GPS Navigators and GPS tracking devices are selling like hotcakes online, now that a wide array of wholesale distributors is selling these devices at very low prices. You can take this great opportunity and be a reseller yourself but there are things that you need to understand, and eventually overcome, as a reseller.
One important thing is the fact that most of these low cost GPS tracking devices available in wholesale dont come with pre-installed software to keep the cost favorably low. As a reseller, you need to overcome this predicament by offering your customers alternative choices through the use of available open source software.
Proprietary software for GPS tracking devices are undoubtedly very expensive to come by and some may not be compatible with the hardware you are selling. Using open source software gives you and your customers a leeway to choose the best and most appropriate application that they can use on their GPS tracking device and they can get these practically free of charge.
** Using Open Source Software for GPS Tracking Devices **
Software for GPS navigators are entirely different from the applications used for GPS tracking devices as they basically have different core functions: one if for navigation while the other is for tracking. There are however 4-in-1 software applications that have incorporated both navigation and tracking features into one package, although not all hardware would be compatible to use with such an application.
Out in the market, you can find a wide variety of proprietary, free, and open source software which you can download and install in your GPS tracking device. Since cost is a primary consideration, choosing the open source path would be your most viable alternative to take, a fact that you should instill with your customers.
Essentially free software, it does not necessarily mean that this is the only thing that describes open source software. The term open source basically means that members of an open community of developers took part in creating, testing and improving the application until a final working version is out in the market. Since everyone took part, no one can claim proprietary use thats why the software is free to use by you or anyone else who wants it.
Since open source is basically free to use, many people connote this to poor or inadequate quality. Contrary to this, a wide variety of open source applications have proven that they are at par or even better than proprietary versions and you should also use this knowledge to market your products to your customers.
Aside from that, using open source for your GPS tracking device is a better alternative than using cracked software, which can only break down on you while in use and fill your system with a load of malware, Trojans and viruses that youd wish you never tried this path in the first place.
** Valuable Open Source Resources You Can Use **
The following lists some of the best open source software resources which you can explore and use to find the best open source applications that would work well with the GPS tracking products you are selling. You can share this information with your customers they would be extremely grateful that you did.
* Free GPS Maps*
* onstreetmap org
* informationfreeway org
* openstreetbrowser org
* opencyclemap org
* Free GPS Mapping Tools*
* Mapnik Mapmaking software
* maposmatic
* boulter com
* GPS Navigation Software*
* GPS drive Free open source GPS navigation software
* Lucky GPS
* Navit Free open source GPS navigation software
* GPS MID Free GPS mapping software
* Traveling Salesman GPS route-planning and navigation system
* Rana Python based GPS route-planning and navigation system
* Gosmore GPS routing device
The only problem with open source applications is the lack of customer service since no one owns their proprietary use. There are however several forums out there that can help you with any issues related to its use such as the ones listed below or you can start one customized for your client base on your own.
* GPS Passion
* GPS Discussion
* GPS Review
* Groundspeak
Tags: GPS, Mapnik Mapmaking, Navit Free, Rana Python
