Geo Zones allow GSMtasks to automatically detect when a driver enters or leaves a specific location. They can be used to trigger notifications, automate task statuses, and monitor employee activity around customer locations.
What are Geo Zones?
Every task in GSMtasks has an address.
When a task is created, GSMtasks automatically creates a Geo Zone around that location. A Geo Zone is a virtual boundary with a configurable radius surrounding the task address.
When a driver enters or exits this area, GSMtasks can trigger different automated actions depending on your account configuration.
Configuring the Geo Zone Radius
The size of every Geo Zone is determined by the Assignee Proximity Radius setting.
To change the default radius:
Open Settings.
Select Dispatch & Routing.
Locate Assignee Proximity Radius.
Enter the preferred distance.
Save your changes.
The selected radius will be used when creating new Geo Zones around task locations.
How Geo Zones Work
Think of a Geo Zone as a virtual fence around a task location.
When a driver carrying the GSMtasks mobile app crosses that boundary, GSMtasks can automatically recognize the event and perform different actions such as:
Sending notifications
Updating task statuses
Recording arrival times
Measuring working time
These automations help reduce manual work while improving visibility for dispatchers and customers.
Notifications
Driver enters the Geo Zone (notifying the customer) | A notification can be sent to the customer, letting them know their order, technician, etc. is nearby.
This notification can be edited by you. |
Driver enters the Geo ZOne (notifying the driver) | A push-notification can also be sent to employees after they have entered the geo zone.
For example, you might want to remind them to take a photo of the delivered parcel, add the client's signature to the proof of delivery, etc. |
Driver leaves the Geo ZOne while having an "active" status (notifying the driver/manager) | An e-mail or SMS notification can be sent out to the driver to change their task status.
When the notification goes out to the manager, they can check the employee's status in real-time in the GSMtasks software. |
Measure working time (notifying the manager) | Notifications can also be used to accurately measure working time.
When an employee marks their status Active (working) but has not entered the geo zone, a notification can be sent to the manager. |
Automatic Check-in / Check-out š
Geo Zones can automatically update task statuses when a driver arrives at or leaves the task location.
For example:
Driver starts driving.
Driver arrives inside the Geo Zone.
GSMtasks automatically changes the task status to Active.
After completing the work and leaving the location, GSMtasks can automatically update the task to Completed, depending on your workflow configuration.
This reduces manual input for drivers and helps ensure task statuses remain accurate throughout the day. For businesses completing dozens of jobs daily, this automation can save significant time.
Driver Reminders
Geo Zones can also trigger reminders for drivers when they arrive at a task location.
For example, the driver can be reminded to:
Take a proof-of-delivery photo
Collect a customer signature
Complete required custom fields
Upload documents
Record notes
This helps improve data quality and reduces forgotten information before completing a task.
Working Time Monitoring
Geo Zones can help managers monitor working hours more accurately.
For example:
A driver marks themselves as Active before reaching the customer's location.
GSMtasks detects that the employee has not yet entered the Geo Zone.
A notification can be sent to the manager.
This can be particularly useful for businesses where working hours begin only after arriving at the customer site.
Best Practices
For the best experience with Geo Zones:
Choose a radius appropriate for your type of work.
Use larger radiuses for rural locations where GPS accuracy may vary.
Use smaller radiuses for dense urban environments.
Test your notification workflows before using them in production.
Combine Geo Zones with automatic status changes to reduce manual work for drivers.