What Is the Relationship Between SmarTrack and Global Telemetrics?
If you’ve purchased a SmarTrack tracking device, you may have noticed the name Global Telemetrics appearing during the installation or subscription process.
Perhaps your tracking system says SmarTrack, but your welcome email came from Global Telemetrics. Maybe your monitoring payment is made to Global Telemetrics, or the app on your phone carries the Global Telemetrics name.
So, what exactly is the relationship between SmarTrack and Global Telemetrics?
The good news? It’s much simpler than it sounds.
SmarTrack provides the vehicle tracking system installed in your vehicle, while Global Telemetrics provides the secure monitoring, billing, app and theft recovery services working behind it.
In one sentence:
- SmarTrack is the tracker
- Global Telemetrics is the monitoring service behind it
Together, they provide a complete professionally monitored vehicle tracking and stolen vehicle recovery service.
So, let’s answer the questions we hear most often.
Are SmarTrack and Global Telemetrics the Same Company?
SmarTrack Limited and Global Telemetrics Limited are separate registered companies, but they work closely together to provide one joined-up vehicle security service.
They are not competing vehicle tracker brands.
SmarTrack is the name of the vehicle tracking system and security product installed in your car, van, motorhome, caravan or other vehicle. Global Telemetrics is the secure platform and operational team responsible for monitoring subscribed SmarTrack devices.
For the customer, they work as two connected parts of the same service:
- SmarTrack provides the tracking product
- An approved engineer installs the system
- Global Telemetrics commissions and monitors it
- Global Telemetrics manages the monitoring subscription
- The Secure Control Centre responds to relevant alerts
- The Repatriations Team assists with stolen vehicle recoveries
This is why you will regularly see the phrase:
SmarTrack – Monitored by Global Telemetrics.
What Does SmarTrack Do?
SmarTrack is the vehicle tracking and stolen vehicle recovery brand.
Its range includes professionally installed tracking systems for cars, prestige vehicles, vans, motorhomes, caravans, motorcycles, plant machinery and other valuable assets.
Depending on the SmarTrack product selected, your system may include features such as:
- GPS vehicle location
- Movement alerts
- Vehicle battery monitoring
- A built-in backup battery
- Driver Detection
- Journey history
- Geofence alerts
- International network roaming
- Optional vehicle immobilisation
- Access to the Global Telemetrics app
SmarTrack also offers Thatcham S7 and S5 tracking systems. An S7 tracker provides professionally monitored stolen vehicle tracking, while an S5 system adds Driver Detection technology to help identify whether an authorised driver is present.
In simple terms, SmarTrack is the technology installed in and protecting your vehicle.
What Does Global Telemetrics Do?
Global Telemetrics is the secure monitoring and billing platform behind subscribed SmarTrack tracking systems.
Its Secure Control Centre operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, providing support when a monitored system generates a relevant security alert or when a customer reports a vehicle as stolen.
Global Telemetrics is responsible for several important parts of the service, including:
- Commissioning newly installed SmarTrack devices
- Checking that the tracker is communicating correctly
- Activating and managing monitoring subscriptions
- Providing access to the Global Telemetrics app
- Managing customer accounts
- Responding to monitored security alerts
- Supporting customers during a vehicle theft
- Mobilising the Repatriations Team during a theft
- Customer aftercare upon the return of recovered vehicles
Global Telemetrics also operates a dedicated Repatriations Team. This team works alongside police forces to help locate, secure and return stolen vehicles when required.
So, while your SmarTrack device is hidden discreetly inside your vehicle, the Global Telemetrics team is working behind the scenes to support it.
What Happens When a SmarTrack Tracker Is Installed?
A SmarTrack tracking system is installed by an approved vehicle security engineer.
Once the physical installation has been completed, the system is commissioned with Global Telemetrics. This allows the team to verify that the device is operating and communicating correctly.
The process normally works like this:
- An approved engineer installs the SmarTrack tracker.
- The engineer contacts the Global Telemetrics commissioning team.
- Global Telemetrics checks the tracker’s location and operational information.
- The device is confirmed as working correctly.
- You select and activate your monitoring subscription.
- Your monitoring service and app access are activated.
During commissioning, Global Telemetrics can check information such as the vehicle’s position, ignition status, main battery voltage and the tracker’s internal backup battery.
Once the subscription has been processed, your SmarTrack system becomes fully connected to the monitoring service.
Why Do I Pay Global Telemetrics for My SmarTrack Subscription?
This is one of the most common causes of confusion.
You may purchase your SmarTrack system and installation through an approved dealer, but the ongoing monitoring subscription is managed by Global Telemetrics.
The original purchase normally relates to the tracking equipment and its professional installation. Your Global Telemetrics subscription pays for the ongoing service behind that device.
This can include:
- 24/7/365 monitoring
- Secure Control Centre support
- Customer account management
- App access
- Alert handling
- Theft assistance
- Police liaison
- Recovery and repatriation support
Subscription options vary depending on the SmarTrack product installed and may include monthly, annual, multi-year and duration-of-vehicle-ownership choices.
Once payment has been processed, Global Telemetrics can activate the monitoring service and issue the relevant installation certification.
Why Is the App Called Global Telemetrics?
Because Global Telemetrics operates the software and monitoring platform connected to your SmarTrack system.
With a compatible SmarTrack tracker, the Global Telemetrics app allows you to view useful vehicle information from your smartphone.
Depending on the system installed, this may include:
- The vehicle’s current or last known location
- Ignition status
- Vehicle battery voltage
- Speed and distance information
- Previous journeys
- Geofence notifications
- Battery and movement alerts
- Service Mode
- Optional immobilisation controls
Not every feature is available with every tracker, so the exact information shown will depend on the SmarTrack product installed.
Seeing the Global Telemetrics name in the app does not mean that you have been given a different tracking system. It simply means that you are using the secure platform connected to your SmarTrack device.
Is SmarTrack Monitored 24 Hours a Day?
Subscribed SmarTrack tracking systems are monitored through the Global Telemetrics Secure Control Centre, which operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
That does not mean someone is personally watching every journey you make.
The purpose of the service is to protect your vehicle and respond to relevant security events. Depending on the product installed, an alert may be generated when:
- The vehicle moves without the ignition being used
- An authorised driver is not detected
- The vehicle battery is disconnected
- The tracker detects possible tampering
- A connected vehicle alarm is activated
When a monitored alert is received, the Secure Control Centre can investigate and contact the authorised people registered on the account to check whether the vehicle is safe.
This is why it is important to keep your contact numbers and account information up to date.
Who Contacts Me If My SmarTrack Generates an Alert?
The Global Telemetrics Secure Control Centre will contact you.
For example, if you have a SmarTrack S5 system and the vehicle is driven without an authorised Driver Detection card, tag or registered D-iD device being present, an alert may be sent to the Secure Control Centre.
The team will then attempt to contact you or another authorised person on your account to establish whether the vehicle is safe.
The same principle applies to other monitored events, such as unexpected movement or battery disconnection.
Your tracker detects and reports the event. Global Telemetrics provides the human response behind it.
What Happens If My Vehicle Is Stolen?
If your vehicle is stolen, you should first report the theft to the police and obtain a crime reference or incident number.
You should then contact the Global Telemetrics Secure Control Centre using the dedicated theft number:
01530 275 920 and selecting option 1
Once the theft has been confirmed, Global Telemetrics can begin monitoring the information supplied by the SmarTrack device and liaising with their Repatriation Team who will liaise with the police.
Depending on the circumstances, the Repatriations Team may also assist with:
- Tracking the vehicle’s movements
- Communicating relevant information to the police
- Supporting officers during the recovery
- Coordinating with recovery partners
- Helping arrange the safe return of the vehicle
No vehicle tracker can guarantee that every stolen vehicle will be recovered. However, combining a professionally installed SmarTrack device with Global Telemetrics’ monitoring and recovery support provides more than a location on a map. It provides experienced people who know what to do with that information.
Does Global Telemetrics Only Monitor SmarTrack Trackers?
No.
Global Telemetrics provides monitoring, billing and telematics services for SmarTrack and several other vehicle security brands. It also works with vehicle manufacturers and other automotive organisations.
However, when you purchase a subscribed SmarTrack tracking system, Global Telemetrics is the platform responsible for commissioning, monitoring and supporting that particular device.
The fact that Global Telemetrics works with other brands does not change your SmarTrack product or the service attached to it.
Why Is the Relationship Between SmarTrack and Global Telemetrics Important?
A professionally monitored vehicle tracking system is more than a small electronic device hidden inside a car.
The tracker is important, but so are the people, systems and procedures behind it.
SmarTrack provides the vehicle tracking technology. Global Telemetrics connects that technology to a secure monitoring platform, a 24-hour control centre, customer support teams and specialist theft recovery assistance.
Without the SmarTrack device, there would be no tracking information.
Without the Global Telemetrics monitoring service, there would be no professional team ready to investigate alerts and act on that information.
The two work together to provide a more complete vehicle security service.
The Simple Explanation
The easiest way to understand the relationship is:
SmarTrack is the vehicle tracking system installed in your vehicle.
Global Telemetrics is the monitoring, subscription, app and recovery service operating behind it.
From installation and commissioning through to app access, security alerts and stolen vehicle recovery support, SmarTrack and Global Telemetrics work together to help protect your vehicle.
Because effective vehicle security isn’t only about knowing where your vehicle is.
It’s about having the right technology and the right people ready to act when it matters most.
Looking for the Right SmarTrack System?
Whether you need an S7 vehicle tracker, an S5 system with Driver Detection or a tracking solution for a motorhome, caravan, van or commercial vehicle, the SmarTrack team can help you choose the right level of protection.
Once your system has been professionally installed, Global Telemetrics will provide the ongoing monitoring and support behind it.
Speak to SmarTrack today and take the next step towards protecting your vehicle.