(Last Updated On: July 7, 2019)

JJ Keller was the pioneer of paper logs. About 80% of paper log books were made by J.J Keller. Now that those paper logs are gone . JJ Keller’s ELD solutions are joining other market leaders in the electronic logging market.  Our jj keller elogs review will examine the pros , the cons , the costs , and ease of installation.

Company History

J. Keller is one of the most respected names in the ELD business, due to their long history. J.J keller ‘s graphic display of a log book is still used in today;s electronic logging application. Therefore, JJ Keller specialize in trucking compliance.

It will not be an exaggeration to say that J. J. Keller are the pioneers of truck logging, as the company invented the paper logbook back in the 1950s.

Now, over seventy years later, they are still among the leading producers of Electronic Logging Devices, commonly known as ELDs, in the USA.

J.J Keller Encompass

If you are thinking of making the move from paper logs to electronic logs, consider that migration is a lot easier with J. J. Keller’s Encompass.

Cloud Based Integration

This cloud-based system captures data from the J. J. Keller ELD  device.

The data is displayed through the J.J Keller App.

The app can be installed on your phone or tablet without any additional charge.

The Encompass system is based on an online dashboard of file cabinets,

Those help fleets manage their day-to-day business tasks and at the same time stay compliant with all state and federal regulatory requirements.

All data is stored in the cloud for instant accessibility when required by the management.

J. Keller’s ELD delivers compliance and engine data to Encompass. Management can then use the information to make improvements on operations and safety.

For instance, they can launch some drivers’ performance coaching so as to reduce unnecessary speeding and idle time.

Roodside Inspections

This solution makes roadside inspections less time-consuming and more effective. It will also improve your CSA score, offer you best-practice time management, and will maximize fuel use efficiency.

In addition, Encompass provides complete protection from DOT audits and interventions.

To be clear, the user is assured that all of J. J. Keller’s electronic logging devices (ELDs) will fully comply with the ELD mandate at all times.

You will not have to worry about any stressful and costly hardware swap outs, because their E-Log solution will only require minor software updates.

Encompass is a versatile compliance management tool. It handles basically everything from logs, to preventive maintenance and drivers’ qualification.

 

Record Keeping And Reporting

The system also provides various Improvements of everyday business operations such as automation of the IFTA, plus record keeping and reporting.

All customers who use J.J. Keller E-logs system automatically become Encompass users with the compliance and all of the great tools that come along with it.

The E-log device looks like a black box, which is to be plugged into a truck’s diagnostic port.

It communicates with the other devices in the back office via Bluetooth and shows all of the relevant info on the display of your tablet or smartphone. The J.J. Keller E-log is able to provide an all-in-one solution for your fleet, as the company also offers with their own tablet.

J.J. Keller ELD Basic Cost

When purchasing this device, the upfront price for the black box which plugs into the truck is quite affordable - just $199 per unit.

In the event where the trucking company provides the device or the driver uses his own, then it will likely be much or cheaper to get the hardware with a 2-year contract.

The J.J. Keller’s official tablet sells for $349, but there also is a one-time implementation and training fee that you have to keep in mind when preparing to integrate this ELD solution into your truck fleet.

Equipping all of your vehicles with the company’s own tablet may cost thousands of dollars, so we advise you to look around for some cheaper options.

The best option is to ask your drivers to use Encompass on their own smart device.

As to the monthly charges, it is $25.50 per month per vehicle, if you provide your own device to display the information on. You pay a rough estimate of $15 per month for the cell data plan, if you provide your own device.

In the case you use the official J.J. Keller tablet, you will be paying $59 per month per vehicle. This will include the additional $33.50 per month for the Verizon data plan.

Additional Costs Per Vehicle

If you have more drivers than the number of vehicles that you have, then you will have an extra cost of $3.50 per month.

In addition, tracking of the DVIR records and the compliance information of your trailers will cost you $3.50 per month for every individual trailer. The ALK Co-Pilot GPS for drivers’ navigation is $10 per month.

When it comes to the J.J. Keller E-log, the cheapest option you can take advantage of would be if your drivers agree to use their own smartphones.

This means you will have to pay an upfront sum of $199 for the E-log box and a monthly amount of $25.50. In three years, this will give you a total cost of $1,117 per device.

On the more expensive side of the J.J. Keller E-log would be using the J.J. Keller tablet plus the Co-Pilot navigation.

You will end up paying an upfront sum of $548 and a monthly fee of $59. When you sum this up for three years it gives you a total cost of $3,032 per vehicle.

The E-log provides a device that has a data plan, with an upfront of $199, $25.50 per month and a $15 for the data plan.

Your total cost for 3 years would be$1,657. This sum is very affordable when compared to the offers of some other providers. To sum up the financial matters, the actual cost of the J.J. Keller E-log can be rather high.

We advise you to ensure that you have done the math carefully before integrating their ssolutions into your truck fleet. On the bright side, their plans do not require you to sign any contract. You just pay as you go.

Basic Features of J. J. Keller E-Logs

Speaking of the basic features of this ELD, we should begin by saying that the device is very easy to use and it is designed to guarantee full compliance at all times.

This is not a surprise, considering that J. J. Keller is an industry leader when it comes to DOT compliance. With this E-log provider you will always be on the right side of the law and will meet all DOT requirements.

The Encompass back office system provides a wide variety of excellent in compliance tools. The list includes logs and DVIR plus a navigation add-on and a GPS tracking in the back office.

Speaking of back office, part of the Encompass back office system is dedicated to compliance management.

It is thus able to integrate with a lot of different mobile devices, so as to automate electronic logging, in-cab performance and the electronic DVIRs reporting with the EOBRs.

Improvement Areas

Although J. J. Keller is among the leading eLog providers in the USA, we have noticed some areas where the company has still got room for improvement. To begin with, the telematics features of their ELD are still somehow limited.

When you buy something, the first thing you ask about is how much it costs. From what we shared above, the most obvious conclusion is that J. J. Keller’s pricing policy is a bit baffling, mildly speaking.

On the technical side, many users have reported issues with the device’s usability, as well as some hardware issues.

And while this is more or less true about just any ELD device out there, the more concerning fact is that drivers are still not able to email logs from their device to the back office or the inspecting authorities.

Reasons for Choosing J. J. Keller E-Log

We highlighted the areas where the company can seek further improvement.

Now  let us now focus on the reasons why you should actually choose J.J. Keller as your trusted E-Log provider.

First and foremost, with their device you are able to access all of the data that is stored in the cloud for up to 6 months.

Second, J.J. Keller E-logs are highly adaptable and very easy to integrate, regardless of your truck fleet’s size or composition.

Next, the device will optimize the fleet manager’s performance and will thus increase the fleet’s profitability. and regulatory compliance simple.

In order to achieve gradual and flawless implementation and compliance, we advise you to allow a break-in period, wherein your drivers will use both ELDs and paper logs. Thus, you will get a fully mixed view of performance and compliance.

The seamless integration of the eLog system is guaranteed by the name of J. J. Keller. This is a company that has been focused on helping fleets improve their compliance and safety for over six decades now.

Suitable For All Vehicles

The best news about this ELD is that it is compatible with virtually all types and classes of vehicles, and it thus provides for the successful management of mixed fleets.

In addition, it is able to manage compliance with or without Electronic Logging Device or Electronic Onboard Recorder hardware. When you are getting started with J.J. Keller, all you need is J.J. Keller’s EOBR plus a Windows mobile phone.

The J.J. Keller EOBR is available at an upfront cost of $199, but most smartphones are Android or iOS based.

Installation Of The EOBR

The EOBRs and all of the appropriate cables will be shipped to your location upon ordering J. J. Kelle’s start-up bundle. The package also includes an installation guide and a video tutorial.

Even you have little or no experience with electronic device installation, the setup process takes about 10 to 30 minutes on the average. Make sure to plug in the 6 or 9-pin deutsch connector then mount it anywhere in the cab.

The startup package includes an adapter for connecting the ELD to a vehicle and an ELD cable for connection. When you order it, ensure that you specify which kind of an adapter you require.

As mentioned above the software only runs on Windows mobile devices using versions 5.0 and above with a data plan or Wi-Fi connectivity.

We encourage you to confirm your drivers’ mobile devices’ compatibility with your local J.J. Keller representative. In case your drivers’ mobile devices are incompatible, replace them with ones that are Windows-based.

If your drivers do not have smartphones, PDAs or laptops, you will need to purchase the devices from J. J. Keller, or other suitable provider.

Purchasing such devices without a data plan is very costly. Therefore, we recommend that you purchase Wi-Fi enabled phones, laptops or PDAs for
your drivers.

Installation Of The Software

To begin with, you will get a hyperlink sent to you in order to install the J.J. Keller Mobile software on your drivers’ PDAs, laptops or phones.

When the software is installed, each driver will have their own unique username and password that they can use in order to access the system. The password and the username are setup and managed on the J. J. Keller eLogs web portal.

Guides and Support

The electronic logging device comes with a number of important documents, support instructions and user manuals. Of these, the Driver’s Quick-start Guide is perhaps the most important.

Next is the Technical Support Guide that you can refer to whenever you encounter any issues with the hardware or the app. If the info in the guide cannot help you fix these, pick up the warranty card and arrange a repair or replacement.

You can also rely of the company’s dedicated 24/7 technical support for the ELD and Encompass users.

To facilitate your fleet’s transition from paper to electronic logs, J. J. Keller has also included a Backup Paper Log Book in their startup bundle.

If you have some young and not so experienced drivers in your fleet, make sure that they get familiar with the Roadside Inspection Guide, where all steps and procedures that they should follow are explained in detail.

They can also take advantage of the E-log Welcome Kit, which guides new users through the set-up of the Encompass system and the installation of the J.J. Keller ELD unit to the truck.

It also guides you through the process of installation of the Keller Mobile on your mobile device. The Welcome Kit also includes additional resources and tips that will make their E-logs and the Keller mobile app on their devices run smoothly.

How To Order?

An Encompass E-log Edition is tied with the Driver Vehicle Inspection Reporting (DVIR) management. After placing your ELD order, you will then receive an email that will contain your login information.

At a later stage, the standard implementation package and eight webcasts will be delivered to you by the J.J. Keller subject matter expert.

Each of the webcasts will have unlimited uses so as to accommodate the entire team of your company. You will be able to explore all the features of the Encompass system at a time that is most convenient to you.

Our Final Word On J. J. Keller E-Logs

The industry leader J. J. Keller provides E-logs and the Encompass system that both guarantee a solid regulatory compliance. The decades of providing paper logs have earned J. J. Keller some outstanding reputation.

For fleets that are looking to improve their compliance and go beyond the paper logs, Encompass will be the perfect versatile and user-friendly solution. Last but not least, it will maximize their efficiency and boost their profits.

The J. J. Keller Encompass including E-logs is a complete organizational, compliance and safety solution. It is available right now, but the company also provides free training for those of your drivers who have little experience with eLogs.

When you become their customer, J. J. Keller takes the responsibility to keep you updated regarding any amendments to the state or federal compliance requirements.

Depending on which J. J. Keller E-log edition you choose, the system is able to standardize functions that are critical to your business.

The list includes driver qualification, Hours of Service, licensing, driver hiring, tracking driver performance and truck maintenance, and so much more!