Geo Fencing

Geo Fencing is a relatively new word for anyone who has not studied vehicle tracking systems.  In the corporate world the term Geo Fencing is used quite often to describe the limitations mobile employees have to a specific geographic region.  It also discusses the tracking by GPS that occurs to fence in the employees.  Any employee that must travel for their work should have a vehicle tracking device that relays back to the company their position.
                             
Any company with a fleet will most likely employ this concept of Geo Fencing.  Delivery drivers, service techs, and outside sales representatives are just some of the jobs where Geo Fencing can be applied.  There are two ways for this concept to work.  The employees can be fitted with a device or the vehicle can have a GPS unit.  Any time the person or vehicle goes outside of the parameters of their service area an alert will be sent back to the headquarters that is monitoring the employees.

Companies recognise Geo Fencing will prevent employees from wasting time on the company dime.  However, the concept of Geo Fencing can offend some employees. Employees have been questioning their bosses more and more regarding how watchful they are.  They especially have problems with the fact that their bosses can monitor them via email or Internet.  Bosses can find out what emails or how the Internet is being used by the employee.  If the employee goes to a site not work related it can be seen by those monitoring it.  This tends to irritate some of the employees. Geo Fencing is yet another concept raising questions.  Some believe it is an invasion of privacy while others think it is a way for the company to save money.

In truth Geo Fencing can save the company money.  It can also distinguish against the employees who are not being honest and the ones that are.  As the company leader and regardless of how you might feel individually, Geo Fencing is a popular concept in the workplace.

The technology and ease of use of Geo Fencing makes it an important option to have in a business.  One of the reasons the system has become more popular is due to the United State’s Federal Communications Commission’s Enhanced 911 service.  They mandated that wireless phone carriers had to fit 95 percent of their devices with GPS chips by the end of 2005.  It makes it easier for the 911 Services to find those in trouble as well as keep track of their personnel when they could be in a dangerous situation.  GPS technology is not new.  It has been around since the 1970’s.  When it was first offered it was expensive and used by the military.  Today the cost is significantly lower and the military has allowed others to use the GPS system.  It is used for everything from recreational and personal to businesses.

Geo Fencing is certainly a way to lower business costs, as well as protect employees when they are on a service call.  It makes sense to use it in business.