FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

GENERAL QUESTIONS

1  How Find''Secure can help you?

You might be asking yourself what the benefits of GPS tracking systems are for you as a business owner as well as the obvious advantages for your dispatching or fleet management staff. What you should know is that the implementation of a GPS tracking system has a variety of features that have a positive effect on many other departments and divisions.

Any business that has a fleet of vehicles, farm, shipping, limousines, taxis, or construction equipment would benefit from the installation of GPS tracking devices. Not only are they extremely useful for vehicle tracking, they can be used as a people locator. GPS uses a network of 24 satellites in staggered orbits around the Earth. At any time, from any location on the planet, four of these satellites are "visible" -- capable of receiving and sending signals. This means tracking devices can by used at any moment in time for vehicle tracking or as a people locator to track staff.

Once the unit is installed, it will communicate with the 4 satellites and transmit the following information: latitude, longitude, altitude and time. The location data is transmitted via cellular modem to the Find''Secure database where it is translated and placed on a "Google" street map to be viewed by you in your account. The process repeats as the receiver moves and the unit constantly updates the information. If there is a vehicle tracking unit in a fleet of taxicabs, for example, the central dispatcher can monitor each vehicle's location, stop time, route taken and speed. An even more critical application would be to have these GPS units installed in a fleet of ambulances or police patrol cars.

Another extremely important application for GPS involves tracking stolen vehicles. With tracking devices installed, vehicles can be rapidly located and recovered, often within minutes of the theft. GPS vehicle tracking devices can also be found on boats, planes, movie-making gear and laptop computers. GPS technology has unlimited benefits and uses. No matter how small or large, a company only stands to profit by using the type of technology that GPS tracking.

Accounting - Your accounting department will benefit from the use of reports generated from your Find''Secure website, not to mention the huge plus of cutting back on fuel consumption and overtime. Even the vehicles benefit from lower mileage and increased data on required maintenance.

Customer Service - The use of the Find''Secure GPS tracking system will make the jobs of your customer service staff easier and more streamlined. Your customers will benefit from increased accuracy, faster status reporting, detailed billing information, and fewer delays in arrival time. These are just a few of the ways your customers and your employees will enjoy GPS tracking.

Dispatch -The Find''Secure GPS tracking system will make it possible for dispatchers to send drivers to an increased number of jobs without the cost of hiring more drivers or purchasing more vehicles. Routing becomes easier and clearer resulting in increased accuracy, lower fuel consumption, less wear and tear on your vehicles, and so much more. The advantages to your dispatchers are valuable and immediate.

Drivers/Account Receivables - Your drivers can supplement their work orders by verifying their time spent at appointments and job sites. This offers them a reliable way to track their progress and protects them (and you!) against customer complaints and billing disputes. A GPS tracking system will provide all the details necessary to show time of arrival, time spent at a site, and more!

Sales Department - Clearer routing will promote the idea of increased sales by making it to more appointments throughout the course of a work day, increasing their volume and your bottom line. You will become knowledgeable in demonstrating ways that clients benefit, and your sales staff and their productivity can be monitored by your GPS tracking system.

Upper Management - Increased efficiency saves time and money, which results in a larger return on your investment. Your customers will benefit from up to the minute information. These improve the image of your company and increase your customer base, too!

To learn more about the Find''Secure GPS tracking system that will fit the goals and requirements of your business, contact Find''Secure and speak to one of our knowledgeable sales staff today! We can help you get started tracking your fleet and saving money today.

2 What information is transmitted by the Find''Secure GPS tracking unit?

Each GPS record consists of the following (Basic Packet which is transmitted by tracking device):
  • Date
  • Time
  • Location
  • Speed
  • Direction of travel

3 Where will the Find''Secure unit work?

The Find''Secure GPS tracking device will work in every part of the world.

4 Do I have to have a cell phone or purchase cell service as well as Find''Secure service?

You can receive alerts to your cell phone identifying what the alert is for and the location of the vehicle. It will also identify the speed provide location within Geofence.

5 Is Find''Secure devices compatible with all vehicles, including heavy trucks?

Yes, Find''Secure is a universal solution that can be installed on any type of vehicle. This includes Class 1-3 passenger cars and light-duty trucks, Class 4-6 medium-duty and light-heavy duty trucks and Class 8 heavy-duty trucks. Find''Secure is able to provide remote diagnostics data on vehicles 1996 and newer cars/light trucks and 1988 and newer heavy trucks.

6 Does my Find''Secure system have a warranty?

Yes. We will either replace or repair the Find''Secure System installed in your vehicle if the system proves to be defective in material or workmanship within one (1) year from the date of installation.

7 Does my Find''Secure system need maintenance?

No. There is no need to have contact with the system after it has been installed.

8 Is there a mobile app for Find''Secure?

Find''Secure is now available and streamlines data entry on any internet-connected device. You can access this through a web browser automatically by going to findnsecure.com or Google Play Store and Apple Store.

9 How many customers are using Find''Secure? It's a new product, right?

Find''Secure launched in 2007 and has grown quickly ever since. As of January 2014, over 14,000 people use Find''Secure to manage around 30,000 vehicles. Thousands of businesses and organizations use Find''Secure each day to manage their fleet. Over 80,000 maintenance and service entries have been logged, and Find''Secure is responsible helping users stay on top of more than 20,000 preventative maintenance tasks. We also have paying customers over 90 different countries.

10 How often do you release updates?

Constantly. We release small tweaks and bug fixes daily and we blog about our larger updates which come out every week or two. The best part? We handle all the Find''Secure updates, hosting and other IT headaches for you. All you have to do is use it, preferably with a smile :) We even make it easy to keep up with changes with email updates, @findnsecure tweets and blog posts.

11 What if somebody tampers with the vehicle device?

The vehicle device has functions to alert you of such situations. If vehicle battery power is disconnected, it will send you a SMS alert.

12 Will the vehicle device run down the battery of the vehicle?

No, it will not. The vehicle device consumes very little power and goes into sleep mode when it senses that the vehicle ignition has been switched off.

13 How is the vehicle device powered?

The vehicle device is powered by the vehicle’s 12-volt or 24-volt battery. It also has its own built-in backup battery in case it does not receive power from the vehicle battery for some reason. The backup battery lasts for 10 hours and the vehicle device will send you an alert when the battery is running low.

14 What are the basic setting for the tracking device?

1. The APN should be set (GPRS setting of the sim) with username and password
2. Default Port- 21000
3. Domain- trackv4.findnsecure.com
4. TCP protocol should be selected

15 If I need technical support, is it easy to reach someone?

Yes. Find''Secure world-class Support Team is available via Skype or email (support@findnsecure.com) Monday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. IST.

16 How is this system different from a GPS navigation system?

The technology behind these systems is essentially the same and Find''Secure even provides GPS fleet management systems that integrate with commercial in-vehicle navigation as an option to consider. The GPS fleet management system is a business tool, which consists of vehicle units for your fleet and an online system for managing the fleet from your office. If you are also considering in-vehicle navigation, please discuss with us first so we can get you set up with a compatible system.

17 Can the REDTAIL Fleet Management System lower my car insurance?

Yes, depending on your insurance company. The Find''Secure is considered an Anti-Theft device. Most car insurance carriers offer policyholders a discount on their insurance premiums if cars are equipped with Anti-Theft devices. Check with your insurance company regarding discounts, typically savings are between 15-33%.

18 Do I have to be a “techie” to work with GPS fleet management systems?

No way! If you have a working knowledge of online tools (such as mapping) and are familiar with typical office spreadsheet and reporting tools, you will be able to use the Find''Secure system with some initial training and support in the implementation and set up from our trained technical staff. And you will always have personal service and support from us as long as you are using the services and monitoring your vehicles through Find''Secure.

19 What does the free trial include?

The free trial allows you to evaluate the Find''Secure software. We give you 30 days to implement the system and use it to see if it works for you. Hardware isn't included but we do have a buy and return policy for hardware you want to test. Units for that program are limited and it is generally on available for on-demand systems.

20 Can you manage the implementation process for us?

We've designed the product to be easy for any organization to install, but we're happy to put together an installation program for customers who require it.

21 How free is the free version of Find''Secure?

Completely free. You can use the system to manage up to 5 vehicles for absolutely free. No gimmicks, No obligation.

PRODUCT QUESTIONS

1How can I integrate location data from my vehicle into my website?

Find''Secure has an API which allows you to integrate location data from your vehicles into your web site(s) and/or data collection infrastructures. There are two API functions at this time. To return the last location of the vehicles associated with your account. Return all locations for a specific vehicle between two dates (maximum 500). The API is based upon an HTTP POST request followed by an XML response.

2What kind of computer system do I need to Use Find''Secure fleet management and fuel management systems?

Find''Secure fleet and fuel management solutions are completely integrated with Find''Secure comprehensive Web-based application to display and manage data compiled from Find''Secure fleet and fuel management products. The only requirement for using Find''Secure is a computer that supports Microsoft Internet Explorer 7, or later, or any equivalent browser.

3 Where do Find''Secure fleet and fuel management systems work?

Find''Secure fleet and fuel management solutions are completely integrated with Find''Secure web-based application which is used to display and manage data compiled from Find''Secure fleet and fuel management products. Generated reports based on user-defined parameters and current GPS coordinates are easily accessed via a dedicated website to be viewed by designated fleet managers, anywhere in the world.

4 How are vehicle components installed? Is there more than one option?

Vehicle components may be installed using any of the following options:
• Self installation with detailed self-install kit and help desk support
• Certified dealer installation or manufacturer installation
• Find''Secure can also train key employees to ensure complete transfer of knowledge.

5 How many region groups or vehicle groups can be established with Find''Secure? Can region groups or vehicle groups be modified?

There is no region or group limitation with Find''Secure and Find''Secure integrated products. With Find''Secure, you can define and modify organizational user groups (with infinite sub-groups) and regions. For example, a municipality might have several groups such as police, fire, road maintenance, etc. Within each group, you can create a new hierarchy of subgroups that is region and group based.

6 Are there restrictions to the number of assets that can be monitored?

Find''Secure has no restriction on the number of assets that can be monitored. Authorized users can implement various group and region filters to view specific information.

7 How is user access established? What are the different levels of security?

The system administrator establishes your organization’s access rights based on your security parameters and requirements. An individual’s group membership determines user access rights to Find''Secure parameters.

8 What mapping design does your product utilize? What information or detail can be added or customized on these maps?

Find''Secure supports Google Maps and Open Street Maps with built-in advanced ArcIMS map engine supports vector and scanned maps and map information from all map vendors. Map tools include zoom, pan, address search, add customer POI, as well as map layers, job assignments, etc. Find''Secure features real time online tracking with full map support.

9 How do I use the Door Unlock feature?

Connect the brown wire from the tracking unit to the power unlock wire. The tracking unit sends a negative pulse to unlock the doors. If your vehicle needs a positive pulse, you will need to use a relay to convert the negative to a positive. Click here to view products and download Installation Guides

10 How do I use the Starter Disable feature?

Locate the starter wire. Connect the white wire on the relay to the starter wire (starter side). Connect the red wire from the relay to the ignition side. Connect the green wire to the starter relay.

11 Can I locate my vehicle before my next update?

Find''Secure users get an unlimited number of locates to use during each month. This gives users the ability to locate a vehicle in between their normal locates.

12 What is involved in maintaining the system?

There is no maintenance required. Once the Find''Secure GPS tracking device is installed, you are on your way to increased efficiency and productivity.

13 What type of mapping does Find''Secure use?

Find''Secure uses Google mapping which includes a standard map, satellite, and hybrid (lays map over satellite image).

14 How many alert recipients are supported?

You can have 3 alert recipients for each device. A recipient may be either an email address or a cell phone number. If a recipient is a cell phone then the message will be delivered as SMS.

15 How many geofences are supported?

You can have 50 geofences for each GPS vehicle tracking device and 50 global geofences per account. Each geofence is square and centered around an address that you specify.

16 How accurate are the speed and geofence alerts?

The device reports its location every 30 seconds, 1, 2, or 5 minutes while in motion. The reported speed is the speed when the location is taken so you will receive a speed alert if your driver is speeding at the instant of the location. The smaller the location interval the smaller the interval your driver can speed without detection. Similarly, with geofence alerts, the entry or exit of a geofence is determined when a location is taken. The smaller the time interval between locations means the sooner you will know when a driver has entered or exited a geofence.

17 How often does the Find''Secure GPS system locate my vehicle?

Your vehicle is located every 30 seconds*, 1, 2, or 5 minutes while it is in motion (depending on the service you purchase). Sometimes your vehicle will be out of cellular coverage but you will still receive these locations when your vehicle comes back into cellular coverage. However, there will be times when your device is hidden from GPS satellites so you will miss these locations but that should be infrequent.

18 Can I access current and past data?

Yes. You can get on-demand reporting for the previous 365 days. However, we archive all your data in perpetuity. To access data beyond the 365-day time frame, please contact your Find''Secure account representative.

19 Can I have multiple employees with varying access privileges to my fleet?

You can add as many users as you want, at no extra cost. Setting up employee access to our fleet website is easy and intuitive.

20 Can reports be exported and emailed?

Yes. Reports can be exported to Excel, PDF, and emailed at your preferred scheduled time.

INSTALLATION QUESTIONS

1 I do not want my drivers to be aware of the Find''Secure GPS tracker in the car. Can I install it and track without them knowing?

Yes. A good installation is virtually undetectable by the driver. It is important to follow the instructions given in the installation guide to ensure the tracker is both hidden and fully functional. Contact us if you need help with installation.

2 How long does it take to install the unit in the vehicle?

30 minutes to 1 hour depending on the vehicle. Our trained personnel will install the vehicle device. Once the vehicle has been installed, it takes another 10 to 15 minutes to configure the system for live use.

3 Is it difficult to install?

It is easy to install for somebody who is handy. The GPS vehicle tracker needs to be placed under the dashboard (with zip ties) and the antenna needs to be placed with a view to the sky. The installation guide provides easy to follow instructions. Most customers are able to install the tracker in under an hour. If you are not particularly handy then most automotive garages can install the GPS tracker for around $75. If you need assistance, please contact us.

4 Can I conceal the vehicle device from my drivers?

Our units are quite small and are often installed discretely. The vehicle device does not require any assistance from the driver.

GPS/LOCATION QUESTIONS

1 What happens if I drive in an area that has poor wireless coverage?

The Find''Secure unit continues to collect and store information even if you are driving in an area that does not have wireless coverage. The unit then transmits this data when the vehicle comes back into the wireless coverage area. The online map will show the recorded path and stops in all areas, whether they were in or out of wireless coverage.

2 How often does the Find''Secure unit transmit location information?

The unit transmits its location in near real time intervals.

3 Can I have more than one user access my fleet?

Yes, additional user accounts can be created for your account with no additional fees.

4 How often can I access the location of my fleet?

As often as you like. Unlike other companies, we allow unlimited access to your fleet's location with no hidden fees.

5 Why is the location incorrect sometimes?

Vehicle location may either be incorrectly reported sometimes or off by a few meters because the availability and quality of GPS signals may be affected by buildings, natural obstacles, weather conditions and satellite availability.

PAYMENTS AND PRICING

1 Are there any additional charges to the Find''Secure quote provided to me?

No, Find''Secure representatives include all charges in the quote.

2 When is the monthly service price charged to me?

Find''Secure invoices are issued on the 1st of every month following the month you joined.

3 What if I added a vehicle mid-month, would I be charged for the entire month?

No, all Find''Secure invoices are prorated so you only pay for the number of days your vehicles have actually been active on the Find''Secure portal.

4 What forms of payment do you accept?

Find''Secure accepts all major credit cards. You can also set up automatic payments directly from your bank account or send us a monthly cheque by mail.

HARDWARE QUESTIONS

1 Where is your hardware manufactured?

The Find''Secure hardware is designed and manufactured in our ISO 9001 certified facility in Saskatoon, SK, Canada. We pride ourselves on our hardware and we make sure it’s built to handle the harshest conditions.

2 Does the Find''Secure hardware have a visible antenna?

There is no visible antenna in our standard hardware. The option exists for customers working in remote locations to install an external antenna to enhance connectivity. The external antenna would be visible.

3 Can I connect sensors or controllers to the Find''Secure hardware?

Yes, we have the ability to add additional sensors if required. We can hardwire the sensors or build the built in WiFi. We would be happy to discuss the sensor types that you need and the best ways of tying into the system and creating the reporting structure needed for the data in question.

4 What kind of vehicles does your hardware work with?

The Find''Secure hardware can work with all types of vehicles. When ordering the hardware, you will need to specify if your vehicle use a J1939 connection or an OBDII connection. With either of these connections, the hardware will be able to report engine, transmission, and chassis data reported by the vehicle. For older vehicles with no engine connections, the Find''Secure hardware will only report on location and speed data.

5 If the hardware loses connectivity, will I lose the data?

No, the hardware will store the data until a connection is available. Once a connection is available, the hardware will upload all the data stored back to the portal.

6 For how long do I have access to my data?

Find''Secure stores the data indefinitely. Your data is always available.