Transform Your Logistics Operations with Route Planning Software

Logistics businesses are always looking for ways to reduce their fleets’ transit time and make the operations as economical as possible. Route planning in logistics is the best way to help operations managers maximise their fleets' performance and avoid delayed cargo arrival. Route planning software helps dispatching teams assign trips with well-planned routes to multiple vehicles in a matter of a few minutes.? So that drivers spend less time on the road and save on operational costs.

TrackoBit has been assisting with route planning and trip management solutions to cushion brands whose fleet management requirements are like a tough nut to crack.

We have the greatest delivery route planner available, which can help manage many trips, save routes effectively, and save time.?

What is Route Planning?

Route planning is the process of assigning trips to vehicles with the most optimised and well-planned routes. Modern route planning software determines the quickest delivery path by utilising algorithms, past data, and big numbers. This reduces the amount of fuel used, speeds up delivery, lessens vehicle wear and tear, and increases customer satisfaction for the business.

How to Manage the Key Elements in Route Planning?

Here are the key elements that managers must adhere to when using route delivery software to improve their logistics operations-

Fleet Management

• Vehicle Database: Maintain an updated database of all fleet vehicles, including their specifications, capacities, and availability.

• Vehicle Maintenance: Track vehicle maintenance schedules and ensure that vehicles are in optimal working condition to minimize breakdowns and delays.

• Vehicle Assignment: Assign appropriate vehicles to drivers based on factors such as capacity, suitability for the route, and fuel efficiency.

Route Tracking

• Real-Time GPS Tracking: Utilize GPS technology to track vehicles in real-time, monitor their locations, and update the route planning system accordingly.

• Alerts and Notifications: Receive notifications or alerts when drivers deviate from planned routes, encounter delays, or require assistance.

• Geofencing: Define virtual boundaries or geofences to track when vehicles enter or exit specific locations, such as customer sites or restricted areas.

Route Management

• Route Optimization: Utilize route planning software to calculate the most efficient routes based on factors such as distance, traffic, and delivery constraints.

• Dynamic Route Adjustments: With real-time route tracking, it is easy to reroute vehicles in case of last-minute changes.?

• Alternative Routes: Identify and provide alternative routes in case of road closures, construction, or other unexpected events that may affect the planned route.

Driver Management

• Driver Availability and Assignments: Keep track of driver schedules, availability, and working hours to ensure efficient allocation of routes.

• Driver Performance Monitoring: Monitor driver performance metrics, including on-time delivery rates, average travel time, and customer feedback, to identify areas for improvement.

• Communication and Collaboration: Facilitate communication between drivers and dispatchers to relay route updates, customer requests, or changes in delivery instructions.

These elements work together to optimize fleet operations, streamline scheduling, track routes in real-time, efficiently manage routes, and effectively manage drivers.

Key Features of Route Planner Software that You Get With TrackoBit

Logistics route planner software can offer businesses several key features to help optimize their travel routes and navigate efficiently. Some of the key features for route planning:

Geofence

A geofence is a virtual boundary marked on a map. The system sends an alert to managers every time a vehicle enters or exits this marked region. Drivers can avoid forbidden and dangerous areas on the path this way and ensure safety. This feature also ensures that the driver covers all POIs assigned to the driver.

Live Tracking

GPS tracking software gives owners the real-time location of all drivers on their system. Managers can also notify drivers of potential risks on the road when their live location is always accessible.

For example, an ambulance needs to be dispatched to a location. Knowing the current location of all vehicles, the nearest vehicle can be chosen for jobs. Thus, a route will be formed from that location to the end destination.

Tour Creation

One of the biggest advantages of route planning software is its tour creation feature. The system allows managers to create and also archive these tours. This saves time for repeatedly creating regular trips since they can be saved instead.

In a real-life case scenario, this feature is helpful in waste management or the FMCG industry. All routes that are observed to be used repeatedly can be saved into the system.

Route Deviation

The Fleet management system sends an alert every time a vehicle moves away from its designated path. Route planning software makes this possible. It saves the extra time and money drivers waste by deviating from the assigned route.

ETA

When a vehicle is on the road, it is not guaranteed to reach the desired location on time. The route planning software's ETA (estimated time of arrival) feature solves this problem. It considers the activities on the road and the vehicle's speed. Automatic live ETAs are generated while taking all of these factors into consideration.

ETAs also consider the time used for any stops. Thus, the status changes every time a vehicle changes or adds stops to the route, and managers can monitor these changes at all times.

POD

The POD or proof of delivery is a unique feature of the fleet management system. This feature allows drivers to submit proof of their completed tasks. The software has an automatic POD option too. Other methods of sending POD are a digital signature, OTP, or QR code scanning.

Using this feature means that deliveries assigned to a driver will not be skipped. It is almost impossible to forge these digital methods of POD.

Benefits of the Best Logistics Route Planning Software for Efficient Delivery Operations

Route planning plays a crucial role in optimizing logistics operations. Here are some key benefits of Route planning for delivery operations:

• Improve delivery efficiency: Route routing software helps identify the most efficient routes, considering factors such as distance, traffic conditions, and delivery schedules. Logistics operations can reduce travel time, fuel consumption, and overall costs by optimizing routes.
• Enhanced delivery accuracy: Logistics organisations can deliver goods with greater dependability and punctuality when they arrange their routes accurately. Road limits, traffic patterns, and other factors can all be considered when planning routes to minimise delays and guarantee on-time delivery.

• Reduced delivery cost: Using route planning software to optimise routes can save costs. Reduced travel miles, fuel consumption, and vehicle wear and tear can help firms cut costs and boost profits.

• Increased fleet productivity: Effective route planning and mapping maximises the number of deliveries or pickups that can be accomplished in a specific amount of time, which helps to increase fleet productivity. Better fleet utilisation and increased order or cargo handling are the outcomes for firms.

• Better customer service: Logistics companies may give consumers more accurate delivery predictions by using precise route planning. Customers may plan properly and transparency is enhanced as a result. Optimised routes and on-time delivery also help to increase client loyalty and satisfaction.

• Real-time tracking: Many route planning software include real-time tracking features, which allow logistics operations managers to monitor shipments and vehicles as they travel. This aids in keeping things visible, identifying possible problems, and giving the client real-time updates.

• Compliance and Safety: Routing software can account for particular road limitations, laws, or dangerous locations to guarantee compliance and safety. Logistics operations managers can reduce mishaps or infractions by steering clear of prohibited areas and hazardous routes.

• Data analysis and Insights: Data and analytics features are frequently included in route planning software, enabling companies to examine past route data, spot patterns, and make data-driven choices. This aids in pinpointing problem areas, improving route optimisation, and raising overall operational effectiveness.

• Scalability and Flexibility: Route planning software can manage complex logistics operations with several stops, different vehicle capacities, and shifting delivery requirements. This facilitates logistics firms' ability to manage their operations effectively and adjust to changing business needs.

• Integration with other systems: Route planning software can be integrated with order management, fleet management, and warehouse management systems, among other logistics systems. This integration increases operational visibility and efficiency while streamlining data flow.

• Multiple Stop Route Planning: Route delivery software makes it possible to schedule several stops along the way, making it easier for operations managers to manage complicated trips with various delivery locations.

• Multi-Platform Accessibility: Route planner software is often available on multiple platforms, including desktop computers, smartphones, and tablets. This allows the operations team to access their planned routes and directions from various devices.

• Integration with Other Apps: Route planner software can integrate with other applications or services, such as navigation apps, or vehicle tracking systems. This integration allows for seamless transfer of route information and enhances the overall user experience.

Conclusion

Route planning in logistics plays a vital role in optimising the fleet’s trips and operations. With efficient route planning software, strategic route planning, fleet management, real-time tracking, and geofencing are no longer a luxury but important aspects of the operation.?

What makes TrackoBit’s route planning solutions a worthy investment is the benefits businesses can reap from it, such as reduced fuel consumption, route deviation alerts, data analysis, and better hold on driver performance.?

Schedule a free demo today to enhance your fleets’ productivity tomorrow!

Read Also: 6 Common Route Planning Challenges