BUSINESS FLEET TRACKING
Fleet tracking systems explained.
Fleet tracking uses GPS to record where business vehicles are and where they have travelled. Tracking software brings that information together, so a business can view its vehicles on a map and look back at their journeys.
How does GPS fleet tracking work?
There are three parts to a connected fleet tracking system: a device in the vehicle, a connection that sends the data, and software that displays it.
The device receives signals from GPS satellites and uses them to calculate its position. Connected trackers commonly send their location data over a mobile network to a tracking platform. The software turns those records into a map view and journey information.
GPS positioning and mobile communication do different jobs. A device can receive a GPS position while a poor mobile signal delays that information reaching the office. How the system handles those gaps depends on the equipment and service.
What does fleet tracking show?
Locations, journey history and mileage are common starting points. They describe different parts of a vehicle's working day.
| Information | What it shows | What it is useful for |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle location | The position most recently reported by the tracker | Checking where vehicles are during the day |
| Journey history | A record of the vehicle's movements | Looking back at a route or a previous visit |
| Start-stop records | Records of vehicle activity and stops, as defined by the system | Reviewing how the vehicle's day was spent |
| Mileage | Distance recorded for the vehicle | Reviewing distance travelled over the period covered by the report |
Using locations, journey history and mileage.
The map is useful during the working day, when you need to find a vehicle. Journey history is useful afterwards, when you need to check the route it took. Mileage gives you a distance record for the period covered.
For example, a business coordinating vans might check the map before arranging another visit, then review a previous journey if a customer asks about it. A recorded stop helps establish where the vehicle was; the job record explains the work carried out.
What does 'live tracking' mean?
A location map is based on updates sent by the tracker. 'Live' does not mean that every system reports continuously or at the same interval.
When comparing systems, check how often locations are sent, what the map shows when a device has not recently reported, and what happens in an area with poor coverage. These details matter more than the label alone.
Also check how much journey history is available. Location update frequency and the period for which records are retained are separate details, and both can affect whether a service suits your work.
What should you compare between systems?
Compare the information available, the equipment, how the software is accessed and the complete cost. Start with the records you expect to use, then check those records in the actual system being offered.
Hardware, installation and software access may be priced together or separately. Include any continuing charges and the agreement period when comparing offers. A headline device price does not describe the whole service.
- Which location and journey information is included?
- What detail do the reports include, and how long is journey history available?
- Can the people managing the fleet access it on the devices they use?
- How are the trackers fitted, and which vehicles are suitable?
- What are the charges, agreement conditions and support arrangements?
Tracking supplied by Phace.
Phace Track Manager uses Track Manager Lite software and is supplied by Phace Installations Ltd in Chudleigh, Devon. It provides vehicle map locations, journey history, and start-stop and mileage reports, with computer, phone and tablet access.
The screen below is a historical example of the platform. It is not live vehicle data and may differ from the current screen.
Read about tracker fitting and Phace's installation optionsCOMMON QUESTIONS
Frequently asked questions.
01Does fleet tracking need a phone in every vehicle?
A connected vehicle tracker can have its own mobile-data connection, separate from the driver's phone. The equipment offered determines how data is sent. Accessing the tracking software on a phone is a separate part of the system.
02Why might a location on the map be out of date?
The map shows information received from the tracker. Reporting intervals and interruptions to communication can affect how recent it is. Check the last-report information and the provider's explanation of update behaviour.
03Is fleet tracking the same as fleet management?
Tracking deals with vehicle locations and activity. Fleet management covers the wider work of running vehicles, and some software includes additional functions. Compare the actual features offered rather than treating the two labels as interchangeable.
PHACE TRACK MANAGER · PHACE INSTALLATIONS LTD
Ask Phace about fleet tracking.
Tell Phace about your vehicles, where they are based and the information you need.