Managing your vehicle resources is a lot easier these days with vehicle tracking GPS technology. Whether you are a fleet manager who manages a hundred vehicles or an individual who has a nspecial car, GPS tracking technology will help you keep track of your vehicle assets.
Basically there are two types of GPS tracking technology used to track and manage vehicles. The cheapest and also the one that has been around for the longest period is called “GPS Logging”. GPS logging units are generally placed in a vehicle for a set amount of time and then are retrieved. The unit is normally attached to a computer where the logging software up loads the data into a data base. The information is displayed in map and table form for analysis and use. Logging GPS units are useful due to the fact that they are generally small and inexpensive. They also are very reliable. The major drawback to these vehicle tracking GPS units is that the information is old. Never the less you can make management decisions based on the information loggers provide.
The second and newest type of vehicle tracking GPS technology is called “Real Time” GPS tracking. Just as the name implies real time GPS tracking provides relatively current tracking information on each vehicle being tracked. These tracking units are generally larger and more costly than logger units. They are comprised of a GPS unit and a communication unit. In addition you will have to use a GPS tracking Service Company to access your tracking information. Tracking information is uploaded using standard cell phone or satellite phone technology to the tracking service company which in turn makes it available to its customers.
The service company normally charges a monthly fee for this service. Many service companies provide the tracking equipment and do the vehicle installations. However you can purchase the vehicle tracking GPS equipment and do the installation yourself. If you choose this route you will have to do maintenance and repair work yourself as well.
The real time tracking information is uploaded at different intervals specified by the customer depending on their need. Cross country trucking firms normally have tracking information uploaded every 30 minutes where as a delivery service may need uploads as frequently as every 5 minutes so as to respond to customer pickup orders. As a general rule the more often you require an upload the more the GPS tracking Service Company will charge.
The service company will provide a number of mapping and data base services to the customer including the standard mapping with speed, direction, time stopped and time en route. Advanced vehicle tracking GPS systems provide information on the fuel use, engine performance and fluid levels. Other services such as geo fencing which sends an alarm when a vehicle leaves its assigned area or is being used outside of normal working hours are also available.
Again whether you are a business with a large fleet of vehicles or private citizen, vehicle tracking GPS technology will help you keep track of and manage your vehicle resources.
By: Jim Kesel
Posts Tagged ‘Car Gps’
Using Vehicle Tracking GPS Technology
December 2nd, 2009Truck and Car GPS Tracking
November 15th, 2009
New miniature GPS technology has made GPS Tracking available to just about anyone. Many people are interested in vehicle or car GPS tracking. Fleet vehicle managers are saving there respective companies thousands of dollars each day with this new technology. In addition private citizens are also using the technology to keep track of there family members and their valuable assets. The cost of a GPS auto tracker has dropped over the last year. However the new smaller portable or personalized units are still relatively expensive.
There are two technologies to choose from when looking to purchase a GPS tracking device. The older logger unit is not only less expensive to purchase but it does not rely on an expensive subscription with a GPS tracking company. These devices are placed in the target vehicle during the period that you want to track then retrieved. The unit then is attached to a personal computer where the tracking information is downloaded into the logger’s software package for viewing. Logger GPS tracking devices have the ability to be very small and discreet. The major drawback of a using a logger is that all the information is relatively stale or historic in nature. Never the less they are very effective vehicle or car GPS tracking devices.
Real time GPS tracking devices just as their name implies provide tracking information that is relatively current in nature. These GPS tracking devices are larger than loggers due to the fact that they must have a transmitter to upload the tracking information to a GPS tracking service provider. The most common method of uploading the vehicle or car GPS tracking data is through existing cell phone technology. The service company will make a query of the GPS auto tracker on a predetermined time frequency and then display it on their website. These tracking service providers charge you a month fee for this service. The more frequently they download the GPS information to their website for your use the more expensive the service becomes. The current standard for tracking updates is about 5 minutes between tracking updates. In many cases you can save a lot of money by selecting longer periods between downloads.
Real time GPS devices are relatively more expensive when compared to loggers. The smallest portable units can cost as much as $1200.00 while standard vehicle or car tracking devices that are permanently installed can cost less than $300.00. It should be remembered that a quality unit is will be more expensive but it will also be more dependable over time. Delivery and fleet vehicles by their nature are not always easy on electronic systems. In other words when it comes to purchasing a GPS auto tracker cheaper is not always better.
By: Jim Kesel
