Only a few months after its deployment, company leaders, drivers and associates are already impressed with the results. With more than 8,000 tablets already in use, Werner drivers are quickly experiencing the efficiencies and time savings delivered by EDGE Connect.
Busboom says, from a driver’s perspective, the Galaxy tablets make an enormous difference when on the road. “When I get in the truck, I can access information instantly, instead of waiting 20 minutes for the truck to turn over and power up the old telematics system,” Ben B. explains. “The device is very durable, so I don’t have to worry if it gets dropped when I’m using it outside the vehicle. It also has the S Pen, which will be useful when using the device with gloves in winter.”
The Android operating system and applications are also more modern and intuitive. “The basic controls are easier to use,” he added. “For example, the volume and brightness settings are easy to find, whereas the old system made you click up and down 10 times to change the brightness."
Along with better hardware, the innovative cloud software behind EDGE Connect improves the driver experience by helping to:
Reduce manual data entry
Smart workflows save drivers 30 to 45 minutes per day — time that would have been spent looking for the right form and manually entering information. Instead, the system presents drivers with exactly the forms they need to complete, prepopulated with any information that’s already in Werner’s backend system — giving them extra time to rest or drive.
Improve navigation
The EDGE Connect solution provides drivers with a third-party mapping service that contains voice navigation and real-time traffic updates. “The directions are accurate, easy to follow, made for professional truck drivers, and most importantly, the tablet tells you when there’s an accident ahead and you need to get off the interstate,” says Ben B. “You can also check road closures before your trips, see bad weather up ahead and easily find places to park along the way. Knowing where you’re going and how to get there better, the routing — all the little things add up to make you a lot safer.”
Resolve breakdowns faster
Werner has also introduced Breakdown Management, a new solution to support drivers through their EDGE Connect device. The old breakdown management system required fleet managers to go through 60 screens to report one breakdown and spend more than 30 minutes just to hear back from their response manager, and another 45 minutes for a resolution. Now they wait less than 30 minutes total. “The new system has a three-step workflow, which gathers the information we need on vehicle trip, location, and driver,” says Mahon. “Then the system displays a map based on the truck’s location that shows fleet managers which vendors are closest and best suited to fix the problem.”
Better understand critical events
Werner additionally created a new safety solution, Critical Event Management, that has consolidated all the vendor portals that collect truck and driver safety data — creating an integrated critical event management system. “It takes all the data from the different vendor portals and consolidates it into one event,” Maus explains. “Consolidating events let us see in near-real-time exactly what happened, and we quickly realized that 60 percent of the events coming through were not the fault of our drivers or were not events. Now we’re not second-guessing and frustrating our drivers, and we can recognize them when they do a good job.”
Conduct faster, more accurate inspections
EDGE Connect has turned the inspection process from 100 percent paper-based to 100 percent digital. “Our inspectors check out the vehicle with tablet in-hand, follow a step-by-step checklist and take pictures of any issues,” Mahon explains. “The system is integrated with our repair order system, so they can request repairs on the spot, and we can keep our trucks safe and on the road.”
Simplify training
Werner provided drivers with a combination of online, in-person and (during COVID-19) virtual training, after which drivers gave the new solution a 91 percent approval rating. Ben B. says new drivers pick it up in a few days. “Teaching someone to use the old system was a nightmare and usually took weeks before they felt confident with it,” he explains. “Everyone knows how to use a tablet. The workflow tools show you what you’re doing. You’re just filling in the blanks.”
Stay connected during COVID-19
“During the pandemic, it’s been more important than ever for us to stay in communication so drivers feel connected to the company, to make sure they can find parking and access healthcare if they get sick,” says Maus. “We’ve also sent videos from our CEO and other company leaders, just putting a face on the message about supporting them during COVID-19 and also why we’re investing in this technology to improve their lives.”
Improve driver retention
Maus and Mahon believe the new solution will help improve driver retention and recruiting efforts. Ben B. says he knows it will. “I’m working with a driver right now who just came from another company. They had the outdated in-cab technology and even had to wear a scanner device on the hip, and he hated it. New drivers look for companies that invest in technology and get with the future, and they see Werner is doing that.”
Keep innovating
Werner is currently developing functionality for contactless deliveries, video chat and other system enhancements. “We're committed to being an innovator,” says Mahon. “We want to do whatever we can to help make the industry safer and our drivers' lives easier. And along with companies like Samsung and Platform Science, we're really pushing the industry forward.”