When you work with route planning and these have inefficient processes, they are more expensive to manage. Whether you are just starting out as a transport company or have years of experience, your routing profits can be reduced.
There are a number of reasons why planning might not be right for your business. For example, there's the time it takes to plan the right routes in advance. Other times, delivery teams might try to use free, more accessible tools like Google Maps. But Google Maps is really there to provide directions, not to map out the most efficient routes.
Things to consider when getting the best route planner
We know that sometimes as a business you want to cut costs on certain things. However, is getting a free planner the right decision? This can work for those businesses that plan road trips or for those who do part-time delivery. There are a variety on the market, but they certainly have their limitations as programs.
Unfortunately for some, it is not common to find free programs on the market that work with unlimited stops. Usually these come predetermined with 10 or 20 stops per route. Now, is it worth investing in a planner that requires payment? Yes, since they offer advanced features, such as route management, proof of delivery and driver tracking.
Route planning software that can help your business
We will show you some of the best features that are currently available to the public. If you are just starting out as a business, they can be very helpful. So we will explain the pros and cons so you can choose what best suits your company's goals.
A minimum of stops
There are models on the market that are ideal for self-employed delivery drivers or small to medium-sized teams. They can plan routes with up to ten stops for free. Ten stops is very little for a large company but sufficient for when you are starting out in business.
Web Versions
Some alternatives need to be carefully checked for features, as they may only be available for web-based route planning. This means they do not have a mobile version, like the apps that have become so popular today.
Normally these versions are easy to use and manage, however, they have certain disadvantages. As they are not available for mobile devices, the routes have to be printed once they are done. This is much more cumbersome and, if you think about it, it is like having a map marked with a highlighter.
20 stops available
Other types of planners offer a free plan of up to 20 stops per route, which is suitable for growing companies. Twenty is usually the maximum that the versions that do not require payment usually offer on both websites and apps.
Raising the stakes
After you get past 20 stops, route planning models that don't require a fee are almost non-existent. And, those that do exist don't offer any of the advanced features you get with their competitors. You up the ante to get more free stops but pay the price of being very limited in what you can do with them.
Long distance travel
Don't forget those within your transport company who require a section for truck drivers. They need special features since they work on long distance trips. Many times they don't make as many stops as the distance they travel, so this gives them a certain priority for customization.
Charging commissions for stops
Unlike the ones mentioned above, there are models in which you have to pay to have the necessary stops for your already established company. There are models that require payment in credits, for example, with $29 you buy 100 credits, which are equivalent to 100 stops. Others are paid directly, for example, $69 per month for small teams (5 drivers, 500 stops).
These prices may vary depending on the brand, requirements and versions. Just as we mentioned that $29 can be charged for 100 stops, there are cases where around $40 is charged for the same amount. It is a matter of finding the best alternative that fits your budget and requirements.
ToolRides and everything it offers you
If you are looking for an alternative that offers you the best features and you can't find any disadvantages, ToolRides is for you. As it is a white label platform, it is 100% customizable, having a transportation app plus its planner included. Since it has a comprehensive system that includes map, address and route services.
Not only will you be in the hands of professionals with more than 6 years of experience, but you will also have free support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In addition, you will be able to add features to your dashboard within the app such as:
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Multiple types of access profiles.
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Access for corporate clients.
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Travel dispatcher.
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Active travel monitoring.
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Historical report of all trips made.
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Finance modules, notifications, configurations, among others.
Not only will you automatically improve your routing by getting our software, you'll also keep both your drivers and customers happy, each with their own personalized app. And best of all, there are no stops or limited trips in any of our plans, so forget about those extra credits.
Have clear routes and efficient trips
In case your company only needs route optimization, we recommend you take a good look at which route planning software works with Android or Apple devices. In case you don't want to invest in an extra planner, ride-hailing apps like ToolRides include everything you need.
