How and Why You Should Utilise Google Maps for Tracking Assets

Asset Tracking Software / November 2021

Businesses looking for a fully integrated asset tracking solution should look no further than Google Maps. Many forward-thinking businesses today are utilising Google Maps. Getting crucial insights into their physical assets. Including the use of data that goes beyond geolocation information.

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Why Is Google Maps So Effective for Businesses?

The Google Maps platform provides real-time location information for 99% of the world; that’s more than 200 countries. Boasting over a billion users every month. It has three different products for business: maps, routes and places. These products can be used alongside traditional asset tracking hardware and tools like RFID. Allowing businesses to collect valuable asset data and information.

4 types of Asset Tracking Hardware

With Google Maps, companies can effectively bring customised maps to their users. This helps to create a more immersive experience for them.

For example, an estate agent could incorporate Google Maps into their website or mobile app. This would help a home hunter get a better understanding of the location of their properties.

Google Routes can be used for businesses that need to help users get from A to B. Like a travel company putting together a sightseeing itinerary for tourists. Or an Uber driver that needs to know how to get to a particular destination.

Businesses can also use Google Places to give customers information about places of interest. Places could be used to provide travellers with a list of recommended restaurants close to their hotel.

Another example is using Google’s products for a transportation business. They can use Google’s precise location intelligence to pinpoint exactly where drivers need to deliver goods. Google’s geolocation features can also be used to automatically suggest address details.

The Benefits of Using Google Maps for Asset Tracking

As well as business practices, Google Maps is also revolutionising asset tracking. Together, Google’s cloud-based systems and APIs offer much more than just a GPS tool.

By using Google Maps, businesses can understand and visualise where their assets are located. They can also find out where these assets have travelled and how long they’re on the move.

This is valuable information for a business wanting to understand the stage of an asset’s life cycle. Eventually leading to effective maintenance management.

Google Maps is also a scalable program. This is ideal for businesses that operate thousands of assets and need to geolocate them frequently. Not to mention companies that need to plan complicated routes to and from different destinations.

The Google Maps app can differ from traditional asset tracking tools. Mostly as it provides a centralised solution that blends its location services with other apps. This gives businesses the option to create a bespoke tool that caters precisely to asset tracking needs. For example, businesses can use Maps to help with tracking connected assets. Such as IoT (Internet of Things) tracking devices and complex route planning.

With static assets, you may want to track operating conditions and be alerted if there’s a problem. Or to be alerted if an asset is moved without authorisation.

Business Types That Could Benefit from Google Maps

Fleet Management

Firms with a focus on fleet management would benefit greatly from Google Maps for asset tracking. Fleet managers can have an overview of where service fleet vehicles are located in real-time. They can then use this data intelligence to plan cost-efficient routes and improve customer service. As well as gather analytics on driver performance.

Field Service Management

A field service business with multiple field workers can also see promising benefits when using Google Maps. The response time of service requests can be improved. As jobs can be issued to the nearest technicians or contractors.

Another great example is a sales team that travels from appointment to appointment on the road. Maps can be used to register and track the location of each salesperson’s mobile device. Handy if a traffic problem arises that would delay them from reaching their next meeting on time. By doing so, you would be able to identify where that employee is and suggest an alternative route.

Logistics

Google Maps is useful for any organisation using drivers and couriers to deliver goods. With real-time data, businesses can keep customers informed and updated about delivery times. While customer-facing apps allow customers to track their parcels en route.

As an example, consider the use of IoT devices and Asset Tracking Software. A chilled food courier could put temperate sensors on its packages. Ensuring effective cold chain management during deliveries. This information is relayed to an office manager, who checks temperatures during deliveries. Enabling a complete, robust, and effective workflow is in order.

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What Type of Assets Do You Want to Track?

Conclusion: Google Maps Is Effective, When Used Correctly

Google’s location data intelligence, combined with IoT, can improve how a company operates. This is beneficial for industries with a high portion of fleet and deliverable assets. To learn more about how asset tracking can positively impact a business, see our Asset Tracking Software guide.