Beverage Industry logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Beverage Industry logo
  • NEWS
    • R&D News
    • Supplier News
  • PRODUCTS
    • New Products
    • Reader's Choice Poll
  • CATEGORIES
    • Alternative Drinks
    • Beer
    • Bottled Water
    • Cannabis Beverages
    • Carbonated Soft Drinks
    • Energy Drinks & Shots
    • Juice & Juice Drinks
    • Plant-Based Beverages
    • Sports Drinks
    • Tea and Coffee
    • Wine & Spirits
  • R&D
    • Beverage R&D Features
    • Ingredient Spotlight
  • PACKAGING
    • New Packages
    • Packaging Equipment
    • Packaging Material
  • OPERATIONS
    • Distribution
    • Plant Focus
  • TOP LISTS
    • Beer Market Report
    • Executive of the Year
    • State of the Beverage Industry
    • Top 100 Beverage Companies
    • Truck Report
    • Wholesaler of the Year
  • MEDIA
    • eBook
    • Podcast
    • Polls
    • Videos
    • Webinars
  • DIRECTORIES
    • Annual Manual
    • Contract Packaging Guide
    • Take a Tour
  • MORE
    • Classifieds
    • Channel Strategies
    • eNewsletters
    • Events
      • Membrane Technology Forum
    • Interactive Product Spotlights
    • Market Insights
    • Sponsor Insights
    • Store
    • White Papers
  • EMAG
    • eMagazine
    • Archived Issues
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP!
CommentaryDistribution

Distribution

How to make sure your route optimization system lives up to its purpose

3 questions fleet managers can ask will help guide system analysis

By Jeff Cioletti
distribution main
May 6, 2022

Route optimization is usually high on the list of distributors’ operational priorities, but many facets to the process often are overlooked. Fleet managers can avoid “blind spots” in their systems by asking three basic questions:

 

Question 1: Is there an opportunity to continue the optimization process after loading?

Most of the time, a distribution center is going to run optimization protocols on the next day’s deliveries.

“They’re going to load the trucks per those routings so they can deliver and do any pick-ups that they may also need to be able to do within that market — which is great,” says Doug Schrier, senior vice president of strategy for fleet solutions provider Transflo. “However, we know that things change rapidly. And how do you change them?”

Stops canceled at the last minute, unexpected road congestion and other potential wrenches can be thrown into the route after it’s already been planned. “How do I [ensure] flexibility and run the rest of the routes?” Schrier says. “Having the ability to run optimization on a truck basis when things happen after you’ve [already] done your fleet optimization is really important.”

 

Question 2: How can you access the knowledge that’s in your driver’s head when they’re not running that load so that they can educate the next person on that route?

When a driver routinely delivers on a specific route, they develop certain instincts that are unique to the subtle ins and outs of that particular route or certain stops — how long it takes them to service a specific stop on average, how they enter a particular facility, where they park for loading and unloading, fueling concerns, etc.

Having experienced the route time and again, the driver might have gleaned some real-world intel that the optimization tool might miss.

When it comes to fueling, many older systems primarily would account for factors like the cost of fuel at a certain station along the route, as well as the driver’s hours of service.

“What you’re really missing there is the driver’s [insight],” Schrier explains. “What’s the congestion like at that fuel stop, do they need to make U-turns or other unsafe [maneuvers] at that fuel stop — and how do you collect that information? A lot of older optimization solutions don’t allow you to drive your solution one way or another using other variables beyond what it was built for. How a driver runs a route to how a driver puts fuel in their truck to how a driver does their daily duties is really [dependent] on their feedback and how they’ve optimized themselves.”

 

Question 3: Does the system enable drivers to rearrange their stops on the fly, as necessary?

There might be a detour on the route that could make that supposedly optimal route sub-optimal. In such a case, it might make more sense to bypass a stop from its original place in the order and revisit it later when it’s more accessible. Many platforms don’t enable that.

“[The systems] don’t allow the driver to go from stop one to stop three and back to stop two for the completion of the load,” Schrier notes. “The ability for the driver to do that — and then have that change, the fact that they’ve already completed stop three, reflected into their in-truck navigation — is really important. So when they leave stop two, the system shouldn’t be routing them back to a stop that they’ve already completed.”

KEYWORDS: beverage delivery beverage fleet telematics transportation

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
to unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • top 100 beverage companies

    Top 100 Beverage Companies of 2024

    For the global beverage market, mergers and acquisitions...
    Beverage News
  • Chocolate, Strawberry, Vanilla shakes

    Classic flavors provide reliable, consistent results for beverage-makers

    Classic flavors of chocolate, vanilla and strawberry...
    Ingredient Spotlight
    By: Chloe Alverson
  • Free Spirits Instant Bar Bundle

    Lifestyle trends drive growth for non-alcohol category

    As lifestyle trends continue to drive growth for the...
    Alternative Drinks
    By: Lauren Sabetta
Manage My Account
  • eNewsletters
  • Online Registration
  • Subscription Customer Service
  • eMagazine Subscription
  • Manage My Preferences

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Beverage Industry audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Beverage Industry or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • Fourpeople toasting with cocktails made with low-sugar ingredients, celebrating healthier drink options.
    Sponsored byCargill

    What’s Hot in Sugar Reduction: Beverages

  • chocolate milk
    Sponsored byCargill

    Sweetening the Future for Dairy and Dairy-Alternative Beverages

  • woman pouring a drink
    Sponsored byFFP

    Building a Beverage System: Meeting Consumer Demand for Precision Wellness

Popular Stories

Celsius Fizz Free

CELSIUS launches new Fizz-Free flavors

PepsiCo.jpg

PepsiCo advances AI agenda

Narragansett Beer 1975 cans

Narragansett Beer celebrates 50 years of ‘Jaws’

Top 100 Beverage Companies of 2024

Events

April 16, 2025

2025 State of the Industry Series: Alcoholic Beverages

On Demand In Beverage Industry’s annual State of the Industry: The Alcohol Beverage Market, analysts at S&D Insights LLC delve into these trends and how they’re shaping the industry.

View All Submit An Event

Poll

Retail Coffee Segment

What retail coffee segments will fare well into the next year?
View Results Poll Archive

Products

Milk and Dairy Foods Nutrition, Processing and Healthy Aging

Milk and Dairy Foods Nutrition, Processing and Healthy Aging

See More Products

Related Articles

  • FL Bay truck profile

    Fleet managers turn to route optimization to cut delivery costs

    See More
  • Jeff Coletti_Distribution

    How to make your beverage fleet insurer ready

    See More
  • Verizon Connect Telematics Device - Beverage Industry

    Route planning, customer service key to success of telematics

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • ency brew.jpg

    Encyclopaedia of Brewing

See More Products

Related Directories

  • RAM Systems Inc.

    Since 1981 proudly serving the beverage and distribution industry, providing robust solutions for sales, delivery and warehouse management, ERP/CRM, sales analysis, supply chain and much more. RAM’s suites include host and mobile software, rugged mobile printers, Apple iPads and iPhone, systems integration/interfaces, electronic commerce, communications, and automated billing options
  • Magline Inc.

    Magline, Inc. is the world’s leading manufacturer of Magliner route distribution solutions and much more. We are a committed partner in helping to grow your business. By listening to your challenges first, our team can work with you to develop the right solutions that fit your unique distribution needs.
  • DMW&H

    DMW&H stands out as a premier provider of integrated material handling and automation solutions with a heritage dating back to 1964. Specializing in the design, implementation, and support of sophisticated warehouse and distribution systems across diverse industries, DMW&H has cultivated particular expertise in serving the Wine and Spirits sector for over 25 years. Their solutions encompass conveyor systems, sortation technologies, robotic automation, and comprehensive Warehouse Control Systems (WCS), all aimed at enhancing efficiency, productivity, and accuracy in logistics and distribution operations.
×

Elevate your expertise in the beverage marketplace with unparalleled insights and connections.

Join thousands of beverage professionals today. Shouldn’t you know what they know?

JOIN NOW!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing