What Is GPS Vehicle Tracking?
A plain-English guide to how vehicle tracking works, what it records and how businesses in Qatar use it.
The Short Answer
GPS vehicle tracking uses a small device installed in a vehicle to record its location, speed and movement, and sends that data over the mobile network to an online dashboard or app. It lets a business see where its vehicles are in real time and review where they have been.
For a company running more than one vehicle, that replaces phone calls and guesswork with a live map and a record of every trip.
What a GPS Tracker Records
A tracker reports a steady stream of data about the vehicle it's fitted to:
- Location, shown live on a map
- Speed and direction of travel
- Vehicle status: moving, idle or stopped
- The start, route and end of each trip
- Events such as overspeeding, harsh braking or a power disconnection
The Parts of a Tracking System
A complete system has four parts, and FairDeal supplies all of them:
- A GPS tracker with a 4G connection, fitted to the vehicle
- A SIM and data plan to carry the tracker's data
- Software to view it all: a web dashboard and iOS and Android apps
- Professional installation and ongoing support
What Businesses in Qatar Use It For
Fleets in Doha, Al Rayyan, Mesaieed, Ras Laffan and beyond use tracking to:
- Know where every vehicle is, without phoning drivers
- Review past trips for billing, audits or disputes
- Get alerts for overspeeding, unauthorised movement or a disconnected tracker
- Locate a vehicle quickly if it's moved without permission
- Produce mileage and trip reports on a schedule
What GPS Tracking Doesn't Do
It's worth being clear about the limits. A standard GPS tracker doesn't show what's happening inside the vehicle, and it doesn't tell you who is driving unless driver identification is added. Fuel figures in our reports are estimates calculated from distance and each vehicle's fuel efficiency, not readings from the fuel tank.
If you need to know who is driving and how, that's where IVMS comes in, which builds on GPS tracking.
Who Uses GPS Vehicle Tracking
Keep Reading
How GPS Tracking Works in Doha and Qatar
Satellites, tracker, mobile network and dashboard, step by step.
Learn MoreGPS Tracking Service
What FairDeal's GPS tracking includes.
Learn MoreIVMS vs GPS Tracking
What IVMS adds on top of GPS tracking.
Learn MoreGPS Tracker Installation
How installation works and how long it takes.
Learn MoreGPS Vehicle Tracking FAQs
How accurate is GPS vehicle tracking?
In open areas a GPS tracker typically places a vehicle within a few metres. Accuracy can drop near tall buildings, in tunnels and in underground car parks.
Does a tracker need internet?
The tracker uses a 4G SIM to send its data. You view that data over the internet on the web dashboard or the mobile app.
What happens if the tracker is unplugged?
You receive an instant alert if the device is disassembled or its power is cut.
Can I see a vehicle's past trips?
Yes. Trip history is available for up to six months.
How much does GPS tracking cost in Qatar?
Plans are priced per vehicle and include installation and one year of support. See the pricing page for the current plans.
What's the difference between GPS tracking and IVMS?
GPS tracking shows where a vehicle is. IVMS adds driver-level features such as driver identification and in-cabin monitoring.
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