3PL Distribution Logistics
3PL Distribution & Logistics Software
Reduce costs, increase efficiency, and improve customer service.
Improve profitability and client retention with every delivery.
Eliminate penalties and deliver on-time, in-full
Control costs and protect margins
Real-time visibility against planned routes
Build realistic routes with machine learning
Discover how to move your operations from OK to exceptional.
Solving 3PL Distribution Challenges
On-time, in-full (OTIF) performance
The key delivery KPI: arriving on time with the right goods, in full and undamaged. It drives SLA compliance, renewals, and reputation. Missed windows can lead to chargebacks, delays, and added costs.
Route Optimisation
Delivery costs are largely set before departure. Efficient routing, vehicle use, depot allocation, and backhaul planning ensure smooth operations. Small inefficiencies can quickly increase fuel and labour costs.
Costed Delivery Options
3PLs must balance productivity and cost control. Offering priced delivery choices lets customers select service levels that suit their needs while maintaining efficient last-mile operations.
Warehouse & Yard Management
Busy yards require tight control to avoid delays and risks. Real-time tracking, audit trails, and mobile tools improve efficiency, security, and visibility of trailer movements.
Creating End-to-end Visibility
Real-time tracking is essential. GPS, live ETAs, alerts, and customer portals help teams manage disruptions and maintain transparency, reducing pressure on customer service.
Cost Control & Margin Protection
Delivery costs can quickly erode margins. Fuel, labour, failed drops, and delays add up, making efficient execution critical to maintaining profitability.
Handling Delivery Constraints
Deliveries often involve complex constraints like time windows, emissions zones, and equipment needs. Accurate planning helps avoid disruptions and costly errors.
Read about AI in Route Planning
Proof of Delivery (POD) & Cash flow
Digital POD ensures accurate records with signatures, photos, and timestamps. It supports billing accuracy, faster dispute resolution, and stronger cash flow.
Customer Experience & Communication
Delivery impacts brand perception. Clear communication, flexible options, and proactive updates improve customer satisfaction and build trust.
Sustainability
Route optimisation reduces fuel use and emissions. Meeting environmental requirements and reporting standards is now essential for competitiveness.
Uniting the People and Technology that Move the World
Descartes cloud-based technology solutions support thousands of organisations with end-to-end supply chain and logistics solutions. From local deliveries to international trade and from warehouse operating systems to denied party screening.
Logistics Software Solutions for 3PLs and LSPs
Many leading 3PLs already rely on Descartes software to control costs, protect margins, and consistently deliver on time and in full. Descartes intelligent routing and scheduling solutions optimise fleet utilisation, improve real-time visibility, and enhance customer service, whether you operate fixed routes that need regular strategic planning reviews or dynamic routes that require daily optimisation.
In a market defined by tight margins and demanding SLAs, Descartes helps you to reduce delivery costs, increase productivity, and maintain service excellence. Move beyond manual processes and disconnected systems with integrated tools that give you full control over routes, resources, and performance, helping you compete, retain clients, and grow with confidence.
Customer Successes
“The Descartes solution provides the advanced capabilities we need to transform our logistics processes and, in doing so, improve the responsiveness of our delivery operations and reach higher standards of customer service.”
Einar Geir Jónsson, Head of Business Development
“With Descartes in place, our team of planners has automated and streamlined previous manual planning processes, allowing us to optimise our vehicle usage and minimise CO2 emissions.”
Rachel Hopkins, Chief Information Officer
“Descartes route optimisation software was designed to be deployed in an operational capacity to manage collection & distribution rounds. We have now adopted it to respond to calls for tenders and support our regional business units by undertaking centralised optimisation studies.”
Charles Fouche, Engineering & Optimisation
“Overnight our business was transformed. Our planning team and drivers love using Descartes.....Since introducing Descartes, Stop Start’s daily delivery volume has increased 50%. This rate of growth would not have been sustainable without digital planning tools.”
Andrew Bayne, Managing Director
“Investing in Descartes has been the game changer we expected it would be for our business. Descartes’ last mile delivery solution enabled us to win not just one, but two major contracts without increasing headcount.”
Matt Shields, Director, PBO Logistics
“Descartes Reservations™ and Route Planner™ solutions were integral to our strategy of offering a more extensive, but unified delivery service. The advanced optimisation capabilities and architecture of the Descartes solutions were critical, bringing new delivery service options to our customers in an economically feasible way.”
Andrew Gay - Systems Manager
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the software optimise routes to reduce mileage and fuel costs while meeting customer delivery windows?
Yes. Descartes’ route optimisation software is specifically designed to help distributors and third-party logistics (3PL) providers reduce mileage and fuel costs while consistently meeting agreed customer delivery windows. Using advanced algorithms, the system automatically calculates the most efficient routes across the fleet, taking into account delivery time windows, vehicle capacity, driver hours, traffic patterns, and geographic constraints. By intelligently sequencing stops and consolidating deliveries within the same area, 3PL operators can significantly cut unnecessary miles, lower fuel consumption, and reduce overall operating costs without compromising service levels.Does route optimisation software provide real-time tracking and dynamic rerouting for vehicles to handle disruptions (e.g., traffic, delays)?
Yes. Descartes provides real-time vehicle tracking and dynamic rerouting capabilities for distributors and 3PLs operating in complex, high-pressure delivery environments. Through live GPS visibility and continuous data updates, distributors and 3PL operators can see exactly where every vehicle is, how each route is progressing, and whether deliveries are on track to meet agreed time windows.How well does delivery scheduling software handle multiple vehicles and complex delivery schedules across clients?
Descartes’ delivery scheduling software is built to manage large mixed fleets operating across multiple clients, depots, and service types. It can optimise hundreds or thousands of deliveries across the fleet (e.g., HGVs, vans, etc.) in a single planning cycle, while respecting the specific constraints of each vehicle and contract.Can Descartes’ routing software integrate with existing systems (e.g., TMS, WMS, CRM) to streamline workflows and data flow?
Yes. Descartes’ solutions integrate seamlessly with existing transport management systems (TMS), warehouse management systems (WMS), and enterprise resource planning (ERP) solutions to ensure smooth data flow across the entire logistics operation.Does Descartes’ route optimisation and delivery scheduling software support delivery time windows and service constraints (e.g., time-sensitive, appointment slots)?
Yes. Descartes’ route optimisation and delivery scheduling software fully supports delivery time windows and a wide range of service constraints, including time-sensitive shipments, booked appointment slots, retail store delivery windows, and site-specific access restrictions.What analytics and reporting capabilities does Descartes’ route optimisation and scheduling software offer to track performance and cost savings?
Descartes’ route optimisation and delivery scheduling software provides comprehensive analytics and reporting capabilities that enable d3PLs to track performance, demonstrate value to clients, and drive continuous improvement.Does Descartes’ route optimisation software include driver tools (e.g., apps, navigation, proof of delivery) for execution and communication?
Yes. Descartes’ route optimisation software includes integrated driver tools that support execution, navigation, and real-time communication throughout the delivery day.Is Descartes’ route optimisation software and delivery scheduling solution scalable to grow with our business and handle peaks in demand?
Yes. Descartes’ route optimisation and delivery scheduling solutions scale easily alongside business growth, whether that comes from adding new clients, expanding into new regions, increasing fleet size, or managing seasonal peaks.