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service: "Publicasta"
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title: "Getting started"
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published_at: "2026-09-07T10:36:12+00:00"
updated_at: "2026-09-07T10:36:12+00:00"
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# Getting started

> Choose the right first steps for an account with a tracker already connected or for a new tracker you need to connect yourself.

Start on our monitoring website using the account details you received from us. If you opened this guide from your account, continue working on the same website; you do not need to register elsewhere.

 There are two common starting points:

 - we have already created your account and connected the tracker;
- you have an account, but need to connect your own tracker.

 ## Tracker, object and trip

 A **tracker** is a physical device, or sometimes an application, that determines its position and sends data to the monitoring service.

 An **object** is the vehicle, person, equipment or other item shown in your account. It has a name and is associated with a tracker. In the interface, the words *device* and *tracker* may also refer to this connection.

 A **point** is one position record with a date, time and available telemetry. A **trip** or track is the movement reconstructed from a sequence of stored points. The marker on the live map and the trip history are therefore related, but they are not the same thing.

 ## If the account is ready to use

 Sign in to your account and open **GPS Monitoring**. Select an object in the left panel, then click its marker on the map to see the latest data.

 Check three things first:

 1. The object name is the one you expect.
2. The date and time are recent enough for your task.
3. The position is plausible for the vehicle or equipment.

 The map shows the latest received point, not a guarantee of the object's position at this exact second. If the data is old, treat it as a connection or device issue rather than a map error.

 If these checks pass, the account is ready. Continue with **Live monitoring on the map** and then **Trip history**.

 ![Live map with two delivery vehicles and the current data card for Van 01](https://help.gpsoperator.com/storage/projects/47/pages/531/2026/09/7fb980ad-e43c-4b1a-aa32-a8732a23b40f.webp)

 *A ready account opens on the live map. Select the object and open its card to check when and where the latest point was received.*

 ## If no device is connected

 When the account has no active device, opening monitoring takes you to **Settings** and the tracker connection form. This is the expected first-login behaviour, not an error.

 ![Settings page for an account with no connected devices](https://help.gpsoperator.com/storage/projects/47/pages/531/2026/09/e985eff7-4af5-406a-8b89-b92074dfbeb6.webp)

 *With no active device, monitoring takes you to the tracker connection form. Your account shows the applicable plan, currency, server and price.*

 Before connecting a tracker, prepare:

 - the exact model or a compatible model listed in our instructions;
- the device identifier, usually IMEI or ID;
- an active SIM card and mobile data, when the model requires them;
- access to the device settings or its configuration commands.

 Select the model carefully. The website shows the server and other connection details for the selected device. Use the values displayed in your account rather than an address copied from another website or an old instruction. The connection price and your current balance are also shown before you add the tracker.

 After the tracker is configured, it may need a clear view of the sky to obtain its first GPS position. Connection to the server and receipt of valid coordinates are separate checks.

 Continue with **Connecting a tracker** for the complete procedure.

 ## Available sections and support

 The sections available to you depend on your plan, account settings and connected features. Some menu items appear only after the corresponding feature has been configured. Registration may be unavailable when we create customer accounts directly.

 For device-specific commands, SIM card settings, invoices and payment issues, use the **Help** or **Contacts** section of our website and contact our support team.

 When asking us for help, include your username, the tracker model and identifier, and the approximate time of the problem. Do not send your password, complete payment card details or an unrestricted tracking link.

 [Guide contents](./contents)
