GPS Clock-In Gets Smarter
TacDesk has always recorded GPS coordinates when guards clock in. But recording location and validating location are two different things. Previously, managers had to manually check whether a guard’s clock-in location matched their assigned site.
With GPS geofencing, TacDesk now does this automatically.
How Geofencing Works
Each site in TacDesk can be configured with a geofence — a virtual boundary defined by GPS coordinates and a radius. When a guard attempts to clock in, the system compares their current GPS position against the geofence of their assigned site.
- Inside the geofence — clock-in proceeds normally with a green confirmation
- Outside the geofence — the guard is warned they’re outside the expected area, and the clock-in is flagged for management review
Configuring Geofences
Setting up a geofence takes seconds. In the site settings, managers:
- Set the centre point (either by entering an address or dropping a pin on the map)
- Define the radius (50 metres to 500 metres, depending on site size)
- Save — the geofence is immediately active
Larger sites like industrial estates or campus environments can have wider geofences. Smaller retail locations can use tighter boundaries.
Why Not Just Block Clock-In?
We deliberately chose to flag rather than block out-of-bounds clock-ins. Why? Because GPS accuracy varies — buildings, weather, and phone quality all affect precision. A hard block could prevent a legitimate guard from clocking in because their phone’s GPS was off by 30 metres.
By flagging rather than blocking, the guard can still start work, and the manager reviews the flag when convenient. Most flags turn out to be GPS drift or a guard standing just outside the boundary. Genuine issues are easily identified.
Management Dashboard
Flagged clock-ins appear on the management dashboard with a warning indicator. Managers can view the guard’s clock-in location on a map alongside the site geofence, making it clear whether the flag represents a genuine concern or normal GPS variation.
Client Confidence
Geofencing data adds another layer of confidence for clients. Not only can you show that a guard clocked in at a specific time, you can demonstrate that the clock-in was automatically validated against the site location. This is powerful evidence of service delivery.
GPS geofencing is available on all TacDesk plans. Try the demo to see geofence configuration and validation in action.