GPS tracking is done in most cases thanks to satellite navigation. Just like in your phone or car, a compact device is connected to your machine to track its location and send it to an online portal. In many cases, such a gateway can use power from the machine itself. Where wired power is not possible or desirable, battery-powered trackers can provide a solution. These have the advantage that they are independent of the machine in which they are placed and can be flexibly deployed between different assets

What should you pay attention to with GPS tracking?

With GPS tracking, it is best to set two other concerns aside from that choice. First, you should pay attention to the technology used. You can opt for a GPS chip, or for a method in which an estimate of the location is made by the signals at radio masts. In this regard, the option with GPS chip is the most precise.

Second, the network also plays a role. With that, the GPS tracker sends its data to the portal where you can access all the information. 4G/NB-IOT is very suitable for indoor and outdoor use. 2G and 3G also have that advantage, although those networks will soon be discontinued. Sigfox and LoRaWAN offer somewhat less security. However, they may be suitable for some applications.

The applications in our range mostly use 4G. Moreover, our gateways are ready to switch to the new 5G network once its rollout is complete. In this way, we want to provide a sustainable solution.

Who can I turn to for advice?

Calculus is turning to Teltonika (wired) and Digital Matter (battery-powered) type devices for GPS tracking. These have the advantage that they also record the machines' running hours and, depending on the specific device, can also collect and transmit other data.

The different types of devices are easy to integrate into machines. Thanks to their high resistance to moisture, dust and low or high temperatures, they are also suitable for use in challenging conditions. With Digital Barra's specimens, the battery life ensures that the device - depending on the type - can be used up to more than 8 years without replacing the battery.