Trackem looking for BETA users

[alexsimms]

Hello everyone!

My name is Alex Simms, and I work for Solutions Into Motion in Canada. Our GPS application is called Trackem. We are currently running a BETA program for our newly rebuilt BlackBerry application, called Trackem. It combines the best of BlackBerry GPS tracking with a full web-reporting and monitoring suite. Current BlackBerry GPS users are the best to BETA applications, as you guys know the in-and-outs of these programs. We are looking for any model BlackBerry's, on any network, in any country. The BETA will run to September 1. Anyone interested will have a full web account to play with as well. Our website is SolutionsIntoMotion.com.

If you are interested, please email me at alex@solutionsintomotion.com with the following information:

Name, First and Last
Country of Residence
Email Address of your BlackBerry
Phone Number of your BlackBerry
BB Model, Network, and OS Version

Thank you very much for reading this, and I look forward to speaking with some of you!

[stevetaz]

Hi Alex and welcome to EB:

I have mixed feelings about trying this out. While the GPS feature would be nice, who is going to be monitoring the adminstrative end? Obviously it is geared to corporations and parents for tracking purposes, but could that be misused for anything?

What does your company plan for the "test group"? Is it really to only try out the GPS function and usability?

I am not trying to be negative, just curious....

SteveTaz

[alexsimms]

No worries on "sounding negative". The nature of GPS tracking lends itself to questions of this sort all the time. Let me get right to your questions.

1. Administrative Access: Each BETA user is being setup on their own account, and as such, only you will be monitoring the administrative end. I myself have access to view all accounts, as I need to have this ability to troubleshoot clients. If support at SIM (my company) couldn't view client accounts, it would be hard to help you out.

2. Misuse of Data: The data we see is only used for troubleshooting purposes. As far as it goes for the data gathered from the BETA program, we just want to see that it works for your BB/Network combination. When the BETA program completes (most likely August 25), all accounts and data will be purged from the system. And for misuse of data by a user (such as a BETA user of eventual client), I can't speak for HOW it would be misused, it's your data.

3. This BETA is only for testing out devices and networks. We believe our application works for a variety of network types, but can't know for sure unless we have users like yourself try it for us. Our major concern is APN needs for different networks, and how the MapQuest mapping functions in areas all over the world. Most of our development is complete, with minor tweaks occurring to the GUI and terminology. If you are concerned with compensation for your time, there is a questionnaire we would like filled out, and if this is complete, I can offer a month of free service if you sign up for an account.

I hope this answers your questions, but if not, keep asking away!

[stevetaz]

Hi and thanks for the quick response:

1) Understood.

2) I am not a programmer or information security expert and I suppose my concern is more about the accessibility to the web-based information or possible hacking of same. If tracking is done on a web-based system how secure is it? Is the information encrypted while stored and during transmission back and forth? I am sure my ignorance is showing....

3) So there is no weekly reporting? Just the questionnaire at the end?

I am also curious about a few other issues...
-How big is the program to load onto the Sprint 8830?
-I have active GPS in the device. Will additional hardware be necessary?
-After the test, how much is this service each month? I couldn't find anything on your site that spelled it out.

Thanks,
SteveTaz

Originally Posted by alexsimms

1. Administrative Access: Each BETA user is being setup on their own account, and as such, only you will be monitoring the administrative end. I myself have access to view all accounts, as I need to have this ability to troubleshoot clients. If support at SIM (my company) couldn't view client accounts, it would be hard to help you out.

2. Misuse of Data: The data we see is only used for troubleshooting purposes. As far as it goes for the data gathered from the BETA program, we just want to see that it works for your BB/Network combination. When the BETA program completes (most likely August 25), all accounts and data will be purged from the system. And for misuse of data by a user (such as a BETA user of eventual client), I can't speak for HOW it would be misused, it's your data.

3. This BETA is only for testing out devices and networks. If you are concerned with compensation for your time, there is a questionnaire we would like filled out, and if this is complete, I can offer a month of free service if you sign up for an account.

I hope this answers your questions, but if not, keep asking away!