Digitalization

Improving timely deliveries involves replacing large time windows with dynamic and precise slots, and defining clear priorities between orders according to their urgency or value. This makes it possible to reduce failed deliveries, optimize routes and increase customer satisfaction. Tools such as Routal automate these processes, adapting in real time to unforeseen events and facilitating proactive communication with the recipient.
Logistics
How to improve the timeliness of your deliveries by adjusting time windows and service priorities

Timely deliveries aren't just a matter of operational efficiency: it's a determining factor in customer satisfaction, brand reputation and company profitability. However, achieving on-time deliveries in congested urban environments, with variable routes and multiple unforeseen events, remains one of the greatest logistical challenges for any company.

One of the most effective strategies to improve this aspect is the dynamic adjustment of time windows and the assignment of service priorities according to the actual conditions of each day. In this article, we'll see how more flexible planning, supported by intelligent technology, can help you optimize your delivery operations without compromising the customer experience.

In addition, we will explore how route planning with dynamic time windows and the use of optimization software such as Routal allows you to automate these types of decisions, reduce failed deliveries and ensure that each order arrives when and where it should. Because when it comes to deliveries, Every minute counts.

The problem: wide time windows and ill-defined priorities

Many companies still manage their deliveries with excessively wide time windows, such as “between 8:00 and 20:00”, making it difficult for the customer to be available. This lack of accuracy results in failed deliveries, unnecessary wait times, redirections and, ultimately, a poor end user experience.

Added to this is another common mistake: not setting clear priorities between different types of service or customer. Not all deliveries have the same degree of urgency or business impact. Consistently treating critical orders and those with greater flexibility generates bottlenecks, low efficiency and overflowing delivery people.

This type of operation affects three key areas:

  • Delivery Team Productivity, which wastes time reorganizing deliveries on the fly.
  • Operating costs, which are triggered by second visits, unnecessary routes or unplanned waits.
  • Customer Satisfaction, who perceives the service as unprofessional or unreliable.

In short, working without a clear logic of priorities or well-defined windows It makes punctuality more dependent on luck than on planning.

How to optimize your deliveries with tight time windows and defined priorities

Adopt a strategy based on Smart time windows and a system of automated prioritization not only does it improve punctuality, but it completely transforms logistics management. Here are the keys to implementing it effectively:

Dynamic time windows: less margin, more precision

The first step is to abandon wide ranges and bet on reduced and adjustable time slots depending on the route and the customer. This provides immediate benefits:

  • Greater certainty for the customer, who knows more precisely when your order will arrive.
  • Reduction of failed deliveries, since the recipient can organize their schedule around a realistic range.
  • Better use of the day, avoiding downtime or after-hours deliveries.

Thanks to Routal technology, it is possible to adjust these windows in real time, adapting them to traffic conditions, accumulated delays or last-minute changes. The system automatically recalculates the estimated arrival times and communicates them to the customer through automatic notifications.

Prioritizing deliveries: when each order matters most

Not all shipments have the same urgency. A refrigerated order, a premium delivery or a corporate customer requires preferential treatment. Defining these priorities from the planning stage is key to improving the experience and avoiding incidents.

A good strategy includes:

  • Assign priority levels to each order according to criteria such as the type of product, the level of service contracted or the customer's critical nature.
  • Dynamically rearrange routes so that urgent deliveries are resolved first without affecting the rest.
  • View alerts in the logistics panel when there is a risk of delay in high-priority deliveries.

Routal allows you to apply automated priority rules and redistribute loads in real time, so that critical decisions do not depend on the manager's intuition.

Planning based on historical and real-time data

Both time windows and priorities must be nourished by Actual operating data: average delivery time, waiting times, problem areas or success rates by type of customer.

A tool such as Routal Planner analyzes these patterns to anticipate delays, predict service times and adjust daily planning more precisely. This allows:

  • Prevent deviations before they occur.
  • Adjust time windows proactively.
  • Identify recurring bottlenecks and optimize them.

Automation and proactive communication

Finally, no strategy is effective if it is not accompanied by a good communication with the customer. Informing in advance, offering options for changing schedules or notifying in the event of a delay improves the experience even in adverse scenarios.

Routal automates the delivery of:

  • SMS, WhatsApp and emails with exact time windows.
  • Real-time delivery status updates.
  • Possibility for the customer to confirm or reschedule their delivery.

All of this translates into a immediate improvement in punctuality and a reduction in incidents, without the need to increase human resources or fleet.

If you want to know more, do not hesitate to Schedule a call with our team of experts.

How to improve the timeliness of your deliveries by adjusting time windows and service priorities
In the HORECA sector, punctuality and reliability in distribution are key, since any failure directly impacts customer service. Although the competition has revolved around price for years, the real value lies in offering an impeccable and consistent level of service. With Routal, distributors can ensure on-time and error-free deliveries, scaling their operation without losing quality.
HORECA distribution: The challenge of always delivering on time (and without margin for error)

In the world of hospitality, catering and catering — better known as the HORECA sector — distribution is much more than simply transporting products. It's a race against the clock in which every delivery has to be punctual, complete and error-free. Because if something fails, the impact is not only logistical: it directly affects the service of the end customer, and that is unacceptable in a sector where the demand is highest.

An industry where service level is everything

Customers of the HORECA channel don't just buy products: they buy reliability. They expect their supplier to meet the agreed deadlines, that the order will arrive complete, that the delivery person will be on time... and that there will be no surprises. The pressure is daily, because restaurants, hotels and catering services operate under very tight time schedules. A delivery error can mean an incomplete menu, an empty room, or a damaged reputation.

This is where technology makes the difference. With Routal, distributors can plan optimized routes in detail, assign tasks to drivers and track each delivery in real time. That means fewer unforeseen events, more punctuality, and a stronger and more professional customer experience.

Price vs. Service: The Industry's Silent Battle

For years, competition on the HORECA channel has been waged primarily around price. Margins are tight and distributors have fine-tuned their structures to the maximum to be competitive. But there is a limit to this price war. And many companies have already realized that the real competitive advantage lies not in being the cheapest, but in being the most reliable.

Because when it comes to supplying restaurants or industrial kitchens, what is worth gold is not the savings of a few cents per kilo, but the peace of mind of knowing that the order will arrive, complete and on time. And in that, Routal becomes a strategic ally: it helps to guarantee error-free deliveries, to notify the customer of any incident and to provide total visibility of each operation. Not only does this improve customer satisfaction, but it also reduces complaints and reprocesses.

Scaling without losing quality: the great challenge

Many distributors face the dilemma of growing in volume without losing quality of service. As more customers and routes are added, the risk of losing control increases. Hand tools or spreadsheets are no longer enough. A solution is needed that automates, optimizes and scales with the business.

With Routal, not only is it possible to manage more routes with less effort, but it is also possible to anticipate needs, redistribute loads in real time and provide a level of traceability that was previously unthinkable. And the best part: all this without losing the human touch that characterizes good service.

The result? More efficient distributors, happier customers and a service that leaves a mark. Because in the HORECA sector, being punctual is not a virtue, it's an obligation. And with Routal, that obligation becomes a competitive advantage.

Do you want to know more? Read this article about how Guillen Foods, a HORECA frozen food distribution company, has achieved savings of more than 27% thanks to Routal. Read here

If you're curious to know how much it could impact your business, Let's talk!

HORECA distribution: The challenge of always delivering on time (and without margin for error)
Urgent deliveries require quick decisions, full visibility and maximum precision on the part of the logistics planner. Tools such as Routal allow you to prioritize orders, reoptimize routes in real time and maintain operational flexibility, even under pressure. It's not about running more, it's about planning better with intelligent technology.
Innovation
Optimizing routes with urgent deliveries: tactics for planners under pressure

Urgent deliveries put even the most experienced logistics teams to the test. When time is limited and margins of error are minimal, every decision counts. From correctly assigning orders to prioritizing routes, the role of the planner becomes key to making everything work smoothly.

But how do you achieve efficiency when everything is urgent? What tools and strategies allow us to respond with agility without compromising service quality?

The challenge of managing urgent deliveries

In sectors such as e-commerce, food or the distribution of pharmaceutical products, urgent deliveries are the daily bread. These operations usually involve very tight time windows, customers with high expectations and journeys that should reorganize as you go.

The planner, in these cases, needs:

  • React quickly to changes or new urgent orders.
  • Ensure that priority deliveries do not negatively affect others.
  • Maintain full visibility over the operation in real time.

In this context, traditional planning based on spreadsheets or manual calls is not enough. An adaptive strategy supported by advanced technology is needed.

Tactics for accurately planning urgent deliveries

1. Dynamic prioritization of deliveries

Not all emergencies carry the same weight. With tools such as Routal Planner, is it possible assign a priority level to each order, or a secure delivery window, allowing the system to reorganize routes so that the most urgent routes are taken care of first without compromising the rest of the route.

This avoids the common mistake of “manually inserting” an urgent delivery, causing delays on the rest of the route. Or, if it is essential, to know how to calculate the impact that this manual modification will have.

2. Real-time monitoring

A platform with live tracking allows you to quickly detect any incident: a stopped vehicle, an unexpected delay or traffic congestion. Thus, the planner can make quick decisions and reoptimize routes automatically or assisted.

In addition, with this visibility, notifications can also be sent to the customer, improving the experience and reducing anxiety about waiting.

3. Operational flexibility

Emergency scenarios require flexible logistics resources: additional vehicles, adaptable shifts or the ability to reassign tasks between delivery people. A tool like Routal makes this management easier, showing on the screen the capacities available at all times.

This flexibility also applies to planning: multiple route versions can be generated and validated according to different criteria (time, cost, customer priority, etc.).

4. Simulation of scenarios

A very useful tactic for the planner is the simulation of alternative routes. This allows us to answer questions such as:

  • What happens if I reorder this delivery at the end?
  • What if I move this urgent order to another courier?
  • What impact does this new delivery have on time compliance?

Routal offers this capability, allowing you to visualize the impact of each change before executing it.

How Routal helps planners in stressful situations

Pressure doesn't go away, but it's better managed with clear information, reaction options and tools that They automate the repetitive.

With Routal, planners can:

  • Assign urgent orders with one click, prioritizing by customer type, time window or SLA.
  • Visualize routes and deliveries on interactive maps with real-time updates.
  • Receive alerts if a delivery is at risk of non-compliance.
  • Reoptimize routes without having to redo them from scratch.

This transforms the way we work: instead of putting out fires, the planner becomes an efficient resource orchestrator.

Best practices for optimizing under pressure

  • Anticipate urgency as part of daily planning: leave reserve capacity and space on routes for unforeseen events.
  • Digitize communication with delivery people and customers: no calls. Automatic notifications and integrated asynchronous messaging.
  • Train teams in the use of planning tools: it's not enough to have technology, you have to know how to use it well.
  • Review key KPIs on a daily basis: on-time deliveries, percentage of successful replans, level of service by type of customer.

Managing urgent deliveries is not earned by running more, but making better and faster decisions. Pressure is not eliminated, but it can be channeled thanks to intelligent planning, operational visibility and the support of tools such as Routal Planner.

When every second counts and every cent matters, having the right technology can make the difference between a chaotic operation and an efficient delivery.

Optimizing routes with urgent deliveries: tactics for planners under pressure
Many logistics managers unwittingly lose money due to invisible inefficiencies in their daily operations, such as poorly planned routes or downtime. These hidden costs directly impact the budget and customer satisfaction, but they are not always detected with the naked eye. With Routal, it is possible to identify and eliminate these leaks by optimizing routes and automatically analyzing logistics data.
Logistics
Is your logistics operation losing money without you knowing it?

Every extra kilometer, every poorly planned stop, every minute of waiting... adds up.

And the worst: a lot of times you don't even know it.

Because the hidden costs in delivery they don't appear in your reports.

👉 But they are there.

And they're draining your logistics budget every day.

The “operating normality” trap

When we talk to logistics managers, many tell us the same thing:

“That's how we've always done it.”

The problem is that Habit is not synonymous with efficiency.

Repeating planning errors or poorly optimized routes can be costing you thousands a month without you realizing it clearly.

Does it ring a bell to you?

• Routes assigned “by eye”

• Deliverances that take longer than expected

• Drivers who change routes because they “know a better one”

• Customers who call asking where their order is

Where is the money you lose hidden?

Los invisible costs appear in the form of:

✓ Gasoline wasted on poorly designed routes

✓ Overtime that is paid but not billed

✓ Deliverymen frustrated by lack of planning

✓ Customers dissatisfied with after-hours deliveries

And the worst: without accurate data, you can't correct it.

Optimize. Save. Scale.

With Routal you can detect and eliminate these leaks with surgical precision.

🚀 This is how we help our customers achieve a true logistic savings:

✔️ We optimize routes in seconds, considering traffic, time windows and vehicle capacities.

✔️ We generate automatic reports that show the hidden costs of your delivery.

✔️ We give you total control of your fleet's performance, without the need for eternal spreadsheets.

Are you missing out on these savings?

💡 Request a demo and check the savings you can achieve.

Your operation has more margin than you can imagine.

You just need to see it clearly.

Is your logistics operation losing money without you knowing it?
The digital packing slip optimizes merchandise delivery by reducing errors, streamlining processes and improving customer satisfaction through real-time tracking and proof of delivery. Companies like Quaker State have saved more than 2 million dollars by digitizing their logistics processes. Tools such as Routal enhance these improvements with advanced monitoring and automation.
Logistics
What is a digital packing slip and what are its advantages for the logistics company?

In the world of modern logistics, digital transformation is revolutionizing many of the processes that were previously manual and cumbersome. One of the most important advances in this regard is the appearance of the digital packing slip, a tool that simplifies and optimizes the merchandise delivery process. But what exactly is a digital packing slip and why is it so relevant to logistics companies? In this article, we'll explore in detail what a digital packing slip is, its advantages, and how it integrates with advanced features such as route tracking and proof of delivery offered by Routal.

What is a digital packing slip?

Un digital packing slip It is the electronic version of the traditional paper delivery note, which acts as a delivery document for merchandise. Like its physical counterpart, the digital packing slip contains details about the shipment, such as the description of the products delivered, the quantities, the recipient and the date of delivery. However, unlike the paper bill, the digital one is managed and stored electronically, making it easier to access and manage.

The digital packing slip may include delivery tests such as the recipient's signature directly on the delivery person's device, photos that confirm receipt of the package, or even QR codes that instantly validate the transaction. All this makes the process more transparent and efficient, both for the logistics company and for customers.

Advantages of the digital packing slip for the logistics company

The implementation of a digital packing slip provides numerous advantages for logistics companies, especially when integrated with systems of route tracking and proof of delivery. Here are some of the key benefits:

1. Reduction of administrative errors

One of the most common problems with paper packing slips is the risk of making errors during manual data entry. Whether it's the difficulty of reading handwriting or the loss of documents, human error can lead to confusion, delays, and additional costs. With the digital packing slip, data is recorded electronically, minimizing errors and ensuring that the information is clear and accurate.

2. Operational Efficiency

The use of digital packing slips up the delivery process. Drivers no longer have to carry around paper documents or take the time to file them manually. Instead, all the information needed for delivery is found on their mobile devices, such as tablets or smartphones, connected to the company's system. Not only does this streamline deliveries, but it also facilitates instant access to information, improving operational efficiency at every step.

3. Real-time tracking

One of the great benefits of digital systems is the ability to perform Real-time tracking of routes and deliveries. When a digital packing slip is used, the information is updated instantly, allowing both the company and the customer to know precisely where the order is located at all times. This type of monitoring is essential in the current context, where transparency and customer satisfaction are key differentiating factors.

Routal, for example, offers a solution for route tracking and proof of delivery which allows logistics operators to monitor each delivery in real time, ensuring that shipments are made as scheduled and allowing a quick response to any unforeseen event. In addition, customers can also access this information, significantly improving the user experience.

4. Improved delivery test

An essential aspect of the digital packing slip is the ability to obtain proof of delivery quickly and accurately. Traditional proof of delivery, such as paper signatures, can be ineffective or even falsifiable. However, with the digital packing slip, proof of delivery can be completed more reliably. Some of the forms of testing include:

  • Digital signature: The recipient can sign directly on the delivery person's device.
  • Geolocated photos: The delivery person can take photos of the package at the time of delivery, ensuring that it arrived at the right place.
  • Geolocation: The exact location of the deliverer during delivery is recorded, providing an additional layer of security and precision.

With Routal, this proof of delivery is managed in a fully integrated manner. The signatures, photos and the geolocation of the delivery are stored on the platform, allowing for a detailed history of each operation. Not only does this protect the company in the event of disputes, but it also provides a safer and more transparent customer experience.

5. Reduction of paper use and associated costs

The use of paper packing slips involves additional costs, such as the purchase of material, printing, storage and management of physical documents. In addition, storing large quantities of paper can be inefficient and prone to loss or deterioration. By digitizing these documents, companies not only save money, but they also contribute to reducing environmental impact, moving towards more sustainable operations.

6. Integration with logistics management systems

The digital packing slip does not work in isolation, but it can be perfectly integrated with other logistics management systems. This allows for full automation of processes, from route planning to delivery confirmation. For example, solutions such as those offered by Routal allow logistics companies to plan delivery routes optimally, monitor drivers' progress and automatically receive proof of delivery in real time.

In addition, the data collected from digital packing slips can be analyzed to identify trends, bottlenecks or areas for improvement in company operations, which can lead to continuous optimization of the logistics process.

7. Improved customer satisfaction

Finally, one of the biggest advantages of implementing digital packing slips is the improvement in customer satisfaction. Thanks to real-time tracking, transparency in the delivery process and reliable proof of delivery, customers have a much more positive experience. They know exactly when their order will arrive, they can follow it in real time and they are sure that they will receive clear proof that their merchandise has been delivered correctly.

Success Story: Quaker State

A prominent example of how the digital packing slip can completely transform logistics operations is the success story of Quaker State, one of the leading brands in the automotive lubricant industry. Quaker State adopted a system of digital packing slips and the complete digitalization of their delivery process, which allowed them not only to improve the efficiency of their logistics chain, but also to significantly reduce the time between the delivery of the material and the collection of the material.

Before implementing the digital packing slip, Quaker State's delivery process relied heavily on paper documents and manual systems, leading to delays, loss of documents, and billing errors. After digitizing the process with tools such as route tracking and proof of delivery, Quaker State was able to drastically reduce these problems.

The most shocking result was the savings of more than 2 million dollars in operating costs. The speed with which deliveries were processed and proof of delivery validated allowed the time between receipt of products and payment to be reduced from weeks to just a few days. This improvement not only optimized the company's cash flow, but it also improved relationships with its customers, who valued transparency and speed in the delivery process.

Conclusion

The digital packing slip is an essential tool for logistics companies looking to improve their efficiency, reduce costs and offer a better experience to their customers. By combining this technology with advanced systems of route tracking and proof of delivery, such as those offered by Routal, companies can optimize their operations, minimize errors and ensure customer satisfaction.

The success story of Quaker State is tangible proof of the benefits of digitizing delivery processes. The implementation of digital packing slips can not only lead to great savings in operating costs, but it can also accelerate the revenue cycle, improving the competitiveness and efficiency of any logistics company.

Ready to leave paperwork behind and take the leap to a more efficient, modern logistics operation? Discover how Routal can help you implement digital delivery notes with real-time tracking, proof of delivery, and much more.

👉 Request a free demo and start transforming your logistics operations from day one.

What is a digital packing slip and what are its advantages for the logistics company?
Webapps, such as Routal's, offer significant advantages over native apps and traditional methods in last-mile logistics. They make installation easy, compatible with all devices, and don't require as much storage space. In addition, they provide simple training and promote greater adoption due to their convenience and efficiency. Features such as direct access to Google Maps, one-click tagging and real-time photo capture save time and improve deliveryers' efficiency.
Planner
Webapp VS. Native App. Eliminating friction in the last link, the divider. Everything you need to know.

Last-mile logistics is a business of cents and seconds, every cent counts, every second matters. Making your deliveryman's life more agile, simple and efficient will have a bigger impact than you may be aware of.

Surely you are looking for an app, and just thinking that you will have to explain to all the delivery people how to install it, if it will work on their phones, especially that of external distributors that change every day, among many other problems... you will think that paper is not such a bad solution.

Perhaps there are alternatives other than an app that requires installation, which will be even faster and more convenient than handing over a paper. We are going to see the big differences between a native app, a webapp and finally paper.

Webapp vs. Native App

In any change, it is important to identify the main aspects that will mark the success of the change. When adopting a digital solution for delivery people, it is important to reflect on 3 aspects:

  • Installing the tool
  • The training of the tool
  • The adoption of the tool.

Installing the tool

Before deciding on a tool, it is important to thoroughly study the installation process of the chosen tool. A native app will require knowledge on the part of the user when installing apps. Browse the different app stores, until you find the right one. Finally, share with the user their credentials (username and password) in order to access their account. This process must be repeated with all the delivery people, and you will probably have a high turnover, so it will be a process that must be done on a regular basis.

The Routal webapp allows you to speed up this entire process with simple access to a link sent by email, WhatsApp or any other means. It is a very simple and convenient system, especially in companies that work with outsourced services for their operations and these can change daily.

In addition, one of the risks of native apps is support for different models. There are more than 24,000 different models on the market and it's virtually impossible to support all of them. On the contrary, a webapp like Routal's is based on standard HTML code supported by all devices in their native browser. There's nothing worse than hearing a delivery guy say, it doesn't work on my cell phone.

Formation

Training is a key step in using any tool. In general, all mobility tools are usually easy to use by field workers, delivery people, or any employee.

In this video you can see how simple the Routal application is. It doesn't take our customers more than 3 minutes to teach their delivery people how it works.

Adoption

Adopting tools is the most difficult task in any company. Changing the status quo (the company's usual way of working) can be a big challenge. To be successful in this type of project, there is a secret: Generate more convenience to users with the new process.

The application must save time, be simpler than the current solution and, above all, it must make life easier for the worker.

For example, in the Routal webapp, you have a button for direct access to Google Maps or Waze that will fill in the address and guide the delivery person to the delivery point in a single click. Saving a few seconds of copying the address, with the possible errors you may make.

One of the tasks that delivery people do the most is answering the phone. Making calls to customers, receiving calls from their manager to know the status of deliveries, and a long time. Saving 30 seconds by copying a customer's phone number may seem insignificant, but if that task is repeated dozens of times throughout the day, we may be talking about savings of more than 20-30 minutes. Time that can be spent making more deliveries, or avoiding an accident.

Another advantage of digitalization is the ability to share information in real time asynchronously. For example, the status of the deliveries, or the photographs themselves, allow customers and managers to be aware of the status of their delivery and everything that happened at the time they need it. Without bothering, or having to wait. Real-time information, better decisions and more convenient service.

In conclusion, a simple tool that improves the performance of delivery people and is more convenient than the current solution are the keys to achieving the success of a delivery monitoring project.

I encourage you to try our solution Routal Planner route optimization, delivery monitoring through a webapp and real-time communication with your customer.

Webapp VS. Native App. Eliminating friction in the last link, the divider. Everything you need to know.
Main challenges of temperature-controlled (frozen) distribution and logistics. Challenges and solutions that reduce consumption and gain security.
Logistics
Optimization of temperature-controlled logistics

Temperature-controlled logistics is an added challenge to the already complicated distribution of goods. The great challenge is to maintain a controlled, stable and safe temperature throughout the journey from the factory to the final consumer of that merchandise.

As logisticians, we must ensure the safety that this product has not been damaged due to an inadequate temperature, since surely.

There are many products that need temperature, from perishable foods such as foods (fruit, vegetables, or any type of fresh food), medicines, or even precision parts whose temperature could change their shape, to give common and not so common examples. Likewise, we can find different temperature levels:

  • Without temperature: 15º-40º
  • Controlled temperature:
    • Refrigerated: 0ºC → 8ºC
    • Frozen: 0ºC → -20ºC
    • Ultra frozen: Below -40ºC

Products that require controlled temperature are transported by vehicles specially designed to maintain the temperature inside. For this purpose, they are equipped with powerful cooling systems. Some in the form of an autonomous system with their own diesel engines, others connected to the vehicle that provides the energy, or even some are powered by passive cold (incorporating ice loads that preserve the cold).

What challenges do controlling cold in the supply chain entail?

Fuel consumption

Refrigerated vehicles consume much higher than conventional vehicles. Refrigeration is a process that consumes a large amount of energy, and that translates into liters of diesel. The greater the temperature difference between the inside of the truck and the outside, the more work the cooling system must do, consuming more in summer.

Therefore, the products must be in the truck for as little time as possible. Efficient logistics management will try to minimize that time in loading.

Another action that has a great impact on consumption is the opening of doors. Every time a refrigerated truck opens its doors, outside heat penetrates the truck, increasing consumption. The solution is to minimize the opening of doors, and above all, to minimize the time they remain open. Good planning that allows the load to be ordered so that the unloading time is the minimum, will reduce opening time, reducing consumption.

Systems of route optimization that allow efficient route planning, reducing travel time and efficiently organizing vehicle loading are key to reducing consumption, costs and improving service.

Cold chain management and safety

Ensuring that the merchandise has not undergone heating and refreezing is critical. Many goods could be damaged, even becoming dangerous for human consumption. Examples such as fruit, which at high temperatures due to its high sugar content can cause the colonization of bacteria that damage the product, or pharmaceutical material such as vaccines or antibiotics whose effectiveness is reduced due to high temperatures.

Active monitoring of products and/or their transport is key to ensuring that products are transported with guarantees. Dataloggers and all kinds of temperature control probes are key tools for this type of logistics.

camion temperatura controlada

Conclusions

The cold logistics chain has a large number of challenges to face. We have dealt with some examples with the main challenges such as logistics optimization to reduce consumption or temperature monitoring to ensure the cold chain at all times. These are some of the main challenges in a key sector for many industries.

At Routal, we help all types of refrigerated transport companies to optimize their distribution, save time and fuel in just 24 hours. Try it here.

Optimization of temperature-controlled logistics
Article on the main challenges for the electric vehicle transition in the logistics environment, especially the last mile.
Logistics
Challenges in the transition to electric vehicles for the logistics sector

The market is demanding more every day sustainability. It is one of the great mega-tractors of the economy, as well as the conscious consumer. This fact is making big brands move towards that position. Out of belief, or out of necessity, the entire market is being forced to Transition towards production processes with lower environmental impact.

Unquestionably, logistics is a very important part of all companies' emissions and the market is beginning to transition to more sustainable and efficient methods. From the relocation of factories to points closer to their customers, to limiting air transport as much as possible or transitioning their own fleets to electric vehicles.

At the last ICIL Debates convention in Barcelona, two important retailers in our country such as Mango or Unequal showed the difficulty in finding carriers capable of offering sustainable delivery. They get together three important challenges when it comes to achieving the transition to electric vehicles: The large investment in electric vehicles (3x a diesel) Charging management of the vehicle (charging point, charging times, civil works, etc.) Operational Management of an electric fleet (range management, type of driving, etc.) If, in addition, we add that most of the fleets belong to small entrepreneurs or the self-employed, it makes that transition really difficult.

Investment in electric vehicles

Nowadays we find a multitude of brands with electric vehicle solutions on the market. Especially in light vehicles, we find the largest catalog of brands such as Citroën, Fiat, Nissan or Ford, among others. Brands with extensive experience in this type of traditional industrial vehicles that have focused on offering electrical solutions so that their customers can face the restrictions of cities such as Low Emission Zones. The problem appears when the operation requires larger tonnage trucks. Brands such as Jac Motors they already offer solutions that allow them to beat their diesel counterparts in a few years.

Charging management

The installation of a charging point itself can be an expensive installation and its optimization depends to a large extent on the needs of the operation. Points such as the number of vehicles to be recharged, charging times and other variables will determine the power needed, which may make the final cost of the installation more expensive or considerably lower. Specialist companies such as Circontrol and Bia Power make it possible to achieve a balance between installation and efficient loading of any fleet.

Operational Management

Many companies are not aware that the transition is not just about buying an EV and setting up a charging point. One of the advantages of an EV is that it requires much less maintenance, but new restrictions such as range management are key to getting the most out of this type of vehicle. Nowadays, fleet managers do not have the knowledge to plan routes with the precision required by this type of vehicle. To this end, companies such as Aigües de Barcelona, with one of the largest electric fleets, use route optimization technology such as Routal Capable of plan routes taking into account the range of your electric vehicles to maximize its use, even if it does not have 100% of the available load.

Conclusion

The electric vehicle transition It's not just a replacement for automotive technologies, if it does not involve other essential parts such as recharging or operational management itself. The challenge for companies, administrations and clients is to facilitate, promote and finance this change. The market is pushing hard towards more sustainable logistics. We already have the technology to address each and every one of the challenges, all we need is training and institutional support to finish facing this national challenge.

Excerpt from the article published in the Supply.net magazine in May 2023

Challenges in the transition to electric vehicles for the logistics sector
Summary of the year 2022 for SmartMonkey, the present and future of last-mile logistics. How it affects the economy and some success stories.
RoutalMinds
2022 a good year, 2023 an even better year.

We can summarize 2022 in three words, a great year. In a sector where every second and every cent counts, and where if you don't measure it you can't improve, numbers come first: We have doubled our turnover again, we are now close to half a million euros. Thanks to our more than 250 customers who trust their processes every day to our route optimization tool. Without your trust and without your demand to make a better product, we wouldn't be here. But we still have a long way to go together. And to add to many more.

Our mission:

“Provide affordable tools that improve the experience and efficiency of logistics processes for any company.”

It's always good to check if we're on the right track and I think that our mission is more current than ever. As a good logistician named Bezos said, “Work based on something that won't change in the next 10 years.”

The experience of most companies that operate in the last mile can be improved. From the internal decision-making processes, to the planning itself, management with the distribution or the end customer experience can be improved. Highly upgradable. That's why we're here and our customers share the same mission. Improve every day, be more efficient and provide a more convenient service.

The economy is at a time of maximum uncertainty, and that causes logistics to suffer. We live in an interconnected chain where if someone in China sneezes, we feel it in Barcelona, Lima and Reykjavik. Last-mile logistics, as the last link in the chain, also notices this. What to do? Adapt, be more efficient and flexible. There's no other one left.

Logisticians know a lot about adapting to unexpected changes, it's in our DNA. To adapt, you need to evolve, improve your processes and that's where companies find us. We are with them to make this transition as fast as possible (Congratulations Prio Energy for deploying in 24 hours 👏🏻) and simple (Cabify Logistics has assured us that they have tried all the platforms and none as easy to use as Routal).

Our present is to continue the great work we have been doing for the last 3 years. Better products, easier to use and more powerful. This is why we have released a new version. More intuitive, faster and more collaborative. With one goal: To make your life easier, more flexible and efficient.

We believe in our way of working, we know what is different from the rest, and we understand that if we want to be the reference we cannot set our sights on today or tomorrow, but rather think about the coming years and working from now on. For this reason, we invest a lot of efforts in improving product, value and customer communication processes. We still have a lot to do.

The future will bring us better products, solutions that improve the experience and efficiency of logistics processes. That is our mission and we work every day to get closer. All our work is based on some principles (and our clients share them):

  • Continuous improvement: Nothing is perfect, everything can be improved and anyone (including customers) can propose improvements
  • Transparency: We are transparent (we publish any incident with the service openly), we all make mistakes, but we assume our responsibility.
  • Listen to customers: Understand the needs of each customer, improve the product for everyone and have the courage to say no, for now.
  • Persistence: It's hard for things to work out the first time, we can't give up, so we have to keep fighting

2023 will be an even bigger year.

2022 a good year, 2023 an even better year.