This is meant to be a summary of information contained in the rule. Be sure to review the rule and seek any legal advice from counsel. This material contains suggestions, and companies should find an approach that fits their unique operations best.
Carriers, are you looking for your return on investment (ROI) with these electronic logging devices (ELDs)? A carrier can fall into several traps when it comes to ELD systems if the discussion is not held. One of the main traps is spending too much or too little on the system and not achieving an ROI due to the system you selected. One of the traditional arguments against switching a company over to ELDs before required by the mandate has been the cost. However, there are two factors that need to be considered when looking at cost:
The cost of the systems has shrunk throughout the years. The back-office systems used by many providers are now web-based, meaning that no special software or hardware is required. All that is needed is a computer with internet access.
However, if you are looking only at cost, you are looking at only one side of the financial equation. To get a complete picture, you also need to look at cost reductions, savings, and other gains the system will bring. In other words, you need to sit down and do an ROI calculation before saying that the cost of a system is too high.
Check which box represents your future goals pertaining to ELD’s:
Before you make a decision, you need to determine your company’s overall goals and what you really want in an ELD system. Ask yourself: Do I want to reduce fuel costs and out-of-route miles? Do I need to increase driver safety and morale? What about GPS navigation and mobile access? ELDs have so many options and interfaces that it really can be customizable; you just need to determine the direction that fits your fleet.
If you checked the first box, you’re looking for a simple ELD that fulfills all basic requirements. Here are some features you need to look for:
If you checked the second box, you’re looking for a more comprehensive solution and want a system that will help your company meet a broader range of goals to increase safety and improve efficiencies. These added features could include:
It is important to consider more than just the price of the ELD systems. Taking the time to complete some ROI calculations will enable a carrier to realize the many benefits ELDs can offer.
The information in this article is provided as a courtesy of Great West Casualty Company and is part of the Value-Driven® Company program. Value-Driven Company was created to help educate and inform insureds so they can make better decisions, build a culture that values safety, and manage risk more effectively. To see what additional resources Great West Casualty Company can provide for its insureds, please contact your Safety Representative, or click below to find an agent.
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