From efficient picking to route planning: how e-PacksGA and Routal optimize preparation and delivery in a unified way

In modern logistics, warehouse and distribution they are no longer separate worlds. La intelligent route planning is transforming the way orders are prepared in the warehouse and how trucks are loaded for delivery. In this article, we will explore, in clear language, how the integration between Routal (route optimization software) and the SGA SGA e-packs of Micros Group connect order preparation with the last mile. We will see how this synergy allows you to automatically plan routes, optimize the process of Picking in warehouse and expedite the loading of trucks using the method LYPHUS (Last In, First Out). We will also introduce key logistics concepts —traceability, optimization of Layout from the warehouse and Cross-docking— to bring practical value to warehouse management and last-mile distribution.

Route planning and picking: why do they go hand in hand?

Traditionally, the order preparation (picking) in the warehouse and the planning delivery routes have been managed separately. The warehouse prepared the orders in the order they arrived, and then the transportation department organized the deliveries. This approach can lead to inefficiencies: sometimes the first ready order turns out to be the last one to be delivered, forcing the truck load to be reorganized or the delivery person looking for boxes amidst a chaos of orders.

How does route planning impact picking? Let's imagine a warehouse with 50 orders to deliver to a city. Without proper coordination, warehouse workers could pick up products “as orders arrive” without considering where they will go. The result: when loading the truck, the orders are out of order with respect to the delivery sequence. This means more time on the loading dock reordering pallets or boxes, risk of delivery errors (orders out of order) and wasted time en route (deliveryman constantly looking at boxes and more boxes, until he finds the right one).

Al integrate route planning from the start, we changed this landscape. If we know In advance the optimal route of the truck, we can prepare orders in the same reverse order to delivery stops. In other words, the warehouse carries out the picking following the sequence that the carrier will need. Thus, the internal logistics of the warehouse are aligned with distribution logistics from the outset, reducing time and gaining efficiency.

Routal integration with e-PackSGA: a connected flow from warehouse to the last mile

The solution to this coordination is to connect warehouse and transport tools into a single digital flow. This is where the integration between SGA e-packs (the Warehouse Management System of Micros Group) and Routal (route planning platform). What does this mean in practice? That the SGA and the route optimizer “they speak the same language” and work in sync.

How does this integration work? In simple terms, when new orders arrive at the SGA e-PackSGA, this system not only manages their internal preparation, but also sends the information to Routal to calculate the Best delivery route in seconds. Routal processes directions, delivery windows, truck capacities, priorities and returns an optimal route plan (order of stops). Automatically, e-PackSGA receives that order and Organize the picking list according to the route.

For example, if Routal determines that deliveries must be made in the order: Customer X, then Customer Y and finally Customer Z, the SGA e-PackSGA will adjust the preparation sequence so that the Customer Z's order is prepared first and Customer X's last. This way, orders leave the warehouse now ordered according to the optimal route. Warehouse personnel simply follow the instructions of the SGA (by mobile device, lists or PDA) taking the products in the order indicated, and deposit each prepared order in the corresponding dispatch area, ready to be loaded onto the truck in that sequence.

Immediate benefits of an integrated flow

By aligning preparation with delivery, this integration provides multiple operational benefits without adding complexity for staff (on the contrary, it reduces it). Some of the key benefits They are:

• Faster ready orders: El Picking is streamlined because the SGA guides operators in a clear order. Questions about what to prepare first are eliminated. This reduces downtime and speeds up order preparation.

• Hassle-free truck loading: Since the orders are ordered according to the route, the Charging is direct and efficient. There is no need to search for or reorder packages; the truck is loaded in the indicated sequence.

• Faster deliveries and lower cost: Routal calculates optimized routes that reduce kilometers traveled and road time. This can translate into savings of up to ~ 30% in distribution costs (less fuel, higher productivity on each route) and deliveries on schedule.

• Fewer errors and maximum traceability: With a unique flow of data, each order is identified and located at all times. The integration reduces manual intervention (and therefore steering or loading errors) and offers full traceability from the warehouse to the final delivery.

• More sustainable operation: Shorter routes and fuller trucks mean fewer trips and emissions. Optimizing not only saves money, but it also reduces the carbon footprint of distribution, without affecting the service to the customer.

In short, to unite SGA e-packs with Routal create a closed circuit where each order is “born” in the warehouse with its delivery route already assigned. Let's look in more detail at some key aspects of this optimization, such as sequenced preparation (LIFO) and other logistics concepts that enhance the chain.

Sequenced order preparation and LIFO (Last In, First Out) loading

One of the main improvements when planning routes automatically is being able to apply the method LIFO (Last In, First Out) in the loading of orders. LIFO in delivery logistics means that The last order to enter the truck will be the first to leave for delivery. This concept, which sounds technical, is easy to understand with a practical example:

Example: Let's think about a truck that you must deliver at 3 stops: first at the Stop A, then B And finally C. Following LIFO, we will load firsts the packages from destination C (bottom of the truck), then those from B, and trailing The ones in A, near the door. What did we achieve? That when you arrive at Stop A (which is the first delivery en route), your packages are within reach, ready to unload immediately, without moving boxes from other deliveries. Each time the truck advances to the next stop, the corresponding orders will be upstairs or more accessible, because they were finally loaded into the warehouse.

With the Routal+ e-PackSGA integration, this process is fully automated. Since e-Packsga prepares orders in the reverse order of the deliveries planned by Routal, The truck is loaded naturally by applying LIFO: The last orders prepared (last to be loaded) are just the first to be delivered. The result is a optimized load where you don't need to reorder anything by hand. This saves time at the loading dock and, above all, simplifies the driver's life during delivery, avoiding the need to search for orders.

In addition, the optimized load sequence contributes to maximize space and stability in the vehicle. The packages are arranged so that the final destinations are in the background and the first destinations are in the front. Along with other good practices (such as distributing weight evenly and securing the load with straps), the company achieves trucks loaded safely and efficiently. In a nutshell: the first delivery of the day is The last thing that gets on the truck.

Full traceability: follow the order from start to finish

Another fundamental contribution of technology in this integration is traceability. In logistics, traceability means power Keep track of each order throughout the entire process, from the moment it is prepared until it reaches the customer. The integration between the SGA and the route planner facilitates unified traceability, providing control and confidence in the operation.

How is this manifested? For example: each order, when prepared with e-Packsga, may carry a barcode or QR label containing your shipping information (route, customer, delivery sequence, etc.). When that order is loaded onto the truck, the system records which vehicle is carrying it and what order of delivery it is in. Then, during the last mile, Routal allows monitor in real time the location of the truck and the status of each delivery (for example, “En route”, “Delivered”, “Incident”). All of this information flows back to the system, so both the logistics operator and the customer they can know the exact status of the order at any given time.

Full traceability provides several added values:

• Quickly detect incidents: If an order could not be delivered or there is a delay, the system reflects it instantly. This allows us to react (reschedule delivery, inform the customer) with agility.

• History and continuous improvement: By collecting data from preparation to delivery, it is possible to analyze picking times, delivery times, routes taken, etc. Identifying bottlenecks is easier with these integrated data.

• Customer Trust: Informing the end customer about the route of their order (via SMS, email or web portal) improves their experience. For example, thanks to Routal, the customer could receive a notification that “Your order is on its way, next stop in approx. 30 minutes”, adding transparency and professionalism to the service.

• Management of returns: When a customer refuses a delivery, the warehouse may already be preparing for the arrival of goods and the management of that return, even before having received it. For example, leaving gaps close to the unloading dock to quickly unload the truck.

In short, the traceability enabled by e-PacksGA + Routal means that no order is “lost sight of” at any point. From the shelf in the warehouse to the customer's door, there is a digital thread that identifies and locates the customer.

Cross-docking: preparation and distribution without scales

Another advanced logistics concept worth mentioning is the Cross-docking. Cross-docking is a strategy where merchandise Go directly from reception to dispatch, with minimal or no intermediate storage. In other words, products that arrive at the warehouse (for example, from suppliers or a distribution center) are immediately assigned to outbound orders and loaded onto another truck for delivery, without placing them on shelves in the long term. It's like making a quick “transhipment” of merchandise.

How does this benefit? Mostly in Streamline times and reduce storage costs. If we implement cross-docking correctly, we achieve:

• Less inventory in stock: The merchandise doesn't keep occupying space or freezing capital; it goes to the delivery truck soon.

• Faster preparation: Steps such as temporary locations or double manipulation are eliminated. It does not perform a Picking traditional because the incoming merchandise is already destined for an exit.

• Fresher delivery: Ideal for perishable or very urgent products, as we shorten the delivery cycle. Also useful in promotions or launches where you want to reach the store/end customer quickly.

Now, how do route planning and e-PacksGA + Routal integration fit in here? For cross-docking to work, chain coordination and synchronization must be excellent. The integration with Routal provides the ability to, as soon as the goods arrive, assign them to optimal delivery routes instantly. For example, if a supplier truck delivers 100 units of product X and there are already pending orders for that product, the SGA e-PackSGA (knowing this) could directly generate shipping orders and request routes from Routal to distribute those orders on the same day. Routal will plan deliveries considering the new goods and returning the load order. Thus, warehouse personnel in cross-dock mode simply move the received pallet or box directly to the departure pier corresponding to the assigned route, where it is loaded into the delivery vehicle almost immediately.

Cross-docking also requires integrated systems and actors: suppliers, warehouses, transports. Here again the SGA + route planner duo is key. e-PacksGA provides visibility of what is arriving and what is leaving, and Routal ensures that what comes out is on the best possible path. In essence, cross-docking enhances the integration effect: when it is possible to avoid even storage, intelligent planning directly connects the Inbound supply with outbound demand, in a matter of minutes.

Optimized last mile: faster deliveries and satisfied customers

All this coordination between warehouse and transport has one final objective: to improve the last-mile distribution, which is the final stretch to the customer. The last mile is often the most expensive and complex in the logistics chain (many destinations, urban traffic, narrow time windows). That's why every efficiency gain counts.

With Routal generating optimized routes and adapting to restrictions (customer schedules, vehicle capacity, delivery priorities, real-time traffic) and SGA e-packs ensuring that orders are prepared in accordance with that plan, The last mile becomes much smoother. Deliverymen have logical routes, without unnecessary twists and turns, and they find the truck loaded correctly. This allows them to focus on driving and delivering, rather than planning on the go or searching for packages.

A well-planned route reduces unforeseen events such as reaching one point and discovering that that customer's package is buried under others. Fewer unforeseen events mean meet the promised delivery times more consistently. From the end customer's perspective, this translates into greater satisfaction: they receive their orders on time, informed of the condition (thanks to traceability) and in good condition (less rough handling as they don't have to reorganize cargo).

In addition, by optimizing kilometers traveled, companies are often able to Increase the number of deliveries per route or per day, without adding extra resources. For example, if a deliveryman previously delivered 30 orders a day on a suboptimal route, with intelligent planning, he may be able to fulfill 40 in less time. That extra productivity can mean expanding coverage, assuming more sales volume, or simply saving fuel costs and driving hours.

Conclusion: Technology and intelligent planning improve the end-to-end logistics chain

The integration of an SGA such as SGA e-packs with a route optimizer such as Routal Demonstrate how technology can Break the silos between warehouse and transport, creating a continuous and highly efficient logistics chain. By automatically planning routes and bringing that knowledge to the picking process, a positive domino effect: The warehouse prepares better, trucks are loaded faster and more orderly (thanks to LIFO and the optimal sequence), and last-mile deliveries are carried out with agility and total control.

We have seen that classic logistics concepts—such as LIFO, traceability or cross-docking—take on new life and power when combined with modern integrated tools. MLess waiting times, fewer kilometers traveled, fewer errors, more visibility. In short, more agile operations and happier customers.

In practice, adopting these types of solutions and integrations means that the company can offer a better service with equal or lower operating costs, which translates into a competitive advantage. A logistics flow where “what happens in the warehouse” and “what happens on the street” are coordinated with the latter is, without a doubt, the objective that every distribution company pursues.

The key message? La intelligent planning, supported by appropriate technology, improves the entire order preparation and delivery chain. From the moment an order enters the system until the customer has it in their hands, every step can be optimized. Routal and SGA e-packs they clearly illustrate it: joining forces they allow Logistics work like clockwork, simplifying tasks and raising the quality of service.

It's time to say goodbye to messy loads and improvised routes! With integrated solutions like these, even non-technical professionals can see how your warehouse “thinks” about the delivery route, and how each delivery is fed with data from the warehouse. The result: efficient, transparent logistics prepared for the challenges of the last mile.

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