The success and growth of the logistics industry hinge on the ability to deliver goods in the right quantity, to the right location, at the precise scheduled time. This timely delivery of commodities is the core responsibility and critical objective for logistics companies. Properly coordinating and sequencing all the key components involved is paramount to ensuring deliveries arrive without delays or disruptions.
Effective logistics requires meticulous planning and synchronization of various elements – product availability, packaging, transportation, routing, and final distribution. Even slight timing mismanagement can throw off the entire operation’s schedule. This is where SIM based tracking Solutions can help your fleet management.
What is a SIM Based Tracker?
A SIM-based tracker is a type of vehicle tracking system that doesn’t require installing any dedicated GPS hardware in the vehicle itself. Instead, it uses the SIM card and cellular network connectivity of the driver’s own mobile phone or tablet to track the vehicle’s location.
SIM Based Tracking Solution Adding to Your Fleet Security
A SIM-tracking system respects the privacy of users by ensuring that the tracking is done with the consent of the users, using data encryption, implementing stringent access control, and ensuring the anonymity of the data being collected. Here’s the entire process:
1. Authentication
To ensure that a user is genuine and has rightful access to the tracking information, a secure login system is established including strong passwords, two-factor authentication, or fingerprint verification.
2. Data collection
These systems collect sensitive location data, hence, the basis and extent of data collection should be well-defined and understood by the user. There should be strict guidelines defining what type of data can be collected and how.
3. Data encryption
All communication between the device and the network server should be encrypted to avoid data breaches through hacking or other malicious activities.
4. Consent and Disclosure
Tracking should only be initiated after receiving consent from the person who is being tracked. In the case of children, parental consent is a must. Full disclosure about the extent of tracking and the kind of data collected must also be provided.
How Sim Based Tracking Software Works
The driver provides consent for their phone to be used for vehicle tracking purposes.
A tracking app or software is installed on the driver’s mobile device.
This app leverages the phone’s SIM card and GPS capabilities to pinpoint the device’s real-time location.
This location data is then transmitted over the cellular network to a central tracking platform.
What are the Benefits of SIM Based Tracking System
Learn all the benefits provided by the SIM-based tracking systems:
Cost-Effectiveness
A key advantage of SIM-based tracking is its cost-effectiveness compared to traditional GPS vehicle tracking solutions. There is no need to purchase dedicated hardware tracking devices or pay for their installation in each vehicle. This eliminates upfront capital expenses. Users simply pay a low subscription fee to access the SIM tracking service itself, resulting in significantly lower costs.
Streamlined Implementation
Deploying a SIM-based system is extremely easy with minimal setup requirements. To begin tracking a vehicle, the user only needs to provide the mobile phone number associated with the device they wish to track, as well as the network operator details. After supplying this information and obtaining user consent, the tracking platform can be activated nearly instantly without any complex configurations or professional installations.
Flexible Usage-Based Billing
Rather than being tied to long-term fixed contracts common with GPS tracking Software providers, SIM-based tracking utilizes a pay-as-you-go billing model. Users only incur charges for the specific days or periods when the service is actively enabled for tracking. This flexibility allows companies to avoid paying for times when tracking may not be required, such as temporarily idled vehicles or seasonal operations.
Non-Invasive Vehicle Integration
Since SIM tracking leverages existing mobile devices rather than proprietary hardware, there is no need for any type of equipment installation within the vehicle itself. This non-invasive approach eliminates potential issues like vehicle modifications, damages during setup, or excessive wear and tear on assets over time. Vehicles can remain in their original unaltered condition.
Operational in Signal-Obscured Areas
While many vehicle tracking systems rely on internet or GPS connectivity that can be hindered in remote areas, SIM-based solutions operate reliably using mobile networks. Even in areas with limited data services due to obstructions or distance from towers, SIM tracking continues functioning by transmitting location data via cellular signals to pinpoint vehicle positions accurately.
Pay As You Go
Most GPS tracking companies make you sign up for an annual contract, whether you’ll be using it that whole time or not. But SIM lets you just pay for the actual days or weeks when you need active tracking. So if your business is seasonal or has some slower periods, you can pause the service and avoid paying for nothing.
Tracking Flexibility
Let’s say your employees or technicians are constantly switching between different vehicles for jobs. With hardwired GPS trackers, you’d need separate devices installed in every single truck or van. But with SIM tracking on their phones, they can just carry that tracking ability with them into whichever vehicle they’re using that day.
How to Choose the Best SIM Tracking Services?
When it comes to choosing the right vehicle tracking solution for your fleet business, there are several key factors to consider.
1. How Many Vehicles?
If you only have a small number of vehicles that you use here and there, SIM tracking could be perfect. But if you have a huge fleet of trucks, vans, etc. that need constant monitoring, a full mobile tracking app may be better suited.
2. Fixed Fleet or Rotating?
SIM tracking works great if you use different rental vehicles regularly instead of a fixed fleet you own. But if you have the same dedicated trucks all the time, the mobile app tracking makes more sense long-term.
3. Tracking Duration
Need tracking for just a short job like a construction project? SIM lets you pay as you go for those temporary periods. But a mobile app is ideal if you require ongoing year-round tracking.
4. Budget Flexibility
On a tight budget? SIM tracking’s low pay-per-use costs could be a money-saver. Mobile apps tend to require bigger upfront investments.
5. Location Precision
Just need a general idea of where vehicles are. The basic SIM location is fine. But if you need extremely precise GPS mapping and routing, go for the mobile app.
6. Extra Features
Mobile apps offer lots of extra capabilities like driver behavior monitoring, engine diagnostics, timesheets, etc. SIM tracking is much more basic location tracking.
7. User Accessibility
With SIM, you’re just tracking locations from employee phones. Mobile apps can monitor dedicated vehicle data inaccessible to temporary workers.
Before You Go!
So, a SIM tracking solution is great for the temporary, flexible needs of small businesses. But mobile apps are worth the cost for larger operations requiring advanced fleet tracking as an ongoing investment.
Knowing your specific tracking requirements makes it easier to pick the right solution that fits your operational needs without overspending.
So, why not contact TrackoBit for the same? The software is perfect for smaller companies or businesses with changing vehicle needs that don’t necessarily require serious long-term GPS software investments.
