One of the major challenges of owning a business using a fleet of spray on bedliner is keeping track of each one. In previous years, it would have been difficult to keep an eye on every single vehicle you own when they leave your garage. Today, vehicle tracking systems make life much easier for business owners.
Types of Tracking Systems
Tracking systems involve the installation of an electronic device into your vehicle, which feeds information into a computer system in your office. This information may include the vehicle’s exact location, movement speed, or trigger events such as the opening and closing of doors. There are two main classifications for tracking devices: active and passive.
Passive vehicle tracking systems store the information it tracks so you can download them into a computer later on. Active systems transmit this information in real time, so long as a satellite or cellular network is available. Most tracking systems provide a combination of active and passive features. For example, if your vehicle is out of network coverage, the system may still keep records of the information so you can look at them later.
The Many Uses of GPS Vehicle Tracking Systems
Business owners and public transportation companies use vehicle tracking systems for a variety of fleet management tasks. Installing a tracking system into your vehicles can help you make sure your deliveries arrive on time. For example, your active GPS vehicle tracking device can alert you when your delivery van is heading into a street blocked by traffic or construction. This will give you enough time to contact your vehicle’s driver and direct them to another route. GPS trackers also make it easier to reroute your vehicles as it shows exactly where it is, and will enable you to give more precise directions. Tracking systems with passive recording features allow you to monitor any vehicle activity outside office hours without permission.
Agencies providing transportation within cities also use GPS vehicle tracking systems to monitor their buses or cabs. This helps them ensure their vehicles, especially their buses, are reaching their destinations on time, and enables them to respond quickly if a vehicle carrying passengers gets into an accident or suddenly goes off-course. It also allows them to provide accurate timetables and schedules for their passengers waiting at terminals, and immediately let passengers know if their vehicle is arriving late. Some trackers even trigger important on-board announcements on public vehicles based on their location.
In the event of car theft, vehicle trackers help you and the police recover the vehicle in no time.
Devices and Features
Today’s tracking devices are more convenient to use than their predecessors. Instead of relying on a desktop computer or any other bulky computer system, GPS vehicle tracking devices can feed information into an online system or database, while some can feed data into applications for mobile devices. Tracking devices usually look like small boxes installed into your vehicle, typically on the dashboard. They are powered by either your vehicle’s battery or a separate one.