What is Geolocation?

The Pulsar geolocation feature can be used to automatically track user's device location. This feature is useful for managing store check-ins, scheduling nearby service technician visits, or noting the location of client assets, for instance.

Geolocation uses the device's built-in capabilities. Each operating system provides a way for an app to request the geolocation coordinates. Pulsar uses the system library functions that exist in iOS, Android and Windows to ask for the current location and receive the coordinates for use in the app. Each of the devices and the operating systems implement location services in their own way. Usually, the GPS chip communicates with the satellite and the cell phone tower connected to the device provides additional location information. The combination of this data provides coordinates which specify the device location. 

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Controlling the Accuracy

You can control the accuracy of the geolocation using Pulsar Setting Language (PSL). The proper setting to use is LocationAccuracy. This setting is optional and controls the accuracy of the geolocation data collected when the app is running in the foreground. Valid values include Fine (10 meters), Medium (100 meters), and Coarse (1000 meters). Medium is the default value.

Refer to Pulsar Settings Language - Overview for more information about using PSL to control the accuracy.

Offline Considerations

While in offline mode, the GPS chip should still be able to communicate with the satellite, however, this tends to be a little less accurate than when you are online. If the user is inside of a concrete building or a tunnel where the GPS chip is unable to communicate with the satellite, then the operating system will return null values.