What are the top GPS tracking devices for field data collection?

In the realm of Business Intelligence (BI), GPS tracking devices are pivotal for gathering accurate field data, which is essential for making informed decisions. These devices vary in functionality and are designed to meet specific data collection needs. Whether you're managing a fleet, monitoring wildlife, or tracking assets, understanding the top GPS tracking devices can significantly enhance your BI capabilities. They provide precise location tracking, enabling businesses and researchers to collect valuable data on the go. This article will guide you through some of the leading GPS tracking devices tailored for field data collection, helping you choose the right tool for your BI tasks.

1 GPS Basics

GPS, or Global Positioning System, is a network of satellites that provide location and time information to a GPS receiver anywhere on Earth, provided there is an unobstructed line of sight to four or more satellites. This technology is the backbone of many tracking devices used in field data collection. By leveraging GPS, these devices can pinpoint the exact location of an asset or individual, log travel routes, and record data points at specific intervals. This capability is crucial for BI as it ensures that the spatial data you collect is precise and reliable, forming a solid foundation for analysis and strategy development.

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Haroon Arshad

13K+ Connections | Ex-Zameen.com | Data Specialist at Joblogic | Business Intelligence Analyst | Certified Data Analyst |Tableau, Power BI, Excel, Python, SQL, ETL | Data Visualization | Data Mining | Software Engineer
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In my experience, the best GPS tracking devices for field data collection are: The SMAJAYU GNSS Surveying System provides high accuracy and multi-satellite capability. The Te-Rich Handheld GPS GNSS Receiver has an extended battery life and a lightweight design. The GPS Land Surveying Meter is an affordable choice with a color screen. The EM90 Handheld GPS Land Area Measurer offers real-time tracking and automatic measurement. The BEVA Mini Handheld GPS provides accurate measurements and is waterproof. The Trimble R12 is a professional-grade choice that features powerful GNSS technology.

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2 Handheld Units

Handheld GPS units are portable devices that are ideal for individual field agents or researchers who need to navigate and mark waypoints during data collection. These units are typically rugged, weather-resistant, and come with a variety of features such as touch screens, mapping capabilities, and long battery life. They allow for the recording of geospatial data points on-site, which can then be synced with BI systems to analyze patterns or track progress over time. For businesses that require on-foot data collection, handheld GPS units are an indispensable tool.

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3 Mobile Apps

In today's digital age, smartphones have become powerful tools for GPS tracking and field data collection. Mobile apps can transform a standard smartphone into a sophisticated GPS device that can record and transmit data in real time. These apps often come with features such as photo geotagging, custom data forms, and offline map access, making them highly versatile for various field activities. For small businesses or organizations with limited budgets, utilizing mobile apps for GPS tracking can be a cost-effective solution without compromising on data quality.

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4 Vehicle Trackers

For businesses that operate a fleet of vehicles, GPS vehicle trackers are essential. These devices are installed in vehicles to monitor their location, speed, and route history. This information is vital for optimizing routes, managing logistics, and maintaining the security of assets in transit. Vehicle trackers can also help in reducing operational costs by providing insights into driver behavior and vehicle usage. For BI purposes, analyzing the data from vehicle trackers can reveal trends and opportunities for efficiency improvements.

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Crépin Foké, CPI,M.Ing.

M.ing.| Maintenance intelligente et prévision des défaillances | Horizon avenir plus| planificateur de production | Alstom
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En plus des avantages déjà mentionnés, il faut noté que les trackeur GPS peut également aidé à améliorer la planification des déplacements en fonction du nombre de passagers afin de pouvoir optimiser leur gain de plus les données recueillies s’ils bien exploités peuvent aussi renseigner sur l’état de la route

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5 Asset Tags

Asset tags are small GPS-enabled devices that can be attached to equipment or products to monitor their location. These tags are particularly useful for tracking valuable assets across large sites or multiple locations. They offer peace of mind by ensuring that assets are where they are supposed to be and can also alert you if they move outside predefined boundaries. In the context of BI, asset tags generate data that can assist in inventory management, loss prevention, and optimizing asset utilization.

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6 Specialty Devices

For specialized field data collection needs, there are GPS tracking devices designed with specific features. For example, devices used in environmental research may have additional sensors to record temperature, humidity, or other environmental factors. These specialty devices can provide a richer dataset for BI analysis, allowing for more nuanced insights into the conditions and behaviors being monitored. By selecting a device tailored to your specific requirements, you can ensure that the data you collect is both relevant and actionable for your BI objectives.

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Crépin Foké, CPI,M.Ing.

M.ing.| Maintenance intelligente et prévision des défaillances | Horizon avenir plus| planificateur de production | Alstom
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Dans ce secteur industriel de manière générale on retrouve des dispositifs spécialisés qui , en plus de renseigner sur les grandeurs physiques tel que la température, la pression, concentration peuvent également renseigner sur les données de vibrations par exemple ou même la propagation des micro fissures ( beaucoup répondu dans le secteur aéronautique)

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Crépin Foké, CPI,M.Ing.

M.ing.| Maintenance intelligente et prévision des défaillances | Horizon avenir plus| planificateur de production | Alstom
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Il serait intéressant de mettre de l’avant la maintenance industrielle a l’ère de l’IA en dehors du secteur aéronautique, bcp d’entreprise ne veulent pas vraiment s’engager vers la Maintenance 4.0 pourtant les avantages sont tellement énormes

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What are the top GPS tracking devices for field data collection?

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1 GPS Basics

2 Handheld Units

3 Mobile Apps

4 Vehicle Trackers

5 Asset Tags

6 Specialty Devices

7 Here’s what else to consider

Business Intelligence

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What are the top GPS tracking devices for field data collection?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 GPS Basics

2 Handheld Units

3 Mobile Apps

4 Vehicle Trackers

5 Asset Tags

6 Specialty Devices

7 Here’s what else to consider

Business Intelligence

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