Remember when Google Maps was your go-to route planning app? It was simple, free, and got the job done. But as your business has grown, so have the complexities of your deliveries.
More stops mean tighter schedules. Higher customer expectations mean that what once worked now feels like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole.
If you’re finding that your current system is causing more headaches than solutions, it might be time to consider dedicated route planning app.
In this article, we’ll explore the signs that indicate it’s time to make the switch and how a route planning app can iron out your delivery hassles.
What is a route planning app?
The simplest definition is that a route planning app is software designed to optimize your driver journeys and improve customer service. It plans delivery routes by considering traffic, delivery windows, and vehicle capacity.
Route planning app key features:
- Real-time traffic
- Weather integration
- Customer notifications​
- Live tracking and updates
- Multi-stop route optimization
- Driver performance monitoring
These features make the entire delivery process much easier, increasing your team’s efficiency while reducing costs.
With Locate2u’s route planning app, businesses save on fuel costs since their routes are now optimized. They also have less vehicle wear and tear to deal with!
Beyond that, it also improves your customer service offering and the trust users place in your service or product. ​
READ: Want better reviews? Start with the right delivery management software
Route planning or route optimization?
First, let’s define the two terms.
Route planning is when you create a plan for attending to a specific route or set of locations. For example, a delivery driver planning his day. This process could either be done manually or with the help of technology.
Route optimization, on the other hand, is finding the most efficient or cost-effective way to complete that journey.
Many companies use Google Maps for their route planning. While useful, Google Maps doesn’t have the standard features built-in with most route planning apps, including route optimization.
Signs you’ve outgrown Google Maps
How do you know your business has grown beyond what Google Maps can offer? There are a few signs to look out for.
1. Limited stop capacity
Google Maps allows up to 10 stops per route. While this is fine for small businesses, what happens when your customer base grows?
The solution is to switch to a route planning app, especially one that can handle hundreds of stops.
With route optimization added into the mix, you can build delivery journeys for your drivers in a matter of seconds. And the software will consider factors like the weather and traffic conditions.
2. Lack of real-time adjustments
Google Maps also doesn’t adapt to real-time changes. What if there’s an accident along the route, or a road is flooded? Perhaps your customer lodges a last-minute cancellation?
How will you (and your drivers) deal with these changes on the fly?
Route planning apps can provide re-routing based on live data so your customers get their parcel when they’re supposed to, and your drivers remain on course. ​
3. No driver performance insights
Most standard navigation apps don’t give you a way to monitor driver behavior. When left unchecked, this can lead to inefficiencies in routing and deliveries.
A route planning app that offers analytics on driver performance is the key ingredient here.
With analytics on driver performance, you can see where money might be wasted, or which drivers might need additional training or support.
It will also help you to reward exceptional work, especially if drivers are going out of their way to keep customers happy.
4. No proof of delivery
While Google Maps may be fine to route a handful of deliveries or stops, it doesn’t support the capturing of customers’ signatures or photos once a parcel has been delivered.
But most standard route planning apps come with these features built in. Like the proof of delivery feature on Locate2u’s app.
This means less paperwork for your staff, and it also reduces the chance of manual proof of delivery slips going missing.
READ: Benefits of a route planning app you can’t ignore
5. Inefficient route optimization
Remember we said route optimization is the process of finding the most efficient or cost-effective way to build a route?
The problem with manual route planning is not just that it is time-consuming and prone to errors. It also doesn’t optimize routes automatically! Like an app would.
To get the best out of automated route optimization (and by extension, save time and reduce fuel costs), you’d need a route planning app.
How to pick the right route planning app
Figuring out which route planning app is right for your business would depend on your specific needs.
If you’re a delivery or courier business, you’d want something that makes it easier for your delivery driver. If you have field service workers, you’d need an app to assist them in getting to their sites on time.
Apart from your business needs, also keep in mind that your drivers or installers will be using the app. So you need a route planning app with a user-friendly interface.
Google Maps vs route planning apps
Moving away from Google Maps to a dedicated route planning app might seem daunting at first, but in the long run, the benefits will far outweigh the initial effort.
Improved efficiency, better customer service, and thorough data analytics are just the tip of the iceberg.
As your business grows, equipping yourself with the right tools is essential to stay ahead in the competitive delivery landscape.
About the author
Cheryl has contributed to various international publications, with a fervor for data and technology. She explores the intersection of emerging tech trends with logistics, focusing on how digital innovations are reshaping industries on a global scale. When she's not dissecting the latest developments in AI-driven innovation and digital solutions, Cheryl can be found gaming, kickboxing, or navigating the novel niches of consumer gadgetry.
