Smartphone GPS Tracking Versus GPS Devices.

With smartphone GPS tracking, is there any place left for separate GPS devices?

In commercial and government vehicles, the answer is a definite Yes.

Fleet tracking via mobile devices and GPS devices both have their place and time. With either of them, you can get useful data on vehicle location and speed. Dedicated devices go far beyond finding your vehicles and knowing how fast they’re going, though.

It’s up to you to decide what information you really need to benefit your organization, though.

Here’s some information to help you decide which option fits your organization and goals.

Key Differences Between Smartphone GPS Tracking and GPS Devices

What They Actually Track

First off, using smartphone GPS tracking means you’re tracking the device location – which a person usually carries with them. Location services for these use case primarily serves as a family locator.

So if your vehicle is stolen, you have no location information to recover it. If your employee leaves their Apple iPhone or Android phone at a job site, then you have no idea what’s happening with your vehicle. An employee can also leave you in the dark by turning their phone or “Find My”. Battery-life and lost phone’s are also external factors to consider.

On the other hand, a hardwired device is extremely difficult to remove from a vehicle. That ensures a steady stream of data provides an array of other various tracking features. If the vehicle goes out of range of a cellular network, it even continues to store information that it transmits when it’s back in range.

Devices that plug into an OBD-II port, which are often called Plug-and-Play devices, can be removed more easily.

GPS Devices = More Capabilities

Any type of GPS tracker is handy for knowing the location sharing of your vehicle. In the early days of GPS fleet tracking, that was good enough.

Today, that’s not even the bare minimum for most organizations. Even businesses with just a few vehicles use GPS to monitor productivity, reduce fuel usage, optimize miles driven, improve maintenance scheduling, location history, and other safety measures.

Also, many fleet vehicles often have extra equipment that helps them perform tasks. Booms, plows, and light bars are just a few examples. Some fleets even use their GPS devices to track seatbelt use. With the right wiring and sensors, a GPS tracking device can monitor the use of this equipment in real-time. That’s just not possible with smartphone GPS tracking.

A Higher Level of Support

In most cases, GPS providers will offer a higher level of support to organizations that opt for vehicle-installed hardware. That sort of expertise can help you get a better return on investment rather thank banking on App store reviews. You’ll get more data, you’ll get more help understanding what to do with it, and that will turn into better results.

A Few Final Thoughts About Cell Phone Vs. Vehicle-Installed 

If budget is the reason you have not implemented a system into your operations, you may be looking into mobile-based tracking apps GPS tracking systems in hopes to receive the same type of fleet intelligence at a lower cost.

As things stand today, though, it’s just not possible to get the same depth of insights from using an iOS or Android operated mobile phones for GPS location tracking. For example, the ability to set up text message notifications, geofencing measures to keep tabs on exact location are non-existent.

Still, it’s better to have at least the phone’s location is better than no operating system. The location data can at least make sure your employees are on the job and help you with some peace of mind. And you might come away with knowledge that will make the transition to a more-complete GPS tracking solution far easier.

If you’re interested in learning how GPS tracking can improve your fleet, reach out for a free demo. Our team at GPS Insight has helped thousands of fleets — big and small — get the right GPS tracker for their specific needs.