In today’s world, knowing where something or someone is has become the new norm. From phones that track your location to GPS tracking devices that help track the elderly, tracking technology has moved beyond tracking for just a vehicle or piece of heavy equipment.
Essentially, a tracking device is used to identify the location of a person or an object using GPS technology. The device records the location, typically within a few feet, of that person or object and sends the information to an application that translates it for use. Typically, this is done with a dot on a map or an address location on a map (think of your smart phone’s native map application). If the object is moving, the dot will move, and you can follow the location within the application.
Tracking devices are useful in the consumer and business worlds because it helps keep track of people and valuables that require monitoring. The device provides real-time or almost real-time information to the person or business monitoring it, which can help prevent someone from becoming lost or a valuable being stolen.
Tracking devices vary in size. The purpose of the device and the type of casing varies depending on the purpose of the device.
In the business world, tracking devices are used to track many things based on business needs. These range from tracking devices with built in cameras for fleet tracking to smaller devices to track a piece of equipment. The toughness of a tracker can also vary depending on whether it will be in a harsh environment, need to measure temperature or need to fit in a specific location.
In the construction industry, tracking devices are used to track heavy equipment, mid-sized equipment and fleet vehicles. For each of these, tracking devices provide different information for each of these classes of assets which helps companies to optimize their equipment management system.
1. Heavy Equipment
Heavy equipment tracking devices, particularly ones that are plugged into the machine, can be used to gain valuable telematics data on the equipment such as utilization, preventative maintenance, fuel consumption and more.
2. Mid-Sized Equipment
Tracking devices for these types of equipment are typically battery powered or solar powered. For assets that spend most of the time outside with good sun exposure, like compressors, light towers, trailers or Conex boxes, a solar tracker is ideal. When these trackers are linked to an equipment management system, a business can see location, get notifications when the equipment moves or leaves a location depending on the perimeters set. For example, if the equipment tracking software has a geofence capability; and a generator leaves the perimeter set a notification is sent if that piece of equipment leaves the location.
3. Fleet Vehicles
A tracking device for vehicles will provide location, fuel usage and diagnostics for the vehicle as well as uncover dangerous driver behaviors. These types of trackers can be an important part in a construction company’s driver safety program and many insurance companies provide discounts when they are implemented into a company’s fleet.
Tracking devices can provide a lot of valuable information on a variety of their equipment types. Benefits to the business can include saving a lot of time and money while providing data to make better decisions. Learn more about the types of tracking devices for construction.
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