Facing a Forced Routing Software Upgrade? Tips to Evaluate Your Provider’s Fit

Key Takeaways

For food and beverage distributors facing a forced migration to new routing software, evaluating your provider’s fit is crucial to maintaining operational efficiency and supporting growth. This article highlights key insights to guide your decision-making:

• Challenges with Omnitracs upgrades: Customers report losing advanced features, facing unresponsive support, and experiencing slow innovation with forced migrations.
• Hidden costs of outdated solutions: Inefficiencies like routing inaccuracies, scalability issues, and delayed implementations can hinder growth and increase costs.
• What to seek in modern software: Prioritize real-time optimization, advanced mapping, reliable customer support, and strong integration capabilities tailored to time-sensitive delivery operations.

Table of Contents

1. Understanding the Forced Upgrade
2. Has Your Relationship with Your Routing Software Provider Degraded?
3. The Hidden Costs of Staying with the Wrong Provider
4. Key Questions to Evaluate Your Provider’s Fit
5. Exploring Alternatives: What to Look For In a Modern Routing Solution
6. Why Is Descartes the Ideal Omnitracs Roadnet Alternative?
7. Conclusion

Facing a forced migration to a new routing software solution can be daunting, especially for food and beverage distribution companies relying on precise logistics. If you’re transitioning from Omnitracs Roadnet Transportation Suite (a perpetual license model) to Omnitracs One (a SaaS-based product), it’s time to ask yourself a crucial question: Is my routing provider still the right fit for my business?

This article will guide you through evaluating Omnitracs’ services and solution and exploring alternatives to ensure you make the best investment for your operational needs.

Understanding the Forced Upgrade

The shift from the locally installed Omnitracs Roadnet Transportation Suite to the SaaS-based Omnitracs One represents a significant operational change. Many customers have avoided paying for maintenance, which means they’ve missed out on crucial updates like:

• Map upgrades essential for accurate routing.
• Bug fixes that resolve critical software issues.
• Feature enhancements that drive operational efficiency.

This lack of support could lead to inefficiencies and lost opportunities for businesses experiencing growth or operating in dynamic delivery markets.

Has Your Relationship with Your Routing Software Provider Degraded?

Numerous customers who left the solution provider, formerly known as Roadnet Technologies, have shared their challenges with us. If you’re facing similar difficulties, it may be time to consider an alternative solution. Below are six key concerns that former customers have conveyed:

1. Forced Migration Misses the Mark

   They had to give up the advanced capabilities they relied on with their existing solution.

2. Revolving Door of Contacts in Sales and Support

   They’ve been dealing with the constant turnover of contacts in both sales and support, leaving them with representatives who don't thoroughly understand the intricacies of their business.

3. Trouble Finding Product Experts

   It became increasingly difficult to connect with staff who possessed in-depth knowledge of the product they were using.

4. Unresponsiveness from Product Support

   Timely, informative responses from product support were hard to come by.

5. Product Innovation Slowdown

   They noticed a significant deceleration in the flow of product innovation and the introduction of new capabilities within the solutions.

6. Concerns About an Uncertain Future

   They were increasingly concerned about the future of products as the company became part of a larger organization that deprioritized routing solutions.

The Hidden Costs of Staying with the Wrong Provider

Remaining with an outdated or unsupported solution can cost your business more than you realize. Consider these risks:

• Outdated routing accuracy: Without regular map updates, your delivery routes may be less efficient, leading to increased fuel costs and delivery times.
• Scalability issues: High-growth areas demand software that can adapt and scale with your operations.
• Implementation delays: Limited support staff (e.g., only one implementation specialist available) could delay your transition, negatively impacting your delivery performance.

Key Questions to Evaluate Your Provider’s Fit

Before committing to an upgrade, assess whether your current provider aligns with your needs. Ask these critical questions:

1. Innovation and Growth

• Does my provider release new features regularly?
• Are they addressing emerging challenges in food and beverage logistics?

2. Company Stability and Vision

• Is my provider expanding their product offerings?
• Do they have a clear roadmap for growth?

3. Implementation Capabilities

• How many implementation specialists are available to support my migration?
• What’s the current implementation schedule, and can it meet my timeline?

4. Support and Maintenance

• Are monthly bug fixes and quarterly map updates and software enhancements included?
• Is my provider proactive in helping customers succeed?

Exploring Alternatives: What to Look For In a Modern Routing Solution

If your current provider isn’t meeting your expectations, it might be time to explore alternatives. A modern SaaS routing solution offers benefits such as:

• Real-time route optimization to improve delivery precision.
• Advanced mapping and analytics for smarter decision-making.
• Integration capabilities with telematics and mobile solutions to streamline operations.

Ensure the routing software you choose is designed to address the unique challenges of food and beverage distribution, such as time-sensitive deliveries and fluctuating customer demand.

Making the Switch: 4 Tips for Success

Switching providers doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Follow these tips to make an informed transition:

1. Assess current gaps: Identify pain points in your existing solution, such as routing inefficiencies or lack of updates.
2. Research alternatives: Look for providers like Descartes that offer innovative, customer-focused solutions.
3. Request demos: Evaluate how potential solutions address your specific needs.
4. Plan your implementation: Work with your provider to develop a timeline that minimizes disruption to your operations.

Why It's Worth the Investment

While upgrading your routing solution requires an investment, the long-term benefits far outweigh the costs. A modern solution can:

• Boost delivery performance: Ensure accurate, on-time deliveries that enhance customer satisfaction.
• Increase efficiency: Optimize routes to save time, fuel, and resources.
• Future-proof your operations: Partner with a provider committed to innovation and growth.

Why Is Descartes the Ideal Omnitracs Roadnet Alternative?

At Descartes, our comprehensive platform, built to address route planning, optimization, and dispatch challenges, is supported by our knowledgeable team. Our team is responsive to performance issues and inquiries, leverages in-depth solution expertise to align with evolving food and beverage business needs, recommends training to customers, and engages additional experts for enhanced effectiveness. And they’re accessible through all stages of the relationship—from the buying process to implementation to post-go-live.

We have considerable experience in transitioning Omnitracs Roadnet and other routing customers to our robust platform backed by specialists and a stable company with over 19 years of financial success. This strong financial performance enables continual investment, making it possible to expand our capabilities and integrate leading solutions for enduring success.

Conclusion

A forced migration is an opportunity to evaluate whether your current routing software provider is still the best fit for your business. By asking the right questions and exploring modern food and beverage distribution software, you can ensure your investment aligns with your growth goals and operational needs.

Ready to explore a better option? Learn how Descartes’ delivery management platform can empower your distribution business with leading end-to-end technology and expert support. Contact a solution expert to get started.