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With the growing popularity of vehicle management systems, there is a need for a GPS tracking feature implementation. The main advantage is the constant real-time fleet management condition and passing this data to the management’s department. But what if fleet owners want to have a custom GPS vehicle tracking system? Here in this article, we will figure out how to develop a custom GPS tracking system, which modules does it need, and how much does the developing process cost.
Why to Develop a GPS Vehicle Tracking System
Global Positioning System (GPS) provides all the information on the location, direction, and even speed of the specific transport. GPS tracking software development guarantees new features, analyses not only where your vehicle is but how it was driven, and even shows the road section where the driving problems happened.
This function helps to plan the next driving more efficiently. At the same time, web vehicle tracking software systems have maintenance reminders and readers of trouble codes. Some GPS can find the cheapest gas station in the driversâ way. The business needs to have a complete data analysis on transportation possible with custom GPS tracking software.
Why real-time vehicle GPS tracking is so important
There are a lot of benefits for clients and businesses in using real-time GPS tracking in vehicles. GPS tracking app provides enriched maps that fuel the map with the newest data on the roads and traffic. GPS connected to cloud software can protect the whole system against unauthorized access, and signal when the object deviates from the planned route.
Real-time GPS vehicle tracking ensures the availability of access from different locations. It produces proven records, as for many customers, it is essential where the product was made and how this product was delivered to him. This technology works for transparency in delivery and asset production. Proactive maintenance with real-time GPS became easy to track. AI algorithms will predict the best time for vehicle repair or regular check.
Types of GPS vehicle tracking systems
Vehicle tracking software development focused on the best decision to analyze and forecast the logistic market. Advanced GPS provides data for strategic planning on business growth. There are three main types of GPS vehicle tracking systems. According to the market needs, any of them might be applied and used. Letâs browse over each one:
Data loggers
These are the primary GPS trackers which typically have an onboard memory where information is stored & can be recovered in need. For example, some digital cameras save time and date when the photo was taken. Some other data loggers can be used to keep track of the fleet. This vehicle tracking feature is essential for safety and collecting the data for future analysis.
Data pushers
One of the most critical functions of GPS is to make the data available anytime and anywhere. It will help to make an urgent decision in need. Data pushers usually consist of two parts, such as location devices and tracking software. Typically this type of GPS vehicle tracking system stores information and pushes it to another device. The hardware device is installed into the vehicle and connected to the ignition system switch, CAN-bus, battery. It collects extra data and then transforms it into a GPS tracking server. The data is easily accessible to view on a device such as a smartphone or a computer. All information from the hardware is pushed to the software, that’s why these types of trackers are called pushers.
Data pullers
The advanced vehicle location system allows getting the information on the transport irrespective of its location and in time. They are comparing to the data pushers, which usually send the push notification about the exact location. There are also data pullers that transfer information to the device in a more constant way. Comparing to pushers, data pullers send information in at minute intervals. Pullers programmed to send information when a vehicle passes a definite speed or begins a geo-fenced zone. The data is transferred to a server where the information is regained and pulled into a software. Data pullers help to optimize routes and check the vehicle condition.
Vehicle GPS tracking system components
GPS tracking software can work actively (in real-time) and passively (by providing the information about vehicle position at a specific time). Custom vehicle tracking system for transportation builds to fill all the industry’s needs and help the business achieve goals in providing the most valuable service. The real-time GPS vehicle system work is based on the operational GPS satellite that can signal the vehicle with a tracking device. It also needs a wireless network to transfer the data and the server for collecting the information.Â
The company can manage the logistic process on their devices from any location and at any time. Passive tracking may need more memory in the widget to save all the data from GPS. The GPS systems consist of six essential components we will describe briefly.
How does a GPS asset tracking system work?
Vehicle tracking management systems consist of hardware and software parts. The first step in choosing the right hardware solution is based on custom analysis. Different types of products for tracking need separate systems. The company can choose the GPS tracker, Bluetooth low energy device with QR-codes, or bark-codes. The next step is to have a software solution to communicate with hardware devices by remote connection.
There are many software solutions and the best one is to customize it according to logistics needs. At the same time, the purpose of the system and its integration with other platforms is essential for the GPS architecture.
Advanced GPS software allows us to track thousands of vehicles in one dashboard. It makes the manager more flexible and opens a new approach to strategy analysis. This interface helps to filtrate the information and do a fast search.
The benefit of using innovative software for tracking is having easy access to the data from mobile apps. Drivers, managers, and customers with 5G or cloud technologies can navigate the data in real-time. This solution helps the logistic industry to build better relationships with customers and, as a result, to increase profitability.
Features to make a GPS vehicle tracking system software
When you’ve decided to make your own GPS tracking system, it is expected not just to reveal where the vehicle is being driven, but also how it’s being driven. The GPS tracking system should recognize fast speed, extreme speed, and show where this behavior occurred. Besides, vehicle trackers can show cheap gas stations nearby and show their rate according to the recent feedbacks.
The information, as mentioned above, is possible to get from the software, which proceeded with the hardware data and share the final result. So, according to the details as mentioned above, let’s figure out the core features GPS tracking software needs to include.
GEO fencing
Develop a GPS tracking system for Android and iOS with the possibility to identify the location and build a path for your vehicle. Customers will need to put the start and endpoint of their route. That’s why away from the start point towards the destination is an important feature.
Location detecting
The software has to be aware of detecting the exact location for a specific time. For example, your company received the order without a precise address, but the location detecting feature will help to share the accurate data with the driver immediately. For one of our customer we suggested the optimal cost optimization route and implemented an automatic and manual planning system. The system’s algorithms offer the cheapest possible solution, taking into account the added constraints.
Read full case study: Transport Management System Automation
Real-time tracking
A real-time GPS vehicle tracking system determines actual data about the location and tracks the current status of your vehicle. The features mentioned above don’t make sense without the real-time data exchange. The ability to detect location immediately and set the right path will help to reach the destination in time. One of the widely used GPS vehicle tracking features is tracking option in taxi booking software. At AMCONSOFT we developed a wide variety of cab booking software and the typical real-time gps vehicle tracking system works from the point of tracking the driverâs movement towards the customerâs location.
For example, in GuyTaxi app every Customer Profile is given a unique Pass Key/Code that is logged by the Admin to ensure a safe journey and we have a record of it if people go missing. As the Driver approaches the Customer, the Customer App states âYour Taxi is Hereâ within a 100-meter radius. While in Driving, the Map shows the route that was predetermined by the Customer and the progress of the ride.
Fuel control
The software needs to share the current fuel usage status and continuously monitor it. Fuel control feature is another obvious thing for GPS vehicle tracking software. It not only manages the fuel status but also ensures drivers’ safety preventing them from an unexpected accident.
Read full case study: Transport Management System Automation
Notifications
Any type of alerts related to over speed, run out of fuel, when someone runs the car outside, etc. Among the possible notifications could also be the defined location or time reminder in case it was set to remind about a particular event.
Engine block
This vital block is similar to fuel control, in which either driver or manager can check real vehicle condition and prevent misuse. There could be different causes, but to ensure the vehicle’s proper work, it’s better to check the engine continually.
How to make your own GPS tracking system?
When the feature set for software is bright and hardware components also, the next we will do is to define the development process. GPS tracking system development contains three main stages:
We already mentioned that you’d need an MCU, GSM and GPS modules, a relay circuit, and a display screen. How will these all stuff interact with each other? A vehicle tracking system using GPS sends a request to the modem via the device. Then, the GSM modem forms and transmits it to the MCU where the demand is performed. After the MCU is ready, you need to build a GPS tracking system for a vehicle for interpreting the range and longitude and showing the vehicle location.
If you need to check more than one vehicle, you’ll have to develop a web-based system, including a web application, for some businesses, both web and mobile apps, and a server framework. You will need to design a visual part of the website and then create a desktop and/or mobile app. Here are the steps to follow during the web app development:
The benefits of building up your own GPS tracker include the compliance of the elements and a flexible work process. Another point is building up a custom system that will require either an in-house IT department or work with the other development teams. Both options work well, but the GPS vehicle tracking system cost will be different.
How we at AMCONSOFT developed a cab dispatch system with the inbuilt transport GPS tracking options?
If you want to track a fleet with thousands of cars then youâll need to develop a web-based vehicle location system which has a web app and a server system. Youâll have to create a web and a desktop app as well as design a database. Here on the sample below you can explore in detail how we at AMCONSOFT developed a cab dispatch system with the inbuilt transport GPS tracking options. The system contains customerâs app, driverâs app and admin panel. The core advantage from GPS tracking features was fare counting, real-time distance tracking, real-time location data updates.
Drivers App
Every Driver Profile is given a unique number, which is easy to track with Admin Panel and that is used as a reference to their payment via Mobile Money. Once a request comes through the Drivers App it shows the Pickup Location, Drop Off Location with the estimated fare the map has calculated for them.
Once the Driver accepts the request, he can then pick up the customer and will require the Customers Pass Key to start the ride. So after Accepting a Request the tab at the bottom states, âStart The Rideâ. This way we are guaranteed that the Driver commits to the ride and the right amount will be charged for the customer.
As the Driver approaches the Customer, the Drivers App states âYour Customer is Hereâ within a 100 meter radius. While in Driving, the Map shows the route that was pre determined by the Customer and the progress of the ride
The screen also shows the Rate Calculator as it progresses into the ride. The Rates are determined as follows: a starting fee of G$300 as a base rate for a maximum of 2900 meters, then every 200 meters after that the rate calculator will update with increments of G$20.
When reaching the destination point, the Bottom Tab states âFinish the Rideâ and a total of the fare should be given on the screen. Requests sent by the Customer are only received and sent to Drivers in the area of about 3 kilometers radius.
Customer App
The TOP of the screen has 2 Input Tabs stating âPickupâ and Drop offâ with input fields that the Customer has to complete before requesting a ride. The Pickup tab automatically picks up the Customers current location and he/she should complete the Drop Off Tab by pressing a destination on the map. The BOTTOM of the working screen has a TAB which says âRequest a Taxiâ, so they only have 1 button to press if a customer request comes through.
Every Customer Profile is given a unique Pass Key/Code that is logged by the Admin Panel to ensure a safe journey and we have a record of it if people go missing. As the Driver approaches the Customer, the Customer App states âYour Taxi is Hereâ within a 100 meter radius.
While in Driving, the Map shows the route that was pre determined by the Customer and the progress of the ride. The screen also shows the Rate Calculator as it progress into the ride. The Rates are determined as follows: a starting fee of G$300 as a base rate for a maximum of 2900 meters, then every 200 meters after that the rate calculator will update with increments of G$20.
When reaching the destination point, the Bottom Tab states âRate the Driverâ and a total of the fare should be given on the screen. Requests sent by the Customer are only delivered and sent to Drivers in the area of about 3 kilometers radius.
How much does it cost to make a commercial vehicle GPS tracking system?
It is always a significant decision for the logistics company to invest in an innovative GPS. The final cost of a vehicle tracking software solution for the specific companies needs will depend on the number of cars you need to track, and the vehicle tracking system features you want to use. It can vary from $10 000 if you have less than ten cars or $40 000 – 150 000 for the full-fledged GPS.
The final cost for the software will depend on a few factors:
Answering all those questions will navigate you in costs for a customized GPS for your fleet.
Conclusion
The main principle in choosing the company for developing a software solution is its previous experience working with GPS systems and logistics, good reputation, and trusted relationships with clients.
AMCOMSOFT development team specialized in integration software with hardware components and searching the optimal solution for the specific customer needs. Our experience in creating a platform for car rent, platforms for taxies’ services, and transport management system automation provides quality expertise on building GPS tracking systems for business.
Contact our experts to get a consultation on developing a GPS tracking system for your business and defend the best software solution for your company’s needs.