Not all tracking systems are real time. Some tracking systems record the data of their whereabouts, but do not communicate this information to a central computer via GPRS. The data the GPS tracking device can only be view when the vehicle returns to base.
This type of tracking system is useful, but to know the whereabouts of your vehicles at all times, even when they are still out and about is much more beneficial. This type of tracking system is called a real time GPS tracking system, because you can track your vehicles or objects in real time.
Most of the vehicle tracking systems, companies use these days are real time tracking systems. Viewing this data in real time is only possible because of GPRS, also known as the mobile phone network.
In some larger countries where the mobile phone coverage is not so high, vehicle tracking systems cannot always give this information in real time and there are not working to the best of their ability.
There are solutions to overcome this problem such as communicating the information via satellite and these are starting to be used in the United States of America and Canada.
