ROUTE SCHEDULING

Getting the best return on applied resources, whilst protecting both the individual and customer service, is a difficult balancing act. Whether the objective is to cover more client visits with fewer people, reduce fuel costs and carbon emissions or to simply strike a better balance between drive time and customer-facing time, Geoplan route scheduling software can help you achieve it.

Whilst recent economic events may have sharpened resolve in these areas, it is true to say that visit scheduling is always a challenge and has the ability to be very wasteful if not planned, implemented and reviewed on a frequent basis.

In order to maximise the efforts of your sales and service/ support personnel, you first need to take a look at your customers and develop approaches that are appropriate for your various customer profiles. Geoplan can help you do this, so you can determine where face-to-face contact is required and where a simple phone call will suffice. Then you can use Geoplan’s Route Scheduling software to plan efficient call cycles, based on achievable, optimised routes, which can be flexed in the field.

Efficient route scheduling and sales call planning can significantly:

• Reduce logistic/ transport costs
• Reduce fuel costs
• Increase efficiency and productivity of sales/service personnel
• Lower carbon emissions
• Shorten delivery times
• Improve customer service and customer satisfaction

Wherever we have applied our approach, we have succeeded in reducing customer-servicing costs by circa 20%. Even when there has been doubt in the minds of the field forces involved, we have been able to demonstrate, to their satisfaction, that the routes were better for them, the business and the customer.

Throughout the country, Sales, Distribution and Operations departments are using Geoplan’s Route Scheduling systems. Great British companies such as Ronseal are using, and benefiting from, Geoplan scheduling software.

Learn more about Geoplan’s Route Scheduling software, TourSolver and TomTom Visit Manager – a system that links route scheduling to ‘Sat Nav’ and provides the ability to flex plans using a PDA or laptop.