Nobody knows your business needs more than you. At Northern BI, we’re not going to tell you who to choose as your ELD provider (although choosing us would be a wise decision). Our focus is on educating our clients and showing credibility in the telematics world. Selecting an ELD provider isn’t something you should take lightly. The Canadian ELD mandate requires carriers to use third-party certified devices to ensure compliance. This means there will only be a handful of ELD providers to choose from when the mandate is enforced in Canada. With that said, let’s look at a few things to consider before choosing an ELD provider.

Do they have the flexibility to meet your specific needs?

No two businesses are exactly alike. What you need an ELD to do, might be different than what another carrier needs. Yes, whichever ELD you choose, it needs to meet Canada’s mandate and be third-party certified. But what about added features and functionalities? Would it make it easier to run your fleet if your ELD solution could integrate with other software programs? What about other vehicle telematics products like dash cameras, temperature monitoring controls, asset tracking, or even public works solutions? Before selecting an ELD solution, look for a provider who can tick all the boxes.

How long have they been in business?

When choosing an ELD provider, you may want to avoid businesses that are new to the telematics game. Do your research to see how long they’ve been successful in the industry. Northern BI has been in the game since 2005 and we continue to help fleets of all sizes maximize their Geotab telematics solutions. Organizations, municipalities, and carriers trust Northern BI to provide top-quality telematics with customer support that’s second to none. As for Geotab? They’ve been in the industry since 2000 and have grown from a small family business to a global fleet management leader.

Have they supported companies like yours?

Once again, this involves doing your research. Try to find out as much as possible about the types of clients they serve. Are any of them similar to your business? Make sure to check out their website for customer testimonials, success stories, or blog posts that demonstrate their capabilities and industry know-how. You want to choose an ELD provider who is invested in your needs and wants to see you succeed. Don’t hesitate to ask for referrals or to speak with a current customer about their experience.

Do they provide training and support?

When looking for a potential ELD provider, you want to be sure they can support you in the long run. There’s nothing worse than being sold a product and then left in the dark to figure it out. You want to partner with an ELD provider who is going to train your operators and drivers. That’s what’s special about working with Northern BI. Not only do we train your employees, but as a client, we’re always there if you need extra help or a refresher. Our personalized training approach is how we ensure our clients succeed with ELD.

Are they invested in customer service?

You really can’t put a price on good customer service. If you’re investing in an ELD solution, you want to make sure you have someone supporting you on the other end. And by support, we don’t mean a chatbot, waiting on hold for hours, or getting an email response a week later. At Northern BI, customer service is our claim to fame. Simply put, it’s what we do best. When choosing an ELD provider, look for a company that has high satisfaction rates and customer retention. With a customer retention rate above 95 percent, it would be hard to find a better customer service partner than Northern BI. 

Does the e-log support HOS?

Hours of service – It’s on a lot of people’s minds these days. If you’re a carrier who travels between the U.S. and Canadian border, you want an ELD that can adapt to the country’s unique HOS rules. With the Geotab ELD solution, both jurisdictions’ HOS rules are built-in, so you have the flexibility when crossing the border. There’s even an option for no ruleset allowing you to track driving hours even when drivers are not required to keep logs.  

Do they provide regular check-ins?

Okay, so you’ve narrowed down your ELD provider choices. Now what? Before clicking “buy now,” look to see if the company has a dedicated customer service team. These are the people who will be guiding you through ELD training and checking in to see how you’re doing. At Northern BI, our client relationships mean everything to us. We take the time to know your business, your challenges, and listen when you’re just having one of those days. Our Customer Success Managers ensure you’re aware of updates and are using the Geotab ELD system properly. No question is a stupid question. Our client solutions team wants to hear from you.  

There’s a lot to consider when choosing an ELD provider. Whenever you’re making an investment, you want to do your homework before making the purchase. The items listed above will help you decide the best ELD provider for your business. Don’t get caught with buyer’s remorse. Ask the tough questions, request customer referrals, and research the business’s background. Contact Northern BI to learn more about our quality ELD solutions.