If you've ever had delivery delays, drivers getting lost or customers upset because their order didn't arrive on time, there are likely to be failures in planning your routes. Don't worry, you're not the only one: many companies make last-mile mistakes that cost them time, money, and reputation.

The good news: Nowadays technology can solve these problems automatically and efficiently. Do you want to know how? Here are the most common mistakes and how to avoid them.

1. Continue planning routes “by hand”

If you're still using spreadsheets or planning manually, you're almost certainly losing efficiency and money. Traditional methods are not only slow, but they also leave room for error: poorly optimized routes, poor use of vehicles and difficulties in reacting to unforeseen events.

The solution: Use a route optimization software. These tools generate efficient routes in seconds, taking into account variables such as traffic, vehicle capacity and delivery times. In addition, they reduce operating costs and maximize productivity.

2. Ignore traffic and conditions in real time

Planning routes without considering traffic is like playing the lottery: sometimes it works, but often it doesn't. What's the point of having the best route on paper if in practice your driver is stuck in a traffic jam?

The solution: Real-time intelligence which automatically adjusts routes with updated data, avoiding traffic jams and always choosing the most efficient path.

3. Not respecting customer restrictions

Some customers need their delivery to arrive at a specific time, while others have restricted access or special requirements. If you don't take these details into account, deliveries can fail and lead to complaints.

The solution: Planning software that allows you to configure restrictions per customer. This helps to allocate routes efficiently, ensuring that each delivery meets the recipient's requirements.

4. Not taking full advantage of vehicle capacity

Are your trucks half empty or are some vehicles overloaded? Poor load distribution It makes you spend more on fuel and take more trips than necessary.

The solution: Tools of load optimization, which intelligently distribute packages according to volume, weight and destination, ensuring that each vehicle makes the most of its capacity.

5. Lack of communication with drivers

If drivers don't receive clear instructions or real-time updates, they can get lost, take inefficient routes, or have problems that delay deliveries.

The solution: Las apps for drivers facilitate communication, tracking and optimized navigation, ensuring smooth delivery.

6. Not offering visibility to customers

Customers want to know When will your order arrive, but if they don't receive clear information, frustration and the complaint rate increase.

The Solution: Automatic Notifications and Live Tracking allow customers to see the status of their delivery in real time, reducing inquiries and improving the user experience** . **

Conclusion: Technology is your best ally

Route planning errors can cost you money, customers, and operational efficiency. But the good news is that all these problems have a solution with the right technology.

With Routal, you can automate route planning, optimize the capacity of your vehicles, avoid traffic jams with real-time data and ensure timely deliveries without complications. In addition, our platform allows you to communicate with drivers and offer customers live tracking, reducing complaints and improving the delivery experience.

• Fewer errors, more efficiency
• Lower costs, more profitability
• Fewer worries, more successful deliveries

If you want to take your logistics to the next level and say goodbye to problems in route planning, Routal is the tool you need. Request a demo and find out for yourself!

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If you've ever been stuck in a traffic jam, you know how frustrating it can be. Now, imagine that situation if you're a deliveryman with dozens of customers waiting for their package. In a world where promptness is key, traffic delays not only affect customer satisfaction, but they also increase operating costs and create enormous logistical challenges.

Traffic is a global problem, but in some cities like London, Mexico City or Bogota, congestion has become part of everyday life. In these metropolises, a 15-minute journey can become an odyssey of hours, affecting people's quality of life and posing an enormous challenge for companies that rely on fast and efficient deliveries.

How does congestion affect last-mile deliveries?

For e-commerce and logistics companies, traffic is much more than a nuisance: It is a factor that directly impacts costs and customer experience. Among the main problems it causes are:

Constant delays: Consumers, who are used to promptness, expect quickly and on time. However, congestion makes delivery times unpredictable, affecting customer satisfaction and generating more complaints.

Increased operating costs: more time on the road means more fuel consumed and more hours of work for delivery people, increasing logistics costs and reducing profit margins for companies.

Inefficiency in route planning: you may have the best distribution strategy on paper, but if traffic is stopped, the entire operation will be affected. Without real-time planning, deliverymen can be stuck with no viable options.

Lower productivity: the more time you waste in traffic, the fewer packages than expected you will deliver on the day, affecting the efficiency of the entire logistics chain.

Impact on brand perception: When a customer receives their package late, they will most likely blame the shipping company or e-commerce, regardless of whether the delay is due to traffic. This can lead to a bad reputation and affect customer loyalty.

Strategies to reduce the impact of last-mile traffic

Fortunately, companies aren't completely at the mercy of traffic. With the right technology and strategies, it is possible to minimize the effects of congestion and improve delivery efficiency.

Real-time route optimization: tools such as Routal they use advanced algorithms to adjust deliveryers' routes according to traffic, avoiding traffic jams and improving delivery times.

Use of urban microhubs: Many companies are implementing small distribution centers within cities to reduce delivery distances and allow more agile vehicles to handle the last few kilometers.

Alternative vehicles: in urban environments, electric bikes, motorcycles and even drones are starting to play an important role in last-mile logistics. These modes of transport can move more easily between traffic and access areas where large vehicles are restricted.

Deliveries at strategic times: some operators are betting on delivering to nighttime or off-peak hours, when congestion is lower, improving delivery times and reducing operating costs.

Smart locker systems and collection points: instead of taking each package directly to the customer's door, many companies are choosing to deliver to strategically located lockers or collection points, allowing customers to pick up their orders when it suits them and avoiding multiple delivery attempts.

Where is the future of logistics going in congested cities?

Cities are not going to stop growing and traffic is unlikely to disappear. However, last-mile logistics is rapidly evolving to adapt to this scenario. Companies that invest in technology, innovation and intelligent planning will be those that manage to remain competitive and offer an efficient service to their customers.

In addition, trends in sustainable mobility are beginning to play an important role in solving this problem. More and more cities are promoting the use of electric vehicles, exclusive lanes for light cargo transport and regulations to optimize traffic in urban areas.

The challenge is great, but with the right strategies, it is possible to overcome congestion and ensure fast and efficient deliveries.

And you, what strategies have you implemented to prevent traffic from ruining your deliveries? Have you tried any innovative solutions?

Optimize your deliveries with Routal and forget about traffic

If traffic is affecting the efficiency of your logistics operation, It's time to take the next step. With Routal, you can:

• Plan intelligent routes in real time.
• Reduce operating costs with better delivery strategies.
• Improve customer satisfaction with more accurate times.

Try Routal for free and take your deliveries to the next level

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In the last mile, every second counts and every cent matters. As a parcel delivery company, you know that efficiency is key to delivering more packages in less time and with less effort. However, many manual processes continue to slow down delivery people and saturate customer service channels.

The solution: automate repetitive tasks. Not only does this reduce errors, but it also saves valuable minutes on each delivery. Let's see how automation can make a difference in productivity and customer satisfaction.

📞 1. Call automation: less time searching for numbers

The problem

Every time a deliveryman needs to contact a customer, they must:

🔹 Look up the phone number in your delivery list.

🔹 Type it manually.

🔹 Wait for the call to connect.

This can take between 30 seconds and 1 minute per attempt. Multiplied by dozens of daily deliveries, the time lost can easily exceed 1 hour a day.

The Solution: Automated Calls

With optimization tools such as Routal, delivery people can make calls with a single tap from their app. No copying and pasting numbers or dialing by hand.

⏳ Estimated savings: 15-25 minutes per day and per delivery person.

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🚚 2. Automating delivery information

Share ETA and number of pending stops

Customers want to know When will your package arrive precisely. If they don't have clear information, they call to ask, which results in:

🔹 Waste of time for delivery people.

🔹 Saturation of customer service.

The solution: automatic updates

Automate the notification of the estimated time of arrival (ETA) and the number of pending deliveries allows customers to stay informed in real time.

💡 Example: “Your package will arrive in 15 minutes. There are 2 deliveries left before yours.”

⏳ Estimated savings: 30-40% reduction in unnecessary customer service calls.

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🤝 3. Automation of customer-deliveryman communication

Why is it important?

When the customer is involved in the delivery, success is greater. But manual communication is slow and ineffective.

The Solution: Automated Messaging

🔹 Reminders before delivery.

🔹 Confirmation of availability.

🔹 Options for rescheduling or providing special instructions.

This allows the customer to ready to receive the package, reducing failed attempts.

⏳ Estimated savings: 20-25% fewer failed delivery attempts.

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📞❌ 4. Reduction of customer service calls

The problem

Every call to customer support can last Between 3 and 10 minutes. If hundreds of customers call daily, this represents an enormous operational burden.

The Solution: Real-Time Information

🔹 Automated ETA.

🔹 Confirmations via SMS or WhatsApp.

🔹 Live tracking link.

When customers have the information they need, They call less, they are more concerned with receiving the goods and have a better perception of the service.

⏳ Estimated savings: 50% reduction in customer service calls and a delivery success rate above 98%.

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🎯 Conclusion: More automation, more deliveries per day

Eliminating manual processes allows delivery people to focus on what really matters: deliver more packages in less time and with less stress.

With tools like Routal, you can:

✅ Save up to 30 minutes per delivery person per day.

✅ Reduce failed delivery attempts, achieving a 98% successful first delivery.

✅ Reduce unnecessary calls in 50% or more.

📦 Do you want to take your parcel delivery company to the next level? Find out how Routal can help you automate and optimize your operation. 🚀

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