In a world where speed and efficiency are essential, having a delivery route planner it is no longer a luxury, but a necessity for any business that depends on last-mile logistics. Whether you're managing a fleet of 5 or 500 vehicles, these tools can make a difference in your daily operation. Below, we explain the main advantages of incorporating a route planner in your company.

1. Optimization of time and resources

An automated route planner calculates the most efficient routes taking into account variables such as the location of destinations, real-time traffic, delivery restrictions and vehicle capacities.

• Outcome: fewer kilometers traveled, less fuel spent and less time wasted on unnecessary roads.

💡 Example: If you previously needed 8 hours to cover all your deliveries, with a planner you can reduce that time to 6 hours, while maintaining the same quality of service.

2. Reduction of operating costs

Fuel, vehicle maintenance and working hours are among the highest costs in logistics. By optimizing routes, a planner reduces fuel consumption and vehicle wear and tear, in addition to minimizing staff overtime.

• Statistics: Companies that implement route planners report up to a 30% savings in logistics costs.

3. Improved customer satisfaction

Accurate delivery times and the ability to provide real-time updates to your customers are essential to improving their experience.

• With a planner, you can let them know of a Exact time window for delivery or to allow them track your order in real time.

• An informed customer is a happy customer and more likely to repeat the purchase.

4. Flexibility for unforeseen events

What if there's an unexpected traffic jam or an urgent last-minute delivery? Modern planners automatically adapt to changes in route conditions, offering real-time solutions.

• This ensures that your team can react quickly and meet expectations, even under adverse circumstances.

5. Increase in team productivity

Automating route planning frees your operations managers from tedious tasks, allowing them to focus on strategic activities.

• In addition, drivers receive clear and optimized routes, making their work easier and reducing the stress associated with complicated deliveries.

6. Environmental sustainability

By reducing the distance traveled and fuel consumption, you decrease your carbon footprint.

• Fun fact: Studies indicate that companies that use route planners reduce by an average of 20% of their CO2 emissions.

Adopting efficient tools not only benefits your business, but also the planet.

7. Data analysis and continuous improvement

The best route planners don't just plot routes; they also provide detailed reports on delivery performance, fuel consumption and driving times.

• With this data, you can identify areas for improvement and make decisions based on concrete information to continuously optimize your operations.

Conclusion: Beyond logistics, a competitive advantage

A delivery route planner is much more than an operational tool; it's a strategic investment that transforms the way you manage your deliveries. From reducing costs to improving the customer experience, the benefits are obvious.

At Routal, we know how important it is to maintain agile and efficient operations. That's why we offer a route planner that not only optimizes your deliveries, but also helps you grow in a sustainable way.

💡 Ready to take the leap to efficiency? Request a free demo and find out how we can help!

✨ What do you think? Leave us your comments or share this article with someone who needs to optimize their deliveries. 👇

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In the world of logistics, the term Courier has become essential, especially in a market where promptness and customer satisfaction are key to the success of any business. But what does “courier” really mean? What are their functions and how do you choose the right one for your company? Here we explain it.

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What is a Courier?

A courier is a service that specializes in transporting and delivering packages, documents, or other products, generally with a focus on speed, security, and reliability. Unlike traditional postal services, couriers often offer shorter delivery times, detailed tracking, and personalized support.

The courier can be an internal service of a company (for example, its own fleet) or an external provider specialized in deliveries, and its role extends beyond simply transporting products. Your quality of service directly influences the customer's perception of your brand.

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Main functions of a Courier

Couriers perform multiple essential tasks to ensure efficient deliveries and ensure customer satisfaction:

1. Package Pickup: From the point of origin (warehouse, store or office) to the place of destination.

2. Home delivery: Either to the end customer or to a pre-established collection point.

3. Time management: They respect specific time windows to suit the recipient's needs.

4. Tracking and monitoring: They provide real-time updates on the status of the shipment.

5. Customer Support: They respond to questions or incidents related to deliveries.

6. Returns and reverse logistics: They handle returned products or merchandise changes.

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Types of Couriers

There are several types of couriers that adapt to the needs of different companies and sectors. Some of the most common are:

1. Local Couriers: They operate in specific areas and are ideal for quick deliveries to nearby urban or rural areas. They usually offer competitive rates and short response times.

2. National Couriers: They cover deliveries within a country, handling interurban routes and ensuring reliable delivery times over longer distances.

3. International Couriers: Specialized in shipments between countries, they offer services such as customs management and air or sea transport.

4. Couriers express: Focused on urgent deliveries, these services usually guarantee same-day delivery or less than 24 hours.

5. Specialized couriers: They are adapted to specific needs, such as transporting food, medicines, confidential documents or fragile products.

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How to choose the ideal courier for your company?

Choosing the right courier can make a difference in customer satisfaction and the operational success of your business. Here are some key things to consider:

1. Speed of delivery: Evaluate if the courier can meet the delivery times you promise your customers. Express couriers, for example, are ideal if your company needs immediate assistance.

2. Coverage:Make sure that the courier covers the areas where you operate and that it has the capacity to expand to new areas if your business grows.

3. Real-time tracking: A courier that offers real-time updates, such as GPS tracking and accurate time of arrival (ETA) estimate, builds trust and improves the customer experience.

4. Flexibility: Look for a courier that can adapt to the characteristics of your business: last-minute changes, night deliveries or specific requirements such as handling sensitive products.

5. Reviews and reputation: Research the opinions of other customers to understand the quality of the service offered by the courier. Reviews and testimonials can be a good indicator.

6. Technological integration: A courier that can integrate with your order management systems (ERP, CRM or ecommerce platforms) can optimize your processes and reduce errors.

7. Cost: While it's important to find a cost-effective service, don't sacrifice quality to save a few euros. The impact of a poor delivery can be more costly.

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Why Real-Time Tracking Is Key

Today, customers don't just want to receive their orders quickly, they also want to know when exactly they will arrive. Having a courier that allows you to provide real-time updates, including notifications of the estimated time of arrival (ETA), helps to:

• Reduce uncertainty: Customers can plan their day with confidence.

• Prevent failed deliveries: By knowing when the order will arrive, customers can be available to receive it.

• Improve the customer experience: Transparency builds trust and increases satisfaction.

Tools such as Routal, which integrate real-time monitoring, customer communication and route optimization, can facilitate this task and ensure successful deliveries. Prioritize those that have this type of technology, they will provide a better service to your customer and that will make your customers want to repeat.

Conclusion

Choosing the ideal courier for your company is not a task you should take lightly. This logistics ally not only affects your operation, but also the perception that customers have of your brand. Carefully evaluate the available options, prioritizing aspects such as coverage, flexibility and, above all, the ability to keep your customers informed in real time.

If you want to maximize the quality of your delivery service, consider implementing technological tools that integrate planning, monitoring and communication with the customer. An informed customer is a satisfied customer, and a satisfied customer always returns.

In the world of logistics and last-mile planning, trust and data security are essential. Routal has taken a significant step in this regard by obtaining SOC 2 certification, a standard that demonstrates our commitment to protecting our customers' data. But what exactly does this certification mean and how does it benefit those who use our platform? We'll tell you about it.

What is SOC 2?

SOC 2 (Service Organization Control 2) is a global standard developed by the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA), designed to evaluate security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality and privacy controls in systems that manage customer data.

The SOC 2 certification not only guarantees that a company meets strict technical requirements, but it also ensures that its daily operation is aligned with the best practices in security.

What does SOC 2 certification mean for Routal?

To obtain this certification, Routal has implemented advanced controls and processes that ensure security at every level of data management. This includes:
1. Advanced encryption: All sensitive data is protected with end-to-end encryption, both in transit and at rest. This means that our customers' information is safe even in the event of unauthorized access.
2. Ongoing monitoring: We have adopted tools and procedures that monitor our operations 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to detect and neutralize potential threats before they can become problems.
3. Controlled access: Only authorized personnel have access to the most sensitive systems, and these accesses are regularly audited.
4. Independent Audits: SOC 2 certification requires regular reviews by external auditors to ensure that we maintain our security standards.

How do you improve data security for our customers?

Implementing SOC 2 has direct benefits for those who trust Routal:
• Protection against cyberattacks: Cyberattacks in the logistics industry are becoming more frequent. With SOC 2, Routal ensures that your information will be protected against these risks.
• Trust for large customers: Companies that handle significant volumes of data, such as retailers, logistics operators and last-mile suppliers, can rest easy knowing that their data is in the hands of a partner that meets the highest standards.
• Regulatory Compliance: If your company must comply with regulations such as the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation), working with a SOC 2 provider makes it easy to demonstrate that your customer data is well protected.
• Transparency: With the SOC 2 certification, Routal can demonstrate in a clear and documented way that our security processes are regularly audited by independent third parties.

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Beyond SOC 2: Our Ongoing Commitment

Obtaining SOC 2 certification is just the beginning. At Routal, we understand that data security is not a destination, but rather an ongoing process. That's why we continue to invest in technology, training and constant improvements to ensure that your data is always protected.

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Conclusion

By obtaining SOC 2 certification, Routal reinforces its commitment to the safety and trust of its customers. In an environment where data protection is key, this certification not only marks a milestone in our evolution, but it also ensures that we can continue to be your reliable ally in planning and optimizing the last mile.

If you have questions about how Routal protects your data or want to know more about our SOC 2 certification, contact us! We're here to help.

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Planning multi-day delivery routes is essential for logistics operations that must optimize resource use, improve driver efficiency, and ensure timely delivery of large scale orders. In this tutorial, we'll show you how to use Routal to plan multi-day routes, adapting to each day's delivery and resource needs.

Check out this explanatory video or follow the step by step of this easy process:

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Step 1: Access the route planner

1. Sign in in your Routal account.
2. Go to the Route Planning section in the main menu.
3. Create New Route Plan, selecting the multi-day planning option.

Step 2: Define your driver planning parameters

For multi-day routes, Routal allows you to specify:
• Delivery time: Define the time intervals in which deliveries will take place, taking into account the availability windows of your customers.
• Driver capacity and schedule: Specify the number of vehicles available, the working hours of each driver, so that Routal can assign appropriate routes based on these parameters.

Step 3: Plan and organize stops

1. Import the orders in XLS format or synchronize them directly with your management system.
2. Routal allows you to group orders by zone or urgency.
3. Be sure to specify any special requirements, such as time restrictions on deliveries or customer preferences.

Step 4: Follow the process for multiple days

For effective multi-day planning:

• Plan a day and any unassigned stops, move them to a new schedule corresponding to the second day
• Repeat this process as many times as days you want to plan.

Step 5: Review and adjust plans

After optimization, Routal will generate a visual calendar of planned days and routes. Review each route and adjust if necessary:
• Drag and drop deliveries from one day to the next if you need to make manual adjustments to the schedule.
• Use the map view to observe the routes and ensure that the distribution is logical and efficient.

Once you're happy with the schedule, save and confirm the plan.

Step 6: Monitor execution in real time

During the week of deliveries or visits, you can use Routal's Real-Time Monitoring tool to:
• Keep track of each route and the status of each delivery.
• Receive alerts of possible delays or detours to make quick decisions and minimize problems.
• Make adjustments to daily routes according to the situation in real time, reassigning orders or adjusting schedules.

Step 7: Analyze the Results

At the end, Routal provides detailed reports to evaluate the efficiency of the plan over multiple days:
• Delivery time report: shows the actual time spent versus the estimated time.
• Route efficiency report: measures the distance traveled versus the planned distance, helping you to refine your planning for future routes.

These reports will help you identify areas for improvement and further optimize your routes in future planning.

Ready!

With Routal, multi-day route planning becomes a structured and efficient process. Take advantage of these tools to maximize resources and achieve accurate and timely deliveries in long-term operations.

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In the world of logistics and distribution, one of the most complex and necessary aspects to manage is reverse logistics. But what exactly is it? What types are there and how can we optimize it to add value to the business and improve customer satisfaction? In this article, we'll address these points and explain how Routal's Pick-up & Delivery functionality can make a difference by integrating returns into regular delivery routes.

What is Reverse Logistics?

Reverse logistics is the process of managing the flow of goods from the end consumer to the origin, either the manufacturer, the distributor, or somewhere in between. This mainly occurs due to product returns, recycling, repair, or disposal of unsold or defective products. In simple terms, reverse logistics focuses on what happens after the sale, allowing products to follow an efficient and sustainable return flow.

Types of Reverse Logistics

Reverse logistics encompasses several operations, including:
1. Product Returns: This is the most common type. It occurs when customers return products for a variety of reasons, such as dissatisfaction, order error, or product defects.
2. Recycling and Reuse: Many companies have implemented the collection of used products for recycling or reuse. A typical example is the collection of electronic devices or batteries, which require specific treatment for processing.
3. Product Recovery: It includes the repair and refurbishment of returned products so that they can be sold again or used again. This type of reverse logistics is common in sectors such as technology and automotive.
4. Surplus Management: When there is excess inventory or off-season products, reverse logistics allows these products to be returned to the manufacturer or redistributed to other markets.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Reverse Logistics

Reverse logistics has multiple benefits, but it also involves significant challenges. Next, we look at both sides:

Advantages:
• Improved customer satisfaction: The ease of returning products promotes trust and improves the shopping experience.
• Cost reduction: Recycling and reuse can reduce material costs and minimize waste.
• Contribution to sustainability: Product recovery and recycling helps companies meet their sustainability and environmental responsibility objectives.
• Additional revenue opportunity: Refurbished or recycled products can generate additional revenue or reduce manufacturing costs.

Drawbacks:
• Management complexity: Coordinating returns involves different logistics than normal distribution and requires an effective workflow.
• Increased costs: If not properly managed, reverse logistics can lead to high storage and transportation costs.
• Impact on operational efficiency: The collection and processing of returned products can interfere with normal logistics processes, reducing efficiency.

How to Solve Reverse Logistics Challenges with Routal

Routal has been designed with the flexibility and efficiency that companies need to integrate reverse logistics without wasting time or resources. One of the great differentiators of Routal is its Pick-up & Delivery functionality, which allows you to combine delivery and collection routes in the same route in an intelligent way.

How does it work?

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Routal's Pick-up & Delivery functionality makes it easy to collect returned or recyclable products while regular deliveries are being made. This means that drivers don't need to travel additional routes just to pick up returns, but they can plan these pickups as part of their deliveries, taking into account the vehicle's ability to maximize resource use and reduce costs.

Benefits of Pick-up & Delivery for Reverse Logistics

1. Route Optimization: The Pick-up & Delivery function integrates pickups and deliveries into efficient routes, minimizing the time and distance traveled by each driver.
2. Reducing Operating Costs: By optimizing reverse logistics within delivery routes, fuel consumption and vehicle wear are reduced.
3. Increased Customer Satisfaction: The customer can manage the return of products at the same time they receive a new order, which facilitates the process and improves the user experience.
4. Simplicity in Coordination: Routal allows the planning team to manage and monitor collections and deliveries in real time, ensuring that the entire logistics process is controlled on a single panel.

Conclusion

Reverse logistics has become a crucial component in today's supply chain, driven by the demand for sustainability and consumer expectations for convenience. However, its efficient management requires specialized tools and strategies. With Routal and its Pick-up & Delivery functionality, companies can integrate returns and collections into their delivery routes, achieving greater operational efficiency and reducing costs.

Routal not only simplifies reverse logistics, but it transforms it into a competitive advantage, improving the customer experience and contributing to more sustainable logistics.

Contact us and we'll show you how easy it is to manage reverse logistics in your operations.

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In the world of logistics, the term “picking” refers to the selection and preparation of products that are part of an order. This process, which at first glance may seem simple, is essential in the supply chain and can have a direct impact on the efficiency of last-mile deliveries. In this article, we'll explore what picking is, why it's so important, and some best practices to optimize it and facilitate delivery work.

What is Picking?

Picking is the process by which an operator selects and organizes the products of a specific order to prepare them for shipment. This process involves identifying the right items in the warehouse, picking them up and packaging them so that they are ready to be transported to the customer. Efficient picking not only reduces order preparation time, but it also minimizes errors, thus improving customer satisfaction.

Why is Picking Important in Last Mile Delivery?

Messy or inefficient picking can lead to delays, delivery errors and, ultimately, a poor customer experience. This is especially critical in last-mile delivery, where every minute counts to meet customer deadlines and expectations. In addition, an orderly preparation makes it easier for delivery people to find packages quickly inside the van, reducing downtime and avoiding confusion along the way.

Efficient picking achieves:

• Optimize deliveryers' time: With well-organized picking, packages are found faster and in the correct order inside the vehicle.
• Reduce delivery errors: By minimizing the possibility of an incorrect package being prepared or placed in the wrong place, delivery accuracy is improved.
• Improve the customer experience: A well-done picking helps to ensure that orders arrive on time and in full.

How to Carry Out Picking Efficiently?

Below, we share some of the best practices for optimizing picking and maximizing the efficiency of the order preparation process:

1. Organize the Warehouse with Logical Picking Routes

Designing a warehouse with a logical organization, which prioritizes the most popular items near picking areas, can significantly reduce search time. Creating picking routes that minimize travel and optimize movements helps operators work faster and more effectively.

2. Implement Picking Systems by Zones or Lots

There are different picking methods, such as zone picking, where the warehouse is divided into sections assigned to different operators, or batch picking, in which several similar orders are grouped together to collect several items at the same time. Selecting the appropriate method based on the type and volume of orders can improve the speed of the process.

3. Using Technology to Guide Picking

Technology plays a crucial role in modernizing picking. Solutions such as voice picking systems, barcode scanners, and mobile applications help operators find exact products quickly. This minimizes errors, streamlines the process and allows for a real-time update of the status of each order.

4. Efficient Package Labeling and Sorting

Once the items have been picked up, it's essential to clearly label the packages, with information such as the customer's name, delivery address and order number. This makes it easier to load the van and allows the delivery person to identify each package at a glance.

5. Loading the Van in Delivery Order

The way packages are loaded into the van is key to optimizing the last mile. Organizing packages in the order in which they will be delivered reduces the time the deliveryman needs to search for them and avoids loading errors. This method also helps the driver to take a faster route without unnecessary interruptions.

6. Train Picking Staff

A well-trained team is essential for efficient picking. Operators must understand the importance of precision and speed in the picking process, as well as the best practices for handling products and available technology.

Picking and the Last Mile: A Crucial Relationship

Well-organized picking not only speeds up order preparation, but it directly boosts efficiency in the delivery phase. Thanks to an orderly and efficient picking process, the delivery team quickly finds packages in the van, reducing the time at each stop and improving the experience for both customers and delivery people. Integrating good practices in picking allows logistics and e-commerce companies to optimize their last mile, reducing costs and making the process much smoother.

In addition, the route planning is an essential pillar in this process: by organizing packages according to the optimal route, the need to reorganize the vehicle is avoided and a load is provided in the appropriate order of delivery. This synchronization between picking and route planning saves time for the delivery person, who can complete their route without delays or wasted time searching for packages or making adjustments to their route. Ultimately, the combination of efficient picking and route planning reduces operating costs, improves delivery times, and allows companies to offer a more timely and optimized service, thus increasing customer satisfaction and maximizing logistics resources.

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In an increasingly globalized world, digital eines are faced with an important challenge: reaching a diverse audience, with specific linguistic needs and preferences. Localization, which does not include translation, but also the cultural and functional adaptation of a program to different linguistic contexts, is a fundamental factor for the success of a platform. In the area of logistics and planning the race mile, with every second and every detail, working in the mateix language that the users make the operation more fluid, clear and efficient.

At Routal, we are aware of the importance of offering a personalized and accessible user experience. It is per això that they are delighted to announce that for users they can use Planner in Catalan, in addition to other languages available on the platform (Castellà, Anglès and Portuguese). But why is localization so important on planning platforms such as Routal? How does the Catalan language benefit our Catalan-speaking users?

Why is localization key in a planning platform?

1. Improved accuracy and understanding: When working in the proper language, ambiguities are reduced and errors due to lack of understanding are avoided in planning and operating processes. Això is especially relevant in platforms that manage complex tasks, such as the creation of itineraries or the optimization of delivery routes.

2. Increase productivity and agility: Local language interfaces allow plugin users to work more quickly and naturally, accelerating the learning process of the platform and helping the puguin teams to focus on the seven tasks of afegit value.

3. Connection to the end client: In the last mile, the final customer is a fundamental piece. Through Routal, customers can follow the status of their liuraments, receive notifications and provide feedback. Offering this communication in the client's preferred language generates a more comfortable and satisfying experience, which in turn translates into greater loyalty and trust for the company.

4. Cultural adaptation for a better user experience: In addition to translation, localization also includes visual elements, date and time formats, or style preferences. These small details make the user feel the platform as their own, adjusted to their strict expectations and customs.

L'impacte del català a Routal Planner: what does this novelty suppose?

The addition of Catalan to Routal Planner represents a unique opportunity for Catalan-speaking businesses and users. These are some of the benefits:

• Integration facility for local teams: With Catalan as an option, operations and planning teams can use language in a language that is closest to them, which facilitates training and helps avoid misunderstandings in route management.

• Improved communication with clients and drivers: Notifications, follow-up messages and satisfaction surveys can be sent in Catalan, offering end customers a more appropriate and respectful service with their own language, a value afegit for many local companies.

• Contribution to linguistic standardization: For many companies, the inclusion of Catalan in an international platform also has an important symbolic component. With this new option, Routal shows its commitment to integrating itself into the linguistic and cultural reality of its users, contributing to the normalization of Catalan in the business and technological fields.

How to activate the Catalan language in Routal Planner?

Activating català to Routal Planner is easy. Un cop a l'aplicació, només cal anar a Settings > Language i select català dins from the options menu. In this way, the interface, the planning axes and all the communications related to the lliuraments will automatically adapt to the selected language.

Final Reflections

The addition of Catalan to Routal Planner is another step in our commitment to offering a complete, optimized and accessible experience to users of all kinds. Localization does not only improve the efficiency of operations, but rather creates a closer relationship between the company and its clients and teams. This project has been possible thanks to the support of Department of Culture of the Government of Catalonia, which has been a fundamental ally for realizing the integration of the Catalan language into Routal Planner.

With this plan, Routal reaffirms our commitment to cultural inclusion and adaptation as the pillars of our expansion. Expect that this new canvi continues to be of great help to Catalan-speaking entrepreneurs and users, and encourage us to try and experience the benefits of working in your language. Thank you for trusting us for the management of the Milla race!

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The transition to more sustainable last-mile distribution has become a priority for many eCommerce companies. With the rise of online commerce and growing social pressure to reduce environmental impact, companies are looking for alternatives to reduce emissions associated with product deliveries. However, sustainability in the last mile is not only a matter of entrepreneurial will, but also of economic viability. The recent announcement about the closing of operations of Geever, a pioneering company in sustainable last-mile logistics, highlights the complexity of the problem: How to make low-emission distribution also profitable?

The Geever Case: A Lesson on Sustainability and Viability

Geever, a company that advocated the reduction of emissions in urban distribution, has been an example of how innovation in last-mile logistics can face financial challenges. His project aimed to create a network of microhubs that would reduce the distances traveled by delivery vehicles, using less polluting transports, such as bicycles and electric vehicles. However, like many other sustainable distribution projects, Geever failed to reconcile ecological ambition with a profitable operation. This leads us to reflect on the barriers that companies face on this path and how this obstacle could be overcome to achieve a balance between sustainability and costs.

Why aren't consumers betting on the sustainable last mile yet?

One of the great challenges that eCommerce companies face is the consumers' reluctance to pay more for sustainable shipping. Although commitment to the environment has grown among buyers, many still prioritize price and speed over sustainability. In a market where free or low-cost shipping is the norm, asking for a premium for greener options becomes a challenge.

Companies that have implemented shipments with a lower environmental impact, such as the use of electric vehicles or bicycle deliveries, have found that consumers value these options, but they are not willing to assume a significant additional cost. According to several studies, more than 50% of customers prefer fast and economical shipping to a sustainable one, leaving logistics companies at a crossroads: how to make a green operation profitable if the consumer is not willing to pay for it?

The sustainable and profitable last mile challenge: efficiency is key

The key to achieving sustainable and cost-effective last-mile distribution lies in the operational efficiency. Companies must optimize their resources and processes to reduce costs without compromising their environmental impact. Technology plays a crucial role in this regard, allowing logistics companies to:

1. Optimize delivery routes: Platforms such as Routal help to create more efficient routes, reducing kilometers traveled and, therefore, fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. By using artificial intelligence to analyze traffic, demand and city conditions, it is possible to assign the best routes to electric vehicles or delivery bicycles.

2. Consolidate shipments: One of the most effective methods for reducing both costs and emissions is order consolidation. Instead of making individual deliveries for each customer, companies can combine multiple orders on a single trip, maximizing efficiency and reducing the number of vehicles needed on the streets.

3. Use of urban hubs: Just as Geever tried, the Microhubs urban ones make it possible to bring products closer to end customers and make last-mile deliveries in a more agile and sustainable way. These intermediate points allow companies to minimize routes and make the most of low or zero emission delivery vehicles.

How to make sustainability attractive to consumers?

Sustainability in the last mile doesn't just depend on technology and efficiency; it also requires a change in consumer mentality. Companies must find ways to encourage customers to choose greener delivery options, without creating a price barrier. Some strategies that have started to work include:

• Rewards for choosing sustainable options: Offer future discounts, loyalty points or additional benefits to consumers who choose greener shipping.

• Transparency about environmental impact: Showing clearly and directly how consumer decisions impact the environment can motivate many to change their consumption habits.

• Scheduled shipments: Instead of prioritizing 24-hour delivery, allowing customers to choose slower but consolidated shipments can reduce emissions and, at the same time, lower logistics costs.

The Future of the Sustainable Last Mile

The closure of the Geever project makes it clear that the transition to a more sustainable last mile still faces significant challenges. However, the demand for low-emission logistics solutions continues to grow, driven by stricter regulations in many cities and by a progressive change of mentality in society.

The challenge for eCommerce and logistics companies lies in find the balance between sustainability and profitability, something that can only be achieved through greater investment in technology, innovation in business models and an effort to involve the consumer in the solution.

In short, sustainability in the last mile is not just a matter of choice, but of necessity, and making it economically viable inevitably involves making efficiency and technological innovation the pillars of this transformation.

This is a key moment for logistics and eCommerce companies to redefine their strategies and bet on a last mile that is not only low in emissions, but also profitable and efficient. Are you ready to optimize your logistics? Find out how Routal can help you take that step towards sustainability with intelligent and efficient routes.

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Google Maps is, without a doubt, one of the most popular tools for finding routes on a daily basis. Its friendly interface and its ability to offer the fastest route between two points make it an ideal ally when you need to go from one place to another. However, when the challenge is to plan routes with multiple destinations, Google Maps falls short.

How do you optimize routes in Google Maps?

Using Google Maps to plan routes is quite simple:

1. Add your starting point and your destination.

2. If you need to stop by other places, you can add up to 9 additional stops.

3. You choose the route that seems most convenient to you based on the system's suggestions.

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This functionality is perfect if you only have to visit a few places. Google Maps allows you to see traffic conditions in real time and adjust on the fly if you encounter any obstacles.

The limitations of Google Maps for complex routes

When it comes to planning routes with more than 9 stops or when you need to optimize the order of these stops to save time and fuel, Google Maps has several important limitations:

1. Maximum of 9 destinations: This is probably the clearest limitation. If you need to visit more than 9 places, you'll have to divide your route into several parts, which complicates planning and increases the risk of errors.

2. No automatic order optimization: Google Maps doesn't rearrange your stops to give you the most efficient order. This means that you are the one who must decide the order of the visits, which can be complicated if you don't take into account aspects such as traffic, distances or time windows.

3. Lack of advanced features: Google Maps does not offer advanced features necessary for last-mile operations, such as the ability to manage large volumes of destinations or to calculate the best route based on business needs (delivery priorities, schedules, vehicle restrictions, etc.).

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So what is Google Maps really useful for?

Where Google Maps shines It is in Find the fastest route between two points. If you only need to go from one place to another, or make a small number of stops (less than 10), it's a quick and effective option. In addition, its integration with real-time traffic reports allows you to adjust your plans if you encounter any obstacles.

However, beyond these simple cases, Google Maps isn't designed to manage complex routes.

Alternatives to Google Maps for route optimization

If you run a business that requires planning complex routes, such as delivery companies, carriers or any logistics operation with multiple daily deliveries, you need to go a step further. Specialized tools like Routal they offer:

• Automatic stop order optimization: Routes are automatically reorganized to reduce total time and mileage, taking into account factors such as traffic, time windows and priority of deliveries.

• Ability to handle routes with dozens or even hundreds of destinations.

• Full visibility: Both drivers and managers can see progress in real time and adjust to unexpected changes.

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Conclusion

Google Maps is an excellent tool for those who need to get from point A to point B in the fastest way. However, if your goal is optimize routes with multiple stops, you'll need a more robust tool that allows you to plan, organize and adjust automatically and efficiently.

For businesses that rely on last-mile logistics, such as delivery or freight transport, tools such as Routal are essential to manage routes optimally, reduce costs and keep customers satisfied.

Ready to take the next step in route planning? 🚀

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