Geofencing Applications and Use Cases

This article explores various applications and use cases of geofencing technology. Common applications include event management, logistics management, competitor tracking, in-store automation, asset management/tracking, and people tracking.

What is Geofencing?

A geofence is a virtual perimeter defined around a physical location using mapping technology (like Google Maps). This region is marked to monitor the entry or exit of people, children, or assets.

Geofence regions are commonly circular, but can also be defined using other polygon shapes. When an entry or exit event occurs, an action or notification (such as an SMS message) is generated and sent to registered mobile numbers. This whole process is known as geofencing. Geofences can be predefined sets of boundaries, such as school zones or neighborhood limits.

There are two primary types of geofencing: active and passive. Geofencing utilizes GPS, cellular technologies, or Wi-Fi to track devices and their relationship to the defined geofences.

For more in-depth information, refer to resources detailing the working operation of Geofencing and the advantages of geofencing.

Geofencing Applications and Use Cases

Here’s a list of typical geofencing applications:

• Event Management: Drones can be confined to a designated zone using geofencing, allowing them to capture live video of an event without straying into unauthorized areas.

• Logistics Management: Geofencing helps manage logistics, particularly in route management for vehicles. Digital transportation platforms frequently leverage geofencing for this purpose.

• Tracking Competitors: Retailers can monitor the movements of their competitors, gathering insights that can inform marketing strategies.

• In-Store Automation: Geofencing techniques, combined with AI (Artificial Intelligence), can enhance the shopping experience.

• Asset Management/Tracking: Geofencing can track customers within a store. Beacons can guide customers to targeted sections, increasing sales and revenue.

• People Tracking: Physical locations are marked with virtual perimeters based on maps. When a person enters or exits this region, the system alerts a monitoring group about their movement. Smart security tracking devices are often used with elderly individuals, people with mental challenges, or children to track their movement and raise alarms if they move beyond the defined geofenced area.