Use Fitlet As Asset Tracking Server
Posted: Thu Aug 13, 2015 11:36 pm
Overview
The tracking of commercial assets including vehicles is becoming more prevalent over time. Despite concerns about infringements of privacy, there are many legitimate applications in the commercial world including control of productivity, efficient vehicle routing, safety, and theft deterrence.
Of all the possible applications, I believe safety is by far the most important reason for using asset tracking. For example, in the electric utility industry, it is of paramount importance to know the location of all personnel working on or around utility lines and equipment. It is unthinkable to risk energizing lines and equipment without first confirming the whereabouts and status of all personnel in the affected area. This is especially true during power system restoration following severe weather events where mutual aid personnel from other utilities may be assisting in the recovery effort. GPS based asset tracking is of great assistance in verifying the location of relevant personnel.
There are many commercial packages and systems which provide asset tracking. There are also open source tracking solutions available. Among the best of the open source packages is Traccar. It is a server based system which supports a wide variety of GPS devices. Included in the supported devices are IOS and Android based phones and tablets. Traccar is an actively maintained project with a very robust user's group. New features and new devices are regularly added.
For General Traccar information see:
https://www.traccar.org
For this project, I am running the Linux version of Traccar on a Fitlet, which functions as the system server.
Hardware
1. Fitlet
2. GPS device which can communicate with server - many choices.
For supported devices see:
https://www.traccar.org/devices/
Software
Traccar is java based, so you must have java installed in order for it to run. Otherwise, installation is simple and straightforward.
To download the software, navigate to:
https://www.traccar.org/download/
For Linux installation instructions see:
https://www.traccar.org/linux/
For Android and IOS client apps see:
https://www.traccar.org/client/
Implementation and Operation
Once Traccar is installed on Fitlet, it operates as a server which loads when the system boots.
User Interface
Access to a map based graphical interface is via a web-browser connected to local port localhost:8082. Tracked assets are depicted as red/green dots on the map. Log data is available through the interface. Tracked Devices can also be added via the interface.
2 Stationary Assets Tracked
1 Moving Asset Tracked
The tracking of commercial assets including vehicles is becoming more prevalent over time. Despite concerns about infringements of privacy, there are many legitimate applications in the commercial world including control of productivity, efficient vehicle routing, safety, and theft deterrence.
Of all the possible applications, I believe safety is by far the most important reason for using asset tracking. For example, in the electric utility industry, it is of paramount importance to know the location of all personnel working on or around utility lines and equipment. It is unthinkable to risk energizing lines and equipment without first confirming the whereabouts and status of all personnel in the affected area. This is especially true during power system restoration following severe weather events where mutual aid personnel from other utilities may be assisting in the recovery effort. GPS based asset tracking is of great assistance in verifying the location of relevant personnel.
There are many commercial packages and systems which provide asset tracking. There are also open source tracking solutions available. Among the best of the open source packages is Traccar. It is a server based system which supports a wide variety of GPS devices. Included in the supported devices are IOS and Android based phones and tablets. Traccar is an actively maintained project with a very robust user's group. New features and new devices are regularly added.
For General Traccar information see:
https://www.traccar.org
For this project, I am running the Linux version of Traccar on a Fitlet, which functions as the system server.
Hardware
1. Fitlet
2. GPS device which can communicate with server - many choices.
For supported devices see:
https://www.traccar.org/devices/
Software
Traccar is java based, so you must have java installed in order for it to run. Otherwise, installation is simple and straightforward.
To download the software, navigate to:
https://www.traccar.org/download/
For Linux installation instructions see:
https://www.traccar.org/linux/
For Android and IOS client apps see:
https://www.traccar.org/client/
Implementation and Operation
Once Traccar is installed on Fitlet, it operates as a server which loads when the system boots.
User Interface
Access to a map based graphical interface is via a web-browser connected to local port localhost:8082. Tracked assets are depicted as red/green dots on the map. Log data is available through the interface. Tracked Devices can also be added via the interface.
2 Stationary Assets Tracked
1 Moving Asset Tracked