What tools and techniques optimize delivery routing and scheduling?

Last Mile Delivery Routing requires optimizing the available routes basis the Drop points (i.e. Customer Locations for Delivery or Pickup). Route Planning Softwares run different algorithms , some of the most used Algorithms in Industry are mentioned below: 1. Vehicle Route Planning with Vehicle Capacity constraints being applied. It determines the number of vehicle basis vehicle make against the delivery / pickup Load. 2. Vehicle Route Planning basis Time Window (VRP-TW) which uses Time window of delivery as constraints and provide the best Possible routing for the Vehicle. 3. Vehicle routing basis Least Distance to be covered by the Vehicle for meeting the Delivery/Pickup Requirements.

As a former Operations Manager at P&R Delivery Services with experience in the FedEx Ground system, I can attest to the incredible value that route planning software brings to the table. In the fast-paced world of package delivery, efficiency and precision are paramount. One key benefit that stands out for me is the ability of route planning software to adapt to real-time changes. In the logistics industry, unexpected road closures, traffic congestion, or last-minute customer requests are common occurrences. Having software that can dynamically adjust routes on the fly based on these variables is invaluable. It ensures that we can maintain our commitment to on-time deliveries even in the face of unforeseen challenges.

Not all software is created equal. All will do basic route sequencing based on nearest neighbour calculations. Don't get stuck on evaluations just on mileage savings. A quality software package will allow you far more customizations that are required to truly drive maximum value from your network. Create a checklist of the capabilities your business requires. It's essential that you evaluate all potential vendors equally.

Routing is the process of finding the most efficient and cost-effective route to deliver goods from one point to another. Scheduling, on the other hand, is concerned with organizing when a shipment should occur and coordinating pickups, deliveries, or transfers. Although both processes have a few similarities, you must know some crucial differences between routing and scheduling. Automated routing ensures that customers are provided with timely services and goods. Route planning determines how goods will move from where they are made or stored to customers by considering such factors as available resources, service levels, and transit times. This could include an entire route for several shipments or just one delivery. .

-GIS and real-time traffic data analysis. -Route optimisation algorithms. -Dynamic Delivery profiles (Slot utilization and selection) -Capacity overlook (using demand and supply unit economics) -Costing (On-demand deliveries)

We can improve delivery routine and secluding as below cases ; - Route planning software - GPS system - Use of proper vehicle ;it depends to volume and price of order - Creating temporary warehouses in densely populated areas

Live tracking is a base need for the current market. Some vendors will offer tracking just via an app on a mobile device that driver would carry, others offer add-in hardware to provide telematics tracking of the vehicle. Always choose a hardware option for a fleet of owned assets - better reliability and little to no chance of the device not reporting unless it has failed. In addition to real time tracking, align with a provider that supports detailed reporting and data extracts - it is your information afterall and it holds the keys to your savings. Check if the vendors you are evaluating integrate with other systems, both for access as well as monitoring additional equipment like a refrigeration unit on the truck or trailer.

Vehicle Tracking Systems are indeed useful. However some of them cost a lot and may not be affordable for small and medium delivery businesses.

Incorporating Industry 4.0 principles into delivery routing and scheduling involves integrating Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) solutions. By equipping vehicles with IIoT sensors and devices, you gain real-time insights into performance and condition, facilitating predictive maintenance and optimizing fleet efficiency. Machine learning algorithms and dynamic scheduling software leverage this data to adapt routes on the fly, minimizing delays and enhancing customer satisfaction. Telematics systems offer additional value by tracking driver behavior and vehicle health. Through these tools, logistics operations become more agile and responsive to modern supply chain demands.

Vehicle tracking systems started out as simple GPS trackers to gather data on vehicle positions. But, now they are also adding on functionality to monitoring vehicle condition by connecting to the on board diagnostics port (OBD) of a vehicle to monitor speed, fuel consumption, engine conditions, braking and acceleration and service schedules so that the health of the vehicle can be tracked. In addition to this a dash cam can be added to monitor the road and record traffic incidents and also to monitor the driver. This information can automated alerts for bad driving and reward good driving behaviour. One of the systems I have looked at in detail is LocoNav who have both GPS trackers with vehicle monitoring and driver monitoring dash cams.

Pretty much any delivery business at scale is a VRP or a CVRP. The difference with these is that they support attributing calls to different routes or trucks and then do optimization. Since most businesses use multiple vehicles, ensure your evaluation includes a section to evaluate how a vendor handles restrictions and assignments of certain trucks to certain customers. Multiple capacity limits is also beneficial to provide flexibility for unique business needs that are not always built into broad application software.

One click dispatch Allows you to: Identify and eliminate duplicate addresses Set priorities for each stop Dispatch routes to your team Excel import Allows you to import Excel files, saving time and effort. You can also check your business processes and performance with a personalized dashboard and reporting tools. TMS Offers comprehensive solutions for transportation planning and execution management. It's particularly suitable for large-scale and complex load planning and optimization. Automated routing Allows customers to choose their own delivery slots. Delivery driver app Allows you to build driver profiles and create routes that fit task requirements. Drivers automatically receive the routes through the app.

The routing optimisation problem can get very complex when you go beyond simple route planning and try and optimise for multiple variables such as time windows, and vehicle capacities and load sizes. This is usually not handled by the simpler cheaper software systems. But if you are managing a fleet then this is the technology you need. You need to be able to optimise for the size and weight of your shipments allocated to the capacities of your vehicles over the territory you cover.

There are two different types of simulations you want to know if you need and what your software supports. First is static route planning over a pre-defined service cycle. This will simulation will allow you to build and plan routes, address customers with multiple days of service and seen the best configuration for your activity. This type of simulation would be based off master data for delivery schedules and estimate or historical volumes by customer. The second type of simulation is used more in the context of dynamic routing. You take operationalized activity and you replay the week changing different variables to see what the results would have been versus what you previously achieved.

Simulation is a validation tool where you use your historical data to check how well a new software tool would have optimised your past deliveries vs what you actually did. If the new software can consistently show improved results for your historical work then you will have good confidence that it will work for your future work.

The best tool available for simulation is Anylogic the company has a specific supply chain management tool called Anylogistix.

You have to be very good and accurate with your data when looking to optimize based on costs. Often organizations don't have full accounting of all activity to have all the right variables. The majority of the time, optimizing on milage or time will create quality delivery routes that will carry over and show cost reductions.

To optimize your methods, you need constant, - Analyze route data to identify trends and areas for improvement, the only way can guide route optimization efforts. - Customer communication - Priority setting - capacity planning - Collaboration - Regular training - KPIs and performance measurements - Feedback loops

Optimizing delivery routing and scheduling involves using various tools and techniques to streamline the process. One of the common key method is Demand Forcasting. Demand Forecasting: Use data analytics and historical trends to predict future demand. This allows for better allocation of resources and scheduling.

1. Leverage data analytics and predictive modelling to identify the most efficient routes and schedules for your delivery fleet. 2. Use GPS tracking and real-time data to monitor your drivers' progress and adjust routes and schedules as needed. 3. Invest in route optimization software that can automatically generate optimized delivery routes and schedules based on your specific business needs and constraints. 4. Use dynamic dispatching to assign drivers to delivery routes based on their location, availability, and workload. 5. Consider outsourcing your delivery operations to third-party logistics providers (3PLs) that specialize in delivery routing and scheduling.

One thing I don't see listed, is the driver. I ran a route years ago, before we had all the software options, and I ran the same routes every week, so I built friendships with the receivers, who in turn, would let me know when they actually started for the day, not just the store hours listed, so because of the relationships I formed, I would get inside info like I mentioned above, and could have the warehouse change the order to get an earlier start amd/or the order of my deliveries, to be more efficient.

*Use the right software-route planning and scheduling software can automate the process of creating and optimizing routes, reducing the risk of errors, improving efficiency, and saving time. *Automate -automating route planning can be better than manual route planning since it can cut planning time, reduce operating costs, and improve delivery times. *Prioritize- Improving delivery times, reducing fuel costs and optimizing resource utilization. *Organize -grouping deliveries by location, clustering deliveries by time and managing inventory. *Review-reviewing your scheduling and routing processes gives you the chance to assess what works and what doesn't. This helps you optimize them as necessary, so you can make the most of your resources.

the expectations is to be lean and thin & no issues to be addressed in isolation. -create hub and spoke model, based on demand/supply capabilities - Inventory management in line with supply capabilities - review inventory at the distributor end, on excess and identify causes - duplication of dispatches to be eliminated - route schedule to be made/complied with - effective asset utilization - monitor the transit and journey - larger size fleets to be adopted