Smart geofences: automatically control zones and schedules

Has a vehicle in your fleet ever arrived late at its destination with no clear explanation? Or did a driver make an unauthorized stop that you couldn't verify? Geofences solve exactly that: they let you define virtual geographic zones and receive automatic alerts every time a vehicle enters or exits them — without having to watch the map constantly.

What exactly is a geofence?

A geofence is a virtual perimeter defined on the map — it can be circular, rectangular or freeform — to which you attach rules. When a GPS-equipped vehicle crosses that perimeter, the platform executes the configured action: sending a notification to the administrator, logging the event with an exact timestamp, or triggering an alert in the driver's cabin.

You can create as many geofences as you need. The most common use cases are:

• Customer loading and unloading zone.
• Main warehouse or yard perimeter.
• Risk or restricted zones (protest areas, road closures, high-crime neighborhoods).
• Municipal or regional boundaries for operations with geographic restrictions.
• Maximum operating radius for drivers with zone-based contracts.

Time-in-zone alerts

Beyond entry and exit alerts, NavisTracker lets you configure alerts for excessive time inside a geofence. For example: if a vehicle has been at a customer's depot for more than 30 minutes, you get a notification. This eliminates unjustified stops and improves driver productivity.

How to set up your first geofence in NavisTracker

Step 1 — Open the management map: in the main dashboard, select "Geofences" from the side menu.

Step 2 — Draw the perimeter: use the circular tool for specific locations (a client, a warehouse) or freehand drawing for irregular zones like industrial polygons or municipal areas.

Step 3 — Set a name and color: a descriptive name ("Client Warehouse — South Zone") and a distinguishing color make it easy to read when you have multiple active geofences.

Step 4 — Configure the rules: choose whether you want an entry alert, exit alert, both, or a maximum time inside. Select which vehicles the rule applies to.

Step 5 — Activate and review: in the first 48 hours, check the event history to adjust the radius if there are false alerts due to GPS imprecision (especially in areas with weak signal).

Practical case: delivery control with geofences

A distribution company with 18 daily routes configured a geofence at each of their 120 clients. The result in the first month:

• Reduction in delivery time disputes with clients: from 14 to 2 per week.
• Automatic proof of route compliance for additional billing per client.
• Detection of 3 drivers who regularly deviated from their assigned routes.

Geofences aren't just about control — they're objective evidence that protects the company and the honest driver alike.