Master Perfect Trip Planning with Fleet Management Software

All fleet managers have at some point struggled with proper route planning for their vehicles. The stakes are high, and thus so is the pressure. After all, wrong routes can not only put a vehicle in the way of harm but can also affect the fleet’s overall productivity. This is why a fleet management system has the perfect solution to aid this procedure. 

The route planning system automates this process and allows managers to not only create flawless trips every time but also save time. A win-win! Let us learn how by first understanding what trip planning is and how it is done with the help of a vehicle tracking system. 

Steps to Efficient Trip Planning

So what is trip planning in the first place? When we look at the prime difference between traditional route planning and technology-based route planning, most of the steps remain similar. It is only their mean of execution that changes. These steps include:

• Step 1: Deciding the halts for drivers in case of multi-stop trip planning. 
• Step 2: Ensuring these halts are added in their desired sequence. This helps prioritise the clients that need their goods earlier than others. A good example of the transportation of FMCG goods to various shops for further sale. Shops that open earlier than others will require their good before others. 
• Step 3: Find a route most suitable for this task. This can vary on the basis of the business targets and needs. If they require to cut down their cost, the best route would include fewer tolls. But for fragile consignments, the best route will include well-made roads instead. Managers need to make the call of what works for them. 
• Step 4: After deciding on the route they can mark the stops on this route. This ensures their drivers do not miss any stops on the route. Thus, adding an extra layer of reassurance. 
• Step 5: The route is not ready for use. Drivers can follow this route and ensure they reach their task locations easily.

While this is a foolproof way of choosing routes for a fleet, there is still a huge window for errors with manual route planning. This is why it is very important that modern businesses shift to technological modes of planning.

How can a Fleet Management System Help?

So how can a fleet management system that offers clients route planning solutions be efficient for this role? Let us find out:

• Trip Creation: The system simplifies the route planning process to just a couple of clicks. All they have to do is add their desired halts and the sequence of the halts in the system. The system creates a route best suited. Thus, managers can divert saved time to optimise other fleet operations. 

• Route Deviation Alerts: What if your drivers decide to stray away from their designated path? Do not worry the system has a solution for this as well. Managers receive alerts every time the drivers go off route. This means they have the chance to investigate why this detour took place. 
• ETA: While the vehicle is on the road, managers will get constant updates about the time it will take for it to reach the destination. This means they do not have to constantly the contact driver for updates. It not only saves time but can also prevent distracted driving that might happen due to the constant need for communication. 
• Geofences: Managers can mark important areas as geofences.  This virtual boundary on the map allows them to see when the vehicle enters and exits the designated area. Thus, there is no chance of accidentally skipping important stops on the route. 

Conclusion

Having a fleet management system with the fleet can be a great help for managers. While this solution alone can change the game for any fleet business, the software has so much more to offer. With dynamic solutions and amazing features, investing in a vehicle tracking system is a no-brainer.

TrackoBit is one of the best fleet management software in the market. It offers clients driver behaviour monitoring, fuel management, asset tracking, and vehicle tracking for holistic transformation. Do not believe us? Try our demo to witness the system’s effectiveness for yourself!