Choosing an ELD system may be one of the most important business decisions you’ll have to make right now. Not only does the electronic logging device have to keep you in compliance with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the Department of Transportation (DOT) but it has to work, be affordable, and not become a burden for you or your drivers. The choice is such a big one that you want to do it right the first time.
Here are some key things to look for to help you choose the right ELD for your business.
Compliance
The rules are still being finalized for the ELD portal. Some companies offering ELDs haven’t gone beyond the bare minimum to say their system will be compliant and work by December 18, 2017. Look for a company that is not only enthusiastic about certification and making sure they’re compliant, they can tell you how they did it. Here at Gorilla Safety, we partnered with a Big 4 accounting and auditing firm to make sure our ELD works and will continue to work. We’re happy to show our results and method to customers.
More than an ELD
For the money you’re spending and the trouble of changing processes, shouldn’t your ELD do more than the basics? Look for a system that provides additional services and features to help you manage your business. While you might not need much right now, as your business grows you’ll want an ELD system that can keep up with you.
Scalable
An owner-operator with a few trucks has a different budget and different needs than a fleet with a few thousand drivers. If you’ve got plans to grow your business, the technology you use should grow with you. The Gorilla Safety system offers three tiers to help fleet owners find the system that fits their business. As your business grows (or shrinks) you can scale the system to fit your needs, without changing systems.
System Evolution
Few things are certain in this world, but one thing we all know – nothing stays the same. There’s no reason to believe that today’s ELD mandate with be the same in a few years. Find an ELD system and a provider who’s able and ready to change with the times. You want an ELD that can adapt and adjust and a provider that’s responsive to industry changes and regulations.
Affordable Price
When you look at the affordability of an ELD system, make sure you get value for your money. What you save in time, stress, and costs as your fleet management system makes your company more efficient may be worth every extra penny you pay for the ELD you choose.
Ease of Use
There are two times when your ELD needs to be easy: easy to install and easy for drivers to use. The Gorilla Safety system offers plug-and-play installation that can be done in less than a minute (your mechanics will love you for that). Drivers have easy access to the system from their Apple or Android mobile device. Even better, the Prime8 system we use can be moved from one vehicle to another as needed.
Help with Accidents
Accidents are an unavoidable part of the trucking industry. Big trucks and small vehicles rarely mix well. If the ELD system you’re looking at bills itself as a fleet management system, make sure it offers help with accidents. From driver behavior reports to the ability to share information easily, there are plenty of things that can make filing a claim easier for you and help save you from ridiculously expensive claims.
Selecting an ELD is a big deal, and the FMCSA has put together their own checklist that you can use to get started. What you pick has to keep you in compliance with the law without breaking the bank. Get more value by looking for a system that helps you do your job instead of one that wants to take all your cash. Gorilla Safety can be a full fleet management system for those who need it and a little less for companies who don’t, but we provide excellent support, value, and service no matter how big or small you are. Ultimately, that’s what you really need in a good ELD.
