The Map Suite GPS Tracking Server tracking system is composed of three main parts:
A Device Listener is a small, custom-built program that "listens" for communication from your GPS tracking devices. Because most tracking devices communicate in different ways and varying formats, a Device Listener must be programmed to understand one particular type (or family) of hardware. The Listener then translates incoming data and passes it along to the Map Suite GPS Tracking Server Device Gateway in a universal format that Map Suite GPS Tracking Server understands. Listeners also facilitate Sending a Command to a Device, such as "Lock Vehicle Doors" or "Request Location Coordinates". Whether your device supports a custom command depends on its hardware capabilities and the programming code of its Listener.
See also: More about the Device Listener
The Device Gateway is a centralized database that allows one or more Map Suite GPS Tracking Server Web Portals to interact with a number of different GPS Tracking devices in a common and robust way. Think of it as a "central switchboard" for all incoming and outgoing communication between your GPS tracking devices and the interface you see in your web browser. The Gateway handles posting of location information, routes communication to and from Device Listeners and raises alerts when necessary. It's based on a set of secure web service APIs that make it very easy for programmers to leverage when they are writing their own Device Listeners or custom sensor logic for your system.
See also: More about the Device Gateway
The Map Suite GPS Tracking Server Web Portal is the web-based user interface where you can login and track your devices, vehicles, employees, equipment or whatever else you need to keep tabs on. In addition to tracking, it's also where you can interact with devices by sending them commands, run reports, organize and manage your assets by department, and much more. It is possible for more than one Web Portal installation to "talk to" the same Device Gateway and Device Listeners, and yet keep that information exclusive and secure for each Portal.
The Web Portal contains several different types of Entities. Each of these Entities -- Devices, Employees, Departments and so on -- is arranged hierarchically and serves a different function. For more information about the Web Portal Entities and how they fit together, please see Entities in Map Suite GPS Tracking Server.
See also: Brief Overview of User Interface for the Web Portal
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Entities in Map Suite GPS Tracking Server
Brief Overview of User Interface