Understanding Geo-Fencing in Encompass
Geo-Fencing in Encompass allows for the creation of virtual boundaries, called Geo‑Fences, around physical locations on the map. Once a Geo‑Fence is created, Encompass tracks vehicle activity that occurs within that defined area, turning location data into measurable operational information. Geo‑Fencing is commonly associated with map visibility, but its primary value comes from the activity and time data it captures when vehicles enter and exit specific locations.
What Is a Geo‑Fence?
A Geo-Fence is a type of Landmark that defines a virtual perimeter around a physical location, such as a building, terminal, or yard. When a vehicle crosses into or out of a Geo‑Fence, Encompass records vehicle activity related to that defined area.
Encompass can record:
- Time in and time out of the location
- Odometer readings at entry and exit
- Mileage accumulated within the Geo‑Fence
This information allows for the review of vehicle behavior tied to specific places, rather than just overall movement.
How Geo‑Fencing Is Used in Encompass
Tracking Time Spent at Locations
Geo‑Fences are commonly used to measure how long vehicles remain at specific locations, such as:
- Company Facilities
- Distribution centers
- Company terminals or yards
By reviewing time‑in and time‑out data, you can identify locations where vehicles consistently spend longer periods of time. This can help highlight trends related to loading, unloading, or other location‑based delays.
Monitoring Yard and On‑Site Activity
Geo‑Fences can be placed around company yards or terminals to better understand vehicle activity that occurs within those areas. Geo‑Fencing allows you to review:
- How often vehicles enter or exit a yard
- How long vehicles remain on site
- Mileage accumulated while inside the Geo‑Fence
This provides additional visibility into non‑road activity and location‑specific vehicle usage.
Identifying Location‑Based Trends
When Geo‑Fences are used consistently across multiple locations, you can compare activity patterns over time. This can help identify:
- Locations associated with frequent delays
- Differences in dwell time between sites
- Repeating patterns tied to specific facilities
Geo‑Fencing turns locations into data points that can be reviewed alongside other vehicle and performance information.
Supporting Operational Verification
Because Geo‑Fences capture documented entry and exit data, they can be used to verify how long vehicles remained at specific locations. This allows you to reference objective data when reviewing operational performance or discussing trends related to specific sites.
Enabling Location‑Based Monitoring
Geo‑Fencing is also the mechanism used when you want to monitor or receive notifications related to vehicle movement within a defined area, rather than general vehicle movement anywhere on the map.
Reporting on Geo‑Fence Activity
Geo‑Fence activity can be reviewed through Encompass Reporting. Because Geo‑Fences track time‑in, time‑out, mileage, and odometer readings tied to specific locations, this data can be included in reports to support operational review and trend analysis. Reporting allows you to evaluate Geo‑Fence activity over time rather than relying solely on real‑time map views, helping identify recurring patterns related to specific locations or sites.
Geo‑Fencing does more than display a boundary on the map. It allows you to track time, mileage, and vehicle activity tied to specific locations, providing insight into yard activity, delays, and location‑based trends. When used consistently, Geo‑Fencing supports data‑driven operational review rather than map‑only visibility.