For managers of small to mid-sized fleets handling pick-ups, deliveries, and sales calls who want more efficient routing, an online route planner should be the number one priority. Web-based route planning software tools like RouteSavvy significantly reduce fleet operating costs and overtime labor costs. Routing software also can help increase revenue by shoe-horning more deliveries, pickups, or service calls into each week thanks to more efficient routing.
But once management has decided to invest in route planning software, it’s key to invest in the right route planner with the most-needed attributes that can make a difference for your business, with a modest investment.
The Number One Feature To Seek In Route Planning Software
The most important feature to seek in a high-performing route planner for small to mid-sized fleets is that it’s an online route planner, i.e., it’s web-based and uses an internet browser to do its job.
In the old days, when small & mid-sized businesses needed software, they purchased the software, loaded it onto their office computers, and then maintained the software with periodic updates offered by the software developer.
Now that cloud-computing and Software-as-a-Service (SAAS) applications have become a standard, route planning, along with many other types of business software, has been transformed.
How Does An Online Route Planner Work?
With SAAS (online) route planning software, your account and routes are stored securely, typically on a website that you access with a user name and password. Once that route planning tool has been accessed via a website, users simply deploy its functions to optimize routes. More efficient routes save significant time and money. Payment is usually through a monthly, quarterly, or yearly subscription.
Top 5 Benefits of Using an Online Route Planner
There are 5 main benefits of web-based route planning software designed for businesses & non-profits with small to mid-sized fleets:
- No Software to Load: With an online route planner, there’s no software to load on your computer. The routing software resides on a website and is available for use once you log into your account.
- No Software to Maintain: If you don’t have to load software onto your own computers, you don’t have to maintain that software yourself.
- The Software Is Always Up to Date: With an online route planner, updates are managed and implemented by the software developers. This means that every time you log into your online route planner, the software is up to date, and you’re accessing the latest and greatest version.
- No Maps to Load or Maintain: You never have to perform map updates to keep map data up to date. That is done automatically with the software.
- Affordable: Online route planners create efficiencies that save money, and those savings can be passed on to customers in the form of affordable pricing. Maintenance and updates are centralized for efficient software maintenance.
- Earth-friendly: Subscription-based online route planners don’t come in a box, so there are no boxes or packaging to deal with, or dump into a landfill.
The bottom line is that there are MANY “pros” for businesses with small to mid-sized fleets using an online route planner vs. a route planner that’s installed on their office computers. When choosing route planning software, one of the most important features that should be on your shopping list is that it’s online.
Want to learn more about how to buy the right online route planner? Check out our buyer’s guide on the 10 most important features when shopping for an online route planner.
Want to learn more about RouteSavvy route planning software? Please access our Free, 14-day Trial.
