How to Send Messages

Overview

simTRAC uses Garmin as partner for in-car messaging. To use messaging, you need the correct Garmin devices installed and connected to your simTRAC vehicle trackers. If you are purchasing navigators for messaging, contact our support team to confirm the correct Garmin model numbers.

If you have integrated simTRAC and simPRO, you can How to Integrate simTRAC and simPRO. Learn more in How to Integrate simPRO and simTRAC.

You can send messages to vehicles from the Messaging tab and the Map tab.

A screenshot of the Compose button in the Messaging tab.

To send a standard message:

  1. Click the Messaging tab.
  2. Click Compose.
  3. Type the vehicle or driver's name as the recipient. Alternatively, click the book icon on the right to select recipients from a list.
  4. If you require a response from the driver, select the Response Required check box. Then, select one of the two options:
    • Select Okay to allow the driver to respond with 'okay'.
    • Select Yes/No to allow the driver to respond with either 'yes' or 'no'.
  5. Type your message and click Send.

A screenshot of a message being typed.

Your message is displayed in the outbox. Messages can only be received when the vehicle is turned on. If the vehicle is turned off, the message with display as queued and is delivered when the vehicle is turned on.

Click the book icon to view the history of messages sent to and from that vehicle.

A Route To message is a message that has address coordinates attached to the message which is used to route the vehicle to a destination. Once the driver has read the message, they can tap Go on their navigator and follow the directions to the location.

A screenshot of the Route Vehicle option on a marker.

To send a Route To message:

  1. Click the Map tab.
  2. Type the address in the search bar.
  3. Click the blue marker and select Route Vehicle.
  4. Type the vehicle or driver's name as the recipient. Alternatively, click the book icon on the right to select recipients from a list.
  5. Type your message. Route To messages are limited to 199 characters, including characters in the address.
  6. Click Send.

When the driver has received the message, they are directed to the address.

Use the conversation box to send messages as well as view all messages sent to and from that vehicle.

A screenshot of the conversation box.

To send a message using the conversation box:

  1. Go to Map > Vehicles.
  2. Click the envelope icon next to the vehicle you would like to send a message to.
  3. Type your message.
  4. If you require a response from the driver, select Response Required. Then, select one of the two options:
    • Select Okay to allow the driver to respond with 'okay'.
    • Select Yes/No to allow the driver to respond with either 'yes' or 'no'.
  5. Type your message and click Send.

View driver replies in the inbox in the Messaging tab.

Alternatively, go to the Map tab and click the envelope icon next to view replies in the conversation box. The envelope icon is red when there are unread messages.

The house icon indicates messages sent from the simTRAC interface, while the truck icon indicates messages sent from the vehicle.

To archive messages in the inbox or outbox, click the red envelope icon.

To view archived messages, select the Archive check box.