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5 Ways to Optimize Delivery Routes for Better Efficiency

5 Ways to Optimize Delivery Routes for Better Efficiency, Zeo Route Planner
Reading Time: 3 minutes

If you are already using a route planner or looking to use one for optmizing delivery routes – Congratulations! For taking a step towards saving time and money for your business.

What if we told you that you can optimize delivery routes for even better efficiency using different features of Zeo route planner?

5 Ways you can optimize delivery routes with our route planner:

  • Add delivery time slots
  • Add ‘Stop Priority’ status
  • Add stop duration
  • Assign drivers as per skills
  • Add ‘Stop Type’ and pickup linked deliveries

Let’s have a look at each of these in more detail:

1. Add delivery time slots

While adding stops to the route, you can add specific time slots for delivery as per the customer’s requirement. The route will be optimised considering the time slots. Adding the delivery window ensures that your driver doesn’t reach a customer only to find that the customer is not available. It will be inefficient for the driver to visit the same stop multiple times.

5 Ways to Optimize Delivery Routes for Better Efficiency, Zeo Route Planner

2. Add ‘ Stop Priority’ status

In case there’s a delivery or a client service request that has to be fulfilled on priority then you can update the ‘stop priority’ status accordingly. You can set the priority status as ‘Normal’ or as ‘ASAP’. If the status is marked as ‘ASAP’ then while optimising the route the stop will be given priority. If the status is marked ‘Normal’ then the optimisation will happen as per the usual process.

Delivery, Zeo Route Planner

3. Add stop duration

When planning a route, it’s important to consider the time that will be spent at each stop. The driver may be required to spend more time at a stop depending on the number of boxes or the load to be delivered. Correct estimation of stop duration will help in correctly determining the delivery time for each customer on the route. If the stop duration is not estimated correctly, then it will lead to delayed deliveries for the subsequent customers.

5 Ways to Optimize Delivery Routes for Better Efficiency, Zeo Route Planner

4. Assign drivers as per skills

Make use of skill-based optimisation if you are in such an industry that requires different drivers to have different skills. For example, construction & maintenance, utilities, healthcare, etc. In Zeo route planner you can update the skills of your drivers. While updating the stops, you can add the skill requirement at each stop. It will then optimise the route by matching the skills of the drivers as per the skill requirement at each stop. This ensures that the correct driver goes to each stop on the first go. Read more about skill-based job assignment in our blog.

5 Ways to Optimize Delivery Routes for Better Efficiency, Zeo Route Planner

5. Add ‘Stop type’ and pickup linked deliveries

You can further optimise the route by adding details like stop type – pickup or delivery. You can also use the pickup linked deliveries feature which is exclusive to Zeo. The deliveries can be linked to the corresponding pickup address. This helps the driver to efficiently track which picked-up parcel is to be delivered at which address. Learn more about pickup linked deliveries.

To create the most efficient routes book a demo call now or sign up for a free trial of Zeo Route Planner!
In a nutshell

Each and every minute that you save leads to savings in costs as well. Using features like delivery time windows, stop priority status, stop type, pickup linked deliveries and skill-based job assignment help in optimizing delivery routes with the best efficiency. Adding stop duration is important for arriving at the correct ETA for each stop in the delivery route. Route optimization helps in improving the bottomline of your business!

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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 stops using 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.