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Daily Route Planning Software

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Route planner uses operational route planning software

Visibility and Control

  • Visualise orders on a map. 
  • Insert new orders while respecting fixed routes. 
  • Combine manual and optimised route planning. 
  • Configure optimisation goals based on business needs. 
HGV and van with icons illustrating delivery route optimisation

Dynamic Optimisation

  • Adhere to time windows while optimising for distance, time, cost or number of routes. 
  • Set “hard” and “soft” restrictions to successfully route more orders without compromising service. 
  • Automatically assign each order to the optimal route – no need to pre-define routes before optimisation begins. 
  • Create realistic schedules that take into account historic traffic patterns. 
Delivery route planner uses software for daily operational route planning

Empower Route Planners

  • See when time windows or capacity rules are at risk. 
  • Schedule route optimisation in advance so planners can concentrate on exceptions. 
  • Monitor planned versus actual performance with live “breadcrumb” tracking. 
Happy delivery driver with driver app screenshots

Integrated Driver App

  • Record more accurate service times with automatic arrival and departure based on GPS. 
  • Ensure that drivers are able to meet the highest standards with configurable, enforceable workflows. 
  • Eliminate manual, paper-based processes and speed up invoicing with digital proof of delivery. 

 

 

Daily Route Planning FAQ's

  • What’s the difference between daily and strategic route planning?

    Strategic planning helps you make decisions with far-reaching consequences for your fleet, such as:  

    • How many vehicles do you need? 
    • Where should your new depot be? 
    • What’s the best day to visit each client?  

     

    It isn’t feasible to make these kinds of decisions manually: The human brain simply can't weigh up every possible scenario.  

    In daily route planning, strategies, policies, territories, frequencies, and routes are already defined. The goal of daily route planning is to make the best use of the restrictions already in place.

  • What’s the difference between fixed route planning and dynamic route planning?

    Fixed routes (also known as static or master routes) have fixed schedules, where the sequence of stops remains the same from day to day or week to week. Fixed routes are common in business-to-business (B2B) sectors such as food and beverage distribution, where orders are consistent and predictable, and the driver-customer relationship is important. 

    Dynamic routes are established based on the composition and volume of orders. The route and the sequence will be determined by this combination of orders and this volume. 

    Daily route planning software can dynamically add unplanned orders into existing fixed routes while respecting time windows and frequencies. 

  • What is hybrid route planning?

    Hybrid route planning allows you to serve priority customers (such as large or highly profitable accounts) using fixed routes, while lower-priority customers are added to routes on a dynamic basis.   

    Hybrid route planning economically weaves lower-priority orders in between the fixed-window orders while respecting pre-arranged time windows.  based upon the location and order size. It also considers the customer's order size to see if more deliveries can be added to the route to further improve delivery productivity. 

  • What does a daily route planner do?

    Route planner software is a program that plans and sequences stops for delivery or on-site service fleets. The term ‘route planner’ can also refer to the person responsible for using such software. 

    The objectives of a route planner include: 

    • Maximising vehicle utilisation 
    • Reducing delivery costs 
    • Reducing planning time 
    • Reducing carbon footprint 
    • Increasing customer satisfaction through on-time deliveries 

     

    In addition to optimisation and planning, daily route planning software enables logistics managers to analyse and improve delivery processes. 

  • What tools and technologies can I use for daily route planning?

    A dedicated route optimisation tool such as Descartes Route Planner™ creates efficient daily delivery routes while factoring in vehicle capacity, driver shifts, customer time windows, and traffic conditions.

  • Can I use a spreadsheet for daily route planning?

    While it is possible to plan routes manually or use tools such as Microsoft Excel or Google Maps, this is not recommended for fleets of more than 10 vehicles or complex delivery needs.

    Tribal knowledge goes a long way, but it’s impossible for a human to consider all possible routes and sequencing options. By using automatic route planning software, you can free up route planners’ time to focus on exceptions and value-added tasks. 

  • Why do I need daily route planning software?

    Businesses use daily route planning software because it turns complex, manual, error-prone scheduling into a repeatable, optimised process. Optimised routes save money, keep customers happy, and adapt quickly when things change during the day.

    If your fleet is relying on routes that are “good enough” to get by, you may be accumulating avoidable costs. Check out our fuel and carbon savings calculator to see how much you could save.