Data Retention
The period and conditions under which specified records are kept. In a fleet evaluation, ask which record types are covered and when ordinary access ends; one period need not apply to every record.
IN PRACTICEConfirm the record types, authorised recipient, access deadline and demonstrated recovery process for the proposed deployment. This definition does not promise a SafarTrak retention period, backup service, migration or recovery time.
Backup
A copy of files or programs made to support recovery. A fleet report download should not be assumed to be a complete system backup or an importable copy for another provider.
IN PRACTICEConfirm the record types, authorised recipient, access deadline and demonstrated recovery process for the proposed deployment. This definition does not promise a SafarTrak retention period, backup service, migration or recovery time.
Recovery
Activities to restore business functions under a contingency plan. Having a backup does not by itself demonstrate that the required records or service can be recovered within an agreed time.
IN PRACTICEConfirm the record types, authorised recipient, access deadline and demonstrated recovery process for the proposed deployment. This definition does not promise a SafarTrak retention period, backup service, migration or recovery time.
Role-Based Access Control
Permissions grouped by a person’s work role. In a fleet review, check the vehicles, reports and actions that each proposed role can actually access.
IN PRACTICEAsk the provider to demonstrate the required access boundaries with approved test users and non-sensitive data. Available controls, recorded events and retention depend on the proposed deployment; this definition does not promise a SafarTrak feature.
Least Privilege
Giving a user only the access needed for an assigned task. A report reviewer may need different permissions from the person administering accounts.
IN PRACTICEAsk the provider to demonstrate the required access boundaries with approved test users and non-sensitive data. Available controls, recorded events and retention depend on the proposed deployment; this definition does not promise a SafarTrak feature.
Audit Trail
A record of activity that helps reconstruct what happened. Confirm the recorded events, available detail and retention before relying on it for a fleet review.
IN PRACTICEAsk the provider to demonstrate the required access boundaries with approved test users and non-sensitive data. Available controls, recorded events and retention depend on the proposed deployment; this definition does not promise a SafarTrak feature.
Engine Hours
Accumulated time that a combustion engine has run, including while the vehicle is stationary. Check whether a reported total comes from the engine ECU or an inferred counter; ignition-on time and distance travelled are different measures.
IN PRACTICEFor a vehicle that works while parked, distance alone can miss engine use. Before comparing totals, confirm the signal, starting value, any counter reset and gaps in records. A GPS- or ignition-derived estimate can differ from actual engine runtime. Follow the exact vehicle or engine manufacturer’s service requirements; do not apply a universal hours-to-kilometres conversion. Confirm vehicle, device and configuration support before relying on a field.
Ignition State
The on/off state reported for the configured ignition input or inference. Its meaning depends on the installation and configuration; an on-state alone does not confirm that a combustion engine is running.
IN PRACTICEA parked vehicle with accessory power may show an on-state. Ask which input or rule produced the state before interpreting the time as engine runtime.
Engine Running
A state indicating operation of a combustion engine, established from supported evidence such as engine speed or a defined diagnostic state. It is distinct from ignition power and vehicle movement.
IN PRACTICEA stationary engine may be running, while an ignition-powered vehicle may have its engine stopped. Confirm the available signal rather than using an on-state as a universal substitute.
Vehicle Movement
A moving/stopped classification based on a configured source, such as position-derived speed or a motion sensor. Confirm the source, thresholds and timing before interpreting the state.
IN PRACTICEA tracker motion classification need not match engine state. Check how your installation reports a parked vibration or a vehicle moved with its engine off.
GNSS
The family of satellite navigation systems that provide positioning and timing. GPS is one GNSS; a tracker’s supported constellations depend on its receiver.
IN PRACTICEConfirm receiver support and test your actual operating environment. Supporting several constellations does not by itself establish a guaranteed fleet position accuracy.
Position Fix
A position estimate calculated by a satellite receiver. A valid fix depends on the receiver and its checks; coordinates retained from an earlier fix may not describe the current position.
IN PRACTICECheck fix validity and the time associated with a position before using it for an operational decision. Device-specific validity rules must be confirmed for the proposed setup.
Reporting Interval
The timing or conditions under which tracking records are sent. Recording, transmission and screen refresh can occur at different times; a display update is not necessarily a new location measurement.
IN PRACTICEAsk which stage an interval describes and how it changes when a vehicle is moving, parked or disconnected. Confirm the actual configuration rather than assuming another vendor’s update rates.
Dispatch
The process of assigning a vehicle or field team to a job and coordinating its departure, destination and timing.
IN PRACTICEConnect assignments with departure times, vehicle availability and the journey that follows.
Fleet Utilization
A measure of how much a vehicle or asset is actively used for productive work versus sitting idle.
IN PRACTICEReview usage over a defined period before deciding whether to rebalance vehicles or capacity.
Last-Mile Delivery
The final leg of a delivery journey, from a local hub or distribution center to the customer.
IN PRACTICEReview failed attempts and trip context to understand where the final delivery stage needs attention.
Driver Behavior Monitoring
Track driving patterns such as speeding, harsh braking, and idling to identify risk and support safer driver behavior.
IN PRACTICEReview an event in its journey context and use the conversation to support driver coaching.
Exception Alert
A notification triggered when a monitored event or reading meets a configured exception condition, such as a speed or location rule.
IN PRACTICEDefine the condition, owner and response before treating an alert as an operational workflow.
Geofencing
A virtual boundary around a location, used to identify when a tracked vehicle enters or leaves the defined area.
IN PRACTICEUse agreed location boundaries when reviewing depot visits, arrival times or unexpected movement.
Telematics
Connect GPS, on-board sensors, and vehicle data to understand location, condition, movement, and usage across the fleet.
IN PRACTICEUnderstand which signals are available and how the software turns them into useful fleet context.
Vehicle Health Monitoring
The review of available diagnostic readings, indicators and fault codes to understand a vehicle’s condition and investigate potential issues.
IN PRACTICEBring available diagnostic signals and vehicle records into an informed maintenance review.
OBD-II
The second generation of on-board diagnostics, used to monitor vehicle systems and provide diagnostic information through a standardized interface.
IN PRACTICECheck the vehicle, device and supported diagnostic signals before planning an OBD-based deployment.
State of Charge
The usable energy remaining in a battery pack, often shown as a percentage for dispatch and range planning.
IN PRACTICEConsider available charge alongside route distance, charging opportunities and operating conditions.
Reefer Monitoring
The monitoring of a refrigerated vehicle or refrigeration unit using available temperature and equipment readings.
IN PRACTICEConfirm the refrigeration unit, sensor coverage and escalation process required for your cargo.
Cold Chain
A supply chain that keeps perishable or temperature-sensitive goods within a specific temperature range from origin to delivery.
IN PRACTICEPlan the temperature range, sensor setup and exception review around the goods being transported.
Harsh Braking
Sudden deceleration events flagged from telematics—often reviewed alongside speed and road context.
IN PRACTICEReview speed, location and road context before drawing a conclusion from a braking event.
Speeding Event
A logged period where speed exceeded a configured limit, with location and duration for follow-up.
IN PRACTICEAgree the speed threshold and review process so logged events lead to useful follow-up.
Dash Cam Clip
A recorded video segment from a vehicle camera, sometimes linked to a driving event for review in a compatible video setup.
IN PRACTICEFor a video-enabled setup, confirm camera support, recording access and review requirements before deployment.
Odometer Reading
Distance accumulated on a vehicle, synced from device or CAN for maintenance schedules and reporting.
IN PRACTICECheck the reading source and accuracy before using accumulated distance to plan maintenance.
Idle Time
Engine-on, vehicle-stationary minutes that affect fuel spend and are often targeted in operational coaching.
IN PRACTICESeparate operational waiting from avoidable idling when reviewing fuel use and driver routines.
CAN Data
Signals exchanged over a vehicle’s Controller Area Network. Compatible hardware may make selected signals available for fleet analysis.
IN PRACTICEConfirm which signals your vehicle and connected hardware can provide, rather than assuming uniform coverage.
