Delivering Milk at the Last-mile – Route-Optimization Software

Last-mile delivery is a pivotal element for the success of any business, regardless of its size. Optimised last-mile deliveries with milk round software ensure how efficient and profitable a business is. However, it is not as easy as it might sound without an appropriate tool. 

According to Statista, in the US, online grocery sales were at USD $95.8 billion in 2020 and are projected to reach USD $187.7 billion by 2024. Ensuring on-time deliveries is crucial for enhancing the customer experience and retaining them. 

Optimising routes using the right delivery management software increases the operational efficiency of last-mile delivery. Route optimisation is one of the crucial features of delivery business software that streamlines last-mile delivery, making it more efficient, productive, and profitable. In this blog, we’ll discuss how route optimisation can help achieve efficient last-mile delivery. 

The Importance of Route Optimisation in Last-Mile Delivery

Route optimisation is a critical tool for driving efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and customer satisfaction in the rapidly changing landscape of last-mile delivery. In this digital age, when customers expect prompt and dependable deliveries, the importance of streamlining the final stage of the logistics chain cannot be overstated. The multifaceted approach of route optimisation is critical in transforming last-mile delivery processes. By strategically organising and fine-tuning delivery routes, it provides a plethora of benefits that have a significant impact on businesses’ bottom lines and improve the overall delivery experience.

In order to get to the core of this transformative practise, let us look at six critical ways in which route optimisation fundamentally shapes and revolutionises the landscape of efficient last-mile delivery.

6 Crucial Ways in which Route Optimisation helps in efficient Last-Mile Delivery  

Delivery Route Planner- While optimising the delivery route, route optimisation creates the shortest delivery path, keeping into account the location, time and traffic pattern. The route needs updating in case of any unexpected event and drivers must be informed. The delivery business software with the route optimisation feature allows vendors to manually set the sequences and routes. The delivery route planner cuts off fuel costs. Today, customers also consider environmental impacts while shopping online and have started making shopping behavioural changes. Optimising the delivery route has reduced carbon emissions into the environment and mitigated the impact of carbon footprinting.  

Auto-Dispatching- Auto-dispatching removes the need for vendors to print the orders and delivery details and hand them to the drivers. Vendors create routes and assign them to drivers. Any order from a particular route is auto-assigned to the delivery person to whom that particular route is assigned. The driver application automatically updates all delivery details when a new order is accepted by the customer. 

Optimised Delivery Time- Route optimisation creates the shortest delivery distance based on the location, delivery preferences, and traffic pattern. The delivery path created while considering the traffic pattern reduces the delivery turnaround time. Once the vendor has used the auto-route optimisation feature, he can also modify the route manually based on the delivery preference. 

Enhanced Customer Experience- Changing customer shopping behaviour and increasing expectations have pushed businesses to offer quick and free deliveries. Although meeting these customer demands has been a great challenge for businesses due to high last-mile delivery costs, using the right software can help optimise last-mile deliveries and ensure on-time deliveries. Other features of route optimisation include providing an estimated time of arrival, real-time order status and direct communication with delivery drivers in case of an unexpected turn of events. These features, which promote transparency between customers and businesses, help increase the trust factor and add value to the brand.     

Estimated Time of Arrival- The estimated time of arrival is the calculated approximate time it will take for the driver to reach the customer’s doorstep. Having a tentative ETA allows customers to continue with their daily work without having to worry about receiving deliveries at any time of the day.  

E-Proof of Delivery- Electronic proof of delivery is the proof obtained by the delivery driver while fulfilling the orders. E-proof of delivery is taken by clicking a picture of the order, via OTP or both. This ensures that the order was delivered successfully, which avoids any future customer disputes.   

Managing last-mile deliveries for fewer customers manually might be an easy task but as the number of customers increases, manual route planning becomes flawed. With route optimisation software, businesses can increase the efficiency of fleet management and reduce delivery operational costs. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is Route Optimisation in the Milk Round Software?

A1. Route optimisation is a crucial feature of milk round software that runs algorithms that create the shortest distance, which includes sequencing for making multiple deliveries in one round. This reduces delivery turnaround time and fuel consumption.

Q2. Why is Last-Mile Delivery important in a Delivery Business?

A2. Last-mile delivery accounts for more than 40% of the milk supply chain cost, which has a significant impact on the ROI of the business. Optimising last-mile deliveries is crucial to making the operation efficient and improving profits. 

Q3. How does Milk Round Software help in optimising Last-Mile Deliveries?

A3. Milk round software auto-assigns delivery drivers to the orders and auto-dispatches them. The route optimisation feature helps in optimising the delivery route, which reduces delivery distance and makes the process more efficient. 

Q4. Can I plan my Delivery Route Manually?

A4. Yes, you can plan delivery routes manually if you have fewer customers. However, as the business grows and the customer base increases, this task becomes overwhelming, increasing the risk of missing out on customers while sequencing. 

Q5. How does optimising deliveries with Milk Management Software help businesses?

A5. Optimising deliveries reduce total turnaround time, reduces fuel costs, and allows delivery drivers to service more customers. It ensures timely deliveries, which improves customer satisfaction scores.

Milk Delivery Solutions is a complete suite for streamlining and optimising the entire business, including route optimisation. Schedule a call with our delivery management expert to learn more about our software.