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Satellite Tracking

Satellite connectivity provides continuous tracking across all terrains and regions, including signal dead zones and border crossings. It keeps vehicles and assets connected throughout remote segments of a route, making it ideal for long-haul, rural, or cross-border operations. This continuous connection enhances routing, dispatch, and security through uninterrupted tracking and communication. 

Satellite connectivity operates independently of traditional tower-based infrastructure, offering greater redundancy. Unlike cellular, which can drop out in underserved regions, satellite offers reliable coverage in areas beyond the reach of cellular networks. It delivers consistent performance without tower handoffs, roaming fees, or SIM complications. 

Satellite connectivity has become significantly more accessible. Today’s satellite modules are smaller, more affordable, and easier to integrate than legacy systems. With low-power hardware and modern integration options, even smaller fleets can now adopt satellite. Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites are optimized for IoT applications, replacing older, bulkier SATCOM technologies. 

No, satellite is well-suited for lightweight, high-value tracking applications. It efficiently handles GPS pings, alerts, and sensor data with minimal bandwidth. The key advantage is reliability—satellite excels where even minor coverage gaps can cause significant operational issues. It’s an ideal solution when cellular cannot provide dependable connectivity. 

Unlike trucks, trailers often remain stationary for long periods in yards or remote areas. Cellular systems rely on movement to store and forward data effectively, which works well for trucks but leads to coverage gaps and reduced data integrity for idle trailers. Satellite tracking provides continuous, reliable coverage—even when trailers aren’t moving—making it a more dependable solution for trailer tracking.

Direct-to-device connectivity refers to the ability of tracking devices to communicate directly with satellite networks without requiring cellular infrastructure. This simplified approach enables reliable communication with trailers even in the most remote locations.

GPS provides location data using signals from satellites. Satellite connectivity, by contrast, enables devices to transmit and receive data such as location, alerts, and sensor readings. GPS tells you where something is; satellite connectivity ensures that data gets back to your systems. Both are essential for real-time asset tracking and management. 

Not with the right integration partner, like TGI Connect. Satellite can typically be added to existing platforms with minimal changes. It layers easily onto systems for GPS tracking, telematics, or alerting without requiring a full system overhaul. 

Satellite is ideal for trailers and containers that travel through rural or international routes. It’s also essential for high-value or sensitive cargo requiring constant visibility. Remote or off-grid assets such as construction equipment or mobile storage units benefit significantly from satellite’s reliability where cellular is insufficient. 

Satellite ensures uninterrupted tracking, even outside cellular coverage. It enables data-based decision-making for dispatchers and planners and eliminates delays or guesswork in asset location. This creates a more complete and transparent view of the supply chain. 

Yes, satellite connectivity is well-positioned for the future of logistics, which is increasingly automated and data driven. It supports expansion into new regions without being limited by cellular infrastructure. As IoT, smart assets, and AI-powered routing evolve, satellite offers scalable, flexible connectivity to support growth and innovation. 

Cellular tracking depends on terrestrial infrastructure — specifically, cell towers. In the event of a natural disaster like a hurricane, wildfire, or flood, these towers can be damaged or go offline, leading to service interruptions and loss of visibility for your trailers.

Satellite tracking, on the other hand, operates through satellites in orbit and communicates with a network of overlapping ground stations. This means your trailer data can still be transmitted even if one ground station is affected. With no reliance on local infrastructure, satellite tracking provides consistent, uninterrupted coverage — even in remote areas or during emergencies — ensuring you stay connected to your assets when it matters most.

Trailer Utilization

Trailer utilization measures whether the trailers in your fleet are actively working or sitting idle. At its most basic level, it answers one question: are your trailers moving loads and generating revenue, or are they parked somewhere accumulating cost? The definition can vary by carrier, some track physical movement, others set a mileage threshold (e.g., a trailer is only “utilized” if it exceeds 2,500 miles per month), and some measure whether trailers assigned for temporary storage are actually being used for that purpose.

Every trailer in your fleet carries a monthly cost whether it moves or not – lease or finance payments, insurance, maintenance, tires, licensing, and storage can add up to $900–$2,000 USD+ per unit per month. A trailer that isn’t generating revenue is still generating expense. At scale, even a modest utilization gap across a large fleet can translate to hundreds of thousands of dollars per month in unrecovered cost.

There is no universal benchmark, it depends on your operation, freight model, and how you define utilization. Most carriers aim for 80% or higher, but the more important question is whether your current rate is accurate. Many fleets believe they’re running at 80–85% utilization; when tracked with accurate location and movement data, the real number is often significantly lower. Knowing your true rate is the first step to improving it.

Truck utilization tracks how productively your tractors and drivers are being used – hours of service, miles driven, load frequency. Trailer utilization is specifically about the trailers themselves: are they loaded and moving, sitting at a customer location, waiting in a terminal yard, or sitting idle? Because trailers far outnumber tractors in most fleets, trailer utilization problems are often hidden and much harder to spot without dedicated tracking.

The most reliable way is through trailer tracking data, specifically utilization reports that show movement patterns across your entire fleet, dormancy reports that flag trailers with no activity over a defined period, and dwell reports that surface assets sitting at customer locations or terminals beyond expected windows. Without that data, most fleets rely on gut instinct or incomplete spreadsheets, which tend to sign

The truck-to-trailer ratio tells you how many trailers exist in your fleet for every active tractor. A 1:5 ratio means one truck services five trailers; a 1:10 means ten. Carriers that rely heavily on drop-and-hook operations naturally carry higher ratios. The key is making sure your ratio reflects operational need – not historical habit or assets that were never retired. Utilization data helps you identify the right ratio for your operation and flag when you’ve drifted past it.

Some carriers define utilization in terms of distance rather than movement alone. For example, a trailer might only be considered “utilized” if it exceeds a set number of miles in a given month -such as 2,500 miles. Anything below that threshold is flagged as underutilized regardless of whether the trailer technically moved. This approach is especially useful for carriers focused on asset productivity and lane efficiency.

A dormancy report surfaces trailers that have recorded zero movement over a defined period – typically 30, 60, or 90 days. It’s one of the most actionable utilization tools available because it identifies exactly which assets are contributing nothing to your operation. For large fleets with assets spread across multiple terminals, dormancy reports are often where the biggest surprises – and the biggest cost-saving opportunities are found.

A dwell report tracks how long a trailer has been sitting at a specific location – a customer site, terminal, or maintenance facility beyond an expected or contracted time window. Dormancy is fleet-wide inactivity; dwell is location-specific overstay. Both are important. Dwell reports are especially critical for identifying which customers are holding trailers too long and for supporting detention billing with accurate, time-stamped evidence.

Monthly costs for a standard dry van trailer (owned or leased) typically include:

  • Lease or finance payment: $400–$900+
  • Depreciation / capital allocation (owned): $300–$600
  • Insurance (physical damage + cargo): $60–$200
  • Maintenance & repairs: $80–$250
  • Tire allocation: $50–$150
  • Licensing / permits / registration: $10–$50
  • Yard / storage costs: $0–$100+ (if applicable)

That adds up to roughly $900–$2,000+ per trailer per month — whether or not it ever touches a load.

On a fleet of 1,000 trailers, 20% idle means 200 units generating no revenue. At $900–$2,000+ per unit per month, that’s $180,000–$400,000 per month in unrecovered cost. Over a year, that range climbs to $2.2M–$4.8M. Even small improvements in utilization rate can have a significant impact on the bottom line.

When a customer holds a trailer beyond their contracted window – using it as overflow storage, for example, that trailer is unavailable for loads while still accumulating monthly cost. In some fleets, one or two large customers quietly hold 20–30% of total assets well past their return date. Without dwell tracking, this goes unnoticed and unbilled. Geofenced dwell reporting gives you the date- and time-stamped evidence to enforce contracts and recover those assets.

Yes – if your contracts include detention or demurrage provisions, you can charge customers for holding trailers beyond the agreed grace period. The challenge for most carriers has been proving it accurately. Geofenced trailer tracking provides indisputable, time-stamped arrival and departure data for every location, making detention billing straightforward and removing the back-and-forth that typically accompanies manual tracking.

Utilization Reporting

TGI Connect Utilization Reports give operations leaders a clear, data-driven picture of how the fleet is performing at both the fleet and individual asset level. Reports surface which trailers are actively moving, which are idle, average fleet movement over time, and how individual assets are trending against your utilization targets – all without manual data entry or guesswork.

TGI Connect offers several report types that work together to give a complete utilization picture:

  • Utilization Reports: Fleet-wide and per-asset movement tracking against your defined utilization metric.
  • Dwell Reports: Time-stamped overstay tracking at geo-fenced customer, terminal, and maintenance locations.
  • Dormancy Reports: Identifies trailers with zero movement over a set time period (30, 60, or 90 days).
  • Truck-to-Trailer Ratio Reports: Tracks your fleet ratio over time to support right-sizing decisions.

Once TGI Connect units are installed and activated, location and movement data begins flowing immediately. Most customers start seeing actionable utilization patterns within the first 30–90 days – enough movement history to identify idle assets, flag dwell issues, and begin benchmarking against your utilization targets. The longer the system is in place, the richer the trend data becomes for long-term fleet decisions.

The answer depends on your freight volumes, lane patterns, customer dwell expectations, and operational model – but the only reliable way to find it is through data. Without accurate utilization tracking, most fleets carry 10–25% more trailers than they actually need, because adding equipment feels safer than risking a capacity shortfall. TGI Connect Utilization Reports give you the numbers to make that call confidently rather than conservatively.

Most operations leaders act on utilization data in one of three ways:

  • Retire underperforming assets: Trailers consistently below your utilization threshold can be flagged for retirement, reducing fleet cost without impacting capacity.
  • Cancel or defer new trailer orders: If you already have idle assets, adding more doesn’t solve a capacity problem — it adds to existing cost.
  • Put idle trailers back to work: Identifying dormant assets creates an opportunity to add load and convert a cost center into a revenue generator.

Yes – and that’s often the unexpected result. Right-sizing isn’t just about cutting cost. Removing excess assets creates clearer visibility into what’s actually available, reduces yard congestion, frees up capital, and makes it easier to scale efficiently. Carriers who have retired underperforming trailers based on utilization data have, in some cases, reduced their fleet size while simultaneously growing their business because operational clarity replaces the need to overbuy as a buffer.

Usually both — but visibility comes first. You can’t fix a process problem you can’t see. The most common root cause of underutilization isn’t having too many trailers; it’s not knowing where they are or what they’re doing. Once accurate location and movement data is in place, operations teams can distinguish between trailers that are simply excess and trailers that are idle due to process issues — like poor yard management, extended maintenance holds, or customer dwell — and address each appropriately.

Start with the cost per idle unit. If your fleet carries 200 trailers that haven’t moved in 30+ days, and each costs $900–$2,000/month to carry, that’s a monthly cost range you can put in front of leadership with a clear ask. TGI Connect Utilization Reports provide the data to make that case — specific asset IDs, movement histories, and dwell logs that remove any ambiguity about which trailers are earning their keep and which aren’t.

SmartOne Solar™ Device

Installing the SmartOne Solar™ is fast and easy. You’ll receive step-by-step instructions with your shipment, and this quick installation video shows you exactly how to get set up in minutes. 

Installation takes under 5 minutes. Many customers say the hardest part is getting the ladder—it’s that simple. 

A cellular upgrade cycle happens when networks move from 3G to 4G or 5G, forcing hardware updates. These upgrades can be expensive and disrupt fleet operations. TGI Connect uses 100% satellite tracking—so there are no network compatibility issues or upgrade cycles. 

Yes. The SmartOne Solar™ offers advanced security, including tamper switch alerts, custom rule-based notifications, and geo-fencing to track when trailers enter or leave a yard. 

The SmartOne Solar™ is solar-powered with a built-in battery that works even in low light. It can also be hardwired if needed for a consistent power source. 

Our 5-year warranty covers product failures and manufacturer defects. If there’s an issue, we’ll quickly replace the device and help with a simple return process—no hassle. 

The SmartOne Solar™ is certified safe for use in hazardous environments, including oil, gas, and military zones. It meets ATEX Zone 0, IECEx, IP68/69K, and HERO standards.

No, the SmartOne Solar™ is a self-powered, wireless tracking device. It can also be hardwired when needed, offering flexibility for different fleet setups. 

Vizicube Smart Sensor

Vizicube is a compact, AI-powered smart sensor that monitors trailer conditions—like temperature, cargo status, door activity, and location—to give you real-time visibility and insights. 

The SmartOne Solar™️ hardware can be installed in typically less than 5 minutes. In fact, some of our customers have reported that it took them more time to get the ladder than it did to install the device!

Vizicube captures: 

  • Temperature changes (-40°C to 80°C) 
  • Cargo status 
  • Door activity (swing/roll detection) 
  • Vibration and hard braking impact 

Yes, Vizicube is compact and wire-free. It installs in minutes and is built tough with an IP67-rated enclosure. It comes with 3M-VHB tape with the device. 

Vizicube runs on a long-life 2.7Ah Primary Lithium battery with intelligent power-saving features. It connects wirelessly using Bluetooth for a fast setup. 

Vizicube links directly to TGI Connect’s My Connect Manager platform and mobile app—letting you track everything in one place. 

Yes. Vizicube sends data through the SmartOne Solar™ satellite tracking device to our My Connect Manager software for reporting and alerts. 

Yes, Vizicube is perfect for reefers. It monitors internal temperature and cargo conditions, helping you ensure product safety in transit. 

Vizicube Sensor with Probe

It provides accurate internal and external temperature readings for tanker trailers, especially useful for high-temperature liquid hauls. 

It’s ideal for high-temp liquid commodities like asphalt, emulsions, food-grade oils or anything where precise internal temperatures matter. 

The probe is built to withstand and report temperatures exceeding 300°F (149°C) reliably and up to 1100°F (600°C). 

The sensor is mounted externally on the trailer, while the probe is inserted into the tank through an existing port or coupling. 

It reduces manual temperature checks, minimizes delivery disputes, and proves load integrity with time-stamped data you can access anytime. 

Yes. All readings are visible through your TGI Connect Mobile Application and on desktop through My Connect Manager. 

Analog gauges can be inaccurate and hard to verify. Vizicube Sensor with Probe provides digital precision, historical logs, and remote visibility which means no more guesswork. Also, results are conveniently delivered to operations through the TGI Connect MCM software and to the driver through the TGI Connect Mobile App. 

Software & Integrations

Yes. My Connect Manager (MCM) Software is designed for ease of use, with intuitive navigation and features. Your Account Manager will provide live onboarding to help your Team confidently use the platform. Similarly aligned with the notion that one would not expect a family doctor to perform a root canal when it comes to asset tracking and your bottom line – trust the experts.

With the TGI Integrator, installation typically takes less than an hour. Our team can work with your IT staff or guide you step-by-step by phone. For custom API integrations, our Technical Team works directly with your Team to understand your requirements and time depends upon complexity of the project. 

Absolutely. MCM is built for you to filter and report only what matters. Your Account Manager will help tailor it to your organization’s needs. 

There is no limit! Your Account Manager will help you assign the right number of users and ensure everyone is supported through multiple touchpoints. 

On the login page, click “Reset Password”, enter your email, and follow the instructions. You’ll receive a code to set a new password.  

Customer Live Link is already a part of My Connect Manager (MCM). For additional information and training please reach out to your Account Manager. 

Only users with Admin access can add users: 

  1. Log in as a company admin 
  2. Go to User Management 
  3. Click the + icon 
  4. Fill in required fields 
  5. Click Invite User and then Send Invite. The new user will receive an email to set their password and log in. 

The TGI Connect Mobile App is available on both Android and iOS. 

For Android

For Apple

TGI adds value by: 

  • Tracking non-powered assets (e.g., trailers, containers) 
  • Improving asset utilization and security 
  • Integrating with ELD data for a full fleet view 
  • Enhancing reporting, customer service, and maintenance planning 

MCM works with: 

  • Windows (7, 8, 10, 11) and macOS 
  • Browsers: Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari 
  • Mobile: Android 8.0+ and iOS 16.0+ 
  • Various third-party fleet and asset management platforms 

Please contact your TGI Account Manager to share concerns, issues, or suggestions.

TGI Connect Mobile App

The TGI Connect Mobile App is a powerful fleet management tool that gives users mobile access to vital trailer data including location, temperature, cargo status, and movement. 

The app is built for drivers, dispatchers, and operations teams who need trailer visibility on the go—whether in the yard, on the road, or after hours. 

Drivers can search for specific trailers and get instant GPS directions to their exact location, reducing yard search time and increasing operational efficiency. 

Users can view Yard Checks, Dwell Time, Dormancy, Utilization, Mileage, and Vizicube Smart Sensor data including temperature, door and cargo status—all from their phone. 

Yes, the app supports push notifications for key events like geofence entry/exit, movement start/stop, and sensor-based alerts, keeping you informed in real time. 

The app uses secure login and encrypted data transfer to protect sensitive trailer and fleet information. 

Yes, the TGI Connect Mobile App is available for download on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. 

For Android

For Apple

If you’re an existing TGI Connect customer, simply download the app and log in with your My Connect Manager (MCM) credentials. For new users, contact our team for a quick demo or onboarding support. 

The app helps save time, reduce calls between teams, improve trailer tracking accuracy, and give you full fleet visibility—anytime, anywhere. 

Customer Inquiries

In addition to 24/7 access to high-level support from our team of experts, every TGI customer is assigned their own account manager to ensure that they understand how to proactively leverage the advanced capabilities and reporting features of their tracking solution.

We proudly guarantee that our TGI customers will never experience frustrating delays, lapses in communication, or be left in the dark when it comes to customer-support.

The vast majority of our customers experience such dramatic savings within the first few weeks of using their TGI solution that they express regret for not having done it sooner. While many have experienced high returns upwards of 4000%, all our customers experience an average ROI of 500%.

In other words, TGI delivers a solution literally designed to pay for itself and increase revenue.

If this sounds too good to be true, use our free ROI calculator and discover, firsthand, the possibilities that await you.

TGI’s customizable reporting features enable you to set specific rules and alerts pertaining to the allowable downtime for your trailers. For instance, you may elect to set a rule to allow a grace period of inactivity for certain companies and, if that time were to elapse, an alert would be sent, and automated demurrage billing would take place in alignment with your preferences. Some of our customers have reported to us that the revenue generated by just the automated demurrage billing pays for their entire TGI solution.
With a strong commitment to relationship-building, TGI’s priority is centered in providing exceptional customer service through a holistic, all-encompassing approach. Your TGI account manager will provide the peace of mind in knowing there is always another set of eyes on your fleet as well as empower your team to leverage the best possible return on investment.

TGI solutions can guarantee operational cost savings through several key mechanisms:

  1. Improved Asset Utilization: TGI’s asset tracking and management capabilities enable you to optimize asset utilization without needing to extend your fleet capabilities through rentals or new trailer acquisitions. You can ensure that your trailers and equipment are consistently in use, reducing instances of idle or underutilized assets.
  2. Reduced Theft and Loss: TGI’s tracking services enhance asset security, helping to prevent theft and loss. This minimizes the financial impact of replacing stolen or lost assets and can lead to lower insurance premiums.
  3. Streamlined Maintenance: By integrating asset tracking data with maintenance schedules, TGI helps you implement a proactive approach to maintenance. This reduces unexpected breakdowns, repair costs, and downtime.
  4. Efficient Scheduling: TGI’s visibility into asset locations and conditions allows for more efficient scheduling and routing. This can lead to fuel savings and reduced operational costs associated with unnecessary mileage.
  5. Enhanced Customer Service: TGI’s reporting and data analysis tools can improve customer service. Timely and accurate information on asset locations and ETAs can lead to better communication with customers and potentially increased business.
  6. Simplified Hardware: TGI’s easy-to-install, low-maintenance hardware reduces installation and ongoing operational costs.
  7. Long Warranty Period: TGI provides one of the longest warranties in the industry, reducing the financial burden of hardware replacement and maintenance.
  8. Low Total Cost of Ownership (TCO): The combination of these benefits contributes to a lower total cost of ownership for your assets, ultimately resulting in operational cost savings.

 

 

By leveraging TGI’s solutions to optimize asset management, enhance security, and streamline operations, you can confidently expect operational cost savings, making TGI a valuable choice for asset tracking and management.

TGI’s My Connect Manager is designed with user-friendliness in mind, and we’re here to help you harness the full potential of our reporting features. To use these features to your advantage, follow these steps:

  1. Training and Onboarding: When you first sign up for My Connect Manager, our team will provide you with extensive training and onboarding resources. This includes user manuals, video tutorials, and in-depth customer support to help you get started.
  2. Customization: My Connect Manager offers customizable reporting tools. Take the time to tailor the reports to your specific needs; select the data you want to track, set parameters, and save report templates for quick, on-demand access.
  3. Reach Out to Our Support Team: If you have questions or need assistance, our experts are here to guide you through everything from creating and interpreting reports to helping you make informed decisions based on the data.
  4. Leverage Customer Success Resources: Your TGI Account Manager is dedicated to your success and will proactively help you identify opportunities and provide best practices for using reports to optimize your asset management.

Using the reporting features on My Connect Manager to your advantage is all about understanding your unique needs, customizing your reports, and seeking assistance when necessary. We are committed to supporting you every step of the way, ensuring that you get the most out of our reporting capabilities.

TGI Connect Logo | best Satellite Fleet Tracking Software & Solutions

Welcome to TGI Connect – your gateway to cutting-edge asset management solutions designed specifically for the transportation industry. With a legacy dating back to 1992, we’ve honed our expertise in trailer asset management to provide our customers with a tracking solution that delivers unparalleled efficiency and cost savings.

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