With supply chain shortages and the closing down of some older cellular networks, some fleets and drivers have faced challenges in trying to maintain hours-of-service compliance. To assist, Rand McNally has launched a new Vehicle Link — a simple electronic logging device that can be used with an Android phone and/or tablet and doesn’t require a cellular network.

Together with Rand McNally's Fleet platform and the Rand VL app for drivers, the Vehicle Link ELD is designed to simplify compliance by providing hours of service and driver vehicle inspection report reporting.

“For months we’ve been hearing from fleets and drivers about potential compliance disruptions,” said Ivan Sheldon, vice president of product management at Rand McNally, in a press release. “It’s been a double whammy: Major supply chain shortages, which means vendors are having difficulty providing ELDs to customers. Plus, there are thousands of existing ELDs that rely upon 2G and 3G networks, which are being shuttered and have rendered those devices obsolete.”

Vehicle Link is a small electronic logging device that installs in seconds, according to Rand McNally. Measuring 1.5 inches in diameter, it plugs into a truck’s diagnostic port and pairs with the Rand VL app on an Android phone or tablet.

The Vehicle Link continually transmits HOS information to the Rand VL driver app. When connected to a Wi-Fi or cellular network, the app transmits data to Rand McNally’s back-end Fleet portal. As a result, there are no concerns about out-of-date cellular modems with the Vehicle Link solution, officials said. 

The Android app works with the Vehicle Link to provide drivers with HOS logs, DVIR reporting, as well as fuel entry for International Fuel Tax Agreement reporting, and messaging back to the home office.

The Rand McNally Fleet portal supplies six months of reports and logs, which can be downloaded and saved. For fleets with multiple trucks, the portal also enables managers to view truck location and vehicle status.