Going digital to achieve Earned Recognition at ABE Ledbury ABE Ledbury has been officially recognised as an ‘exemplary’ operator and was accredited on the DVSA’s Earned Recognition Scheme. The firm, owned by Palletline, made a number of improvements over the past two of years to earn the accreditation. ABE use Descartes SmartAnalysis to ensure compliance with drivers’ hours, working time legislation and tachograph regulations. SmartAnalysis also provides drivers’ hours KPIs for Earned Recognition and Descartes are a DVSA validated IT supplier for Earned Recognition KPIs. Investment was also made to update the telematics system with CCTV cameras to help build reportable data instead of relying on paperwork. BE also adopted a new truck maintenance system, Truck File, which uses tablets to record and store information previously kept on paper. Jeff Pryce, ABE’s transport compliance manager, said: “While we already operated to a high level, we had to take it up a gear to gain the accreditation. A lot of work went into getting this earned recognition, but it’s worth it.”  “We have pretty much moved everything from paper to digital, which makes it so much easier and robust when we have our audits.” Clive Brooks, Managing Director at ABE, said: “There is a lot involved in gaining the earned recognition status, including demonstrating high levels of compliance with the latest legislation. The level of detail we have to submit every four weeks is high, but it is a great way to prove our high standards are consistent. The DVSA’s scheme is in place to encourage operators to be the best of the best and that is exactly what Jeff and the team have been able to prove.”             Edited from Ledbury Reporter.