How GPS Tagging Enhances Asset Tracking Efficiency

Published on April 7, 2021 • 5 min read

Asset tracking software is reaching a new age. Only a few years ago, spreadsheets were the main method of logging and tracking assets. This creates a lot of gaps, including the fact that any audits would have to be undertaken on-site, with updates to a fixed asset spreadsheet occurring later.

Then, asset tracking software was created. With the cloud, it became possible to log any changes from onsite. This means that you can edit asset data with the assets physically in front of you and have this update reflected across all of your asset management systems.

Since then, the technologies you can use alongside asset tracking software have also improved, and their integrations into asset tracking have also become quicker and simpler.

GPS tracking tags are in their infancy, meaning it’s a very exciting time to implement them and get ahead of the technology.

How Does GPS Asset Tracking Work?

GPS asset tracking works the same way as conventional asset tracking, only with more automation. You will still log unique assets onto a digital register and add data against these assets.

So, for example, if you’re looking for fleet asset management, you’ll be able to log each of your vehicles and add unique information against these profiles. This may be the driver the vehicle is assigned to and the licence plate.

Then, you’ll be able to tag your tools, vehicles and equipment with QR codes or barcode asset tags to speed up your operations. The benefit of QR codes and barcodes is that every time you scan a tag, the asset’s profile will open, ready for instant edits.

The difference is that with QR codes and barcodes, when you scan, the last seen location will update. With GPS tracking tags, however, your assets’ locations will update automatically.

How GPS Tracking Tags Work

So, how exactly do GPS tags work? Let us put it simply. First, you’ll be able to log this as an asset. Then, you’ll be able to stick on a GPS tracking tag and link this to your asset tracking software.

Then, your GPS tracking tags will periodically update. This can be configured, but GPS asset tags need to be charged, so the more frequent the updates, the shorter the battery life.

If you’re tracking your fleet, you’ll be able to plug your GPS tracking tags into your vehicles’ ashtrays, meaning that real-time updates are a possibility. However, with other assets, you can set the updates to be more spread apart, increasing the longevity of the battery life, but still giving you the location data you need.

Additional functionality with GPS tags will include geofencing, meaning that if your assets leave a location, you will be notified of this. Having GPS trackers allows you to make asset retrieval a possibility when assets leave your site, giving you more location accountability over your asset register.

Types of GPS Tracking Tags for Asset Management

The rise of GPS tracking tags has transformed asset management from a manual chore into an automated, real-time process. But the choice of tag isn’t just a matter of slapping on a device and hoping for the best. Each type of GPS tracker serves a unique purpose, and knowing which one to use can save time, money, and headaches. Let's break down the specific types of GPS tracking tags available and how they fit into different business scenarios.

1. Plug-In GPS Trackers: The Workhorses of Fleet Management

Plug-in GPS trackers are a go-to solution for businesses managing vehicle fleets. These devices connect directly to a vehicle’s power supply, often through an OBD-II port or a lighter socket, which means there’s no need to worry about battery life.

Key Features:

• Real-time location tracking with high accuracy.
• Continuous power supply ensures uninterrupted data transmission.
• Ideal for vehicles that are constantly on the move.

2. Portable GPS Tags: Flexible and Multi-Purpose

Portable GPS tags offer flexibility for tracking assets that aren’t confined to a single location. These compact devices are battery-powered and can be attached to various items such as tools, machinery, and even high-value equipment in transit.

Key Features:

• Battery-powered, making them versatile for multiple asset types.
• Configurable update intervals to balance battery life and tracking needs.
• Suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.

3. Long-Life GPS Tags: Designed for Remote Tracking

For assets that are used in remote locations or require infrequent updates, long-life GPS tags are the perfect fit. These tags are built with extended battery capacity, allowing them to send location data periodically over months or even years.

Key Features:

• Long-lasting battery life, often exceeding one year on a single charge.
• Periodic updates to conserve battery while maintaining accountability.
• Rugged and weather-resistant, suitable for harsh environments.

4. Real-Time GPS Trackers: For Critical, Time-Sensitive Assets

Real-time GPS trackers provide continuous, live updates on an asset’s location. These tags are indispensable when time-sensitive tracking is essential, such as for high-value shipments or assets prone to theft.

Key Features:

• Instant location updates, with minimal delay.
• Often equipped with geofencing capabilities to trigger alerts when an asset leaves a predefined area.
• Typically requires a reliable power source or frequent recharging.

5. Hybrid GPS Tags: Combining Technologies for Greater Accuracy

Hybrid GPS tags incorporate multiple location-tracking technologies, such as GPS, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth, to enhance tracking accuracy and reliability. These tags are particularly useful in urban environments where GPS signals may be obstructed.

Key Features:

• Utilises multiple location technologies for precise tracking.
• Can switch between different tracking modes depending on the environment.
• Minimises blind spots, ensuring consistent tracking in challenging areas.

6. Asset-Specific GPS Tags: Customised for Unique Needs

Some GPS tracking tags are purpose-built for specific types of assets. These might include tags designed for temperature-sensitive goods, marine equipment, or personal tracking devices.

Key Features:

• Tailored to suit particular asset requirements, such as waterproofing or temperature monitoring.
• Often include specialised sensors for additional data collection.
• Provide more than just location data, such as environmental conditions.

Choosing the Right GPS Tag for Your Needs

Selecting the right GPS tracking tag depends on several factors:

• Asset Type: Are you tracking vehicles, tools, or sensitive goods?
• Frequency of Updates: Do you need real-time data or periodic updates?
• Environment: Will the tag be used indoors, outdoors, or in harsh conditions?
• Power Source: Can you rely on a continuous power supply, or do you need a long-lasting battery?

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to tracking tools with GPS tracking. Choosing the right tag involves considering the nature of your assets, the environments they operate in, and the level of visibility you need. Plug-in trackers might be a lifesaver for fleet managers, while hybrid tags can ensure IT equipment is always accounted for, even in complex environments.

Benefits of GPS Tracking Tags Beyond Location Updates

When GPS tracking is discussed, the conversation often centres on location updates. While knowing where your assets are is crucial, it's the hidden potential of GPS tracking tags that truly transforms operations. These tags aren't just about dots on a map—they’re about foresight, control, and smarter decision-making. Let’s peel back the layers and uncover the tangible ways GPS tracking tags can redefine asset management beyond basic location data.

1. Maintenance That Thinks Ahead

Traditional maintenance schedules rely on calendar dates and assumptions. GPS tracking flips this approach by giving you asset-specific usage data. Instead of servicing equipment that might not need it, you focus on what actually does.

Imagine a fleet of vehicles tracked by GPS tags. One truck logs significantly more miles than the others. Instead of following a blanket maintenance schedule, you prioritise that truck for servicing based on real data. The result? Fewer breakdowns, less downtime, and a healthier bottom line.

2. Security Reinvented: Acting Before the Damage is Done

Think of geofencing not as a boundary, but as a silent guard that never blinks. The moment an asset moves beyond a defined area, an alert is triggered. This isn’t a delayed report after the fact—it’s a real-time intervention tool.

Picture this: A contractor parks a generator at a job site overnight. Without a GPS asset tag, theft would only be discovered the next morning. With geofencing in place, the moment the generator leaves the perimeter, the site manager is alerted, and action can be taken immediately. Prevention beats recovery every time.

3. Proof in the Data: Building Accountability

In industries where compliance is non-negotiable, GPS tracking tags provide an unassailable record of asset movements. But beyond ticking regulatory boxes, this data builds trust—with clients, partners, and auditors.

Take a medical supply company transporting sensitive equipment. Every GPS ping becomes a timestamped assurance: the equipment was where it was supposed to be, when it was supposed to be there. This level of accountability turns GPS tracking from a tool into a competitive advantage.

4. Crisis Mode: Responding When It Matters Most

Emergencies don’t send warnings. But GPS tracking tags do. The moment an asset goes missing or deviates from its expected path, you’re not left scrambling for answers—you’ve already got them.

Imagine a high-value shipment diverted from its planned route. Without GPS tracking, days could be lost chasing down leads. With a GPS tag in place, the shipment’s location is known in real-time, allowing for immediate recovery actions. It’s about staying one step ahead when the stakes are high.

5. Safety First: Keeping People and Equipment Protected

For businesses operating in remote or hazardous locations, GPS tracking isn’t just about assets—it’s about people. Portable GPS tags can act as lifelines for employees working in isolation, ensuring their location is always known.

Picture an engineer working on a remote wind farm. A GPS tag doesn’t just track equipment—it tracks safety. If something goes wrong, rescue teams know exactly where to go. The same applies to high-value assets left in vulnerable locations. GPS tags act as ever-vigilant sentinels, ready to alert at the first sign of trouble.

6. Chasing Efficiency: Cutting Out Hidden Costs

Operational inefficiencies are like slow leaks—they add up before you notice the impact. GPS asset tags make these inefficiencies visible. Tracking movement patterns, idle times, and route choices reveals where tweaks can save time and resources.

Consider a delivery service. GPS data shows one driver regularly taking a longer route to avoid traffic, but another uses a more direct path with less idling. By analysing these patterns, the company can standardise efficient routes, reducing fuel costs and improving delivery times.

7. Insights for Tomorrow: Turning Data Into Strategy

GPS tags don’t just log movements—they generate patterns. And patterns, when analysed, become insights that shape future decisions.

A rental equipment company, for instance, can use GPS data to see which machines are in highest demand. Instead of guessing inventory needs, they know. By acting on these insights, the company can adjust stock levels, improve customer satisfaction, and maximise revenue—all because of data collected passively by GPS tags.

The Future Of GPS Asset Management

It is an exciting time for GPS asset management. Currently, most GPS tags are bulky to allow for a long battery life, meaning that their best use cases are for fleet asset management or to track deliveries.

However, the developments in the hardware are clear. Soon, they will have a longer battery life and will be smaller. So, while the technology doesn’t currently allow for GPS tracking when it comes to IT asset management or tools and equipment tracking, this will be possible in the future.

The idea behind GPS tracking tags is that you’re able to monitor asset locations when you’d otherwise lose accountability over your assets. For this reason, they’re fit for purpose in an asset tracking context, but the developments and improvements in the hardware itself will pave the way for more accountability, more transparency, and more control over your assets.

itemit’s asset tracking software allows you to use GPS trackers in tandem with RFID asset tracking systems and barcodes & QR codes. This means that with the itemit system, you will get the highest level of accountability possible on the market.

To find out more about how the itemit system will benefit you, you’ll be able to contact the team at team@itemit.com. You can also fill in the form below to start your 14-day free trial.