Whatever method of distribution or logistics you operate, it is important to take account of the following goals:

• Minimise drive time and travel cost

• Maximise customer satisfaction with timely deliveries

• Prevent cross-over - drivers passing each other when delivering your products

• Maximise vehicle delivery capacity

Often none of the above points have been properly considered when defining distribution routes, with maps created simply by drawing boundaries onto a map based on their proximity to main roads. Whilst this can work in some instances, applying a more scientific process that takes account of drive times can pay dividends and substantially reduce costs.

The following three maps show: hand drawn distribution areas based on main roads and their intersections; the same three distribution areas translated into digital maps; and finally, new distribution regions designed using drive times. 

Tech4T can examine your existing distribution areas together with the products you distribute including their size and weight, the vehicle capacity, customer demand, and any preferred call planning. We then use data and spatial analytics to design an optimised distribution plan, with output produced as wall maps, as a set of wall map tiles, as driver documentation, and also as a web-based solution - with Postcode searching for ease of assignment.