GPS tracking is a system that uses satellites to track the location of a vehicle or asset.

It has become a valuable tool for businesses and individuals alike, as it can be used for a variety of purposes, such as fleet management, asset tracking, and personal safety. Here, you’ll get the basics of GPS tracking, including how it works, the different types of GPS tracking systems, the benefits of using GPS tracking—and how to find the right solution for your business needs. 

How GPS Tracking Works

GPS tracking works by using a network of satellites to determine the location of a device. The satellites orbit the Earth and transmit signals to the device. The device then uses these signals to calculate its position. GPS tracking systems can be used to track the location of vehicles, people, or assets. They can also be used to track the movement of objects over time. Some common applications of GPS tracking include fleet management technology installed in delivery or service vehicles or devices like Apple’s AirTags, which consumers can place in items like luggage to always know where they are. 

Types of Systems

There are two main types of GPS tracking systems: standalone systems and integrated systems.

• Standalone systems are individual devices that are used for tracking specific assets or vehicles. AirTags are a great example of a single device that works with a consumer’s smartphone to provide location information for that device. 
• Integrated systems are part of a larger system, such as a fleet management system or an asset tracking system. GPS Trackit’s fleet management system works by tracking a business’ entire array of vehicles and assets and providing a central dashboard view of all those things in real-time and over history. The data can be sorted and analyzed to provide many different business benefits. 

Standalone systems are typically less expensive than integrated systems. Integrated systems offer more features and functionality, and can be deployed in many different environments—under the dash in a vehicle, in hot or cold storage on a tractor-trailer, or out in harsh weather on a piece of heavy industrial equipment. 

Benefits of GPS Tracking

Every business owner is looking to reduce costs, but GPS tracking systems deliver beyond the 10 percent or more GPS Trackit customers see in bottom-line savings by giving more visibility and control over expenditures like fuel. Some other benefits:

• Increased security: Help to deter theft and vandalism and give law enforcement better tools to return vehicles and assets quickly.
• Improved efficiency:  Help businesses like field service operations optimize routes and communicate arrival times more accurately to customers.
• Increased safety: Systems like GPS Trackit’s VidFleet use artificial intelligence to predict potentially distracted behavior and warn drivers before it becomes a problem. Tracking data can also be used to train crews on safer and more efficient driving.  
• Peace of mind: The reassurance that your vehicles and assets are where you expect them to be. Features like geofencing can even warn you when an asset leaves a certain area, giving you time to react. 

Choosing the Right System

GPS tracking is a mature technology, but the companies that provide devices, services, and monitoring are definitely not the same. To pick the right system, you need to evaluate your goals and budget, among other factors, and ask yourself these questions:

• Do you need a GPS tracking system that integrates location tracking and video?
• What kind of key performance indicators are essential for your business? Does the system you’re evaluating provide you with the data you need?
• Can the system you’re evaluating be configured and customized for your specific application? 
• What kind of support do you want and need for your GPS tracking platform? 

For more information on getting the right GPS tracking system for your business, get a personalized demo from an experienced Fleet Advisor today.