Unlike most GPS tracking solutions, this new device is entirely powered by its own internal battery pack and needs no external wiring, making installation a simple matter. NHDS states that a single unit can last for over three years on the same battery. Batteries are easily replaced when required.
The unit reports its location less frequently than powered units (hourly, for example), which allows it run for years on a single battery. The frequency of position reports can be adjusted by the user to extend battery life further, or to make the positional information closer to real-time (thereby shortening the life of the battery).
Status and position on the Internet
The unit reports its location to either a dedicated PC terminal, situated at the customers premises or to the dedicated NHDS server, where a customer can view a unit’s status and position over the internet. If required, the unit can also be made to report its positions to a mobile phone by means of a text message.
The PC-based host terminal provides general mapping and reporting facilities, and also includes the ability to set geo-fences for a given unit or group of units.
When a unit strays outside the geo-fence area, an alarm is raised and an e-mail can be optionally generated to alert users of the situation.
Data-enabled SIM card
The alternative web based host system alleviates the customers need to have any dedicated PC software running and allows them to examine the status and positions of their units from any web browser in the world.
The tracker unit uses the GPRS phone network to reports its status to the host system and therefore requires use of a data enabled SIM card in order to operate. This can be provided by the customer or by NHDS.