Imagine being instantly notified the moment a valuable asset enters or leaves a specific location, or if a vehicle stays too long at a customer site. That's the power of Geofences! These virtual boundaries on your map aren't just for alerts; they're key to automating your monitoring, enhancing security, and gaining deeper insights into your asset movements. Whether it's your office, a warehouse, a remote job site, or a customer delivery point, geofences bring a new level of control. Let's set some up!
Why Use Geofences?
Geofences help you automate monitoring and respond proactively to critical events, freeing you from constant manual checking. They're incredibly versatile:
Arrival/Departure Notifications: Get alerted the moment a shipment arrives at a destination or leaves a secure area.
Unauthorized Movement Alerts: Know instantly if an asset moves outside its designated operating zone (great for preventing theft or unauthorized use).
Dwell Time Monitoring: Understand how long assets stay at specific locations, crucial for optimizing delivery routes, identifying delays, or managing on-site equipment.
Compliance & Safety: Ensure assets remain within permitted areas or that only a specific number of assets are in a hazardous zone.
Automation Triggers: Geofences are often the foundation for other automated actions and detailed reports within the platform.
Creating a New Geofence
Ready to define your first smart boundary? Here's how to create a new geofence:
Access the Geofences Tab.
Open your web app and locate the "Geofences" tab at the top of your map view (it's typically found right next to your "Trackers" tab).
Start a New Geofence.
In the Geofences section, click the "New Geofence" button.
Name Your Geofence.
First, give your geofence a clear and descriptive name (e.g., "Main Warehouse HQ," "Client A Delivery Site," "Job Site 2 - Repossession Zone").
Define the Area on the Map.
You can define your geofence's location in two ways:
Search by Address: Type an address (e.g., "Caterpillar Incorporated, Denver") into the search bar. You will see a list of suggested locations based on your search. The map will center on that location.
Navigate Manually: Zoom in and pan across the map to the area you want to define.
Draw Your Geofence Shape:
Once you've located your area, choose your drawing tool from the right-hand side of the map:
Circle: Click the "Circle" icon and then click and drag on the map to define a circular radius. This is great for quick, general areas.
Polygon (Custom Shape): Click the "Polygon" icon. Then, click on the map to place each point of your custom shape. Click the first point again to close the shape. This is ideal for irregular property lines or specific building outlines.
Pro Tip: It's often a good practice to draw your geofences slightly wider than the exact perimeter to account for GPS signal drift and precise entry/exit detection.
Smart Parameters and Notifications
This is where your geofences become truly powerful, allowing you to define precise rules and ensure the right people are instantly informed. After you've drawn your geofence shape:
Define Allowable Parameters (Optional, but Recommended!):
Max Dwell Time: Set a maximum amount of time a tracker (or any asset) should stay within this geofence (e.g., "1 hour" for a quick drop-off zone). If an asset exceeds this, it can trigger an alert.
Max Asset Count: Specify the maximum number of assets allowed within this geofence at any given time. If this limit is exceeded, an alert can be sent.
Assign Notification Contacts:
You can now specify who gets notified when a tracker enters or exits this particular geofence.
Add Contact Details: Enter the Name, Email Address, Phone Number, and Company of the person(s) you want to alert. You can add multiple contacts.
Save Your Geofence:
Once you've named your geofence, drawn its shape, and set up your parameters and notification preferences, click "Save".
Your new geofence will now appear in your Geofences list, ready to start monitoring your assets!
Managing Your Geofences
You can easily edit or delete your geofences at any time from the "Geofences" tab. Simply select the geofence you wish to modify, and options to "Edit" or "Delete" will become available.
CSM Tip Box
💡 Thinking about specific geofence strategies for your business? For example, Car Rentals might use "max dwell time" for lot management, while OEMs might use "max asset count" for production zones. Your dedicated Customer Success Manager can help you design geofences and notification strategies that align perfectly with your unique operational goals and help you make the most of this powerful feature!