In many industries, it’s critical to be able to find an optimal route. This will ensure that deliveries get to your customers on time. To help you do this, there are a few options you can use. Everything from paper maps to route optimization software. Let’s look at each of these options to find the one that works best for you.
Paper Maps
If you are old-fashioned, you might want to turn to paper maps. You can use pens or highlighters to mark the route that you should be following. The benefit of this is that you don’t need to rely on technology. In some areas, an internet connection can get a little spotty.
But there are a few significant downsides to consider. If you don’t know the area, it can be difficult to try and drive while looking at your map. You will need to pull over and examine the map, which can slow you down.
Spreadsheets
These are largely used as a way of tracking delivery addresses. Though you can also use it to calculate how long it would take to deliver something. You can even use this as a way of deciding which order the customers should be serviced in.
But there are a few big downsides to this approach. First, it won’t have any mapping functions. This relies on drivers knowing the area. Plus, this will take a long time to get the spreadsheet set up. Generally, you’ll need to use another app, taking even more time. That’s why this system can get unruly as the company grows and more packages need to be delivered.
Google Maps
This is one of the most popular route planning options available. Many people like it because it’s free. Plus, it’s a good way of making sure that you always know how to find the right delivery location. You can even put in multiple locations.
But these won’t have the same functionality as routing planning software. For example, it will be impossible to take traffic conditions into account.
Route Planning Software
For most delivery drivers, route planning software will be the best option. It has all the tools you need to help you find the ideal route. Usually, it will be able to scan for things like traffic delays or roadblocks and adjust your route accordingly. Depending on the software, this can be done in real-time.
There are a few other reasons why people might opt to use this technology. First, it might come with features that help measure driver performance. This can be used to help you find ways of improving yourself. Sometimes, they can even help you keep track of the packages that you have in the back of your truck, so you can easily find them when you want to deliver to the customer.
Conclusion
There are many ways that you can plan out your route. But not all of them are a good choice. Things like physical maps and spreadsheets are too impractical when handling large order volumes. Instead, it’s best to turn to dedicated route planning software. This has everything you need to get to your destination fast.