Geofence
A geofence is a virtual perimeter drawn around a real-world location (a site, depot or restricted zone) using GPS coordinates. When a tracked asset crosses the boundary, the system automatically triggers an alert, status change or report.
A geofence is a virtual perimeter drawn around a real-world location, typically defined by a set of GPS coordinates that form a circle or polygon on a map. Each geofence has a boundary and rules attached to it: when a tracked asset, vehicle or worker crosses the boundary, the tracking platform compares the current position against the perimeter and triggers the rule (an alert, a status change, a time stamp or a webhook). Geofences are most commonly drawn around job sites, depots, client premises, restricted zones, customer addresses or any area an operations team needs to monitor. They turn passive location data into automated business rules without anyone needing to watch a map.
Why it matters
Without geofences, GPS data is just a stream of coordinates someone has to interpret. A geofence turns location into accountability: when did this excavator arrive on site, did the ute leave the depot after hours, is the trailer still inside the customer’s yard? For Australian operators it underpins job costing (time-on-site billed by the minute), theft prevention (out-of-hours movement alerts), compliance (restricted-zone monitoring) and utilisation reporting (how many hours an asset actually spent on a project versus parked). It replaces the manual check-in sheet, the radio call to ask where someone is, and the spreadsheet someone fills in at the end of the week.
How MapTrack helps
MapTrack lets operations teams draw unlimited geofences on a map (circle or polygon), assign rules per fence (entry alerts, exit alerts, dwell-time thresholds), and route notifications to email, SMS or the mobile app. Every entry and exit event is logged against the asset record so it shows up in time-on-site reports, job-cost exports and audit trails alongside maintenance history and custody.
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Frequently asked questions
What does geofence mean?
A geofence is a virtual boundary around a physical location, defined by GPS coordinates that form a shape (circle or polygon) on a map. The word combines "geographic" and "fence" - it acts like an invisible fence around a real-world area. When a GPS-enabled asset, vehicle or device crosses that boundary, the tracking system recognises the event and can trigger an alert, log a timestamp or change the asset’s status automatically.
How does a geofence work?
A geofence works by continuously comparing an asset’s reported GPS coordinates against the boundary you have drawn on a map. The tracking device (a GPS tracker, mobile phone or telematics unit) reports its location at regular intervals over a cellular or satellite network. The platform calculates whether each new position sits inside or outside the fence, and when that state changes from "outside" to "inside" (or vice versa), it fires the rule attached to the fence: an entry alert, an exit alert, a dwell-time start, a status update or a webhook to another system.
How accurate is a geofence?
A GPS-based geofence is typically accurate to within 3-10 metres in open conditions, which is more than enough for site-level rules ("is the truck inside the depot?"). Accuracy drops in urban canyons, dense forest, undercover loading bays and underground areas where the GPS signal is weak or reflected. For tighter accuracy (sub-metre, indoor) you would pair the geofence with Bluetooth beacons, UWB or RTLS infrastructure. A common pattern is to make the geofence slightly larger than the physical boundary (a "buffer" of 20-50 metres) to avoid false exit alerts when a parked asset’s GPS drifts.
What is the difference between a geofence and GPS tracking?
GPS tracking is the underlying capability that reports where an asset is. A geofence is a rule layered on top of that location data. Without a geofence, GPS tracking shows you a dot on a map; with a geofence, the platform actively watches for boundary crossings and tells you when something needs your attention. You need GPS tracking (or another location source) for geofences to work, but you can run GPS tracking without geofences if you only want manual visibility.
Can a geofence work indoors?
Pure GPS-based geofences struggle indoors because GPS signals do not penetrate roofs and walls reliably. For indoor "geofences" most platforms use Bluetooth beacons, Wi-Fi access points, RFID readers or UWB anchors that detect when a tagged asset enters their zone. The same business logic applies (alert on entry, log dwell time, change status) but the underlying detection technology is different. Many operations use both: GPS geofences for yards and job sites, Bluetooth zones for warehouses and workshops.
How much does geofencing cost?
Drawing and managing geofences is usually included in the base subscription of an asset-tracking or fleet platform with no per-fence fee, including in MapTrack. The real cost sits in the hardware and connectivity that feeds location data into the platform: GPS trackers (typically AUD $80-$300 per device upfront plus a few dollars per month in cellular SIM costs), or the per-user cost of a mobile app for staff. Higher-frequency reporting (every 10 seconds versus every 5 minutes) uses more data and shortens battery life, so most operators tune reporting intervals to match the value of the alerts they need.
What is a geofence used for in asset tracking?
Common geofence use cases include automated time-on-site for client billing (the fence around a customer’s yard logs arrival and departure), after-hours theft alerts (the fence around the depot fires if equipment leaves overnight), restricted-zone safety monitoring (alert if an asset enters an area it is not authorised for), proof-of-service for compliance (timestamped entry/exit records for audits), and arrival notifications for dispatch ("driver is 500m out, prep the load"). The same fence can serve multiple purposes if you attach more than one rule to it.
How many geofences can you create?
Most modern tracking platforms, MapTrack included, allow unlimited geofences on standard plans, so operations teams can fence every customer site, every depot, every job and every restricted area without worrying about a cap. Practical limits come from the number of alerts staff can sensibly action: thousands of fences each firing entry/exit notifications quickly become noise. The recommended pattern is to fence everything you might want to report on, but only enable real-time alerts on the fences that genuinely require action.
Related terms
Geofencing
Geofencing is the use of GPS, RFID, or other location technologies to create virtual geographic boundaries around a defined area. When a tracked asset enters or exits a geofence, the system triggers an automated action such as an alert, notification, or status change. Geofences can be drawn around job sites, depots, restricted zones, client premises, or any area relevant to asset management.
GPS Tracking
GPS (Global Positioning System) tracking uses satellite signals to determine and record the real-time geographic location of assets, vehicles, or equipment fitted with GPS receivers. Tracking data is transmitted to a central platform via cellular or satellite networks, providing continuous visibility of asset movements, routes, and dwell times. GPS tracking is fundamental to fleet management and high-value mobile asset monitoring.
Asset Tracking
Asset tracking is the process of monitoring the location, status, custody, and condition of physical assets throughout their lifecycle. It combines identification technologies (QR codes, barcodes, RFID, GPS) with software to maintain a real-time or near-real-time record of where assets are and who is responsible for them. Asset tracking applies to tools, equipment, plant, fleet, IT hardware, and any other tangible items of value.
Fleet Management
Fleet management is the administration of an organisation’s vehicles and mobile plant, including acquisition, maintenance, fuel management, driver compliance, GPS tracking, and disposal. It covers light vehicles, heavy vehicles, trailers, mobile plant, and any other registered or unregistered mobile assets. Modern fleet management relies on telematics, GPS tracking, and software platforms to optimise operations and reduce costs.
Equipment Utilisation
Equipment utilisation measures the extent to which available equipment is being productively used, typically expressed as a percentage of available time or capacity. It is calculated by dividing actual usage time (or output) by total available time (or maximum capacity). Utilisation data can come from meter readings, operator logs, GPS tracking, or telematics systems. It is a key operational efficiency metric in asset-intensive industries.
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