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" Different styles and types of integrations are
used today, but generally with the API ... that
data gets pushed up to a website using either
cellular networks or satellite networks, depending
on the trans communication media used by
the individual platform providers or solution
providers, " Bedard explained. " Once it gets to
that site, then we would pick up the data there
... we then take that information and we have a
real-time dashboard that is configured depending
on the role you are in. If you are in the role to
be watching for work to be completed, you would
have a dashboard that would include an eDVIR. It
would include maybe PMs that are due, different
categories of work, [et cetera]. "
Dashboards provide a centralized access point
for data sharing and reporting and are a familiar
way for fleets to digest information.
" As part of providing a mobile workforce
management solution, it is critical that drivers,
fleet owners, dispatchers, safety managers, and
mechanics all have access to a platform that
really unites their fleet management strategy, "
said Verizon Connect's Aires. " As part of that,
we deliver various mobile apps and web-based
software, [such as] something you can pull up on
a browser and log into from anywhere with an
internet connected device. That ultimately allows
all sorts of information to be at anyone's disposal
so that they are communicating efficiently about
not just the status of vehicle inspection reports,
but also location information, safety information,
maintenance information, access to dash
cameras and harsh driving events, those sorts
of things. "
Flores advised Telematics Navman's reporting
data is accessible via a web portal. The company's
data management strategy allows for various
reporting options, including reports available in
Microsoft Excel and CSV format.
Gathering data and sending it to a dashboard
for a fleet's access can go beyond a single application
with the incorporation of APIs. Many eDVIR
providers utilize such a strategy to incorporate
various data sources.
" Geotab Drive works using cellular service, "
McInnis explained. " Once the driver creates that
DVIR, it will be sent to the backend portal using
that service. Then once it is there, there are several
different options on how you'd want to distribute
that, but by no configuration whatsoever - it is
available to anybody that you provide access to
that back-office portal. "
Open APIs allow the fleet to share eDVIR
data with third parties,
including transportation
management software (TMS), to automatically
populate information into these
systems, explained Scott Sutarik, vice president
of commercial vehicle solutions at Geotab.
" MyGeotab is the user interface the back office
would use [to view and access the data], " he
said. " We have a variety of integrations using
Geotab's open APIs. This data is available to
third parties, including with TMT [from Trimble
Transportation], and several others that pull our
APIs and then bring it into their system. They
can create work orders and a whole host of other
different things within their system, but essentially,
they can go back and forth through those
" The information to allow
you to keep the asset
rolling is absolutely
essential ... That means
the entire delivery
chain of data has to be
tuned as close to realtime
as possible. "
Rick Bedard, CEO and founder, Cetaris
integrations between the driver and their work
order management software. We also have integrations
with various rental and lease companies,
like Ryder and Penske. "
RyderGyde provides data management and
access in various formats to accommodate end-users
of different positions with specific needs.
" There is a web portal aspect of it, which is much
more geared towards the fleet managers, dispatchers,
some of those folks that need the macro-level
view of the fleet, " said Ryder's Bosch. " The fleet
manager can log into RyderGyde.com and see the
history of all the vehicles and all the DVIRs there. "
RyderGyde is also accessible via an Android or iOS
application. Furthermore, Ryder provides on-site
kiosks at various Ryder locations for users who
prefer such a format.
Ryder also integrates a suite of APIs into their
data systems.
" Whether it is a shop system, our data warehouses,
our CRM systems, our accounting
system, all that is encapsulated
around this set of APIs,
which is what these front-end
devices typically interact with
in getting most of the data
from, " Bosch explained.
Through its suite of APIs,
Ryder integrates with many
telematics providers.
" Geotab, Zonar, PeopleNet,
and Omnitracs are a few
that we are already integrated
with, " Bosch said. " When
you register for RyderGyde,
you can enter your telematics
providers and if it is one that
we currently support that data
starts flowing in instantly. The
experience is obviously much
better for a driver when you
are doing these eDVIRs, launch
RyderGyde, and start clicking
through and it has dragged all
that data over. "
Two-way communication
through RyderGyde and their
supported telematics providers
is an advantage.
" One of the challenges
there is that every telematics
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provider is a little bit different in how they use
the data, or store the data, or transmit the data, "
Bosch stated. " Our challenge is for every additional
telematics provider we bring in, we make
sure to normalize that data, even to a level where
a mixed fleet might have two or three different
telematics providers. For our customers, we want
the experience to be exactly the same regardless
of the provider. "
Operational overhaul
Understanding the challenges fleets may face
during the implementation process ahead of time,
and how to curb such challenges or apprehension,
can result in the successful adoption of an eDVIR
information network.
Benefits of eDVIRs
It is useful for a fleet to understand the possible
benefits that can be reaped through the digitization
of DVIRs.
" The benefits are velocity - the speed with which
you can react to issues, " Cetaris' Bedard stated.
" Things are being reported [in] real-time; it gives
your team more time to assess, adapt, address,
and resolve. As an organization, it gives you much
better control ... It is tying all those things together
so that the flow of data, the digitization of all of
this data, leads to better efficiency, better visibility,
better responsiveness. You can be more effective
at what you are doing in your business. "
Not only is the speed of communication increased,
but so are the physical inspection processes.
" By moving to an electronic DVIR, you are ultimately
allowing your driver to get on the road
quicker, which of course impacts the business in
terms of on-time delivery and therefore customer
satisfaction, " Verizon Connect's Aires said. " Giving
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june2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of june2021
