What is Route Optimization? What is Route Optimization Software?
Basically, route optimization is a problem solver that seems to fix two of the most crucial parts of computer science. That is; VRP (Vehicle Routing Problem) and TSP (Traveling Salesman Problem). Route Optimization software uses a couple of variables to determine the most effective way to meet your customers’ expectations while at the same time deliver your goods.
In most cases, it’s actually pretty hard to keep track of your fleet of delivery vehicles. We all know that accidents or any other road casualties are inevitable. But having the chance to actually know what’s happening will save you the headache of imagining all the wrong things. That’s just a tip of the iceberg to the capabilities of the route optimization software.
With that in mind, Route Optimization software uses variables that include static planning, traditional, planning capabilities and your routing system. All of these variables are used to determine the most effective way to deliver your goods and services.
In Layman’s language, it’s basically a ‘smart Uber’ that helps you to deliver your goods and save up on cost. You also have the chance to keep track of your fleet. You might probably think that Google Maps is also a viable solution for the routing system.
Yes, you might be right. Google maps is a good solution when you want to move from point A to B. But what really happens when you want to move from A to Z all the way through other stops while still saving up on fuel cost? Not to mention, how will you be able to keep track of your fleet of vehicles? Obviously, this will need you to upgrade from Google maps to a better solution.
Most Home delivery businesses are faced with challenges every single day especially when it comes to planning routes while you have multiple delivery points. Route Optimization software might actually be the best thing that will ever happen to your business.
How Route Optimization can improve your business
If your business has some sort of transportation system, then this part is especially for you. I’m sure, in not more than one occasion, you’ve been worried about your deliveries. At that moment, you really didn’t have a clear vision where your fleet of delivery vehicles are and what might have happened.
To top it all up, your customers were also being worried sick about their deliveries. This is usually a nerve-wracking moment. Trust me, I’ve ever been in such troubles and it wasn’t pleasant. Luckily, with the advancements in technology, you can now rest easy and make your business life a little smoother.
Route optimization and route optimization software is the next solution for such instances. Stick around and I will show you how this new technology can actually improve your business in general.
Route Optimization Software Required Features?
The Optimization Software’s job is to optimize your fleet use by distributing each order to your vehicles and then creating an optimized schedule. But the software has to put into account various variables. For instance, the shortest distance between two delivery points might not necessarily be the fastest.
Also, a well-balanced distribution of delivery orders between your drivers might lead to an increase in the transportation cost. The route optimization software will:
- Give you the best sequence of stops.
- Distribute the orders to the available vehicles while at the same time optimizing the cost of transportation.
- Suggesting the best-optimized routes for your vehicles.
- Taking into account your customers’ preferences.
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Integration with your transport management system
To get the best output from your route optimization software, you will need to feed your information and data about your drivers and the customers. In most cases, all your orders are likely stored in your transport management system. Additionally, you also have other information such as pick-up points and delivery addresses.
Transferring all this information to your route optimization software before it’s able to schedule your routing system will practically take a long time. The worst case scenario is that you are probably bound to make mistakes and other inaccuracy issues. Luckily, the routing system comes with an intuitive integration solution that can actually do all the data transfers for you.
This type of integration ensures you have your schedules on time while still maintaining a good direct transmission of delivery data. To a company that deals with home deliveries, this actually translates to substantial time-saving.
On top of that, you will be certain that your planning process is top-notch since you have an up-to-date and very accurate data. You also have the chance to transmit data from your route optimization software directly to your transport management system.
Eventually, your customers’ demands will continue to grow and so will the regulatory restrictions. This makes planning almost a necessity for any home delivery company. With the route optimization software, you will be able to turn the complexity that comes with planning into efficiency.
You will be able to easily enter the customers’ demands, regulatory issues, vehicle specification, and depot information into the route optimization software. When you are distributing orders and giving your drivers their routes, the system will be able to automatically take all the variables into account and give you an optimized solution. It doesn’t get any better than this for your transportation system.
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Transmission to your onboard computers
Well, it doesn’t matter how optimized your routes and schedules are if you cannot execute them effectively. Luckily, the route optimization software features an easy to use connection between your onboard telematics systems and the software.
With this connection, you will be able to transfer your data directly without any interference to the onboard computer in your vehicles with a simple touch of a button. If your vehicles don’t have onboard computer systems, the route optimization software can also come with an app. This ensures your driver can easily tap into his or her phone and check the schedule of the day.
That makes it easy to execute every single delivery while optimizing your routes. On top of that, you will be able to reduce your transportation cost significantly with this software. Additionally, this software offers a number of advantages that could benefit your business. Keep on reading and I will give you a list of advantages on how this software can help your business.
How route planning software can help your business?
As you can see from the features above, the route optimization software has a significant value to your business. Here are some of the benefits you will have when you decide to use this software;
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Get the best cost-effective routes
Routing software helps you to solve the TSP by using a sequence of algorithms that will identify the most cost-effective route for your fleet. That means that you will be able to save up on time and cost when it comes to your deliveries.
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Reducing your Mileage in Drives Route
The route optimization software takes into account the driver’s routes, schedule constraints and vehicle availability to optimize your transportation schedule: all while minimizing the miles spent on the road. The fewer the miles are taken by your vehicles, the more you are able to effectively save up on cost through:
You will be able to reduce the amount of fuel used up during the transportation
The less the time your vehicles spend on the road the less they are likely to need regular maintenance. Also, your vehicles are less likely to be pulled out of the road due to mileage-based care and other technicalities that actually cost you a lot of time.
The less the time your vehicles spend on the road also means that your fleet is less exposed to road casualties such as accidents that cost an extra buck.
Through the use of route optimization software, you are able to allow dispatches in case of a last minute change to the reassigned route. The best part of it all is that you will still manage to optimize the routes. This also improves your customer experience while at the same time save up on time and expense. Your team will be able to respond as quickly as possible.
Route optimization software features several tools that ensure you have the right driver who’s able to get to the right customer on time and deliver the goods. This improves your company’s reputation by ensuring you have a high on-time arrival rate.
Using the route optimization software will save up on time. You will be able to have the right routes planned. Additionally, each driver is able to complete the number of jobs assigned to them every single day.
This also gives you room for an increase in jobs assigned to each driver daily. However, you need to be careful when increasing the number of jobs since it might result in unhappy and exhausted drivers. But through optimizing their routes, you will be able to negate this without overworking your staff.
Also, if you compare this software to manually planning for the most effective routes, then the route optimization software definitely takes the win. This software will help you save up on time. Instead of wasting most of your time deciding on the most effective routes, your team will be working on delivering their goods.
Increasing your deliveries will also take more time to plan for if you are doing it manually. That’s because you will have to account for traffic and other variables before deciding on a particular plan. Luckily, the route optimization software does this in a matter of minutes.
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Boost the morale of your drivers
With the new and improved route optimization software, you will be able to account for shifts in routes and crew without any issues. This software is basically able to build a route that will fit your driver’s lifestyle.
Therefore, your driver will be able to start his or her journey from home and stay in a given restricted area. This ensures they are taking the right amount of food to recharge and other short leisure activities without interfering with the companies optimized route system.
On top of that, this software helps your drivers to cope up with any last minute changes without getting frustrated. Therefore, you will be able to boost the morale of your team of drivers.
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Improve productivity by assessing your drivers
Without a doubt, drivers who take unnecessary breaks, can’t manage their time well or simply doesn’t follow their assigned routing systems are likely to cost your business a lot. Using the route optimization software, such drivers can be easily spotted before they actually cause real damage to your business.
Industries that benefits from multiple address route planner
The route optimization software is applicable to any business that has a sort of delivery system that requires you to manage a significant number of delivery vehicles. That means that home deliveries will benefit a lot from this software.
Also, some schools actually use this system to monitor school buses. On top of that, parents can check up on the whereabouts of the bus to reduce any unnecessary tension.
How these industries benefit from a delivery route planner?
Using a route optimization software will not only save you money spent on fuel, but it will also help you create a good customer experience. More importantly, your team of drivers will be able to stay in check. In case of any delays, you will also know what is happening and this software will help you track the whereabouts of a particular delivery track.
Route optimization software will help you grow to international heights in a very short time. That’s because you will have enough time to concentrate on expanding your business rather than planning the different routes. Get the chance to take your business to greater heights than you’ve ever imagined.
