Dynamic scheduling, route optimisation and route planning software

Scheduling and Route Optimisation Features

• Combined Routing & Scheduling Software

  The problem with most routing planning software & scheduling solutions is that they are fundamentally disconnected. Descartes' integrated approach means that scheduling and routing are one process.  The number of missed deliveries can be eliminated if your scheduling system has the ability to check 'true' route availability and consider all the relevant logistics variables such as drive time, service time, vehicle capacity, driver hours etc. - all in real-time. 
  
  Combining scheduling and routing software together can help build route density by allowing available delivery slots to be offered to customers as options for their delivery.  

  With the scheduling system connected to the routing system and validating true logistics capacity in real-time, the logistics cost is known in real-time and can be leveraged to influence buyer behaviour when selecting delivery slots.

  This is ideal for multi-drop deliveries where route density is important and the vehicles need to be as efficient as possible. The software allows for rerouting of delivery vehicles while on the move to allow for congestion or changes in orders and collections.

• Continuous Background Optimisation

  Continuous background route optimisation provides a better end result when compared to traditional batch optimisation techniques (where slots and capacity are fixed).

  The unique combined optimisation engine continually adjusts route plans as new orders come in. Costed delivery options can be presented to customers in seconds at the point-of-sale (on-line, in-store or over the phone) and deliveries committed in real-time.

  More time can be spent processing the orders, capacity and business constraints to provide a better end result. Any changes such as new incoming orders can be easily accommodated, and deliveries scheduled to give a truly dynamic scheduling capability.

  Orders are visualised on a map, the software then considers the street level network and parameters in order to build routes automatically. Dispatchers will then still have full control to manage exceptions with easy drag and drop moves.

  Companies that have moved from 'manual route construction' to 'exception management' with a Descartes routing tool find that their route planning time can often be reduced to just 15 minutes/day.

  INFOGRAPHIC: Advantages of Continuous Route Optimisation

• Delivery Reservations

  With the massive and continued growth in online retailing, customers increasingly want the option to pick delivery slots that are convenient to them. Choice and cost of delivery times are big influencers with online buyer behaviour.

  Descartes Reservations™ is used by leading retailers around the globe to offer a range of home delivery options to consumers at differentiated price points including premium and green deliveries.

  Integrated with the Routing & Scheduling software the consumer can be incentivised to select delivery slots where a vehicle is already in their area, thus increasing the density of deliveries on the route. Offering choice and tighter delivery slots also minimises missed deliveries and the high cost of returned goods for redelivery.

  Retailers of goods such as electrical white goods can also factor in value added services such as installation and removal/disposal of goods to ensure the delivery options presented at point of sale accommodate the value added services selected, while ensuring that the delivery crew have the correct number of people or skills and time to do the job.

  A leading UK retailer has achieved a 500% increase in the take up of value added services and added tens of millions of pounds in revenue by incorporating the sale of value added services at the point of sale when scheduling the delivery of their electrical goods.

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• ERP Systems

  Our routing and scheduling software can be integrated with most ERP systems, resulting in seamless delivery bookings.

• Telematics Integration

  The telematics solution utilised by Descartes integrates with our routing and scheduling software enabling a planned v. actual comparison in real time. This enables dispatchers to identify problems, alter routes or notify customers of arrivals and delays of their delivery.

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  Read more about Vehicle Telematics

• Multiple Drop Route planning

  Descartes Route Optimisation Software is perfect for Multiple Drop Route Planning and Dynamic Delivery Scheduling, ideal for fleets with 10 vehicles or more, it can be used to perform a wide variety of tasks from fixed routes to dynamic and high density multi-drop home delivery operations.

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• Other Solutions

  Route Planning and Optimisation Solutions have been designed to work with Descartes Mobile™, Telematics, Transportation Management and Compliance Management solutions. This provides a one-stop-shop for the effective management of in-house fleets and third party transport operations or a mix of both.

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