There is no hiding place! Where are you? While it is unlikely that a little white lie to that question will ever be double checked by modern technology that technology does have the capability to track you down. It can identify where a mobile phone is being used for example and has been very helpful in solving criminal activity. That is geo location.

It is relevant for a number of things; it has become extremely valuable in tracking species which have been tagged for research reasons, possibly to plot migration routes for example. It is a modern equivalent of what ornithologists have done for decades in ringing birds to find out more about their movements. That depended on the bird being caught once more in its migratory home.

Modern geo location techniques mean that the bird’s position is known 24/7. It has made the research of all species, particularly the most endangered ones so much more effective.

Internet statisticians working on a website can actually see where someone currently on the site is located. Everyone has an IP address which tells a website the actual location of someone on the site; at times that precludes the browser from using some parts of the website. It often applies to the broadcasting of some items where there are geographical restrictions.

In business terms, geo location can identify the location of a buyer and the relevant tax that needs to be added for sales in that locality; it takes a headache away from the finance department and ensures the authorities will have no queries. Marketing people can use geo location to target particular areas using geo location technology though from the consumers’ point of view there is the question of privacy. I don’t want anyone to know where I am!

Perhaps they would if there was an incentive. It is possible to use geo location technology to offer discounts to people in the locality. Take for an example a restaurant looking to market quiet times and quiet days. They can use geo location to directly send messages to people within the immediate locality to boost their customers at specific times.  It is certainly a more sophisticated way to attract customers than a door to door leaflet campaign.

Geo location technology is certainly worth more research if you are a small business. It is certainly something that can help you reach your technology mad neighbours with their modern mobiles and computers.