Techcom Report (First Draft)

Group Name: S.E.A.Matics

Product Name & Company: SC2, Global Tracking Technology

Background Information

According to Global Tracking Technology (2017), SC2 is a multi-purpose multi-mode global positioning system tracking and telemetry device developed for tracking companies. It allows tracking companies to accurately track and oversee every land, marine, and tactical asset functioning in the most inaccessible, unsafe or tough environments due to its design to endure the harshest environments. SC2 is both a software and a hardware application.

The main function of SC2 is to track assets mainly through a web-based application. The features of the web-based application include web-based mapping and asset management. These features allow companies to easily access and have an overview of their assets instantaneously via any internet connection globally. In addition to that, no downloads are required and tools for management, displaying and mapping are provided to keep track of tens of thousands of assets.

Another feature of SC2 is that it is installed to the asset with advanced satellite and mobile technology to bring precise positional and management information within a two meters radius worldwide. In addition to it, SC2 also provides companies with the most economical satellite solution possible for both fixed and mobile assets. Furthermore, there will be added security features, such as alarms or security cameras. This allows companies to adjust to their demands and security concerns if their assets were to be jeopardized and help to protect it.

Overall, Global Tracking Technology should come up with a mobile application for their customers, as mobile phones are essential in our daily lives. The mobile application is more convenient for drivers of the tracking company who use it at a more regular basis as compared to the website. The mobile application will provide a more personalized platform for the drivers.

Problem Statement

The ideal telematics tracking and telemetry device should have open and easy access to an internet connection. Currently, SC2 utilizes a web-based application for telematics tracking companies to track their assets. Without it, drivers of the tracking company would be unable to keep track of their assets. Global Tracking Technology, which supplies SC2, needs to develop a more diverse application for its users to readily access the software.

Purpose Statement

The purpose of this proposal is to recommend to the development team from Global Tracking Technology to develop a mobile application for SC2. This allows fleet companies to track their assets at any place and time with their mobile phones.  

Methodology

Our team has carefully considered both primary and secondary research sources to obtain relevant and useful information for the report.

Primary Research

The team has sent an email to Global Tracking Technology to enquire if SC2 already has a mobile application. We received an email to contact the manufacturer, Succorfish, which we then proceeded to do. Unfortunately, we did not receive a reply from the manufacturer.

Secondary Research

The team has read and made references to various online sources to support our proposal. Firstly, the team has evaluated the official website of Global Tracking Technology regarding SC2 to deepen our understanding of the features, functions as well as areas of improvement of this product. The team then proceeded to propose a potential adaptation to SC2. In order to ensure the feasibility of the proposed solution, the team made references to different secondary sites to collect relevant and reliable data such as the cost of development of a mobile application.

Design Solution

By introducing a mobile application to the current SC2, it will provide greater convenience to the clients. Currently, SC2 makes use of a webpage for the clients to keep track of their assets. Clients are not able to customize the webpage according to their personal needs. The features included in the mobile application would be multiple assets tracking, assets monitoring and offline mapping.

Firstly, the ability to track multiple assets at once is of utmost importance, especially for major fleet companies. It would ease the tracking operations as clients would not need to switch between tabs. The summarized information will be shown on the first page. Secondly, assets monitoring. This feature will allow clients to know important information about their assets apart from just the location. Important information such as customer information, address, additional notes and others. Lastly, offline mapping. This feature would provide assistance to clients in the event that they are in an area with limited cellular coverage, they would still be able to know the route needed to reach their destination.

Benefits

By creating a mobile application for SC2, fleet managers and drivers will be able to save cost as they would not need to purchase another product. The mobile app will be incorporated with features that will enhance the product to meet the needs of the users. Furthermore, the mobile application may not only benefit the users but increase the sales of SC2.

Mobile Applications have the best performance

A mobile application is generally built for a specific platform such as Apple or Android.  As it is built using APIs and core programming language, mobile applications are much more responsive and efficient. The processing speed is increased as the application is stored on the device itself. Navigation through the application will be faster as the content of the application is also stored in the device, decreasing the loading time.

Efficiency and Convenience

Mobile applications will increase the client’s efficiency as applications are 1.5 times faster than mobile websites. This is because the information needed to be accessed are stored in the mobile’s local storage as compared to web servers for mobile websites. The time taken to access information from the web server is longer as it is dependent on the network speed. Meanwhile, the mobile local storage does not require a network connection.

In terms of convenience, mobile applications allow users to receive updates and alerts through notifications. Further features like “Push notifications” allow users to receive notifications without even opening the app. This is convenient as users will not have to frequent the website for the latest information.

Cost-saving with the elimination of hardware as well as ease of access

It has become a norm for everyone to own a phone these days. By having a mobile application, clients will be able to download the application onto their mobile and start tracking almost immediately. With that in mind, the elimination of an additional hardware solely to track assets has been made possible. Using a mobile application requires only a very small data footprint as well.

As mobile phones are something that users carry with them all the time, having a mobile application makes it easier for users to have access to information about their assets. Clients would not have to wait until they have their computers to check or experience the hassle of opening a browser, typing in the URL and logging in to the website. Having a mobile application reduce all those actions with just one click.

Mobile Applications are more secured

Mobile applications are more secured as the safety of the client’s data are guaranteed through data protection methods like multi-factor authentication, certificate pinning and keychain convenience.

Multi-factor authentication is a method where the client is granted access only after successfully providing the correct credentials. These credentials may come in many forms such as a password, biometric verification or a security token. Multi-factor authentication provides an extra layer as defence so that in the event that one credential is compromised, there is at least another credential to keep the data safe.

Possible drawback

One drawback of the proposed solution would be the need to hire a team of software engineers to develop the mobile application that includes all the proposed features. According to Formotus.Inc (2017), developing of a mobile application can be expensive with a cost ranging from $100,000 to $500,000, depending on the complexity of the application. Disregarding the preliminary cost in the development stage, a mobile application requires constant maintenance to fix any bugs and to prevent “down-time”. This is so that the mobile application will be able to operate smoothly.

However, while the cost of mobile application development and maintenance may be questionable for some, the advantages of the proposed solution using the mobile application will counterbalance the cost. The mobile application will undeniably be able to better provide to the customer’s needs which will result in a positive ripple effect. Hence, with an improved SC2, it will contribute to better customer satisfaction and improved sales for Global Tracking Technology.

Conclusion

The key focus of this proposal is to introduce a mobile application to the web-based application of SC2. The implementation of the mobile application, as well as the features that are incorporated, will provide a more convenient service for the clients. This will, in turn, increase the sales of the SC2 as it focuses on the customer’s needs.