Learning from the experience of peers

Our peer discussion, “Lessons Learned from Consumer-Grade Tablets,” was ISAAC’s first webinar of the year. It brought together leaders from Quality Carriers, Peters Brothers Trucking, and Veltri Inc. It holds valuable insights to help you avoid problems with fleet tablets.

In this insightful mind melt, these experts shared their experiences and challenges with using consumer tablets in their fleets and discussed ways to improve efficiency and operations.

If you missed the webinar, this article provides 5-point summary. You can also watch the full discussion here.

1) Choose tough and reliable tablets

Consumer tablets are made for home or office use, not the tough environment of trucking. They can’t resist vibrations, temperature changes, or rough handling.

Trucking-specific fleet management tablets, such as those ISAAC provides, are built to excel even in the most demanding trucking environments. When your drivers are on the road, having a durable tablet for trucks in the cab will give them peace of mind and reliability, which are invaluable when working in freezing winter conditions or scorching summer temperatures. Having anything less has left carriers with swelling batteries and tablets that fail.

Dave Maxim, Director of Operations at Quality Carriers, said: “When you look at the long-term value, they [consumer tablets] don’t last.”

2) Ensure compatibility with existing systems

All three experts sharing their experience in the webinar agreed on the importance of having an ELD that integrates with the company’s transport management system (TMS). Before you fully commit to a system, test the integration and the tablet compatibility with your TMS. With ISAAC’s fleet efficiency tablets, open APIs ensure seamless integration and smooth data flow across fleet management systems, which practically eliminates delays and data errors.

Lou Giardelli, Veltri’s IT Director said: “Having a provider with as many open APIs as ISAAC did was really important.”

3) Consider Tracking and Monitoring

Tight, accurate tracking of operations for a carrier is a game changer when it comes to operational efficiency and satisfying customers. To achieve this, you need reliable, unfailing devices inside your trucks that collect quality data and transmit it to your systems in real time. This type of quality infrastructure helps your operations team be efficient and keep your customers posted on where their load is at.

Dave Maxim summarizes it well: “It’s not just your drivers impacted [by failing tablets], or just your safety team or your dispatchers. It also starts to impact your customers. We’ve got a lot of customers expecting either EDI transactions or information through third-party track and trace solutions and real-time positions of our trucks. When a device goes down for half an hour or for seven days, it defeats the purpose and they hold us accountable for that tracking. […]We’ve now got customers that we’re tracking at 98, 99, 99.5%, which is incredible. That goes to how well the workflow works, how well it’s integrated.”

A critical consideration regarding your confidential efficiency-enhancing data is protecting it. This should be among your top criteria when choosing an in-cab device and the platform it runs on. ISAAC’s secure fleet tablets run on a cyber-secure platform using the most stringent industry standards. Read more about why cybersecurity should be a top priority for your fleet in our blog article.

4) Evaluate the long-term cost of fleet tablets

Consumer tablets may seem like an affordable choice at first glance. They are cheaper up front and come with great features: a wide color gamut display, high-fidelity speakers, and the latest gadgets. From an entertainment standpoint, they surpass industrial-grade tablets. However, the last thing you want is a driver watching YouTube or playing mobile games while driving, since their tablet is meant to be used for work, not entertainment.

Trucking-focused, industrial-grade tablets, like ISAAC’s G or M models, are designed for a longer lifecycle—they are built to last. They’re also designed to prevent driver distraction and lock while driving to enhance safety on the road.

When considering long-term costs, consumer tablets often require frequent maintenance and replacements, which can lead to higher expenses over time. Investing in reliable, industrial-grade technology ensures longevity and reduced maintenance costs, making it a more cost-effective choice in the long run.

If you currently use consumer tablets, we encourage you to track all associated costs over a year, including frequent repairs, replacements, downtime, and the effort your team spends troubleshooting. You might find that unlike ISAAC tablets, consumer devices often incur higher maintenance and operational expenses.

5) Assess global operational efficiency

Different tools have different applications. A consumer tablet is great for entertainment, while an industrial tablet is built for work.

Vehicle tracking, maintenance alerts, and driver performance monitoring are just a few examples of how tablets such as ISAAC’s excel. “The ability to pull data out of ISAAC’s system is the biggest thing that’s happened to our company from a technology perspective. It drives other systems, not only our TMS, but our fleet system. It drives a payroll process we created and it really works,” shared Lou Giardelli from Veltri Inc.

The seamless integration of multiple systems, such as fleet management and payroll, streamlines your operations and makes daily tasks easier and more efficient both for your drivers and office team.

The right tool for the job

Choosing the right tool for the job is crucial for the success and efficiency of your fleet and to avoid problems with fleet tablets. ISAAC’s tablets are specifically designed for the trucking industry, providing durability, seamless integration, advanced security, and reliable performance. Lou Giardelli recounts: “From the planning to the rollout implementation, it was all positive. I just don’t recall any of those angry calls that I’m sure many of us have had with vendors asking why isn’t this working? I don’t think we had any of that stuff. Another point is that it’s refreshing to be able to talk to people at the owner and founder level when you need to. It’s just good business.”

Well, in theory.

The reality is that not all tablets are created equal when it comes to trucking technology solutions. Consumer applications are one thing, but trucking and freight is a tough and complex industry. In this article, we’ll explore in detail why consumer tablets may not meet expectations, especially for overcoming winter challenges in trucking, and even extremely hot temperatures.

A Bewildering Number of Choices for Consumer-Grade Tablets

The ELD mandate forced many truck companies to innovate, as legacy telematics fell short of requirements. So, fleets like Heartland Express started shopping around for trucking technology solutions for fleet management.

It was at this point that Heartland discovered there was a bewildering array of tablet options to choose from. “Not only that,” recalls Heartland’s Director of Operations James Tornblom, “but you have to decide if cellular coverage is the right call. Or do you go with Wi-Fi systems? You have to figure out how that device is going to connect to the internet. Can it do so on its own? Or does it need a hotspot? Can you trust Bluetooth systems? Or is it better to hardwire the system?”

Consumer-Grade Tablets: A Deceptive Bargain

When considering a tablet, it’s time to carefully evaluate costs. Consumer tablets may seem like a bargain in this regard. The reality is, however, that they are not built for the trucking lifestyle.

Consumer tablets can struggle with the vibrations of the cab, temperature extremes, and the constant handling they’ll endure. Swollen batteries in the summer, constant unreliability in the winter, cracked screens… These will lead to more breakdowns, driver frustrations, and the disruptive hassle of managing technology failures on the road.

“We had our drivers cover the tablets with blankets and jackets to keep them warm enough to work,” notes Director of Safety Ann Reifsnyder from Peters Brothers Trucking.

Configuring Consumer-Grade Tablets: Easier Said than Done

Buying a tablet is merely the first step in a carrier’s global experience with their in-cab devices. To accurately provide drivers with value-added data while monitoring operations, fleets need a whole technology ecosystem that can support the necessary trucking-specific, third-party apps. The tablets also need to be reliable both in terms of hardware and software. Provider support, in the event of any issues, must be readily available, direct and extremely responsive, as your operations on the road are at stake.

“We went to a mobile platform option and bought our own tablets, which was a nightmare to manage. The data costs, IT issues and lack of combined support caused us to search for a provider again,” Ann Reifsnyder elaborates.

Some unexpected challenges can also arise. As James Tornblom from Heartland Express, relates: “The consumer tablets came preloaded with apps that all had to be blocked to ensure drivers stayed focused on the road while driving. And configuring the consumer-grade tablets so they were controlled in a professional way that only displayed what fleet managers wanted them to be was easier said than done.”

The Real Impact of Downtime

Service disruptions can happen, but they don’t have to evolve into logistical nightmares. However, when a fleet is juggling multiple technology providers such as tablet manufacturers, software providers and cellular providers, it can quickly turn to chaos.

When technology fails, fleets must often revert to less efficient work methods like paper logging. This not only slows down operations but introduces errors and inefficiencies. Even worse, your drivers might lose access to instructions and navigation just when they need it, and end up frustrated—a situation impacting driver happiness. In a time when it’s hard to find and keep good drivers, this can be a costly mistake.

The hassle of managing non-specialized technology becomes a hidden cost, complicating tasks that should be straightforward.

Choosing Rugged Trucking Technology Solutions for Fleet Management

In contrast, specialized trucking tablets such as the ones offered by ISAAC are designed to last. They are portable enough to come out of the cab if a driver needs to take photos during an inspection, yet also tough enough to handle the rigors of trucking.

“I don’t think we’ve had a single ISAAC device fail,” Lou Giardelli, Director of Information Technology of Veltri Inc., says. “Our cellular coverage issues have disappeared, and our drivers are now all on the same network, using the same system. They’re now able to do everything via workflow as our operations team plan so, it’s been the perfect solution for us.”

And the best part? The ISAAC tablet is a part of an open ecosystem that integrates with existing Truck Management Software (TMS). Fleet managers rejoice: instead of juggling multiple providers, choosing a unified technology solution like ISAAC’s will simplify fleet management, save you time, and bring order to chaos.

James Tornblom from Heartland Express shares, “Dealing with multiple technology partners increased our workload significantly. Switching to a single, reliable partner has allowed us to focus more on moving freight and less on managing technology.”

Conclusion: Making an Informed Decision

Selecting the right trucking technology solutions for fleet management goes beyond just comparing purchasing prices. Ask yourself the following: what does your fleet need to operate efficiently? What kind of environmental challenges will your devices be subjected to? What will be the long-term costs of maintaining this equipment in good working order?

While consumer-grade tablets might offer short-term savings, they often fail to meet the long-term demands of trucking, leading to increased downtime and additional costs.

Industry-specific solutions like ISAAC’s rugged tablets provide the reliability and durability trucking operations require. By opting for a solution designed with trucking in mind, fleet managers can enhance efficiency, and ensure their drivers have the tools they need to succeed.

We’ve prepared a whitepaper to help fleet managers and trucking professionals make the right decision when shopping for trucking technology solutions for fleet management—one that will benefit their operations in the long run.

Download the Whitepaper

The ISAAC Coach is an innovative in-cab coaching solution for truck drivers that promotes eco-driving while offering so much more. Initially designed to deliver fuel savings, it was expected to also enhance safety, as both eco-friendly and safety-conscious driving practices overlap. This extra benefit is now documented by an independent study. And based on the experience of drivers actually using the ISAAC Coach, we’ve observed that it contributes to a positive experience for them on the road and creates friendly dynamics among the drivers inside a fleet.

This blog post dives into how the ISAAC Coach contributes to safety, cost savings, and driver happiness.

What is eco-driving and how does it enhance safety?

Eco-driving is a term coined by the Swedish National Driving School in 1998 and is now used around the world. Most are familiar with the basics of eco-driving which include, for example, gradual acceleration and the avoidance of sudden turns or braking by anticipating exits or the need to slow down or stop. It’s easy to envision how this type of driving also leads to safer roads.

A recent independent study conducted by the Traffic Injury Research Foundation (TIRF) now confirms that advanced telematics systems like the ISAAC Coach offer tremendous potential for fleets seeking ways to help their drivers be safer and more efficient. The study included three heavy-duty trucking fleets that use the ISAAC Coach and found that adopting a fuel-efficient driving style clearly translates into fewer highway accidents and near-misses. This “side effect” is a considerable benefit, if not the ultimate goal, when considering the numbers regarding safety on our roads.

Despite advancements in safety technology and increased safety-focused regulations, the number of fatal road accidents remains alarmingly high. 2021 saw a 10.5% increase in road fatalities compared to the previous year. The ISAAC Coach can lower the risk of accidents and improve overall safety.

Accident avoidance is also vital to saving money—not just in terms of lost time and the cost of repairs, but also to avoid legal issues—including preventing a nuclear verdict. ISAAC’s advanced technology encourages safer driving styles by giving the driver instant feedback whenever a harsh maneuver, such as hard acceleration or braking, is detected. This enables proactive risk management through timely information that encourages safer driving.

The ISAAC Coach provides reporting that can be used for drivers to see how they’re doing and for training purposes. Whether used alone or coupled with video footage from the ISAAC InView integrated camera system, these driving metrics can be used as “teachable moments” in fleet training programs, showing drivers how to best handle real-world situations that happen out on the road.

For example, one ISAAC client, Kriska Holdings, uses road incidents as coaching opportunities―even when their driver was not at fault. In one case, a passenger car lost control and crashed in front of one of their trucks, triggering hard braking to avoid colliding with the car. Although the driver responded perfectly to what had occurred in front of his truck, the incident was used for further online training to boost maintaining awareness of the driver’s surroundings.

Enhancing safety by managing compliance and risk

In a heavily regulated industry like trucking, compliance is always an important area of focus. One way that ISAAC simplifies trucking is by making it easier to maintain compliance, including by offering guided processes and automated reporting.

This goes well beyond ELD technology to maintain hours of service records. It includes facilitating daily vehicle inspection reports (DVIRs) and generating data that supports managing compliance processes as efficiently as possible.

The ISAAC Coach has a direct impact on compliance by cutting the risk of accidents and violations―along with the fines and penalties that go along with that.

The in-cab coaching is coupled with the transmission of alerts in real time to the back office whenever there is a hard maneuver or hard braking. This helps you take a proactive approach to safety, allowing for interventions before any violations occur.

The ISAAC Coach also allows you to quickly identify risky behaviors before they cause problems. As an example, consider the risks of distracted driving and fatigue. Estimates vary, but it’s generally reported that each of these two factors is involved in up to 30% of accidents. By helping to reduce distracted driving and fatigue, the ISAAC Coach substantially lowers the risk of accidents from either of these causes.

How the ISAAC Coach saves fuel

Trucking fleets are increasingly looking for technological solutions to help them cope with rising fuel costs. According to trucking industry research from the Technology Maintenance Council (TMC) and ATRI, driving behaviors can make as much as a 35% difference between the most fuel-efficient and least fuel-efficient driving.

In addition, 30% of fuel consumption is under a driver’s direct control with factors such as speed, acceleration, braking, and use of cruise control. As many driving teachers can attest, a large part of eco-driving involves smooth driving, including gradual acceleration and maintaining safe following distances.

Avoiding harsh braking and turning is something that may not be immediately evident. As Cody McClain, vice president of safety and human resources at Tucker Freight Lines (an ISAAC client), explains, “If you’re braking harshly quickly, you’ve got to get back up to speed.”

The ISAAC Coach works by displaying a color-coded indicator on the ISAAC tablet. When the driver presses the accelerator pedal, the display offers cues on how much pressure is needed while considering multiple data points collected by the ISAAC solution to calculate rolling resistance and mechanical resistance. It uses the information to provide easy-to-follow cues around three activities: accelerator pedal pressure, optimal gear changes, and when to avoid using cruise control.

The objective is to reach and maintain 95% adherence to these cues. This results in up to a 5% gain in fuel efficiency, according to users. While that may not sound like a huge percentage, it adds up to substantial savings in fuel—especially when it’s fleet-wide.

Try our fuel savings calculator

Saving on maintenance costs

Maintenance is the second fastest-growing cost center for fleets after fuel. Some factors that influence rising maintenance costs, such as spare parts, are outside of your control. However, taking a proactive approach to maintenance is one way that fleets can rein in maintenance expenses.

While ISAAC’s Smart DVIR can be a practical foundation for any preventive maintenance program for your fleet, the ISAAC Coach also reduces maintenance costs. It does so by fostering driving behaviors that minimize vehicle wear and tear in addition to using less fuel.
Of course, by reducing the wear and tear that comes with more aggressive driving styles, using the ISAAC Coach also helps boost the overall longevity of each truck in your fleet, which saves money. It also lowers the risk of experiencing a sudden breakdown.

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Keeping drivers happy

Good drivers are hard to find and can be even harder to keep. Keeping drivers happy has long been a key focus area at ISAAC. This involves making drivers’ lives easier by way of an easy-to-use solution that incorporates automated workflows and next-action prompts. But beyond offering a user-friendly solution that drivers can appreciate, ISAAC’s solution, including the ISAAC Coach, supports driver professionalism through ongoing skill development and recognition.

Evaluating driving behaviors can be tricky. Experienced drivers may feel like they don’t need further training and may resist the idea of in-cab coaching. The ISAAC Coach, however, can be well accepted by drivers.

“The Driver Coach app really works well with the driver. In talking to drivers, that has been the number one thing they love.”

No matter their experience level, drivers expect fair and transparent evaluations of their driving behaviors. Maintaining objectivity is critical, as even the perception of favoritism in these evaluations can affect the relationship with an individual driver and group morale. The ISAAC Coach lets drivers see a summary of how their driving results compare to the targeted objectives. The system works through big data recording, with exceptionally precise telemetry data from ISAAC InMetrics. That data is then analyzed using ISAAC’s patented algorithm to transform the data into meaningful feedback for the driver.

Because the feedback is provided in real time, drivers can adjust their driving style right as they’re driving. The system analyzes their performance and produces a relevant score regardless of the truck model, load, or route type.

These ISAAC Coach results are ideal for using as part of a driver reward program. With fleets increasingly implementing such programs to offer bonuses or perks to drivers based on their performance, it’s vital to maintain the sort of fairness and objectivity that the ISAAC Coach provides. It’s critical to getting drivers’ buy-in and maintaining their respect for such incentive programs.

Beyond helping individual drivers, the ISAAC Coach has been known to foster friendly competition among fleet drivers to see who can get the best results. This promotes a culture of safety across your fleet, all in a positive mindset.

Using technology to everyone’s benefit

ISAAC’s mission is to simplify trucking and keep the wheels turning―figuratively and literally. From enhancing safety, to lowering fuel and maintenance costs, and keeping drivers engaged, even small improvements on each truck—thanks to a tool such as the ISAAC Coach—benefit everyone.

We at ISAAC have long known that eco-driving improves safety as well as fuel economy. This has now been borne out independently by the Traffic Injury Research Foundation’s (TIRF) study confirming that advanced telematics systems and in-cab coaching solutions such as the ISAAC Coach can help fleets make drivers safer and more efficient.

Read the whitepaper

Ultimately, it’s your drivers that keep your fleet going, so keeping them happy makes good business sense. To that end, the ISAAC Coach not only provides them with the individual feedback they need to drive their best, but fosters a culture of safety and improved efficiency across your whole fleet.

Contact us to learn about implementing ISAAC Coach. Or, if you are already using the ISAAC solution, be sure to ask us for guidance in making the most of ISAAC Coach.

Trucking businesses run on tight margins, which means that any improvements in efficiency or reduction in operating costs are worthwhile. Automation leads the way in this area, and ISAAC has long been focused on helping truck fleets raise their efficiency and control costs via integration and automation.

To that end, ISAAC integrates with most transportation management systems (TMS). This blog post will focus on one integration in particular—that of McLeod’s LoadMaster. As a supplier of transportation management and trucking software for carriers, McLeod is a well-known leader. ISAAC’s open platform has enabled a tight and highly functional integration with McLeod. Accordingly, this integration has provided a very useful modern workflow appreciated by many carriers.

Watch webinar McLeod + ISAAC

Shortening the route to operational efficiency

The neat integration of ISAAC’s in-cab and telematics solution with McLeod’s software includes many features. As a result, carriers can accomplish tasks including:

• Facilitating and automating communications
• Viewing drivers’ hours of service (HOS) status within McLeod’s LoadMaster
• Monitoring asset locations
• Reducing out-of-route travel
• Increasing driver safety and overall satisfaction
• Improving fleet performance and productivity

Main features enabled by integration

ISAAC’s integration with McLeod is designed to make daily tasks easier for both drivers and back-office personnel. As a result, several features are enabled, such as:

• Easily accessible trip information for drivers
• Automatic stop updates
• Automated capturing of trip information
• Easy scanning and imaging of paperwork
• GPS tracking
• Readily accessible HOS information
• Master file synchronization

The benefits of automation

One of the primary benefits of the ISAAC and McLeod integration is simplified driver workflows. In addition to the already helpful and intuitive ISAAC rugged tablet features that require minimal screen taps and include next action prompts, this integration provides information for virtually everything drivers need. In brief, this includes:

• Trip summaries
• Stop information and appointment times
• Freight details
• Information on equipment/trailers
• Any applicable notes or instructions

The tablet automatically routes drivers to their next location. This requires the installation of CoPilot Truck, however, which is one of the many applications offered in ISAAC’s ecosystem. Arrivals and departures based on GPS/geofencing data are automatically updated to the McLeod TMS. Likewise, trailer handling for drop/hooks or for unknown trailer pick-ups are sent back to McLeod’s system automatically.

There is also automatic capturing of load information from each driver at each stop. This includes pieces, weight, arrival and departure times, and recipients’ signatures—all of which are sent back to McLeod’s system automatically without requiring the driver to do anything.

When the drivers do any scanning/imaging of paperwork with their ISAAC tablets, the data goes to McLeod’s DocumentPower imaging system and is automatically indexed. Lastly, the integrated systems keep master files (information about drivers, tractors, trailers, customers, and company IDs) fully synchronized. This means that such information only needs to be entered into McLeod’s system and it will automatically upload and/or update it in the ISAAC system.

In brief, automation eliminates a lot of manual data entry, along with the potential for errors that goes with manual entries. It also results in simplified driver workflows and provides improved visibility for dispatchers in terms of planning and ETAs.

Additional advantages of the McLeod and ISAAC integration

The increased degree of automation of truck fleet management functions saves significant amounts of time. Consequently, this translates as productivity gains and more efficient operations. One area in particular will benefit from this integration—telemetry data, specifically GPS fleet tracking. The integrated system sends real-time GPS information back to McLeod’s system so as to give fleet managers and dispatchers up-to-date locations for every truck.

Likewise, the integration enables the automatic transmission of odometer/engine hours back to McLeod’s TMS and/or to a third-party asset maintenance system. These improvements in functionality and automation extend to hours of service (HOS). With the ISAAC/McLeod integration, the system transmits HOS information in real time to dispatchers to aid their planning. Meanwhile, log summary information goes back to McLeod’s system for sharing with the fleet’s safety department.

Efficiency will also be improved with the ability to:

• Leverage driver HOS availability and vehicle positions to dispatch upcoming loads to the best available driver
• Implement multiple driver workflows based on different divisions, load types, or for customers with unique requirements
• Send and receive messages to and from drivers, with delivery
• Update freight level details using driver confirmed information at pick-up or delivery
• Create a fully integrated maintenance loop between vehicle inspections (DVIRs) and odometer readings for preventive maintenance (PM), by integrating third-party maintenance systems
• Confirm deliveries on the ISAAC driver workflow with electronic signature capture and scanned POD receipts

Built for the future with modern API architecture

ISAAC is the first major telematics provider to be integrated to the new McLeod Symphony Mobile Communications Service (SMCS). This ensures solution longevity, as all future innovation initiatives will be carried out using this newer API integration platform. In addition to ISAAC’s McLeod integration, carriers can benefit from ISAAC’s modern API architecture that supports many other industry-leading supply chain technology solutions.

Available technology solutions include valuable apps for trucking, such as the app CoPilot Truck, as well as the Drivewyze weigh station bypass service, trailer tracking apps, fuel tax/IFTA systems, DataDis fleet maintenance software, and many more. The ability to add industry-leading supply chain technology solutions, along with quick development and turnaround time,

This modern architecture enables faster project completion. In fact, by requiring less development and adding more configuration options, these cloud-based solutions and API integrations allow for fast development cycles and short turnaround times, which helps avoid

As noted above, more automation helps to keep the drivers driving and the wheels turning by simplifying the driver’s workflow. This is done by prompting drivers for each next step based on where they are currently at during a trip and reducing data entry with the pre-population of key trip information. ISAAC also automates logbook header documentation (i.e., load and trailer information) and the capturing of duty status changes based on custom-defined driver activities within the driver workflow.

There is also time saved for drivers and better visibility to dispatchers in real time for some trip activities, thanks to ISAAC’s automatic detection of arrivals and departures from trip stop locations.

Furthermore, the system also automatically captures key load information from drivers that can be used for adding line items to customer invoices or paying drivers for extras.

Another advantage of increasing integration is that fewer actions are required by dispatchers when there is a load change. The ISAAC workflow eliminates confusion by only notifying drivers of load changes—such as an additional stop—without resending the entire dispatch or multiple follow-up messages.

Finally, Integration allows automatic reception and indexing of documents scanned within the driver workflow into McLeod’s DocumentPower. This eliminates manual back-office handling of paperwork.

In short, the integration of ISAAC and McLeod adds a great deal of automation to readily benefit trucking fleets. This integration, coupled with ISAAC’s open architecture which makes it easy to integrate various useful apps, can help give trucking operations long-term sustainability while enhancing the efficiency and productivity of their day-to-day operations.

Watch webinar McLeod + ISAAC

Trucking companies currently face some real headwinds. An uncertain economy, the need to retain good drivers, and increasing fuel costs can all make for some difficulties. Succeeding in these conditions depends on maximizing the efficiency of your fleet operations while also pleasing your drivers. Fortunately, improving efficiency and productivity while benefiting drivers is easier than expected.
A simple, easy-to-use ELD inside the cab saves drivers time, and when part of a larger telematics solution that provides ready integration to the major TMS solutions, dispatchers save time too. Information flows between your team on the road and in the office, and everyone is happy.

Download Benefiting from Automated Workflows

1. Aid Driver Retention by Letting Them Enjoy the Drive

With drivers in short supply, it pays to keep a simple truism in mind. Happy drivers tend to stay, while unhappy ones leave for other opportunities. Helping your drivers feel valued makes them more likely to stick around. By giving them the right tools for the job, such as an advanced ELD solution that simplifies all their tasks related to logging and more, you can show you appreciate them and value their time.

It’s also well known that driver satisfaction is related to their compensation, which is directly linked to the miles they travel. Therefore, it makes sense to use an in-cab solution that can precisely— and automatically—log their driving time, versus the time the truck is stopped not just for mandatory breaks, but also for activities and circumstances such as:

• Loading and unloading
• Inspections and weighing
• Mechanical issues and breakdowns
• Detention at a drop-off location

This level of detail helps carriers address and minimize avoidable non-driving time, which drivers will greatly appreciate. For example, the first step in reducing detention time at drop-off locations is knowing where it tends to occur, to notify such customers of a truck arriving soon (thanks to geofencing) so they can prepare for reception.

An advanced ELD such as ISAAC’s also provides instant and ongoing communication and feedback. For example, dispatchers can easily communicate with individual drivers through an easy-to-use messaging system. However, with distracted driving being a top safety concern in the trucking industry, it’s important to choose an ELD solution that addresses that challenge. For safety reasons, emergency messages can be read aloud to the driver on ISAAC’s tablet when the truck is moving, so they can keep their eyes on the road. The screen otherwise remains locked when the truck is in motion.

2. Reap the Benefits of Focused, Customizable Workflows

User-friendly ELDs paired with telematics solutions provide intuitive screens with prompts that support established workflows. Instead of requiring drivers to remember which action to perform next, innovative technology can provide prompts that take them directly to the next task in the workflow. Besides making things easier for the drivers, the prompts reduce the risk of missing any steps in the workflow or submitting incomplete reports, not to mention the number of clicks that it saves drivers.

3. Simplify Compliance

Between the US and Canadian federal governments and individual states and provinces, there is quite a collection of compliance regulations to untangle. While staying in compliance with all that is not an option, it doesn’t have to be a hassle.

With an ELD solution that supports US and Canadian federal, state and provincial rules, it’s easy to ensure regulatory compliance. Drivers will be notified in real time when approaching HOS limits, so they can plan their stops accordingly. They can select to display the dashboard based on the regulations of their current location and even switch to get an advance view on the remaining hours available in the state or country they are heading to. These features, and several others greatly simplify compliance!

4. Reinforce Safety Measures

ELDs that are based on an advanced telemetry system can go far beyond logging service hours and have a positive impact on driver safety and reduce accidents and incidents.

For example, real-time notifications about hard driving maneuvers shown on the device inside the cab help drivers change their driving behavior, which lowers the risk of accidents. Also, an advanced system that includes dashcams can provide video footage of critical events to coach drivers on avoiding risky behavior to improve safety. And speaking of coaching, a system that includes an in-cab driver coaching feature, while primarily designed to promote eco-driving and lower fuel consumption, has the side benefit of encouraging safer driving.

Learn More About Advanced ELD Benefits

Download ISAAC’s new white paper, Benefiting from Automated Workflows, for a brief but thorough explanation of the ways an advanced ELD can better address the needs of trucking companies and drivers.

The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) revealed that repair and maintenance were the second-fastest growing cost center for carriers. Between 2020 and 2021, ATRI reported an 18.2 percent jump in costs for fleet maintenance. Diesel was the only faster-rising cost center.

There are many potential reasons for rising maintenance costs, such as part shortages or an increased focus on extending the life of older vehicles instead of replacing them. Carriers can take a proactive approach to repairs to mitigate various causes of increased maintenance costs.

Technology plays a key role for fleets implementing preventive maintenance. In-cab tech connects carriers with extensive data that helps to transition from reactive to preventive maintenance. Fleets who successfully leverage maintenance data reduce costs, limit downtime, and make life easier for drivers.

Download guide – Reactive to Preventive Maintenance

Technology connects fleets to preventive maintenance

Carriers aim to reduce downtime as much as possible. Preventive maintenance helps to avoid costly breakdowns on the road and issues with compliance. Instead of reacting to a breakdown, fleets can proactively apply fixes to eliminate equipment issues before they become more significant problems.

Drivers that use an in-cab system such as the ISAAC solution can quickly communicate issues to fleet managers. Sometimes, when drivers can’t detect an issue during inspection, the solution covers this gap by reporting diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) and other metrics that signal potential problems.

Trucks generate a lot of data, so carriers also use fleet management systems to filter out the noise and report the most important codes and information to prevent the most severe and costly breakdowns.

Customized Smart DVIR for your operations

Pre-trip and post-trip reports are an essential part of safely operating a commercial vehicle. Equipping your fleet with a smart DVIR solution helps to simplify the process, making it easier for drivers and fleet managers to follow their company’s inspection policy.

For example, managers can implement specific pre-trip and post-trip inspections when drivers face cold weather challenges. Fleets can deploy ISAAC’s Smart DVIR to provide a custom set of inspection points, and even some helpful reminders such as:

• Plugging and unplugging your truck
• Using required fuel additives
• Draining the air tanks
• Ensuring that air hoses are properly hooked
• Checking windshield washer fluid and wiper blades
• Preparing a cold weather emergency kit

Creating custom inspection points for DVIRs allows fleets to quickly adjust to different types of loads and industry requirements. For example, when a driver hooks a new trailer, the required inspection points automatically change based on the trailer type. After all, carriers hauling food products have different regulatory and maintenance requirements than tanker truck fleets.

Simplifying the DVIR process helps drivers save time when they perform inspections and report potential issues. When a roadside inspection takes place, drivers can get the wheels turning again by quickly showing inspectors the information they need to see on the tablet.

Empower your drivers to help maintenance

The onus is on maintenance staff to keep trucks and equipment in optimal condition, but drivers play a critical role in identifying and reporting potential maintenance issues. Fleets that use in-cab solutions to stay connected with drivers receive rapid updates and notifications that help to inform decision-making for repairs and upkeep.

Drivers stay happy when their trucks and equipment function consistently and safely. The ability to quickly communicate with drivers lets maintenance staff get ahead of potential problems. Drivers also appreciate when fleets listen to and act on feedback that keeps them safe on the road.

Clearly, it’s impossible to predict all the potential issues that can take place on the road. If a driver suddenly faces a difficult scenario, an in-cab solution can offer emergency communications that let drivers call for support from maintenance and fleet managers.

Fleets and drivers thrive through collaboration

Preventive maintenance keeps drivers moving by limiting downtime due to breakdowns and compliance issues. Proactive repairs also reduce overall maintenance and equipment costs while extending the lifespan of trucks.

Drivers appreciate when fleets minimize downtime and ensure that trucks and equipment work safely and reliably. Easy-to-use in-cab technology, such as the ISAAC solution, lets fleets stay connected with drivers to communicate important maintenance updates while simplifying DVIRs and roadside inspections.

Download guide – Reactive to Preventive Maintenance

A rapid spike in fuel price impacted the bottom line for fleets in 2022. Diesel costs increased the value of technology that helps to reduce fuel use, such as real-time fuel efficiency coaching, speed limiters, and more efficient engines.

The rise in fuel costs was severe enough to supplant driver shortages as the top concern for the trucking industry, according to a report released by the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI). This shows that fuel price fluctuations have created significant cost uncertainty.

Fleets can mitigate rising fuel prices by working with drivers to curb fuel consumption. Research shows that drivers can create the most impact on fuel efficiency, and fleets can reduce fuel use through driver training, engagement, and incentive programs supported by in-cab technology.

Download guide – Team Up with Drivers to Save Fuel

How fleets respond to volatile fuel price trends

At the start of the 2010s, fuel accounted for 39% of the average cost per mile for fleets. A few years later, the driver shortage took over as the primary concern when diesel prices had less of an impact on a carrier’s bottom line.

This trend is primed to repeat this decade. In 2022, fuel cost jumped above $5 USD per gallon, creating a price shock. The American Trucking Associations projects the driver shortage will grow to 160,000 by 2030. Even if fuel prices remain volatile, the driver shortage will likely return as the biggest challenge—similar to the previous decade.

What can fleets do when fuel prices rise? Carriers concerned about costs roll out different eco-driving strategies:

• Fuel-efficient engines and technology like speed limiters
• Aerodynamic improvements to tractors and trailers
• Engines powered by electricity or compressed natural gas
• More efficient operations that reduce out-of-route and empty miles
• Driver training and better awareness of eco-driving techniques

All of these strategies help to reduce fuel consumption, but better driver training creates the best results with the least investment. Training and feedback on driving behaviors also provide an opportunity to improve driver engagement—a key aspect of driver retention.

Understanding how drivers impact fuel use should govern how you work with drivers to lower consumption.

How drivers impact fuel consumption

The Technology Maintenance Council (TMC) discovered that the difference between the most fuel efficient driver and the least efficient was as much as 35%. This means that under the exact same driving conditions, operating the same truck, the least efficient driver can consume about a third more fuel than the most efficient driver.

Research by ATRI backs up TMC’s report, showing that drivers create the single biggest impact on fuel efficiency compared to all other factors.

How can drivers change their habits on the road to reduce fuel consumption? ISAAC has studied the question from the moment it became involved in the trucking industry.

Four general areas allow drivers to save fuel.

Engine efficiency—The way drivers use the transmission is one of the biggest factors under their control. Lower engine speed (RPM) results in less fuel use, especially for diesel engines that create max torque at low RPMs.

Vehicle speed—Traveling at excessive speed wastes fuel. A truck driver saves more fuel when maintaining a steady pace short of the top speed limit.

Brake use— Brake use on its own doesn’t determine fuel consumption, but drivers who brake suddenly and frequently will need to constantly re-accelerate to regain speed. Drivers consume less fuel when anticipating traffic conditions to use coasting and maintain a fuel-efficient speed.

Driver behavior—Drivers who are fully engaged and mindful of their surroundings will use fuel efficient driving techniques more consistently than less engaged drivers. Fleet managers can use data to help verify driver behavior.

Fleets motivate drivers with incentive programs

The best way to engage drivers and encourage consistent, fuel-efficient behavior is through an incentive program that rewards drivers for reducing fuel use. This program should focus only on factors under the driver’s control and avoid penalizing drivers for older truck performance, bad weather, or heavier loads.

Fleets can use the ISAAC Coach to measure and factor out slope, load, wind, engine type, and aerodynamics—elements beyond driver control. Instead, drivers get simple, unobtrusive guidance that promotes better eco-driving behaviors.

Since the ISAAC Coach supports an equitable rating of drivers carrying different loads under varying conditions, fleets can fairly measure the performance of their drivers and reward them accordingly. A fair, transparent incentive program helps to align drivers with fuel reduction objectives and can even be used as part of a larger driver retention program.

Fleets and drivers thrive through collaboration

Fleets that offer incentive programs and work closely with drivers to save fuel create a mutually beneficial scenario. Drivers appreciate the opportunity to earn rewards for fuel efficiency, while fleets benefit from lower fuel costs and a boost to driver retention.

The ISAAC Coach helps to simplify the implementation of incentive programs and gives guidance that’s easy for drivers to follow. In fact, carriers save up to five percent fleetwide when their drivers use the ISAAC Coach as part of a fuel savings program.

Find out more about working with drivers to save fuel.

Download guide – Team Up with Drivers to Save Fuel

Every touchpoint matters in customer satisfaction, from the quality of products and services provided to the efficiency and friendliness of customer support to the ease of interaction. Price, convenience, and perceived value also play crucial roles. With a deeper understanding and prioritizing of these critical elements, your organization can create a loyal customer base, build its brand, and achieve long-term success.

Quality of products or services

Your products and services form the backbone of your business, with their quality being the keystone of customer satisfaction. High-quality offerings directly impact customer satisfaction by fulfilling these expectations and often surpassing them. This means answering and fulfilling your customer base’s needs and pain points.

However, this also means consistency — providing the same quality and experience every time a customer interacts with your business. Customers who trust a company to consistently deliver excellence are more likely to return.

Meeting or exceeding customer expectations

Past experiences, marketing, and industry standards shape customer expectations. Meeting these expectations is crucial, but exceeding them can set your business apart. Managing expectations starts with clear communication, including accurate, honest information, detailed descriptions, realistic timelines, and transparent pricing. 

Other ways to ensure your customer expectations are met and exceeded include:

• Following through on promises, whether product features or service levels;
• Offering unexpected, free upgrades or personalized thank-you notes to show that a company values customer business;
• Striving to improve offerings by considering customer feedback, showing they’re committed to providing the best products/services.

However, there’s a fine line between managing expectations and overpromising. Overpromising can lead to unmet high expectations, resulting in disappointment and low satisfaction. For instance, if your company promises a product will solve specific problems but fails to deliver, it can lead to negative reviews and loss of credibility.

Efficiency of delivery and fulfillment

A significant part of customer satisfaction is the fulfillment process and timely delivery. From order processing to final delivery, streamlined operations cut down on errors, delays, costs, and unhappy customers. Many businesses use advanced fleet management solutions to support their operations. These tools help with route planning and monitoring fleet performance, ensuring processes run smoothly.  

For example, metrics monitoring gives insights into fleet efficiency, highlighting areas for improvement. Whether you’re optimizing routes or reducing idle time, using technology to track and analyze fleet data can lead to significant cost savings and improved customer satisfaction.

Ease of communication and accessibility

External and internal communication cannot be emphasized enough in customer satisfaction. Clear and open communication channels are fundamental to meeting your customer base where they are, helping them feel heard, and resolving their issues promptly. Likewise, your internal conversations must be streamlined and efficient to ensure employees have the necessary information and resources.

Different communication methods, like phone, email, chat, and social media, give customers plenty of options to reach a business. Each has its perks: phone and chat give quick replies, email is great for detailed questions and keeping records, and social media acts as a public space for feedback and interaction, showing off how responsive and customer-focused a company is.

Moreover, accessibility in your communication channels and customer service dramatically affects customer perception and satisfaction. Making communication channels easy to find and use, as well as offering support during extended hours, can show how committed you are to their satisfaction.

Responsive customer support

First-contact resolution is crucial in customer support. Solving issues in the first interaction saves everyone time, makes a good impression, and addresses them without needing multiple follow-ups. To ensure your support staff can do this effectively, consider the following:

• Investing in a comprehensive training program that covers all products and services and how to troubleshoot;
• Using empathy. Empathizing with a customer’s situation can diffuse negative emotions and make the interaction more positive;
• Having a straightforward escalation process for complex or urgent problems.

With a well-trained team, you’re less likely to encounter issues that require escalation.

Personalization and customer recognition

When customers feel recognized and valued as individuals rather than just another sale, they have a stronger bond with your brand. Personalization can look like using customers’ names in communications or tailoring product recommendations.

Data is crucial for personalization, providing insights into behaviors and preferences that can be customized into solutions that resonate deeply with each customer. For instance, algorithms and CRM tools can track interactions and preferences, ensuring every interaction is informed and personalized.

Value for money

People want assurance that the money they spend on a product or service is worth the value. Perceived value encompasses the entire purchase experience, not just the cost. Pricing strategies influence customer perception; transparent and fair pricing fosters trust, while hidden fees or unclear pricing results in dissatisfaction.

To get your message across to customers:

• Clearly outline how the product or service benefits the buyer.
• Showcase user-generated content and feedback to build credibility.
• Compare competitor offerings to emphasize your product’s unique advantages and superior value.

Customers who see “why” and “how” your product is worth the price will feel more satisfied with their purchase.

Post-purchase support and follow-up

Your relationship with the customer doesn’t end after a purchase; post-purchase support greatly influences long-term satisfaction and loyalty. According to the Chamber of Commerce, almost 80% of customers consider a positive post-purchase experience crucial, yet only 1% believe vendors consistently deliver on this expectation.

Effective post-purchase communication means checking in with your customers to ensure they’re happy with their purchase and quickly sorting out any problems. Simple things like sending reminders about product maintenance, offering tips for getting the most out of a purchase, or providing exclusive access to customer support can all contribute to a positive post-purchase experience.

Leveraging technology for improved customer experiences

Technology has made handling customer satisfaction easier, allowing companies to be more effective and efficient in their approach. With game-changing features, companies can improve customer support and personalize experiences at scale.

For instance, you can try the following:

• Live chat lets customers quickly reach support, improving first-contact resolution rates.
• Software for gathering customer feedback offers essential data on satisfaction and highlights opportunities for enhancement.
• Knowledge bases and FAQs help customers to resolve issues on their own.

When selecting tech solutions for your business, start by defining your technology goals. Then, consider your audience’s preferences to align the chosen tech with their needs.

Training and empowering employees

Employees represent your company, and their interactions with customers shape perceptions and influence satisfaction. Creating a customer-centric culture within the organization involves several strategies:

• Equipping employees with product knowledge and customer service skills;
• Empowering employees to make customer-centric decisions independently;
• Recognizing and rewarding exceptional customer service to motivate the team;
• Fostering a feedback-friendly environment to identify improvements and celebrate successes.

Ultimately, offering quality, being upfront about pricing, offering good post-purchase support, using technology, and empowering employees are your first steps toward building lasting customer relationships.

Driver retention and fuel prices continue to be two of the most critical concerns for the trucking industry. Driver shortages have worsened in a tight, pandemic-era labor market, and fuel costs have increased significantly over the last couple of years.

There’s no easy answer to tackle both challenges at once. At first glance, driver retention and fuel savings appear to be unrelated. When examining these challenges in more detail, it becomes clear that companies can use technology to address both issues at the same time.

Fleet management, truck telematics, and coaching solutions provide a way to connect driver engagement with more efficient fuel consumption. Driver incentive programs that include fuel economy bonuses can help increase engagement while saving fuel.

Download our guide: Team Up with Drivers to Save Fuel

Business pressures linked with driver retention and fuel costs

The last two years have been unusually stressful for most businesses and the global labor force. Pressures include an ongoing pandemic, supply chain challenges, a shift to remote work, skyrocketing inflation, and major geopolitical events.

The American Trucking Association projects that the estimated driver shortfall of about 80,000 could grow to more than 160,000 by 2028. Perhaps more concerning, the U.S. Department of Transportation revealed that turnover rates in 2021 were “over 90 percent for large, long-haul carriers and over 72 percent for small carriers.”

In June 2022, a continuous rise in fuel prices drove the U.S. average cost of a gallon above five dollars before the average price fell quickly in the later half of the summer. Unstable energy prices erode profits and create cost uncertainty for fleets.

Individual organizations can’t control volatility in labor markets and gas costs. Still, trucking companies can act to mitigate turnover and fuel prices. Real-time coaching solutions are an example of technology that fleets can deploy to save fuel and engage drivers.

Fuel economy programs can improve driver retention

Increased costs force trucking companies to re-evaluate technology and core business processes deployed across their fleet. Investing in fuel savings technology, such as the ISAAC Coach, can support cost reductions and driver retention. The business case for investing in technology revolves around skyrocketing costs related to turnover and fuel.

Turnover costs change from one fleet to the next. The average cost of turnover per driver was $11,500, according to Driver IQ. At the same time, estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics showed the potential cost above $20,000 per driver for some fleets. Depending on the trucking vertical, recruiting and onboarding new drivers costs between $6,000 and $20,000. These numbers show that driver engagement and retention investments can pay off with reduced labor costs.

For fuel economy, an improvement of a half-mile per gallon for vehicles traveling 100,000 miles per year can result in annual savings between $4,000 and $5,000 on a single truck. The most efficient drivers can achieve up to 30% better fuel economy compared to the least efficient drivers, according to Cummins Fuel Economy Guide. This shows the value of investing in fuel efficiency programs. In fact, the larger the fleet, the greater the potential savings.

Gallup Workplace studies show that high-turnover organizations—those with greater than 40% turnover—benefit significantly from improved worker engagement. Their research shows that:

• Highly engaged business units experience 24% less turnover
• Highly engaged groups show a 10% increase in customer ratings
• Highly engaged business units result in 21% greater profitability
• Engaged workers have a greater commitment to quality and safety

Drivers who experience higher levels of engagement are less likely to jump to competing carriers or decide to switch careers. Fuel economy initiatives can help to increase driver engagement. At the same time, fleets will benefit from more fuel-efficient driving behavior, improved safety, and better overall driver performance.

Tackling turnover and fuel costs will require more than technology. Fleets must place drivers at the center of fuel efficiency programs to succeed.

Give drivers clear goals and the support to achieve them

Many fleets have experienced success implementing fuel economy programs as part of a larger driver retention initiative. So how do you develop a fair and balanced driver recognition and rewards program based on fuel economy?

Fleets already know their objectives: reduce costs and keep drivers happy—but what’s in it for drivers? How will the fuel efficiency program connect to drivers to benefit them? Perhaps more important, what aspects of the program will be under driver control?

Fuel efficiency programs must provide clear, realistic, and achievable objectives. New and experienced drivers should understand what’s expected. Fleets must show how fuel efficiency initiatives impact driver performance assessments, benefits, compensation, and even career development.

New or updated programs must be incorporated into the organization’s shared vision and overall culture. Buy-in across the entire fleet begins with leadership. A commitment to continuous improvement must be seen and felt across each level and department of the organization.

Before implementing the program, take the time to map out messaging, communication, change management, and driver onboarding plans. Work backward from the go-live date on a week-by-week basis. Include drivers during initial and ongoing planning efforts to ensure the buy-in and engagement needed to ensure success.

Drivers must understand how the program will impact them and the fleet. Rolling out the deployment in incremental, bite-size parts lets everyone adapt to changes better than a larger deployment. Give drivers a baseline period to learn the new technology and discover how to achieve their goals.

Changing driver behavior takes time—some operators will adapt quickly, while others may require a longer adjustment period. Don’t forget to incorporate feedback loops during the program’s development and deployment, including driver surveys, large group meetings, and smaller focused groups.

Certainly, drivers want to know how they will be compensated for fuel efficiency performance. Still, the program must go beyond compensation to develop the engagement needed to diminish turnover.

Fuel efficiency technology helps to connect and engage drivers

Trucking technology, like the ISAAC Coach, supports fleetwide initiatives to save fuel while engaging drivers. The technology helps to provide real-time coaching for aspects that the driver can control, such as the accelerator pedal, cruise control, and coasting. Things beyond driver control, such as headwinds, slope, and load, are all considered to ensure a fair driver performance scoring.

Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace: 2022 Report showed “only 21% of employees engaged at work.” At the same time, 71% of workers in the United States and Canada “said now is a good time to find a job.”

Companies don’t control labor and energy price trends impacted by global events. Fleets can mitigate tight labor markets and reduce costs with fuel efficiency programs deployed as part of larger driver retention initiatives.

Check out our guide to driver retention and satisfaction