So, it has finally happened. AT&T has added a LoJack like service to their GPS enabled BlackBerry devices. I know that delivery companies with fleets of vehicles have been using this type of technology for years, however, they generally stick a GPS transponder in the vehicle. For me, there is just something eery about tracking my exact whereabouts via a mobile device on my person.
Let’s say, for example, that your company has 20 delivery trucks on the road at any one time. Hand each driver a specially equipped BlackBerry and from a computer in your home office (or even on your own BlackBerry) you can see each driver’s location any time you want. When a call comes in from a customer, you can see which driver is closest and dispatch that one for the job.
Not only that, but the system AT&T uses also lets you keep a record of where your employees have been and how long they spent there.
I don’t really have a problem with the delivery truck scenario if, in fact, your job is dependent upon where vehicle is and the tracking system is in the vehicle. Tracking and logging where I physically am just doesn’t sit right with me.
Some may say that if your are worried about “big brother” they can probably already track you through your mobile device. Fortunately I don’t work for “big brother” and my employeer only generally needs to know where I am at any given time.
Others may say that when you are on the clock your employeer has the right to know where you are at all times. That just doesn’t sound like some place I’d like to work.
Maybe I am over reacting to a service that may turn out to be quite useful to employeers and employees alike. As for me, however, the day my employeer puts a bug in my pockect is the day that I start looking for a new gig.
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