A global positioning system (or GPS) is well known for its ability to provide directions and traffic updates, but it offers many other benefits beyond this functionality. There are many other benefits of GPS tracking technologies that are still be developed but many that are in full usage in varying industries.

Here are some of the most common uses of GPS systems:

1. Use by medical personnel
Health personnel, such as paramedics, can help to use GPS technology to respond to medical emergencies more effectively by better route planning and by avoiding concentrated areas of traffic. By doing so, they can more effectively respond to medical emergencies and provide their patients with the help that they need.

2. Use by Police
Police officers will use GPS to locate suspects who are pending arrest and have a better time tracking the location of these individuals. GPS signals are often tracked through their cell phones and can help identify the location of suspected criminals quickly. Further, after a crime is committed, police officers can use GPS to identify the location of the individual at the time of the crime and can help to determine if they were potentially responsible for the crime as a result.

3. Taxi tracking
Taxi companies can use GPS technology to track the location of their fleet and identify opportunities for cheaper routes and potential savings as a result. Furthermore, they can identify taxi drivers who may not be travelling much and re-route waiting customers to drivers in need of a fare. Taxi companies can also more effectively track the routes that earn higher amounts overall and can help the company to more effectively identify surge fare areas and opportunities to help to maximize their revenue.

4. Truck routing
Many trucking companies are increasingly using GPS services to help to monitor the vehicles that are in their fleet and to make sure that they are effectively running the routes. By monitoring the routes that their vehicles run, a trucking company can help to chart better routes and improve on delivery time, reduce fuel expenses, and ensure compliance by drivers, and can help to make their fleet more efficient overall.

5. Sales and advertising
Companies are using GPS technology to more effectively advertise to customers. By using GPS data, a company can provide potential customers with coupons and discounts near their current location, this is known as Geo-location technology, which may help spark a purchases to nearby customers. Further, they can use their Geo-location to offer advertising that may more effectively appeal to the individual based on their current location. By cross identifying with other data, a company can truly tap a new market and grow their business. For example, by offering a customer located near a coffee shop a discount on a cup of ice coffee on a hot day, the business may be able to quickly increase their sales. The same is true on a cold day with a discount on a coat when a person is near a mall. GPS tracking provides a great window into advertising opportunities for businesses.