GPS tracking devices, not to be confused with SatNav devices, are devices that use the GPS network of satellites to determine the location of the device (to an accuracy of up to 5 meters for your typical tracking device). The tracking part is the reporting of this information back to a pre determined location. With the devices available from this site the pre determined location can be our tracking data server, your own server or transmission direct to a mobile phone via a text message.
Use of tracking devices
Tracking devices can be used to keep a watchful eye over an asset or person or to assist in the optimisation of a business process by determining the movement and location of assets and persons. Typical questions that can be answered by a tracking device are:
Where is my delivery driver?
Has my delivery driver been speeding and using up excess fuel in my van?
Is my lone worker OK? Where are they?
Has my asset been moved from where I left it (stolen)?
Where is my child?
As well as personal safety usages it has been found that businesses can make significant savings by using tracking devices as an aid to identify expenses and optimise asset movements.
Operating Your Tracker
Tracking devices by their nature are sophisticated pieces of equipment. They have many configuration parameters and modes of operation. The possible parameters and modes of operation changes with the type of device. Getting a tracker to work can be a frustrating business.
To make tracking a simple trouble free experience, we at BlueSkyTracking configure and test the device before it is shipped to the customer. The devices are configured to operate with our SMS control and data collection service. They are also configured to operate with a real-time tracking server that will display the tracker current position and allow the searching and display of previous tracks. When you receive your tracker it is in a working state. All the customer has to do is switch it on.
BlueSkyTracking Data Collection Service
All trackers purchased from BlueSkyTracking receive a free 1 month subscription to our tracking control and data collection service. This is a SMS based service that will collect data from your tracker and archive that data on our server. The data can be viewed by logging into your account. The data is searchable by time of collection. The data collected is Latitude, Longitude, Speed and FixTime. By clicking on a data point the position of the tracker will be shown on a map.
You are under no obligation to use the BlueSkyTracking data collection service. We provide the service as a convenience so you can see your tracker working as soon as you open the box. If you wish to simply send location reports to your mobile phone or connect your tracker to a third party tracking solution we will assist you with this.
Connecting your tracker and battery life
The personal tracking devices contain a rechargeable battery. Simply charge this up with the supplied charger and place it in the pocket, briefcase or other location. The battery life is largely determined by the tracking method (sms or gprs) and the tracking rate. As a rough guide the BST-60 will last 2 to 3 days using low rate SMS tracking with power saving mode.
The asset tracking devices can be operated of the included internal battery or connected to an external power source, such as a 12V lead-acid battery. Connecting the devices to an external power source is simply a matter of connecting 2 power cables, red to the +V and black to the -V. Again, if operated of the internal battery the battery life will be determined by the tracking method and the tracking rate. For our high end BST-R35 this can be measured in months, with a standby of up to 2 years under ideal conditions, for low rate active tracking.
Tracking Data Rates
The tracking data rate determines how often a position report is received from the tracking device. This rate is configurable and is determined largely by the use of the tracking device. For example, if the intention is to keep a watchful eye on a lone worker, hiker or other individual, obtaining a position fix every 30 to 60 minutes may be adequate. If the device is used to constantly monitor the position of an asset then a tracking rate of 15 to 30 seconds (real-time tracking) will usually be used.