MSIADA Partner Article: Beyond GPS+: The Next Step in Location Tracking Technology
GPS technology transformed (and essentially established) asset tracking. It enabled precise location data anywhere with a clear view of the sky, catapulting an entire industry of devices that could provide location information on all sorts of mobile and non-mobile assets. For a powerful as GPS technology is, it is not without shortcomings. Parking garages and dense urban environments can disrupt satellite signals, resulting in the inability to get accurate location data.
To address these deficiencies in satellite location technology, some providers looked to supplement with a second location technology: cellular location technology. This added a critical second layer, providing the ability to get location data by triangulating cell towers to locate an asset, in the event GPS data was unavailable. PassTime implemented this dual-location technology, a first of its kind in the industry in 2021 with its Beyond GPS™ feature.
Now, a third advancement is on the horizon—one that promises to make asset location more resilient, more accurate, and more adaptable than ever.
From Dual to Triple Location Technology
Most tracking systems on the market today rely solely on GPS. Some have moved to dual-location setups, pairing GPS with cellular network positioning. PassTime’s Beyond GPS™ is one such system, ensuring assets remain visible in conditions that challenge GPS—dense urban areas, covered parking, and heavy weather.
Beyond GPS+™ takes that proven approach one step further by adding a third location method: Wi-Fi-based positioning. Using an onboard Wi-Fi searcher, this technology can detect and identify nearby Wi-Fi access points. Even without connecting to them, it can cross-reference this data with known Wi-Fi network locations to estimate position and provide location data.
How Wi-Fi Positioning Complements GPS and Cellular
Every location technology has strengths and limitations:
- GPS/GNSS: Accurate in open environments but dependent on clear satellite visibility.
- Cellular: Works well in obstructed areas with strong mobile coverage but may be less precise in rural zones with few towers.
- Wi-Fi Positioning: Extremely effective indoors and in dense urban areas where Wi-Fi networks are plentiful, and GPS and cellular signals can be weak or inconsistent.
By combining all three, Beyond GPS+ creates a tri-location safety net by automatically selecting the method that offers the best signal and accuracy in each scenario to source location data.
Location Technology Comparison
| Feature / Capability | GPS/GNSS Only | Dual-Location (GPS + Cellular) | Tri-Location (GPS + Cellular + Wi-Fi) |
| Primary Signal Source | Satellites | Satellites + Cell Towers | Satellites + Cell Towers + Wi-Fi Networks |
| Performance in Open Areas | Highly accurate | Highly accurate | Highly accurate |
| Performance in Urban/Dense Areas | Can be disrupted by buildings | Leverages cellular for better accuracy | Adds Wi-Fi positioning for strongest performance |
| Indoor Tracking | Limited or unavailable | Accurate, but may not be as precise | Wi-Fi positioning allows strong indoor coverage |
| Underground or Covered Areas | Often unavailable | Improved with cellular | Further improved with Wi-Fi |
| Device Longevity | May drain battery searching for GPS | Reduces strain by switching to cellular | Optimizes further by smart-switching between three methods |
| Future-Readiness | Compatible with 4G/5G networks | Compatible with 4G/5G networks | Ready for 4G/5G and expanding Wi-Fi positioning databases |
Why Tri-Location Matters
The more ways a device can determine its position, the less likely it is to lose track of an asset. For fleets, dealerships, finance companies, and equipment operators, that means:
- Higher location uptime — even in underground garages, shipping depots, or indoor storage.
- Improved recovery rates — more location options mean higher probability for tracking in theft or loss situations.
- Better accuracy indoors — Wi-Fi positioning can pinpoint assets where GPS and cellular struggle.
- Reduced device strain — smart switching between technologies can extend battery life.
A Glimpse at the Future
Wi-Fi positioning isn’t replacing GPS or cellular—it’s enhancing them. As networks expand and databases of Wi-Fi access point locations grow, the accuracy and usefulness of this third layer will only improve.
With Beyond GPS+, PassTime is preparing for that future, creating a tracking solution that works where others can’t.
This advanced technology will be a key component of PassTime’s next generation of solutions and its potential is clear: three location technologies working together to give you the most complete, reliable tracking possible.
Contact PassTime to learn how Beyond GPS+ can strengthen your tracking strategy and support your operations. Visit passtimegps.com for more information.
