Fleet
monitoring is an essential service now. New technology and software
have made it possible to track vehicles and vessels when they are on
the move. Earlier there were significant amounts of risks involved in
transferring shipments through sea routes as the ships could meet an
accident, get hijacked or stolen or destroyed, which meant huge
losses to all the parties involved. New and improved fleet monitoring
service have made it possible to stay updated on the whereabouts of
the vessel in mid-sea.
Demand:
Demand
for improved fleet tracking was gaining ground for over many years
now. The introduction of GPS monitoring system has made tracking
possible in both passive and active modes.
Purpose
:
GPS
or Global Positions System allows determining the exact location of
the vehicle or vessel through satellite monitoring. Modern vehicle
tracking systems mainly use GPS or GLONASS technology for tracking
but other similar technologies are in use too.
How
does fleet monitoring system work?
GPS
monitoring requires a GPS tracking device to be installed in the
vessel. The data, gathered through the device, is then extracted
through a purpose made software and monitored by a third-party.
There are both active and passive monitoring systems. In passive monitoring method the passive GPS device stores data on location, speed etc., which is then downloaded and monitored when the vessel reaches its destination. Active monitoring devices perform the same function but the data is transmitted to a computer or mobile device on a real-time basis. Most modern fleet lines use both active and passive tracking solutions.
With the growing acceptance of mobile technology active tracking is becoming more popular. The active monitoring device transmits data in real-time when the network is available and stores information when there is no network connection. In this way it functions both as active and passive monitoring system.
There are both active and passive monitoring systems. In passive monitoring method the passive GPS device stores data on location, speed etc., which is then downloaded and monitored when the vessel reaches its destination. Active monitoring devices perform the same function but the data is transmitted to a computer or mobile device on a real-time basis. Most modern fleet lines use both active and passive tracking solutions.
With the growing acceptance of mobile technology active tracking is becoming more popular. The active monitoring device transmits data in real-time when the network is available and stores information when there is no network connection. In this way it functions both as active and passive monitoring system.
We will now look into the working mechanism for fleet monitoring service. The major components of GPS monitoring system are listed as follows:
GPS devices:
It
is an electronic device, often self powered or powered through
batteries, installed in the vehicle or vessel to gather data at
regular intervals. The device normally sends updates on global
positioning of the vessel but modern GPS devices are designed to be
technological wonders and those can also store data on fuel use,
engine on/off, reverse geocoding, altitude, ignition on/off, GPRS
status and more.
GPS server:
The
information gathered by the GPS device is then downloaded on GPSserver. It mainly performs the duties of receiving data, storing it
and transmitting the information to the user interface on demand.
User
Interface (UI)
The UI is where the user views the information. It determines how the data will be presented to the user and what functions he can perform. The UI allows the user to receive real-time updates, sort, search and save information .
The UI is where the user views the information. It determines how the data will be presented to the user and what functions he can perform. The UI allows the user to receive real-time updates, sort, search and save information .
GPS tracking is now a common service. All the vessels that cross international water borders regularly are mounted with GPS tracking system. Sea liners and freight forwarders now extend fleetmonitoring service as a part of their comprehensive customer support solution to their clients to keep them updated real-time on the position of their consignments
