GPS Tracking
GPS tracking integration provides real-time location data for your equipment and vehicles. This visibility improves asset management, helps prevent theft, enables accurate time tracking, and provides operational insights about how and where your equipment is being used.
Supported GPS Providers
DrillerDB integrates with two major GPS tracking platforms:
Motive (formerly KeepTruckin): Comprehensive fleet management platform providing GPS tracking, electronic logging devices (ELD), vehicle diagnostics, and driver management. Motive integration brings location data, engine hours, and diagnostic information into DrillerDB.
GPS Trackit: Specialized GPS tracking focusing on equipment and vehicle location, utilization monitoring, and geofencing. GPS Trackit integration provides location history, idle time tracking, and movement alerts.
Setting Up GPS Integration
Configure GPS tracking through Settings > Integrations:
- Select your GPS provider (Motive or GPS Trackit)
- Enter your API credentials or authorization token
- Authorize DrillerDB to access your GPS account
- Map GPS devices to equipment records
The integration synchronizes automatically, pulling location and usage data at regular intervals.
Pairing Devices with Equipment
After connecting your GPS account, assign GPS devices to specific equipment:
From Equipment Details: Each equipment record includes a GPS device field. Select the corresponding GPS tracker from your connected devices.
From GPS Integration Page: View all GPS devices and assign them to equipment in a single interface. This is efficient when setting up tracking for your entire fleet at once.
Proper device pairing ensures location data appears on the correct equipment records and flows into utilization reports accurately.
Location Tracking
Once GPS devices are paired, DrillerDB displays:
Current Location: Real-time position of each piece of equipment on a map. Click any equipment to see its exact location, address, and last update time.
Location History: Historical movement data showing where equipment has been over time. This is valuable for verifying job site attendance, investigating incidents, or analyzing travel patterns.
Geofencing: Define geographic boundaries around job sites, yards, or restricted areas. Receive alerts when equipment enters or exits these zones, helping prevent unauthorized use or theft.
Usage Tracking
GPS data enhances equipment utilization monitoring:
Operating Hours: Automatic recording of engine hours from vehicles with electronic engines. This data feeds into usage-based maintenance schedules without manual meter readings.
Idle Time: Track how long equipment sits idling versus actively working. Excessive idle time wastes fuel and accelerates engine wear.
Distance Traveled: For vehicles, total miles driven each day. This information supports mileage-based maintenance scheduling and cost analysis.
Utilization Percentage: Calculate what percentage of time equipment is actually operating versus sitting unused. This helps optimize fleet size and identify underutilized assets.
Integration with Other Features
GPS tracking data connects with other DrillerDB features:
Maintenance Schedules: Automatic odometer and hour meter updates eliminate manual reading entry and ensure maintenance triggers at the correct time.
Project Tracking: Verify equipment deployment to project sites and track time spent at each location for accurate project costing.
Time Tracking: Cross-reference employee time entries with GPS location data to verify job site attendance and work hours.
Fuel Tracking: Correlate fuel consumption with actual usage hours and idle time to identify efficiency problems or potential fuel theft.
Alerts and Notifications
Configure automatic alerts based on GPS data:
Movement Alerts: Receive notification when equipment moves outside business hours, potentially indicating unauthorized use or theft.
Geofence Alerts: Get notified when equipment enters or leaves designated areas, helping track deployments and returns.
Maintenance Alerts: When GPS-tracked usage indicates maintenance is due, automatic notifications ensure timely service.
Idle Alerts: Monitor excessive idling and receive alerts when equipment idles beyond acceptable thresholds.
Privacy and Compliance
GPS tracking involves location data that may be subject to privacy regulations:
- Employee notification about GPS tracking is recommended or required in many jurisdictions
- Location data is used for business purposes only
- Historical data is retained according to your company policies
- Access to location data is restricted to authorized personnel
Consult with legal counsel about GPS tracking policies and employee notification requirements in your operating locations.
Benefits of GPS Integration
GPS tracking provides significant operational benefits:
- Improved asset utilization through better visibility
- Reduced theft and unauthorized use
- Accurate automatic maintenance scheduling
- Simplified project costing with verified equipment deployment
- Lower fuel costs through idle time reduction
- Better customer service with accurate arrival estimates
- Data-driven decisions about fleet size and composition
The investment in GPS tracking typically pays for itself through improved efficiency and reduced losses within the first year.