Hello. I have the following requirements:

1) I would like information on how GPS tracking works. For example,
trucking companies can monitor exactly where all their trucks are on
the road at any time. Please explain how this technology works, what
equipment is required for the trucks and for monitoring the trucks.

2) I have a company where I would like to track my employees (with my
employees knowledge) where they are at any one point through my
internet connection at the office. This will enable me to see who is
closest to a pickup point and I can direct them there without having
to call each one to find their location. These employees are on foot
and therefore can not have a large GPS device with them. Please can
you let me know whether this is possible and if it is:
a) what equipment I would need to give my employees and what software I would need
b) what the smallest, lightest piece of equipment could be for the
employees(the smaller the better, ideally something that fits in a
wallet. At the extreme, if I could attach this small, lightweight
piece of equipment to a lanyard/belt buckle, etc. it would be great)
c) What the approximate cost would be for the equipment for the
employees and software I would need and how long a battery operated
divice would last before needing to be recharged.

Please take note that I am based in South Africa and if posible, would
like to know whether the equipment would work in South Africa.

Thank you.

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Clarification of Question by waynev-ga on 13 Jul 2006 08:59 PDT

Hello,

I was using a made up example which probably did not explain what I
was looking for properly. I would actually like to know whether it is
possible to monitor the movements of my cat (Zak!), via the internet.
This would mean that a very small GPS system (with decent battery
life) would need to be on the cat. I would imagine that if the device
is small enough, it could be incorporated into his collar. I would
then want to be able to log onto the internet and check where he is at
any point in time.

Please can you tell me whether there are any products which are
already developed and are small enough to do this. Obviously a cell
phone or similar would be too big. The device does not need to have
any other functionality, appart from allowing me to know where the cat
is.

Thank you for your comments already. Hopefully you will be able to
answer now that I have been more clear.

---

Clarification of Question by waynev-ga on 21 Jul 2006 07:18 PDT

Hi, Thanks for the info so far. The website
http://www.gps-practice-and-fun.com/gps-pet-tracking.html seems to be
updated to end of 2005. The last piece of information I require is
whether you can find any pet (cat) tracking GPS devices which have
been recently developed that are small enough to fit on a cat collar
and would enable me to track a domestic cat. Please have a look around
the web and let me know of any sites.

Visit this company's website, they make a product that operates over
mobile phones that does exactly what you describe.

http://www.actsoft.com/

Ask for a sales manager named Eric, I know him personally and he does
excellent work.

1. GPS -global positioning system
   
    -the position is determined by 3 satellite(out of 24 satelites).
    - then, the GPS receiver has to know two things: 
         The location of at least three satellites above you 
         The distance between you and each of those satellites 
    -The GPS receiver figures both of these things out by analyzing
high-frequency, low-power radio signals from the GPS satellites.

    -another satellite determine the altitude(optional). altitude is
determined in case of hand held device where it is necessary. we dont
need this factor in case of the truck tracking.

  for more detail- http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/gps.htm

2.
[A]. some shiping companys provide their own devices. u don't need any
software as they are provided by that cmpny to track their devices.
[B]. in this digital world size of everything has became smaller, so u
can get the device of the size you want.
 ---You want a GPS in a small device? Well here you go, the world's
smallest GPS receiver. The company is Rakon and they are out of New
Zealand, and from the looks of things, it's pretty small. Rakon has
just developed a module, as tiny as a baby's fingernail, and is
already fielding calls from GPS manufacturers looking to imbed the
product in their own new developments.

 for more info - http://www.gpslodge.com/archives/004334.php

[C]. the cost of the equpment is ~50$ per device + ~2$ operational
cost per month. you may get all these on rent also for ~6$ per month.
-size & stand by time of the battery depends on the size of device &
functions provided by the device.
-software is provided free of cost by the gps service provider.

- http://shopper.howstuffworks.com/products/Nokia+LD_3W+GPS+Receiver/SF-1/PID-32568967


3. alternative.
   as some gps devices are bulcky & costly, you can use cell phone to
track them. its a service provide by the local operator & has low
investment with low operation cost.so contect ur local cdma/gsm
service provider.

thank you.

yes there are such devices.

in my knowledge a device of size 4? x 5/4? x 3/4? is there.

http://www.coolest-gadgets.com/20060405/really-cool-portable-gps-tracker/

advantages-
1. low power consumption.
2. portable & lightweight.
3. NO SPECIAL SOFTWARE REQUIRED as it can work with GOOGLE EARTH(one
of the best software). so u don't have to buy extra software, as you
stated before.it also work well with Mapquest, maps.google.com.
- the only thing you have to do is download the Virtual Earth 
Location points into its software and mapp them.

4.Battery duration is 5 to 7 days.
5. it run on 2 AAA size batteries. u can use lithium-ion battery or u
can use extra battery to increase the stand by time.

you man not be satisfied with my privious views.
i think this link wil solve all your problem.
plz try...

http://www.gps-practice-and-fun.com/gps-pet-tracking.html

sir, if u provide me some more information related to ur need,
purpose, the no devices & the money you can spend.
i can provide you more practical solution.

thank u.