Category: ELD (Electronic Log)

Earlier in April, DOT officers started fully enforcing ELDs. Carriers and drivers must maintain ELDs and understand how to go through an ELD inspection. Unfortunately, since April, many drivers and fleets earned ELD mandate fines for avoidable mistakes. Let’s look at some strategies on how to avoid ELD mandate fines.

 

This guide covers:

1) What are some common ELD mistakes and how can fleets avoid fines for those avoidable mistakes?

2) How can first-time fleets avoid ELD mandate fines?

 

Common ELD Mandate Fines

 

FleetWaves, a freight industry news outlet, recently published a collection of severe violations. From this list, let’s take a look at common mistakes.

 

Failure to Provide ELD Documents

 

 

Some people might wonder, “How can I get fined for failing to provide documents if I already have an ELD?” The most apparent reason relates back to a lack of training. It is evident that some drivers are unable to use their ELD properly, and as a result, run into problems during inspections.

 

“Some officers are very patient and work with drivers to solve their glitches,” said a fleet manager. “However, you will run into impatient officers who issue ELD mandate fines to drivers who don’t know how to show their logbooks.”

 

Tip:

 

The biggest tip is to train drivers on how to use their ELD. For example, Geotab Drive users can submit logs via web services, emails, or screen displays. Drivers should learn each of the three methods in case a function stops working.

 

Keeping Unassigned Driving Logs

 

Another common fine is keeping unassigned driving logs. This usually occurs in drivers that try to “hide” their logs. In other words, some drivers try skimming hours by logging out of their ELD device and then marking their driving time as unassigned.

 

However, ELD devices are smart and keep an unassigned log record. Inspection officers are often not impressed when they see several unassigned hours in the log’s history.

 

Tip:

 

Managers must teach drivers to respect the ELD system. ELDs specifically stops hour skimming. Therefore, attempts to hide unassigned hours will likely result in fines.

 

Improperly Editing Hours

 

Another common ELD mandate fine occurs when drivers improperly edit hours. ELDs allow drivers to edit and add driving time.

 

 

Some drivers, whether on purpose or lacking HOS legal knowledge, abuse this ELD function. For example, HOS laws allow drivers to add driving time for Adverse Conditions. However, the ELD keeps a record of edit notes, location and time. As a result, when officers see an Adverse Condition edit every single evening, they will likely issue an ELD fine.

 

Tip:

 

Fleets should host regular in-person HOS training and provide legal guidebooks. Let’s stick with the Adverse Conditions example. Drivers should learn Adverse Conditions edits are allowed for severe weather or collision roadblocks. However, things like regular traffic delays are not Adverse Conditions.

 

ELD is not Mounted

 

Drivers are required to have a visible ELD mounted on their vehicle. This rule especially affects drivers who use tablet or smartphone devices. A lot of drivers have a habit of putting phones and tablets in their pocket or on another seat. Unfortunately, that habit can lead to an ELD mandate fine.

 

Tip:

 

 

Fleets should equip each vehicle with a tablet or phone mount. Additionally, the mounts should be tiltable for outside view and should be flexible to allow drivers to remove them during inspections.

 

Avoid ELD Mandate Fines for First-Time Users

 

How can first-time ELD users (or Canadian companies gearing up for the Canadian mandate) avoid fines?

 

 

The top 3 tips that we compiled include:

 

1) Comply Early.

 

Some people naturally delay implementation to save money. “We will save our money by waiting until the last possible moment and then buy ELDs,” said a lot of fleet managers before the ELD deadline. In fact, some people even waited until March, the month before ELD enforcement, to use ELDs.

 

Consequently, drivers had a few days to learn the entire system. Naturally, these are the drivers that get confused with ELDs and earn fines. In the end, the business might lose more money from ELD fines than saving money from delaying ELD purchases.

 

2) Training.

 

Next, businesses need to host more effective training. Good training is the best way to avoid ELD fines because drivers learn how to use ELDs to pass inspection and how to respect the system instead of trying to bypass laws.

 

3) Manage and Teach.

 

Finally, it’s a good idea to monitor fleet drivers. Many fleets don’t realize that their drivers skim hours until the fleet picks up fines and loses safety compliance scores. Rather than risking fines, fleets are much more successful when they internally monitor their drivers with HOS compliance reports.

 

Need more training on ELDs? Click here for a Driver’s Starter Guide.

 

Links

 

FreightWaves: A freight meltdown was avoided, but not these ELD problems

 

Geotab: 4 ELD Violations That Could Impact Your CSA Score and How to Avoid Them

Across the country, many drivers are starting to electronically record their DOT HOS logs. Since a lot of drivers are used to paper logs, switching to ELDs is a big change.

In fact, one common concern is teaching drivers how to use ELDs. “A lot of our drivers don’t even have phones and other drivers still use flip phones,” said a concerned fleet manager. “How are we going to get drivers to learn these new gadgets?”

Fortunately, DOT HOS compliance does not have to be complicated. In this guide, we’ll cover:

• What devices will drivers use to record their DOT HOS logs?
• How do drivers use such devices?

What devices are needed to record and display DOT HOS logs?

Drivers need a device that is compliant with the FMCSA rules. In most systems, this involves a plug-in device and a screen to display the data.

For example, GoFleet supplies Geotab units. These units are compliant with ELD rules and records DOT truck driving hours. Drivers can then use a compatible smartphone, tablet, or Garmin to display their hours.

How do drivers use ELD devices?

ELDs are easy-to-use – even for people who are new to the tech!

Here are a few steps:

1 – Start the application.

Drivers can download the Geotab Drive app on a personal device. After downloading the app, drivers log in with their username and password.

2 – Syncing vehicle data.

After logging in, the app will automatically sync driving data from the Geotab unit. Then, drivers can select their vehicle and claim their log entries.

3 – Completing DVIRs.

After claiming their logs, drivers can electronically fill in their DVIRs. Instead of having to work on paper, drivers can use the app to fill in a DVIR form. Drivers can also review previous inspections.

4 – Using the HOS display.
Drivers can select the “HOS” button to view their hours. This handy screen shows how many hours drivers have left and their current status.

The device automatically switches to “Driving” when the truck is moving and switches to “On Duty” if the truck is stopped for 5 consecutive minutes. Otherwise, drivers can select “Off” if they are taking a break.

5 – Verifying and summarizing logs.

Drivers can also verify and summarize their logs. Under the “Graphs” page, drivers can see a history of verified and edited logs.

If drivers need to show their logs for a roadside inspection, drivers can quickly create a report. The app would then generate logs over the past few days.

Need training with Geotab Drive? Simply schedule a training session with our support team!

One of the hottest questions as the ELD mandate deadline approaches is what is the difference between AOBRD vs ELD.

AOBRDs vs ELDs Guide

This guide is separated into 4 sections:

1 – What is an AOBRD?

2 – Why do some fleets use AOBRDs?

3 – Is Geotab Drive an AOBRD or ELD?

4 – Why are ELDs the future of trucking?

1 – What is an AOBRD?

AOBRDs, short for Automatic On-Board Recording Devices, are devices that electronically record driver hours. Wait a minute! Isn’t that the same thing as ELDs (electronic logging devices)?

Sort of. An AOBRD is similar to an ELD but they are not quite the same. AOBRDs are compliant with 1988 regulations, whereas ELDs are compliant with modern mandates. In the future, all AOBRD users must upgrade to ELD solution.

One of the big differences of AOBRDs vs ELDs is compliance.

For example, take a look at the following differences:

Editing. The FMCSA understands that sometimes there are mistakes and that drivers need to edit their hours. An AOBRD can edit hours, sometimes without leaving a trail. An ELD, on the other hand, protects data integrity by keeping a record of all edits.

On duty switching. ELDs switches driver status from Off to On Duty if the truck stopped for over 5 minutes. AOBRDs do not.

Unassigned hours. ELDs also warn drivers of any unassigned hours upon logging in, whereas AOBRDs do not. As a result, ELDs give drivers the flexibility of noting if they drove the truck or if someone else drove the truck.

2 – Why do some fleets use AOBRDs?

The ELD mandate’s grandfather clause is stirring the debate between AOBRDs vs ELDs. The grandfather clause allows fleets to use AOBRDs for the next two years if it is bought before the deadline. However, after December 16, 2019, all AOBRDs must be upgraded to ELDs.

3 – Is Geotab Drive an AOBRD or ELD?

Geotab is committed to using ELDs. With the recent November 2017 update, the Geotab Drive program was upgraded from an AOBRD to an ELD.

4 – Why are ELDs the future of trucking?

Compliance

AOBRDs are a band-aid solution. It helps fleets avoid penalties today but fleets are still responsible for switching to full ELDs later. Instead of delaying the change, a lot of fleets are getting in full compliance.

Flexibility does not mean freedom

One of the biggest mistakes of getting AOBRDs instead of ELDs is trying to take advantage of the AOBRD’s flexibility. Yes, it is true that drivers can edit their logs without leaving behind a paper trail.

At the end of the day, however, drivers are still responsible for following the law. If DOT inspectors find that logbooks are tampered and hours are violated, the driver and company is still liable for penalties.

ELDs does more than just compliance

Another big difference between AOBRD and ELD is that ELDs collect more data than AOBRDs. This allows ELDs to provide more functions. For example, a lot of ELD programs also offer IFTA reporting, diagnostics, and driver coaching.

As a result, some fleet owners are choosing ELDS because it adds more value. “Last year, I paid an accountant hundreds of dollars per truck to do my IFTA,” said a fleet owner. “I didn’t realize that Electonic Logging Device can do the same thing and save that money!”

Read our Comprehensive Guide To ELD Compliance.

Click here for more information on ELDs.

Links:

Geotab: What is an ELD?

Overdrive: Log-editing ‘flexibility’ in current-generation AOBRD e-logs v. ELDs

Looking forward to more Mythbusters!

 

The original Mythbuster series ended in 2016. Fans of the series, however, were given a pair of great news.

In late 2016, the hosts returned on Netflix with a similar series called the “White Rabbit Project”. A Mythbusters spinoff was also announced. Contestants will compete on a televised series called “Mythbusters: The Search” to find new hosts for the reboot.

Let’s conclude our epic ELD trilogy by taking a look at a fuel-saving myth. Does taking right turns instead of left turns save fuel?

One company planned all of their routes to eliminate left turns and only take right turns. They believed that right turns would save fuel from less stops, acceleration, and idling. Were they correct?

In our ELD myth finale, we focus on drivers, robots, and fine print.

Myth: All drivers will quit.

“I will quit trucking before the mandate.” This comment is quite common and has been posted by drivers all over the Internet. Some drivers fear that the ELD mandate will threaten the way that they have been living for the past few years.

In a survey of 2300 independent drivers, 71% answered that they will quit. Will the trucking industry experience a massive strike?

The Reality

It is unlikely that the industry will experience a huge dropout. Todd Amen, president of ATBS, argues that most truckers will comply to earn a paycheque.

There is also increased acceptance from drivers. A recruiter from a company that contracts owner-operator commented that young drivers are especially accepting of ELDs. Even Dave, the popular YouTube driver, shared his acceptance story.

Dave said that his ELD skepticism was wrong because his quality of life improved after getting rid of paper logs.

Myth: ELDs control drivers.

Some truckers feel that they are being controlled by the ELDs. One trucker commented that they were running safe for decades and that paper logs allowed them flexibility of when to stop. Another trucker was concerned that the ELD will shut down their truck when their hours run out.

These truckers fear that ELDs will control their trucks and way of life. Remember all the movies about robots versus humans?

The Reality

ELDs are no where as smart as AIs from sci-fi movies. They are not self thinking. They do not control trucks and they cannot order the truck to stop. The only thing they do is record drivers and their driving hours.

Just like before, it is up to the driver to plan out their day. The driver can choose when to stop and when to go on break. Hours of service requirements existed long before the ELD mandate and do not change with the mandate. The only thing that is different is that there is a device to remind drivers when they must stop.

Myth: Only vendors on the FMCSA website are compliant with the ELD mandate.

Research is key when choosing the best ELD solution. Some researchers might come across the Registered ELD list. There are 6 pages of registered vendors. This must mean that these are the only vendors that are compliant with the ELD mandate, right?

The Reality

Not necessarily. The Registered ELD list does not include all compliant devices. It’s important to consider fine print, just like these real-life examples.

In this case, the fine print is that Registered ELDs are self-certified. These manufacturers got on the list by certifying themselves. The FMCSA can choose to remove self-certified vendors if they are deemed to be non-compliant.

Some big-name products such as Geotab is compliant with all FMCSA standards but are waiting for last-minute FMCSA tune ups before registering. The FMCSA is currently finalizing its electronic Records of Duty system and is expected to finish by summer 2017.

When this project is complete, it would allow drivers using Geotab to transmit logs through web service and email. Geotab has committed to registering before the compliance date.

This concludes our trilogy of ELD myths. If you are still confused between myths and facts, schedule a free appointment with our myth busting fleet consultants!

 

Sources:

Truckers Report: 71% of Independent Truckers Say They’ll Quit if EOBR Mandate Becomes Law

Overdrive: ELD Mandate: Independents Final Straw?

Heavy Duty Trucking: Safety Schism: Truck Groups Draw Lines over ELD, Speed-Limiter Rules

FMCSA: ELD List

Geotab: ELD Self Certification

More Mythbusters

Last time, we saw the Mythbuster team test the myth of if a coin-drop from a tall building could kill a pedestrian. This week, we look at a common traffic myth: do “weavers” save time?

Let’s face it. Almost all of us had to (or wanted to) rush to a destination. Some of us try to save time on the road by weaving into the least crowded lanes, much to the annoyance of neighboring vehicles.

Does this save time?

If you missed Part 1 of ELD Myths and Facts, check it out here.
Now let’s look at Part 2 of common ELD myths. 

Only Big Fleets Will Be Affected

In fall 2016, small and large business fleets answered an ELD implementation survey. The survey found that 81% of large fleets implemented ELDs while 33% of small fleets implemented ELDs.

The Reality

The mandate oversees any drivers who fill out Duty of Records for 8+ days over the month. This means that any business that falls within these guidelines, regardless of owning 1 truck or 1000 trucks, need to comply. This, however, doesn’t have to be viewed in a negative light.

Here’s a real life example. Ronnie Sellers is a business owner of a 3-truck operation. He was way ahead of compliance mandates and installed ELDs in 2011. He is satisfied with his decision and commented that he “would not run paper logs”.

The ELD Rule Will Never Go Into Effect

Some people insist that the ELD mandate will be overturned. The mandate is heavily opposed by the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA). The OOIDA filed several appeals to a few courts and sent a petition to the Supreme Court.

In fact, in 2011, the OOIDA successfully challenged the mandate and delayed it. If it was thrown out before, does this mean that businesses should wait out to the last minute?

The Reality

Since 2011, the FMCSA addressed concerns and released its final ruling. In October 2016, the appeals courts sided with the FMCSA and rejected the OOIDA’s appeal. The appeals court ruled that ELDs are in the best interest for public safety and for law enforcement.

The last challenge opposing the mandate was the OOIDA’s petition to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court decides to only hear a handful of cases out of thousands of appellants. In June 2017, the Supreme Court declined to hear the appeal and ended OOIDA’s challenge options.

The Cost of ELDs are so High That it Will Close Businesses

Truckers criticize ELDS as a cash grab. They fear that they will need to pay thousands of dollars for hardware and will need to pay heavy monthly fees. No one likes expensive bills, just like this angry driver and his traffic fine.

The Reality

Compliance does not have to break the bank or require tens of thousands of pennies. There are cost-effective ELD compliance solutions available.

For example, instead of spending thousands of dollars to re-wire trucks, businesses can explore options such as plug-and-play devices. These devices are a fraction of the cost of hardwired solutions and can be self-installed to reduce start-up fees.

Also, many businesses have found that ELDs provided benefits that outweigh costs. In a survey, respondents found that ELDs decreased log violations by 84% and helped control customer expectations for job times.

As well, these companies reported other benefits such as improved monitoring and usage of drivers, driver convenience, and a decrease in operating costs.

Join us next time for our trilogy finale as we share one last Mythbusters clip and tackle a final set of myths. 

Sources:
MH&L: ELD Implementation Differs Between Large and Small Fleets
Trucks.com: Truckers Grapple with Switch to Electronic Logs
Supply Chain Dive: Courts Uphold ELD Mandate
Overdrive: Supreme Court Rejects ELD Appeal, Ending OOIDA’s Challenge Options
Logistics Viewoiunts: ELD Survey: The Data, the Facts,
and How ELDs Affect Carriers

Mythbusters

Mythbusters is one of my favourite Discovery Channel series. In this show, common myths are supported or “busted” through scientific experiments.

In one episode, the hosts tested the myth that a coin-drop from a tall building could kill a pedestrian walking at the ground level. This thought dropped on my head (pun intended) a few times as I live in Toronto and occasionally walk by our CN Tower.

What did the Mythbuster crew find out?

The halfway point of 2017 is fast approaching. For businesses who are impacted by the ELD mandate and are not yet compliant, research is important. There are a lot of myths being thrown around.

Here is Part 1 to these myths.

Myth: The Mandate Will Drive Owner/Operators Out of Business.

Owner/operators are understandably concerned and upset over the change. After running trucks for many years, it is annoying to change operations.

Other than the cost of buying devices, owner/operators are concerned about running on the regulated 11 hours. For some drivers, they were used to driving unreported overtime hours. A lot of these drivers are being paid by mileage and feel that there would not be enough money if they drive under regulated hours.

The Reality: ELDs Save Time & Money

Dave, a popular YouTuber, explains that it is true a lot of drivers are used to working 14-15 hours. However, when ELDs force these drivers to drive 11 hours, Dave is optimistic that shippers and companies will realize that their loads are going to take longer. He points out that truckers would then see an adjustment in their pay rate.

Also, many drivers changed their opinion about ELDs once they experienced time and money savings. The biggest saving came from spending more time driving and less time drawing lines, calculating hours, and filing reports with paper logs. Another saving came from eliminating errors – sometimes from honest mistakes – which could cost in fines of up to $10K.

Myth: The Government Has 24/7 Access to Driver Logs.

ELDs can track drivers in real-time and can issue alerts to drivers when rules are violated. Some drivers are concerned – will the government be able to access these records and be notified if there is a violation?

The Reality: Government Access to Logs will Remain the Same as Before

ELDs are not sent in real-time to the government. The data is saved and sent to a private portal. When does the government get access to these data?

The government would get access in the same situation as if paper logs are being used. Data can be requested in a roadside inspection or in a compliance audit.

Myth: ELDs Do Not Improve Safety.

The official explanation is that ELDs improve safety by preventing drivers from driving overtime and cuts accidents caused by fatigue. Some drivers are skeptical. They feel that ELDs would make driving less safe. If drivers are used to working longer hours, wouldn’t that mean drivers will now rush and cause accidents?

The Reality: ELDs WILL Improve Safety

Remember, rushing and speeding leads to more speeding tickets! The FMCSA studied that ELDs will prevent 1,844 crashes a year. One might ask, is there any truth to these studies? It’s best to look at a real example.

In Europe, there has been an ELD mandate since 2006. Europeans refer to ELDs as “tachographs” and have been doing fine for over a decade. In fact, the European Union is pleased enough with the results that it is planning to tighten ELD regulations.

 

Join us next time as we share more Mythbuster clips and tackle more ELD myths.

Also you can check out our complete guide to electronic logging devices.

 

The Tracy Morgan Story

Tracy Morgan is coming back! For those who are unfamiliar, Morgan is a legendary comedian who came from a tough childhood to making millions of people laugh. He appeared in movies, TV series, and Saturday Night Live.

Netflix recently advertised “Staying Alive”, Morgan’s first special in a few years.

A few years ago, in 2014, Morgan was involved in a serious accident. A truck driver was traveling at 65mph and was too slow to react to a construction zone speed of 45mph. The truck hit Morgan’s limo.

The impact caused a chain reaction. The crash sent Morgan into a 2-week coma, killed Morgan’s mentor, and affected a total of 21 people. How did this crash happen?

Investigators found that the truck driver had been awake for an astonishing 28 hours before the crash. They said that had the driver been alert and slowed his truck to the traffic limit, the crash would have been prevented.

 

Driver Fatigue

Unfortunately, fatigue is still a leading cause of crashes. In fact, worldwide, drowsy driving leads to a cost of $109 billion. In an average year, fatigue causes 328K crashes, 109K injuries, and 6400 deaths.

One recent effort to combat fatigue is the electronic logging (ELD) mandate. Starting in December 2017, the FMCSA is requiring ELDs for trucks operating in the US. A similar mandate is being finalized in Canada.

How does the ELD mandate combat driver fatigue? Traditionally, drivers record their driving hours on paper. These records, however, may be accidentally or even deliberately inaccurate. Electronic logs automatically record hours when trucks are running. This gets drowsy drivers off the road by alerting drivers when they need to stop.

Other than the ELD mandate, what are other ways for safety managers and drivers to stop fatigue?

 

1) Getting enough sleep.

People are recommended to get about 7-8 hours of sleep. Easier said than done! For some people, especially truckers, it is hard to keep a consistent schedule.

As an alternative, drivers might want to consider changing their sleeping schedule. A great way to squeeze in 7 or 8 hours is to consider taking short naps throughout the day. The National Sleep Foundation found that taking a 40-minute nap improved alertness by 100%.

Consider bringing music, earphones, sleep masks or whatever helps to fall asleep!

 

2) Don’t fall for diet traps.

 

Quick fixes such as fast food and coffee sound tempting. As Star War’s Admiral Ackbar would warn, “It’s a trap!”.

These foods lead to fatigue. Fast food is high in body fat and digesting this would take away the body’s energy. Coffee, although giving a short burst of energy, increases a chemical in our body that leads to tiredness throughout the rest of the day.

A handy guide was made by the National Heart, Lung & Blood Institute to recommend healthier alternatives. For example, instead of instant noodles, why not try pasta?

 

Image Source: National Heart, Lung & Blood Institute

 

 

3) Exercise!

 

Research shows that regular, low-intensity exercise reduces fatigue by up to 65%. How can drivers get regular exercise while being on the road?

Dubbed as America’s fittest truck driver, Siphiwe Baleka shared a video about his 4-Minute Routine. He keeps active by anything from shadowboxing to lunges. These exercises do not require a gym, improves health, and keeps drivers awake on the road.

Can you keep up?

 

Sources:

CBC: Tracy Morgan Accident Review

Trucking Industry News: States Awarded Funds to Launch Drowsy Driving Campaign

National Heart, Lung & Blood Institute: Low Calories, Low Fat Food Alternatives

Switching from one ELD or telematics provider to another is not the easiest process. However, if you are having issues with your current provider, sticking with them simply because you are worried about making the jump isn’t good either. Once you’ve reached a decision, it’s important to ask the right questions to reduce the pain of switching and prevent any surprises. In this blog we will go over best practices when transitioning from one provider to another.

Investing in telematics for your fleet can be a significant undertaking. Before the final decision is made regarding which telematics provider to choose, there are usually countless demos, meetings, negotiations, and approvals. Once the vendor is chosen, there are then a new set of tasks that need to begin: planning out a telematics strategy, ELD implementation, and most importantly – measuring results.

Why Make the Switch

Almost all customers who implement telematics goes through a similar process. For some, it’s smooth sailing, unfortunately for others, it can be a little more complex. Regardless of how the process goes, customers often stay with their existing telematics provider for a variety of reasons:

• Long-Term Contracts
• Comfort Level
• Capital Expenditures for Hardware
• Back-End Integration

With that being said, sometimes there are compelling reasons why fleets decide a change is necessary – even if it requires a little extra work. The decision to change providers is normally sparked by a few reasons: ongoing hardware costs, reliability, technology, security, or monthly fees.

When vetting out potential partners it’s crucial to take several factors into consideration to make the best decision. The top four criteria to evaluate are: technology, access to data, partnerships with third-party partners, and security.

Evaluating ELD Providers: What to Look For

From a technological perspective, changing telematics hardware and software is often one of the most difficult pills to swallow. Significant investment was already made obtaining the devices, installing and maintaining the devices, and the education internally on how to use the system. Switching from one provider to another requires removing the old devices, installing now ones, and retraining your staff on how to use the new system.

No telematics company can eliminate all the pain of switching providers – however, it’s important to choose someone who is willing to work with you to reduce this pain as much as possible.
Telematics companies today receive data from the devices they sold to the end user. Some of these devices are proprietary and only specific to the provider who sold them. Some other devices are off-the-shelf meaning they are capable of sending data to other sources other than the initial telematics providers software platform.

1. Third-Party Device Integration Speeds Up the Transition Process

Make sure to ask providers about third-party integration (meaning the ability to pull data from a third-party telematics device into their system). With this, customers will often be able to use their existing telematic hardware as they move to a new software solution. With third-party integration, the telematics provider is able to gather key data points from many different hardware platforms.

Examples of data gathered from telematics and third-party device integration:

• Longitute
• Latitude
• Date / Time
• Ignition Status (on/off)
• Speed
• Auxillary Relay Status for up-to 8 Relays
• Device Data
• Engine / Diagnostic Data

Even more data:

• Tow Detection
• Low Battery
• Battery Voltage
• Starter Tamper
• Power Tamper
• Trip Count
• Temperature
• GSM Signal Strength
• Loaded Voltage
• Battery Level
• Successful Uploads
• GPS Fix Attempts
• Failed Uploads
• GPS on Time

This feature allows fleets to transition immediately to the new provider’s system without high costs and confusion. Then over time, if the existing devices fail or new vehicles are purchased, updated hardware from their new provider can be purchased.

This will also allow your internal staff to transition to a single software interface right away – avoiding having to utilize two different systems at the same time.

2. Third-Party Software Partners

The ability to share your data with third-party vendors is critical for the majority of fleets. It could be a maintenance system, a TMS provider, a remote diagnostic system, IFTA reporting system, and the list goes on.

It’s important your new provider understands that all businesses are unique, meaning different integrations are ideal for different businesses. Many providers simply don’t offer these integrations or only provide their customers with in-house packages. Regardless of your existing platform, make sure your new platform has the necessary integrations to optimize your business.

Some telematics companies are moving toward an add-on based approach where customers are able to easily see what companies are integrated and additional information on the vendor. Many think this is the best approach; customers have the option to utilize the telematics providers software plus the third-party vendors to truly optimize their business and accomplish their goals.

Your new partner should have a well-rounded partner network offering benefits to everyone: the provider, the partners, and most importantly, the end customer.

3. Access to the Data

Unfortunately, many telematics providers charge a substantial amount for end users to access their data via APIs, or even worse, prevents them from accessing it all together. To avoid these issues with your future provider be sure to check out their API access and any limitations.

Expandability is a must. Ask for a copy of their Software Developer Kit (SDK). This will explain how you are able to pull raw data from your telematics system in order to be utilized in third party systems. Even if you do not see a need for it today – it’s a good option to have as your business continues to evolve and your needs may change.

4. Security

When shopping around many people forget to ask about security. How does your potential provider handle the security of the hardware? The transmission of data? And the data stored at the server? Simply ask for the provider to give you a copy of their security documentation to review to make sure you will be protected.

As technology continues to change at a rapid pace, asking the hard questions today can save you significant pain in the future.

Interesting about what’s best ELD Provider for you and your business in the long run? Click here to find out.

Check out our comprehesive guide to Canadian ELD Mandate 2019

Original Article:

Making the Jump: Switching ELD Providers by: Scott Sutarik, Business Development, OEM Sales Manager at Geotab