How Does GPS Tracking Work?

More than half of Americans use GPS monitoring in any way. GPS technology has been used by millions of people to schedule road trips, stop heavy traffic, or get roadside assistance. And every day, the world’s fleet managers put GPS to work to map their mobile properties. They collect information that helps them tackle issues such as transparency, enforcement, performance, and protection.

How GPS Tracking Works

The key feature of GPS derives from using the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). This satellite network emits microwave signals that are transmitted to a range of GPS equipment. These instruments will, for example, be used in cars or smartphones. Information including location, vehicle speed, direction, etc. is the data that is transmitted from the vehicle.

Start to learn how to take advantage of GPS to better your fleet operations until you know and appreciate the process.

The Tracking Process

In order to collect all kinds of information, including speed, time, diagnostics, etc., the tracking system is attached to a vehicle to know the car or equipment’s location at all times. The data that is obtained from the car is then stored inside the unit.

Via networks such as AT&T and Verizon, the data is then distributed through a cable or wired network. It travels back to a computer over one of these cellular networks. The server functions like an “internet” that helps you to access the details on a computer, laptop, or smartphone no matter where you are.

Real-time location monitoring of cars and facilities is the most basic detail that is recorded from the car. The position data is seen in almost real-time on a map. Providers then have many ways to view data, such as the tracks from where the vehicle has driven, how quickly it has traveled to a location, and more. In the meantime, all the complexity of collecting the data is finished, so all you need to think about is signing in to set up automatic notifications and data updates that are important and meaningful to you.

What Can the System Track?

There is a variety of data illustrated by GPS data to help you solve your particular market problems. Providing insight into the modern and historical positions of your fleet is the most evident and popular obstacle.

The next move will be to look at information such as speeding, idling, illegal use, proof of work, or specific hours spent vs. hours claimed to provide an accurate way to keep up with maintenance.

Who Uses GPS Tracking?

GPS monitoring is practically anywhere, from our mobile phones to aircraft to ships. And on a map, it has grown beyond dots. Fleet management is one significant application of this technology.

Any business that depends on cars has a lot to learn by using a GPS tracker to track its mobile properties. And it’s not about the major fleets: small local fleets are still of great value.

Here are the few ways GPS operates to make it better and more cost-effective for commercial and government fleets.

Working to Cut Emissions and Fuel Use

Fleet managers had no idea what happened when their workers left for the day, and the cars of their company, until the days of GPS monitoring. They had no means of knowing who to send for work or whether they were getting those jobs done. Today, fleet managers may evaluate which vehicles to deploy for service to a location. Sending the closest car saves time, saves money, and reduces emissions (by consuming less fuel).

And vehicle speed can also be tracked via GPS tracker. Speeding is one of the best ways to burn cash: With every mile per hour, you travel over 55 mph, you will lose up to 2 percent of your fuel economy. It helps you, coach drivers, to keep their pace down using GPS as a monitoring solution.

Cut Out the Side Jobs

Any fleet executives learn that contractors are using business cars for side jobs. Fleet solutions will indicate where cars are used to figure out where they are headed after hours. You’ll eliminate wear and tear on vehicles by removing side work. You may also find that maintaining the brand helps. You wouldn’t want illegal work to be affiliated with the organization.

Track All Your Assets

Fleet monitoring systems operate for all mobile properties, not just cars. You can monitor appliances such as trailers and generators, giving you extra peace of mind. You can also geofence your workplace, which means you can detect assets that leave or enter that space.

GPS Can Prove You Got the Job Done

Customers will sometimes dispute how much time your employees have spent on their site. They may even claim to have never been there at all. With positive proof of what happened, this technology solves that issue. It may show that you have some troublesome workers. Yet you’ll find evidence in certain situations that will make you stand behind the top performers.

You will be accountable to your staff, and your company will be accountable to your clients. That’s a big improvement to make customer service better.

If your business requires solid information from your staff and where your vehicles are at all times, then a GPS tracker is a substantial investment you must have.