Fleet tracking software works by installing GPS devices in vehicles that transmit real-time location and telematics data through cellular networks to cloud-based software accessible via mobile apps and web dashboards.

A GPS tracker plugs into the vehicle’s OBD-II port (under the dashboard) or is hardwired for trailers. The device uses satellite GPS for location and 4G LTE cellular to transmit data every 30-60 seconds, including coordinates, speed, engine hours, idle time, and hard braking events. Fleet managers access this data through mobile apps or web dashboards to view real-time vehicle locations on maps, receive automated maintenance alerts, track fuel consumption, and monitor driver safety scores. The system sends automatic notifications when vehicles need maintenance, drivers exceed speed limits, or assets enter or leave geofenced areas.

GoCodes isn’t just fleet tracking, it’s comprehensive asset management that includes real-time GPS for vehicles plus tracking for equipment and tools. Most fleet systems only track vehicles and require separate systems for equipment. GoCodes gives you one unified platform for everything your company owns. You also get faster implementation (days versus months), significantly lower costs vs enterprise systems, and no long-term contracts.

Small electronic tracking devices are attached to your equipment. They receive GPS data from a number of sources including GPS satellites, nearby cell phone towers, WiFi networks to determine a precise location. In ideal conditions, they can be located to within 16ft or less. In practice the location may be much less precise. This location data is sent over a cellular Internet connection to a system. The location information is stored and processed where it is made available to customers. Other features may include geo fences, vehicle management, driver management and more.

Yes, that’s exactly how GoCodes is designed. Use GPS trackers for vehicles, trailers, and mobile heavy equipment that require real-time location tracking. Use QR code labels for stationary equipment, generators, tools, and hand tools that need check-in/check-out accountability but not constant GPS monitoring. This hybrid approach delivers the right level of tracking for each asset type at the optimal cost.

GoCodes tracks any business asset: light vehicles (cars, vans, pickup trucks), heavy equipment (excavators, loaders, forklifts), trailers, generators, compressors, power tools, hand tools, IT equipment, and specialized gear. Choose the right tracking method for each asset type, GPS for vehicles and mobile equipment, QR codes for stationary equipment and tools, Bluetooth beacons for small high-value items.

The cost includes the GPS tracker hardware and a monthly service. Depending on the number of trackers, some vendors will bundle the price of the tracker hardware into the total cost. The tracker hardware typically costs from $40-$200 dollars and is a one time charge. The service cost is typically between $15 and $40 dollars a month per tracker. Most vendors require a minimum order quantity of around 10 trackers, as well as a 3 year contract for the service. GoCodes by contrast, offers trackers for no more than $100 (before volume discounts) with a monthly service fee of $15 and a one year commitment.

GPS fleet tracking improves construction site efficiency by eliminating time wasted searching for equipment, optimizing vehicle dispatch, preventing theft, and ensuring maintenance doesn’t cause project delays.

GPS Fleet Tracking Improves:

• Real-time location tracking shows exactly which job site has each vehicle or equipment piece
• GPS identifies the closest available truck for deliveries or emergency repairs
• Geofencing alerts notify managers when equipment leaves job sites
• Automated maintenance alerts prevent breakdowns during critical construction phases
• Companies also track which assets were used on each project for accurate cost allocation and client billing.

GPS tracking provides the most accurate location data for fleet equipment, with modern GPS devices achieving 5-10 meter accuracy. GPS trackers combined with 4G LTE cellular deliver real-time location updates every 30-60 seconds, making them ideal for tracking vehicles, trailers, and mobile heavy equipment across job sites.

Other tracking technologies include Cellular Triangulation (50-300 meter accuracy, works indoors where GPS doesn’t), Bluetooth Beacons (10-50 meters, best for small items in controlled areas), QR Code + Mobile GPS (5-10 meters when scanned, perfect for stationary equipment), and RFID (1-300 feet, confirms presence but not precise location). For construction and field service fleets, the optimal approach combines GPS tracking for vehicles and mobile equipment with QR codes for stationary equipment and tools.

Fleet tracking software focuses primarily on real-time GPS location monitoring and vehicle visibility, while fleet management software encompasses broader operational capabilities including maintenance scheduling, fuel management, driver safety monitoring, cost analysis, and compliance reporting. Modern solutions like GoCodes combine both capabilities into unified platforms that track location while managing the complete vehicle lifecycle.

Fleet tracking software solutions for rental equipment include GoCodes, Tenna, Trackunit, KOREC Locate, and Teletrac Navman. These platforms use GPS hardware to transmit location data every 30-60 seconds, giving rental companies visibility over equipment whereabouts, utilization rates, and maintenance status across customer job sites.

Key capabilities include real-time GPS tracking with geofencing alerts to monitor rental returns and prevent unauthorized usage, utilization tracking to bill accurately based on actual engine hours and optimize fleet size, automated maintenance scheduling to service equipment between rentals, and optional customer access portals for transparency. For mid-sized rental operations managing 50-500 pieces of equipment, hybrid solutions combining GPS tracking for high-value assets with QR code tracking for smaller equipment provide cost-effective coverage at $10-20 per tracked asset.

GPS fleet tracking benefits construction companies by reducing equipment theft and loss, optimizing vehicle dispatch, preventing equipment downtime, improving driver safety to lower insurance premiums, and enabling accurate project cost allocation. Construction companies typically achieve ROI within 2-4 months.

Specific benefits include:

• Equipment theft prevention with geofencing alerts.
• Recovery of missing equipment sitting idle at completed job sites.
• Fuel cost reduction through route optimization.
• Driver behavior monitoring.
• Preventive maintenance.
• Lower insurance premiums through documented GPS tracking and driver safety programs.

GPS tracking typically costs $3,000-12,000 annually while delivering $50,000-200,000 in combined savings.