HERE ARE 3 QUESTIONS TO ASK BEFORE YOU BUY A ROADNET TECHNOLOGIES BRIEF

Transcription

1 Looking for dispatch software? HERE ARE 3 QUESTIONS TO ASK BEFORE YOU BUY A ROADNET TECHNOLOGIES BRIEF

2 In order to really get the most productivity as possible from your fleet resources and delivery windows, dispatching & GPS tracking software is pretty much a requirement these days for fleets of any size. Managing planned and unplanned deliveries, handling last-minute changes, balancing efficiency and customer expectations dispatchers have a wide array of variables to manage and too many opportunities to lose productivity and waste time. Dispatching manually and off the cuff just isn t an option any more. Dispatch software injects much-needed automation and logic into the process. But the software options out there are surprisingly varied. What features do you really need? Which options will you wish you had down the road? We ve captured the big three things to look for in your software and your software vendor things experienced dispatchers can t do without. Looking for Dispatch Software?: A Roadnet Technologies Brief 2

3 1 Does the software work the way you do? When you evaluate the functionality of the software you re considering, think about the things your dispatchers face every day. Every transportation company or commercial fleet has different priorities, and you ll want your software to align with your business processes and customer service strategy. For example: Does the software provide flexible options for proof of delivery? Can you generate detailed, line-item proof of delivery or just a general summary? Does it offer voice navigation so drivers can get safely to the right spots on the right roads? Can the software accommodate driver feedback so you can manage actual performance vs. planned? When the driver can communicate how well the route is going in real time, dispatchers can make adjustments on the fly. Does the software optimize workflows so your crews can do things in the most efficient order? Looking for Dispatch Software?: A Roadnet Technologies Brief 3

4 2 Does the software work with your technology? What kinds of mobile technology is compatible with your dispatch solution? Does the software run on both consumer- and commercial-grade devices? Does it pair with smartphones, tablets and rugged handhelds? Fleets that operate in harsh environments often require more rugged devices. Plus if you re scanning many line items at a stop for delivery reconciliation, you ll need a device that can handle the volume. Not all solutions will offer the proper options. And while your merchandisers may need a smartphone-based solution that can be kept in a pocket, your drivers may need larger, more rugged devices. Software that runs on both is thus your ideal. Finally, does it have web-based, real-time tools that drivers, dispatchers and merchandizers can view on a phone vs. going back to a desktop? Looking for Dispatch Software?: A Roadnet Technologies Brief 4

5 3 How dynamic is its dispatching? How often do you receive a mid-route order or change you want to accommodate? For businesses with homogenous products such as fuel oil, this kind of call for a pick up or delivery can come in any time. If a customer calls to cancel a delivery, or weather or traffic issues require you to reorder or cancel stops, you will want the ability to adjust quickly and intelligently. With the right software, you can take it in stride. That adaptability not only positions you as an agile and responsive vendor, it will help you optimize both revenue and utilization on a daily basis. And again, does your software let you adapt on the fly to actual driver performance vs. planned? Life on the road doesn t always go as planned. The bottom line is that your dispatch software should accommodate the way you work and operate, not force you to adapt. Look at your needs, your priorities and your technology and develop your feature wish list from there. The right software for your business does exist and evaluating your business needs will pay off. Looking for Dispatch Software?: A Roadnet Technologies Brief 5

6 About Roadnet Technologies Since 1983 Roadnet Technologies, a subsidiary of Omnitracs, LLC, has been a worldwide provider of fleet and mobile management software and GPS tracking solutions for hundreds of thousands of vehicles in a broad range of industries such as foodservice, beverage, paper, medical, waste management, textile and energy. Roadnet s fleet and mobile management software provides strategic territory and street-level route plans, multi-stop vehicle routing and scheduling, wireless dispatch, vehicle telematics, fuel management, and real-time vehicle GPS tracking. For additional information about Roadnet Technologies logistics products, visit or info@roadnet.com. Roadnet Technologies, Inc. 849 Fairmount Avenue, Suite 500 Towson, MD info@roadnet.com Copyright 2015 Roadnet Technologies, Inc. All rights reserved. All trademarks and service marks used are the property of Roadnet Technologies, Inc. MKT