What Are the Latest GPS Trends for 2021?

Did you know that the first global positioning system (GPS) satellite was launched for the U.S. Department of Defense in 1978? It wasn’t until the late 1980s, though, that the commercial adoption of GPS technology became a reality. But even then, only a few small businesses could afford them; GPS receivers were expensive at around $3,000 each and extremely heavy at around 1.5 pounds.

Fortunately, ensuing technology has resulted in smaller, lighter, faster, more efficient, and less expensive GPS devices. This has led to an explosion in the widespread adoption of GPS technology. Today, GPS technology is everywhere. It’s used to help cars navigate traffic, to help with web searches on your mobile phones, to determine and track the position of a person or vehicle, and to map the world.

Where GPS was once used almost exclusively by the military, GPS technology is now an indispensable tool used by businesses that use field service technicians and field service management software, including electricians, plumbers, glass installers, general contractors, refrigeration, along with home heating and cooling.

For businesses with remote workers to operate efficiently and stay ahead of the competition, they need to know what the latest GPS trends are and understand what the advanced technologies and functionality will be.

Here then, are the latest GPS trends for 2021.

Telematics

Telematics, as the name implies, uses a combination of telecommunication and informatics. This means data can be easily shared across various devices and channels. With telematics, real-time GPS can be used in vehicle tracking software to monitor and record the movement of your assets (vehicle, equipment, etc.) on a computerized map. This valuable information can help businesses make decisions that ensures your mobile work force operates as smoothy as possible. 

With telematics, businesses can also keep track of their equipment and make sure their field service technicians get to their destination safely and on time.

NFC Connectivity

NFC, which stands for “near field communication” is a wireless technology that allows short-range communication between two or more devices (typically smartphones or tablets), as well as connected reporting and detailed productivity on dynamic locations.

While it’s not an entirely new technology, NFC connectivity is growing in popularity among fleet mangers. Using NFC tags that are attached to each driver’s smartphone or tablet, it enables field service technicians to easily communicate information about vehicle usage and equipment inventory in real-time.

Since the NFC tags are associated with specific drivers, and not the vehicles, this not only makes it easier for fleet management to monitor vehicles and driver behaviour, but it provides them with better insight into the location and status of each driver on the road, no matter what vehicle they are driving, and track assignments in real-time.

Alerts and Reminders

When it comes to GPS, most people think of tracking software that monitors distance and locations. But it’s much more than that. Because vehicles are loaded with computer chips, they create a massive amount of data whenever the vehicle is turned on and operated.

GPS accesses and analyzes that data, detecting changes in speed, mileage, fuel consumption, engine temperature, idling, etc. Though GPS alerts and reminders, businesses can take a more proactive approach to potential issues that might arise with their vehicles.

Some GPS systems can do more than that, providing reminders for maintenance, registration renewal, and insurance renewal.

Integration in API

When it comes to operating a business, there is no one software system that can do everything you need. But juggling a number of software systems can be overwhelming, confusing, and time-consuming. GPS can help with that. 

API (Application Programming Interface) allows the back ends of software to communicate with each other. That means you can integrate your GPS tracking system with other software, which results in your GPS having advanced functionality. 

Increased Security

Nothing is perfect. While GPS can be found in every corner of our lives, its success has made it a target to jamming and spoofing. That’s why improving GPS security has become an important trend this year.

There are two ways to mess with a GPS receiver. 

Jamming involves exposing them to electromagnetic noise or frequencies used by GPS satellites. If the GPS receiver is jammed, vehicles, or anything being tracked by the GPS system can disappear from the owners’ dashboard—either temporarily or permanently. It’s not a far-fetched idea. You can purchase a jammer online for around $200.

Spoofing is when a GPS receiver is given fake satellite signals, such as a different location or time. It can be dangerous. A sophisticated spoofing that alters a satellite signal could make an in-car navigation system route to the wrong address. 

Improvements in GPS technology is making it much harder for others to tamper with your GPS receiver.

AI Intelligent Camera Systems

Comprehensive and intelligent driver assistance systems are the new frontier. AI intelligent camera systems are equipped with advanced AI algorithms that can detect risky behaviours such a whether a driver is following too closely, whether a driver is on the phone or distracted, and also whether they are falling asleep at the wheel. 

In addition, AI intelligent camera systems can also read traffic signs and lights and track critical information for insurance purposes, such as whether or not the vehicle was cut off before an accident. 

AI intelligent camera systems can provide fleet managers with value information about the precise location of each vehicle on the road and provide a visual record of each driver’s route. This can help dispatchers better optimize routes for the future to avoid high-traffic areas and construction zones that can delay drivers.

TFP Canada, Canada’s Ultimate Field Service Provider

Businesses that use field service technicians and remote workers need to stay up to date with the latest technological advancements, including GPS tracking solution trends. If your business uses field service technicians, TFP Canada, Canada’s ultimate field service provider, can make sure your overall business is running as efficiently and effectively as possible.

Using the best technologies for web and mobile, our software helps businesses automate and streamline their organizations’ complex business operations. Developed specifically with small- and medium-sized businesses in mind, our enterprise resource planning (ERP) software is easy to install, customizable, and easy to use. 

Because everything is centralized in the cloud, workflow automation and fleet management is entirely scalable and changes with the needs of your company. You don’t need to purchase expensive hardware, hire additional IT staff, or purchase expensive service plans.

At TFP Canada, we offer a complete office management system that lets you put your business on autopilot, anywhere and everywhere, which allows you to do what you do best—grow your business.

To learn more about TFP Canada and how our cloud-based enterprise resource planning software can help automate your business, improve fleet management, and reduce costs, contact us at 647-612-3300 or by email at sales@tfpcanada.com.