General
GPS tracking devices use the Global Positioning System (GPS) to determine the precise location of a vehicle, person, or other asset to which it is attached. The position is recorded at regular intervals and is transmitted to a central database using a cellular (GPRS) modem embedded in the unit. This data is sent to our Tracking Portal and allows the location to be displayed on a map in real-time or over a span of time.
Vehicle tracking can automate your vehicular administration by scheduling service, recording working hours for your crew and how much travel they did (record miles traveled). You will get real-time response and information so you can make decisions on the fly based on verified information and not only your gut. Accurate vehicle monitoring empowers your drivers and makes them completely accountable.
With the free training we provide, installing and using the system will be a breeze. Once it becomes part of your every day routine, you won’t believe how you managed without the GPS tracking system in place before.
Yes, depending on the solution, the monthly cost will be reduced to a lower cost or no cost during the seasonal suspension. Please contact us for more information.
At GPS Tracking Canada our goal is to provide a GPS tracking solution tailored specifically to your business needs and budget. Many of our clients have stated they believe that the investment has been extremely beneficial to their business. Our GPS tracking system can provide a huge ROI for your company and we even have an ROI calculator for you to estimate what your return could be. You can contact us to discuss your GPS tracking options that fall within your budget.
You can find out more information on our plan pricing here.
In order to provide you the flexibility of not committing to a contract, we require that you pay a small fee to purchase the hardware. We would rather bind you with good service, rather penalties and contracts. If you would prefer not to pay for the hardware upfront, we can include the cost in the monthly fee, based on a 24 month contract. Please call us at 1-877-477-0987 or visit our contact page.
GPS tracking alerts are unique limits that a customer can set up for their tracked vehicle. When the limit is broken, an email or text message is sent to the customer. If a speed limit or a GeoFence, for example, is broken, the customer will be notified. Five levels of alert from low to sever can be set up to individual corespondents.
Absolutely! Our GPS tracking system works as an ELD to log hours of service making your vehicles complaint with the ELD mandate that will be implemented in 2021.
Any change in the workplace comes with hesitation. However, once the system is implemented and comes part of their routine, your employees will appreciate the efficiency that the GPS tracking system can provide. There is nothing wrong with wanting to monitor employee performance. Having a GPS tracking system in place will increase accountability and also help your business thrive.
Hardware
OBD stands for on-board diagnostics which is the vehicle’s diagnostic and reporting capabilities. The OBD is used to monitor the health and performance of the vehicle engine and emissions system. Vehicle manufacturers first started to build this computer system into vehicles in 1996. The GO device connects to the OBDII port out of the box, which is a standardized connector in most vehicles today.
The amount of diagnostic information available through the OBD varies for each vehicle make and model.
The OBD port is generally within 3 feet of the steering wheel and does not require special tools to access. Normally, this port is located just under the dashboard and above the gas or brake pedal. It can normally be located by looking under the dashboard or running your hand along the bottom edge of the dashboard until you “bump” into the connector.
Yes, the OBDII port has been the standard way of connecting diagnostic tools to vehicles since 1996 in most countries.
Almost all vehicle types are supported, although older vehicles may have less engine data available. For vehicles that do not have the standard OBDII connector, Geotab offers custom harnesses that allow you to connect the device into the vehicle’s diagnostic port. Geotab also provides a special 3-wire harness that is connected directly to the vehicle battery for power and allows you to connect the GO device to vehicles that do not have a diagnostic port.
Unfortunately, at this time we only allow the purchase of the GPS tracking unit with a monthly plan.
Accessories
The harness required for your vehicle depends on which port connection your vehicle has. Most vehicles have the standard OBDII port that does not need a harness as the GO device can plug directly into the port. If the vehicle has a 9-pin or 6-pin connector, then the appropriate 6- or 9-pin interface harness will be required to connect the GO device to the vehicle. If your vehicle has a different connector than the ones listed above or does not have a connector, then the 3-wire harness will be required for your vehicle. If you are unsure about the connector your vehicle has or what harness you need, please contact us.
Within MyGeotab, begin by go going to Administration > Users. Select a user, then go to the Driver tab and click Yes beside the This User is a Driver option. Input the number from the blue key fob or sticker into the NFC Key Serial Number field.
Monthly Service
You will not be able to purchase a monthly tracking plan by itself directly from our website. Please call us at 1-877-477-0987 or visit our contact page for more information.
Installation
The Geotab GO device installs easily in your vehicle by simply plugging in to your OBDII port. Depending on your vehicle, some larger commercial trucks require an additional harness. Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns regarding the installation of the device.
Geotab Software
MyGeotab is a web-based fleet management software that is available to all Geotab customers under any feature package: Base, Pro, and ProPlus. See all your vehicle and driver information in one place and use it to make quicker, better-informed decisions for your business.
The MyGeotab application was designed to run in your device’s web browser. This means that the software will be accessible to you at my.geotab.com regardless of your location, computer, or mobile device. Please note that the device that you are using requires an active internet connection.
In order use all the advanced functionality on MyGeotab, a modern browser is required. A modern browser includes the following:
- Microsoft Internet Explorer 11+
- The latest version of Google Chrome
- The latest version of Mozilla Firefox
- Apple Safari 6+
- Windows Vista, 7, 8 or later
- Mac OS X 10.5 or later
- .NET 2.0 (already installed with Vista)
- 40 GB hard disk that has 15GB space free
- 1 GB of RAM
- Additional hard disk space might be required for data storage
- iOS (iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch) 5.0 or later
- Android 3.0 or later (Android 2.1 or later when using Firefox for Android)
- Touch screen displays are supported
Note: Due to the volume of data presented on MyGeotab as a result of maps and reports, we also recommend that you have access to a high speed internet connection.
The MyGeotab map refreshes every 15 seconds in the browser. The device itself will send updates at varying intervals depending on driver behavior or vehicle health. At a minimum, the Geotab GO device updates its location at least once every 100 seconds while driving. The more the direction or speed changes, the more often the location will update.
You can create an unlimited number of users. Furthermore, users can be configured to have specific roles with varying levels of access. For instance, you can set up distinct groups of user accounts to be used for your dispatchers, managers, supervisors, and administrators. You can manage your user accounts by navigating to Administration and then selecting Users.
Data is stored within servers managed by Geotab at Q9 and Google Cloud Services. As stated in Geotab’s Service Level Agreement (SLA), data will be retained for at least one year. However, should a customer have specific purging or archiving needs, Geotab will assist in managing those requirements.
The odometer is recorded at the beginning, end, and at every hour of a trip. When the GO device detects an ignition change, it will send an odometer request to the engine. The same request is sent every hour if a trip lasts longer than an hour. The last recorded odometer time is displayed beside the odometer field within MyGeotab.
- Vehicle independent
- Does not rely on engine data
- Does not require any vehicle Add-Ons like FMS
- Works across all makes/models
- Doesn’t change with tire diameter or changes to the engine
- Works in 2-wire & 3-wire modes
- Very accurate in most situations
Yes, GPS is typically accurate down to a few meters when in a good coverage area.
It is normal for the speed reported by the vehicle’s engine to be off by a few percent from the actual value. Vehicle speed is based on the rotation of the tire, so any changes to its diameter will affect the odometer accuracy.
Yes, anybody can receive reports via email. When turning on an existing rule, click the mail button to define email recipients. When creating a rule from scratch, select the notifications tab and select Add email to add recipients.
Yes. By utilizing Geotab’s driver ID feature, reports can be run by vehicle or by driver. You can do this by manually assigning drivers to vehicles, or using the IOX-NFCREADER.
Yes, Geotab offers a routing feature that allows you to connect a sequence of zones together to create a route. The route can optionally start and end at the same location and can be defined in any order you wish. Additionally, a route plan can be created to report on discrepancies between your planned route and where the driver actually went.
Geotab offers a comprehensive set of reports to suit your business needs. Our reports range from driver safety and behavior monitoring, risk management, zone entry and exit, real-time exceptions and many more. Almost all aspects of our reports can be customized using Microsoft Excel.
MyGeotab is accessible from any device that runs a standard browser. Geotab Drive, the Driver based application that is based on HTML5 is supported on Android 4.4 and later.
Geotab Drive (ELD)
Geotab Drive is a mobile app for Android and iOS mobile devices. When paired together with a GO device, Geotab Drive works as an (ELD), allowing drivers to record hours of service (HOS) logs and Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports (DVIR).
Geotab Drive supports exemptions for adverse conditions, 16-hour work cycles, yard moves, personal use, and others. Learn more about supported rule sets in the Product Guide
The mobile device must have a cellular data connection to a wireless network in order to upload and download Geotab Drive data.
Android Devices Using Geotab Drive:
Ensure that your Android device is set to High Accuracy GPS. Generally, this option can be found in Settings > Location. Enable location services and set the Mode to High accuracy.
iOS Devices Using Geotab Drive:
Ensure that the GPS is turned on — this option can be found under Settings > Privacy > Location Services. On the same page, scroll down to Geotab Drive and select Always.
If the tablet or phone has been correctly set up for Geotab Drive, the duty status will automatically switch to “Drive” when the vehicle starts moving. If the vehicle is not in motion for 5 minutes, the Drive app will prompt the driver to change their status to “On” (on-duty not driving).
Three-wire installations are not compliant with the ELD mandate.
If you are operating a Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) that is before model year 2000, you are exempt from the ELD mandate, and can continue to log on paper. This is because many vehicles manufactured before 2000 do not have an electronic control module (ECM). An ECM provides the ELD system with the required engine data needed to comply with the mandate.
Drivers who use the timecard exception are not required to keep records of duty status (RODS) or use ELDs.
Additionally, drivers that fit the criteria listed below are not required to use ELDs, but they are still bound by the RODS requirements in 49 CFR 395:
- Drivers who use paper RODS for not more than 8 days out of every 30-day period
- Drivers who conduct driver-away-tow-away operations, where the vehicle being driven is the commodity being delivered
- Drivers of vehicles manufactured before 2000
These drivers must prepare logs on paper using an Automatic On-Board Recording Device (AOBRD) or a logging software program.
Engine Data
Availability of the data will depend on vehicle type, make, model and year.
The GO device will automatically attempt to detect VIN, odometer, fuel usage, seatbelt status, and engine faults. In some cases, your vehicle may not support the full range of features either because information is not available in older vehicles, or because the manufacturer has made it intentionally inaccessible.
