If your business runs on trucks, trailers, or tools, GPS tracking gives you the visibility to stay in control. But how does it actually work?
How GPS Tracking Works
Global Positioning System tracking, often shortened to GPS tracking, isn’t magic—it’s math. The GPS tracker locks onto signals from multiple satellites and runs the numbers to figure out its exact location. It measures how long the signals take to reach it, cross-checks that with where those satellites are in the sky, and gives you precise coordinates in real time.
Once the tracker knows where it is, it sends that info back through cellular networks to your dashboard. That’s why you can open your phone or laptop and see your trucks, trailers, or equipment moving on a live map. Next-gen GPS trackers, like Momentum’s Eagle One, don’t stop at “here’s a dot on the map.” Hooked into your vehicle’s diagnostics, it feeds you intel on battery charge, idling, maintenance needs, and even what your drivers are doing on the road—hard braking, speeding, and more. It’s the kind of information that helps lower your costs, reduce risk, and increase profits.
Reasons For Poor GPS Signal Strength
If the satellites are still working, here’s what can interfere with GPS tracking:
Dead zones (cell signal issues)
If there’s no cell service, your device can’t transmit. If you have the Eagle One GPS tracker from Momentum, it keeps logging everything, and once the signal is restored, it uploads automatically. This keeps your trip reports accurate. Momentum adds a note to updated trips and even flags assets that are in low-signal areas.
Tall buildings & thick trees
Skyscrapers or dense canopy can block satellites, causing momentary drops in accuracy. Usually short-lived, but worth knowing.
Metal enclosures
GPS signals can’t penetrate steel well. If you’re mounting a tracker, placement matters. At Momentum, your Customer Success Manager will walk you through the best spot for your specific trucks, trailers, or equipment.
Why GPS Tracking is Important
Real-time location data isn’t just for watching dots move on a map. It helps:
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Track stolen vehicles and trailers before they’re gone for good.
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Reduce fuel waste by cutting idling and unauthorized trips.
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Build trust with customers by sharing live links and providing proof of service.
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Improve job costing with real-time travel and job-site hours.
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Get maintenance alerts to prevent expensive breakdowns.
- Lower liability with real-time alerts for risky behaviors so you can correct issues before they become problems.
- Reduce insurance premiums with carriers who provide a discount to customers using GPS tracking with fleet driver safety features.
When you’re juggling crews, equipment, and vehicles in the field, fleet GPS tracking is not a “nice to have” — it’s critical for your business to thrive.
Not All GPS Tracking Systems Are Equal
Pricing
Prices vary widely, and some GPS vendors make you work way too hard just to get a quote. They want your name, your email, your fleet size, your blood type—and still won’t give you a straight answer. All you get are endless emails and calls from a sales rep. Momentum has a no-nonsense pricing page and even provides a price comparison with other GPS fleet tracking companies like Samsara, Verizon Connect, Azuga, and more.
Watch Out for “Gotchas”
- Hardware fees, activation fees, signing fees
- Shipping charges
- Upcharges for basic features like additional users or data storage
Before you know it, that “cheap” system costs way more than you thought it would.
Is It Small-Business or Enterprise-Focused?
- Does it have an easy-to-use interface?
- Offer SMB-friendly financial terms?
- Have plug-and-play installation?
- Does it feature complex reporting capabilities?
- Requires professional installation and rollout process?
Choose a company that focuses on your needs for the best fit.
Poor Customer Support
- Offshore call centers
- Long hold times
- Useless chatbots
When your stuff isn’t working, the last thing you need is someone reading from a script.
Poor Customer Experience
- White-labeled cheap hardware with a one-year warranty
- Bloated software that makes it hard to find what you’re looking for
- Contracts that keep you locked into a service you’re unhappy with
It’s important that your GPS tracking solution works for you, not the other way around.
The Basics of GPS Tracking
Here are table stakes features you’ll see across all major GPS tracking vendors. Screenshots are of Momentum IoT.
Live Location on a Map
Trip Histories
Vehicle Details
Geofencing
Driver & Asset Alerts
A GPS tracker locks onto satellite signals, calculates its exact location, and sends that data back through cellular networks. You can then see your trucks, trailers, or tools moving in real time on a live map.
Tall buildings, dense trees, or metal enclosures can block satellite signals. Poor cellular coverage can also lose trip information.
Be sure to go with a company like Momentum that offers message archiving functionality that syncs automatically when service returns, so nothing gets lost.
It helps recover stolen equipment, cut down on fuel waste, prevent costly breakdowns, and lower insurance premiums. It also improves job costing and builds customer trust with proof of service and real-time updates. Basically, you’ll have fewer headaches and higher profits.
While the tech is similar, the actual service can vary a lot. Many providers lock you into contracts, tack on hidden fees, and overwhelm you with data you’ll never use.
Momentum keeps it simple: plug-and-play hardware, straightforward pricing, and U.S.-based support.
Many insurance carriers offer discounts when you use GPS tracking with driver safety features. The savings can often offset the subscription cost.
