PeopleNet, a provider of integrated onboard computing and mobile communications systems, announced that the company’s BLU.2 onboard computing system is helping Best Cartage stay connected with drivers for greater retention. Best says it began installing PeopleNet last summer after a thorough evaluation and that by the end of July, all of its 270 trucks in all three of its divisions – Best Cartage, Best Dedicated and Best Specialized – will have PeopleNet units and its electronic log system eDriver Logs.
“While on the road, it’s easy for drivers to feel disconnected from other departments,” says Richard Hepler, Best manager of human resources and safety. “Our PeopleNet system helps them stay connected without voice communications. It’s also helpful in improving the quality of life for drivers in light of the cell phone ban. It’s not only easy to use, but also more efficient from an operations perspective. The necessary exchange of information is electronically transacted much more efficiently than voice-to-voice.”
PeopleNet’s weekly reports present data in a meaningful format for giving Best managers current information for counseling drivers about possible behaviors that undermine fuel efficiency and safety, Hepler says. “We get the weekly – or even more frequently – reports directly from PeopleNet in minutes,” Hepler says. “The data is more current, so we can be aggressive in heading off issues. We customized scorecards for drivers and driver managers for each of our three different fleets. Each different operation requires a different set of metrics.”
