GPS Tracking

Using GPS tracking is all about knowing "where" the employee was when they clocked in. For example a workplace, worksite, line of travel, or customer location.

With us, GPS tracking does not track the employee's movement, nor does it use geo fencing to prevent clocking, it only captures their location when they clock in or out.

The word "capture" means it records the employee's Latitude and Longitude coordinates when they punch. That way, you can easily find the location on a map.

How does it work?

Geolocation is a process that uses several techniques including triangulation to determine the most accurate location.

Smartphones are the most accurate because they include a GPS receiver to find location from GPS satellites.

Beyond that, location can also be determined by proximity to cell towers, and knowing IP address information.

Since most laptops and desktop computers do not have a GPS receiver, their resulting coordinates are not as accurate.

So as a rule, it may be best to only use GPS tracking for employees using smartphones to clock in/out.

When to use GPS tracking?

In our view, only when employees work remotely and clock from smartphones.

Examples can include delivery drivers, construction workers, maintenance workers, or anyone who works offsite.

Employees can also specify a job as the clock in.

When not to use GPS tracking?

When employees work at specific job locations such as an office, restaurant, store, hotel, factory, or school.

If so, you will already know their location based on the time clock, or the network IP address they used to clock in.

Further, you will avoid the intrusive nature of capturing geo coordinates.

Opt-in limitation

GPS tracking on phones is an opt-in service. Meaning employees need to "allow" our web app to capture their geolocation by tapping a button.

If they don't, they will not be able to clock in at all.

If that happens, please have employees go to their phone settings to reset their geolocation preferences.

Bottom line

Having employees clock from their phones is not always the best idea as some will have you believe. Unless the phone was supplied by the employer, a phone is a personal device that requires costs and maintenance outside of their employment.

However, if there are no other methods available, and if employees work remotely, then yes, phones make sense if employees agree to it.

If they do, GPS tracking will help.