Why Does Electronic Logging Support Matter?

Implementing an electronic logging solution is a daunting task for any business no matter how large or small the fleet.

There are many aspects to an electronic logging implementation to consider including installations, training, and maintaining electronic logs going forward.

That’s why it’s crucial to make sure you have two different layers of support. The first comes from your electronic logging provider. Your drivers need a resource they can reach out to in case there are hardware issues that need to be promptly addressed.

The other side of electronic logging support is selecting a point person (or people) within your organization who your drivers can contact if they experience issues with their logs.

Let’s take a look at these two different aspects of support and why they matter to your success using an electronic logging solution.

Choose a Point Person (or people)

As mentioned above, managing electronic logs is going to be a 24/7 job, especially if your drivers are on the road around the clock.

What happens if there is a conflict with their log and they are about to start their shift at 10:00 p.m.? They will need someone within your organization they can reach out to in order to get it corrected and be on their way without too much downtime. It’s important to note that electronic logging vendors cannot make edits to driver logs; that responsibility falls on someone within your organization. That’s why it’s important to choose a point person (or people) who can be available to respond when your drivers are on duty and need help with their logs.

Vendor Support

Having an electronic logging vendor that offers U.S. based primary support specific to electronic logging is essential so that technical issues with hardware can be resolved ASAP. Along with responding to technical issues, there is also a need to train your staff who will oversee the backend of the software. It’s important to ask potential vendors about their ELD support offerings to ensure everyone on your team is trained on the technology.

Is there a dedicated Account Manager to train your staff on the system? Do they offer any online training resources for you to refer back to later? Transitioning from paper logs to e-logs is a paradigm shift for most businesses, so it’s crucial to understand how your vendor is going to train you and what resources they offer.

Also, what does training your drivers look like from the vendor’s perspective? Some vendors offer training to managers or software administrators so that they have the knowledge to train their drivers. Other vendors leave the task of driver training up to the business. You don’t want to invest time and money into a solution only to be left to your own devices when it comes to training.

By asking the questions above, you will have a better understanding of what training looks like from both an administrative and driver perspective.