PassTime devices and software are packed with features designed to make asset management, recovery, and monitoring more efficient. With so many powerful tools available, we wanted to dive into some under-utilized or lesser-known features to help you get the most out of your solutions. Whether you’re a long-time PassTime customer or are just getting started, understanding what’s available can unlock major gains in visibility, security, and control over your assets.

With assistance from our Operations Manager, Jason Schoshke, we’ll do a deep dive into Encore Power Modes, Recovery Assist, Geofences, and Trip Notifications. Each of these features brings something different to the table, but they all help you stay one step ahead.

Encore Power Modes

“Encore has four power modes. It starts in the most active state, Recovery Mode, so you can quickly verify placement, and then it steps down automatically to preserve battery life while still giving you the data you need.” – Jason Schoshke

Encore operates with four distinct power modes, each optimized for a balance of functionality and battery conservation. For many applications, the device begins in Recovery Mode, its most active state, immediately upon activation. Recovery Mode is Encore’s full-power functionality, where locates can be performed at any time and automated locates every 2 hours. So, whether stationary or in motion, you always know where the asset is. The device remains in this mode for 2 hours, giving you the time you need to verify proper installation and signal strength for the device.

From there, Encore will automatically transition to Active Mode. Active Mode reports location data at the start and end of each trip, every time the asset moves, and additionally allows live locates while the asset is moving. Automated locates every 49 hours. Excellent when actively monitoring, and live location is essential. Once stationary again, the device powers down to conserve battery.

After 14 days in Active Mode, Encore steps down into Trip Mode. Trip Mode reports location data at the start and end of each trip, every time the asset moves. Additionally, automated locates are sent every 49 hours. Great for added insight into the asset’s movement. The key difference in Trip Mode and Active Mode is that manual location is no longer an option in this mode. This offering provides users with a more hands-off approach with improved battery efficiency.

Finally, the device enters Endurance Mode, the most power-efficient setting. Endurance Mode provides automated locates every 12.5 hours and sleeps in between. Automatic and low maintenance, this mode is perfect for maximizing battery life.

Each Encore Power Mode is designed with a specific use case in mind, giving you the flexibility to balance between precise asset tracking and battery longevity.

Recovery Assist

“It’s kind of a set-it-and-forget-it, grant access to a third party for a limited time without worrying about login security” – Jason Schoshke

Recovery Assist is a feature built into Oasis, PassTime’s Device Management System (DMS). It allows users to temporarily and securely share access to a single device with a third party, commonly used for repossession agents or internal training scenarios.

This time-limited access can be granted for short periods of time, like 2 days, all the way up to 60 days, and then it will be automatically revoked. PassTime offers a simplified web interface or even the Repo Assist Mobile App, where users can select exactly which device the third party can access. This eliminates the need to create and manage additional user accounts or worry about logins out there in the world when a contract or even a trainee is no longer a part of the organization.

Security is front and center with Recovery Assist. By automatically revoking access at the conclusion of the designated amount of time, Recovery Assist reduces the risk of unauthorized use, particularly in fast-moving, high-turnover environments.

Geofencing

“A Geofence is just drawing a virtual line in the sand; you’ll be notified any time a device crosses that line, in or out.” – Jason Shoshke

Geofencing turns passive tracking into proactive monitoring. Available across the PassTime product line, geofences can be created around dealer lots, job sites, impound lots, city or state borders, or even international boundaries.

Once set, these geofences allow users to receive alerts when a device enters or exits a defined area. For wireless devices like Encore, geofence alerts are triggered by trip events, meaning the device will activate when it begins motion, and then the boundary crossing will be detected. For Wired devices, like the rest of our PassTime products, real-time geofencing notifications will occur.

This feature supports a wide range of use cases, from notifying when an asset leaves a job site to identifying unauthorized crossing into another state. Whether you’re using wired or wireless devices, geofencing enhances visibility and supports faster decision-making.

Trip Notifications

“Trip notifications should be used more than they are; they tell you exactly when and where the asset moves and stops.” – Jason Schoshke

Trip notifications are one of PassTime’s most underutilized features, and they offer tremendous value across our products. Users can opt to receive these trip notification events via email or text message.

These simple alerts can truly be a game-changer, especially for repossession or asset recovery scenarios. If a recovery agent receives a trip start notification, they know the vehicle is on the move and can prioritize that recovery. Likewise, the trip end notification tells them exactly when and where the asset comes to rest, often making recovery a quicker and safer process.

These notifications are especially helpful for assets that are intentionally hidden or even those that are used more sporadically. Like motorcycles that are often garage kept, and only moved on weekends. Combining trip notifications with geofencing, you are able to get a fuller picture of asset behavior, improving your responsiveness and allowing you to make more informed decisions.

Smarter Tools for Smarter Decisions

Each of these features, from Encore’s Power Modes, portfolio-wide Recovery Assist, flexible Geofencing, and actionable Trip Notifications, work together to deliver a GPS tracking solution built for real-world use. Whether you’re managing high volumes of assets or handling sensitive recovery operations, understanding how and when to leverage these tools can make a big difference.

Because in the world of asset protection, knowledge isn’t just power, it’s peace of mind.