GeoFencing Feature

TCR mobile app has geofencing feature which allows users to be alerted when they get near a job site to clock into the job, when the leave job site without clocking it, it prompts them to clock out, captures how far from a job site a user clocked in or out.

What is Geofencing and How Does It Work?

Geofencing uses your phone’s GPS to create a virtual boundary around your job site. When you enter or exit this area, the app can send you reminders to clock in or clock out.

Features of Geofencing in Our App

1. Clock In Reminder:
   • As soon as you get near the job site, the app will automatically notify you to clock in. This ensures that you are ready to start your workday and helps keep your time tracking accurate.
2. Clock Out Reminder:
   • If you leave the job site without clocking out, the app will prompt you to clock out before you go any further. This helps you avoid accidental missed clock-outs and ensures your work hours are correctly recorded.
3. Tracking Clock-In and Clock-Out Distance:
   • The app also records how far from the job site you are when you clock in or clock out. This gives you a better understanding of your proximity to the job site and helps ensure that your clock-in and clock-out times are accurate.

How to Use Geofencing for Clocking In and Out

1. Arriving at the Job Site:
   • When you arrive near the job site, the geofence will trigger an alert, reminding you to clock in. You’ll receive a notification on your phone, so you can easily clock in with just a tap.
2. Leaving the Job Site:
   • If you try to leave the job site without clocking out, the app will send a reminder. This helps ensure you don’t forget to log your working hours.
3. Clock-In/Clock-Out Location Tracking:
   • Whenever you clock in or clock out, the app will record the distance from the job site to verify that your actions are taking place near the location. This provides more accurate data for your work records.

Benefits of Using Geofencing

• Accurate Time Tracking: By automatically reminding you to clock in and out at the correct locations, you’ll have more accurate work records.
• Increased Efficiency: You don’t need to manually check in or out; the app takes care of this for you.
• Error-Free Records: By tracking your distance from the job site, the app helps ensure there are no mistakes in your time logs.

Troubleshooting Geofencing Alerts

If you’re not receiving geofence alerts or there’s an issue with your clock-in/clock-out reminders:

• Ensure GPS is enabled on your phone for location tracking.
• Check the app’s permissions to allow it to access your location.
• If you’re still facing issues, contact our support team for assistance.

Our geofencing feature makes it easier for you to stay on top of your clock-ins and clock-outs, ensuring that your time is accurately tracked and you’re always reminded when you need to clock in or out.

Prerequisites

The geofence feature is to be enabled in the web portal.

Steps to Enable GeoFence in Portal.

1. Log in to the TCR app, navigate to Labor > WorkCodes, and select the WorkCode you want to enable GeoFence for. 

2. In WorkCode details screen, in Mobile Settings Enable GeoFence Toggle

3. Select the GeoFenceAddressType dropdown field and choose one of the following options as needed:

  a. Use Job/Ticket Address - During checkout, the ticket/job address will be used to verify the GeoFence distance limit.

  b. Use Branch address - During checkout, the branch address will be used to verify the GeoFence distance limit.

 c. Enter Specific Address - Select this option to manually specify an address to verify the GeoFence distance limit.

4. If “Use Specific Address” is selected, a Text field will be displayed to enter the address.

5. Enter the MinDistancetoCheckin decimal value. This represents the minimum distance in miles for checking the GeoFence limit. When a checkout is performed at a location or for a ticket, this value is used to validate the distance.

6. In the MiscTime view, “ Checked Outside GeoFence” column displays whether the user checked out the geofence or not.

Also, added “Enable Smart Geo Location Tracking” toggle on the Company Settings > Mobile Settings, This toggle is used in Mobile Application to continuously track the location of the Device and to show check-in and checkout alerts

Prerequisites for GeoFence Functionality in Mobile

 1. These are the Mandatory permissions for the Mobile app to continuously track the location and work as expected.

2. Mobile app would require Location Permission (specifically Allow all the time permission)

3. Mobile app would need to Ignore Battery Optimization

GeoFence functionality in Mobile

 1. A notification will appear in the notification panel if the company's Boolean setting is set to true. This notification will display once the user has logged in successfully and the sync process is complete.

2. While manually starting a Timecard from the Timecard screen,

  a. If the selected work code has GeoFence enabled, check if the user is within the specified GeoFence distance (MinDistancetoCheckin) from the device's current location.

  b. If the user is outside this distance, display an alert asking if they still want to check in for the job from X miles away from the ticket/job location.

  c. If GeoFence is not enabled for the selected work code, simply start the job.

3. If Company.EnableDriverLocationTracking is set to true, the device will continuously track the user's location.

  a. When the user is within X miles of any ticket location or job location for the day (up to 10 tickets), a push notification or alert will appear, asking if they want to check in for that ticket/job.

  b. On clicking the push notification, a confirmation popup will be displayed on the home screen, showing the ticket details. If the user clicks "Yes," a timecard popup will open, allowing them to select a work code and a different ticket for the timecard.

4. Store the distance from the job site where the user clocked in under the DistanceFromTicketLocation field in the LaborMiscTime table. This allows the admin to review LaborMisc records on the web portal to verify if the user performed check out within the GeoFence limit.

5. Once the Timecard is active,

When the user leaves a job site (exceeding the configured distance in WorkCode settings on the web portal):

   a. Verify if GeoFence is enabled for that WorkCode and check the configured minimum distance for checkout.

   b. If the user is beyond this distance, display a push notification or alert prompting them to end or adjust the timer.

  c. This notification prompts the user to stop the timecard if they have moved outside the GeoFence limit.

6. If a timer is running for more than 5 hrs, prompt the user if they want to end the timer or continue