from navigation systems in much the same way millions of lost drivers have. If mobile workers become lost or need directions to their next service or delivery location, a GPS navigation system can provide accurate route guidance. Drivers will spend less non-productive time searching for locations or stopping to ask for directions and increase customer satisfaction through better on-time performance. Besides saving time, GPS-assisted navigation also saves money by reducing fuel costs by eliminating idling while looking up an address, driving while lost or taking indirect routes.

As we've seen in LinksPoint's series on the location powered enterprise, innovations in GPS technology have greatly increased the options available to the enterprise user – and the potential value to the organization. Real-time tracking represented the first wave in moving toward the location powered enterprise The availability of GPS in mobile computers and other mobile devices has opened up a new range of capabilities and solutions that can make the location powered enterprise a reality today. From geographically verifying transactions and asset locations, to GPS-based analysis of field activities and navigation, "location powered" technology provides transparency into – and control over – mobile operations that were never before possible.

Mike Forbes
LinksPoint, Vice President
Products & Marketing