These days, vehicle tracking systems use Global Positioning (GPS) technology to find the location of the vehicle. This information can be viewed on specialized software or on electronic maps on the Internet.
Having a GPS tracking device is an effective method of tracking the exact location of your vehicle at any time. Particularly in a country such as South Africa, where vehicle theft is a serious problem and 10 cars are stolen every hour. Being able to locate your vehicle can mean the difference between having a car stolen and gone for ever, or being returned to you. Tracking systems are also useful for logistics and delivery businesses to keep record of the location of their business vehicles and provide the most efficient services possible.
How do vehicle tracking devices work?
GPS vehicle tracking devices are fitted onto vehicles and use satellite technology that can pinpoint the location of the vehicle at any time. This data is also kept on record so that one can go back and check where a vehicle was located sometime in the past.
Because vehicle tracking devices are so important both for commercial and personal vehicles, it is important to choose a system that is reliable and won’t let you down when you need it.
Commercial and personal clients also have different needs, so you need to choose a system that will work most effectively for your tracking purposes.
Most importantly, you should choose a vehicle tracking system that has a partnership with a well-known service provider (such as Google mapping). If your system is outdated, it will reflect incorrect information and it won’t be relevant and helpful. It is worth investing in a tracker that continually updates its information base.
Even if you need to pay a little more for it, a good feature to look for in a system is the ability to zoom in all the way to street level. The tracking system should be able to provide you with satellite views of the street and surrounding terrain.
Another feature to look for is the system’s capability to provide real-time information about traffic and construction, allowing you to avoid traffic congestion wherever possible.
How to choose a commercial vehicle tracking system
When choosing a reliable system for a commercial fleet, it is important to take the reporting structure into account as you need to be able to monitor your fleet effectively.
Depending on the complexity of your business, you could use a system bought off the shelf, but more specialised operations may require that you hire a specialist to determine if you need specific software development.
The options on the market offer endless choices, each with their own benefits and features. Before selecting one particular system, it is important to determine your specific needs and cross-check this list against the range of products on the market.
What features should I look for?
- The system you choose should be intuitive, easy to understand and simple to use. Not all the staff using the system will be tech-savvy, so a straightforward system is preferable to a complex system that would require in-depth training.
- When considering your specific needs, it is important to consider how often you will need a report on vehicle location. Some companies may require location information minute-by-minute (such as timed deliveries), whereas others may just need to check up every once in a while. If you know what you need from the system in terms of reporting, this will give you a good base from which you can choose the features that best suit your needs.
Remember that when it comes to vehicle tracking systems, you often get what you pay for. If your needs are relatively simple, then a less advanced system will suffice, but it is important to understand the complexity of your needs before deciding which system to use.
Vehicle tracking companies in South Africa
You can also choose to become a customer with a vehicle tracking company, who will be able to assist you with the type of vehicle tracking you need and will act as service provider.
For personal vehicle tracking systems, it is often best to use a company if you are installing the system for security reasons as vehicle tracking companies can monitor the activity of your vehicle at all times.
Some well-known South African vehicle tracking companies include:
- Ctrack – Visit Website