What Is Geofencing Used For: Unlocking the Potential

Geofencing harnesses the power of location-based technology to boost businesses and enhance individuals' lives. This technology has changed the way people interact with their surroundings. Nowadays, geofencing offers multiple tools that can be customized to diverse needs. This comprehensive guide will unlock the versatile applications of geofencing and explore its significant impact on our daily lives.

What is Geofencing and How Does it Work?

Geofencing, short for geographical fencing, is a new technology that uses geographic boundaries or virtual perimeters to trigger actions, notifications, or other responses when a device or person enters or exits a specific area. These virtual areas are defined using different technologies, such as GPS, RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification), WiFi, or cellular data. Geofencing can monitor and track real-world geographic locations and provide automatic responses based on these locations.

Here is the working process of the geofencing technology: it first sets up a digital fence around a geographic area, and when a device (such as a smartphone) or a person with a device crosses that boundary, it can prompt various actions, including sending notifications, changing settings, or triggering specific processes.

What Is Geofencing Used for: Real-World Applications and Examples

Geofencing technology has many applications and offers valuable benefits in numerous fields.

Retail and Marketing

Businesses can use geofencing to target customers with location-specific offers and promotions. Customers may receive relevant advertisements on their mobile devices when they enter a geofenced area. Retailers can use geofencing to send notifications to shoppers when they are near a store. These notifications can notify about discounts and special deals. Geofencing can also optimize the shopping experiences by sending customized messages.

Security and Surveillance

Geofencing can also be integrated into security systems. It can secure physical perimeters, such as confidential businesses or sensitive areas. It can trigger alerts when unauthorized access is detected. For home security systems, geofencing can alert homeowners when someone enters their property. This technology is also helpful in tracking the location of children or elderly family members.

Smart Home Automation

Geofencing technology also finds its application in home automation setup. By adding geofencing to their automation routines, homeowners can use geofencing to trigger actions like adjusting the thermostat, turning on lights, or locking doors when they enter or leave their property. The usage of geofencing can significantly contribute to energy efficiency and cost savings.

Fleet Management

Companies can use geofencing to monitor the movement of vehicles and valuable assets. Owners will receive alerts when vehicle fleets deviate from their assigned routes or enter restricted areas. They will also be notified if their valuable assets, like construction equipment, are moved or removed from designated areas.

Drone Management

Drone management also incorporates geofencing to enhance safety, security, and compliance. Geofencing creates virtual boundaries or no-fly zones in specific geographic areas where drones are restricted from flying or subject to certain limitations. For example, geofencing can define areas where drones cannot fly, such as airports, military bases, government buildings, and other emergency response zones.

Human Resource Management

Geofencing can also be used to manage human resources within a company. For example, some employers use geofencing to monitor employee check-in and check-out times in specific locations. Geofencing can enhance worker safety in industrial settings or construction sites by alerting employees when they enter dangerous or restricted zones.

Geofencing in Cars: How to Set Up & Benefits

Geofencing has been widely used in commercial and individual vehicles and can be a valuable tool to enhance car security.

How to Set Up Geofencing in Vehicles

Setting up geofencing in vehicles includes a combination of hardware and software solutions. The steps can vary depending on particular systems, but here are some general steps to follow.

1. Choose the Geofencing System: You need to decide on the geofencing system that suits your needs. Various options are available, including standalone GPS trackers, telematics devices, and integrated systems provided by car manufacturers.
2. Install the Hardware: If you're using a standalone GPS tracker or telematics device, you'll need to install it in your car. The installation typically involves locating a suitable spot in the vehicle, connecting it to its power source, and securing it. You should follow the manufacturer's installation instructions carefully.
3. Activate the System: If the geofencing device is installed, power on it and ensure it functions correctly. Register the device with a service provider or connect it to your smartphone via a dedicated app.
4. Create Geofences: Using the provided software or app, create geofences by defining the boundaries of the areas you want to monitor. You can set up geofences around your home, school, workplace, or any other location of interest. Customize the settings, such as the geofence radius and the desired alerts.
5. Configure Notifications: Set up notifications and alerts to receive real-time information when your car enters or exits a geofenced area. You can receive text messages, email, or push notifications through the app.
6. Test the System: Before relying on the system for security or monitoring purposes, test it to ensure the geofencing alerts are working as intended. Drive your car in and out of the defined geofenced areas to check if you receive the expected notifications.

Benefits of Geofencing in Vehicle Tracking

Using geofencing in your car can bring several benefits and enhance convenience and security.

• Vehicle Tracking: Geofencing can help you monitor the whereabouts of your car. By creating a geofence around your car's location, you can receive notifications when the vehicle enters or exits that area. If your family members drive the car or you want to watch company vehicles, this tracking technique is precious.
• Theft Prevention: Geofencing can act as an anti-theft feature. By setting up a geofence around your car's parked location, you'll receive an alert if your vehicle moves or is taken outside the defined boundary without authorization. This technology can provide an early warning in case of theft or unauthorized use.
• Remote Control and Automation: Geofencing can be integrated with other smart car features. For example, you can set your car's heating or air conditioning to turn on automatically when you enter a geofenced area around your home. This automation can offer a comfortable environment when you arrive.
• Driver Behavior Monitoring: Geofencing can also help you keep track of driver behavior, such as excessive speeding or entering restricted areas. For parents of teen drivers or those concerned about new drivers, geofencing can help ensure safe and responsible driving by setting boundaries and receiving alerts if the car goes beyond those limits.

Geofencing Features of Security Cameras

Some security camera models in the market use geofencing to enhance their functionality and security capabilities. Geofencing features of surveillance cameras include:

Automatic Arming and Disarming

Geofencing can automatically arm or disarm security cameras and systems based on the user's location. For example, when a user's smartphone or device with the security camera app enters or leaves a predefined geographic area, the system can activate or deactivate the cameras.

Customized Alerts

Geofencing can trigger customized alerts or notifications based on location. When a user leaves their home or business premises, the security camera system might alert their mobile device and remind them to activate the system.

Selective Recording

Security cameras can be set to record only when a compatible device (such as the user's smartphone) is outside a geofenced area. This feature can help conserve storage and reduce the footage generated when no one is at home or in a specific location.

Temporary Access

Geofencing can enable temporary access to specific users or guests when they enter the predefined geographic area, meaning they can control or view security cameras in a particular period.

Types of Geofences

A geofence is a virtual perimeter or boundary defined by specific geographic coordinates or a radius around a particular location on the Earth's surface. Geofences come in various types and shapes, and different forms are designed for specific use cases and industries.

Circular Geofences

A central point and a radius define circular geofences. These two elements create a circular area. They are straightforward to set up and are commonly used for location-based marketing, event management, and asset tracking.

Polygonal Geofences

A series of connected points define polygonal geofences. This geofence type comes in irregular shapes. They are helpful when defining geofenced areas with specific boundaries, such as property lines, construction zones, or complex geographic regions.

Latitude and Longitude Geofences

Also known as rectangular geofences, these geofences are defined by latitude and longitude coordinates. This predefined area is always in the shape of a rectangle. They are often used in asset and fleet management and sometimes simplify geofence setup.

Path-Based Geofences

Unlike other geofences in different shapes, these geofences are designed to follow a specific path or route. They can track assets or vehicles along predefined routes, like delivery trucks or public transportation systems.

Top Companies Offering Geofencing Applications

The geofencing industry continually evolves, and many companies have entered the market. Here is a list of some geofencing solution providers.

Mercedes

The famous vehicle manufacturer Mercedes has a geofencing service. Car owners can set up their geofences based on the location in the Mercedes Me app and enable alerts and notifications to protect their vehicles from unauthorized access.

BMW

BMW has seamlessly integrated geofencing technology into select electric car models. The company introduced a cutting-edge digital service called eDrive Zones, a standard feature in its plug-in hybrid models. This innovative service uses geofencing technology to identify low-emission zones in approximately 80 European cities. Once activated, eDrive Zones will be marked on the car's navigation map, visible on the Control Display. The magic happens when the vehicle enters one of these predefined zones, triggering an automatic switch to the pure electric operating mode.

Uber

Uber uses geofencing for fleet management. They collect vast geofencing data based on the locations and share it with their users. Users can know which products are available in a given area when they open the app.

Samsara

Samara provides geofencing services to businesses. With the Samara software, companies can create a geofence by drawing a circle around a location on Google Maps. The software can help companies monitor activity within a defined area, such as delivery tracking, consumer counting, or employee monitoring.

Arlo

Arlo is a security company that provides its customers with home security products and services. Arlo's geofencing creates a virtual fence that helps to discover when something or someone enters or exits a predefined zone. Users can use Arlo Geofencing to arm, disarm, or resume schedule modes when their mobile device is In Zone or Out of Zone. When setting up Arlo Geofencing, users must enable GPS; a WiFi connection is highly preferred.

eufy

Eufy also offers geofencing services. Consumers need to install the eufySecurity App to activate the geofencing and allow the app to use the real-time location. The eufy geofencing will create a circular zone based on where the device is installed. When users enter the area, the security mode will automatically switch to the Home mode by Geofencing. When they leave the zone, the security mode will automatically switch to Away mode by Geofencing.

Tips for Choosing and Implementing Geofencing

Choosing and implementing geofencing services for your home or business is a challenge for those who get to this concept for the first time. Here are some tips to help you select and implement geofencing.

1. Define geofences carefully. You should create well-defined geofences that align with your objectives. The size and shape of geofences should be appropriate for your specific application. Consider using various geofence types like circular, polygonal, or proximity-based.
2. Prioritize privacy and consent. Consider your and others' privacy, and remember to comply with applicable regulations. Be careful before allowing service providers to collect and use your location data for geofencing.
3. Clearly define your objectives. It would be best to determine what you want to achieve with geofencing. You can use it to enhance security, improve marketing efforts, or streamline operations.
4. Mobile device considerations. Choose the geofencing system compatible with your mobile devices (smartphones and tablets). The reliability of geofencing depends on the accuracy and performance of your mobile device's GPS capabilities.

FAQs

What is the purpose of geofencing?

Geofencing aims to establish virtual perimeters or boundaries in real-world geographic areas, typically using GPS or RFID technology, and trigger specific actions or events when a person, vehicle, or object enters or exits these designated zones.

Can geofencing track my location?

Yes, but only if you activate the geofencing service on your mobile devices. Geofencing can track your location when you enter or exit a predetermined zone or area.

Is geofencing an invasion of privacy?

Geofencing itself is not inherently an invasion of privacy; it is a tool or technology that can be used for various purposes, some of which may involve privacy concerns. Businesses using geofencing for commercial purposes should inform their users why their location is being tracked and how that data will be used.

How can I choose the best geofencing software?

It would help if you chose the software based on your specific needs and mobile devices. You can select the one that is compatible with your smartphone or tablet. If you want to apply geofencing to particular products, such as vehicles and security cameras, check if the manufacturer has a geofencing app or service.

Conclusion

Geofencing can be used for different scenarios in numerous fields. Whether you're a business owner seeking to engage customers, a driver benefiting from location-based services, or a homeowner looking to enhance your security, geofencing unlocks infinite potential.

Do you use geofencing services in your daily life? Is it useful? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below, and share this article if you find it useful!