GPS

What is GPS?

The Global Positioning System is a global satellite navigation system originally developed by the US Department of Defense and now freely available for civilian use. It consists of a network of satellites that continuously transmit signals. Receivers on the ground calculate their exact position in longitude and latitude as well as their altitude from the travel time of these signals. Civilian positional accuracy is typically in the single-digit meter range and can be improved to a few centimeters using correction signals (e.g., DGNSS or RTK).

GPS in practice: intralogistics and transport management

In the transport sector, GPS is the technical foundation for vehicle tracking, route optimization, and the determination of estimated times of arrival (ETA). Freight forwarding software, transport management systems, and telematics solutions draw on GPS data to track shipments in real time and keep dispatchers and recipients informed.

In warehouse logistics and yard management, GPS is used to locate semi-trailers, forklifts on open areas, and swap bodies. Inside buildings, GPS loses its effectiveness because satellite signals are attenuated by ceilings and walls. Supplementary technologies are therefore used for indoor positioning, such as RFID, UWB, Wi-Fi triangulation, or Bluetooth beacons.

It is important to distinguish between passive and active tracking systems: passive systems store position data locally and transmit it later; active systems send position data in real time via mobile networks to a platform. For most logistics use cases – such as live tracking of trucks or fleet management – active systems are used.

Key factors for selecting a solution

When planning and procuring GPS-based solutions, you should consider the following aspects:

• Update frequency: Depending on the use case, update intervals of seconds (fleet tracking) or minutes (asset monitoring) may be appropriate. Higher frequencies increase data consumption and costs.
• Coverage and network availability: GPS reception requires an unobstructed view of the sky. Tunnels, underground car parks, or dense urban environments create signal gaps that can be bridged through sensor integration (IMU, odometry).
• Data protection and compliance: The collection of vehicle and driver positions is subject to data protection requirements (e.g., GDPR) and works council regulations. Works councils should be involved at an early stage.
• Integration: GPS data only delivers its full value when connected to TMS, ERP, or route planning systems. Standardized APIs facilitate integration.
• Power supply: Mobile GPS trackers for containers or swap bodies rely on battery power or an external power supply; this affects update frequency and maintenance effort.

GPS is not a homogeneous technology but an ecosystem of receiving hardware, transmission infrastructure, and evaluation software. Selecting the right combination depends heavily on the specific use case and the existing IT landscape.