Should I code for browser or PC? (fleet management)

Question

I have to architect a commercial vehicle fleet tracking system.

Each vehicle (a few 100, max a few 1,000) will have a GPS and satellite transmitter and will periodically report its position. Positions will be stored in a database and used to create a Google Map.

There will of course be other functionalities. Security, log in, etc and probably lots of interaction with other corporate databses (drivers start/stop time for salary purposes, etc).

Question: pure GoogleMaps is probably best implemented as a browser based app (Php & MySql?), but with the additional functionality of a commercial vehicle fleet tracking system, would it be better doing something PC based (Windows/Linux)?

Any other advice? Thanks

Answer 1

I think with the capabilities of modern browsers, along with various mature client-side frameworks, we are witnessing an always thinning distinction between web and desktop interfaces.

You may want to take into consideration that a web application automatically solves some important problems for you:

• Distribution: No need to distribute your application. Simply provide a URL.
• Updates: Upgrading and fixing problems in your software will be easier and quicker if you distribute it through a web interface.
• Security: Deriving from the above, you are able to fix security vulnerabilities more promptly.
• Compatibility: Your application will be able to work on any operating system that can launch a web browser.

Last but not least, remember that the Google Maps API is not free for this type of application. Article 10.9.C of Google Maps API Terms and Conditions explicitly restrict using the standard Google Maps API for fleet management and asset tracking. You would need the Google Maps API Premier to legally use Google Maps for your application.

According to one unofficial source (dated April 2008), this would cost USD 10,000 per year, which entitles you to track 100 vehicles. If you exceed the 100 vehicles, you would need to add USD 24 per additional vehicle per year.