What are the Differences Between GPS Tracking and Telematics?
16 Sep 2020Chances are you’ve had your fair use of modern technology and GPS car tracking is likely familiar to you along with its usefulness for mobile devices and vehicles. However, “telematics” is a less well-known term becoming quite popular in fleet companies. And it can be a challenge to distinguish between the two if you’re not familiar with their unique processes and characteristics. Here, you’ll see GPS tracking and telematic’s roles in the fleet industry.
Difference Between GPS and Telematics
You are probably aware GPS uses satellite technology for tracking locations and other relevant device or vehicle data. Drivers use it frequently to help them find different destinations while they respond to service requests or make deliveries.
Telematics, on the other hand, uses telecommunications and GPS technology for gathering and reporting a large scope of data. Many telematics systems have tracking devices that will gather data on drivers:
- Location
- Braking
- Acceleration
- Idling
- And more
The data is then sent back to the user. With telematics, you can monitor your drivers’ driving behaviors and the location of your company vehicles at all times. A telematics system will provide you with accurate, live data within seconds regardless of whether you’re responsible for a couple of vehicles or a whole fleet of vehicles.
You’ll also receive vehicle readings too with telematics software which can help you manage maintenance strategies and speed up diagnostics more efficiently and keep track of odometer readings, fuel usage and even warn you when vehicles require repairs.
GPS and Telematics
The initial GPS navigation systems opened the world’s eyes to the power and need of adding technologically innovative features to vehicles. The demand for telematics has since become huge with maps and GPS locations now on the dashboards of vehicles.
Because satellite basically works worldwide, it continues making the best solution for many features in vehicles. Plus it doesn’t rely on hotspots and towers. GPS locations, over time, have become more precise, thanks to advanced technology and enhancements to civilian GPS by the U.S. government.
GPS solutions have grown much bigger than simple navigation solutions. GPS tracking equipped in fleet vehicles now implements various useful features, such as:
- Idling and speeding reports for monitoring drivers
- Efficiency boosters like route planning
- Tracking that generates analytics reporting companies can use for boosting productivity
- Arrival/departure alerts and complex route planning
Certain GPS telematics examples, for consumers, include roadside emergency services, traffic alerts and satellite radio.
There’s no limit to what telematics technology may be able to provide in the near future. The industry growth over the past decade is an indication of the huge benefits vehicle tracking provides to all sizes and shapes of mobile workforces.
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