Why use a delivery route planner?

 

Why use delivery route planner software?

Using optimised delivery route planner software is the most efficient way to organise deliveries.

Calculating the sequence for deliveries manually can be time-consuming, inefficient, and result in uneconomical routes. Optimised delivery route planning software assesses possible combinations of deliveries, over a number of days, against existing constraints in seconds and produces a delivery schedule that maximises available resources (vehicles and drivers).

The latest delivery route planning software uses complex algorithms, artificial intelligence and machine learning to generate the most cost-effective delivery schedules.

What we cover:

1. What is route planner software?
2. What benefits can be gained from delivery route planner software?
3. What are the most important factors for planning a delivery route?
4. What are the cost savings that can be expected using delivery route planner software?

 

 

 

 

What is route planner software?

Route planner software creates the best driving route between a series of stops on a delivery/pick-up route.

The software can do this faster and better than manual methods. It can determine the most efficient route, whether that be for mileage, speed or cost and any combination of these. Using artificial intelligence and machine learning route planner software will produce the best routes utilising current and historic data to make improvements for future delivery schedules. The software will also take into account the type of vehicle and its size when determining routes.

 

What benefits can be gained from delivery route planner software?

be can cost delivery expected planner route savings software that the using what Delivery route planner software will reduce delivery costs, improve delivery performance, enhance the customer experience and make the most of the available drivers and vehicles. It should take into account the mix of vehicles available in a fleet, such as electric or cargo bikes and route them for specific deliveries, e.g. into Clean Air Zones.
 
Descartes’ delivery scheduling software will allow customers to select their own preselected delivery windows as being the most optimal slots for delivery based on their location.

This is critical in retaining online retail customers and offering them a great customer experience, while at the same time maximising a fleets capacity and minimising costs.

Home Delivery Consumer Research

 

What are the most important factors in planning a delivery route?

Data accuracy and route optimisation software that uses accurate street and traffic data along with intelligent algorithms are the most important factors when planning a delivery route.

It is essential that any system uses accurate and reliable data (e.g. full delivery address details, delivery hours and any restrictions), full product details (e.g. dimensions, weight and any other factors) and the capabilities and capacity of available vehicles. Without these any route delivery plan will be flawed potentially unachievable, resulting in failed deliveries, goods being returned or even not fitting on a vehicle. All of which will impact the customer experience and operational efficiency.

Delivery route planner software and route optimisation software also require additional information in order to plan delivery routes that will be achievable in the real world such as road network maps, traffic speeds and vehicle characteristics. Specialised skills can even be taken into account, such as the installation of white goods.

Delivery route planner and route optimisation software, while needing to be accurate, should also be able to cope with any business requirements such as not only selecting the most efficient route based on cost but also whether items need delivering at a specific time chosen by the customer for their convenience.

 

 

 

 

What cost savings can be expected using delivery route planner software?

Typically savings of between 5% - 15% are achievable on fleet operating costs through the use of delivery route planners and optimisation software.

• Adding at least 1 extra delivery to each route increases delivery density and the cost of delivery per item is reduced.  
• If the distance for each delivery route can be reduced slightly, the impact over many deliveries, vehicles and days can play a huge part in reducing overall costs. Not only do fewer miles mean less fuel, but also less wear and tear on the vehicles’ tyres and engines that in turn reduces maintenance costs.
• Spreading deliveries evenly across the fleet can not only lead to a reduction in overtime and drivers’ workloads, but also to an improved levelling of drive time across all drivers. This can have the added benefit of helping to retain drivers and minimising the cost of recruiting new drivers.
• The time taken to automatically create many delivery routes is a fraction of the time that would be taken for manually calculating routes, freeing up planners to deal with special cases or other issues.

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