Designing efficient delivery routes is no longer just a matter of arriving fast. Today, companies are faced with the challenge of optimizing their operations considering multiple variables at the same time: minimize delivery times, reduce logistics costs and maintain a firm commitment to sustainability. Is it possible to achieve that balance? The answer is yes, but it requires strategy, technology and a mindset aimed at intelligent efficiency.

In this article, we explain how companies can integrate these three factors —weather, cost and sustainability— in a realistic and scalable route planning model. In addition, you'll see how tools like Routal Planner facilitate this process with automation, real-time data and advanced optimization algorithms.

The pressure to deliver faster without increasing costs or polluting more is transforming logistics. Here you'll discover how to adapt without giving up on any goal.

Why is a multi-criteria approach necessary in route planning?

Traditionally, many companies have designed their logistics routes prioritizing only the shortest possible delivery time. However, this strategy ignores other key elements that directly impact the profitability and environmental responsibility of the operation.

An approach Multicriteria allows you to take into account variables such as:

• Time of delivery, to ensure punctuality and improve the customer experience.
• Operating costs, including fuel, working hours and vehicle wear and tear.
• Sustainability, with routes that minimize emissions and reduce the number of kilometers traveled unnecessarily.

Balancing these factors isn't easy manually. This is where technology comes in as a key ally.

Technology applied to intelligent planning

A solution such as Routal enables automatically design routes based on multiple simultaneous objectives. The system analyzes variables such as:

• Delivery time windows requested by the customer.
• Traffic restrictions or real-time conditions.
• Location and capacity of each vehicle.
• Geographical distribution of deliveries.

The result is a plan that prioritize efficiency without sacrificing sustainability. Thanks to optimization algorithms, each route is evaluated for its total impact, not just speed.

Practical strategies for balancing time, cost and sustainability

1. Intelligent grouping of deliveries

Grouping deliveries close geographically allows you to reduce kilometers traveled, minimize stops and improve energy efficiency. It's a simple but very powerful tactic when combined with automatic planning systems.

2. Use of Key Indicators (KPIs) for each objective

Balance can only be maintained if it is measured continuously. Some key metrics include:

• Average delivery time.
• Cost per kilometer.
• CO₂ emissions per completed route.

Routal allows you to monitor these KPIs in real time to adjust the strategy when necessary.

3. Inclusion of environmental variables

Many cities already impose restrictions on polluting vehicles. Designing routes that avoid restricted areas or that prioritize less polluting vehicles allows not only to comply with regulations, but position the brand as socially responsible.

4. Dynamic replanning for unforeseen events

Traffic, delays or customer absences are inevitable. A system like Routal can reoptimize routes on the fly, avoiding bottlenecks and ensuring that the rest of the operation is not affected.

Concrete benefits of multi-criteria planning

Companies that have adopted this model report benefits such as:

• 15-25% reduction in operating costs, thanks to shorter and more efficient routes.
• Reduction of emissions by up to 30%, combining better planning and sustainable vehicles.
• Improved NPS (Net Promoter Score) for more timely and accurate deliveries.

In addition, greater satisfaction is achieved from logistics teams, who work with less pressure and better information.

Result: Efficiency with purpose

Designing multi-criteria delivery routes is no longer an option, but a necessity for any company that wants be competitive, profitable and responsible. Balancing time, cost and sustainability is possible thanks to specialized tools such as Routal Planner, which integrate data, automation and the ability to react in real time.

Adopting this model not only improves the logistics operation. Also strengthens brand reputation, generates medium-term savings and prepares the company to respond to the new demands of the market and the planet.

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What if I told you that your route planning with Excel could be holding back your growth?

Yes, we know it works.

But we also know that it leaves a lot of room for error ❗

Do these cases ring a bell to you?

• Miscopied cells that alter the entire cast

• Drivers calling because they don't understand the order of deliveries

• Customers upset by avoidable delays

All of this is more common than it seems.

And it's not because there's a lack of effort, but because Excel wasn't designed for logistics management.

💡 When we use generic tools for critical processes, we pay for it in time, money... and headaches.

On the other hand, a specialized route software how Routal automates what you now do manually:

✓ Generate optimized routes in seconds

✓ It is updated in real time in the event of unforeseen events

✓ Share routes with your drivers and customers in one click

The result?

📉 Fewer errors

📈 More deliveries in less time

😊 And a much quieter team

The best part: you don't need to be a logistics expert or hire an engineer.

Routal adapts to your operation and scales with you.

And hundreds of companies like yours are already using it to leave logistics management behind with Excel.

👉 Find out how other companies like yours are automating it.

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Does it happen to you too? Do you still rely on Excel for planning?

Schedule a demo today and improve your daily life‍

Have you ever stopped to think how many euros are missing? Every day for not planning your routes well?

We're not just talking about gas or wasted time.

We're talking about deliveries you could have made, about hours you could have saved... and, yes, about Profits you could be generating if your trips were more efficient.

💡 A clear fact: a delivery man who organizes his routes well can increase his profits up to 25% only by optimizing routes and better managing your time.

Let me tell you a real case:

A last-mile self-employed man who delivered between 30 and 40 orders a day with his van started using Routal Drivers to plan your routes. Before, he made his stops “by eye” or using Google Maps. Every day I was wasting time between poorly ordered deliveries, unpredictable traffic and repeated routes.

With the app, he started to:

✓ View all your delivery points

✓ Order them automatically according to distance and times

✓ Avoid traffic jams in real time

✓ Calculate exact arrival times

The result: in a week it was already 6 more deliveries per day. And that, in real numbers, were almost 250€ more per month. Without working more hours. Only with efficient routes.

🔥 What if you too are losing money... without knowing it?

Many delivery people don't know this, but a poorly organized route doesn't just cost them gas. It costs them time, reputation and opportunities of billing.

The good news: you don't have to be a logistics expert to improve.

You only need one planning app designed for your daily life.

📲 Download Routal Drivers and try it for free.

And start earning more... without giving out more.

👉 Are you already using an app for your routes? Have you noticed the difference?

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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

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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.

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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.

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Food distribution in Colombia presents unique challenges for logistics and transportation companies. From geographical diversity to address complexity, ensuring efficient and on-time deliveries is no easy task. One of the most critical — and often underestimated — factors is the quality of the data, especially with regard to directions and geographical coordinates.

In this article, we explore how data impacts the efficiency of food logistics in Colombia and why accurate information is essential to operate successfully.

Food distribution in Colombia and Latin America: a challenging context

Colombia is a country with densely populated urban areas and vast rural regions with limited infrastructure. This territorial diversity represents a major logistical challenge for companies that distribute perishable products. Every delivery must be made in a timely manner to preserve the cold chain and ensure customer satisfaction.

Problem 1: Unstructured or unclear directions

One of the main obstacles is the inconsistency in writing addresses. In many regions, addresses do not follow a standard format and may include non-technical references such as “in front of the school” or “next to the big tree”.

This type of information may work for a local delivery person, but not for an automated route planning system. The lack of structure makes geocoding difficult and slows down the entire logistics process.

Problem 2: Absence of accurate GPS coordinates

Geographic coordinates are the most reliable way to identify exact locations. When companies don't have precise coordinates associated with their addresses, optimization algorithms lose efficiency.

This can translate into:

• Longer or poorly calculated routes
• Increases in fuel consumption
• Delays in deliveries
• Difficulties calculating realistic time windows

Have access to reliable latitudes and longitudes significantly improves system performance and reduces the margin of error.

Solution: How Routal improves food logistics in Colombia and Latin America

Routal is a SaaS solution designed to plan, optimize and monitor distribution routes. To achieve this precisely, it relies on high-quality data and advanced geolocation tools.

Among its key features:

• Automatic address normalization: Convert ambiguous descriptions into standardized formats.
• Precise geocoding: Transforms addresses into ready-to-use coordinates.
• Integration with updated maps and local geographic databases.
• Planning based on real data: allows you to calculate routes considering logistics restrictions, delivery times and business priorities.

Summary: Data is the basis for efficient logistics

Last-mile logistics in Colombia, especially in the food sector, requires more than vehicles and routes: it needs clean, structured and georeferenced data.
Investing in information quality is key to reducing costs, increasing efficiency and improving the end customer experience.

With tools like Routal, companies can transform operational chaos into a fluid, automated and reliable system.

Contact us to learn more!

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The last mile is one of the most critical and complex sections of the entire logistics chain. And although we often talk about route optimization or cost reduction, there is an equally crucial aspect that is often overlooked: communication between the key actors in the cast. We refer to logistics managers, delivery people and, of course, end customers.

In this article we are going to break down the main communication problems that currently exist, why they continue to occur and, most importantly, how we can solve them using modern tools and more efficient flows.

📞 The phone: the king who no longer reigns

In many delivery companies, the main communication tool is still the telephone. It's a fast, straightforward, and widely adopted solution. But it is also the source of numerous problems that directly affect operational efficiency.

Problems with (synchronous) telephone communication between manager and delivery person

1. Time lock
2. A call requires simultaneous attention from both people. If you are busy, the entire operation is delayed.
3. Constant interruptions
4. The manager interrupts the delivery person to answer questions or make adjustments, affecting their concentration and productivity.
5. Mutual dependence
6. If the delivery person doesn't answer, the manager is left without information. If the manager is not available, the delivery person gets frustrated.
7. Lack of traceability
8. The calls leave no clear or organized record of what has been said or agreed.
9. Coverage or noise issues
10. In rural areas or noisy environments, voice communication is inefficient or even impossible.

🧍 ‍ ♂️📱 Deliver-customer communication: the big bottleneck

The other major battle front in the last mile is the interaction with the end customer. Here, too, the telephone reigns, with equally questionable results.

Main customer communication issues

1. Last-minute alerts
2. Many delivery people call just a couple of minutes before arriving, leaving little room for the customer to react.
3. Unanswered calls
4. The customer may be busy, at work, or without coverage. This requires repeated attempts, causing delays.
5. Unnecessary waste of time
6. Coordinating deliveries over the phone multiplies downtime, especially when you have to retry or wait for answers.
7. Ambiguity and errors
8. Poorly indicated addresses, unclear instructions, or last-minute changes without documentation.
9. Unnecessary tension
10. Calls can lead to misunderstandings or even conflicts if there are unpunctualities or unmet expectations.

💡 How to improve communication in the last mile?

1. Using Asynchronous Messaging Platforms

Tools such as Routal they make it possible to establish asynchronous communication channels where information flows without the need for both parties to be available at the same time. This allows:

• Leave clear, written instructions.
• Record incidents and inquiries.
• Send automatic notifications about the status of the cast.
• Notify in advance, generating options for the end customer and for the manager.

2. Smart notifications for the customer

Customers can receive automatic notifications by SMS, email or WhatsApp stating:

• Estimated time of arrival.
• Number of stops remaining before yours.
• Possibility to change the time or place of delivery from the mobile phone.
• Ability to send messages to the delivery person to find solutions or alternatives

3. Real-time tracking portals

A solution such as Routal allows us to offer the customer a tracking link where you can see the location of the delivery person and their progress. This reduces unnecessary calls and increases customer satisfaction.

4. Quick feedback and issue forms

Both the delivery person and the customer can report problems in a structured way (damaged package, wrong address, missing customer...), which avoids long calls and centralizes management.

5. Integration with planning and CRM tools

By having all the information centralized, the logistics manager can make faster and more data-based decisions: redistribute routes, assign tasks, anticipate delays or manage incidents.

🧭 Result

The last mile is not only about kilometers traveled, but about people who understand each other (or not). If we continue to rely on the telephone as the only communication tool, we are doomed to a system that is fragile, inefficient and difficult to scale.

Moving to smarter solutions such as Routal improves coordination, reduces errors and, above all, Save time for the whole team. Because in the end, good communication doesn't just deliver packages... Give peace of mind.

If you feel that you have this type of problem, I encourage you to try Routal Planner or Schedule a call.

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Until now, enjoying advanced technology to plan routes, save gas or replan deliveries in real time seemed like a luxury reserved for large companies. But that's over. With the new application Routal Drivers, autonomous drivers can now access the same tools that large fleets use... from their mobile and in a matter of minutes!

What makes Routal Drivers so special?

We know what it means to be self-employed: every minute counts, every liter of gasoline adds up, and every diversion can mean a failed delivery. That's why Routal Drivers has been designed with you in mind, the driver who does everything. Here are some of its main advantages:

⏱️ Time savings

Routal Drivers automatically generates the best possible route for all your stops of the day. Forget about wasting time reorganizing maps or looking for directions. The app does the work for you, optimizing each journey.

⛽ Fuel savings

Thanks to smarter and more efficient routes, you'll spend less on fuel. That translates directly into more benefits for you, without changing the way you work.

📍 Reach customers faster

Do you have deliveries in new or complex areas? Routal Drivers precisely guides you to the customer's door, using real-time information about traffic and road conditions.

🔄 Replan as you go

Do you have a new stop while you are en route? Does the customer change your address? With Routal Drivers you can add, remove or reorder stops at any time, and the application recalculates your route instantly.

🚶🚴🚛 Multi-mode of transport

It doesn't matter if you go by van, bike or on foot: Routal Drivers adapts to the way you move, to offer you the best route depending on your vehicle and the type of delivery you make.

📲 Download it now and start saving

Whether you're a freelance deliveryman or you're working as a freelancer for marketplaces or small businesses, Solo Drivers is made for you.

• Download on Android (Google Play Store)
• Download on iOS (App Store)

Routal now puts technology in your hands. You don't need to be a big company to work like one. Grow your business with Solo Drivers!

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La lack of delivery people has become one of the main challenges faced by logistics and distribution companies. According to recent data, more than 90% of companies They have Problems hiring delivery people, directly affecting the efficiency of their last-mile operations. But why are there a shortage of drivers? What solutions are there to mitigate this problem?

In this article, we explain the causes of the shortage of delivery people, their impact on the business and how technological solutions for delivery, like Routal, can help you maintain high performance even in high-turnover settings.

🔍 Why is there such a lack of delivery people?

1. Structural deficit in the sector

In Spain, the logistics sector has a Deficit of 15,000 professional drivers, and the projections are not encouraging at all. This problem has become a threat to the continuity of logistics operations, especially in urban distribution.

2. High delivery turnover

The delivery job, although not underpaid, is physically demanding, stressful and, in many cases, precarious. This generates a high delivery turnover, forcing companies to constantly invest in new selection and training processes.

3. Lack of generational replacement

Only 4.5% of delivery people are under 25 years old. The profession is not attractive to young people, who are looking for jobs that are more technological, flexible or with better working conditions.

4. Labor competence with other sectors

Many people with professional driving licenses prefer to work in public sectors or urban transport companies where working conditions are more stable and predictable.

🛠️ Technological solutions to combat the lack of delivery people

In this context, technology becomes a strategic ally. Platforms such as Routal offer specific tools that allow companies to deal with lack of delivery people without compromising the quality of service.

✅ Route optimization

Thanks to Routal's advanced planning engine, it is possible to assign more efficient routes to each driver. Not only does this reduce total work time, but it also allows for more deliveries with fewer resources. Reducing the need for a large number of delivery people.

✅ Reducing operational stress

With optimized routes, real-time tracking and automatic notifications, drivers have to make fewer decisions under pressure, improving their experience and loyalty.

✅ Higher productivity with less staff

Routal allows maintain high performance even with a small workforce. Automatic analysis tools and reports allow you to detect bottlenecks and adjust operations in real time.

✅ Better communication and feedback

The integration of satisfaction surveys and the total visibility of deliveries generate greater motivation in delivery people, knowing that their work is valued and visible.

🚀 Conclusion: A lack of delivery people doesn't have to slow down your business

La Shortage of delivery people it's real, but It's not a conviction. If your company is experimenting Problems hiring delivery people or suffer from high turnover, adopt a platform such as Routal can make a difference.

Investing in technology not only solves immediate operational challenges, but it also makes the work environment a more attractive, efficient and sustainable place for drivers.

Do you want to see how Routal can help you? 💡 Request a demo and transform your last-mile logistics.

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In the daily life of a delivery company — whether it's food, e-commerce or messaging — there are hundreds of micro-decisions, repetitive tasks and communication problems that consume time and energy. Although Routal already covers many of these needs with specialized last-mile technology, the intelligent use of tools such as Chat GPT can further complement and optimize these processes.

In this article we show you How ChatGPT can help you gain efficiency, improve customer service and make better decisions in less time. We also include examples of specific prompts that you can start using today.

What processes can ChatGPT help with?

1. Faster and more accurate customer support

Although Routal allows your customers to follow their orders in real time, the support team often continues to answer common questions. ChatGPT can help you write automatic answers or templates for frequently asked questions.

Useful prompt:

“Write a friendly answer for a customer who asks why their order is delayed.”

2. Fleet maintenance

Before starting the day, it is important to have a good fleet maintenance. ChatGPT can help you create a checklist sheet to ensure that your fleet is always available.

Useful prompt:

“I have 5 vehicles to carry out the distribution, create a checklist in which to review the usual maintenance points of each of the vehicles to ensure maximum availability.”

Link to the conversation

‍3. Internal management and coordination

You can use ChatGPT to write route summaries, communicate changes to the team, or even generate internal reports from free text.

Useful prompt:

“Write an internal message for the cast team explaining that tomorrow zone XXX will be blocked by works and that we must avoid it.”

4. Content Generation and Marketing

Small businesses often don't have time to maintain active social networks or send newsletters. ChatGPT can help you create content in minutes.

Useful prompt:

“Write a LinkedIn post for a sustainable delivery company that has managed to reduce delivery times by 30% using technology.”

5. Customer Satisfaction Analysis

If you use Routal surveys, you can paste comments into ChatGPT and ask for a summary or identify trends in feedback.

Useful prompt:

“Summarize the main complaints of these 15 customer reviews after the last delivery day.”

How to combine ChatGPT with Routal to get the best of both worlds

Routal already automates the most complex things: optimal route planning, real-time monitoring and the collection of customer feedback. ChatGPT does not replace any of this, but rather complement it. It helps you interpret data, communicate better and save time on tasks that still require a human touch.

The key is to integrate it into your daily workflows: writing, analyzing, communicating and deciding.

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