GPS Hardware
What is GPS?
The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a group of 27 Earth-orbiting satellites (24 in operation and three extras in case one fails). When people talk about a “GPS,” they usually mean a GPS receiver. The U.S. military developed and implemented this satellite network as a military navigation system but now lets everyone use the signals.
How does GPS work?
A common misconception among most people is how GPS works. GPS (Global Positioning System) satellites should not be confused with communication satellites used for wireless communications. They are two completely separate satellite networks. All of our systems use GPS satellites for location purposes. Our real-time systems then use various wireless networks (including satellite wireless) to communicate the location data so our customers can use the vehicle tracking GPS to locate the vehicles/assets in real-time.
How does GPS vehicle tracking system work?
A GPS antenna is tethered to the unit with a lead wire (typically 10-15 feet). The GPS antenna collects the GPS data and feeds it to the unit. The unit does some processing of events and speeds. Additionally, the GPS vehicle tracking unit has a wireless modem inside, similar to ones found in cell phones. This modem is used to communicate with Global Tracking’s systems. The GPS data is sent directly from the vehicle’s unit to our servers, where we process the information for the user. All of this happens in real-time.
What about installation?
SMARTRAX GPS Devices are typically very simple to install, and in fact, 90% of our installations takes less than 30 minutes (depending on the Vehicle type). We simply hook up a Power Wire, Ground and Tap Ignition Signal from the vehicle. Then mount the GPS antenna, and the system is ready to go.
Of course we have a in-house team of experienced installers to carry out installations for all our customers.
How do I find which product is right for me?
Our knowledgeable consultants look forward to assisting you in selecting the right system for you. Please call us for more details.
Can I conceal the GPS tracking system from my drivers?
Our units are quite small and are often installed discretely. (They are installed below the Dashboards)
What is the difference between GPS and satellite communications?
GPS (Global Positioning System) satellites should not be confused with communication satellites used for wireless communications (see wireless communications below). They are two completely separate satellite networks and applications. All of our systems use GPS satellites for location purposes, and then use various wireless networks (including satellite wireless) to communicate the location data in real-time.
What about GPS enabled cell phones?
As companies wanting to track their vehicles/employees begin their search for information about GPS vehicle-tracking devices, many come upon what appears to be an easy, affordable solution. To the buyer who is not familiar with how GPS systems work, Cell Phone Tracking appears to offer the cheapest way to start tracking your employees and your fleet. To the buyers with little knowledge on GPS equipment, GPS phones seem to be an easy way to begin reaping the benefits of GPS tracking, but as the old saying goes, “You get what you pay for.” Following are the main problems with GPS phones:
• Driver tampering
• Dramatically reduced battery life requires phone to be constantly re-charged
• Incomplete Reporting
• Nextel coverage and cost
Over the years we have heard several complaints from companies who have tried using GPS phones to track their vehicles/employees. Some of our customers tried using GPS cell phones, but after a few weeks they began to realize the downsides of the phone tracking solution versus the hard-wired-GPS-tracking that we offers.
If you are considering trying a GPS phone, take a moment to make some comparisons.
Tampering The first and most obvious problem with the GPS phones is that the drivers can simply turn off either the java applet running the GPS software on the phone or the phone all together. There are message boards throughout the Internet where crafty employees are spreading the knowledge on how to disable the GPS phone without being detected. Going into basements or using a metal wrap around the phone, or placing it in a tool box will make it appear as if the phone has merely “lost signal”. With a GPS phone, you rely too much on the person who is responsible for carrying the phone.
The best way to ensure proper reporting is to take these factors out of the driver’s hands. By using a hard-wired vehicle tracking system that is installed discreetly in the vehicle, driver interaction is taken out of the picture. The units are always on and always able to tell where a vehicle is in real time over the web.
Battery Life: When the GPS tracking is added to the phone, the battery life of the phone decreases by about 50-75%. What this means is that the GPS phone will not last an entire work day without requiring at least one re-charge. This is simply another excuse the person carrying the phone can use if he/she does not want to be tracked.
Reporting The difference in reporting is another area where the phone falls short. Although the GPS cell phones can usually report on 3-15 minute intervals like their dedicated counterparts, the fact that a GPS signal can be lost so easily, dramatically affects the Start-Stop reports it can produce. Business owners are relying on accurate reports so they can feel confident when comparing their employee time sheets against the GPS software report. Using a system that is only accurate 50% of time only leads to doubt on the employers end. When a technician insists he was at a location, but the report isn’t there to back it up, the fleet manager doesn’t know if he/she should trust the employee or the GPS data. Hard-wired GPS systems take this issue out of the equation. Because they are “always on” and have the best ability to maintain a GPS lock with the satellites, the reports a manager has to look at are always 99% accurate.
Coverage/Cost GPS phones require a minimum monthly Nextel voice plan of $39.00, plus a minimum monthly data plan of $9.99. When you add the monthly tracking services, you are easily into the $60.00+ range on monthly services, and that is minimal use of the voice on the phone. Finally, Nextel has the weakest coverage of any wireless carrier.
In conclusion, companies who use a GPS phone for tracking vehicles/employees invariably run in to the same critical performance problems that can only be overcome by installing one of our GPS Devices in the vehicles.
We hope to help educate the buyer in order to help you avoid the hassle of purchasing something that will be a waste of time and money. If you are interested in learning more about our GPS tracking systems please feel free to contact us using our web form or give us a call. We currently sell several proven GPS systems for companies with one truck or thousands in their fleet, and we to help you select the system that is right for your company.
Why do I want to do business with SMARTRAX?
Our mission is to listen to our customer’s needs, educate our customer on various technologies available for Tracking and to provide our customers with the most reliable, cost effective Systems available based on our customer’s needs. Then, provide our customers the best customer service possible. If our prospective customer is truly educated on the technology that makes up a GPS Tracking System then they will find our products and pricing to be the best value for their investment.
What should I look for in a real-time GPS tracking system?
There is more than meets the eye regarding the technology that makes up a GPS vehicle tracking system. Most companies who are shopping for a GPS Tracking System are not familiar with the underlying technology that is the key to the performance of the system. We have several customers who bought systems from our “competitors” based on price alone, and ended up having to scrap the system for various reasons.
When implementing technology into your company, it is important to remember this truism:
There is a price to purchase, and a cost to own, and if you purchase the wrong product, the cost to own will exceed the purchase price several times over
When shopping for a real-time GPS Tracking System, there are five (5) components that need to be carefully examined:
• The vendor – purchase from a reputable vendor. Examine the company you elect to purchase from.
• Software used – view a demonstration before purchasing. Examine the web-based (or hosted) software that the end-user will be running to track and report on vehicle/asset activity
• Wireless Network – Go digital! Examine the wireless network the system utilizes to transmit the data out of the vehicle (real-time systems).
• Hardware Component – Examine the hardware component you are purchasing (does it run on digital wireless networks?).
• Unlimited Use – for a flat monthly fee. Examine the Polling rate and Monthly Billing Fees (Real-time systems)
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