| In world of GPS vehicle tracking systems, | | | | reports. The information sent by these devices |
| showing a vehicle in a map is just the tip of the | | | | includes at least the position in terms of Latitude |
| iceberg. However, this is how most companies | | | | and Longitude, the speed, the direction (north, |
| get started in this revolutionary technology. When | | | | south, east, etc.), the date and the time. Other |
| a GPS Tracking System is installed to do fleet | | | | devices include more sophisticated information |
| tracking, companies start realizing the huge impact | | | | such as Ignition status, doors status, on-board |
| that it has in their logistic processes. Main benefits | | | | engine diagnostic, etc. Samples of companies that |
| include fuel cost control, overtime minimized, | | | | provide this type of products are also multiple, |
| customer service improved, etc. From a Basic | | | | and can be found by tons with any search in a |
| GPS Tracking companies start looking to more | | | | search engine like Google. |
| sophisticated solutions that bring the full potential | | | | The GPS Tracking Solutions are usually provided |
| of benefits. | | | | as web applications, more than applications that |
| This is Part 1 of a series of 10 articles in which I | | | | have to be downloaded and installed in users' |
| will present how a GPS Tracking system can | | | | computers. When looking for a GPS Tracking |
| REALLY make a difference in a company's | | | | solution, the market offers a lot of options to pick |
| performance. This first part will start by | | | | from. Many companies will offer to their users |
| introducing some basic concepts related these | | | | Tracking solutions that can be accessed via web, |
| technologies, so I and my readers have a | | | | and that allows to keep track of the vehicles of |
| common framework to work with. | | | | the companies in a map and in several reports. |
| There are many applications for the GPS | | | | Once a company or an individual decides to go |
| TRACKING technology that can be divided into | | | | into this technology, the first question that has to |
| two main groups: NAVIGATION and TRACKING. | | | | be solved is: What type of GPS System I need? |
| Navigation is related to devices that are installed in | | | | Is it a Tracking System? Or a Navigation |
| the vehicles and that provide on-board navigation | | | | System? It is very common to start shopping |
| information. The user will usually enter a | | | | around without a clear understanding of what is |
| destination address and will start receiving audio | | | | needed. The orientation of these articles will be |
| and visual directions on how to arrive to that | | | | GPS Tracking Solutions. GPS Navigation will be |
| place. Samples of these devices are seen in | | | | subject of a future article. And this first article |
| almost every computer store, and the most | | | | severs as a starting point to understand and |
| recognized brands are Garmin, TomTom, and | | | | identify what the needs are on each particular |
| others. | | | | case. |
| Tracking is related to devices installed in the | | | | In the next article I will discuss some additional |
| vehicles that send information about the vehicle to | | | | terms related to GPS Tracking and will start going |
| computer programs where the information is | | | | into its applications in the day to day processes. |
| processed and presented to users in maps and | | | | |