RouteManager Simulations: Last-Mile Delivery and Service Businesses Test and Fine-Tune Thousands of Routes With the Click of a Button

Learn how B2B retailers and B2C home delivery businesses use Simulations to test various scenarios, utilize resources effectively, maximize capacities, evaluate job bids, examine long-term impact, and more. 

Humans tend to do our best work in less pressurized environments where we can experiment with different scenarios, make mistakes, learn from those mistakes, and try again. Such spaces allow us the freedom to explore a multitude of simulations without the weight of any sort of immediate implementation or the pressures of being tracked. When we give ourselves permission to fail, that’s when we often produce our best work. A “practice” environment is conducive to innovation and growth and can lead to discovering fresh ideas, unconventional solutions, and a myriad of other benefits.

When it comes to planning and optimizing routes, having this testing ground — or simulation environment — is absolutely essential. Why? Not only does it provide a space to test hypotheses, but it takes it a step further, giving you results and data to power smarter decisions based on accurate data. Whether you’re delivering to retailers or individual customers, every business is constantly tackling its own unique challenges. Imagine if you could test out all the possible solutions to these challenges in a safe, quick, and automated system — without the fear of accidentally sending it to the dispatch team — and, based on simulated results, create a successful action plan.

Since our customers don’t have the ability to test new routes in RouteManager itself, Simulations helps them see the impact of making any changes without worrying about implementing new routes prematurely or disrupting operations. We’d like to give you a broad idea of how some of our customers — both in the B2B and B2C delivery space — use Simulations and why they find it valuable to their business. 

How Our B2B Partners Benefit From Route Simulations

In our experience, B2B businesses such as food and beverage delivery companies use RouteManager Simulations differently from B2C companies. Since the daily routes are not residential, most routes are static and require adjustments less frequently. They aren’t planning routes every day to new homes, however, they are often changing and adding new retail partners that require deliveries. 

Using Simulations allows them to prepare for the intense growth that comes with catering a large event, adding a new facility, and more. One client, in particular, is looking to expand their business globally, so they use RouteManager Simulations to test out how many vehicles they’ll need to expand successfully. They will also need to add more RouteManager licenses to gain heavier access to Simulations, so they are in the process of testing how many they’ll need for a cost-effective expansion.

B2Bs can simulate potential risks and challenges that may arise in their operations by experimenting with different strategies in a risk-free environment. Companies can identify the best course of action, minimize negative impacts, and make more informed decisions. They can also tweak a setting, like removing a vehicle, telling the drivers to work one hour less, and more. 

How Last Mile Delivery B2Cs Utilize Route Simulations

As you can imagine, with delivery routes traveling to tens, hundreds, and sometimes thousands of homes per day, B2C businesses often require a more dynamic and flexible route strategy. This is the main difference between the use case of a B2B and B2C business. There are many variables they need to keep in mind depending on the industry such as seasonal order spikes, forecasting demand, knowing how much more staff to hire and let go of, etc. Simulations allow them to analyze route modifications for the most cost-effective and efficient results. 

In addition to seasonal spikes in demand, one of our B2C clients uses Simulations to aid in the planning phase of their future expansion. They’re using it to figure out the most optimal location for a new warehouse that will be able to serve more customers and rental properties. 

What Makes RouteManager Simulations Different?

Our Simulations platform offers a comprehensive toolset for optimizing logistics and transportation operations. One of the standout benefits is the user-friendly interface that fosters easy collaboration among the team. This accessibility empowers a wide range of professionals to analyze and publish data, facilitating a more informed decision-making process.

The economic advantages of routing simulations are noteworthy. The cost of real-life experimentation can be substantial, involving potential expenses related to process changes, staffing adjustments, or equipment purchases. In contrast, Simulations offer a cost-effective means of testing theories without incurring these significant costs. It serves as a safeguard against expensive mistakes by allowing businesses to validate ideas in a controlled digital environment before implementation.

A compelling feature of Simulations is their ability to repeatedly test theories and innovations under identical circumstances. This consistency enables businesses to analyze various approaches with precision and accuracy, leading to refined strategies and improved outcomes. Moreover, simulations excel in examining the long-term impact of decisions and assessing the consequences of unforeseen events, such as sudden staff absences or disruptions in the supply chain.

How RouteManager Simulations Works

Simulations allow you to upload and build routes like you normally would in operations; the only difference is you won’t be able to export results or dispatch routes. A simulation route can be copied to operations to execute with a few clicks if needed. Within Simulations, you can export routes as an additional feature as well as store repeat routes, orders, and schedules. 

Contact Us

If you think your business could benefit from a simulation environment, contact us today at (866) 497-4993 or email WWRMsales@workwave.com.