Congress acted, FMCSA published a rule, critics litigated and the court ruled. It is now settled that the ELD mandate will be in full effect as of December 2017. How will you proceed? Fleets need to take timely action to source and procure an ELD product, get it installed, train drivers and administrative staff how to use it, and then begin using it in day to day practice. The due diligence process to select the right ELD solution and provider presents a unique opportunity to evaluate the capability of the technology solution in its entirety. Exploring whether it can, or has the potential to, provide many of key features that satisfy all your compliance and commercial needs is a challenging consideration. Capturing data and analysis to monitor driver performance, maintain your fleet, track your fleet movements, record accurate distance to simplify tax reporting, document and maximize your fuel efficiency are some things to consider. Beyond the investment of an ELD, layering these additional benefits incrementally can be cost- and operationally effective. The technology platform undergirding an ELD solution can be leveraged to provide additional broad technology support for your operations. This is an opportunity to maximize the return you get on your ELD investment.

 

Your chosen ELD solution provider will ultimately need to certify that their ELD meets the mandated requirements to be registered with the FMCSA. Beyond that baseline requirement a motor carrier should look for a supplier offering a technology platform developed for the commercial transportation sector and designed from the ground up to meet the highest performance, financial and evidential standards. Are system generated mileage reports accurate? Will the mileage data generated withstand auditor scrutiny? Does the supporting network have a history of uninterrupted up time? If, for whatever reason, the ELD solution you have implemented is removed from the registry, you may be exposed to risks that can cause disruption to your business and operations. What steps has your ELD provider taken to give you peace of mind that their self-certified product actually meets all of the FMCSA requirements?

 

The technology you install in a truck should last at least as long as the vehicle itself. The tech world moves incredibly quickly, so ask if the company you’re considering uses the latest technology. Legacy systems that haven’t kept up with tech trends can slow them – and you – down. It’s worth finding out how much a company spends on research and development, too. The only technology companies that thrive are those that constantly innovate, so any company worth its salt will be happy to share what it spends on R&D. An important consideration to evaluate is whether the system you’re using is secure. No system is 100 percent hack-proof, but you should expect bank-grade levels of security. Be sure to find out whether your tech supplier has a helpdesk and what hours it’s staffed – it gives you confidence if you know that someone will pick up the phone if needed.

 

Add it all up and what do you get? As a motor carrier, you are daily venturing out on to the field of competition where you work tirelessly to distinguish yourself from your competitors and fight for your share of the freight market. It’s a tough sled in challenging circumstances in an industry where profit margins are slim. You look for any competitive advantage that will give you an edge. Choosing the right technology partner and product to stand alongside you in this daily effort is an undertaking worth your careful consideration. Do your homework and make the right choice. You will not regret taking the time to make a fully informed choice. You might regret not doing so!

 

 

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