GPS Tracking Systems. What They Really Can Do for You

GPS Tracking is taking the corporate world, and this is a wave that is growing more and more everyday. However, there is still a lot of lack of knowledge when companies decide to go into this technology. Most of the times, companies will look for a simple solution that shows their vehicles in a map, but after a few months they start to realize the real force of these technologies when applied to logistic processes, just to mention one.

This is Part 1 of a series of 10 articles in which I will present how a GPS Tracking system can REALLY make a difference in a company's performance. In this article I will start to define some of the terminology and concepts needed to have a fair understanding of GPS Tracking.

There are many applications for the GPS TRACKING technology that can be divided into two main groups: NAVIGATION and TRACKING.

Navigation is related to devices that are installed in the vehicles and that provide on-board navigation information. The user will usually enter a destination address and will start receiving audio and visual directions on how to arrive to that place. Samples of these devices are seen in almost every computer store, and the most recognized brands are Garmin, TomTom, and others.

Tracking is related to devices installed in the vehicles that send information about the vehicle to computer programs where the information is processed and presented to users in maps and reports. The information sent by these devices includes at least the position in terms of Latitude and Longitude, the speed, the direction (north, south, east, etc.), the date and the time. Other devices include more sophisticated information such as Ignition status, doors status, on-board engine diagnostic, etc. Samples of companies that provide this type of products are also multiple, and can be found by tons with any search in a search engine like Google.

The GPS Tracking Solutions are usually provided as web applications, more than applications that have to be downloaded and installed in users' computers. When looking for a GPS Tracking solution, the market offers a lot of options to pick from. Many companies will offer to their users Tracking solutions that can be accessed via web, and that allows to keep track of the vehicles of the companies in a map and in several reports.

Once a company or an individual decides to go into this technology, the first question that has to be solved is: What type of GPS System I need? Is it a Tracking System? Or a Navigation System? It is very common to start shopping around without a clear understanding of what is needed. The orientation of these articles will be GPS Tracking Solutions. GPS Navigation will be subject of a future article. And this first article severs as a starting point to understand and identify what the needs are on each particular case.

In the next article I will discuss some additional terms related to GPS Tracking and will start going into its applications in the day to day processes.