Common Misconceptions About GPS

The phrase “GPS tracking technology” reminds many people of thriller or sci-fi movies or TV shows, and as a result they sometimes hesitate to incorporate GPS technology into their lives. However, like a thermostat controlled from your phone or the card reader at the coffee shop, tracking solutions make complex technologies simple and readily available for customers from individuals to large businesses.

A natural concern many individuals have about GPS tracking is that placing a tracker on an individual might violate their privacy. In business scenarios, this concern is especially relevant to cases where drivers are being tracked. The goal of GPS tracking is not just to monitor the whereabouts of employees while they are on the clock. Instead, the reason our clients use GPS tracking is to gather information that keeps employees working safely and efficiently. By organizing drivers’ routes in a way that they will not suffer fatigue, or by monitoring speed to make sure that drivers do not have to rush from job to job, you are able to make decisions in your employees’ best interests.

Another concern we often hear about GPS tracking is that it is pricey and complicated. Even ten years ago, the technology required to follow movement on a satellite map in real-time was not something most businesses and individuals could purchase in just a few clicks. While GPS technology has remained largely the same since its development in the 80s and 90s, the hardware and software associated with it have come a long way. Tracking devices are smaller, simpler to use, and more affordable than a walkie-talkie. The apps and interfaces used to gather the information are smart, and designed to display information in a way that is useful to individuals who are not NASA scientists.

The last misconception many people have about GPS tracking is that modern-day smartphones have GPS technology built into them, so additional tracking systems for individuals are redundant. While built-in GPS software might be useful for showing your friend where you are in a park, it is not a reliable method for long-term tracking because at any point the phone could die, be forgotten, or simply have location services turned off. These risks are totally avoided by trackers that are hardwired into vehicles, attached in a magnetized case, or simply placed in a belt holster.

At Spytec GPS, we hear these concerns and work hard to resolve them.