GPS Vehicle tracking systems have travelled a long way since the the early 1980s and the first commercially available automotive navigation systems, which used map-matching to improve on dead reckoning instrumentation.
The 1990s onwards, saw both Mitsubishi Electric and Pioneer- amongst several other major global nationals – claim to be the first with a GPS-based auto navigation system, through to 2000, when the USA unveiled a more accurate GPS signal available for civilian use.
From being a basic vehicle tracker, the next generation of intuitive telematics is a highly evolved, best of breed technology which has transformed the control process of entire vehicle management practice.
Today’s vehicle tracking systems are infinitely versatile and flexible, enabling customisable solutions to be implemented, which can be as simple or as complex as an individual business requires. This means SME fleet businesses running no more than six vehicles through to major national fleet operations, covering hundreds of vehicles, can benefit from a precisely specified telematics suite.
Most fleets of any size can gain significantly from using a basic fleet tracking solution, which simply locates a vehicle, and helps a fleet manager to identify the nearest vehicles to a new job and ensures the driver is in the right place at the right time.
The imperative for companies to become ever more productive and cost effective means the best mobile workforce tracking systems are now able to combine vehicle tracking, optimum route calculation, real time traffic, two-way communication, safety camera warnings, ‘exception’ alerts, i.e. entering a no-go area or driving out of hours, and providing in-depth reporting and analysis.
Progressive companies who have chosen to embrace fleet GPS tracking report a 42 per cent increase in work order completion compared to a 12 per cent increase for firms without a vehicle tracking system. In addition they have also seen a 23 per cent reduction in maintenance and vehicle running costs, compared to only one per cent reduction for companies without the system.
Wednesday, 23 June 2010
Thursday, 17 June 2010
Vehicle Tracking –Two Technology Type Option.
It’s not often realised that when the term vehicle tracking is used, there exists two possible applications, which utilise either one of two very different and distinct types of vehicle tracking device :
• A.V.L (Automatic Vehicle Location), which is Active - or -
• E.A.T.S (Events Activated Tracking System), which is Passive
There are systems available which are a hybrid of both, however industry practice has generally favoured the separation of these functions.
A.V.L (Automatic Vehicle Location)
Also known as active tracking technology, is mostly used when applied to vehicle fleet tracking or mobile workforce tracking solutions. The unit is configured to automatically transmit it’s location at a set time interval, e.g. every 3 minutes and is activated when the ignition is switched on/off.
This version of vehicle tracker technology is most typically installed into roadside recovery operations which has equipped its fleet with GPS Vehicle Tracking. The system automatically identifies and assigns the nearest vehicle to the newest job, without the need for manual ‘calling in’ and checking of location.
An additional add-on module enables the transmitting of the job details directly to the operative’s mobile data device, who uses the in-vehicle satellite navigation to be directed to the job, rather than phoning the recovery vehicle operative.
E.A.T.S (Events Activated Tracking system)
A system which is primarily supplies a vehicle or driver security solution. A passive tracking system can be triggered by the immobiliser unit or motion sensor when activated, automatically notifying an agency that the unit has been activated to begin tracking the vehicle.
In many instances, a vehicle’s ignition does not require to be turned on, so most commonly available AVL products would not be activated. It is only systems that include a unit which is triggered by a motion sensor or alarm event, that would be activated.
As explained above, both AVL and EATS systems operate a vehicle tracking function, but for different purposes.
A Thatcham standard, such as Category 5, makes this distinction very clear, and stipulates the function and features that a vehicle security tracking product must have to gain their accreditation.
• A.V.L (Automatic Vehicle Location), which is Active - or -
• E.A.T.S (Events Activated Tracking System), which is Passive
There are systems available which are a hybrid of both, however industry practice has generally favoured the separation of these functions.
A.V.L (Automatic Vehicle Location)
Also known as active tracking technology, is mostly used when applied to vehicle fleet tracking or mobile workforce tracking solutions. The unit is configured to automatically transmit it’s location at a set time interval, e.g. every 3 minutes and is activated when the ignition is switched on/off.
This version of vehicle tracker technology is most typically installed into roadside recovery operations which has equipped its fleet with GPS Vehicle Tracking. The system automatically identifies and assigns the nearest vehicle to the newest job, without the need for manual ‘calling in’ and checking of location.
An additional add-on module enables the transmitting of the job details directly to the operative’s mobile data device, who uses the in-vehicle satellite navigation to be directed to the job, rather than phoning the recovery vehicle operative.
E.A.T.S (Events Activated Tracking system)
A system which is primarily supplies a vehicle or driver security solution. A passive tracking system can be triggered by the immobiliser unit or motion sensor when activated, automatically notifying an agency that the unit has been activated to begin tracking the vehicle.
In many instances, a vehicle’s ignition does not require to be turned on, so most commonly available AVL products would not be activated. It is only systems that include a unit which is triggered by a motion sensor or alarm event, that would be activated.
As explained above, both AVL and EATS systems operate a vehicle tracking function, but for different purposes.
A Thatcham standard, such as Category 5, makes this distinction very clear, and stipulates the function and features that a vehicle security tracking product must have to gain their accreditation.
Wednesday, 9 June 2010
Trailer Tracking Unique Challenges !
A vehicle tracking solution has almost become standard policy to be employed by companies and organisations running fleet operations to maintain constant contact with Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGV) and their articulated trailers, in addition to use in light commercial vehicles and automobiles.
Trailers are regularly and often hitched and unhitched to numerous articulated lorries, which present their own unique set of challenges. However, uppermost in fleet management is the key benefit of trailer tracking to obtain ‘load visibility’, then followed by the everpresent concerns of fuel usage and timesheet records.
There are a number of major areas that fleet operators feel would be greatly assisted by a mobile workforce tracking system. Fleet managers need to know where trailers are at all times so valuable assets and shipments do not get lost and vitally, trailer tracking will deter and prevent cargo theft.
The time and cost efficiency factor is an abiding concern. Before the introduction of GPS vehicle tracking, many long hours or even days would be spent on the phone trying to locate trailers or just to get a rough idea of where the drivers were on a particular run, once they had left the depot.
A real time tracking system enables a fleet manager to have immediate visibility of the location of all his trailers without having to call anyone. This allows the trailers get recycled back in to the operation quickly, making them more productive and ensuring that opportunities are not missed to generate revenue.
Commercial vehicle tracking also helps an organisation determine if its trailers are being used for unauthorised ‘side jobs.’ Without trailer tracking, fleets have no reliable way to track their assets.
Fleets do not have to hunt for trailers anymore! Trailer tracking is all about giving the fleet the ability to keep a constant eye on their trailers so you can see where it is and know what it is doing during the day in order to get higher productivity out of it.
Unique challenges ...
Trailer Tracking can present unique technical problems due to the different types of trailer, e.g. flat bed, refrigerated, curtain sided to box container, which are used for different applications including, temperature monitoring, perishable freight, bulk load transportation.
Key issues that trailer tracking will successfully address :
• As an interchangeable part of a vehicle, a trailer may often be left for long periods time untethered from the vehicle cab.
• Articulated vehicles may often cross international boundaries.
• Installing the location unit in the right spot to avoid tampering.
• Ability for the vehicle tracking device to cope with being exposed to the elements as rain, cold and road salt can cause problems for electrical units.
Trailers are regularly and often hitched and unhitched to numerous articulated lorries, which present their own unique set of challenges. However, uppermost in fleet management is the key benefit of trailer tracking to obtain ‘load visibility’, then followed by the everpresent concerns of fuel usage and timesheet records.
There are a number of major areas that fleet operators feel would be greatly assisted by a mobile workforce tracking system. Fleet managers need to know where trailers are at all times so valuable assets and shipments do not get lost and vitally, trailer tracking will deter and prevent cargo theft.
The time and cost efficiency factor is an abiding concern. Before the introduction of GPS vehicle tracking, many long hours or even days would be spent on the phone trying to locate trailers or just to get a rough idea of where the drivers were on a particular run, once they had left the depot.
A real time tracking system enables a fleet manager to have immediate visibility of the location of all his trailers without having to call anyone. This allows the trailers get recycled back in to the operation quickly, making them more productive and ensuring that opportunities are not missed to generate revenue.
Commercial vehicle tracking also helps an organisation determine if its trailers are being used for unauthorised ‘side jobs.’ Without trailer tracking, fleets have no reliable way to track their assets.
Fleets do not have to hunt for trailers anymore! Trailer tracking is all about giving the fleet the ability to keep a constant eye on their trailers so you can see where it is and know what it is doing during the day in order to get higher productivity out of it.
Unique challenges ...
Trailer Tracking can present unique technical problems due to the different types of trailer, e.g. flat bed, refrigerated, curtain sided to box container, which are used for different applications including, temperature monitoring, perishable freight, bulk load transportation.
Key issues that trailer tracking will successfully address :
• As an interchangeable part of a vehicle, a trailer may often be left for long periods time untethered from the vehicle cab.
• Articulated vehicles may often cross international boundaries.
• Installing the location unit in the right spot to avoid tampering.
• Ability for the vehicle tracking device to cope with being exposed to the elements as rain, cold and road salt can cause problems for electrical units.
Thursday, 3 June 2010
SME Services Can’t Afford To Not Know Where Their Workforce Is!
It’s very often the case that small business organisations do recognise the value of technology applications within their industry, if only they could afford the investment when measured against ROI and projected business growth.
Except of course, the latter many be dependent on making the capital outlay! Within the many types of mobile services industries, where a workforce is constantly out in the field, it makes perfect sense in ever tougher trading environments to retain clients by delivering a consistently reliable, prompt, and efficient service, backed up with up latest status reports offered by a mobile workforce tracking system.
Service Management operations running a small fleet positively welcome the considerable time saving and instant feedback benefits of a simple to use but highly effective vehicle tracking system that is obviously tailored for their more basic requirements and budget.
Entry level vehicle tracking, which covers small team numbers is equally as vital as installing advanced software modules for large scale multinational fleet. Both are looking for greater control, via knowing core vehicle location, in their daily operations.
Helping small on the road service based companies face the economic challenges ahead, a simple, instantly deployable, cost effective GPS vehicle tracking solution can give a significant boost to productivity and reduce costs.
As an internet-based application, a fleet tracking device provides 24hr real-time visibility over mobile workers, access to real-time traffic updates and summary reports with the opportunity to be scaled up with additional modules and functions at a future time.
Except of course, the latter many be dependent on making the capital outlay! Within the many types of mobile services industries, where a workforce is constantly out in the field, it makes perfect sense in ever tougher trading environments to retain clients by delivering a consistently reliable, prompt, and efficient service, backed up with up latest status reports offered by a mobile workforce tracking system.
Service Management operations running a small fleet positively welcome the considerable time saving and instant feedback benefits of a simple to use but highly effective vehicle tracking system that is obviously tailored for their more basic requirements and budget.
Entry level vehicle tracking, which covers small team numbers is equally as vital as installing advanced software modules for large scale multinational fleet. Both are looking for greater control, via knowing core vehicle location, in their daily operations.
Helping small on the road service based companies face the economic challenges ahead, a simple, instantly deployable, cost effective GPS vehicle tracking solution can give a significant boost to productivity and reduce costs.
As an internet-based application, a fleet tracking device provides 24hr real-time visibility over mobile workers, access to real-time traffic updates and summary reports with the opportunity to be scaled up with additional modules and functions at a future time.
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