The DVSA has announced its plans to launch its earned recognition scheme in early 2017, rewarding operators with fewer compliance checks in return for access to their compliance data, which will help the agency focus its resources on the seriously and serially non-compliant. Tachograph analysis and compliance management technology such as Smartanalysis will help operators demonstrate to the DVSA that they are proactively managing their drivers and transport operation and taking all reasonable steps to prevent infringements and breaches of complicated tachograph and drivers’ hours regulations. The key to ER is take a holistic, ‘compliance first’ approach. From tracking driver hours to checking licenses and ensuring pre-journey vehicle inspections are undertaken. Embedding these processes within day-to-day operations makes it business as usual. Descartes’ new SmartAlerts enhancement can help busy Transport Managers stay one step ahead of potential tachograph, drivers’ hours and driving licence issues by managing by exception. Eliminating manual data checks and minimising the opportunity for human error, the automatic paperless email alerts promote proactive compliance management and improved operational efficiency. By ensuring that compliance is ‘baked in’, it is far easier to optimise journeys and meet customer demands - driving efficiency, profitability and compliance.