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An asset tracker is a compact GPS device that runs on its own battery and reports location over a mobile network. You attach it to a trailer, shipping container, or piece of plant equipment – anything without a wired power source – and track it from a web dashboard.
Asset trackers differ from vehicle GPS trackers in two ways: they are battery-powered (not hardwired), and they are built for infrequent reporting to preserve battery life. The right one depends on what you need to track:
- Micro trackers – small enough for parcels or tools, short battery life, good for short supply chains
- Standard battery trackers – months to a year of life, for trailers and loose equipment
- Solar-assisted trackers – run indefinitely outdoors without battery replacement, suited to containers and rail wagons
- LTE-M / NB-IoT models – use low-power cellular, better building penetration than standard 4G