March 2008, Work Truck - Feature
GeoFencing Adds to Your Truck Security Arsenal
By Paul Dexler
According to International Truck and Engine, which offers GPS systems on its trucks, "With GeoFencing, you can define a virtual geographical area to make sure vehicles follow approved routes. If a designated boundary is crossed, you will receive a notification with a time, date, and location stamp. Reverse GeoFences also can be configured to alert you to vehicles that enter an area you designate as restricted." The company noted there may be safety reasons or hazardous material situations in which a given truck should not enter a given area.
The company adds that the benefit of GeoFencing is that it provides fleet managers greater control over the territory in which their vehicles travel. "Whether you have a specific route or areas that are off-limits for safety purposes, GeoFencing offers peace of mind that your trucks are where they should be at all times."
The Personnel Downside
While companies may feel GeoFencing may prevent employees from wasting company time, GeoFencing is a concept that could easily offend other employees. Some argue it is an invasion of privacy, while still others believe it is not a practice designed to single out loafers, but rather to save the company money.
Ephraim Schwartz, writing in InfoWorld magazine, noted some of the problems. He compared GeoFencing to burying a wire around the perimeter of your backyard that’s hooked into a transmitter plugged into the wall.
"If you don’t want your dog to wander outside of the backyard, you set his electronic collar to one of four settings, depending on the level of electric shock you want to zap him with if he crosses the line. He soon learns to stay in bounds," wrote Schwartz.
"Unfortunately, there is no line item in GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) to list employees as an asset. There are columns for tables and chairs, but not people. And, excuse me; I am not being naïve here: Good GeoFences don’t make good employees, but treating employees with respect makes more profitable companies," Schwartz concluded.
To sum up, you can increase the security of your vehicles and contents by careful tracking, but also be cautious not to alienate employees at the same time, which could be more costly.