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Last summer, Rahul, an operations manager, was facing a nightmare.
Half his field team was stuck in traffic, two deliveries went missing, and no one could explain what happened, just because he and his teams were unaware of the various types of GPS systems and their usage.
So, his phone kept ringing. Customers wanted updates that he didn’t have.
It wasn’t his team’s fault — it was the system.
Or rather, the lack of one.
The operational manager, Rahul, had no real-time tracking, no proper field service reporting, no way to find the exact location of his drivers, and no clear picture of how the day was falling apart.
This is where a global positioning system (GPS) comes in.
With the right global positioning system, you can track vehicles, monitor job sites, and manage deliveries from your desk. You can even track driver behavior, check routes, and fix problems before they hit your customers.
In this post, you’ll learn:
Choosing the right GPS system for your field team isn’t just about tracking — it’s about solving real problems like delays, lost assets, and poor communication.
Here are the 5 best types of GPS systems you should know about:
Field teams don’t all need the same GPS monitoring software. Some GPS works in cities with strong signals. Others go off-road where coverage is weak. That’s why knowing the types of GPS systems matters.
Here are 5 GPS types that field managers should know:
A-GPS uses both satellite signals and local network sources like cellular networks or Wi-Fi. It works much faster than standard GPS, which is used in various places like cities, tunnels, or areas with tall buildings.
Field teams, who are using mobile phones or mobile devices, benefit from A-GPS because it can get a lock on location much quickly. Moreover, it also reduces waiting time & keeps team members connected even in poor signal areas.
S-GPS, which stands for simultaneous GPS, lets a device talk to both the GPS satellites & the cell network at the same time. And just like that, it gives much better voice & data quality while also sending out precise location updates.
This system works well for dispatch services and emergency teams where real-time tracking and voice data matter.
D-GPS improves the seamless accuracy of the global positioning system, as it keeps using a network of ground stations to correct errors in GPS signals. And that seamlessness allows GPS receivers to get a more accurate position, sometimes within a few inches.
Teams that work in construction, surveying, or asset tracking rely on D-GPS. It’s also useful when mapping utility lines or roads using mapping GPS tools.
This is the basic form of GPS. It uses data from at least four GPS satellites and calculates location based on measured distance and signal transmission time.
It works fine for general GPS applications, like tracking personal vehicles or checking delivery routes. It’s less accurate than D-GPS but still useful for simple tracking.
These are types of GPS devices. Mapping GPS shows routes and maps on the screen. Non-mapping GPS gives coordinates but doesn’t display a map.
Field teams that need to follow routes or find job sites use mapping GPS systems. Non-mapping GPS devices are used when only coordinates matter, like basic vehicle tracking or sensor-based logging.
Each type solves different field challenges.
The best one for you depends on your team’s size, industry, and where you work.
Field teams are the backbone of many industries, and GPS trackers help them stay organized, on time, and accountable. Different businesses use types of GPS systems depending on what they need to track — people, vehicles, or equipment.
Here are the most common industries using GPS devices today:
Companies that handle deliveries, shipments, and dispatch services rely heavily on the global positioning information.
They use vehicle tracking systems and asset tracking to monitor routes, check delivery statuses, and offer real-time tracking to customers.
Tracking helps them improve driver behavior and manage delays faster.
Example: Freight companies, courier services.
Construction managers use GPS systems to keep an eye on expensive machinery and field workers across large sites.
With asset tracking and personal GPS trackers, they can find equipment easily and monitor safety.
Example: Contractors, equipment rental services.
Healthcare field workers and home service crews use GPS receivers connected to mobile devices to update locations instantly.
Tracking helps ensure workers reach patients or clients safely and on time, so the emergency services can be delivered without any hassle.
Example: Home healthcare, repair services.
In remote areas where cellular networks don’t always work, companies use satellite-based GPS trackers.
They depend on navigation satellite systems and global navigation satellite system coverage to manage crews and equipment across rough terrains.
Example: Offshore rigs, mining sites.
Sales teams on the road use GPS applications through their mobile phones.
Tracking helps managers optimize schedules and understand which areas are getting more visits.
Example: Pharmaceutical reps, promotional teams.
These GPS tracking and remote sensing aren’t just for trucks anymore. Because from personal vehicles to industrial fleets, this GPS technology is helping businesses of all kinds work smarter. So, in the upcoming section, let’s learn about the various types of GPS systems and which one is the right one for your business.
Make smarter moves out there in the field.
And stay ahead with the ultimate field tracking tool.
Picking the right GPS system depends on what you need to track, where your team works, and how detailed you want your GPS data to be. Different types of GPS tracking devices offer different strengths.
Here’s how to choose:
Go with vehicle tracking systems that use GPS sensors and GPS receivers.
Transportation, delivery services, and field service fleets.
Choose asset tracking systems built for remote and rugged use.
Construction, heavy machinery, and rental companies.
You need satellite-based trackers connected to navigation satellite systems like the Global Positioning System or Global Navigation Satellite System.
Oil and gas, mining, and emergency response teams.
Use mobile app-based GPS tracking through cell phones or mobile devices.
Field sales, light service teams, and marketing teams.
SIM-based GPS systems offer solid tracking with mobile phones using space segment infrastructure and control segment data flows.
They balance cost and accuracy well for urban fieldwork.
Urban courier companies, local service providers.
If you need the highest accuracy for critical missions, then please consider choosing differential GPS (dGPS) or assisted GPS (aGPS). Because these use corrections from ground stations and atomic clocks to improve positioning, navigation & timing.
Choosing the right GPS system can feel overwhelming when every option promises better routes, smarter tracking, and real-time updates.
But the truth is, it’s not just about picking the right types of GPS systems — it’s about what you do with the information you get.
Field managers today don’t just track locations.
Rather, with the help of an efficient field force management software, they manage schedules, monitor work quality, optimize routes, and even forecast delays! However, without a seamless integration of various types of GPS systems, it won’t be possible.
That’s why smart businesses pair their GPS solutions with strong field force management tools.
When your GPS devices work hand-in-hand with a full system that manages attendance, job statuses, customer communications, and real-time tracking, your operations shift from “watching” to “controlling.”
If you’re thinking bigger than just dots on a map — if you’re thinking about performance, accountability, and smoother field operations — it might be time to look into platforms built for that next level.
Systems like Super Field Force bring it all together. With this tool, you can simply manage your entire field team, from start to finish, and that too without any hassle. From their attendance to expense management, real-time tracking to entire activity logging, you can do everything without any manual interference.
So, whenever you need such kind of seamless field management, Super Field Force can be the best choice for you!
Answer: GPS tracking enhances field team productivity by providing real-time location data, enabling efficient route planning, reducing idle time, and ensuring timely task completion. It also allows managers to monitor field activities, leading to better resource allocation and improved customer service.
Several types of GPS systems cater to field operations:
Key GPS tracker features to consider for civilian use include:
GPS tracking integrates seamlessly with field force management systems, providing a unified platform for task assignment, real-time monitoring & performance analysis. This seamless integration helps managers to dispatch all their tasks based on location, track progress & make informed decisions to enhance operational efficiency.
Some field teams may have to face many risks from a GPS jammer (a device that is known for blocking satellite signals & disrupting tracking). Hence, it's quite important to choose a fine one among the various types of GPS systems with strong encryption & alerts to prevent such interference.
Get the best field tracking tool today!
