Low-cost cellular tracking is closing the visibility gap on smaller jobsite assets, and the operational case for contractors is becoming hard to ignore.
Traditional telematics adoption has largely focused on heavy equipment. While many platforms track excavators, dozers, trucks, and large rental equipment, there is still a gap for smaller assets, such as attachments, pumps, generators, and other equipment.
This creates risk—these assets are expensive and can easily be stolen, misplaced, or remain underutilized when left untracked. Contractors stand to lose time and operational efficiency if they neglect smaller assets.
The scale of that risk is worth putting a number to. At least 72% of theft on sites is linked to smaller equipment, according to a recent study from fleet and equipment management company Samsara. Smaller, untracked assets are often the target because they’re harder to recover.
While satellite tracking can be incredibly useful for heavy equipment, it’s not a practical solution for tracking lower-value assets at scale. However, the landscape is changing with the introduction of solutions like cellular tracking.
Contractors are beginning to adopt cellular tracking devices that offer a more accessible pathway to better visibility across job sites. It is increasingly possible to monitor a wider range of equipment across entire job sites. These systems are more affordable than satellite alternatives and are often smaller and easier to deploy at scale. An example of this is the Geoforce GT1c cellular tracking solution, which operates on AT&T’s network.
For instance, upfront costs for a typical cellular asset tracker may be around $50 to $200, plus $10 to $30 in connectivity fees. To purchase a satellite tracker, one can expect to pay anywhere between $150 and $500, plus $25 to $60 for monthly service plans.
According to Geoforce CEO James MacLean III, cellular tracking devices are small but robust, capable of withstanding harsh conditions.
“Geoforce took the same customer-centric approach we use in developing our satellite trackers to create a new ultra-rugged cellular market category with the launch of this first-of-its-kind cellular asset tracker – the GT1c,” he said. “Its fully encapsulated design, rugged reinforced bezel, and intrinsic safety certification ensures it can survive in hazardous, heavy-vibration environments and extreme temperature ranges.”
In terms of real-world impact, cellular tracking devices have presented promising results. In a pilot program with Black Diamond Equipment Rental, participants observed the benefits of using the GT1c and expanding tracking across smaller assets. The equipment rental company achieved a 26% increase in tracked inventory across smaller- and mid-tier assets, resulting in significantly reduced operational friction and expected time savings exceeding 500 hours annually.
For contractors, cellular tracking offers several benefits, such as less time wasted searching for equipment, reduced operational friction between jobsites, and a smoother workflow.
Beyond theft prevention, the utilization visibility becomes a key draw for contractors. Knowing which assets are active and which are sitting idle across sites allows contractors to make better dispatch decisions, reduce duplicate equipment purchases, and identify underutilized equipment that can be relocated or returned. For contractors who are buying or renting equipment to fill gaps, greater visibility into what they already have yields clear budget benefits.
Jobsites are increasingly becoming fully connected asset ecosystems. More contractors are embracing data-driven equipment management and adopting models that enable integration among asset trackers, fleet telematics, maintenance platforms, and project management systems.
The definition of fleet management has clearly shifted to encompass all movable assets on a project, and there is growing emphasis on unified jobsite visibility. This broader shift is not just about tracking equipment—it also signals a preference for using real-time data to enhance productivity and manage equipment more efficiently across every level of the jobsite.
Equipment management on job sites remains an evolving topic as more contractors adopt asset-tracking solutions. For more coverage of the equipment, technology, and operational shifts changing how jobsites run, subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
