Installed-In-Vehicle GPS Tracking FAQ

Everything you need to know about Fleet.NET installed GPS devices

Q. Please explain to me about inputs and outputs and what this all means?

Q. How do I choose which installed units to buy?

Q. What is involved with installing the GPS units?

Q. What kind of coverage can I expect?

Q. What are the benefits of an installed unit versus a portable unit such as a cell phone?

Q. How can we see Fleet.NET™ work?

Q. How often will my installed GPS units send their position information?

Q. Once I purchase GPS units for my vehicle, what are the ongoing costs and what is included?

Q. What are the steps to ordering a system?

Do you have a question not answered here? Ask Future Quest

1. Please explain to me about inputs and outputs and what this all means?

There are 2 types of inputs available on our GPS devices, digital and analog. A digital input allows you to monitor things that go on and off. For example, you could monitor engine on, so you know at the office when the vehicle is actually running. (This would allow you to also monitor engine idling) You could also have a driver emergency button, so you would be alerted if the driver gets in trouble. This feature is widely used by taxi and limo companies or by companies who have workers working alone or in remote or dangerous situations. If you are in the towing business or the crane business, you would likely want to know when the PTO is running. If you carry inventory in a vehicle, you could monitor an alarm system on the vehicle, so you would be alerted if the vehicle was broken into. So, to summarize, a digital input allows you to monitor back at the office, anything that goes on or off in the vehicle. An analog input is something that is variable, such as temperature, pressure or weight. A common example would be to use an analog input to monitor engine temperature or reefer temperature. Analog inputs have standardized input signals -they typically monitor a voltage range of 0 to 5 volts or a current range of 0 to 20 milliamps. Therefore, in order to monitor an analog signal, such as engine temperature, you sometimes will need a transducer accessory that can connect to the input you are trying to monitor and convert it to the proper signal format. An output is something that you wish to control in the vehicle from the office -in other words, something that you want to be able to remotely turn on or off. A typical example would be to enable or disable the starter in a vehicle. If the vehicle was stolen for example, you could remotely disable the starter so the vehicle could not be started.

2. How do I choose which installed units to buy?

If you just want real-time vehicle tracking and to perhaps monitor a couple of inputs on those vehicles, then our low-cost Piccolo PC-ST is perfect for you.

If you need tracking, but you would also like any or all of the following capabilities, then the C2020 would be appropriate:

-to have the GPS unit act as a wireless hub or gateway so that you could use it to supply a laptop or Pocket PC with wireless access -more than 2 digital inputs, 1 analog input and 1 digital output

-if you need a J-1708 engine interface to monitor the J Bus on your diesel trucks

-if you require a dispatch application to Pocket PC or Windows Mobile devices

If you require an asset ot trailer tracking system, then the Piccolo AT would be appropriate.

If you require an installed tracking solution that allows the driver to send and receive messages, then the CommVision with a vehicle mount would be appropriate.

3. What is involved with installing the GPS units?

Installation is very simple in most cases: just place the unit under the dash and connect the power leads directly to the vehicle battery. We provide an installation manual and telephone support or can arrange local installation if required. Most of our clients elect to self-install. In trailer tracking situations, the unit would be mounted externally on the trailer or internally if there is an area not covered by sheet metal, so the unit can receive GPS signals.

4. What kind of coverage can I expect

Fleet.NET™ uses Microsoft MapPoint maps, which cover all of North America. Most of North America is also very well covered by the wireless data service, with over 90% of populated areas covered. Our installed units also feature store and forward capability, so that if a vehicle ventures into an area where there is no wireless coverage, it will store all of its GPS position reports and update the system as soon as it is back in coverage. Ask your Future Quest representative for details.

5. What are the benefits of an installed unit versus a portable unit such as a cell phone?

An installed unit is out of sight, out of mind and will provide more reliability and better performance. Its GPS accuracy is superior and it is always on, so there is no concern about an employee turning it off as there would be with a GPS phone. It can be connected to external inputs on the vehicle such as driver emergency, PTO, lights, etc.

6. How can we see Fleet.NET™ work?

Ask your Future Quest rep to show you an on-line demo of a live system by calling us or send an email to: It only takes a few minutes.

7. How often will my installed GPS units send their position information?

AllFleet.NET™ GPS devices can be programmed to report their position, speed and heading on any combination of time and/or distance. In addition, the device will report a stop once the vehicle has been stopped longer than xx minutes. (typically set at 2 minutes) Once a vehicle has reported that it is stopped, it stops sending regular GPS information until it begins moving again, in order to conserve data. When it begins moving, it sends a start position, then resumes its programmed reporting interval. In addition, if you are monitoring any inputs, such as engine on or PTO on, the devices will send a position each the the input being monitored goes on or off. The frequency of reporting is typically set to an interval that is relatively real-time, yet not overly wasteful in the amount of data being used. A typical setting would be to report every mile or every minute or two, depending on the data plan being used.

8. Once I purchase GPS units for my vehicle, what are the ongoing costs and what is included?

There is only 1 ongoing charge each month, which covers both the monthly tracking service and the data service. It is billed monthly in advance and is very reasonable. Our most popular plan for vehicle tracking includes 6,500 position reports per vehicle, per month for one low rate. (Request an instant quote to see detailed pricing) This works out to over 200 position reports per day, which is sufficient for most of our customers.

9. What are the steps to ordering a system?

It’s very simple:

a. Click the "Get an instant quote" link at the top of this page and build a detailed quote.

b. Our website will automatically email the quote to you at the email address you specify In the quote, there will be a Buy Now link that will take you to our on-line order page, where you can purchase the system by credit card

c. Alternately, you may sign the quote and fax it to us at 250-769-4251. Then, mail a cheque to our office.

d. Once we receive payment by cheque or credit card, we will process the order immediately. We can normally ship from inventory in 2 business days, so you should receive the shipment within 1 week to 10 days.

If you have any further questions that have not been answered, please don't hesitate to contact Future Quest.