Friday, July 8, 2016

Inexpensive physical tracking technology review (TrackR)

Purpose: The purpose of this document is for information sharing and is not an endorsement of the TrackR technology product (as we are vendor agnostic); however, it was thought that some would find this information useful prior to trying the TrackR Bravo device (especially the Caveats section). This work was completed in support of a client that was interested in a inexpensive way to track items without a monthly fee.

Testing duration: March 2016 – May 2016
Device used for test: Android

Results:
Set up is very easy, less then 15 minutes (downloaded and installed the App from Google Play, installed and updated, as updates were made available. Pairing and configuration using their App was very simple. Their Support was very responsive (not immediate but attentive and helped work through issues), would give them an A rating. Although we came at them with a professional attitude and wanted to see their product succeed. Using our android device we saw map locations being updated as TrackR device was moved around town. We did not; however, see the crowd sourcing updates work. Per Support, crowd source updates occur every 30 minutes. Crowd sourcing is when another mobile device (running the TrackR software) detects your TrackR device and provides the location where the TrackR device was seen (along with time stamp). These updates will show up on your mobile device (when you access your App) to show you where your TrackR device was last seen and when.

Minor Support issues noted:
- Car electronics interference. Corrected (although for our testing we placed the 
  TrackR device, securely, on the underside of the vehicle).
- TrackR would pair with phone but issues with App. Corrected.
- TrackR map time would update to current time with last know location (even if 
  location data was several hours/day's old). Corrected.


Caveats:
- Android, IPad, IPhone device required (at the time of this writing).
- If you have a known weak battery on your device it would be wise to replace it.
- Location setting must be left on.
- Data or WiFi must be left on (WiFi had predefined “safe zones” that could be 
  defined- for say home WiFi connections).
- Bluetooth must be left on.
- Others must also have the same set up in order for crowd sourcing to work. 
  (e.g. Bluetooth to sense the TrackR device, location so the App knows the 
  current location of your phone and the detected TrackR device, WiFi or Data 
  connection to send the location updates.)
- Order directly from the TrackR website (https://buy.thetrackr.co/) to ensure you 
   get full support as well as the ability to return the device (if required).











                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Slack Consulting 07.2016

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