| When it comes to GPS, most people think of | | | | Business use of GPS vehicle tracking has even |
| mapping and navigation, and perhaps of sports like | | | | greater benefits. Intelligent fleet monitoring can |
| geocaching. While those are the most popular | | | | absolutely revolutionize the way a business is run. |
| uses, GPS also has other applications, and some | | | | In addition to theft protection, business owners |
| of them are downright amazing. Did you know, | | | | and dispatchers know at any time where their |
| for example, that GPS can be used for tracking | | | | vehicles are, what routes they have run, what |
| vehicles both for personal and for business use? | | | | the odometer reading is, and whether they are |
| Think about it; the implications can be enormous. | | | | being used according to plan and policy. One |
| With GPS alone, you always know where you | | | | system we looked at, called Millennium Plus, not |
| are, but a GPS tracking system also lets you | | | | only provides vehicle location on a map, |
| know where your vehicle is at any given time | | | | geofences, remote alarms and door unlocking, but |
| even if you are not in it. How does it work? A | | | | also detailed history reports that can show hourly |
| GPS vehicle tracking device consists of a GPS | | | | usage, violations, speeding, or many other |
| receiver, a cell phone, and a variety of sensors. | | | | parameters. But even that is not all. Special |
| The tracking device therefore a) knows where it | | | | sensors can retrieve information from the OBDII |
| is, b) can call or respond to calls, and c) can | | | | onboard diagnostics system. OBDII tracks dozens |
| perform certain actions in response to a call, to its | | | | of vehicle functions, and that data could be used |
| location, or to a condition. It's a wonder of the | | | | to provide fuel efficiency data, warn of potential |
| new millennium, plus it gives you the security you | | | | vehicle failures or manage maintenance |
| desire. | | | | requirements. |
| After all, personal use of a GPS vehicle tracking | | | | If all this sounds enormously complicated, it's not. |
| system essentially means adding safety and | | | | Installation of a GPS vehicle tracking system is |
| security to your vehicle. You can, for example, | | | | inherently no more difficult than that of a car |
| program a "geofence" around the vehicle. If it is | | | | audio system. Setting up the web-based tracking |
| stolen, it will alert you via call, email, or computer | | | | reports is simple as well, and can be done both |
| message as to its location. It is a very effective | | | | for individual as well as multiple vehicles. |
| anti-theft system as the starter can be remotely | | | | How much does it cost? That depends on the |
| disabled, the alarm triggered, or the doors locked. | | | | type and system. A typical GPS tracking device |
| Parents of teenage drivers may simply want to | | | | can cost little more than a fancy smartphone. |
| track and enforce vehicle use. A web-based | | | | Usage is generally charged in a similar way to cell |
| application will show where the vehicle is, provide | | | | phones, but even comprehensive plans cost less |
| satellite photos of the location, report when | | | | than a basic phone plan. That's a very small price |
| geographic boundaries are exceeded, and also | | | | to pay for theft protection and peace of mind if |
| report speed and top speeds. In addition, if | | | | used on a personal vehicle, and potentially |
| someone gets locked out, the system can unlock | | | | dramatic savings and increased efficiency in a |
| the doors or start the engine. | | | | commercial fleet monitoring tracking system. |