In the world of online shopping and quick delivery of products to customers, routing has proven to be one of the most important parts of fleet management. Fleet managersat a company would be responsible for setting a delivery plan each day for every driver using the best possible route.
As your company expands you need better strategies, technology to fulfill high-volume of orders. Having a scalable solution is significant to meetever changing business environment.
What is route optimization?
With the introduction of advanced fleet management technology, organizations and companies with large or small fleets have recognized the significance of route optimization for improving the efficiency of an entire fleet.
Route optimization software is designed for businesses doing transport or delivery services. This tool provides them with optimized and best truck routes to reduce drive times, fuel consumption, lower liability while maximizing delivery services.
By automating the optimization of transport routes and using GPS integrated systems, incorrect deliveries do not happen, nor arrivals outside the agreed time window. Once the required data is submitted into the route optimizer, the system delivers the shortest route for each necessary vehicle and also provides the delivery sequence for it, making the process of loading the trucks easier.
Users can also create a route consisting of multiple zones on a map in the fleet management system. Drivers can then see the routes from their GPS device. Fleet management system also provides an easy way to compare actual routes versus planned routes, as well as other important information such as:Expected and Arrival Time, Stopped Zone and Duration of Idling.
Does optimizing route impact profitability?
Optimized routeincrease business efficiency which promotes profitability. Below are the ways how a route optimization system helps beat hindrance to your business’ profitability.
Prevent potential delays in deliveries - With this software delay in transport is reduced as it has the ability to capture current traffic conditions such as traffic jams, road accidents, and other possible hindrance to the delivery schedule.
Reduce manual efforts – Using a powerful route planning, your company can produce a faster and more efficient route plan that can forever replace manual route planning. You can maximize your resources and make deliveries more efficient.
Decrease Mileage – Using route planning software reduces mileage which means reducing fuel costs, vehicle maintenance cost, and total cost of ownership as well as lowering accidents, violation and other associated costs.
Increase response time and customer satisfaction – most route optimization software integrates with dispatching system to help quickly make decisions when route reassignment is needed. With this, the driver can respondquickly to last-minute scheduling changes and plan new routes. This leads to a greater level of customer satisfaction.
Efficient driving habits – Routing software helps the drivers feel less overworked. With a comprehensive route optimization software, drivers are provided with routes that will be efficient in terms of distance and travel time, enabling less time on the road.
Avoid transportation delays – using a transportation management system like a fleet optimization software helps drivers to plan routes that will avoid possible transportation delays. Real-time assistance really reduces delivery delays even when the most unexpected road traffic happens.
Conclusion
Whether your business deals with parcel delivery or cargo logistics every fleet has its own need. There’s no other way to make it efficient than a route optimization software. This is a good investment for your business as it promises consistent profitability due to its powerful route optimization features that result in reduced overall costs.
The software and optimization techniques employed for fleet route management for every business differs. To determine your fleet company needs, consider:Operation size, Service area, Delivery dispatch, Type of company, etc.
Understanding your needs helps you decide which direct route software suits your fleet. You may decide that you only need a GPS with route optimization integration or, you may need multiple route management systems. Determine which strategies for route optimization are best for your fleet.