The Fleet Business Authority
Issue link: http://heavydutytrucking.epubxp.com/i/221397
PHOTO BY EVAN LOCKRIDGE Tech Bytes J.J. Keller's ready for the i James J. Keller says his company is ready to help fleets convert to e-logs, now or later. In five years, paper logbooks to track driver hours of service will be gone. That was the prediction of James J. Keller during a press conference at the American Trucking Associations annual convention recently, referring to the electronic log mandate working its way through the regulatory process. For a company that built a huge portion of its business on selling paper logbooks, that could be a scary thought. But Keller has been aggressively pursuing the development of electronic log solutions. In fact, the company announced at ATA that its Encompass E-log and fleet management system is now compatible with iPhone and iPad through the KellerMobile app, the first in the industry to be certified by Apple. The KellerMobile app works with its Gen II ELD/EOBR, installing easily into any commercial motor vehicle. It's compatible with all vehicle classes. Data from the ELD/EOBR is instantly transferred to the app, which then transmits it to the cloud-based Encompass back office system. That way fleet managers can view, report, track and analyze compliance and performance levels. Earlier this year Keller announced an all-in-one Compliance Tablet using a Samsung Galaxy Tab, but this announcement gives customers more flexibility. With Keller's strategy, customers can bring their own device, or they can get a turnkey Compliance Tablet. Fleets can come to the table with Apple devices, Android devices, or a combina- Keller says it's the first company to have a certified e-log app for Apple mobile devices. tion. They can start with the backoffice software and ease into e-logs, or jump in all at once. FLEETS & TECH Omnitracs talks to tire pressure systems PeopleNet solution for oilfield companies M BI Energy Services, Belfield, N.D., transports oil, sand, water and other oilfield products. It's using PeopleNet's Precision Mobility Platform in its 1,000-plus-truck fleet. "Keeping up with explosive growth requires moving data quickly, reliably and efficiently," explains MBI Integrated Dispatch Project Manager Dave Guthmiller."PeopleNet provides immediate access to critical data on several fronts, including load data that lets us meet customer demand for immediate billing. Integration between Crude Oil Workflow and TMWSuite dispatch has 66 HDT • DECEMBER 2013 automated driver-dispatch communication and skyrocketed driver efficiency." PeopleNet is going specifically after the petroleum market, recently announcing that former CH Robinson executive David Buhl has joined the company to lead PeopleNet Energy Services. The Energy Services area combines PeopleNet fleet mobility solutions with technologies from other Trimble companies, including GeoTrac, a technology supplier to Canada's energy services transportation sector, and ALK Technologies, maker of transportation technology and navigation software. – Deborah Lockridge, Editor in Chief mnitracs now offers Tire Pressure Monitoring and Trailer Tire Inflation Alerts applications.These pull information directly from integrated, thirdparty tire pressure monitoring and tire inflation systems, and deliver it to the right person in near real time. Tire Pressure Monitoring In fact, MBI is testing a delivers graphical data on tire version of ALK's CoPilot Truck conditions to back-office staff in-cab navigation application and drivers, showing which vethat integrates GeoTrac's unique hicles have tires that are under content, including private-leased inflation, over inflation or normal. roads, to provide voice-guided, Available on Omnitracs turn-by-turn directions directly Mobile Computing Platform 110 to the well-site head. or 200 (MCP110 or MCP200). O www.demanddetroit. com/connect www.omnitracs.com www.truckinginfo.com