Rand McNally Launches Next Generation E-Log and Fleet Management Device

Rand McNally unveiled a sleek, new electronic logging and fleet management device with cellular connectivity at the American Trucking Associations Management Conference & Exhibition.

Available later this year, the DC 200 is designed to meet the needs of small- and medium-sized fleets looking to use existing Android devices.

"The DC 200 was designed for small- and medium-sized fleets – as well as larger fleets – looking for a cost-effective ELD plus fleet management tools that are increasingly critical to the industry," explained Stephen Fletcher, CEO of Rand McNally. "The multi-mode cell modem in the device enables fleet managers to track their trucks in near real-time as well as message drivers."

The DC 200 is part of Rand McNally's DriverConnect ecosystem. So is the Bluetooth plug-and-play ELD 50 introduced earlier this year for owner-operators and professional drivers.

“The beauty of it is a small fleet owner who has both employee and owner-operator drivers can mix and match — it goes through the same back end” as the ELD 50, said Ravi Kodavarti, director of commercial transportation products at Rand McNally.

The low-profile, 5-inch long device (which comes in two different colors) sits on the dash and plugs into a truck's diagnostic port via a single Y cable. The device works with both 6- and 9-pin, type 1 and type 2 ports. Through a Bluetooth and proprietary Wi-Fi connection, the device sends driving data to the free Rand McNally DriverConnect app, where drivers can view current hours of service logs as well as DVIR documents. The DC 200 also sends data back and forth to/from the DriverConnect web portal via a proprietary dedicated cell modem. It does not use data from the hosting Android device.

In addition to e-logs, the DC 200 offers features such as IFTA fuel-tax reporting, messaging between drivers and fleet managers, and forms-based messaging in workflow management. The cloud-based DriverConnect system was built with a scalable infrastructure, allowing for integration with other transportation management systems.

Just as with the driver-focused ELD 50, the DriverConnect app also provides access to 10 helpful engine-driven gauges. Powered by information collected by the device, the gauges include: average fuel economy, coolant temperature, and boost pressure.

Because of the cellular connectivity, Rand McNally can send push software upgrades to the device over the air.

Since the Android app is free, drivers can "test drive" the product by downloading the application and inputting their status manually. Those reports can be turned into PDFs and exported. The Rand McNally DriverConnect app is available on Google Play as well as the Rand McNally marketplace, which supports Rand McNally Android tablets. An IOS version for Apple devices is “on the roadmap,” Kodavarti said.

With a monthly subscription, drivers and fleet managers may access the Rand McNally DriverConnect web portal, where up to six months of HOS logs and DVIRs are stored. Using the web portal, drivers and fleet managers also may view vehicle locations on a map and administer functions such as adding drivers to a device and messaging with drivers.

The app automatically syncs with the web portal via Wi-Fi or cellular transmission, providing the most up-to-date reports.

The DC 200, priced at $399.99, will be available later this year. Subscriptions run $24.99 and $29.99 per month, depending on features. For more information, visit randmcnally.com/DC200.