How to choose a GPS asset tracking device

By 2027, there will be 267 million GPS asset tracking devices worldwide, covering industrial automation, logistics, supply chain, agriculture, construction, mining and related markets. Vehicle trackers currently used for fleet management account for the largest proportion, but after 2024, tracking, locating and monitoring other types of assets, including shipping containers, livestock, machinery, equipment and tools, will surpass the number of vehicle trackers.

When evaluating whether an asset tracking solution is suitable for your application, you need to pay attention to the following 4 aspects:

1. Seamless integration with vehicle systems

When selecting a gps asset tracker device, seamless integration with existing vehicle systems and external sensors is critical to the installation and configuration of the tracker.

Choosing a tracker that includes a controller area network (CAN) bus controller and transceiver is critical to allow multiple field devices to communicate with each other, eliminating the need for separate analog and digital inputs for each system device.

This technology is mainly used in vehicle electronic networks, but can now also be used in many applications, such as railway operations, aerospace, medical fields, and non-industrial applications including laboratory equipment, sports cameras, telescopes, automatic doors, and small appliances.

2. Asset tracking + sensor expansion

GPS asset tracking device should at least have real-time GPS tracking function. However, the tracking function alone is not enough. In order to be more competitive in the market, other variables of the asset, such as temperature and humidity, sports, sound, weather and road conditions, voltage, battery life, etc., need to be tracked.

This feature is essential, because understanding the status of the asset can better grasp the situation in transit and make decisions. For example, cold chain operators may need to know the shipping location and the temperature of the refrigerated container during transportation; construction companies need to track generators and be able to wirelessly monitor the voltage of the system to ensure the normal operation of the system.

Therefore, when comparing GPS asset tracking device tracking solutions, make sure that the solution can easily integrate more sensors and expand the range of functions.

3. Over-the-air software upgrade

Asset tracking requirements may require constant fine-tuning to keep up-to-date with changing external conditions and operational adjustments. When comparing solutions, choose a GPS asset tracking device with an over-the-air software update function.

Benefits of OTA software upgrade:

Over-the-air software update refers to remotely updating the code on the device without the need to manually load firmware on site. Asset tracking devices with OTA software updates allow users to:

• Solve and repair defects and product problems after sales.

• Test new functions by selectively updating network equipment.

• Cross-device group management software through a seamless interface, saving costs.

• Improve the frequency and reliability of updates without affecting uptime.

• Improve scalability by adding new features and infrastructure to the product after launch.

4. Easy to deploy and support customization

When comparing asset tracking solutions, users are more inclined to choose hardware that can be deployed immediately but is fully customized according to specific needs.

In terms of appearance design, it is necessary to monitor assets in various environments, so shell design is an element that needs attention. A sturdy, weatherproof enclosure is a must in harsh environments. The use of industrial embedded SIM cards can provide more additional protection under extreme environmental conditions.

Eelink makes asset tracking easy

Eelinkis a GPS asset tracking device provider, providing you with all the software and hardware solutions needed to monitor high-value equipment. Our tracking service comes with a visualization platform, which is pre-built with geolocation services and configuration functions, which can visually see the location of the tracker, temperature and humidity changes, power, and vibration and light alarms.

Eelink cooperates with customers in various industries, including supply chain and logistics partners, industrial manufacturing, agriculture, micro-mobility, and local governments dedicated to "smart city" solutions.