I need some honest real world input on two subjects from end users – like you guys.

• GPS fleet tracking systems – What system do you use and what do you like or dislike about it? Would you recommend it?

• Concrete pumping software (dispatching, invoicing, equipment management, accounting, etc.)   I think Todd will recommend Pump Magic – which I like but I need to research all options before I decide.  What do you guys use? Do you like it – would you recommend it?

Any input would be much appreciated.

Thanks

Phil

http://www.discretewireless.com/

I don't know much about GPS,But my take on them is if you don,t trust the guys who work for you why have them there. Why do you need to know where they are at. It's not like they are moon lighting.If they stop to have a bite to eat, They proble need it.  Or i,m a missing the point on GPS.If i'm missing something let me know.

Thanks Scott

If you own a pump, or a bunch of pumps there are a few things you like to know. Are your drivers hot rod speeders? What time did the pump get to and leave the job. How about when some creep calls and says that one of your pumps just sise swiped him and took off.

Lots and lots of reasons to have GPS in a pump.

I bet that Pauline wishes that she had GPS in hers when they were stolen.

It is not all about 'catching' the operators being operators. ;~)

Thanks Bob

I was missing something. Never really looked at it like that.But,I still think there is no trust in there somewhere.If you think they are dicking around way are they still working for you. Do you know what i,m tring to say, I hope so because i don't.

Thanks scott

I could be going off topic here but when my old employer wanted to get GPS. I said if you can afford GPS you can afford to put a lil more pay in my pay check! I said the same about the GM they were going to hire. I can baby sit myself LOL! They got neither and I bought my own pump!

Many companies pay their employees off of the GPS; How many times do people forget to punch in and out?

Seed,

Nothing wrong with having a hidden GPS in your unit. That is all that those

Lo-Jack units are.

It clears up any argument about an invoice too. No guess or argument about job times.

You must have piles of extra $$$ lying around and not enough places to spend it.

;~) 

I was never big on GPS or general managers! I am sure there is a need when the company is HUGE! Employee 722 Could you please come down for your Easter ham! I have to agree with Ruck. If you can't trust all your employees. You may have too many machines?

In one of the posts that were lost a member said that it only catches the cheaters. I thought that said a lot. No one else need even worry.

I remember that post. I thought about it numorious times today! I think it said the ones that don't like it " SEED " Are probably the worst offenders! In this case it is untrue! I am just not an eye in the sky fan. I don't like the patriot act or the surveillance bill! Cheaper insurance, Proof of ticket. I can understand all that. I have always been a self starter. The kind of guy the boss could pay and get his moneys worth! I meant what I said. If the company could afford to dump cash into a GPS system. They could afford to dump some cash in my pay check. Until the GPS can drive the rig and pump the job. Invest in your employees! A happy well paid employee is a good one!  

Here's a few things about GPS that you are not thinking of.  For one, in our area we often get in areas that we have no cell phone service.  The GPS units in our trucks however can still get a signal 9 times out of 10 when the phone cannot.  If that truck for any reason has a problem, not only can the driver send me a text stating so - I can see that the vehicle is stopped and the exact location.  Thus without the driver having cell phone service - I can take care of the job he is heading to along with the operator. 

Next - if for some reason the operator gets lost (not they ever would hehe) I can pull them up on a mapping screen and get them there quicker.

3rd - none of my operators have to fill out logs - the GPS does that for them and is acceptable for DOT.

4th - if that pump was to be in an accident - exact speed before and at the crash along with exact times can be pulled.

5th - if for any reason you ever have a dispute with a customer over times on a job - whether it be total time billed or whether you were on time - it is all there.  I can also tell from looking at GPS whether the pump has moved to wash yet or has not moved from its original location.  Thus if it is time that it should be washed and ready for the next job and is not - I can delay the 2nd job.

and not lastly - yes it can be used for time card verification, route verification, etc. 

There are benefits for both the operator and the employer and not all of them have to do with trust.  I have 3 of the best operators around and they don't mind a bit that those units are on there.  In fact - they know that if something were to happen I would be able to assist without their ability to call.

And to answer the original question - we use @road for our service.

Nice facts Pumper mike. It sounds like a solid investment. What is the cost per unit install and the cost for the system in general? How much do you spend a year to maintain the GPS monitoring system? If you should have a problem. what is the hourly rate to bring in the tecs?

It's an average of $50.00 per month per truck and worth every penny.  So far to date I have not had any problems with any of the units so no I can't answer the tech costs question.  And the peace of mind if the roads get bad that I can take care of the operators is worth it.  The cost of the units are on me not my employees. 

Not bad if you own 4 trucks! If a company had a fleet of 300,600 or 900 pumps, hell evan 50 for that matter the cost may be high? I am just thinking out loud here. Does companies that run 3,6 or nine hundred pumps run GPS?

BBCP does - do they count?

I don't know? How many pumps do they have? Does pumpco, Brundage, Pioneer Or Luchts have it? I think it is neat technology! I am not sure if a concrete pump company can justify the cost! It is only $600 a year per machine but if a guy that owns 600 machines ain't doing it. Why would a guy with 4 or 12 do it? Just my opinion.

psst we call Brundage Bone BBCP up in this area.  They are the ones that sold me on it.

I got ya pumper Mike! My Bad! That is impressive! A lot of dough to throw down but who am I to argue. They must know what they are doing to own a fleet of that size! I'm Sold! Nice job! It's late in the North east.