# Routing and Scheduling Software ## How Routing and Scheduling Software can help businesses that make deliveries Routing and scheduling software is a valuable tool for a business that makes deliveries using its own fleet of vehicles, since it optimises transportation and streamlines operations, resulting in increased efficiency (more deliveries per mile), cost savings, and enhanced customer satisfaction. Overall, routing and scheduling software can help businesses with delivery fleets, optimise their operations and improve their bottom line by lowering costs, increasing efficiency and productivity while helping to enhance customer satisfaction. Here are just some ways that routing and scheduling software can benefit a business that makes deliveries: ## Four Routing and Scheduling Benefits ### Route optimisation Routing software can analyse the most effective routes depending on a variety of parameters such as distance, traffic, and delivery windows. This will reduce logistics costs and improve delivery times. [Optimise Fleet](https://routinguk.descartes.com/route-planning-and-scheduling/route-optimisation) ### Improved vehicle utilisation By optimising the delivery schedule and minimising empty or partly loaded trips, delivery scheduling software will ensure that vehicles are fully used. This will help a company accomplish more with their existing fleet and drivers, as well as lowering fuel usage and maintenance expenses. Descartes' software has helped some businesses increase their delivery capacity by 35% without adding drivers or vehicles. [Learn More](https://routinguk.descartes.com/route-planning-and-scheduling) ### Improved customer service Accurate and timely deliveries can enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty. Routing and scheduling software will help ensure that deliveries are completed on time and will provide customers with real-time tracking and notifications. After a delivery schedule based on real-time traffic data and vehicle capacity has been generated, the delivery time window could well be decreased to a half or one-hour slot. Consumers like more definite delivery timeframes and delivering when you say you will help develop customer loyalty. [Learn More](https://routinguk.descartes.com/route-planning-and-scheduling/last-mile-delivery) ### Streamlined operations Routing and scheduling software automates many of the manual administrative tasks associated with logistics, such as scheduling, dispatching, and invoicing. The time taken to calculate the delivery routes is greatly reduced along with manual errors while efficiency is increased, freeing up time for employees to focus on other important tasks. [Optimise Fleet](https://routinguk.descartes.com/route-planning-and-scheduling/delivery-route-scheduling) ### Routing and Scheduling Software Case Studies “We’re delighted with the solution and the service we have received from Descartes. Ultimately, Descartes is helping us minimise our operational costs through its route planning and optimisation solution and is actively contributing to our corporate and social responsibility and sustainability efforts.” Simon Macdonald, National Transport Manager Avg distance driven/delivery reduced 2% Manual processes Replaced Nationwide stores 300+ [Read more](https://routinguk.descartes.com/customer-successes/topps-tiles-transforms-delivery-operations) “We were impressed by the investment and support that Descartes put into this product and the roadmap. This technology has allowed us to be agile, forward-thinking and work optimally with our fleet with benefits on costs, sales and satisfaction across the business and with our customers.” Edward Corbett - Head of Programme Delivery capacity increased 25% OTIF deliveries increased 15% Fleet size 500+ [Read more](https://routinguk.descartes.com/customer-successes/sig-plc-fleet-success) “Descartes ePOD solution has unlocked considerable benefits for both our business and our customers. We have seen the number of requests for PoD decline dramatically and have received increasingly positive feedback from our customers.” Peter Russell, IT Director, Carpet & Flooring Customer POD requests reduced 80% Successful 1st time deliveries Increased Delivery operation costs Reduced [Read more](https://routinguk.descartes.com/customer-successes/carpet-and-flooring) ## Additional Features & Benefits ### Continuous background optimisation Achieve more efficient route plans for your fleet than traditional batch-based optimisation techniques and provide costed delivery options at the point of sale in seconds. ### High quality traffic data Accurate route times are possible using road speeds that are based upon the day, the time of day, the route taken and even the direction of travel, giving you confidence in the route schedule and your customers delivery times. ### Integration with other Descartes fleet management and optimisation solutions Descartes Route Planning Solutions have been designed to work with Descartes Mobile™ Applications, Transportation Management and Compliance Management solutions to provide a one-stop-shop for optimising in-house fleets and third party transport operations. ### Wide range of solutions for all fleet operations Descartes routing solutions can accommodate all fleet sizes and operations, from fixed static routes delivering for retailers to dynamic home delivery operations. Get more out of your fleet assets and reduce the cost of transport operations. ### Cloud-based software Our fleet route scheduling Software is available over the internet wherever you have a connection, providing team access to our solution, working from any location at any time.