IoT Blog

Empower Your Team with Easy Access to Near Real-Time Fleet Location

Written by Warren Cartwright | September 18, 2024

If you’re managing a fleet of vehicles—whether it’s police cars, ambulances, buses, or service vehicles—you are well aware of the critical need to be able to locate them at any time. This capability is essential not only for compliance and efficient dispatch but also to ensure the security of your mobile teams. While many in-vehicle cellular routers come equipped with GPS capabilities and can report live location data, simply installing these routers is not enough. The true value of location data lies in how easily and comprehensively this information can be accessed and utilized. Real-time tracking is only beneficial if it's readily accessible when needed and available to all relevant team members. 

To address these challenges, we've introduced a new tool within our router solutions, designed specifically for mobility: the ALMS Tracker Widget. This powerful addition enables easy and expanded access to near-real-time fleet tracking, ensuring that your entire team has the visibility they need to make informed decisions quickly. 

Meet the ALMS Tracker Widget 

The ALMS Tracker Widget is a new capability that provides a near real-time view of your fleet of AirLink® routers — and by extension, the vehicles they’re installed in — in a map interface. Built on the AirLink Management Service (ALMS) platform, this widget is available with an AirLink Premium subscription across all new-generation AirLink routers. 

With the ALMS Tracker Widget, you can not only locate your routers/vehicles but also see them moving around in near real-time. Supporting up to 20,000 routers and clustering capabilities, it is ideal for managing large fleets.  

 

Zoom-in functionalities, location trails and the ability to add a traffic layer enable precise tracking of specific vehicles and provide situational context. For instance, public safety agencies can quickly locate the nearest police car to a reported incident, or transit authorities can monitor bus routes in densely populated areas. Field service fleets can benefit from identifying the closest technician to a job site, reducing response times and improving customer satisfaction.

 

Enabling Easy and Expanded Access to Near-Real Time Location 

The ALMS Tracker Widget empowers AirLink customers with near real-time location of their routers, revolutionizing fleet management for small agencies and companies that lack a dedicated dispatch or tracking system. However, even larger organizations with existing tracking systems can gain substantial benefits by extending this visibility to broader teams. 

Take, for example, one of our customers—a large transit company operating hundreds of buses. They have a top-tier dispatch system, but access is limited to a few selected personnel. Many other operational users, who would greatly benefit from real-time location tracking in their day-to-day tasks, are left out due to prohibitive licensing costs. 
This is where the ALMS Tracker Widget shines. You can share this widget with any of your ALMS users and set their access rights accordingly. This allows extended teams, who previously lacked access to the main dispatch system, to locate vehicles in near real-time through the shared ALMS dashboard. 
 
The ALMS Tracker Widget is available on all AirLink routers and is included in AirLink Premium subscriptions, which are based on individual routers rather than the number of users. This enables customers to expand access to all relevant users without adding dedicated hardware or incurring new licensing costs. 

In essence, the ALMS Tracker Widget democratizes access to critical near real-time location data, enhancing operational efficiency and decision-making across your entire organization. Whether you're managing a small fleet with minimal resources or a large operation with complex needs, this tool provides the flexibility and accessibility required to keep your assets in view and your team informed. 
 

Beyond GPS: End-to-End, Purpose-Built Solutions for Mobility 

With the introduction of the ALMS Tracker Widget, we're making another step in our mission to provide best-in-class networking solutions for mobile applications. AirLink Pro routers are engineered from end to end to ensure your fleets remain connected while on the move. 

  • Ultra-Rugged Hardware: AirLink Pro routers feature an ultra-rugged design that thrives under harsh vehicle conditions and are rigorously tested against key mobility standards such as MIL-STD-810, E-Mark, and SAE J1455. These routers can withstand the tough conditions inherent to vehicles, thereby ensuring reliable communications while on the move. Learn More. 
  • Intelligent Hot Failover: AirLink software is also meticulously designed to meet the demanding requirements of mobile applications. For instance, our patented Cognitive Wireless technology enables AirLink routers to smoothly and intelligently switch between different cellular, Wi-Fi, or even satellite links to ensure reliable communications. The switching decisions are based on mobile-centric criteria, such as vehicle speed or vehicle location. For instance, you can configure your routers to transition smoothly from your Wi-Fi depot network to the cellular network as soon as your vehicle leaves the depot, avoiding signal dropouts. Learn More. 
  • Advanced Mobility Reporting: Beyond the tracker widget, AirLink Premium includes Advanced Mobility Reporting, featuring out-of-the-box reports that provide critical insights into the state of your mobile fleet, network connectivity, and vehicle status. You can monitor driver behavior—such as speeding, harsh braking, and idling time—to implement training programs aimed at improving driver performance, enhancing safety, and reducing fuel consumption. Additionally, vehicle usage data helps you quickly identify and address any issues, ensuring your fleet remains operational and efficient. Learn More. 

The introduction of the ALMS Tracker Widget marks another advancement in delivering top-tier mobile router solutions that meet the evolving needs of our customers. This addition reinforces our commitment to providing end-to-end, purpose-built solutions with leading mobility monitoring and reporting capabilities, ensuring your team has the tools needed to maintain optimal operations. 

To learn more about AirLink router solutions for vehicles, read our eBook: Driving Innovation: Harnessing the Power of 5G In-Vehicle Connectivity or visit our website: https://www.sierrawireless.com/router-solutions/