It\u2019s understandable how this can seem like the case. If all you consider is the upfront cost of a consumer-grade tablet or smartphone multiplied by the number of drivers you have, then yes, BYOD appears to be a cheaper solution.<\/p>\n
But there are a plethora of other factors to consider when choosing a BYOD Hours of Service solution over a hardwired ELD for small fleets. Some of these considerations are illustrated in dollars and others in time and effort. But they all show that when you drill down, a BYOD solution is actually the more expensive Hours of Service option for smaller fleets.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text disabled_on=”|off|” admin_label=”Data Plans Will Cost Extra” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” use_border_color=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Data Plans Will Cost Extra<\/h2>\n
One additional cost (beyond the tablet or smartphone) for a BYOD solution is a data plan for the device(s) to function out in the field. Data plans will vary from provider to provider but can become costly, especially if you don\u2019t buy or they don\u2019t offer an unlimited data plan. Tracking Hours of Service electronically is going to require not only collecting but also sending<\/em> a tremendous amount data. Remember that with a BYOD solution, you\u2019re purchasing a full set up per driver, not per vehicle. If you\u2019re like most other small-sized fleets, then chances are you have more drivers than vehicles. A hardwired ELD solution for small fleets is a cheaper set up since there only needs to be one device per truck that drivers can sign in and out of while they are on duty.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text disabled_on=”|off|” admin_label=”Replacement Cost of the Device” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” use_border_color=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n What happens if your driver drops the consumer-grade tablet, like an iPad, and it breaks to the point beyond repair? That\u2019s another couple hundred dollars you will have to spend on replacing it. A hardwired ELD solution for small fleets provides ruggedized hardware that is built for extreme weather conditions. Hardwired ELD solutions also prevent drivers from taking the tablet out of the vehicle, eliminating the chances of it being dropped or getting lost. Using hardwired ELDs will prevent replacement costs that are likely to accrue over time using a BYOD option.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text disabled_on=”|off|” admin_label=”How It’s Accomplished ” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Another important consideration when choosing a BYOD solution is you will be working with three separate companies. You have your tablet from either Apple, Samsung, Amazon, etc., your data from one of the cellular companies, and your Hours of Service application from either the App or Google Play Stores. So what happens when you have a question or something stops working? Who do you reach out to? As a small fleet, you might have one person wearing two, three, or even four hats. Trying to figure out the right company to help solve your challenge is not just confusing, it\u2019s a waste of your valuable time. When you select a hardwired ELD provider that offers 24\/7 support, there is only one stop to figure out an answer to your question or help you troubleshoot technical issues.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" In this blog we take a look at the difference between hardwired ELD and BYOD for small trucking fleets.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":43,"featured_media":18077,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":" GPS Insight has been selected by Garmin to integrate with the fleet 590 device, which is a portable device that combines GPS tracking<\/a> capabilities for fleet management and the simplicity of Garmin navigation.<\/p> Since outside sales teams are typically given a company leased vehicle, reps use them for work and for personal use. The issue lies with tracking their employees during off hours and weekends. Sales reps understandably don\u2019t want their employer having insight to what they do with their personal time.<\/p> The Garmin fleet 590<\/a> device can be taken out of the vehicle on evenings and weekends so that the invasion of privacy conversation goes right out the window.<\/p> The fact that the majority of GPS tracking software providers sell hardwire installed devices is a problem for companies with outside sales teams, like pharmaceutical companies, seeing as they usually lease vehicles. Fleet managers do not want the hassle that comes with messing with wiring on a vehicle they do not own. This would also make it cumbersome to move the devices from vehicle to vehicle as new reps leave and come on board or as vehicles get traded in.<\/p>[caption id=\"attachment_1989\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\"] The Garmin fleet 590 device plugs into the cigarette lighter for power and ignition on\/off recognition. This device works perfectly for companies with leased vehicles, because all professional installation costs and downtime are eliminated.<\/p> With those 2 obstacles aside, GPS tracking software provides not only fleet managers with an array of benefits, but it also supplies sales managers of outside sales teams with powerful information, they wouldn\u2019t otherwise have, to help optimize sales operations.<\/p> GPS tracking software is a powerful tool for sales management and fleet management. Coupling the fleet 590 device with advanced GPS tracking software gives companies with outside sales teams what they need to take advantage of the many benefits and increase their bottom line.<\/p>Replacement Cost of the Device<\/h2>\n
Three Different Products for One Solution<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"\/\/www.gpsinsight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/gps-tracking-outside-sales-teams-e1387578089373.png\" "\\"gps-tracking-outside-sales-teams\\""){kind=tracking}
<\/a>For the most part, companies with outside sales teams, such as pharmaceutical companies, have not adopted GPS tracking software to monitor their reps. There have been a number of reasons as to why they haven\u2019t, two of which being privacy issues and the hardwired installation of the devices. These are two legitimate issues that we have the answer to.<\/p>Problem #1: Invasion of Privacy<\/h2>
Problem #2: Installing a GPS Tracking Device<\/h2>
<\/a> Garmin fleet 590 GPS tracking device[\/caption]How GPS Tracking Benefits Outside Sales Teams<\/h2>