Frequently Answered Questions
What is TracPlus?
TracPlus is a global tracking and messaging service that allows
you to continuously monitor the location and status of your
aircraft, vessels, vehicles and personnel - no matter where they
are in the world - and share that information with partners,
agencies and contractors.
How does it work?
A tracking unit is installed in the vehicle, vessel or aircraft,
or carried by the person to be tracked. Using GPS, the unit
calculates its position and transmits that information in real time
by satellite or cellular networks to a secure high availability
server.
You then connect to the servers via the Internet to monitor the
status of and communicate with your assets.
How is TracPlus different?
Technology is changing faster than ever, and tracking technology
is no exception. To protect you and your investment, TracPlus
is built on the principle of freedom of choice through
interoperability.
We do that in four ways - hardware independence, network
independence, software independence and secure unlimited sharing of
information.
Why does hardware independence matter?
When you buy a cell phone, you pick the phone that meets your
needs and your budget - and you can mix and match different phones
across your team, according to their needs. We believe tracking
should be the same.
Instead of forcing you to use the same device across your entire
fleet, TracPlus lets you install a certified aviation terminal
on a helicopter or a waterproof terminal onto your vessel, and give
your field workers handheld tracking units, all from different
manufacturers yet all visible on the same screen.
Plus, you can take advantage of new technologies as they become
available, without having to refit your entire fleet.
Why does network independence matter?
Just like the competitive mobile phone or internet provider
market, networks are also popping up, your ability to leverage the
increasing competition between networks and solutions that sit on
these networks gives you the ultimate freedom of choice.
Why does software independence matter?
In an increasingly mobile, online and connected world, you need
to be able to view your tracking data no matter where you are.
That's why we offer TracPlus Windows, TracPlus Web and TracPlus
for iPhone. So whether you are at your office, at home, or out and
about, you are always in control.
We also understand that your company may have invested heavily
in GIS, data visualization or command and control systems, Esri
solutions / VisiCad etc - which is why we build robust, secure
business-to-business gateways, delivering tracking data straight
into the systems of your choice.
Why is secure sharing important?
TracPlus allows you to easily and securely share tracking
information with other TracPlus users. Just like Skype and Facebook
the power of instant, secure, communities and collaborative
networks provides you and your partner agencies, business partners,
EMS operators to leverage the power of sharing. You can share
tracking information with a customer for the duration of a
contract, or with other participants in a search and rescue
operation.
This ability to quickly and easily share real time tracking
information with others who 'need to know' - regardless of the
different hardware and software they use - sets TracPlus above all
other systems.
Who uses TracPlus?
TracPlus is being used right now by individuals, small
businesses, corporations, Utilities - electricity, Oil and Gas,
Mining and Exploration, non-government organizations, local and
federal agencies and armed forces in over 30 countries.
Is my data safe and secure?
YOU OWN YOUR DATA: WE DON'T. WE PROVIDE THE TRACKING SERVICE. We
take the security of your tracking data extremely seriously. We use
the latest security measures to ensure your tracking data is only
made available to those you choose. It is backed-up continuously
and we will not willingly publish or disclose your information to
any other party. Should you wish to remove, erase or copy your data
at any time, you can.
Can TracPlus be used instead of ELT or EPERB?
TracPlus Global is complementary to primary emergency response
systems, such as ELTs, EPERBs and mayday calls. It is not designed
to be used as a replacement for those systems. We recommend that
you follow standard emergency procedures and ensure that ELTs or
EPERBs are fitted wherever appropriate or required.
What specific terminal should I choose?
You should choose a terminal that meets your operational and
budgetary requirements, taking into account:
- Coverage
Coverage is related to the data network used by the terminal.
Terminals may use a satellite network, such as Iridium or Inmarsat;
a cellular network, such as 3G or EDGE; a wireless network, like
Wi-Fi; or a radio network, like APRS or NextG. More advanced
terminals may use a combination of different networks.
Satellite networks offer global or near-global coverage, but incur
higher per-message costs, resulting in higher operational
costs.
Cellular network coverage is primarily based on population
density. While such coverage is reasonable in well populated and
flat regions, it is sparse in mountainous areas. Terminals that
rely on cellular networks must store reports while transiting
between coverage areas. In the event of an accident or incident
outside cellular coverage, critical position information may have
never left the terminal. For this reason, we strongly recommend
against the use of cellular-only tracking.
Dual network terminals, with cellular and satellite connections
are able to switch between satellite and cellular networks based on
cellular coverage, resulting in improved operational costs.
- Features and Costs
Different terminals have different capabilities and can vary
significantly in both capital and operational costs. If you are
comparing tracking solutions, be sure to ask for the total cost of
ownership and the full range of features supported.
- Compliance
Aviation and maritime installations must comply with regulatory
obligations. You are ultimately responsible for ensuring the
installation and use of any terminal is in accordance with those
obligations. If you need assistance in choosing a terminal that
best meets your needs, our sales and support staff are ready to
assist.
How do I find out more?
Contact sales@tracplus.com to discuss
your particular requirements.
