LOUISVILLE, KY. Continental Commercial Vehicles & Aftermarket announced here at Mid-America an expansion of its VDO RoadLog electronic logging device (ELD) solution that amount to the launch of a “complete family of log automation and fleet management products.”
“This new expansion of the VDO RoadLog portfolio brings with it the kind of powerful management tools previously only available to the largest fleets, at a price most every fleet can afford,” said Jeff Waterstreet, sales manager-- Tachographs, Telematics & Services NAFTA, Commercial Vehicles and Aftermarket, Continental Corp.
Specifically, the line expansion means “new options for online and mobile connectivity that not only improve operational efficiency for drivers and fleet managers, but also make the workload easier and less stressful [to use],” said Waterstreet.
These new developments include VDO RoadLog Connect, VDO RoadLog ELD Plus and VDO RoadLo Fleet Online.
VDO RoadLog Connect and Connect app:
Drivers can now send log data directly to their home base via a smartphone with the new VDO RoadLog Connect Key, a WiFi enabled USB drive, and the VDO RoadLog Connect app. The Connect app sends the log data to the VDO RoadLog Fleet Software, where it becomes part of the complete compliance record. With VDO RoadLog Connect, compliance records can be kept up to date even when drivers are still on the road.
“This is an ideal option for trucking operations with drivers that don’t often return to base and fleets that either have difficulty managing the physical key transfer process or have an interest in driver availability planning for new loads,” noted Waterstreet.
The RoadLog Connect phone app is free and is currently available for Google Android devices. An iOS version for iPhone users is expected later this year.
VDO RoadLogELD Plus:
VDO RoadLog ELD Plus adds GSM cellular connectivity to the standard VDO RoadLog ELD. Waterstreet said this enables real-time driver and tractor performance monitoring by fleet managers as well as wireless transmission of all log data. Users of RoadLog ELD Plus will manage their data with new web-based fleet software, VDO RoadLog Fleet Online.
VDO RoadLog Fleet Online:
Designed specifically for fleets, VDO RoadLog Fleet Online is fleet management and compliance software that allows one or more fleet managers to access data simultaneously via an Internet connection. Records can be accessed from the road, office or home. Any RoadLog ELD or RoadLog ELD Plus user can use VDO RoadLog Fleet Online, whether they’re an owner operator or a flee, noted Waterstreet. VDO RoadLog Fleet Online is based on a fee model and Internet access is required to take advantage of the features it offers.
It is offered in three levels of service: VDO RoadLog Fleet Online Essentials, VDO RoadLog Fleet Online Compliance and VDO RoadLog Fleet Online Dispatch.
“In addition to the convenience of online access, RoadLog Fleet Online Essentials packs a wide range of powerful fleet management features designed to increase efficiency and make the job of managing the fleet easier,” said Waterstreet.
He said key functions include an instant display of compliance issue notices with recommended follow-up actions, immediate identification of compliance problems, customizable driver and vehicle groups for better organization, data access control for multiple users and user guides.
Fleet Online Compliance includes all of the capabilities of Fleet Online Essentials with the addition of the ability to receive log data directly from any VDO RoadLog ELD Plus with a cellular connection. In addition, with Fleet Online Compliance, fleet managers can see driver HOS availability in near real-time.
Fleet Online Dispatch features all the capabilities of Fleet Online Compliance and adds a feature that allows fleet managers to assign work to drivers from a simple job status view as well as text messaging to and from the driver and real-time driver and vehicle monitoring.
“These new innovations give VDO RoadLog a complete fleet management system capability that will not only improve operations and profitability for owner operators, fleet managers and fleet owners, but also the overall work experience as well,” pointed out Alexis Capelle, segment Leader, Tachograph, Telematics and Services for Continental Commercial Vehicles & Aftermarket Business Unit NAFTA.
“We now offer a complete family of solutions, from the most affordable fully compliant logbook automation solution for owner operators to a full-featured operational management solution for fleets,” Capelle added.
