Ruptela + GPS-Trace: connection, settings and data | Blog | GPS-Trace

Ruptela + GPS-Trace: connection, settings and data

22.9.2025 | Tatsiana Kuushynava

Previously, we mainly discussed GPS device manufacturers from China. Today, we want to introduce a GPS equipment manufacturer from Europe.

Ruptela is an international telematics company headquartered in Vilnius. The company designs and manufactures GPS trackers for vehicle and fleet monitoring worldwide.

The company produces trackers for fleet tracking and is among the top 10 most popular among GPS-Trace platform users.

In this article, we will briefly explore different Ruptela models, explain the procedure for connecting and configuring the Plug5 tracker to work on the GPS-Trace platform, review the data transmitted by the tracker, and provide a quick checklist for troubleshooting.

Ruptela Devices
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Ruptela produces a wide range of trackers. We suggest dividing them into several groups: autonomous and wired (OBD, CAN, and standard wired).

1. Autonomous Trackers

Autonomous devices are typically designed for tracking objects (cargo, packages, vehicles) in cases where it's not possible to connect a GPS tracker to a power source. Such equipment usually operates without a power connection for a long time.

Ruptela Asset5 tracker Ruptela recently released such a tracker - Asset5. In addition to its IP68 protected case, 4G+2G connectivity, programmable action button, and tamper detection sensor, the manufacturer claims battery life of up to 3 years when sending coordinates twice a day. Previously, some Ruptela models were also equipped with built-in batteries, but their capacity was only sufficient to maintain the tracker in sleep mode or for short periods (for example, during setup).

Thanks to its long autonomous operation, Asset5 opens up new possibilities and usage scenarios in GPS tracking. The tracker is ideal for:

  • Tracking cargo transportation by land, sea (when a stable 2G/4G or other internet connection is available, and other modes of transport
  • Monitoring equipment and machines in harsh weather conditions
  • Controlling mobile offices and site huts
  • Accounting for portable equipment
  • Serving as a secondary back-up tracker if the primary tracker goes offline for any reason, Asset5 wakes up and starts transmitting data

Additionally, Asset5 with its built-in BLE 6.0 module can function as a gateway for tracking BLE tags, sensors, and beacons both indoors and in open spaces — in vehicles, on vessels, and other assets — on the GPS-Trace platform.

With the Tags application, each BLE tag, sensor, beacon, as well as every individual parameter or their combinations (including those from BLE tags) can be tracked as a separate asset. Each asset can be managed individually — monitored, analyzed through statistics, assigned geofences, grouped, and more.

Asset tracking ble-tag gatewayThis approach significantly reduces asset monitoring costs, as the price of a BLE tag is substantially lower than that of a tracker, and with the Tags application, tracking each asset will cost dealers from 0.1 euro per month.

2. Wired Trackers (including CAN and OBD-II)

This category includes trackers that require connection to a vehicle and power source. This is the main and most extensive category of Ruptela trackers. Some of these trackers also have enhanced capabilities for reading data from the CAN bus (including FMS, J1939, J1708) and can receive OBD data through CAN interfaces.

popular Ruptela trackers

This group includes the most popular Ruptela models on the GPS-Trace platform.

Connecting Plug5 to GPS-Trace: Step by Step
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1. Creating an Account on the GPS-Trace Platform

If you are using Forguard or Tags:

      • The application and tracker for Forguard/Tags users are set up by the dealer/service provider, including account creation.
      • If you are a Forguard/Tags user, you will receive a ready-made account with a created unit and connected tracker, as well as usage instructions from our dealer.

If you are using Ruhavik:

      • Download the application (Google Play / App Store) or open the web version.
      • Create an account and add an unit: specify the tracker model Ruptela Plug5 and ID/IMEI.

If you want to become a GPS-Trace dealer:

      • Register a dealer account in the Partner Panel.
      • Then create a client account in Forguard and add an unit.

2. Tracker Documentation

The manufacturer has a Ruptela Documentation Platform: https://doc.ruptela.com/

Here you can find written and video instructions for connecting and configuring devices, quick start guides, detailed instructions, and configurator files for setting up trackers.

3.Preparing to Configure the Tracker

      • Insert a suitable SIM card with internet traffic and a positive balance into the tracker.
      • Download and launch the configurator (for Plug5 setup we used the Advanced configurator).
      • Connect the tracker to your computer using a standard USB cable.

4. Configuring the Tracker

Of course, each user determines which settings to choose depending on their goals and required usage scenario. We will provide an example of a standard, average configuration that allows for a balance between tracking quality and internet traffic and battery consumption.

Setting Configuration
COM port Select the port to which the tracker is connected and click Connect.
Protocol TCP
APN As specified by your mobile operator (APN name, username, and password if required).
Connection settings Take server and port configuration data from the Settings - Hardware tab in the unit card.
GNSS Settings GPS+GLONASS+GALILEO; Assisted GNSS = ON (accelerates position acquisition but increases data usage; useful for frequent stops and in areas with temporary signal loss).
Offline tracking Send data without GPS fix - Collect data without time = ON
Data Sending Min Records = 1
Period = 30–60 s (while moving)
Link Timeout = 300–600 s
Link settings = Constant link - ON
Data Collection Time without engine = 300–600 s
Engine detection = Movement sensor or Power supply voltage (≥13,000 mV) with high priority
Coefficients Distance = 100–200 m
Time with engine = 30–60 s
Radial = 15–20°
Sleep Mode Custom Sleep = ON
Sleep value = 30–40 s
Disable battery charge in sleep settings
Data collection without engine = ≥ 6 h (≈21,600 s)
I/O Events → Sleep timer = same value (e.g., 6 h)
I/O events → I/O settings Auto mode. If the tracker is connected to OBD, OBD and Auto modes work the same way. Auto switches between modes for passenger cars and trucks, and in case of doubt, it's better to leave it on.

Vehicle support.
Available data groups: OBD, Vehicle, CAN, ECO, TellTale — these correspond to different data protocols that can be read (such as OBD2, light/heavy vehicle CAN, FMS).

How to configure:

      • Enable the needed groups (you can enable all).
      • Take a short trip and see what data appears.
      • Disable unnecessary ones if you need to save traffic.

When finished, click Send CFG to send the configuration to the device. 

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Plug5 Now you can connect the tracker to the OBD port (usually under the dashboard to the left of the driver; the exact location can be found in the manual or by searching online). Drive for 5-10 minutes and make sure that the tracker is displayed on the map in the application and its movements are visible.

⚠️ Important: remember the Configuration Password. If you forget it, the only way to reset is to send the device back to the manufacturer.

Plug5 and GPS-Trace Solutions
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For better clarity, let's look at several tabs with data from the tracker in the Forguard application.

For example, in the History section, we can see trips for a selected time period, the start of the route, locations and duration of stops, and even each message from the tracker. Here you can also download history, play back the track, find out the average and maximum speed for the selected period, and mileage for the period based on coordinates sent by Plug5.

Asset History

In the Statistics section, you can view and analyze data for any parameter sent by the tracker.

Charts CAN data

For example, CAN mileage vs GPS mileage:

      • can.vehicle.mileage — odometer from the CAN bus, shows the total mileage accumulated from the factory.
      • vehicle.mileage — tracker's GPS counter, runs from the moment of installation/reset of the device.

Due to different reference points, the final values always differ — this is normal. For reports, the delta over the selected period is important: in the screenshots for the same period we get

      • CAN: 93,229 → 93,255 ⇒ +26.0 km
      • GPS: 7,238.112 → 7,263.578 ⇒ +25.466 km

Difference: ≈0.53 km (~2%), which falls within the normal GPS margin of error.

Quick Checklist for Common Problems
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      • Operator/SIM: balance, traffic, coverage, correct APN.
      • Configuration: server/port/protocol, GNSS Settings, Data Sending UTC 0, GPRS ON.
      • Installation: open sky, not "under metal," stable power supply.

Ruptela offers a wide range of GPS devices — from the autonomous Asset5 to wired trackers with CAN/OBD capabilities. Practice has shown that these devices connect quite easily to GPS-Trace, providing accurate data and convenient analytics. This connection between Ruptela and GPS-Trace can help users and service providers monitor fleets and assets with minimal time investment.