A Beginner’s Guide to GPS Vehicle Tracking
GPS vehicle tracking uses GPS technology to show you where your vehicle is. It can also help you monitor vehicle activity, receive alerts, and get support if your vehicle is stolen.
If you have never used a tracking system before, you may have questions about how it works and whether you actually need one.
Let’s look at what a tracker does and how it can help you.
What Is GPS Vehicle Tracking?
GPS vehicle tracking is technology that uses a small tracking device fitted to your vehicle which communicates with Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites to determine the vehicle’s location.
The location data is then delivered to a secure tracking platform via a mobile network. You can access relevant information through your vehicle tracking app or online account.
Your tracker can therefore tell you where your vehicle is without you being inside it.
In South Africa, vehicle tracking is also commonly linked to insurance requirements. Depending on your insurer and policy, you may need an approved tracking device fitted to your vehicle.
How Does a Car Tracking System Work?
A car tracking system has three main parts. The tracking device in your vehicle, the communications network, and the tracking platform. For Matrix customers, that platform is the Matrix Vehicle Tracking App.
Learn more in under 3 minutes: GPS Tracking Explained
If your vehicle is reported stolen, Matrix combines the tracking information with a 24/7 national operations centre, a highly trained team of experts and recovery by Beame, which boasts a 9 out of 10 recovery rate.
How Can GPS Tracking Be Useful in Everyday Life?
Vehicle tracking can be useful even when your car is sitting safely in your driveway.
For example, you may want to check that your partner or child has arrived safely if they are driving at night. You can use the app to check the vehicle’s location instead for peace of mind.
Likewise, if you lend your car to a family member, you can see where it is. If the vehicle moves when you did not expect it to, an alert can give you an early warning.
In General, location information and trip reports provide greater visibility into how and where your vehicle is being used.
Of course, the main reason people choose tracking is for recovery if a vehicle is stolen or hijacked.
What Does Matrix Add to Vehicle Tracking?
GPS tells you where your vehicle is. Matrix adds services and safety features around that information.
Depending on your package, you can also have access to features such as:
- Stolen Vehicle Recovery. Matrix’s recovery teams can use tracking information to assist with vehicle recovery.
- Panic Alert. You can send an alert when you need emergency assistance.
- GeoLoc Advanced Alert. You can receive alerts when your vehicle moves in circumstances you have defined.
- Crash Alert. Matrix Gold can alert the 24/7 operations centre following a detected impact.
- Roadside & Medical Assist. Matrix Gold includes access to roadside assistance.
- Trips and Reports. You can review information about your vehicle’s journeys.
Matrix has provided tracking and recovery solutions in South Africa since 1996. On average, we recover more than 90% of stolen vehicles with our technology.
What Happens If Your Car Is Stolen or Hijacked?
If your vehicle is stolen or hijacked, report the incident to the relevant authorities and Matrix as soon as it is safe to do so.
Matrix can use your vehicle’s tracking information to help establish its location. Its 24/7 national operations centre coordinates with recovery teams on the ground, ensuring no second is wasted.
The sooner you report the incident, the sooner the recovery process can begin.
A tracking system cannot guarantee that your vehicle will never be stolen. It significantly improves timely recovery.
What If You Own a Motorcycle?
Cars are not the only vehicles that can benefit from GPS tracking.
Motorcycles can be particularly vulnerable to theft because they are smaller and easier to move. A motorcycle tracking device lets you monitor your bike and support recovery if it is stolen.
Matrix Bike is designed specifically for motorcycle owners. It provides tracking and recovery features suited to bikes, including movement alerts, power-down alerts, and border alerts.
Which Matrix Tracking Package Suits You?
Matrix offers different packages because your tracking needs may not match someone else’s.
Matrix Bronze provides core tracking and recovery features. It can suit you if you want essential vehicle tracking without a long list of additional features.
Matrix Silver adds features such as panic alerts, power-down and additional movement, and border alerts.
Matrix Gold adds further safety and assistance features, including crash alerts, no-go zones and roadside assistance.
You can compare packages and choose the combination of tracking, security and safety features that makes sense for you.
Matrix Vehicle Tracking Is Always Right By Your Side
No matter your motivation for choosing GPS vehicle tracking, Matrix is right by your side with tracking technology, human support and recovery capability.
