Since first launching in 2005, our most popular feature to date is Unlimited Zones. Sometimes referred to as “geo-fences”, Zones are designated alert areas that you set up through your account. When the device crosses the Zone barrier, you are alerted if it is entering or exiting. Zones can be made small enough to fit around a house and large enough to encompass a state.
While most folks opt for the standard Home Zone, PocketFinder has had the opportunity to hear from customers who use Zones for other reasons. We’ve compiled a list of some of those Zone benefits so you can see how versatile Zones truly are!
“No Fly Zones”
No Fly Zones can be thought of as areas where the device should not go. The first examples that come to mind were set up by the parents of teen drivers. They set up zones around neighborhoods and establishments they don’t want their kid visiting. The same can be said for businesses that issue company cars. Setting up Zones in No Fly areas will alert you if your driver is misusing company property by taking it somewhere it shouldn’t be.
No Fly Zones are also helpful for aging loved ones who can get lost or turnaround. Many seniors with Alzheimer’s and Dementia are still independent and take daily walks. But there is a risk they can wander or get turned around. Setting up Zones in areas that could prove hazardous will alert you when they get too close so you can reach out and make sure all is well.
Routines & Battery Savings
It's no surprise that the customers with the most set routines are those with children. Utilizing Zones as a way to alert when your child arrives and leaves a location allows you to decide if any settings need to be updated due to the new environment.
For example: Your child leaves with the device in the morning set to a quick location mode. They hop on the bus and soon you get the Exit Home alert. Once you receive the Enter School alert, you can then set the location mode to be less frequent and save battery. It’s the end of the day and you receive the Exit School alert, time to set for a quicker location mode. Next alert is for Enter Karate Studio so it's back to a less frequent location frequency.
This pattern is repeated until they arrive safely back home. Thanks to the Zone alerts, you were able to adjust the location frequency and save battery as needed for a full day of tracking.
“Burden of Proof”
This aspect of Zones is often utilized by our Small Business clientele. The burden of proof of workers arriving/ leaving a worksite, accurate time stamps, etc. are on the business providing said service. With Zones, businesses have an extra tool in their pocket to ensure proper worksite management.
The first level of security are Zone alerts staying stored on the History map for 60 days. With simple navigation, you can review the dates in question and verify if/ when the alert(s) came through.
For businesses utilizing our FLEET portal, there is an extra layer of protection with the Zone Report. This report allows the account manager to download Zone alerts as a spreadsheet. So, you can pull a report for a specific device and see all of its Zone activity or pull a report for a specific zone and see all device activity. Weekly downloads of these reports during active projects will ensure you and your clients are aware of when and where work is occurring.
Zones are just one of our versatile features designed with the customer in mind. When used in combination with other features, you’ll see successful tracking and peace of mind for all involved.