When your ship is sinking, there are really only two options.
Sink.
Or swim.
The implementation of ELDs (Electronic Logging Devices) may not be as serious as a sinking ship, but whether you like it or not, the tide is coming in and it’s time to get swimming.
On June 13, 2019, the Canadian ELD Mandate was published. It announced a two year transition phase to allow commercial vehicles to become fully compliant, with a deadline of June 12, 2021.
The Canadian ELD Mandate closely resembles the US Mandate which was issued in December 2017, and will require compliance in December of this year.
According to the FMCSA guidelines for US regulations, both cloud based and local connection ELDs will be considered compliant. However, the Canadian Issuing Authority (CCMTA) has dictated that ELDs used in Canada will require a third party certification verifying compliance, and at the moment it is unclear if cloud based ELDs will meet the strict requirements laid out. Particularly in regards to Data Transfer Capability Requirements (section 4.9 of the Canadian ELD Standard.)
The standard mandates that all ELDs must be able to produce the current 24 hour data record for the ELD, and the required historical data for previous days as dictated by current HoS requirements. This data must be available, and the data transfer completed, whenever requested by a DOT officer.
That includes all those hours that Canadian drivers spend in out of cellular service zones across the country, and particularly in the Northern oilfield and logging zones of Western Canada.
A cloud based ELD transmits data from the modem, which is wired to the engine, up to the cloud, where the data is assembled and transmitted back down to a handheld ELD device. If the cloud is unable to connect to the handheld device due to an out of coverage zone the data is considered unavailable and the driver is now at risk of being deemed non compliant in the event of a check by a DOT officer.
A local connection ELD transmits data from the modem directly to the handheld device through a Bluetooth connection. Which means that the data is always available, and going out of service isn’t a concern.
This leaves the big question remaining, will cloud based ELDs be certified for use in Canada, given the unnecessary risks associated with the Data Transfer Capability Requirements?
Maybe, maybe not.
But why would you risk it?
Cloud based ELDs are unreliable, and leave careless room for violations, which could result in fines for your driver and your company, loss of time and productivity, out of service units, and more hassle and headache than you could possibly need.
At GFI, we don’t have our head in the clouds. We, like you, have our feet on the ground and our heads on our shoulders. We know that just because the cloud technology exists, it doesn’t mean it’s the solution. Just because you can doesn’t mean that you should.
We’ve developed an ELD system that surpasses the requirements laid out in the CCMTAs standards. We’re not interested in just meeting the minimum, we’re aiming to set the bar higher. That means we’re above and beyond, anticipating changes that may arise in the future, and planning for them now.
Our software:
Eliminates out of service zone concerns
Offers customizable DVIR forms with direct-to-mechanic service alerts
Has pre-programmed violation and approaching violation alerts
Seamlessly transitions between Canadian and US HoS regulations at border crossings
Allows documentation uploads, including permits, waybills, manifests, and fuel receipts
Includes common driver exceptions
Features payroll synchronization, with options to pay drivers by hours or by mileage
Operating hand in hand with our Latitude program, our ELD is more than just a high flying fantasy. So get your head out of the cloud, and get in touch with our local team to discuss how our local connection ELD system is right for your company. Eliminate risk factors. Don’t just play it safe, play it smart. Check out our two week free demo to see it for yourself.