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How to choose the best route optimisation software for small and mid-sized fleet

How to choose the best route optimisation software for small and mid-sized fleet


  • Last Updated on 21 July 2020
  • 7 min read

SMEs, especially those into end to end delivery services, do face challenges in fulfilling delivery requests at times due to high orders, multiple deliveries, traffic, empty fuel tank, tyres getting punctured, uncertainties in route, and so many other problems.

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Herein, where a best route optimisation and planning software is something that helps the planners into route management and fleet management can have the best route optimised for fleet routing, vehicle routing, route planning, and routing strategy optimisation that a world class routing software and delivery management software is highly capable of.

How fleet management benefits from route optimisation?

Any best route planning software or top route planning software helps to manage fleets by allowing fleet managers to add multiple stops on the software by entering the addresses wherein the fleet need to stop with real time updates that help optimisation and re-routing via geolocation tracking to keep track of the fleet starting from origin to current location to destination.

What makes route optimisation so crucial in logistics?

A best route sales and delivery service can use such a software in finding best road trip to multiple locations by guiding the fleet from one location to another via shortest route so that a great deal of effectiveness is achieved saving fuel, minimum wear and tear on vehicles, and saving overhead costs in the transit, making the entire process of pickup and drop efficient than ever.

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Attributes To Help You Decide Ideal Route Optimisation Software

You can’t just choose any route optimisation software since there are lot of things such an software should be capable enough to do while overcoming challenges of delivery service. Herein, we would be discussing those attributes playing an instrumental role in how should a on demand delivery solution should possibly function optimising last mile delivery customer experience.

Should be accessible via web

All the last mile delivery solutions such as a route planning software should be accessible via a web software wherein users can straight login into their account by accessing the software on browser via the website.

This is crucially an important parameter for any real time delivery tracking application since this way users need not to maintain, update or install anything on their desktop or mobile. As soon as they sign up for a subscription, users can see their dashboard and start using the same.

Should offer multi-route feature

When you are into a fleet management business or a logistics company, you tend to have not just one but so many vehicles in every fleet. This is to be expected since there are a number of service call requests to serve with so many pickups and drops.In such a scenario fleet managers need to plan out things by servicing requests via most feasible shortest route that would take least amount of time in transit.

Hence, visualisation through mapping is the key allowing fleet managers and drivers to plan the route taking minimal time to serve, while re-routing the already planned route for re-assigning the travel route to complete a delivery.

Optimised routes should be processed fast

Having functionalities of multi-stops or routes serve no purpose if they are not processed rapidly in real time. Since fleet managers and drivers have to deal things in real time, it is critically important that processing takes place fast so that the results could be optimised for showing best outcome. If it takes few minutes to find out optimum route on each request then such a system is of no use.

Import and Export of data should be in universal formats

Many a times you need to feed data into the system and at other times you need to take data out of the system for data analysis. Hence, an ideal software is one that supports universal formats such as .xls, .pdf, .csv, etc. If you can’t do to and fro of data with ease, buying such a software system makes no sense.

Data mapping should be up-to-date devoid of delays

There couldn’t be more frustrating for logistics firms or riders of they have to input data manually every single time on reaching a location, or when directions shown in the system are haywire making it all the way confusing for all to track the optimal route. Hence, real time up-to-date mapping is important so that nobody has to go through the burden of updating around things.

AutoSave is a must have to secure important data

A lot of times there are power failures or technical errors coming up in the system from nowhere, whether be natural calamities or intruders barging in the software. In such times, an autosave function prove to be extensively useful since you need not to worry about last moment updates as they get saved frequently.

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Geocoding has to be as accurate as possible

Geocoder is an undisputed component of any route optimisation software available in the market and using one that can precisely draws latitude and longitude for coordinate mapping is the key for unprecedented success.

Historical data can be traced via inspection

The software should be independently capable of not just examining historical data but even using that data in the best possible way by examining driver history, deliveries accomplished, delivery locations, preferred time slots, special delivery instructions, prevailing route traffic, drivers occupied with delivery requests, open close hours, and so much more.

Such historical data tracing can deliver so many valuable data insights of past experiences, whether good or bad, to take insightful valuable lessons helpful in fulfilling current deliveries.

Managing reports via in-built performance analytics

An apt route optimisation system is the one that should be able to not just manage operations in real time but even track them to have the actual routes and optimised routes be compared in terms of analytical statistics and figures. This is again a must have since you need to be constantly updated with customer preferences and choices over time, not to mention doing a scrutiny of how the deliveries have been in the past.

Route planning should be relatively dynamic

This is another absolute requirement of any best route planning software or top route planning software since handling on-demand orders of customers require planning of routes and re-routing the same on the spot so as to deal with sudden changes in deliveries. This is not just helpful for a logistics firm or fleet managers but even drivers as well for changing delivery plans.

Read More: Significance of last mile delivery solution in logistics startups

Enhancing efficiency effectively while cutting down on costs

The last mile delivery logistics solutions can hold great importance since logistics providers always have to think regarding how to reduce delivery cost with so many fleets to handle having so much expenditure to be invested in managing them, but with such a software in place the system does everything for you in no time.

Moreover there are so many overhead costs involved in case there are human errors or delays in deliveries, not to forget uncertain situations with the future of last mile delivery. In such a scenario, last mile delivery technology can be instrumental in taking all the headache from you by optimising the routes in most optimum way.

Additionally, route optimisation software market can be helpful in fuel costs savings and other costs involved in enabling a delivery to be fast, henceforth cutting down greatly on the costs incurred Enroute ways that can be both time consuming and costly.

Other than that a multi stop route planner software can be helpful in allowing for quick deliveries that means better customer service, sales, and loyalty over time, which can be a revenue churner for any business while decreasing costs at the same time uplifting a business growth, cutting down the overheads.

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Abrez Shaikh

Abrez is a seasoned logistics app development expert with a passion for revolutionizing the way businesses manage their supply chain operations. With over a decade of experience in the logistics and technology industry, he has become a respected thought leader in the field of logistics app development.

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