Questions & Answers

GSM stands for Global System for Mobile Communications, GPRS stands for General Packet Radio Service.

In simple terms GSM and GPRS are networks that carry mobile data from sender to receiver.

Today's second-generation GSM networks deliver high quality and secure mobile voice and data services (such as SMS/Text Messaging) with full roaming capabilities across the world. General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) enabled networks offer 'always-on', higher capacity, Internet-based content and packet-based data services. This enables services such as colour Internet browsing, e-mail on the move, powerful visual communications, multimedia messages and location-based services.

SMS stands for Short Message Service, MMS stands for Multimedia Message Service.

Both allow for transmission of data over the GSM network.

SMS Messages can be sent from any digital mobile phone / device and received by any digital mobile phone / device.

In standard form - SMS Messages can hold up to 160 characters. (Hence the word "Short")

SMS Messages are most often used by an individual as a quick and easy way to communicate exactly what you want to say to one other person. It is possible to send SMS Messages to a selected group of people.

They can also be used by software as a method of requesting/updating data, which opens up a world of realtime data systems to present the data and allow remote data reading (using a SMS Message to request information from the database).

SMS Messages can also hold data for transmission - such as sound / pictures, but this is limited to simple midi ringtones and logos. These messages are not created on the mobile phone itself.

MMS Messages are the newer technology that allow data such as sound and colour pictures to be sent over the GSM network direct from a mobile phone / device.

GPS stands for Global Positioning System, EOTD stands for Enhanced Observed Time Difference.

Both are methods of locating a signal (in order to locate a person carrying a digital mobile device)

GPS requires specific hardware and software to be built into a mobile device / or added as an additional module.

Position in longitude and latitude is calculated by triangulating signals from 3 or more satellites. 4 or more satellites can give a 3D position (altitude as well as longitude and latitude)

Accuracy levels - A good reading will give accuracy of 100ft or better, but there are a number of reasons why accuracy can be affected.

1. Where satellites are in relation to your position - all to one side i.e. North and East, can give a large area where you could be. (300-500 yards squared.)
2. Satellites can be blocked by objects such as tall buildings, which means less satellites / satellites in different locations(N,S,E,W) to triangulate your position.
3. Multipath can also lead to inaccuracy in the position reading - i.e. when the satellite signal bounces of a building before reaching the receiver - longer time to be received, means the position is not calculated correctly - usually add under 15 feet of error.
4. Propagation delay due to atmospheric effects can affect accuracy. So can internal clock errors In both of these cases, the GPS receiver is designed to compensate for these effects and will do so quite efficiently. But, very small errors due to these items can still occur.
5. SA - Selective Availability is where a random error is introduced into the signal. As an effect of it, the position indicated by a handheld GPS receiver, at any time, may be wrong by 100 meters or more.

How accurate is GPS, really? A typical civilian GPS receiver provides up to 3 Meter accuracy (at least that's what the manufactures tell us)

This accuracy depends on the number of satellites available and the geometry of these satellites. More sophisticated and expensive GPS receivers, costing thousands of pounds can provide accuracies within a centimetre by using more than one GPS frequency.

GPS for use in mobile systems is a new and developing technology, so is still far from perfect - the inaccuracies detailed above combined with the need for specialist hardware and the high power drain from mobile batteries make it problematic to use as part of a workforce location system.

The future: EOTD is a network based location service, which can locate a standard handset to within 50 metres. This technology triangulates position relative to ground based signals. It is currently in development, but can have poor results in areas where transmitting masts are a large distance from your location.

Lone working can take place when people:

• work as individuals at a fixed site, e.g. in a shop or petrol station
• are separate from others, e.g. in warehouses or automated plants
• work away from their base or at remote locations, e.g. construction workers, maintenance, repair and cleaning workers
• work at home
• work outside normal hours, e.g. cleaners or security staff
• travel as part of their work, e.g. sales staff or delivery workers
• provide services to the public, e.g. social workers, home helps, community nurses

Lone working is not covered by any specific piece of legislation, however a wide range of legislation may apply depending on the nature of the work involved. The Health and Safety at Work etc Act and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations will apply in all instances.

Recommended Reading:
Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Guidance Leaflet 'Working Alone in Safety - Controlling the Risks of Solitary Work' (INDG73 (rev)).

Here are a few examples:

• Estate Agents
• Utility-Gas (Meter/Inspect/Repairs etc)
• Utility-Water (Meter/Inspect/Repairs etc)
• Utility-Electricity (Meter/Inspect/Repairs etc)
• Utility-Gas (Main network maintenance and repair)
• Utility-Water (Main network maintenance and repair)
• Utility-Electricity (Main network maintenance and repair)
• Social Worker
• Social Care Worker
• Community Nurses
• General Practitioner
• Local Government Officers
• Couriers / Delivery Workers
• Drivers (Taxi / Bus / Lorry etc)
• Security Officers / Car Park Attendants
• Petrol Stations
• Home repairs - (electrical equipment)
• Postal Workers
• Agricultural / Forestry Workers

Hazards which lone workers can encounter are:

• accidents or emergencies arising out of the work including inadequate provision of first aid
• sudden illnesses
• inadequate provision of rest, hygiene and welfare facilities
• violence from members of the public

Easy Link gives all workers a means of requesting assistance when able to do so - and will monitor jobs / locations etc so assistance can be raised when contact with the worker is overdue.

For full control of the system (owned and run at your offices), with data stored on your network - and messages sent from your mobile service provider - see System and Data located at your offices

For a simpler system without any software install, with data stored on our network - and messages sent from a internet SMS provider - see Hosted System and Data (away for your office)

Want to know more... Click here to view details of our products

ALL PRICES INCLUDE VAT

Easy Link Online (Hosted System and Data) can be purchased based on a price plan created to suit your companies needs.

A system without any software install, with data stored on our network - and messages sent from an internet SMS provider.

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Usage level 1 (unlimited staff, 1 supervisor) FREE
Usage level 2 (unlimited staff, 2-10 supervisors) £20 p.c.m
Usage level 3 (unlimited staff, 11+ supervisors) £35 p.c.m

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Minimum Message Charge £10 p.c.m

Easy Link Desktop Version (System and Data located at your offices)

Full control of the system (owned and run at your offices), with data stored on your network - and messages sent from your mobile service provider.