Frost & Sullivan Recognizes GuidePoint for Outstanding Service and Customer Oriented Approach

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., June 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Based on its recent analysis of the vehicle tracking services market, Frost & Sullivan recognizes GuidePoint Systems, LLC with the 2010 North American Frost & Sullivan Award for Customer Value Enhancement. GuidePoint has established itself as the preferred vehicle tracking solutions supplier to both the original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and the aftermarket in North America. The company has been consistent in enhancing product features and services as per customer needs, and offers solutions that deliver a high degree of reliability and effectiveness to its customers.

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Users of the GuidePoint system receive a comprehensive package of services that include stolen vehicle recovery, driver safety and convenience, online tracking, and fleet management. The company has emerged as a prime-mover in the vehicle tracking services market due to its ability to cater to the aftermarket as well as new vehicle owners. Thus, GuidePoint's comprehensive solution is unique and has a wide coverage, serving both new car buyers and existing car owners.

"While there are some aftermarket suppliers for vehicle tracking systems, they are either too small to offer comparable benefits to those offered by GuidePoint or are geographically limited," says Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst, Ratika Garg. "Besides end users, GuidePoint offers benefits to distributors and installers as well since the system is easy to install and can be reconfigured quickly and cost-effectively based on customer demand."

The GuidePoint device is easily programmable and new features can easily be rolled out to existing customers by making changes to the software through wireless downloads to the unit. The configuration is such that functionalities and services can be adapted to customer needs, making the system highly customizable.

The company offers applications for users of smartphones such as the Droid®, iPhone®, and the BlackBerry®. An innovative element of the GuidePoint system is that all antennas are embedded within the device, which makes the installation process robust and simple. Another innovative element is power management. The GuidePoint device draws minimal power from the vehicle, resulting in a highly energy efficient product. Further, focus on quality remains strong. The GuidePoint system is EMC-tested and is expected to last virtually the entire life of a vehicle. GuidePoint installers are trained directly by the company and accredited. Master technicians are brought into GuidePoint, trained and given certifications, ensuring a consistency in service delivery.

GuidePoint's extensive network of 24/7/365 call centers across North America and Central America ensures that there are no gaps in coordination when it comes to vehicle tracking or emergency services, resulting in higher safety and security of both passengers and vehicles. Unlike competitors that enable vehicle trafficking within a limited radius around UHF towers, GuidePoint's advanced technology allows vehicle tracking anywhere. Another benefit to the end user is that GuidePoint can be transferred easily from one vehicle to another. Users are not subjected to multiple product and installation costs and instead have opportunities that support continuity of service beyond the life of any particular vehicle.

"The return-on-investment in GuidePoint's solution is almost instant and can be measured in terms of insurance discounts to end users, easy financing options and a high vehicle recovery rate, resulting in highly satisfied customers," notes Garg.

GuidePoint provides a vehicle recovery rate of 99.999% and the vehicle is usually located within two hours of being reported stolen. Even in cases where the vehicle is towed, alerts are received immediately enabling quick recovery of the vehicle. Further, end users get insurance discounts if they install GuidePoint on their vehicles, which offset the cost of the product. The ROI can be gauged from the fact that while cost to the consumer is around $10 or more per month for additional services, insurance discounts help offset costs by $4-4.5 per month. The stolen vehicle recovery service is however free of charge across lifetime.

GuidePoint's partnership with finance companies also means that end users without high credit ratings can get vehicle loans in exchange for installing a GuidePoint system. The relationship is mutually beneficial to all parties involved since customers get loans that they may really need to finance a vehicle, finance companies are able to track vehicles in case of non-payment, and car dealerships see an increase in their sales.

Finally, the company also gives high importance to customer security and regulatory compliance. To ensure the safety of its customers, GuidePoint has implemented a strict policy of maintaining vehicle location confidentiality until the stolen vehicle is recovered. This is unlike some competitors, where the location of the stolen vehicle is given to customers, who may jeopardize their own safety and security by trying to reach these locations on their own. In the U.S., GuidePoint has worked with customers to seek regulatory acknowledgement from the Attorney General's office in states where they operate. Also, contract manufacturers are SEC certified and yearly audits are conducted to ensure that quality standards are met.

Overall, GuidePoint has been unwavering in its commitment to service quality and overall value to customers, making it the worthy recipient of the 2010 North American Frost & Sullivan Award for Customer Value Enhancement in the vehicle tracking services market. Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents this award to the company that has demonstrated excellence in implementing strategies that proactively create value for its customers with a focus on improving the return on the investment that customers make in its services or products. The award recognizes the company's inordinate focus on enhancing the value that its customers receive, beyond simply good customer service, leading to improved customer retention and ultimately customer base expansion.

Frost & Sullivan's Best Practices Awards recognize companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis, and extensive secondary research in order to identify best practices in the industry.

About GuidePoint Systems, LLC

GuidePoint Systems is one of the leading telematics suppliers that integrates GPS, advanced wireless technology, the Web and 24/7/365 response centers to deliver a variety of services to vehicle owners and fleet managers. Its solutions are sold through more than 2,500 new and pre-owned dealerships nationwide. For more information, visit http://www.guidepointsystems.com.

About Frost & Sullivan

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SOURCE Frost & Sullivan