What’s The Deal With Route Optimization?

In 1959, National Medal of Science-winning mathematician George Dantzig and another researcher, John Ramser, published “The Truck Dispatching Problem”. It included the very first algorithm for optimal route planning. In layman’s terms, route optimization is the process of using complicated math stuff to find the most efficient way to visit a set of addresses. This has practical applications for courier companies, propane delivery services, and every other business that sends employees out to meet with customers.

Shave Hours Down To Seconds

Planning routes manually takes a long time. In addition to figuring out which roads your drivers need to take to get to your customers, you also need to account for traffic, construction,  weather, customer availability, and other factors.

It can take hours to do this by yourself.

But there’s no reason to do this by yourself. With advanced route planning software, you just need to plug in your customers’ addresses, and then your optimized route will be ready in 30 seconds or less. Just imagine what you could do with all that extra time…

The Direct Economic Benefits Of Route Optimization Software

Another problem with manual route planning is that there’s no guarantee the routes you come up are 100% efficient. In fact, they probably won’t be. You’ll make your employees drive more than they have to.

Drivers are expensive. You need to pay for their salaries, of course, and you’re also on the hook for gas, vehicle maintenance, and other expenses.

Route optimization software will make these expenses as small as they can be, as it allows you to visit all your customers while traveling fewer miles and using less gas.

There Are Indirect Benefits, Too

Giving your drivers the most efficient routes possible helps your drivers show up on time more often.

That’ll make your customers happier, which will inspire them to recommend your service to their friends and family. These kinds of personal recommendations are the absolute most effective way to attract new customers to your business.

Route planning software and truck routing software don’t just reduce your expenses – they increase your income as well.