Choosing the correct route optimization software

Choosing the correct route optimization software, Zeo Route Planner
Reading Time: 3 minutes

Before choosing the right route optimization software

Before choosing the right route optimization software, the business should be clear – why do they want a route optimization? The main reasons why route optimization is required:

  1. Get the total cost of logistics down.
    • Understand whether they provide the shortest time or distance. Shortest distance would mean lower fuel cost but may come at the cost of delivery accuracy.
  2. Get the correct estimated time of arrival ( ETAs) for your customers
    • For this, the route planner should consider real-time or historical traffic. It should give a higher preference to time.
  3. Get live location of their drivers to ensure on-time delivery.
    • The route planner should have a specified driver app or connect to the GPS in the vehicle.

Additionally, the factors which need to be considered as:

  • Is a driver app for
  • Navigation to the location
  • Collecting proof of delivery
  • Marking the ETAs correctly.
  • Messaging customers
  • Route history and time period requirement.

While every route optimization software provides some or all the features mentioned above, but a clear understanding of the objective always helps you choose the one that meets your requirement.

The right route optimisation software for your business depends upon many factors such as:

  • Number of people doing stop servicing/delivery.
  • Number of Stops to be serviced everyday.
  • Vehicles used for delivery.
  • Number of hubs/ size of business.
  • Assignment of stops automatically or manually.
  • Assignment of stops based on skills.

Depending upon the value of these factors you should select the pricing plan. Various pricing plans present are:
Create A Radius On Google Maps, Zeo Route Planner

1. Delivery based Charges

Best used if you have a large number of drivers but very small number of deliveries per driver to be made everyday.
Industries suited for : Inspection, surveying, SMB delivery and courier operators, subcontractors paid per delivery.
However be sure that the following details are captured:

  • Historical record for every stop is present
  • Each user has its own login so you can track their activity historically.
  • Electronic proof that the person visited the site ( Lat/ Long)
  • Early alert mechanism
  • Skill based assignment if used for industries like home servicing

2. Drivers based Charges

Best used if all your drivers drive every day and there are no shifts. Additionally, check that the number of stops serviced per day per driver is more than 20 Industries suited for: Cake shops, Florists, Snow Removal, Pool servicing, and subcontractors paid per driver.
Be sure that the following details are collected

  • Are you charging even if the driver is not driving for a month?
  • Is the route history of non-paying drivers maintained?
  • How are the routes assigned to the drivers? Do they get their app?

3. Charges based on the number of seats

If your business doesn’t have a permanent workforce or the workforce works in shifts, it is best to go for a player that charges you on the number of seats used. These seats can be assigned to an active driver.
Industry suited for Delivery, home services, field services, businesses with contract workforce, and businesses working in multiple shifts.
Be sure following details are captured

  • How is the historical record of non-charged drivers maintained?
  • How are routes assigned to the drivers
  • Is the record of some km drivers maintained?
  • Do you get the live location of the drivers?
  • How are stops assigned – automatically or to each driver manually?

Additionally, apart from the mentioned, there are specialized route optimizations that should need to be handled, If your industry requires them:

4. Skill Based optimisation

If you need to assign stops based on a specific skill like woodwork, electricity, etc. It should be present in the route planner or should be an add-on. A few route planners do this – however, Zeo provides it as an add-on.

5. Multi day scheduling

If your orders are optimised over a period of time – week or month. Make sure this option is provided to you upfront. Talk to the sales team or research whether this is available.

About Zeo

Zeo route planner is a route optimization solution ranked as a high performer by G2. It provides seat-based optimization plans and a dedicated app for delivery drivers. Skill-based optimization and multi-day scheduling are present as add-ons. It is the fastest-growing route planner and is used by a million of drivers across the world.
Zeo Route Planner, Zeo Route Planner

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    How to Create Route?

    How do I add stop by typing and searching? Web

    Follow these steps to add a stop by typing and searching:

    • Go to Playground Page. You will find a search box in top left.
    • Type in your desired stop and it will show search results as you type.
    • Select one of the search results to add the stop to list of unassigned stops.

    How do I import stops in bulk from an excel file? Web

    Follow these steps to add stops in bulk using an excel file:

    • Go to Playground Page.
    • In top right corner you will see import icon. Press on that icon & a modal will open.
    • If you already have an excel file, press the “Upload stops via flat file” button & a new window will open up.
    • If you don’t have an existing file, you can download a sample file and input all your data accordingly, then upload it.
    • In the new window, upload your file and match the headers & confirm mappings.
    • Review your confirmed data and add the stop.

    How do I import stops from an image? Mobile

    Follow these steps to add stops in bulk by uploading an image:

    • Go to Zeo Route Planner App and open On Ride page.
    • Bottom bar has 3 icons in left. Press on image icon.
    • Select the image from gallery if you already have one or take a picture if you don’t have existing.
    • Adjust the crop for the selected image & press crop.
    • Zeo will automatically detect the addresses from the image. Press on done and then save & optimize to create route.

    How do I add a stop using Latitude and Longitude? Mobile

    Follow these steps to add stop if you have Latitude & Longitude of the address:

    • Go to Zeo Route Planner App and open On Ride page.
    • You will see a icon. Press on that icon & press on New Route.
    • If you already have an excel file, press the “Upload stops via flat file” button & a new window will open up.
    • Below search bar, select the “by lat long” option and then enter the latitude and longitude in the search bar.
    • You will see results in the search, select one of them.
    • Select additional options according to your need & click on “Done adding stops”.

    How do I add a using a QR Code? Mobile

    Follow these steps to add stop using QR Code:

    • Go to Zeo Route Planner App and open On Ride page.
    • You will see a icon. Press on that icon & press on New Route.
    • Bottom bar has 3 icons in left. Press on QR code icon.
    • It will open up a QR Code scanner. You can scan normal QR code as well as FedEx QR code and it will automatically detect address.
    • Add the stop to route with any additional options.

    How do I delete a stop? Mobile

    Follow these steps to delete a stop:

    • Go to Zeo Route Planner App and open On Ride page.
    • You will see a icon. Press on that icon & press on New Route.
    • Add some stops using any of the methods & click on save & optimize.
    • From the list of stops that you have, long press on any stop that you want to delete.
    • It will open window asking you to select the stops that you want to remove. Click on Remove button and it will delete the stop from your route.