How location tracking works
EMCE requests your location when you clock in or out of an event. It does not continuously track your movements during a shift.
Mobile app vs. web
Section titled “Mobile app vs. web”- Mobile app: EMCE uses your phone’s location services, including GPS. Accuracy depends on the available signal and your location settings.
- Web browser: EMCE uses the location provided by your browser. On a computer, this may be estimated from Wi-Fi or your internet connection and can be less precise. A browser on a phone can also use the phone’s GPS.
In either case, EMCE records the location supplied by your device. It may not always match your exact position.
Why isn’t the location updating?
Section titled “Why isn’t the location updating?”A recorded location is a snapshot from clock-in or clock-out, not a live location. Moving to another place after clocking in does not update that clock-in location.
The location may appear shortly after the clock-in or clock-out time because the device needs a moment to find it.
Why is a location inaccurate or missing?
Section titled “Why is a location inaccurate or missing?”A weak location signal, location permissions, or an approximate location provided by the device can affect the result. Being indoors can also make GPS less accurate.
If location access is turned off or the device cannot provide a location promptly, the clock-in or clock-out can still save without a location. A missing or inaccurate location alone does not establish whether a student was at the event.
Understand location warnings
Section titled “Understand location warnings”Your program can enable non-blocking warnings using a distance from the scheduled location. The default warning range is 150 meters, but your program may choose a different range, including one for a particular site.
| Assessment | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Within range | The available location and accuracy evidence place the punch within the configured range. |
| Outside range | The evidence places it outside the range; an approximate distance may be shown. |
| Uncertain | The accuracy estimate overlaps the boundary, so the result is inconclusive. |
| Unavailable / unassessable | Location or sufficient evidence is missing. |
Read any warning before continuing. A warning does not prevent you from recording the punch. Older punches without accuracy evidence are not retroactively treated as outside range. Contact faculty if the recorded evidence needs review; a map pin alone is not proof of attendance or absence.
What can I do?
Section titled “What can I do?”Before your next clock-in or clock-out:
- Make sure location services are enabled on your device.
- Allow EMCE to access your location. If using the website, also allow location access for EMCE in your browser.
- If your device offers a Precise Location setting, enable it for EMCE or your browser.
For step-by-step instructions for your device:
- iPhone or iPad: Apple’s guide to allowing location access for apps.
- Android: Google’s guide to managing location permissions for apps.
If something still looks wrong, contact EMCE support with the event, student, clock-in or clock-out time, expected location, and whether the mobile app or website was used. Include the device and browser, if applicable, so we can investigate the specific example.
For clock-in instructions, see Clocking in or out for an event.