Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) are mandated for most commercial motor vehicles, and they generate a wealth of data about your fleet—GPS location, driving hours, engine diagnostics, vehicle performance, and more. But that data only creates value if it's accessible where you need it.
Integrating your ELD with your Transportation Management System (TMS) connects fleet data directly into your dispatch and operations workflow—eliminating manual data entry, improving tracking accuracy, and enabling compliance monitoring without extra effort.
This guide explains how ELD integrations work, what data flows between systems, and what to look for when evaluating ELD-TMS connectivity.
What is an ELD Integration?
An ELD integration is a data connection between your ELD provider's platform and your TMS, established via API (Application Programming Interface). Once connected, your TMS can pull data from the ELD automatically—without any manual export, import, or re-entry.
Most modern ELD providers offer open APIs that allow TMS platforms to access:
- Real-time GPS location
- Hours of Service (HOS) status
- Vehicle diagnostics
- Driver identification
- DVIR (Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports)
- Mileage data
What Data Flows From ELD to TMS?
GPS Location Data
This is the most commonly used ELD integration data point. Your TMS pulls current truck location every 5-15 minutes and uses it to:
- Display live truck positions on a dispatch map
- Calculate and update ETAs automatically
- Detect when trucks arrive at or depart pickup and delivery locations
- Trigger geofence alerts for automated status updates
- Document load progress with timestamped location history
Hours of Service (HOS) Status
HOS data from your ELD tells your TMS:
- Current HOS status (driving, on-duty, off-duty, sleeper berth)
- Hours remaining in current driving window
- Hours until mandatory rest requirement
- Cycle hours used and remaining (70-hour/8-day or 60-hour/7-day)
This data is invaluable for load planning—dispatchers can see at a glance whether a driver has enough hours to complete an assignment before assigning it.
Vehicle Diagnostics
Some ELD integrations surface vehicle diagnostic data:
- Engine fault codes (DTCs)
- Fuel level
- Engine hours
- Odometer reading
This data can integrate with preventive maintenance scheduling in your TMS, triggering service alerts based on miles driven or engine hours.
DVIR (Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports)
Drivers complete pre-trip and post-trip inspections via their ELD. Integration with your TMS makes these reports accessible to maintenance teams and compliance managers without separate logins.
Major ELD Providers and Integration Quality
Not all ELD integrations are equal. The quality of integration depends on the API capabilities the ELD provider exposes and the depth of the TMS's implementation.
Samsara
Samsara has one of the most comprehensive APIs in the industry. Their platform exposes real-time GPS, HOS, DVIRs, vehicle diagnostics, and trip data. Integration with Samsara typically provides the most complete data set.
Motive (formerly KeepTruckin)
Motive offers strong API access including real-time location, HOS, and DVIR data. One of the most widely used ELDs in the industry, making their integration a priority for TMS providers.
Geotab
Geotab provides enterprise-grade data access including detailed vehicle diagnostics, fuel data, and driver behavior metrics. Popular with larger fleets.
Platform Science
Platform Science is an open platform that allows multiple apps to run on a single in-cab device. Their open API approach enables deep integration with TMS platforms.
Verizon Connect
Verizon Connect (formerly Fleetmatics) offers API access but integration quality can vary. Their platform is common in established fleets that haven't changed ELD providers.
How to Evaluate ELD Integration Quality
When assessing ELD-TMS integration, ask:
What data points are available? Basic integrations provide location only. Better integrations include HOS, DVIRs, and diagnostics.
How frequently does data update? Location updates every 15 minutes vs. every 5 minutes makes a significant difference for tracking accuracy.
Is the connection real-time or batch? Real-time API connections are far preferable to batch data transfers that only sync every few hours.
Is setup self-serve or does it require IT? Modern integrations should be configurable by a dispatcher, not require engineering work.
What happens when the ELD goes offline? How does the TMS handle data gaps when a truck is in a dead zone?
Setting Up an ELD Integration
Typically, connecting your ELD to your TMS involves:
- Authentication: Providing your ELD provider credentials to your TMS (usually OAuth or API key)
- Driver/Vehicle Mapping: Linking your ELD driver profiles to driver records in your TMS
- Configuration: Setting tracking update frequency and alert thresholds
- Testing: Confirming data is flowing correctly for a test truck before rolling out fleet-wide
Most modern TMS platforms handle this through a self-serve integration setup process that takes under an hour.
ELD Integrations in Vektor TMS
Vektor TMS integrates natively with leading ELD providers including Samsara, Motive, and others, providing:
- Real-time GPS displayed on the dispatch map, updated every 5-10 minutes
- Automated status updates triggered by geofence arrivals and departures
- HOS visibility in the dispatch board so you never assign an overdue driver to a load
- Self-serve setup through the Vektor integrations dashboard
Try Vektor TMS free and connect your ELD fleet data in minutes.
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