Jan/Feb 2006

Technology is moving fast in the scramble for business

Arguably, developments in trailer tracking have been relatively neglected over the years, as attention has focused on tracking motive vehicles. But it looks as though things are changing - a development spurred perhaps by the realisation among suppliers that there is a potentially a huge market out there for the right products.

One of the prime challenges of tracking uncoupled (and hence possibly unpowered) equipment such as trailers is supplying the power to make the tracking devices work. The two latest products both use smart software to manage the power demands of the tracking devices.

Both are stand-alone portable devices, and both offer tracking via Web-based browsers. The Easitracker from Btrack Solutions uses solar power to recharge its batteries, while the ICThings.com solution can run for up to two years using six standard AA batteries.

 

Easitracker was first launched in 2005, but the solar-powered roof-top mounted unit has now been upgraded. A lower-profile rectangular casing has replaced the original dome-shaped unit. The casing material has been changed, too: it can now flex, it so is better able to cope with the constant flexing of the trailer roof beneath. It now stands just 20mm tall (40mm less than the original unit) and 268mm square.

Inside is a GPS receiver and GPRS/GSM modem. The unit is fastened to the trailer roof with industrial-strength bonding materials and has an IP67 rating against dust and water ingress.

"The problem with many trailer tracking systems is that they can't offer instant polling," says Andy Walker, Btrack's head of sales and marketing Walker. "Satellite-based systems use a simplex modem so cannot accept incoming calls. Battery-powered units cannot cope with the power demands of frequent updates."

Walker admits that not all companies will want live updates on trailer location, but says that for those that do, there is no longer any need to compromise or face the expense of a hard-wired system. "Live polling allows operators and their customers to track consignment progress via hyperlinks to our site with pre-assigned login data. Operationally, it means fast identification of trailers that are available for loading. And rental firms can instantly locate trailers for collection."

Many operators are sceptical that solar power can generate enough power for live tracking, but Walker says the secret lies in power consumption management. "The solar panels charge even in overcast conditions, and Easitracker is a smart device. It is not necessary to schedule a position upload at certain times of the day because the unit senses when the trailer is being used."

Typically, when the trailer is moving, Easitracker automatically uploads three equally-spaced GPS fixes to the Web server every 15 minutes. When the trailer is stationary, Easitracker goes into power-saving mode and uploads one position fix per day to confirm its current location. The Web-based vector map system provides street-level mapping as well as showing maximum and average speeds and distance travelled. It uses either metric or imperial units, and includes a fast-zoom feature.

Power levels are monitored remotely and displayed on the tracking portal. There is battery back-up, but Walker says power consumption on the unit is so low, the unit will work in ambient light conditions even if the battery pack is fully discharged.

ICThings.com (pronounced "I see things") is a designed to locate any type of mobile asset, from trailers and containers to cargo. The IC500e tracking unit incorporates long-life power management technology and runs from six standard AA batteries which, says the company, will provide up to two years' use in a typical operation.

"Our tracking solution is flexible and affordable and allows companies to have complete visibility over all types of resources," says director Tom O'Connor. "With smart power management, there is no need for expensive lithium-ion batteries. The devices are portable, so changing batteries periodically is not an issue, especially as we monitor the charge to avoid the situation where the operator is unable to locate the asset, but can't determine whether this is because it has been stolen, or because the unit has simply lost power."

The IC500e unit incorporates an integrated motion sensor that alert users of any prohibited actions such as being moved by low-loader or towing. The casing has an IP67 rating, so is waterproof and dust-tight.

The unit is compact, measuring 52mm by 175mm by 91mm. It weighs 420 grams including batteries. It can be hidden out of sight in the trailer or even within a valuable consignment. Operators can even place one in hired trailers to eliminate any "black holes" in terms of the visibility of the operation, says O'Connor "Companies can select what assets to track according to any number of variables such as vehicle and equipment type, load value or the proposed journey."

Operators can track their assets via the Internet and receive SMS text alerts if the asset's location changes unexpectedly or a predetermined event occurs - entering or leaving a geofence, or unauthorised movement from a predefined zone, or a rear door opening, for example. Managers can also request position updates via a text message.

The ICThings.com Web site provides access to worldwide street-level mapping, allowing operators to track any number of assets simultaneously. There is also a battery status tool on the site. This allows periodic checks on the unit, and can also eliminate false alarms.

The other key to tracking unpowered assets, of course, is to make it affordable. Both companies' monthly prices include the unit, the communications cost and access to the secure web site for under £1 per day.