While our standard alerts keep you informed about common events, your business may sometimes require a more intelligent and granular approach to notifications. That's where the powerful Rules feature comes in! Think of Rules as your custom alert builder, allowing you to define specific "if this happens, then do that" scenarios. This enables highly precise alerts that directly support your unique operational workflows, mitigate risks, and ensure the right information reaches the right person, every time. Let's build some smart rules!
Why Use the Rules Feature?
The Rules feature is designed for businesses with specific, often complex, operational needs that go beyond standard notifications. It solves key challenges by:
Preventing Information Overload: Customize exactly what triggers an alert and how often you're notified, reducing alert fatigue and focusing only on what's critical.
Enabling Proactive Risk Management: Set up alerts for specific deviations or unauthorized activities (e.g., an asset moving outside a designated geofence during non-business hours). This allows for rapid intervention.
Automating Workflow Triggers: Create conditions that automatically trigger alerts for specific operational milestones or exceptions, reducing manual monitoring.
Tailoring Communication: Send highly specific messages to exact phone numbers (even non-users) or email addresses, ensuring relevant stakeholders get context-rich information instantly.
Adapting to Unique Use Cases: Whether you're an OEM monitoring component movement, a Car Rental company tracking unauthorized repossession risks, or a BHPH business securing vehicles, Rules can be configured to fit almost any scenario.
Customer-Driven Innovation: This feature was built based on direct customer feedback to provide the ultimate in alert customization!
Accessing the Rules Feature (Activation Required)
The Rules feature provides advanced customization and is typically enabled for accounts with specific use cases.
Visibility: You'll find the "Rules" tab in your web app's main menu, alongside "Trackers," "Geofences," "Shipments," "Alerts," and "Reports," if it has been activated for your account.
Activation: If you don't see the "Rules" tab and believe it would benefit your operations, please contact your Customer Success Manager. They can discuss your specific needs and activate this powerful feature for you.
Creating a New Rule
Once enabled, creating a rule involves defining the condition (the "if") and the action (the "then").
Log in and click the "Rules" tab in the top menu.
Click the "New Rule" button.
Toggle "Enable Rule" on, enter a Rule Name, and select a Rule Frequency.
Set the "IF" Conditions: Click "Add Condition" and choose your condition types (e.g., "Filter by Tracker," "Filter by Geofence") and their parameters.
Define the "THEN" Actions: Click "Add Action" to specify what happens (e.g., "Send Text Message," "Send Email Notification"), including recipients and custom messages.
Select the correct Time Zone for your rule, then click "Save Rule".
Important: Avoid Double Alerts!
When you create a rule for specific events (like geofence entry/exit), it's vital to disable any overlapping notifications in the general "Alerts" tab.
If you have both a "Rule" for geofence entry/exit and the default "Device Enters/Exits Geofence" alert enabled in the "Alerts" tab, you will receive double notifications for the same event.
To ensure you receive only your custom rule alerts, make sure the corresponding default alerts in the "Alerts" tab are turned OFF. This way, your precise, custom-message alerts from the "Rules" feature will be the sole notification you receive for that specific event.
CSM Tip Box
💡 Want to design a complex rule, or just need a fresh perspective on optimizing your alerts? The "Rules" feature is incredibly flexible, and your Customer Success Manager is an expert in helping businesses like yours leverage it for maximum operational impact. Reach out to discuss your unique use cases, and they can help you build and refine rules to perfectly fit your needs, from theft prevention to route optimization!