Vehicle tracking systems have developed in leaps and bounds to the point where it is an integral part of both vehicle security and the modern management of vehicles within a fleet. Travel with us in time as we rehash the last 20 years in the vehicle tracking industry.
There are various vehicle tracking systems available on the market to fancy your liking. No matter which one you choose, it’s important to know how they work while considering what the future of vehicle tracking has in store.
Hop into our vehicle tracking time machine. Travel with us in time as we rehash the last 20 years in the vehicle tracking industry.
As the years pass, vehicle tracking systems and GPS technology have developed in leaps and bounds to the point where it is an integral part of both vehicle security and the modern management of vehicles within a fleet.
First stop on your travels with us, you will get an in-depth insight into today’s vehicle tracking systems. Then, we will step into the unknown – the future of vehicle tracking systems.
Endless possibilities await. Let’s go.
A vehicle tracking system is used to track where a vehicle is at any given point.
It uses GPS technology and vehicle tracking software to automatically provide location information along with other data such as date and time, vehicle diagnostics, engine management, and more.
The system contains a set of connected functions that operate together, ensuring you get the most out of the tracking system of your choice. All parts work together cohesively so your vehicle is tracked and recovered on time.
From a business perspective, it’s the ultimate business solution as it collects and shares data that can be used by management around the clock.
So, you have chosen your vehicle tracking provider, and now it’s time to get the show on the road.
First up, a vehicle tracking device or unit will be installed into your vehicle. The device contains GPS, GSM and other technical capabilities.
It uses a global positioning system to track and work out exactly where something is. A GPS tracking system uses the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) network. This network incorporates a range of satellites that use microwave signals, which are transmitted to GPS devices to give information on location, vehicle speed, time and direction.
The GPS pinpoints the location of the vehicle by connecting to 3 satellites. The GSM tech transfers data from the GPS network to the tracking provider’s server. The stolen vehicle communicates with the 3 closest cell phone towers through GSM technology. The GSM tower receives the signal from the device, and once it reaches the server, it processes the data into a format usable by the provider’s systems.
This information is directed to the control room, mobile app and software fleet pages.
Behind the scenes, a recovery team is getting prepared to recover your vehicle. The radio frequency device in the team’s vehicle receives the signal from the device in the client’s vehicle.
The team will then be on their way to get your car back.
There are different types of GPS software tracking systems which work in various ways. By understanding the difference, you should get an idea of what works best for you.
Also known as GPS loggers, passive vehicle tracking systems gather data about the vehicle’s location and store it on a hard drive or memory card, which you can then access at a later time. To use the device, you simply place it in or on the vehicle. When you want to access the information collected by the tracker, simply plug the device into a computer.
Passive tracking systems don’t provide real-time tracking, making it unhelpful in times of emergency such as road accidents or theft.
These type of systems collect the same data as passive tracking systems but
transmit the data in near-real time or in real time via cellular or satellite networks to a computer or data centre for evaluation.
This allows the dispatch team and management to locate your vehicle much faster.
Vehicle tracking systems and fleet management solutions are super handy when it comes to managing vehicle fleets.
Imagine having hundreds of vehicles on the ground scattered around town. As a fleet manager, you want to know where your vehicles are, who is driving them and how they are being driven.
In other words, receive fleet management alert triggers, to keep you in the know and on your toes.
Having a GPS installed in your vehicle fleet is essential. All parts of the GPS will work together to ensure that your fleet is managed effectively.
The mastermind, vehicle fleet tracking software will interpret and relay the necessary data into your hands. Managers will then be able to gather meaningful information about their drivers and vehicles at all times. They can pull up reports, assess driver behaviour, fuel consumption and much more.
It’s the ultimate GPS fleet tracking solution.
This is the brain behind the operation alongside GPS tracking.
In the fleet and logistics industry, telematics goes hand-in-hand with fleet telematics or vehicle GPS tracking systems.
It brings telecommunications and information technology together so users receive actionable data for their fleet operations.
This is why the most common use of telematics in fleet management is vehicle tracking. By combining a GPS tracking system with onboard diagnostics, the exact location of a vehicle and the speed at which it is moving can be mapped.
Telematics goes a long way to ensure the monitoring of cars, trucks, equipment and other assets.
But, how do Telematics and GPS tracking come together as part of one system?
The system consists of devices installed inside a vehicle.
First off, the telematics system contains a tracking device that gathers real-time data about the vehicle's location and status.
Within every telematics system, there is a solution. It receives GPS data and sends it to central computers. Once received, the data is processed and turned into information accessible by fleet management software.
A vehicle tracking system that goes above and beyond your expectations is a system worth keeping.
A fleet management platform should be seamless offering a combination of effective management and software, quality, function diversity and flexibility to individual and company requirements.
Ultimately, to increase productivity and effective business operations.
Are you still trying to decide on the best vehicle tracking system for you?
Take a look at 5 features that make a vehicle tracking system good.
Location tracking is the most basic level functionality a GPS tracker can offer. Fleet managers and other personnel can be on the lookout for their vehicles in real-time. The location of their vehicles can be mapped as they move from one point to another. In the case of sudden changes, they can optimise the routes to accommodate any obstacles along the way.
This is a useful feature as you can track all trips made by your vehicle. You can monitor your driver’s trips and see the history such as idling and acceleration. This is important when assessing vehicle budgets, providing fleet managers the opportunity to cut fuel costs.
A system that lets you keep a tab on drivers’ activities can only be beneficial to your business. You are on top of the driver’s behaviour ahead of time and can prevent any mistakes that might occur. In the event of misbehaviour and unwanted business activities, staff can be immediately approached. If the behaviour isn’t monitored consistently, it could affect your business in the long run.
Sufficient data assists managers to plan trips accordingly and foresee any mishaps that could arise. With these features, one will be able to plan and optimise routes based on traffic data which will inevitably reduce fuel consumption, and increase productivity. It’s a win-win. Customers will enjoy faster delivery time and you’ll get to save on fuel costs. Your customer service and brand reputation can only improve in the long run.
Vehicles require maintenance regularly. The platform you choose should take your fleet’s health into consideration. Timeously, you should be able to pull up reports and spot new maintenance issues. It will let you optimise your vehicle’s performance and prevent breakdowns by having preventive maintenance in place. Also, this will include timely vehicle diagnostics, and real-time fault code alerts.
A vehicle tracking system price varies.
Most often, vehicle tracking companies offer a customised package or solution to meet individual or business requirements. We can look at Cartrack’s pricing for consumer individual products as an example.
Cartrack aims to enhance their current product range, with a wide range of features that can be added to the client’s request. Depending on the package, there may be additional monthly costs.
We hope you have enjoyed your journey of discovery about vehicle tracking systems. But wait, the fun isn’t over yet. We have just arrived in the future, here’s a glimpse of what’s landed in front of you.
With automated driving soon to become ever-more present, GPS-enabled vehicle tracking systems will ensure that this new industry is more efficient and reliable. Vehicle tracking will allow you to simply enter the coordinates of the destination you’re going to and determine the best route of travel.
In the meantime, as you travel without having to steer the vehicle, you will be able to concentrate on more important things such as preparing for your presentation or getting a much-needed nap to re-energise yourself.
Geofencing is already an important feature of vehicle tracking, and in future, its use and importance will only grow. Geofencing allows you to define the areas that vehicles within your fleet can travel to and from, with instant alerts provided when vehicles stray from this geofenced area. Today, there are a wealth of applications that implement geofencing, available for consumers to purchase on the iOS and Android market.
As geofencing becomes more popular among the average consumer, geofencing will be applied to more and more devices and environments. In the future, users will no longer need to think about turning off the lights when they leave their house. It will go beyond the vehicle tracking industry.
The way we engage and interact with our car will change significantly in future, and GPS tracking will play a vital role in this regard. In particular, augmented reality will become ingrained in the functioning of many vehicles, which will help create a more seamless, safer and stress-free driving experience.
Sensors that can recognise the presence of pedestrians near the vehicle and alarms that are issued to signal over-speeding and the entry of a vehicle into a restricted area are some of the features that will be created and integrated into the GPS-based vehicle tracking system. Thanks to technological improvisation, you will also be able to view directions on your windshield, eliminating the need to glance down at a GPS screen.
Ridesharing has become increasingly popular over the last few years. In the future, this service will become even more sophisticated thanks to the development of vehicle tracking technology. It is predicted that there will be an integrated approach between different fleets, which will make it easier for each cab service to allow for the sharing of passengers.
Further, two or more passengers will be able to share a vehicle on the same route, which will result in a cheaper fare for rides. These trends have already been implemented in major cities around the world.
Cartrack is already a world leader in mobility solutions and will be there with you now, and in the future. Cartrack offers vehicle recovery at a rate of 95%, that’s more than 9 out of 10. We trust the products we sell, which is why we aren’t shy to offer you a cashback warranty of up to R150 000.
As a leading vehicle tracking and fleet management company that is on the cutting-edge of the latest technology, Cartrack is perfectly primed to help provide leading vehicle tracking solutions that are in line with the latest developments. Contact us today to find out more.
Explore advanced vehicle tracking systems: essential for security and efficient fleet management. Dive into the latest innovations!
