Weather Any Storm with Cloud-Based Routing Software

If you manage or own any kind of successful fleet, you know the importance of running the most efficient routes. You probably also know that route optimization software is the key to meeting customer demands and managing your fleet. The traditional ways of planning routes—from pen and paper to spreadsheets—no longer fit the bill, as today’s customer expects tight delivery windows, and wants the option of one- to two-day delivery. Even if you’re currently using a routing solution, you need to ensure that you have the right routing solution for your fleet.

What is the right routing solution, you ask?

The answer is the route optimization system that will allow you to factor in any parameters you choose, from driver preferences and restrictions to load and truck types. You also need software that offers advanced functionality that will grow with you and will let you try out new business scenarios before you put them into action.

The benefits of routing software are countless, but cloud-based routing software makes your business safer and more agile because you have a fully maintained, secure IT solution that you can access anywhere.

In the article below, we’ll discuss the advantages of cloud-based routing software and how your fleet can benefit—both today and tomorrow as the business grows.

What Is Cloud-Based Routing Software?

If you are unfamiliar with the term, route optimization software is designed to help your drivers make their deliveries in the most efficient, cost-effective manner. Cloud-based route optimization takes it one step further. In today’s connected world, you need to know where your drivers are throughout the day.

While on-premise routing software will give you driver updates from your desktop, what if you are away from your office? You still need the ability to connect with your drivers, your dispatchers and your service team, which is where cloud-based solutions are superior. Cloud-based routing technology allows you and your team to work, communicate and collaborate from anywhere.

The logistics industry is primed to explode as the growth of eCommerce continues to expand. The world needs truckers to stay on the road, and they need to deliver those orders as quickly as possible. In addition, there are so many players in the transportation industry and margins are so tight that you need to make the most of every resource you have if you want to stay competitive.

With on-premise routing systems, you can still get optimized, efficient routes; however, the ability to access your software from any device is a distinct advantage of cloud-based systems. This allows dispatch to get information on current fleet data and ETAs, and make it accessible anywhere—particularly advantageous for businesses that have multiple distribution centers (DCs). If you want to be able to manage your routes from anywhere and from any device, you need cloud-based routing software.

If all these reasons still aren’t enough to convince you, we’ve compiled a definitive list of the many benefits of cloud-based routing software.

Benefits of Cloud-Based Routing Software

To stay profitable in today’s hyper-competitive transportation industry, you need technology. The old ways of managing your routes will no longer serve. If you want to compete in this environment, your best bet is cloud-based routing and scheduling software. As with all routing software, you’ll get some immediate benefits.

Most companies that adopt a routing solution find that their operational costs drop almost immediately, while their drivers enjoy the benefits of easier, more efficient routes. This means happier drivers, happier customers and more profits. But there are even more benefits to be had by deploying your routing software using the cloud.

Read on to find out how a cloud-based route optimization solution—like Aptean Routing & Scheduling—can help you grow, protect you against risk and improve your bottom line.

1. Anywhere, Anytime Access

Cloud-based routing software isn’t based on one server, or one computer like on-premise solutions. This means that everyone in your transportation enterprise has access to the same information, whether they log in from the office, from home or from their mobile device. Your drivers will have a mobile application on their devices, so the software can sync directly from driver to dispatch and back again. Information is in near real-time where everyone on your team can share and update.

2. Instant Updates and Minimal Equipment

Product, feature and general software updates are all instantaneous with cloud-based software. You’ll always have the latest and greatest version of the software, and it takes the burden off your IT department. Even better, these updates are free and don’t require any manual manipulation on your part. In addition, cloud software requires no extra equipment, taking up no extra space in your offices and, because there is no expensive equipment to maintain, it generally comes with a lower price tag.

3. Enhanced Security

Cloud-based software alleviates risk. Your provider is responsible for the security of your data, and they will work tirelessly to mitigate the latest security threats. By encrypting your data, even if it should fall into the wrong hands, they would need special equipment to break the encryption. Cloud software has built-in compliance solutions to keep your company in line with federal and state regulations, so your data—and your customer data—is properly secured.

Cloud-based solutions have updated insights and real-time reporting mechanisms that can help logistics businesses stay secure, even in the face of threats. This leaves your IT department free to keep the rest of your computer equipment running as it should. In this business, anything can happen, and often does.

On any given day, your team might deal with inclement weather, increased traffic, accidents, maintenance issues and any number of unforeseen occurrences. Your cloud-based routing service ensures that you have business continuity and deliveries continue even when something goes wrong.

For example, let’s say that a bad storm knocks out the power in your city. With an on-prem solution, the power outage might affect your ability to get real-time updates because the server or network is down. Not so with a cloud-based solution. All your data is stored securely in the cloud and is easily accessible no matter what the circumstances.

4. Scalability

Your software should help, not hamper, your growth. Cloud-based routing software works with your current size and scale, but has the flexibility and functionality to help you continuously improve service levels as your company grows.

Routing solutions should never be one-size-fits-all. With Aptean Routing & Scheduling being scalable, cloud-based route planning software, your solution will adjust as your needs change and you add more functions to meet your new requirements.

Designed by experts in logistics and transportation, we’ve spent decades creating our advanced, cloud-based systems to meet the unique needs of your industry with sophisticated functionality that will help you master your route optimization planning—with cloud based-technology to help you compete. Aptean Routing & Scheduling will help you conquer all your logistics challenges—now and in the future.

And because it’s cloud-based, you won’t have to wait to get additional features enabled, like electronic proof of delivery (ePOD) or home delivery management tools as your enterprise grows.

Are you ready to make the move? We can help make your transition to cloud-based route planning software effortless—get in touch with our team of routing industry experts to find out how.