Page 46 - ATR 3 2013

THe laST WoRd

keep Up With progress

or get left behind

By alan riels there are large, medium aNd small compaNies
Guest writer
already makiNg the moVe to elogs. the

It was once my carriers that refuse to adapt aNd fail to
strong belief that Elogs surViVe, will make it better for those that do
had no business in our
industry and definitely adapt aNd are left staNdiNg with
not in my business. less competitioN.
However, about three
years ago, after many
sleepless nights, time on my tractor, and
meetings with friends in the industry;
I realized I had too much to lose by not
doing business the right way. Not only
was I wrong in my negative opinions Elogs won’t be simple and it will take say they are waiting on the large car-
about Elogs, I was dead wrong. We all time. It is not a matter of just installing riers to make the first move. Others
have the responsibility to do the right the technology in the cab of the truck, say they are going to wait until the last
thing and make safety our top priority. telling the driver to watch the screen minute to use the technology. Guess
We all know the truth about what paper and drive when it says drive and take a what? There are large, medium and
logs allow us to do. As my friend James break when it says take a break. It will small companies already making the
Bozeman stated in a recent Arkansas involve hours of training with drivers move to Elogs. The carriers that refuse
Trucking Report cover story, “they allow and management. The transition will to adapt and fail to survive, will make
us to cheat”. That’s not safe. And, it’s be one of the most demanding team it better for those that do adapt and are
not right. efforts I have seen in my 30 years in the left standing with less competition.
Like every industry, trucking has industry. That is just one reason why Elogs are another change we must
to move forward and evolve with the you can’t wait until the last minute to learn to live with, and then we must get
changing times. Trying to match paper make the change. I realize the mandate ready for the next change. I will close
logs with GPS tracking isn’t effective is years away (although I would like it now by stealing a quote from a mentor
enough because it can’t be done in real now), but I promise you that it’s just from a long time ago. “The only thing
time. With Elogs the audit is done in real around the corner. constant in our industry is change”.
time. We have the advanced technology I firmly believe those carriers that
available to our industry, so let’s use it. do not proactively adjust to Elogs will Alan Riels is President & CEO of
Transitioning your organization to not make it. I still hear from those who Dedicated Logistics, LLC.

46 arkansas Trucking reporT | issue 3 2013