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Proximity Search

Learn how to use Proximity Search in Perspio Explorer to find assets near a point of interest. This guide explains Live vs Historical searches, POI and radius controls, map tools, running queries, interpreting results, and troubleshooting missing or unexpected matches.

Overview

Proximity Search helps you find assets near a point of interest (POI) using location data reported by devices connected to those assets. It is designed for operational decisions (who is closest right now) and investigations (who was near a location during a specific time window).

Proximity Search is important because it enables you to:

  • locate nearby assets for dispatch, recovery, or on-site work

  • validate asset presence at a customer site or incident location

  • investigate historical movements for audits, claims, and operational reviews

Live vs Historical: what’s the difference?

Live (current proximity)

Live searches and monitors assets based on their current live locations (latest reported position). It’s ideal for real-time oversight and immediate response scenarios.

Historical (past proximity)

Historical searches asset locations over a specified timeframe, identifying assets that were within a defined radius during the selected period. It’s critical for retrospective analysis, audits, and incident investigation.

Before you start

  • You need access to Explorer (or your tenant’s Search/Explorer area where Proximity Search is available).

  • Assets must have a data source providing location telemetry (GPS or equivalent).

  • For Historical, your tenant must retain location history for the date range you select.

Open Proximity Search

  1. From the left navigation, select Explorer.

  2. Select Proximity Search (either from the left Explorer list or the Proximity Search card on the landing page).

Click on Proximity Search

Proximity Search screen: key controls and usability

Mode selector: Live vs Historical

Use this control to switch the search behaviour:

  • Live: searches using current asset locations.

  • Historical: enables date/time controls and searches during a selected period.

POI input (search point)

Define the centre point of the search using either:

  • Address, or

  • Latitude/longitude coordinates.

Radius controls

Set how far from the POI to search. Historical Proximity Search includes an interactive radius definition that you can adjust dynamically.

Map interaction tools

Proximity Search typically includes map controls such as:

  • Zoom controls (for better context/precision)

  • Drag & drop repositioning (move the radius circle to the exact area of interest)

  • Theme/layer toggle (map view options such as satellite/terrain, tenant-dependent)

Run/Query button

Executes the search and returns matching assets in the selected area (and timeframe for Historical).

Results list and asset tools

Historical results commonly provide tools next to each asset to:

  • zoom to asset

  • view its activity on the day

  • view geofences it’s in

Perform a Live Proximity Search

Use Live when you need to know what’s near a location right now.

  1. Open Proximity Search and select Live.

  2. Enter the POI (address or coordinates).

  3. Set the radius to define the search area.

  4. Adjust the search circle on the map if needed (drag to position precisely).

  5. Select Run Query (or equivalent) to return assets currently within the radius.

  6. Review results and open/zoom to assets as required.

When Live is best

  • dispatching the closest asset to a job

  • identifying nearby assets for retrieval

  • live operational oversight

 

Perform a Historical Proximity Search

Use Historical when you need to know which assets were near a location during a past timeframe.

  1. Open Proximity Search and switch to Historical.

  2. Set the date range for the search period (use exact timestamps where possible).

  3. Enter the POI (address or coordinates).

  4. Adjust the radius using the radius control/slider.

  5. Drag the radius circle to the precise map location (if required).

  6. Use zoom controls to refine accuracy.

  7. Select Run Query.

  8. Use the result tools to zoom to assets, review activity, and check geofence context (where available).

When Historical is best

  • incident investigation (“which asset was here at that time?”)

  • operational audits and retrospective reviews

  • route and utilisation analysis

 

Troubleshooting and common pitfalls

No assets returned (Live or Historical)

  • Increase the radius to confirm the search point is correct.

  • Confirm the POI (address/coordinates) is accurate.

  • Confirm assets have location telemetry reporting (device connectivity/data flow).

Live results look incorrect

  • Live is based on current reported locations; if a device hasn’t reported recently, the “current” position may be stale (validate device reporting and timestamps where available).

Historical results missing expected assets

  • Expand the time window slightly to account for reporting intervals and gaps.

  • Confirm the tenant retains history for the selected timeframe.

  • Check time zone assumptions when selecting date/time ranges.