With the advent of technology, the segmentation of operational duties is becoming more definite. Two similar-appearing terms may not actually mean the same. One such example is Route Planning and Route Optimisation.
The beginner in the world of telematics and GPS Tracking for vehicles would struggle to find the difference between route planning and route optimisations.
We’ll put an end to this confusion in this article.
What is a Route Planning Software?
A route planning software solution offers you features to create, plan and manage routes for each trip. It’s a complete software module in itself. There are industries that are optimising their operation solely by running on route planning software solutions.
The route planning software is not only about routes and their reports, per se. It has all the essential features that good fleet management software has. You get travel summary reports, real-time vehicle status, geofences and a lot more.
Route Deviation Reports: Route deviation alerts are the star feature of this module. Every time the vehicle deviates from the assigned route the managers get an alert.
Forbidden Area Marking: Along the route, if you want a vehicle to control the speed around the patch of a few kilometres or skip it entirely, Route planning software can automate that for you.
Trip/Halt Prioritisation: Route monitoring solutions allow you to custom plan the waypoints as per the client’s priority. The route to be followed by each vehicle is entirely in the manager’s hands.
Delivery Monitoring Essentials: While the vehicle is out for delivery what are the most essential features other than live tracking of course? Estimated time of arrival and the proof of delivery right? Trackobit’s Route management software has you covered there too.
What Is Route Optimisation Software?
The practice of suggesting the most cost-effective and fastest route to travel from point A to point B is called rote optimisation. The two most crucial ingredients in route optimisation software are AI and ML.
The system may not show the same route to two different types of vehicles the same route at the same time to reach the same destination. Why so? The AI will also consider the vehicle type and size.
Factors that the route optimisation software considers to suggest a route include the hour of the day, the vehicle type and size, weather conditions, real-time traffic conditions and a few more.
Difference Between Route Planning Software and Route Optimisation Solution
Sometimes people use both terms interchangeably which is not, right. The two solutions are very different from one another. In fact, sometimes, people from the industry also get confused between the two.
The primary difference is the level of automation and AI involved in the functioning. Route optimisation is no wonder a level up to route planning.
Route planning is more about route mapping and halts sequencing. The system cannot determine the best route to follow in real time or at all. The manager has the liberty to decide on the route he wants his drivers to follow to complete the trip. It includes the major chuck of trip planning solutions. It’s basically a trip management solution with route planning in it.
Route optimisation determines the route that would be best for the vehicle in that moment and time. It’s more dynamic in terms of operations as it has an advanced level of Artificial intelligence involved.
How Route Planning Software Helps Reduce Extra Costs
The only reason a businessman would want to invest in software or technology is if it promises a good ROI. Reducing costs and improving profits is the ultimate goal for every business move.
Here’s how investing in route planning solutions can prove to be beneficial for fleet and logistics businesses.
- Ensure On-time Delivery of Consignments
With route planning software one thing definitely falls in place that is deliveries. When drivers have an idea that they are under surveillance and the trip is also getting tracked they ensure all deliveries happen on time. Every time delivery is delayed system generates the report and managers receive an alert.
- Increased efficiency and profits
Managers plan the most cost-efficient route keeping the distance and the travel history in mind. Hence, the overall efficiency of the fleet improves that further enhancing profits. As vehicles take more and more trips, the pool of data gets bigger and bigger. The bigger the database gets, the system produces the more refined analytics. It eventually helps make insightful and profitable business decisions.
- Curb Frequent Route Deviations
Route deviation is one of the biggest problems that fleet managers face. Because unforeseen deviations and detours delay the delivery of consignments and lead to fuel waste. Route planning software with route deviation proves most useful in not only FMCG and logistics industry but also in the mining and waste management sector. It also curbs the acts of pilferage for drivers are bound to follow the assigned drought without any deviation.
- Reducing the Cases of Time-theft
As wise men say, time is money. hence, time theft is equally big a problem as fuel pilferage. Even if the truck is on its way to the destination yet, there is a possibility of time-theft. It doesn’t only mean the drivers are killing time. If they deviate from the route for personal reasons or leave the vehicle idle at a weighbridge or the delivery station, it also counts as time theft for they are wasting way more time than required.
- Improved Client Satisfaction
The driver carrying the consignment doesn’t only have the vehicle’s responsibility but also is equally responsible for the goods at the back of the truck. If a truck is carrying a consignment worth a million dollars on a longer route, and the consignor and the consignee are unaware of the carrier’s whereabouts for days. Here ETAs and PODs play a crucial role not only for the transporter and both the parties but also for the driver for this ensures the safe delivery of heavy-duty consignments.
Conclusion
Fleet management software is much more than just delivering goods from point A to point B now. It involves assessing every aspect of fleet operations to make insightful decisions. No matter what experience the fleet manager is, there is no scope for guesswork in this highly competitive industry. Everybody is counting on data and wants negligible risk when it comes to investing big buck.
TrackoBit’s Route planning software is devised to automate all-round fleet operations for a global clientele.
