Does the term "geofence or geo tracking" sound familiar to you? It's something you come into contact with - consciously or unconsciously - more often than you might think. In this blog, among other things, we explain to you what exactly geofence is and what applications it is used for.
What do the terms geofence, geo tracking, tracker geolocation mean?
Geofence tracking is a geolocation technique that uses GPS data to create a 'virtual demarcation' around a given area on the map. That 'demarcation' can literally take any form; from a straight line between two points or any other shape.
Crossing the boundary line will trigger a system response. That response can range from a simple notification on the responsible person's smartphone, tablet or desktop to even an audible alarm in the vehicle itself.
Are there certain zones where there is a speed limit? You easily set a maximum allowed speed linked to the geofence zone. Is this speed exceeded? Then the person responsible receives a notification and/or other reactions are triggered, such as an audible alarm going off in the moving vehicle.
Who uses geo tracking?
Geofence tracking is a technique that often lurks behind things where you don't immediately expect it. Have you ever thought about how it's possible to receive an exact time when the courier will be at your door with your package? That email is sent automatically after the courier enters a certain geographic area, and that area is predetermined with system notifications and/or alarms linked in advance.
One of the most widely used apps in traffic, Waze, uses geofence. The application works according to "community navigation. Specifically, this means that thanks to the community that uses it, the app can stay alive and up-to-date at any time of the day.
Are you in a traffic jam? Then use the quick buttons to make a notification of this in the app. Other users will then see your reports on their route. The more people make a notification, the more accurate and reliable the information.
Before you can get started with the app, you must first allow some permissions. We no longer question this and often even click "allow" without really reading what exactly we are authorizing. One of those permissions is about releasing your geolocation. Of course, somewhere it makes sense too that the app asks you to disclose this; how else would you be able to tell where a stationary vehicle is parked on the side of the road if you don't disclose your location? With that single click, we simply place a small, vulnerable piece of ourselves in the hands of ... an app with complete confidence. But be honest, Waze is easy to have in your back pocket. Literally and figuratively.
Geofence tracking in marketing
We go one step further; geofence is also used in marketing, and what an effect it has! To talk about Waze again, have you noticed the ads that appear on your screen when you're stopped at traffic lights? Depending on where you are stopped, nearby businesses advertise on your app to attract you to them.
And that's smart thinking! Suppose you're sitting in your car around noon and have a hearty appetite and then receive an ad from the sandwich store around the corner. The temptation then is to stop by, right?
Some applications of geo tracking
What you read above about the ads on Waze is a case where the geotracking method is actively used. This involves sending location-based notifications when a person enters a particular site. In turn, collecting data to build up knowledge and apply it afterwards is the passive way of dealing with geofence tracking.
Driving into or out of the geofence zone in a timely manner
As you can no doubt infer, there are a lot of possibilities with geofence. Do all company vehicles have to be back at the main building at the same hour every day? You use the tracker geolocation to quickly check that your vehicles have arrived at their destination within the agreed hour. Does the working day for your entire team start at 10:00 a.m. at the latest? You can easily set up a notification when a vehicle has not left the geofence zone by a certain time.
Set area boundaries for geolocation
Are your vehicles only allowed to drive within municipal boundaries? By setting up a geofence zone around the municipality, you stay informed exactly when a vehicle crosses a border. It can also be done on a larger geographical scale: are your commercial vehicles absolutely not allowed to drive outside the borders of Europe? You control this with a geofence around the entire area.
Respecting the fixed route - routefencing
In some cases, it is important that a certain route from point A to point B be respected. In such cases, we use routefencing, where we define the geofence zone around this route. You then determine the amount of leeway (how many km around the defined route) your drivers have to deviate from this defined route.
Speed limits
Finally, perhaps one of the most important features: setting speed limits. Are certain areas on your site only allowed to be driven at a limited speed for security reasons? You may impose this rule, but we all know that there will always be some employees who flout it. To ensure that your policy is followed, a speed limit within the geofence zone is a great solution.
You set the desired speed and link it to the geotracker. If the speed is exceeded, an alarm goes off in the vehicle itself and a notification will also appear to the person responsible. This way you can also act quickly and avoid dangerous situations.
Connect with us!
Are you curious about the possibilities of geofences for your company and would you like to receive additional information? Then leave your details using the form below and we will contact you as soon as possible.
