Rock Products

JUL 2017

Rock Products is the aggregates industry's leading source for market analysis and technology solutions, delivering critical content focusing on aggregates-processing equipment; operational efficiencies; management best practices; comprehensive market

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32 • ROCK products • July 2017 www.rockproducts.com of devices in the key areas of security, safety, cost and support measures. Another strategy a fleet manager might consider is "bring your own device," using computer-assisted logs or low- cost telematics. For other fleets that use company assets and drivers, an industrial-grade mobile platform using company-owned devices might offer the most return, as it eliminates certain risks associated with having drivers provide their own devices. Making the Transition Transitioning your company from manual to electronic logging systems means more than simply changing the hardware and software – the change will affect most aspects of the company, including the culture. For this reason, leadership must establish a clear vision and transparent implementation plan. Whether the plan unfolds all at once or is implemented in stages, it is essential that all involved parties are continually updated and informed on the process. Your implementation team may con- sist of the following representatives, who are accountable for the project's success and for reporting progress at scheduled intervals throughout the implementation: Management Representative – This person is responsible for the overall success of the ELD program. By con- firming management's commitment to the project, this representative fosters support throughout the organization. This executive sponsor and cheerleader understands the company's vision and is typically the vice president of strate- gic planning, operations, or whoever heads up safety/compliance. Finance Representative – Fleets imple- menting a more sophisticated solution to help them achieve greater perfor- mance rely on this person to manage and issue analyses of key performance indicators such as scorecards, dash- boards and other measurement tools, and comparative progress reports. Determine five or six measurements of success for your operation, and rely on your provider to identify the source of the data to support these measure- ments and deliver accurate scorecards. Technology Representative – This person is responsible for network connectivity and all third-party appli- cations that support the end-to-end system. Operations rely on this person to ensure the technology performs at a high level day in and day out. For fleets leveraging their solution to gain efficiencies across their operation, it is important to maintain the perspective that operational improvement is driving the use of technology, rather than tech- nology driving operational processes. Maintenance Representative – This person is responsible for management of device inventory, installation and ser- vice. Be sure to give this person access to performance data from the engine con- trol module. In turn, this data provides management valuable information to make better fleet management deci- sions, achieve a favorable return on investment and ensure compliance. Operations Representative – This person is responsible for planning, dispatch and driver activities; in other words, ensuring day-to-day use of the technology. It is critical that this person buys into the vision since his or her per- sonnel must live with the results that the implementation ultimately gener- ates. Users must understand that ELDs are not optional; they are required. Driver Manager Representative – This person is responsible for driver adoption and use by managing training, peer communication and other initia- tives that create successful use of the technology from day one. Driver sup- port is key to compliance. ELD Technology Provider – This person is the mortar that holds together the various representative bricks to ensure that a solid foundation is being built. An educated provider will help you select the best solution, with an interest in providing a return on your compa- ny's investment. Change is difficult for any organization. Often, it takes mandates from industry regulators to make companies imple- ment change that should have positive effects on both driver safety and the bottom-line. Fleets that have implemented automatic on-board recording devices have expe- rienced reduced overhead, insurance premiums, fuel and other operational costs while improving customer service and driver efficiency – all adding up to a better business. Jeff Van Grootel is the director of product management for Trimble Construction Logistics. He is responsible for setting the product vision for Trimble Con- struction Logistics, developing solutions that increase efficiencies and safety for fleets in the ready mix concrete and bulk materials industry. Van Grootel has more than 25 years of experience working in or serving the construction- materials industry. He can be reached at jeff_vangrootel@trimble.com. ELECTRONIC LOGGING DEVICE ELD driver benefits.

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