Vehicle Tracking Software

Vehicle tracking software is the front end of a tracking system that allows a user to access all of the data made available by the tracking unit. Virtually all tracking applications need to have access to the internet. There are currently 2 main common types of tracking software available:

Internet Based

With an internet based tracking system the application is made available to the user via the web. An application that is web based means that a user can access the tracking system from any computer that has an internet connection. Internet based applications may require the user to download plug-ins such as Java or mapping applets.

Application Based

This type of vehicle tracking software requires the user to install/download the tracking software on to the computers they intend to access the tracking system from. Again these types of application still need to have access to the web to be able to receive the tracking data being sent back from the vehicle. Application based vehicle tracking applications may require the user to download additional frameworks such Microsoft .Net which provide the framework for the application to operate in.

Common Features

Both types of vehicle tracking applications can provide features that are commonly required from tracking applications including:

Live Mapping

A tracked vehicle is represented by an icon that is plotted on a map indicating the real time location of that vehicle. Other information such as speed, heading and journey time may also be included. Many tracking applications also provide a satellite overlay which plots the vehicles position on a satellite image to help further establish the vehicles location/environment.

Reports

Reports can be a key part of a tracking application. The tracking system stores historic data which can used to generate reports including: daily activity, mileage, time sheets, out of hours use and idling to name but a few. These reports allow companies to make informed decision regarding their fleet of vehicles.

Alerts

Alerts are usually generated in 2 ways; either the tracking unit itself can generate an alert or the tracking application. Alerts are generally setup to notify of a key or exceptional event such as: arriving at a location late or early, excessive speeding or idling. Alerts can notify by either SMS, email and through the application it self. Alerts provide companies with an aid to manage their fleet of vehicle in real time.

Virtual Geofences

Geofences are boundaries placed around a location on a map that when a tracked vehicle breaches by entering or exiting that boundary the application will immediately generate an alert to notify the user. Geofences can be used for customer addresses, employee homes and even to alert that a vehicle is a certain distance from a depot/warehouse/factory etc.

POI’s

Points of Interest can be setup to give a name to an address. This means that when the vehicle is within a POI radius the application will display the address and the given name rather than just displaying the address, for example, head office, home or a customer etc.

User Permissions

Most vehicle tracking software applications have the facility to setup different user permissions. This controls who has access to what information. For example, you may want office staff to be able to see where the vehicles are but not have access to the driver reports.

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