All Pedigree Technologies posts about remaining compliant to safety and regulatory policies enforced by the FMCSA, DOT, or any other official agency.

How Smart is Your Smart Trailer Solution?

Posted by John Elsner on

Using smart technology to improve trailer utilization for enhanced accuracy and profitability.

Smart trailer solutions have become increasingly popular in recent years, as fleet operators look for ways to improve efficiency, safety, and compliance in their transportation operations. However, some fleet managers may hesitate to invest in these solutions, citing concerns about the cost and complexity of implementing them. In this blog, we will explore whether a smart trailer solution is truly a “smart” investment.

First, it is important to understand what a smart trailer solution is and how it works. These solutions typically include a variety of sensors, communication technologies, and computing systems that collect and analyze data about the trailer and the cargo it carries. This data can include information about the trailer’s location, cargo’s refrigerated environment, load, and  insights into the health of the tires, wheels, and brakes.

The value of this data lies in the insights it can provide to fleet managers and logistics companies. By analyzing this data, operators can identify opportunities to optimize their operations, reduce costs, and improve the safety and security of their transportation operations.

However, the cost and complexity of implementing a traditional smart trailer solution can be a barrier to adoption for some companies. Depending on the specific solution, it may require significant investment in hardware, software, and other infrastructure. It may also require significant time and effort to install and integrate with existing systems.

The advent of Bluetooth sensors along with low-cost, solar GPS gateways, has significantly improved the costs and minimized installation complexity in smart trailer applications. These sensors and gateways are relatively inexpensive, easy to install, and can be used to monitor various aspects of the trailer and its cargo.

Here are some of the ways in which Bluetooth sensors and new gateways have made smart trailers “smarter”:

Reduced Hardware Costs: Bluetooth sensors, when combined with new low-cost solar communication gateways, can collect and transmit data in real-time at a fraction of the cost of more traditional solutions. 

Cargo monitoring: Bluetooth sensors can be installed in a fraction of the time of traditional wired sensors.  Using industrial adhesive tape anyone can easily install temperature and humidity sensors inside the trailer to ensure that perishable or sensitive cargo remains in optimal condition throughout the journey.

Security: Bluetooth sensors can be used to detect when a trailer door has been opened or when cargo has been tampered with. This can help prevent theft or other security breaches.

Health Status: Bluetooth sensors can be used to monitor the health of the trailer’s components, such as the tires, brakes, wheel hubs, and even axle loads. By detecting issues early, drivers and fleet managers can address maintenance issues immediately before they become more serious and expensive.

Scalability: Bluetooth sensors also provide a scalable solution for smart trailer applications. Fleet managers can start with a small number of sensors and gradually add more as needed. This allows companies to implement a smart trailer solution that fits their specific needs and budget.

Overall, Bluetooth sensors and solar gateways have upped the game for smart trailers by significantly improving costs and minimizing installation complexity in smart trailer applications. While traditional methods of smart trailer tracking can be costly and hard to install, don’t let that alone keep you from exploring a more agile and cost effective approach.

Interested in learning more? Contact Pedigree Technologies to discuss your needs and we’ll determine if our truly “smart” trailer tracking solution is right for you.

Our Cab-Mate device with FMSCA-certified ELD Chrome solution.

Announcing ELD Certification on FMCSA’s Registered ELDs List

Posted by Pedigree Technologies on

Pedigree Technologies, a long-time leading provider of ELD, fleet management, supply and service-chain solutions, proudly announces that the most intuitive, reliable, and compliant ELD solution on the market now has ELD certification with the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration). With over 7 years providing AOBRD (automatic on-board recording device, now ELD), drivers and fleet managers alike appreciate the ease of use and the superior support they receive from Pedigree Technologies.

“I’ve never been more pleased with such a well-designed and market-oriented application than I am with the formal certification of our ELD Chrome solution,” Wade Wilson, CEO of Pedigree Technologies said. “The company has focused on providing a compliant solution purposefully designed for drivers and enterprise growth. While no one likes regulatory impediments, the related benefits are substantial to the people, and companies that aggressively leverage their potential, highly impacting people, safety, and performance.”

“Pedigree Technologies OneView has long been one of the most robust solutions in the market,” Justin Schmid, Senior Vice President and General Manager of CalAmp’s Telematics Systems Business, said. “They’ve worked closely with us from conception through evolution in making the best products and solutions available for the emerging ELD transportation market. We look forward to supporting their strategy of bringing robust and innovative applications coupled with our device solutions to the ELD transportation market.”

ELD Certification Press Release

Cab-Mate device with ELD Chrome solution.

“OneView applications and ELD Chrome are significantly aiding us in driver recruiting and retention, efficiently growing and scaling our business, and improving and maintaining our supplier rankings with our major customers,” Chris Jacobs, IT Maintenance at Venture Express, Inc., said. “In addition, the teamwork and responsiveness of the Pedigree Team is a welcomed benefit.”

“After a complex selection process and having years of experience with systems, we chose OneView applications and ELD Chrome,” Tom Bail, Operations Manager at Energies Services, LLC., explained. “Purposeful design, easy to use, durable and reliable were important to us as was cost/value. However, a major differentiator was Pedigree Technologies’ broader set of applications, superior people and support, and their ability to understand and meet our needs much better. In addition, they bring the ability to grow with us long term.”

“We comprehensively reviewed six different solutions and chose OneView applications and ELD Chrome,” Mike Timberlake, Fleet Director at Moran Environmental Recovery, LLC., said. “Major reasons included reliability, comprehensive applications, ability to grow beyond ‘the highway’, and great people to work with across the entire company.”

Pedigree Technologies is proud to present ELD Chrome to the transportation marketplace as the most intuitive, reliable, and compliant ELD solution available.

 Visit ELDCertified.com to learn more about our ELD Chrome and related options.

avoiding the eld traffic jam graphic header

Avoiding the ELD Traffic Jam

Posted by Pedigree Technologies on

As you well know, the FMCSA Mandate requiring all fleets that currently keep Hours of Service (HOS) records to have an approved AOBRD or Electronic Logging Device (ELD) system in place by December of 2017.

That may sound like plenty of time to make sure your fleet will be compliant with the new regulations. Unfortunately, its not that simple. In short, there are too many vehicles and too few reputable ELD providers. Before the deadline arrives, there will be a traffic jam.

Here Are The Facts:

That means that 104,000 AOBRDs/ELDs need to be implemented monthly to meet the Compliance Date – That’s 3,500 per day, or one every 23 seconds!
But here’s the issue: There are only about 5 AOBRD/ELD Providers which have been providing an ELD solution for 3+ years.

Millions of trucks headed
straight for a bottleneck.

There simply are not enough reputable AOBRD/ELD providers to meet demand created by the mandate. Simply put, some fleets will get caught in the traffic jam and find themselves not in compliance with the mandate when the deadline comes. Don’t let your fleet get caught in the bottleneck! Start the process now and get on the road ahead of the competition.

Avoid-ELD-Traffic-Jam

Here’s how to avoid the impending ELD Traffic Jam:

1) Learn more about our ELD Ready solution as you research potential ELD providers. 

2) Download our ELD Buyer’s Guide to help you along in the process.

3) When you’re ready, schedule a demo with one of our compliance experts. They will guide you through what you need to know about the mandate and help you choose, implement, and utilize ELDs for maximum effectiveness.