Enterprises across industries are increasingly looking for ways to collect data that can be used to make better and smarter business decisions. And the automotive industry is no exception. By combining automatic vehicle location in individual vehicles with software that collects this data, vehicle tracking systems (VTS) provide valuable information to organizations and have become an undeniable necessity in the automotive industry. In essence, a vehicle tracking system is a business solution that collects data from both the vehicle and its driver using in-car telematics and fleet management software. They allow for real-time tracking of vehicle speeds, routes taken, halting spots, and idle times, among other things. This provides organizations, particularly fleet management companies, with reliable and actionable data about field operations processes. Initially, vehicle tracking systemswere only utilized by the logistics and transportation industries, but today, several companies have found new and creative uses for them.
Vehicle Tracking Systems - The process
The majority of modern vehicle tracking systems employ GPS (Global Positioning System) technology to track the position of vehicles while on the road. There are two types of vehicle tracking devices: passive and active. Active GPS tracking comprises real-time tracking systems that immediately communicate information to a central tracking gateway as it happens, as opposed to passive GPS tracking, which monitors the location and retains data to be retrieved and analyzed later. GPS systems are typically made of three segments: space, control, and user.
Space segment
The GPS consists of 27 satellites orbiting the Earth. Every 12 hours, these satellites circle the Earth and transmit signals to GPS receivers. Once a GPS device is installed in a car, it captures various types of information such as position data, fuel level, engine temperature, altitude, door open/close, tire pressure, etc., and sends these to a central server at regular intervals.
Control segment
GPS is managed by a network of tracking stations spread across the globe. These stations receive microwave carrier signals from satellites, which are converted into data such as velocity, time, and location by GPS receivers. The three main functions of a GPS tracking server include receiving data from the GPS tracking device, securely storing it, and presenting this information to the user on demand.
User segment
The signals provided by GPS satellites are received by GPS receivers, which are used to establish the user's position in space and time.
The need for Vehicle Tracking Systems and their benefits
Vehicle monitoring systems deliver several advantages to organizations of all kinds, including, of course, taxi companies, logistics companies, and delivery companies. These businesses can now obtain extensive and complete data on different elements of organizational management, such as reports on fuel, engine, speed, direction, etc., allowing them to function more effectively. Here are some of the major benefits of vehicle tracking systems.
Real-time tracking and visibility
GPS technology delivers real-time updates on where a car is and what condition it is in. It also tells you how long a car stays in a certain location. Furthermore, fleet managers may zoom up to the street level and get a bird's eye perspective using advanced mapping tools. This enables them to immediately detect when an employee drives a car to a location it is not allowed to be in, or takes a different route than the one they are intended to take. It also allows fleet managers to address customer queries regarding the location of assets.
Improved security of assets
One of the most common concerns among fleet managers is the loss and theft of assets. However, with the help of a vehicle tracking system that offers real-time location updates, one may not only locate assets but also recover them in cases of theft. As the risk of losing assets decreases, the cost of insurance decreases as well.
Improved productivity
By letting fleet managers know where their cars are and where they've been, a vehicle tracking system enhances efficiency and saves operating expenses. Organizations may also save money on fuel by using GPS monitoring devices to offer information about the best and quickest routes. This provides accurate data to the driver and management on how much fuel is being used, and most importantly, how to minimize wasting.
Fuel your organizational efficiency with vehicle tracking systems from BCI
Bar Code India (BCI)is India's leading provider of supply-chain management solutions. BCI’s highly efficient mobivue vehicle tracking system has a proven track record in allowing users to track vehicle location, improve visibility, enhance productivity, and boost profits. Some of the major benefits of using the mobivue vehicle tracking system include significant savings in process costs, reduced turnaround time of vehicles, and increased accuracy of dispatches. Here’s how a leading chemical company optimized the turnaround time of vehicle operations by 80% using the mobivue vehicle tracking system. Learn more about mobivue vehicle tracking system from BCI.