Section 1: What is a geofence?

Geofences are just a way to create digital boundaries around a geographic place so that you can track activity in to, out of or within a certain area. They can be valuable tools to outline specific areas that you want to have deeper insights into. For example, some FleetPulse users like to create Geofences as “Yard” type around trailer yards, so that they can track the trailers within the yards, and use FleetPulse's “Yard Check” to see the dwell time of each trailer and each yard (Figure 1). Other FleetPulse users like to create geofences in “no go” areas to ensure that drivers aren't taking trailers where they are restricted, or around maintenance yards to track time that each trailer spends in maintenance. This FAQ will walk you through a step by step way to create and start using geofences today. 

Figure 1: FleetPulse Yard Check: a Virtual Yard Check Enabled through a Geofence* 

• Note that a geofence has to be a “yard” type to show up in Yard Check. Figure 4 shows where in the process to set a geofence as a yard. 

Section 2: How do I create a geofence?

There are two ways to create a Geofence. Both of them will have the same result, so it just depends on which you find to be easier.  

1. Section 2a: The first is through the “Geofence” page. 
2. Section 2b: The second is directly from “Map View”

Section 2a: Creating a Geofence From the ‘Geofence’ Page

The first way to add a geofence is by following two steps that start in the ‘Geofence’ tab.

Step 0: Navigate to the ‘Geofence’ tab on the left-hand side of the dashboard. (Figure 2), and click on the button to ’Add a Geofence'. This will make a 2-Step Geofence creation box pop up.

Figure 2: Geofence Tab on Left Hand Navigation

Step 1: Enter location and choose shape. Once you have clicked ‘Add Geofence', the first of two steps will pop up (Figure 3). Enter the site address and the map should zoom to your site address. If it doesn't you may have to find the right location on the map on click on it. Once you have zoomed in on the correct location, use a circle or a polygon to draw the boundary around your yard. (Figure 3) . Once you are happy with your Geofence outline, click “Next” to go to the second (and final) step of Geofence creation.

Figure 3: Geofence Step 1 - Using the Circle Tool to Create a Geofence Around a Desired Location

Step 2: Name the Geofence and Assign it a Geofence Type. (Figure 4) : here you can Name your geofence, (i.e.: Yard XX), enter in a category (Yard, customer location, etc.) and a description if you wish. Remember that the “Yard” geofence type is useful if you'd like to perform a virtual yard inspection using “Yard Check”. Once done, click “save”. [Note that there are different types of geofences that you can create, we recommend Yard as a starting point]. That's it- you've created a geofence!

Figure 4: Geofence Step 2 - Name (Required) and Categorize (Optional) Your Geofence

Section 2b: Create a Geofence from Map View

The second way to create a geofence is by following two steps that start in the map view. 

Step 1: This method can start when you are in the map view and zoomed into a location (in this example a cluster of trailers) that you'd like to draw a geofence around. (Figure 5). Simply find the “Geofences” button at the top of your screen, click on it, and select “Create New Geofence”.

Figure 5: While Zoomed Into a Cluster of Trailers, Click on the “Geofences” Button and Select ‘Create New Geofence’

Step 2: The ‘Add Geofence’ button will pop up (Figure 6). If the map is already zoomed into the right location, you can just start drawing the geofence. If not, you can search for the right address. Then enter the geofence name and type and press ‘Save’. And that's it! Remember, if you want to perform a virtual yard inspection with “Yard Check” you need to select a “Yard” category in this step.

Figure 6: The ‘Add Geofence’ Box Pops Up 

For more suggestions on how to use Geofences:

1. Check out this walk through: Link
2. Check out this FAQ: Geofence Best Practices