The US Department of Energy has found that inefficient driving can increase fuel and other vehicle costs by up to 40%.
- Key Takeaways
- What Is Route Management Software?
- Benefits of Route Management Software
- 5 Best Route Management Software Options for Your Business
- How to Choose Your Route Management Software
- FAQs
- 1. What types of businesses benefit most from route management software?
- 2. How much money can route management software actually save my business?
- 3. Is it difficult to implement route management software into my current operations?
- 4. How do I know which route management software is right for my business?
This figure can translate into hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars for businesses managing a fleet of vehicles. And while you might imagine that you can simply advise your drivers to take the best route possible on any given day, the challenges will persist. This is because the “best route” can change from moment to moment.
Plus, you have to account for factors like aggressive driving and sudden events like storms or traffic accidents. It’s virtually impossible to account for all potential factors without route management software.
Route management software is an investment every organization managing delivery vehicles must make. The best software will more than pay for itself, and as a bonus, it will help increase customer satisfaction and employee retention.
Let’s take a look at what making this shift can mean for your business.
Key Takeaways
- Route management software can significantly cut costs.
- Improved delivery operations lead to happier customers and drivers.
- The best route management solutions are scalable and easy to use.
What Is Route Management Software?
For those still unaware, route management software is a digital tool businesses can use to optimize last-mile delivery services.
Last-mile delivery is just what it sounds like — the last step of delivery that usually moves a package from a local warehouse or distribution center to the customer’s delivery address. The software will cover every angle of that process, including:
- Route planning and optimization with real-time GPS adjustments
- Task assignments
- Order tracking
- Proof of delivery
- Vehicle tracking
- Driver communication
- Customer updates and alerts
- Fuel efficiency
Essentially, it’s like having an all-knowing eye in the sky that can help you create the best routes, communicate with customers and drivers, and ensure your vehicles are highly efficient at all times.
Benefits of Route Management Software
So, what are the hard benefits you get from utilizing route management software?
- Increased efficiency: Thanks to optimized routes and increased communications, you and your drivers will spend less time idling, managing customer expectations, and guessing.
- Reduced costs: Of course, increased efficiency means you’ll save a ton of money on expenses like fuel and vehicle maintenance because drivers will take the best route every time.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction: If there’s any single most important part of a successful business, it’s happy customers. With on-time deliveries and open communication, your customers will have no reason to complain. They might even rave about you.
- Increased employee retention: Happy drivers are another critical factor to your success. Drivers will have predictable routes, happy customers, and reasonable expectations. No more racing around wondering, “What’s next?”
Of course, there are so many more benefits, like data-driven decision-making and improved safety, that you just can’t deny the value of route management software.
5 Best Route Management Software Options for Your Business
If you’re ready to start thinking about which software option might be right for you, here are our top 5 picks to choose from:
1. Cigo Tracker
Cigo Tracker is well-known in the last-mile delivery industry for its efficiency and reliability. With features like real-time tracking, enhanced communication, and route optimization, it helps businesses reduce costs and improve customer satisfaction. Users can streamline delivery routes and manage drivers and vehicles for optimal operations and services.
You’ll get data-driven insights and customizable workflows from a single dashboard that is both desktop and mobile-friendly. It’s also easy to use for even the least technologically inclined team members.
Cigo Tracker offers a free trial you can sign up for today.
2. Routific
Routific is regarded as a great option for strong route optimization and excellent customer support. It offers a user-friendly interface and a powerful route optimization engine, making it a popular choice for businesses trying to improve last-mile delivery service. Users can expect accurate ETAs for an enhanced customer experience.
The application is easy to use, with real-time tracking and notification features. It’s flexible and customizable, which makes it ideal for adding updates, notes, and order details for drivers to read.
Routific offers new customers a 7-day free trial.
3. Onfleet
Onfleet is another great delivery management solution with tons of tools for dispatching, route optimization, driver management, and customer communication. Users will get detailed reports with insights and analysis, so you can always look for new ways to improve your route optimization.
Onfleet helps businesses improve efficiency with streamlined operations, so you’ll save time and money. You’ll also have greater control over your delivery operations, which allows you to make informed decisions.
Onfleet offers customers a 14-day free trial.
4. OptimoRoute
OptimoRoute is a good solution for businesses looking to improve delivery efficiency with real-time tracking, customizable notifications, and simplified route planning. You can cut a ton of your manual work out of your day with the easy-to-use platform and expect a better customer experience thanks to the proof-of-delivery feature.
This software will help you improve your driver efficiency and offers scalable solutions, so you can increase or decrease your workflow as needed.
OptimoRoute offers customers a 30-day free trial.
5. Route4Me
With dynamic route planning, Route4Me is a winning option for businesses looking to handle large numbers of stops and integrate with other operating systems. You’ll get real-time tracking and driver communication, so your team can stay in touch and stay on top of situations as they change.
Route4Me allows businesses to split routes for deliveries with route balancing, and you can track drivers and vehicles, so you’ll have highly accurate ETAs and even predictions for potential delays. These features can keep both your customers and your drivers happy.
Route4Me offers a free 7-day trial.
How to Choose Your Route Management Software
Now that you have some options to choose from, how do you choose? After all, many of these route management software options look the same. Here are a few factors to consider when deciding who should get your business:
- Ease-of-use: If your team can’t use the software easily, they won’t adopt it, and then you might as well not have it.
- Speed: Can the software get your routes optimized and communicated to your drivers in rapid time?
- Route efficiency: Obviously, if you’re not actually taking more efficient routes and saving time and money, the software is not ideal.
- Route acceptability: Do your drivers and dispatchers agree this software is great?
- User ratings: Always check reviews and testimonials from existing or past users. It’s the best word-of-mouth.
FAQs
1. What types of businesses benefit most from route management software?
Route management software is ideal for any business that manages deliveries, field service teams, or mobile staff. This includes logistics companies, e-commerce businesses, food and grocery delivery services, healthcare providers, and utility companies. Essentially, if you have vehicles on the road, you’ll benefit from route optimization.
2. How much money can route management software actually save my business?
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, inefficient driving can increase fuel and vehicle costs by up to 40%. With route optimization tools, businesses can reduce fuel usage, labor hours, and vehicle maintenance costs—often saving thousands to tens of thousands of dollars annually, depending on fleet size and usage.
3. Is it difficult to implement route management software into my current operations?
Most modern route management platforms are designed for easy integration and quick onboarding. Many offer intuitive dashboards, mobile apps for drivers, and integrations with existing tools like CRMs or delivery platforms. Look for providers that offer a free trial, training resources, or customer support to ease the transition.
4. How do I know which route management software is right for my business?
Start by evaluating your fleet size, delivery volume, and specific operational needs. Consider features like real-time GPS tracking, driver communication, proof of delivery, and integration capabilities. Then, compare ease-of-use, customer support, and pricing. Our comparison of the top 5 platforms in this article is a great place to start.