What is location technology and should your business use it?

Location technology is fairly new and businesses are beginning to explore its possibilities for themselves and their employees. Industries ranging from retail to pizza chains are considering and, in some cases, already implementing, this technology as part of their business plan, giving them an edge over the competition. But what is location technology and should your business use it?

Location technology, also known as location-aware technology, is the use of GPS (Global Positioning System) in a cell phone network to locate the user of a mobile device.Some cell phones already come with this GPS built in.Basically, if someone is has a phone or other wireless device with location- aware technolgoy, then that person can be tracked by another person, giving information about the person's using the mobile device's whereabouts. This can be used and helpful to businesses in various ways.

Although location-aware technology being used in the business world is still fairly rare, it seems to be a growing trend. Various companies are getting involved with this trend and it can be assumed that the trend of companies using location-aware technology will catch on, especially when it helps companies give better services at the same, if not better, prices.

An example of location technology being put into use can be shown by the way some of Papa John's pizza company is using it. The delivery people carry cell phones with them as they travel around the neighborhood with their deliveries. Once someone places an order online for a pizza delivery, they can go online and follow their pizza, from store to doorstep, giving updates every ten to fifteen seconds.

Through location-aware technology, customers have a better idea of when their pizza will arrive.While it may seem like a lot of technology just to get a pizza to your doorstep in a timely manner, ever since it was implemented, Papa John's pizza online orders climbed 100%.People enjoy the novelty of tracking their pizza around the neighborhood - it is a fun, added benefit that helps sell the product.

Other companies are using the same kind of technology.Some Wal-Mart managers now carry mobile phones with location technology.Based on where they are located, the managers will get area-specific information about coming weather storms. This will help managers know what kind of displays to sell up front. For example, if a snowstorm is coming in, the manager is alerted, and then he or she can decide to put snow shovels in a front display or the manager may want to make a more obvious display of hats, scarves, and gloves.This technology allows managers to adapt quickly and anticipate what the public will need, thus improving sales.

So should your business use it?There are some pros and cons to location technology that may affect your decision:

The pros are that customers enjoy the novelty of the technology. They enjoy feeling like they are more in charge of their purchase because they see and understand more.Another pro is that it if your employees know that you know their location - especially if they're out driving (this is used a lot of delivery people, truckers, cabbies, and other people who do work while on the road) - chances are they'll stay on task. The employee won't make unnecessary stops or kill time taking longer routes if they know that their employer is aware of their location and how fast they're traveling.It makes people still accountable when they leave the office.

The cons are that people may feel an invasion of privacy, as if their boss is constantly over their shoulders. Some employees may even interpret the use of location technology as a lack of trust, as if you have to check on them to make sure the job gets done. Tread carefully when it comes to the topic of privacy - you don't want to make people think that you are suspicious of them or seem overbearing. Decide what works best with your employees.