July 10, 2023

Geotab Disclaimer

! IMPORTANT: Geotab's training resources are intended to provide information on how to make the best use of Geotab products. While every effort has been made to ensure the information in the training resources is accurate as of the date they are created, errors and omissions may occur, and the information presented in the training resources may become out-of-date with the passage of time. Please ensure that you have the most up-to-date version of this document by visiting https://drive.google.com/open?id=1l0xL6sN9azAkHBNyuLuocMzAILCXeGucg4bKu9qSp_c.

What is Active Tracking?

Active Tracking is an optional ProPlus feature that couples an increase in the frequency of data transmission from the GO device with a leveraging of our patented algorithms in the GO device firmware. The result is an animation feature on the MyGeotab map moving the vehicle in real time and correcting the position with the actual location as updates arrive from the device — producing a very accurate view of where the vehicle is at any given time. Active Tracking will also enable real-time notifications and alerts for server-based rules.

How does Active Tracking work?

Geotab has always logged data on the GO device using a patented algorithm based around curve logic. Active Tracking essentially “runs the curve” more frequently than regular logging. The GO device will log a new point if the difference between the actual and projected speeds is greater than 7 km/h, or if the difference between the actual and projected positions is greater than 28.5 meters, or if the buffer is full (every 100 seconds), or when ignition occurs. This will substantially increase the number of data uploads and the apparent immediacy of the data.

In contrast, vehicles without Active Tracking turned on will only “run the curve” when the buffer is full (every 100 seconds) or when ignition occurs. This means that units without Active Tracking turned on could experience a slight delay in sending data compared to units with Active Tracking turned on.

Who will use Active Tracking?

Originally designed for position-critical applications such as ambulances and other emergency vehicles, Active Tracking can be used by any fleet manager or dispatcher who wishes to track their vehicles moving in real time. Local delivery fleets, taxi fleets, or any fleet wishing to understand exactly what is occurring with their fleet will see benefit from Active Tracking.

Active Tracking is also required for time-sensitive server-based rules and notifications, such as posted road speed warnings for the driver using GO TALK. Active Tracking is designed to cater to customers that require real-time tracking for daily operations.

Because more data is transmitted from the GO device, Partners and Solution Integrators can leverage the feature to build time-sensitive or data-rich applications and Add-Ins.

How do I turn on Active Tracking?

Active Tracking is not on by default in the ProPlus plan (see the ProPlus FAQ). Geotab customers themselves, or their resellers, turn on Active Tracking directly in MyGeotab on the Vehicle Edit page:

1. Select Vehicles and Assets in the main menu.
2. Select your vehicle.
3. Select Settings at the top of the page.
4. Under the Advanced tab, toggle Active Tracking and live server-side driver alerts to On.

Turning this feature on will automatically move any device from the Pro plan to the ProPlus plan. The device MUST already be on the Pro plan (or ProPlus plan) to turn on Active Tracking — that is, a device on the Base plan cannot turn on Active Tracking.

Only GO6 and newer devices have the Active Tracking option.

Note: It can take up to an hour from the time you turn on Active Tracking in MyGeotab to the time you see live vehicle updates on the map.

Once enabled, asset locations are updated every second for up to 20 moving vehicles at time on the map.

The browser refreshes the device location based on the latest information:

1. every second for the first 20 moving vehicles with the Active Tracking feature enabled.
2. every 15 seconds for normal vehicles and Active Tracking vehicles exceeding the 20 vehicle limit.

As a Reseller, can I turn Active Tracking on through MyAdmin?

No, users turn on Active Tracking through MyGeotab and that in turn activates the ProPlus plan. However, you can disallow a user from being able to turn on Active Tracking through MyAdmin. See: What if I don't want my customer to turn on Active Tracking?

What rate plan is Active Tracking available on?

Active Tracking requires ProPlus, a rate plan that is designed for third-party integrations and special features. In our drive to automate processes as efficiently as possible, when a customer turns on Active Tracking for a device on the Pro plan, it automatically moves the device to the ProPlus rate plan.

What happens if the device is on the Base plan and the user wants to try Active Tracking?

The user will see the message “Active Tracking is not supported with this device plan.” An upgrade to Pro (which will then auto-upgrade to ProPlus) or ProPlus must be requested.

What if I don’t want my customer to turn on Active Tracking?

By default, all customers will be able to turn on this feature. However, resellers will have the ability to disallow this feature for certain customers in MyAdmin. To do this you must log in to MyAdmin, go to My Devices > Devices and filter for your devices or customers. After this you can select the applicable device(s) and click Active Tracking. A dialog to toggle User-enabled Active Tracking in MyGeotab will pop up. Select Off to disable Active Tracking for the selected devices.

What happens if the user turns on Active Tracking but the Reseller has disabled the capability for Active Tracking in MyAdmin?

If the user attempts to turn Active Tracking on with the feature disallowed in MyAdmin, they will receive a message reading: “Active tracking has been disabled for this device. Contact your reseller to enable this feature.”

Note: Even though the Active Tracking toggle within MyGeotab will be visible to the user, it will not be functional.

Is Active Tracking compatible with all devices?

Active Tracking is supported on GO6 and later devices.

What are the limitations to Active Tracking?

The GO device must be in good cellular coverage in order for Active Tracking to work. For best results, we recommend installing the device with a clear view of the sky to get a better GPS latch.

What happens if the user tries Active Tracking but decides it’s not for them?

If the user wants to stop using Active Tracking, they must turn off Active Tracking in MyGeotab and inform their reseller. To ensure the device will not be billed at the ProPlus rate plan, the reseller must:

1. Verify that the customer has turned off Active Tracking in MyGeotab and unplugged any high-data IOXs; and
2. Move the device to the Pro plan in MyAdmin.

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