The simple answer to ‘What is Geo Tracking?’
Geo Tracking, also known as geographical tracking, refers to finding the geographical location of someone or something at a certain point in time. This can be achieved in a lot of different ways –and that’s where the technical details come in.
Key takeaways
- Geo tracking means finding the geographical location of someone or something at a certain point in time.
- GPS gives the best outdoor accuracy when energy use is not an issue.
- Network-based options like LoRaWAN use very little energy, so batteries last longer, and can work indoors and outdoors depending on coverage.
- BLE or Wi-Fi suits indoor asset tracking, and combining GPS outdoors with BLE or Wi-Fi indoors is often the best fit.
Geo Tracking technology
While the main technology used for geo tracking is GPS (Global Positioning System), other technologies are used including BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy), Wi-Fi and network-based technologies like LoRaWAN and Sigfox. It’s important to note that each of these options has different pros and cons, so the right solution for you will depend on your situation.
GPS solutions
GPS is the best solution for outdoor accuracy when energy consumption is not an issue. This is the reason why almost every new car has a built-in GPS system. However, GPS systems have some limitations, for example, it’s not easy for employers to track their technicians as they go from job to job. To do this, you’ll need a different kind of GPS system that incorporates a software system.
Network-based solutions
If you prefer to use battery power and positioning accuracy is not the most important factor, the best solution is often a network-based option such as LoRaWAN or Sigfox. These solutions have an extremely low energy consumption, maximising the lifespan of their battery, plus, depending on the coverage of your local provider, they can be used both indoor and outdoor.
BLE or Wi-Fi solutions
Technology like BLE or Wi-Fi is interesting for tracking assets indoors, depending on your needs and infrastructure capabilities.
How to choose the right solution
Before you choose a geo-tracking solution, it’s important to ask yourself some questions, starting with: who is going to use it? What does it need to do? When do you want to use it? Why do you want to use it? What data do you need to get? And, how do you want it to work?
The answers might surprise you and point you in unexpected directions. While it’s possible that one of the solutions above would perfectly fit your situation, it’s also possible that a combination of solutions would be better. For example, using GPS for outdoor tracking in combination with BLE or Wi-Fi for indoor tracking.
Frequently asked questions
What is geo tracking?
Geo tracking, or geographical tracking, means finding the geographical location of someone or something at a certain point in time. It can be done with several technologies, such as GPS, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Wi-Fi and network-based options like LoRaWAN.
Which geo tracking technology is most accurate outdoors?
GPS is the best solution for outdoor accuracy when energy consumption is not an issue. That is why almost every new car has a built-in GPS system. To track technicians as they go from job to job, you need a GPS system combined with software.
What is the best geo tracking option for battery-powered trackers?
When battery life matters more than positioning accuracy, a network-based option such as LoRaWAN is often the best choice. It uses extremely little energy, which maximises battery life, and depending on your local provider’s coverage it works both indoors and outdoors.
How do you track assets indoors?
BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) or Wi-Fi is a good option for tracking assets indoors, depending on your needs and infrastructure. Many situations call for a combination, for example GPS for outdoor tracking with BLE or Wi-Fi for indoor tracking.
How do you choose a geo tracking solution?
Start by asking who will use it, what it needs to do, when and why you want to use it, what data you need and how it should work. The answers may point to one technology or to a combination of several.
Geo tracking from Suivo
Suivo has the expertise and knowledge to support all these technologies, including combinations of them. Our experienced team is ready to help you find the right solution for your situation. Contact us to find out how we can deliver the geo tracking solution you need.
