Written by Duncan Lambden Reviewed by Maïté Bouhali Updated on June 25, 2022 On this page Asset Tracking by Samsara Samsara Features and Benefits How Does Samsara Work? Samsara Pricing Samsara for Small Businesses How We Reviewed Samsara Expert Verdict Expand Features★★★★★Ease of Use★★★★★Help & Support★★★★★Overall★★★★★ Pros Track powered and unpowered tools Instantly locate remote tools Locate stolen assets Manage utilization for best ROI Keep track of maintenance Cons Best suited to large assets Geared towards the construction industry Software a little hard to pick up Asset Tracking by SamsaraAssets can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to purchase, especially if we’re looking at fleets of JCBs, cranes, and other large pieces of machinery. You’re going to want to look after your high value assets, and ensure you’re receiving the highest return on investment from them.That’s where Samsara’s asset tracking system comes in. Combining high tech equipment with innovative asset tracking software, Samsara’s asset tracking system will help you keep track of your assets in a multitude of ways – you’ll not only know where they’re located, but in what condition they’re in.This means you’ll reduce the number of working hours you waste looking for tools. In addition to that, you’ll be able to see which equipment is on location and which equipment is idle. And when it comes to the condition of your tools, you’ll be able to keep an eye on usage data, so you know exactly when to arrange preventative maintenance.There’s no denying that Samsara’s asset tracking system will quickly become an indispensable investment. And you should see a return on your investment through taking on more projects, engaging in preventative maintenance, and upping the amount of productive hours your team carry out on site.Read on to find out more about Samsara’s asset tracking system. Alternatively, if you know that an asset tracking system is the right investment for your company, you can quickly and easily receive quotes directly from suppliers just by filling in our form. Features and BenefitsSamsara’s asset tracking system uses powerful GPS trackers to keep tabs on your tools. If you choose to invest in a Samsara asset tracking system, an advisor will be able to recommend the type of GPS tracker you need, as well as how many. In the meantime, let’s have a look at the differences between the two types of asset tracker.Powered Asset TrackerPowered asset trackers are activated when they are hooked up to the engine diagnostics of your vehicles. Once hooked up, they’ll not only ping back information on the whereabouts of that particular asset, but will collect data such as mileage and engine run time, so you know when it’s time to book that asset in for a service.Unpowered Asset TrackerUnpowered asset trackers are stand alone units that you can attach to unmotored assets. They also deliver information on location, and you can store inventory data onto the tracker account to help you keep tabs on maintenance and inspection dates. They’re smaller than powered asset trackers, but just as sturdy, making them ideal for the construction site.Take a look at the table below to see how powered and unpowered asset trackers stack up against each other.Type of Asset TrackerTracks engine hours and mileageSends preventative maintenance alertsBattery poweredSends geofence alertsset custom ping ratesInventory reports and location historyIdentifies dormant assetsPowered asset tracker✔✔X✔✔✔✔Unpowered asset trackerX✔✔✔✔✔✔As you can see, aside from powered asset trackers having the additional capability of sending diagnostic data, both types are pretty high tech.Thanks to these high tech capabilities, companies that invest in Samsara’s asset tracking system will benefit from the following:Full visibility of all their assetsAutomated billing reports for asset rentalInstantly detect thefts thanks to geofencingPlan preventative maintenance according to usageIdentify idle assets and ensure rotation of assets Receive quotes from asset tracking suppliers Get Quotes How Does Samsara Work?Samsara’s asset trackers collect data, then use a mobile internet connection to send the data back to your software database in what we call ‘pings’. You can set how many pings a day your asset trackers send across.Samsara’s asset tracking software is a relatively easy to use platform. It does a good job of separating the data into pockets of information, so you can easily find out the answer to any queries you have relating to your assets.You’ll quickly and easily be able to look at data regarding: UsageDriversMaintenanceProximity of locationFurthermore, you’ll be able to delve deeper into the likes of: Fuel usageRoute analyticsTime on siteThanks to what we call The Internet of Things (IoT), you can integrate a whole host of additional hardware into your asset tracking system. This could include dash cams, side and rear cameras to assess driver performance and safety, and the setting up of driver apps so they can log journey details. Samsara PricingNot every company owns the same number of assets, and companies certainly don’t own the same types of asset. This means you’ll never see concrete asset tracking pricing structures online.Asset tracking suppliers like Samsara will require information on your assets before they provide you with advice on the type of trackers you need. They’ll then be able to give you a price based on that information.You can receive asset tracking quotes directly from suppliers simply by filling in our short form with a few details. Samsara for Small BusinessesThe majority of Samsara’s customers are medium-sized businesses, where larger asset directories and larger projects generally lead to a larger return on investment. This is generally because Samsara’s asset trackers are GPS trackers, which means they’re best suited to big machinery, rather than everyday tools and equipment.Smaller businesses may benefit from a smaller scale asset tracking system. This would involve fewer GPS trackers and more radio frequency identification (RFID trackers). But the great thing is, asset tracking systems are easily scalable – all you need to do is call up your supplier and request more asset trackers. How We Reviewed SamsaraOur team of independent researchers took a deep dive into the most used and top-rated asset tracking for construction suppliers. We rated each of the competitors on the following criteria:Price: The provider with the best value for money, looking at pricing vs features offeredFeatures: Providers that offer the widest range of hardware and software features rank above those that have a thinner or more basic offeringScalability: We considered whether the software could grow alongside a business, from a smaller operation to a larger enterprise with complex tracking needs.Customer support: We look at the type of features the providers offer to support their customers in case of a project management SOSReputation: We aggregate customer reviews from platforms like Trustpilot and Capterra to assure you that our knowledge is not only robust on paper but also in practiceAfter factoring in all of the individual scores from these categories, we calculated an overall score for each supplier to help guide your buying decisions. Verdict Samsara’s asset tracking system is a fantastic investment for any company that owns large assets. Its high tech GPS asset tracking system is capable of collecting and storing heaps of useful data, so companies can start managing their assets as effectively as possible.The only downside to Samsara’s asset tracking system is the limited type of tracker. Smaller companies that own everyday tools and equipment but lease larger machinery may struggle to justify the return on investment.With that the case, it’s always best that you shop around before you commit to an asset tracking supplier. The easiest way to do this is to fill in our short form. The best suppliers for your requirements will then be in touch with quotes and advice. Samsara Review FAQs How does Samsara work? Samsara’s asset trackers collect data, then use a mobile internet connection to send the data back to your software database. Is Samsara good for small businesses? Samsara isn’t particularly suited to small businesses because its generally works with GPS trackers, which are better for big machinery rather than everyday tools and equipment. Instead, small businesses are likely to benefit from providers that work more with radio frequency identification (RFID) trackers. Written by: Duncan Lambden Software Expert Duncan (BA in English Textual Studies and Game Design) is one of Expert Market's local Software Experts. His articles focus on ecommerce platforms and business software that allows small businesses to improve their efficiency or reach, with an emphasis on invoice financing, project management, and customer relations. Reviewed by: Maïté Bouhali Business Software Editor Maite began her career with Expert Market nearly four years ago as a writer. She quickly developed a passion for the challenges faced by small businesses and now endeavours to help them make informed decisions for their future. In her current position as Business Software Editor, Maite works closely with writers to ensure that each article is informative, well-researched, engaging, and actionable for readers. With extensive knowledge of CRM, vehicle tracking devices, and fuel cards, she is meticulous in her review of each article and provides detailed feedback before publication. Whether you're seeking to stay informed on the latest trends in business software or need guidance in selecting the most appropriate software for your organisation's needs, Maite is here to help. With her sharp eye for detail and commitment to quality, she is dedicated to supporting businesses in achieving their goals.