Vehicle tracking is a term encompassing many applications, among them personal tracking, teen tracking, equipment tracking and investigative tracking.

GPS tracking systems are available in two different types, passive and active, the latter frequently referred to as “real time”.

Passive units monitor locations and movements of vehicles and store positioning data in their internal memory, which can then be downloaded to a computer for viewing at a later time.  Active devices combine two technologies in a single unit:  GPS for positioning and cellular data technology for the transmission of this data which allows the user to watch the movements of a vehicle in “real time”.

vehicle tracking

For convenience, cost effectiveness and ease of installation, passive GPS tracking devices tend to be more preferable, as they are compactly designed to mount just about anywhere in or on a vehicle.

Passive GPS tracking is more frequently used by individual consumers such as parents interested in their teen’s driving habits or vacationers wanting to trace the trails of their road trips to share and enjoy at a later time.  And law enforcement agencies frequently rely on passive GPS tracking units to assist in criminal investigations.

Another important consideration when choosing a type of vehicle tracking system is volume.  Fleet operations are more likely to use real time GPS tracking systems to assist them with routing, dispatching, theft prevention and retrieval of stolen vehicles.  And real time systems allow for remote access of information.  This means that employers can simultaneously monitor the speed and location of large groups of vehicles which can greatly improve the efficiency of their business.

Yet, real time vehicle tracking isn’t necessarily relegated to mega-transportation companies or other large businesses.  Concerned parents may want to track their teen’s whereabouts to ensure that they’ve arrived safely at their destinations, and larger, urban area police forces might require more detailed tracking equipment for heavier crime fighting.

Ultimately, the appropriate choice of a GPS tracking system comes down to a basic matter of need and personal preference.  Both types share a similar application and demographics and both serve the same purpose which is to track vehicles and other large assets.

For accountability and cost control…for protection and peace of mind…for freedom with security…there’s a vehicle tracking system to accommodate your needs.

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