Business Solutions for Winter 2021

WINTER 2021 7 SOLUTIONS Geofencing Offers Location-Based Marketing Opportunities W hat’s geofencing? It’s a service in which an app or other software uses GPS, RFID, Wi-Fi, or cellular data to trigger a pre-programmed action when a mobile device or RFID tag enters or exits a virtual boundary. Known as a geofence, this boundary is set up around a geographical location such as a retail store or stadium. By contrast, geotargeting refers to delivering ads to only the people meeting a specific tar- geting criteria—like demographics, behaviors, or interests—who enter a geofence. Depending on how it’s configured, geofencing can prompt mobile push notifications, text messages or alerts, targeted advertisements on social media, and more. Examples of how geofencing can be used include: • Retailers can create a geofence in an area around their store. When users pass through the designated area, they’ll receive an alert about a special deal or an in-store coupon to encourage them to stop in and shop. • Concert and event producers can geofence venues with offers for passers-by about upcoming events. Geofencing can also be used to engage the crowds at concerts, festivals, and fairs to crowdsource social media posts. • Attorneys or law firms could set up a geofencing advertising campaign to hospitals, jails, or courthouses to reach their target clients. • Smart appliances can use geofences in a variety of ways. A refrigerator could remind you that you’re out of milk the next time you pass by the grocery store. Or a thermostat could use a geofence to make sure your home is set to the perfect temperature when you get home from work. • Some companies rely on geofencing to monitor employees—especially workers who spend time off-site doing field work. It’s also an easy way to automate time cards, clock- ing employees in and out as they come and go. Given the widespread use of mobile devices and the desire for highly targeted marketing, geofencing is becoming a common strategy for more businesses and organizations. Once a geographic area has been defined, the possibilities are almost limitless. TOP 10 FIBER BENEFITS FOR BUSINESSES By replacing copper networks with fiber networks, Panora Telco and Guth- rie Center Communications have made it possible for an increasing number of local businesses to enjoy workplace advantages including these: 1. Much faster internet speeds for increased productivity 2. Symmetrical bandwidth for uploads as fast as downloads 3. Higher reliability with less down- time and need for troubleshooting 4. More efficient access to cloud- based tools and data storage 5. Future-proof infrastructure to meet changing needs 6. Ability to handle many internet users and devices with no slowdowns 7. Minimal latency for better quality video and VoIP calls 8. Enhanced security against cyber crime 9. More flexibility for initiatives such as Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) 10. Support for robust HD video conferencing To find out more about fiber avail- ability and internet speeds in your area, call Panora Telco at (641) 755-2424 or Guthrie Center Com- munications at (641) 332-2000.