Our Frequently Asked Questions provide answers about evaluating, purchasing, and using SkyBitz industry-leading real-time tracking and information management solutions.

Simply select a link to view FAQs by category, or choose a specific question from the list below.

How did SkyBitz first get started?
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) originally funded development of the SkyBitz technology in 1995. After six years of research and development, SkyBitz Mobile Terminals began rolling off the production line and out to customers in December 2002.

What is the GLS technology?
The Global Locating System (GLS) is based on proprietary and patented methods for accurately determining the position of a mobile asset without the use of a GPS chip set in the mobile terminal. SkyBitz has developed various tracking techniques, wireless protocols, and algorithms to optimize the system for accurate, power-efficient, low-cost tracking.

What are the advantages of GLS over GPS?
The Global Positioning System (GPS) provides navigation information via satellite, which requires the unit to calculate its position locally. GLS overcomes GPS's limitations in tracking applications by calculating an asset's location centrally in the SkyBitz Operations Center. This means faster position reports, dramatically lower power consumption, and significantly reduced upfront hardware costs.

Does your technology use cellular service or satellite?
SkyBitz's GLS technolgy uses satellite technology. This allows SkyBitz to provide seamless coverage for maximum visibility when you need it, where you need it throughout all of North America.

Do you have complete coverage in North America?
The SkyBitz GLS platform provides greater coverage for maximum visibility when and where you need it. No matter where a trailer in your fleet travels throughout North America, it's always going to be within your line of sight.

What satellite does your system use?
The SkyBitz system communicates over Geostationary L-band satellites.

How accurate are your position reports?
GLS has a level of accuracy, which is equal to or better than GPS. Our average accuracy is 10 meters.

How do I access my SkyBitz data?
After installing and configuring the Mobile Terminal to meet your tracking needs, you can view your data several ways. With a standard Internet browser, you can access your password-protected data or your data can be exported to your operating system via XML feed.

Can you set up different parameters for different units in your fleet?
The SkyBitz system provides flexible and easy-to-customize solutions to meet your specific needs. For specific questions about data and reporting customization, please contact a SkyBitz Sales Representative at 1-877-2SkyBitz to request a system demonstration.

How often does the Mobile Terminal report its position? Is position reporting done automatically at regular intervals, or is it on demand?
You can program the system any way that you choose for reporting that meets your needs. For example, the Mobile Terminal can be programmed to wake-up and report in up to 12 different scenarios.

If my normal reporting is twice daily but I want to check on the hourly status of a particular trailer, am I able to request that information?
You can determine the reporting that's right for you.

What technology does the SkyBitz GLS 210 use?
The GLS 210 uses satellite technology and a patented location-determining algorithm, which derives the location without a separate GPS receiver. This provides the user with reliable location information at a lower cost.

How and where do I install the SkyBitz units?
Installation of the GLS 210 is simple and straightforward and doesn't require any special tools or knowledge. SkyBitz provides an installation manual and video to ensure correct installation without the need to cut a hole in the roof of the trailer. The bracket that holds the unit adheres to the top of the trailer with a special adhesive tape developed by NASA and the unit secures to the bracket with four tamper resistant mounting screws. Vigorous testing has been completed to ensure unit safety and trailer integrity

Can the GLS 210 be installed inside fiberglass trailers?
Yes, our technology has the ability to read through fiberglass so the unit can easily be installed inside these trailers.

Can customers add sensors to your product?
SkyBitz provides the option to add different types of sensors to your system. We currently offer a door sensor allows you to trigger status updates based on door open events. And our trailer tether sensor lets you know when your trailer is tethered or not. These sensors can help reduce cargo theft and monitor the security of trailers in real time.

How do the units hold up in extreme cold? For example, in Alaska?
Extreme cold does not impact the SkyBitz technology. The technology has been successfully implemented in demonstrations in Alaska and Northern Canada.

Is your system flexible enough to reprogram over-the-air, or without touching the remote terminal?
SkyBitz offers two-way over-the-air protocol. Most processing is performed at our data center, allowing upgrades to occur without ever touching the unit. The GLS 210 can be configured over-the-air to change parameters such as reporting rates, paging intervals, and sensor controls.

What's the product warranty?
SkyBitz offers a standard one-year warranty

What power source does the SkyBitz System require? Do you use tractor power source?
SkyBitz offers three power options: Internal Battery Pack, BAT-XTNDR, Auxiliary Battery Pack and an External Power Module. The Internal Battery Pack uses "AA" lithium batteries. If vehicle power is available, customers can add our External Power Module, which allows the unit to run off vehicle power when it is available and revert to the Battery Pack when it's not.

Can I change the battery installed in the GLS 210?
Yes, it takes about 15 minutes and the unit can remain installed on the trailer. We provide a tool kit with complete, easy-to-follow instructions.

Does the battery send out a low charge signal as it wears down?
Our units provide a warning as battery life declines. When you do have to change the battery, we provide a tool kit with complete, easy-to-follow instructions that should take no longer than 15 minutes. You can set up notifications to alert you when your batteries need to be replaced.

How do you achieve the battery life that you advertise?
Unlike other companies using GPS, SkyBitz leverages its patented GLS technology to achieve better battery utilization. Since the Mobile Terminal does not calculate position remotely, power consumption is significantly reduced. Due to the sophisticated radio design, the low maintenance Mobile Terminal extends battery life for years beyond GPS-based tracking products.

What is the SkyBitz GLS technology?
Traditional GPS-based calculations can take several minutes. With SkyBitz's Global Locating System (GLS), the Service Operation Center performs positioning calculations centrally and is able to calculate position in mere seconds, dramatically reducing power consumption and the cost and inconvenience associated with frequent battery replacement. That means you get your position reports faster and with less power consumption.

What types of fleets are using SkyBitz?
Trailers, Containers, Rail Cars and other unpowered assets are all being tracked by SkyBitz today. Drop and hook, long haul and short haul carriers have found the different SkyBitz GLS Service Plans are designed to meet their specific needs.

How many service plans does SkyBitz offer?
SkyBitz has two types of GLS Service Plans. You can choose between Basic Tracking and Smart Sensor Tracking. Both Service Plans work with the GLS 210 hardware:

• Basic Tracking provides location reporting based on a configurable schedule. This reporting and wake up schedule can be changed over the air. With Basic Tracking the internal battery pack for a SkyBitz Mobile terminal will operate for an average of three to four years in a standard reporting configuration.

      -     With Basic Tracking you choose the number of daily location reports and your GLS 210 wake up schedule.

      -      You can Page your trailers or put them in panic each time they wake up. You can also change the reporting and wake up schedule via the web site.

      -      Depending on usage you can expect a battery life of 3 to 4 years. Calculate you own battery life.

• Smart Sensor Tracking incorporates a patented Smart Sensor in the GLS 210. Instead of one or two daily location reports you get more insightful reports when the trailer has departed a location or arrived at its destination. The Smart Sensor is a microprocessor that adds significant Intelligence with new patented algorithms:

      -     Wakes the Mobile Terminal to report starts and stops you designate as important and filters out non essential stops and starts

      -     You can Page your trailers or put them in Panic each time they wake up. You can also change the reporting and start/stop thresholds via the web site

      -     With Smart Sensor Tracking you can extend your battery life 4 to 5 years. Calculate you own battery life.