Satellite Sense FAQs

Satellite Sense is a sensor-based IoT platform that provides GPS tracking and real-time monitoring for portable restroom fleets. Operators can track unit location, utilization, tip-over events, and integrate data with compatible software to manage assets by customer, contract, or jobsite. The platform provides greater visibility into contract performance, supports data-driven decision-making, and helps operators improve service quality and build customer trust.

Satellite Sense sensors are designed to integrate with Satellite's standard portable restroom lineup and are compatible with many portable restroom units from other manufacturers. Contact a Satellite account executive for current model compatibility and installation requirements.

An easy way to determine if the Sense device will be able to transmit its data from the intended asset location is to try making a call using your cell phone in that location. If your cell phone can make a call, the Sense device will most likely work as well. Below is a link to a national coverage map for reference.

Satellite cannot guarantee a battery will not explode, but it is extremely unlikely due to the type of battery the device uses. It is a lithium metal battery with a built-in capacitor providing control over the power output. This is an industrial grade battery, able to operate from below freezing to very hot conditions. The battery is not rechargeable. Attempting to recharge the battery may cause it to catch on re or explode. It must be replaced by an OEM battery supplied only by Satellite Industries. Use of any other battery, or attempting to recharge it, will void the warranty and can be dangerous.

Customers have a strict 7 day grace period for payment of their data subscription fee. Satellite will provide two emailed alerts to a customer if payment is not received by the due date. If payment is not received in our office on the 7th day Satellite will deactivate the data transmission. Reactivation of devices requires full payment of the subscription fees, any applicable late payment fee, and a reactivation charge. It may take up to 4 weeks to start seeing data again from your devices. Late payment on any one subscription fee for a company is grounds for deactivating all devices for that customer.

The Sense device collects the following data: temperature, GPS location, depth of waste in the tank, vibration and tip-over information via an accelerometer, and the battery voltage. The number of uses of the restroom is approximated by the vibrations measured by the accelerometer, so it is not an exact count. The device only stores data collected since the previous transmission time. This data is not accessible except via the Service Core app, Satellite’s partner for Sense products.

It transmits data via the public cell network, the same as your cell phone. Data is routed to a customer’s Service Core app for display.

The device is set to transmit data every 8 hours.

Yes. The subscription fee is priced low, knowing that a rental toilet is only out on rent about 75% of the year. This allows the rental company to spread out the cost over the entire year, in a predictable, manageable manner. We have both monthly and yearly subscription rates for customers to choose from. The yearly rate provides a noticeable discount.

Yes. Service Core has a procedure for accomplishing this in the app (ask SC for instructions). Removing the device holder from the waste tank will leave two small holes in the top of the tank. These can be filled using Satellite’s Spinweld product, ask your sales representative about this product. Or the holder can be left in place and a new holder installed in the tank you are moving the device to.

Contact your Satellite sales representative, they can assist you. A yearly data subscription will end at the next payment due date. A monthly data subscription will end at the end of the current month. Refunds are not given for the un-used data subscription. Keep in mind that if you decide to reactivate your data subscription in the future you will be required to pay for the lapsed time, and will be charged a reactivation fee. It may take up to 4 weeks to see data transmitted again.

No. Satellite only provides the hardware for the Sense system. Our partner, Service Core, provides the software and as such each customer will have a separate agreement with Service Core and pay them according to their fee schedule.

The device is warranted against manufacturing defects for a period of one year from the date of receipt of the product by the customer. Please see our printed warranty for additional details.

The device is warranted against manufacturing defects for a period of one year from the date of receipt of the product by the customer. Please see our printed warranty for additional details. You can look for the device using the Service Core app. If the perpetrator hasn’t found the device and turned it off, you can share the location with the police and let them confront the individual. We do not advise pursuing any criminals yourself! Keep in mind it takes 8 hours for a device to update its location.

No. The transmitted data is only viewable via the Service Core app.

Satellite may use the raw sensor data to improve our line of products and gather industry statistics. Rest assured we will not share it with your competitors, and we do not have access to your customers’ private information (The sensors aren’t that smart!).

It is the least likely place that any vandal will want to mess with it! Unfortunately, it makes it a little more inconvenient for the service personnel.