PKSound Rental Speaker GPS Tracking & Auto-billing

About PKSound Rental Speaker GPS Tracking & Auto-billing

PKSound Rental Speaker GPS Tracking & Auto-billing is an innovative IoT-based rental management system designed specifically for PKSound’s speaker rental business. The platform combines hardware GPS trackers embedded in rental speakers with a comprehensive software ecosystem to provide real-time location tracking, geofencing capabilities, and rental management.

Core Features

GPS Tracking & Monitoring

• Real-time Location Tracking: Live GPS positioning of all rental speakers in the field
• Geofencing Capabilities: Define authorized zones and receive alerts for unauthorized movement
• Location History: Track complete movement history and usage patterns
• Multi-device Management: Monitor multiple speakers simultaneously across different rental contracts

Rental Management

• Equipment Inventory: Track all speakers and their current status (rented, available, in maintenance)
• Customer Management: Maintain customer profiles and rental history
• Contract Tracking: Monitor active rentals, due dates, and return status
• Alert System: Notifications for late returns, unauthorized locations, or equipment issues

GPS Tracker Simulation

• Testing Environment: Simulate GPS tracker behavior for development and testing
• Route Playback: Test system functionality with simulated movement patterns
• Multi-tracker Simulation: Test system scalability with virtual fleet

Technical Architecture

Frontend Stack

Web-based dashboard for monitoring and management:

• Modern Web Technologies: Responsive interface for desktop and mobile access
• Real-time Updates: Live location updates on interactive maps
• Interactive Mapping: Location visualization and tracking display
• Responsive Design: Optimized for desktop and mobile devices

Backend Infrastructure

Powered by C#, the backend provides:

• Server Component (PK-Server): Central processing unit handling all business logic

  • RESTful API endpoints for tracker communication
  • Database management for rentals, customers, and tracking data
  • Alert and notification system
  • Rental management operations

• GPS Tracker Component (PK-Tracker): Embedded system interface (Python)

  • GPS data collection and transmission
  • Low-power operation for extended battery life
  • Reliable communication protocols
  • Data buffering for offline scenarios

• Scripts Module (PK-Scripts): Utility scripts (Python) for:

  • Data processing and maintenance
  • Batch operations and system tasks
  • System monitoring and utilities

System Architecture

• Modular Design: Separate components organized as Git submodules
• Scalable Infrastructure: Handle multiple trackers and concurrent users
• Data Persistence: Robust database for tracking history and rental records
• API-driven Communication: RESTful APIs between tracker hardware and server

Hardware Integration

• GPS Modules: Integration with GPS hardware for accurate positioning
• IoT Communication: Reliable data transmission from embedded devices
• Power Management: Optimized for battery-powered operation
• Environmental Resilience: Designed for outdoor and mobile use cases

Use Cases & Applications

Rental Business Operations

• Track expensive audio equipment during rental periods
• Prevent theft and unauthorized use
• Monitor equipment location and status in real-time
• Optimize fleet management and equipment allocation

Customer Benefits

• Peace of mind with tracked equipment
• Flexible rental terms supported by automated systems
• Quick and efficient rental process

Business Intelligence

• Monitor equipment utilization and rental patterns
• Identify high-demand areas for service expansion
• Reduce losses from theft or misuse

Purpose & Impact

This system revolutionizes the audio equipment rental industry by bringing automation, transparency, and efficiency to the rental process. By combining IoT technology with real-time tracking capabilities, PKSound can:

• Reduce operational costs through automation
• Protect assets with real-time tracking and geofencing
• Scale operations without proportional increase in management overhead
• Improve visibility into fleet status and equipment location

The platform demonstrates the power of IoT in transforming traditional business models, making rental operations more efficient, secure, and data-driven.

Project Evolution

The system was designed with future scalability in mind. Features such as automated billing calculations, payment processing, and invoice generation were planned as enhancements and introduced later in the project lifecycle by the sponsor. These remained in development at project conclusion, demonstrating the evolving nature of client requirements in real-world software development.

Development Team

Collaborative project developed by:

• Braden Thompson (BradenThomp) - Project Lead
• Yossri Khalil (yossriK) - Developer & Contributor

Project Status

• Created: September 2021
• Last Updated: April 2022
• Status: Core tracking functionality completed