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The Best Multi Drop Route Planner

Multi Drop Route Planning Solutions

  • Integrating Order Management with the Multi Drop Route Planner

    Integration with order management helps to get multiple orders across many destinations and postcodes into the route planning system quickly. 

    • Address verification and order address coordinates are validated quickly
    • Intelligent filters improve data integrity and identify issues 
    • Exceptions such as incorrect addresses can be corrected manually by planners
  • Route Planning and Route Optimisation

    An efficient route planner with multiple stops

    The optimisation engine will take into consideration multiple factors such as;

    • The road network and direction of travel
    • Time of travel 
    • Vehicle and operational constraints;
    • Customer and order requirements 

    Planning time is minimised, routes are continuously optimised as orders are taken and planners can focus on the exceptions and continuous improvement. Existing customers have reduced planning time by 75% and saved multiple heads.  

    Read more about the advantages of continuous optimisation.
     

  • Route Execution

    The multi route planner details:

    • Stop sequences
    • Drive, arrival, and departure times 

    These details are electronically transmitted to each driver’s mobile device.

    Then as each drop route is executed, a real-time GPS-based signal updates the multi drop delivery schedule in real time, recalculating delivery ETAs and notifying planner/dispatchers if route plans are deviated from or a delivery is at risk of being missed.

    Equally, planners/dispatchers can easily update drivers on any customer changes or new orders/collections. All of this activity is viewed through an intuitive, graphically based user interface.
     

  • Vehicle Tracking

    Each driver utilises a GPS-based mobile tracking application, easily loaded to any smartphone device. While providing route directions to the driver the app will also help to ensure that routes are executed to plan and any exceptions to the route are communicated immediately back to planners.

    Read more about Vehicle Telematics

  • Customer Notifications

    This is a service capability that enables effective communication and engagement with customers throughout the delivery process.

    The solution can automatically:

    • Notify the customer of scheduled or adjusted delivery times via e-mail, micro apps, SMS, or phone calls. 
    • Send multiple messages including dynamically generated ETAs and delivery statusmessages to customers (e.g. “arriving in 30 minutes”, etc.) 

    Customers like to be kept informed.

  • Customer Service for Deliveries

    Not only will continual communication with customers help to ensure a successful delivery and minimise failed deliveries where the recipient needs to be present, but multi drop route planner software will help ensure that delivery vehicles stick to and achieve the intended delivery sequence and time originally supplied to the consumer. 

    However, issues outside of your control can work to prevent schedules from being met and timely information via the multi drop route planner software enables updated ETAs  for deliveries to be sent to the consumer to proactively manage expectations. 

  • Proof of Deliveries

    Drivers can acquire proof of delivery details via a mobile app, signatures and/or images for access later, either by route planners, customer services or the customer. This eliminates traditional paper-based processes and reduces the associated overheads such as paper, ink and printers. 

    Descartes' proof of delivery system will reduce customer enquiries for proof of delivery documentation and the associated administration work by up to 80%.  

    Proof of Delivery Case Study

  • Data Analytics

    All of the delivery information generated by Descartes Route Planner On-demand can be turned into valuable insights which identify areas of opportunity or improvement. Through predefined dashboards and flexible, but intuitive reporting, planners, dispatchers and fleet managers can drill down into their operations data enabling future improvements in delivery and driver performance.

     

  • Mobile Applications

    The app, available for both Android & iOS, is a multifunctional, real-time GPS-based solution that facilitates the optimisation of a driver’s performance in the field.

    The mobile app provides drivers with:

    • Directions and turn by turn information
    • Digital maps to help drivers navigate their route
    • Communication with dispatchers regarding deliveries
    • A flexible workflow configurable to guide drivers through the delivery process and capture critical delivery information. 
    • Proof of delivery module

     

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Multi Drop Route Planner FAQs

  • What is the best multi-drop route planner?

    In the UK, Descartes' multi-drop route planner stands out as a leading solution. 

    With its useful features and user-friendly interface, it allows businesses to streamline their fleet operations. Descartes' solution excels in optimising routes for multiple stops, ensuring cost-effective, timely deliveries, and improved operational efficiency. Its advanced capabilities make it the preferred choice for businesses seeking an effective and proven multi-drop route planner.

  • How can I plan a route with multiple drops?

    Planning a route with multiple stops is easy with Descartes' Multi-Drop Route Planner. 

    Begin by inputting your various destinations, and let the software take care of the rest. It employs sophisticated algorithms to analyse factors like traffic, distances, and delivery windows, automatically generating the most efficient route. This not only saves time but also optimises fuel consumption and reduces overall operational costs. 

    Multi-drop fleet operations run more efficiently and provide a better customer service with advanced route planning technology. 

  • What is multi-drop route planning and optimisation?

    It is the process of planning efficient routes for vehicles that have multiple stops or deliveries to make. Planning delivery routes is time-consuming and when there are multiple drops for many vehicles, it becomes almost impossible when done manually. The use of delivery scheduling and route optimisation software that uses advanced algorithms and machine learning to analyse all the various factors such as delivery locations, traffic conditions and flows, vehicle capacities, and time windows to determine the most optimal route the process becomes easier and quicker. 

  • Can the Multi drop route planner software handle complex delivery scenarios with multiple depots and regions?

    Yes, Descartes’ multi-drop route planning software is designed to handle the most complex delivery scenarios involving multiple depots and regions. The software can efficiently optimise routes across various locations and takes into account factors such as: 

    • Geographical distances:  Calculating the most efficient routes between depots and delivery locations, this can be the shortest, fastest, lowest cost route or a combination of these factors. 
    • Traffic conditions: The latest historic traffic data is used to calculate routes, this includes directional traffic flow rates, helping to avoid congested areas at busy times of the day and minimising journey disruptions. 
    • Delivery windows: Calculating multi drop delivery routes with accuracy ensures that deliveries are scheduled and made within specified time windows to meet customer expectations. 
    • Vehicle capacities: Route planning and delivery scheduling software takes into account the type and capacity of all vehicles to ensure that appropriate vehicles are assigned to deliveries. Especially important for awkward to access locations or low-emission zones. 
    • Collections: Depot and customer collections can also be included within the route, ensuring space is available on the vehicle for any collections. 
  • How does the software handle multiple drop deliveries with different priorities or time constraints?

    Descartes’ software creates routes using a mix of static and dynamic delivery windows. This enables frequent or the most valued customers to receive set regular delivery times, while other one-off deliveries are scheduled around these static deliveries, placing them at the most efficient point of the delivery route. 

  • How does the software ensure efficient use of fleet resources?

    Optimising multi-drop delivery routes will assign deliveries to the most suitable vehicle for an even workload across the fleet and maximise productivity to reduce operational costs.

  • Can the software handle returns and collections?

    Yes, it can incorporate customer returns and collections into the route during the optimisation process, allowing for some deliveries to take place first and freeing up space for collections.

  • Can the software calculate the best depot to deliver from?

    Yes, it can determine the best depot for each delivery by carefully considering depot proximity, inventory availability, vehicle capacities, delivery window requirements and traffic conditions. Optimising delivery routes across depots and ensuring that products are delivered from the most appropriate depot, results in improved efficiency and reduced costs.  

  • What are the benefits of using software to plan multi-drop routes?

    Route planning software will;

    • Reduce costs: Optimised routes reduce miles driven and fuel used, increasing delivery density and reducing miles per delivery. 
    • Reduce planning time: Automatically and continuously calculating multi-drop delivery routes as orders are received, means that dispatchers can concentrate on factors that will improve customer service and deal with unexpected issues before they become a problem. 
    • Enhance customer satisfaction: By calculating accurate delivery routes, deliveries are more likely be made at the time stated, reducing customer anxiety and proving a great customer experience. Descartes’ software can also send customers delivery notifications automatically, again reducing anxiety and helping to increase first-time delivery rates. 

 

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