| GPS tracking is a way of working out exactly where | | | | system may log data such as turning the ignition on or |
| something is. A GPS tracking system, for example, | | | | off or opening and closing doors. The data stored on |
| may be placed in a vehicle, on a cell phone or on | | | | this kind of GPS tracking system is usually stored in |
| special GPS devices which can either be fixed or | | | | internal memory or on a memory card which can then |
| portable units. | | | | be downloaded to a computer at a later date for |
| GPS (Global Positioning System) works by giving | | | | analysis. In some cases the data can be sent |
| information on exact location. It can also track the | | | | automatically for wireless download at predetermined |
| movement of a vehicle or person. So, for example, a | | | | points/times or can be requested at specific points |
| GPS tracking system can be used by a company to | | | | during the journey. |
| monitor the route and progress of a delivery truck, it | | | | An active GPS tracking system is also known as a |
| can be used by parents to check on the location of | | | | real-time system as this method automatically sends |
| their child, or it can be used by drivers as an aid to | | | | the information on the GPS system to a central |
| navigation. | | | | computer or system in real-time as it happens. This |
| A GPS tracking system uses the GNSS (Global | | | | kind of system is usually a better option for |
| Navigation Satellite System) network. This network | | | | commercial purposes such as fleet tracking and |
| incorporates a range of satellites that use microwave | | | | individual vehicle tracking as it allows the company to |
| signals which are transmitted to GPS devices to give | | | | know exactly where their vehicles are, whether they |
| information on location, vehicle speed, time and | | | | are on time and whether they are where they are |
| direction. So, a GPS tracking system can potentially | | | | supposed to be during a journey. This is also a useful |
| give both real-time and historic navigation data on any | | | | way of monitoring the behavior of employees as they |
| kind of journey. | | | | carry out their work and of streamlining internal |
| A GPS tracking system can work in various ways. | | | | processes and procedures for delivery fleets. |
| From a commercial perspective, GPS devices are | | | | Real-time tracking is also particularly useful from a |
| generally used to record the position of vehicles as | | | | security perspective as it allows vehicle owners to |
| they make their journeys. Some systems will store the | | | | pinpoint the exact location of a vehicle at any given |
| data within the GPS tracking system itself (known as | | | | time. So, if there is a robbery, the owner of a vehicle |
| passive tracking) and some send the information to a | | | | will know exactly where the vehicle was when the |
| centralized database or system via a modem within | | | | robbery took place. And, the GPS tracking system in |
| the GPS system unit on a regular basis (known as | | | | the vehicle may then be able to help police work out |
| active tracking). | | | | where the vehicle was taken to if it was stolen. Many |
| A passive GPS tracking system will monitor location | | | | fleet operators find that having a GPS tracking system |
| and will store its data on journeys based on certain | | | | in place actually works as an extra security deterrent |
| types of events. So, for example, this kind of GPS | | | | for this reason. |