iHound are an Australian company fast on the way to having a global presence. They offer GPS location services for a wide range of applications, and have some notable USP’s – for example, medical equipment tracking. iHound aim to bring affordable solutions to businesses (and individuals) in order to improve productivity, safety and security. They offer a wide selection of options and nearly all are available either on a purchase basis, or a 2 year contract. There is a package to suit everyone.
iHound Live in Action
Expert Opinion
iHound has the benefit of being upfront, honest and reliable. From a business point of view they state clearly what each product does, what it will cost you, and how it works. It’s a great starting point for business users new to the world of GPS tracking because it is not overly complicated and can be easily scaled and upgraded with various add-ons. What it’s not is a highly detailed and complex vehicle tracking system that will give you complete clarity about every aspect of your fleet.
GPS Tracking Solutions
The offerings for fleet management and vehicle tracking from iHound work on a select and build basis. You can start small with a simple tracking device and then add-on various solutions as you need them. It is a versatile system that can easily be scaled from one vehicle or asset to many.
iHound Business
iHound Business is the main GPS tracking solution offered to the Australian business market place. It operates on a plug and play basis and installation is included free of charge. There are different coverage options from 2G Fleet Solution to 3G OBDII, both available on either a pay and maintain basis, or on a monthly contract for 2 years.
Features:
- Some basic driver behaviour monitoring such as speeding
- Cloud-based and available via iPhone, Android, or PC devices
- 30 second Real-Time vehicle tracking
- Proof of Delivery function
- Vehicle Security
Benefits:
- Improve Driver Safety
- Improve Customer Service with useful delivery status information including proof of delivery
- Enhanced accuracy within business processes
- Fewer accidents
- Improved reputation
- Productivity increased
- Operational Efficiency focus
- User-friendly
- Free installation
Industry Usage
iHound Business is ideal for service and retail-based fleet management requirements. It’s a useful tool for businesses such as couriers or taxi companies.
iHound Theft Protection
iHound Theft Protection is a useful add-on to ensure the security of your vehicles and assets wherever they are and travel to.
Features:
- Enhanced vehicle security in the event of theft or tampering
- GPS data such as speeding
- Battery Back-Up
Benefits:
- Potential insurance premium reductions
- Recover vehicles in event of theft
Industry Usage
iHound Theft Protection can be used in literally any fleet-based vehicle and industry. It works on a piecemeal basis so can be scaled to suit the size of the fleet.
iHound Protect My Ride
iHound’s Protect My Ride solution utilises GPS tracking and makes it suitable for any vehicle of any type on any terrain, including water.
Features:
- 30-second real time vehicle or asset tracking
- Motion detection
- Geo-fencing: be notified if your vehicle or asset is moved outside a certain area at a particular time
Benefits:
- Theft Protection
- Insurance Premium Reduction
- 100% waterproof and even suitable for using on boats
- Long-life lithium batteries
Industry Usage
iHound Protect My Ride is a highly versatile vehicle and asset tracking device. The easy to fit, easy to use, waterproof device can be used on pretty much any vehicle from a car to a quad bike to a boat to a caravan. If you’ve got assets that you need to keep an eye on, and track in the event of theft, then Protect My Ride is ideal.
iHound Tradie Track
iHound Tradie Track is the iHound GPS tracking solution geared to trades services and service operating fleet based businesses.
Features:
- Live vehicle tracking and recording
- Basic Reporting functions
- Geo-fencing capabilities
- Arrival and departure time recording
- After hours vehicle Use recording
Benefits:
- Improve customer service with arrival and departure time information
- Resolve customer disputes easily and effectively
- Potentially reduce insurance premiums for your fleet vehicles
- Tough and robust, suitable for the rigours of a trade-based business
Industry Usage
iHound Tradie Track is fantastic for tradespeople and some service- based industries, providing visibility of your workforce on the road and useful information regarding jobs and tasks completed.
iHound Costs
IHound is one of the more affordable offerings on the Australian market place. It might lack some of the more intricate functionality of more complicated systems, but it makes up for this in terms of cost and ease of use.
iHound Protect My Ride provides two pricing options. You can either choose between a one-off purchase followed by $19.99 per unit per month, or no initial purchase and $34.99 per unit per month, for a 2 year subscription.
Customer Support
iHound install all of their products for free and offer a user-friendly and helpful support service. Customers can get support via email, live chat and phone. In addition there is a web form online called ‘Lodge a Support Ticket’ where you can request specific assistance. Furthermore, iHound have an online iHound University with plenty of training and learning opportunities.
Customer Verdict
iHound is well liked for several reasons: affordability, simplicity and down to earth approach. There are no gimmicks, just straightforward tools that do the basics of vehicle tracking with the view to making your life easier. iHound can seem more approachable and better suited to specific types of fleets, such as smaller and trade based ones. In addition, their unique Meditrack system for using GPS tracking with individual patients and medical equipment is something harder to find on the general market.
Why Choose iHound?
Choose iHound if supporting an Australian-grown business founded on Australian business principles is what you’re looking for. If you’re not 100% sure where your business is going, and you need flexibility, then IHound is a suitable option. Additionally, if you have a slightly less normal fleet, for example boats, canoes or quad bikes, then iHound are experts in your niche and offer something that isn’t always reliable or easy to find. However, if you need a fleet tracking system that provides detailed analysis of all areas of your fleet, more advanced systems will be of benefit.