Geofencing is the technology that lets you draw virtual boundaries (geofences) around real-world places on a map — a depot, a site, a customer’s premises, a low-emission zone — and automatically trigger an alert or an action when a vehicle enters or leaves that area. The word blends geographic and fencing.
How it works
The boundary is digital, defined in the management platform and matched in real time against the vehicle’s GPS position supplied by telematics. When the vehicle crosses the line, the system logs the event and can send a notification, stamp an arrival time, or start a workflow (for example, opening a delivery).
What it’s used for in fleets
Geofencing automates tasks that would otherwise need manual checking: confirming arrival and departure at loading/unloading points, calculating dwell time, alerting on out-of-hours or out-of-area use, and supporting asset security. It’s one of the core functions of fleet tracking and of the Optivo platform.
FAQ
Does geofencing locate the vehicle?
No — location comes from GPS. Geofencing adds the virtual boundaries and the automation (alerts, events) based on the vehicle entering or leaving an area.
How many geofences can you create?
It depends on the platform, but you can usually define many — one for each site, customer or relevant zone — each with its own rules and notifications.