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Home / News & Insights / Preventing Equipment Theft: GPS Tracking Solutions
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Preventing Equipment Theft: GPS Tracking Solutions

Equipment theft poses a significant threat to industries such as agriculture, construction, logistics, and tourism. Stolen assets result in substantial financial losses and wasted time, disrupting operations and delaying projects. Fortunately, GPS tracking technology offers a proactive solution that not only helps prevent theft but also facilitates the swift recovery of stolen equipment.

The Challenge of Equipment Theft Across Industries

Agriculture

Agricultural equipment such as tractors, combines, and irrigation systems are essential for maintaining farm operations. Theft of this machinery can lead to critical downtime, impacting harvests and increasing labor costs.

Construction

On construction sites, equipment theft is rampant. From heavy machinery to tools left on-site, losses can delay projects, increase insurance costs, and create significant operational inefficiencies.

Tourism and Rentals

For businesses renting vehicles, e-bikes, or adventure gear, theft leads to lost revenue and customer dissatisfaction. Recovery is often challenging without proper tracking systems in place.

Logistics and Transportation

In the logistics sector, stolen trucks, trailers, and delivery vehicles create costly delays in the supply chain, impacting both the company and its customers.

Top-down image showing a looping road system in an urban area, with small patches of green space interspersed among the streets

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How GPS Tracking Prevents Equipment Theft

Monitoring and Alerts

GPS tracking provides businesses with relevant information regarding their assets location. Motion-based alerts are a critical feature of GPS tracking systems. These alerts notify businesses the moment their equipment is moved unexpectedly. Whether a trailer is shifted in a parking lot or an excavator is taken from a construction site, instant alerts enable swift response to potential theft, protecting assets even when staff is not present.

Geofencing

Geofencing allows businesses to create virtual boundaries around specific areas like job sites, farms, or storage locations. If equipment crosses these boundaries, an alert is triggered. This feature is particularly useful for protecting assets in large or remote areas, providing an extra layer of defense against theft.

Improved Efficiency and Safety

GPS tracking systems might also monitor driver behavior and asset usage. This is especially beneficial in logistics and tourism industries, where vehicles and equipment are frequently rented or used across multiple locations. Tracking where assets are used prevents unauthorized movements and ensures that equipment is operated safely, reducing the risk of misuse.

Side view of a van with a man standing partially inside, surrounded by delivery packages

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The Financial Impact of Equipment Theft

Equipment theft is not just a security issue - it directly impacts a company’s bottom line. Stolen assets result in lost productivity, costly replacements, and project delays. Downtime caused by missing machinery in industries like agriculture or construction can be devastating. With GPS tracking, companies can quickly locate stolen equipment, minimize disruptions, and avoid significant financial losses.

Choosing the Right GPS Tracker: Gemstone vs. Cobblestone

For businesses looking to prevent equipment theft, Gemstone and Cobblestone GPS trackers offer two reliable options.

  • Gemstone: With up to 6 years of battery life, IP68 waterproof protection, and ultra-strong adhesive mounting, Gemstone is ideal for tracking heavy-duty equipment like construction machinery and farm vehicles. It's also well-suited for fleet management of rental cars, vans, cargo bikes, electric bikes, and e-scooters.
  • Cobblestone: Offering up to 4 years of battery life and an IP67 rating, Cobblestone is perfect for lighter-duty assets such as trailers, rental vehicles, and outdoor equipment.

Both trackers provide subscription-free tracking, giving businesses peace of mind without the burden of monthly fees.

Secure Your Assets Today

Don’t let equipment theft disrupt your business and cause financial loss. Choose the GPS tracking solution that’s right for your business.

FEATURES GEMSTOE GPS TRACKERS COBBLESTONE GPS TRACKERS
Battery life (1 track/day) Up to 6 years Up to 4 years
Replaceable batteries Done by customer Done by Copenhagen Trackers
Countries covered 150+ EU + UK
Approvals CE, FCC, UKCA CE, UKCA
Waterproof IP68-rated IP67-rated
Connectivity LTE-M, NB IoT, 2G 2G
Satellite System (GNSS) GPS, Galileo, BeiDou, QZSS GPS, Galileo
MIL-STD-810 Vibration Approved Yes No
Indoor tracking capability Yes (Premium feature) No
RTC for Timed positions* Yes No
Firmware updates OTA* Yes  No

* RTC = Real Time Clock. The product knows the time and is able to send positions on specific time/day instructions as opposed to sending by predetermined cycles. While Cobblestone is able to send on a predetermined cycle, e.g., 'once every ~24 hours, approximate time', Gemstone is able to send on a given specific time, e.g., 'Tuesdays at 5:43 AM and Fridays at 3:40 PM'.
** OTA = Over The Air, wireless. This allows for future firmware and feature upgrades of the products even if the product is in the field."