In my last blog I looked at the problems with fixed routes. Today I’ll briefly outline 3 strategies to deal with these problems – but will go into more detail in future posts. The title of this blog site is “Vehicle Routing Works”. So you won’t be surprised to find unashamed advocacy of computerised vehicle [...]
In my last post I looked at the reasons for operating fixed route systems. Today I’m going to look at the problems associated with using fixed routes. In an unchanging environment with exactly the same order quantities and the same drivers each day, there is no problem with fixed routes. It is the optimal strategy. [...]
Many companies run fixed routes to deliver to their customers – the same driver does the same round every day or has a set of rounds that are repeated every week. Other companies create a completely new plan every day. But which is best? And more importantly which is best for you? In this paper [...]
Right now your drivers probably exercise a lot of discretion in what they do. A common practice is to give the drivers a set of delivery tickets and leave them to get on with it – assuming they will arrange the drops in a sensible sequence. You probably run a fixed trip or fixed area [...]
Going from a manual planning system to using an operational routing system is a big change. It will have a significant impact on the way you run and manage your transport operations. In this article I’m going to look at how implementing a VRS might result in changes for the customer. Most manual planning systems [...]
1. Involve the interested parties Your IT Department You need data – customer codes, addresses, delivery time windows and orders. This data already exists in your order processing system. If you are doing daily planning you need to be able to get that data out of there and into your Vehicle Routing system. Not only [...]
Why are you implementing VRS? The usual reasons are • Reduce distribution costs. • Improve customer service. • Reduce planning time/staff and customer service time. • Satisfy an external requirement (e.g. a 3pl contract requirement) And more recently • Be more green It helps to think through all your objectives before you start. Write them [...]
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