by Route planning involves creating a workable route by sequencing stops, essentially mapping out the journey. In contrast, route optimization uses advanced algorithms to refine that plan for maximum efficiency, minimizing travel time, mileage, and costs while respecting constraints like appointment windows or vehicle capacity.
Routing optimization solutions can help you streamline the efficiency of transportation and delivery operations. Let's get you up to speed on how it works so you can take your business to the next level.
Input and Data Sources
Learning how to optimize sales route planning typically entails gathering and inputting the relevant data to specify a problem that requires solving. This ranges from the target destinations, specific time periods, and geographical coordinates to alternative delivery addresses, vehicle capacities, and road networks. More essential data includes traffic congestion, as well as travel costs.
When inputting data, you can either import it from a spreadsheet or insert it manually. However, manual input is challenging for complex, scalable operations and comes with the risk of errors.
You must make sure every detail is accurate for efficient route optimization planning. After all, the data plays a significant role in determining optimal routes for delivery businesses and other users.
For instance, defining vehicle capacities can deter the routing software from exceeding the maximum number of goods or passengers a vehicle can accommodate and carry. Time windows, on the other hand, make sure that stops are made or deliveries occur within certain hours to meet customer demands.
Route Modeling and Constraints
After inputting data, modeling is the next step in modern route optimization. This is where the mapping software structures the gathered information into a computational or mathematical model, incorporating the objective function of optimizing routes. This could speed up the delivery process and improve customer experience for a logistics company.
In route modeling (especially in sales or logistics), constraints are real-world limitations or rules that must be considered when building or optimizing routes. Considering these constraints creates practical, efficient routes, and aligned with business goals.
Common constraints include:
- Time-based constraints such as appointment windows, working hours, and SLA-driven deadlines
- Geographic and travel constraints such as daily travel limits, traffic conditions, and start and end locations
- Resource constraints such as territory boundaries, rep skills or certification, and vehicle capacity or type
- Business prioritization constraints such as high-priority customers first, customer visit frequency, and no-repeat visits
Optimization Algorithms
When users input data and specify the objective function, the mapping software's algorithm evaluates the data to determine the optimal route. In this case, various techniques can be used.
This optimized routing solution generates a set of potential pathways, factoring in routes that best meet the target function in terms of fuel consumption, time, total distance, and more.
Output Data Evaluation and Implementation
Once the route planning optimization software finishes processing the information, it generates the output data, containing the most efficient routes, the anticipated arrival times, and the total distance to be covered.
With eSpatial's route optimization algorithm, you can view these results on a map and make the necessary adjustments before deployment. This is one of the reasons why you should use route sales software for reps over manual route planning. Besides, it minimizes errors that could lead to late or missed deliveries, reducing the number of unhappy customers.
To understand what route optimization can do for your business, look at these real‑world examples.
Delivery and Logistics Teams
For couriers, distribution centers, and last‑mile delivery providers, optimizing delivery routes helps cut fuel costs, shorten delivery windows, and handle high volumes of stops without sacrificing service quality. Real‑time updates also help reroute drivers around traffic or unexpected delays, keeping deliveries on schedule.
Field Sales and Service Teams
Route optimization for field sales teams and service technicians allows teams to plan their days smartly by prioritizing high‑value appointments and minimizing drive time between meetings. With the right mapping software, teams can visualize CRM data directly on their maps, ensuring every route supports sales goals, customer commitments, and territory plans.
Transportation Route Optimization
In broader transportation planning, route optimization software helps businesses coordinate efficient routes for service vehicles, shuttle operations, or scheduled pick‑ups and drop‑offs.
This is also useful in healthcare, where route optimization helps ambulances, mobile clinics, and patient transport services reach more people faster, improving response times and operational efficiency.
The cutting-edge eSpatial platform is an ideal route optimization solution. It gives team leaders all they need, from a route optimization calculator to a multi-stop route planner, to create optimal routes that reach as many customers as possible while cutting down on drive time and costs.
