Schneider, a premier provider of truckload, intermodal and logistics services, was using proprietary hardware and a single-vendor software solution to collect data from its trucks and manage driver assignments. When the once-state-of-the-art technology became outdated, the company needed to replace it, but also wanted to limit its dependence on single vendors. Schneider needed a provider that could integrate its proprietary software with relevant third-party applications for connected fleets. To maintain its position as a technology leader and enhance its drivers’ experience, Schneider’s ideal provider had to support an agile workflow.

 

With over 12,000 trucks and owner-operators pulling Schneider loads, the company’s connected fleets put millions of miles on the road every day. Orchestrating operations at this scale requires serious planning, coordination and real-time communication — for which Schneider has long implemented cutting-edge technology.

 

In 1975, Schneider installed a computerized control system that made its fleet the most advanced trucks on the road. A decade later, Schneider became the first trucking company to install two-way satellite communication systems in all company trucks.

 

“Thirty-plus years ago, telematics was invented by Schneider and one of its partners,” says Mike Degeneffe, Vice President of Solution Delivery and Telematics at Schneider. “We created two-way satellite communication, which is basically greenline texting using satellites. Thirty years later, we switched to a cellular-based appliance that basically served as an ELD [electronic logging device]. It collected performance and behavior data from the truck and showed drivers their assignments. We used that for nearly a decade. Then our provider decided it wanted out of the telematics game, so it stopped investing in it. We lost our key relationship that was core to everything we do in the trucks. This was a strategic problem.”

Using Samsung Knox Configure, Schneider created its own app store, with different suites for regulatory and productivity functionalities. Development firm Platform Science helped build the regulatory apps, while Schneider developers built the “driver productivity suite” — which includes messaging capabilities, apps that scan and automate paperwork, and other useful tools. Schneider deploys all apps to Samsung Galaxy tablets, which are locked down in kiosk mode, customized for the job and managed by its Tech team. Because the solution is integrated with the back-office system, Schneider can monitor truck data in real time to improve performance, safety and compliance.

 

Most companies either develop their own enterprise software or use third-party applications. Schneider developed a hybrid model where it does both, and then seamlessly integrates the apps on Samsung tablets.

 

Using Samsung Knox Configure, Schneider created its own app store, with different suites for regulatory and productivity. Schneider deploys all this fleet software to Samsung Galaxy tablets, which are locked down in kiosk mode, customized for the job and managed by its Tech team.

 

“We think of ourselves as assemblers,” says Degeneffe. “If we can buy software that will solve a problem for 10,000-plus drivers, we’ll get it. If not, we’ll build it.”

 

Development firm Platform Science helped Schneider build custom ELD regulatory software. Meanwhile, internal developers started building out the “driver productivity suite” — which includes messaging capabilities, apps that scan and automate paperwork, a custom weather app and GPS-based tools like “find my trailer,” which helps drivers locate assigned equipment in crowded parking lots and customer locations. Schneider also adds useful third-party applications to help save drivers’ time and improve time spent on the road, such as apps provided by truck stop chains and railroads.

 

“Our goal is to eliminate all the nondriving tasks for drivers and to streamline messaging so drivers are not getting too much information or conflicting information, or getting calls while they’re on the road. We want them to have the ability to do whatever they need to do on the tablet so they don’t need to use their personal devices.”

 

The back office closely monitors the data coming from the trucks — not just for ELD compliance, but for safety and performance reasons.

The new solution costs approximately 25 percent less than the old one. Drivers can access everything they need on the tablets, eliminating the need for personal devices — which improves safety and levels the playing field for employees who don’t have their own smart device or access to cellular data. Schneider is no longer dependent on external vendors, allowing the freedom to innovate and providing an agile development platform to do it on.

Schneider has been using its new connected fleets solution for more than a year, but leaders and drivers have already noted some key benefits:

Reduced expenditures: The new solution costs approximately 25 percent less than the old one, and Degeneffe expects the savings to increase over time

Productivity boost: McLaughlin says it saves her roughly five hours a week. “I don’t have to wait for the tablet to boot up when I need information. My trip planning is much easier, and a lot of the information automatically populates for me when I receive a load. Before, I would have to go through several screens to find the information and then write it down. And because the tablet is portable, when I go into a customer’s facility, I have all the information I need in one place. Before, I had to write everything on a piece of paper and carry it inside. If I didn’t have the information I needed, I’d have to go back out to the truck, boot up the computer and find what I needed, and then get back in line.”

Better opportunities for new drivers: In the past, drivers chose out of convenience to use their personal devices to access client site apps, reserve showers via truck stop apps, check the weather or look up information when the prior in-cab system went down.

Improved driver experience: Degeneffe says the solution improves the driver experience, which likely helps with retention. “Do they have better tools now? Yes. Is that having a positive impact? Yes, it does. We are committed to making the driving jobs at Schneider the best in the industry — this is one aspect of what we are doing to accomplish this.”

Automated compliance: Because the fleet software is integrated with the back-office system, Schneider can be sure it’s complying with state and federal laws about mandatory rest periods and employment regulations. “Certain states have required meal and rest breaks, and California requires an hourly pay function,” Degeneffe explains. “The solution enables us to be compliant in those states. No other software was available for this purpose, so we built it.”