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WHAT MODERN SOFTWARE CAN DO FOR TOUR OPTIMISATION
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12 October 2021 · Bettina Marksteiner
12 October 2021 · Bettina Marksteiner
T
oday, route planning in service and field work is hardly conceivable without software. The complexity of the business is too great. At the same time, the opportunities offered by tour optimisation are too great to ignore. If you're still undecided as to whether now is the time to deploy a tour planning platform, we've compiled this cheatsheet to introduce the modern features this software can bring your organisation.
Efficient route planning a key to competing for customers, and their customers. Your sales force or service department saves unnecessary routes and costs, has more time for the actual work, and can thus attend to customers in a more targeted manner. The better you optimise your tours, the more cost-efficient and service-oriented your technical service and field service works.
Above a certain size of the service or field service team (approx. 20 resources), manual scheduling or tour planning via Excel is clearly inferior, and a competitive risk. Algorithms are simply better at dealing with a high degree of complexity and calculating the ideal tour optimisation. Nevertheless, the tour planning software solutions on offer differ in their performance.
ADVANTAGE 1
ADVANTAGE 2
ADVANTAGE 3
Efficient route planning a key to competing for customers, and their customers. Your sales force or service department saves unnecessary routes and costs, has more time for the actual work, and can thus attend to customers in a more targeted manner. The better you optimise your tours, the more cost-efficient and service-oriented your technical service and field service works.
Above a certain size of the service or field service team (approx. 20 resources), manual scheduling or tour planning via Excel is clearly inferior, and a competitive risk. Algorithms are simply better at dealing with a high degree of complexity and calculating the ideal tour optimisation. Nevertheless, the tour planning software solutions on offer differ in their performance.
TOUR OPTIMISATION FOR FIELD SERVICE MANAGEMENT
Using the FLS VISITOUR solution as an example, we want to illustrate the potential for tour optimisation offered by proven technology. FLS VISITOUR was developed specifically for scheduling and route planning in field service management, whether for technical service, field service or surveyors. Such a software solution offers clear advantages for tour optimisation for a wide range of industries.ADVANTAGE 1
AUTOMATION
In FLS VISITOUR, users can choose the level of planning approach: from manual to fully automated. Modern software offers full control, not a narrow, predefined scheme for planning. In general, a high degree of automation is one of many efficiency gains for companies.ADVANTAGE 2
PLANNING SAFETY
A transparent presentation and overview of planning enables you to clearly organise and control your tours. This creates security and clear orientation for everyone involved. Whether finance, customer service, dispatch, or on-the-road, everyone maintains a live overview.ADVANTAGE 3
REACTION SPEEDS
A special advantage with FLS VISITOUR is the immediate route optimisation in case of ad-hoc changes. A unique algorithm adjusts your tours in real time as soon as something changes. This way you mitigate any in-day 'domino effects', appointments and resources are under control and truly optimised (even when work orders appear hectic).AVOIDABLE ERRORS
The 10 most common mistakes when choosing Field Service Management software for your business
ADVANTAGE 4
DATA MANAGEMENT
Data is the foundation of good field service management. Therefore, a modern solution offers comprehensive settings for employees, resources, customers and work order types. This allows you to manage your data in a meaningful way and prepare it precisely to meet your needs. This contributes to tour optimisation.ADVANTAGE 5
DATA EXCHANGE
The advantage of cloud networking. Only through a permanent connection with the mobile end devices of field staff—including subcontractors and 'what's on the van'—do you exploit the potential of digitalisation. With the FLS MOBILE app, all process steps and order data can be optimised and create a fresh transparency for field service.ADVANTAGE 6
COMMUNICATION
Your customers will thank you for a modern software solution that works in the background. Via the FLS PORTAL for example, they can use intelligent online appointment booking - conveniently from anywhere and around the clock. With web-based features, companies improves communication and loyalty with customers.ADVANTAGE 7
HIGHER RELIABILITY
Software-supported route and tour optimisation reduces the number of missed appointments and increases adherence to customer deadlines. A good system constantly learns from the data and experience of daily operations. As a result, your warehouse, head office, and field services become even more reliable.ADVANTAGE 8
ACCURACY = COST SAVINGS
What about costs? A solution like FLS VISITOUR represents an investment - but one that soon pays for itself. The accuracy of time-of-day driving speeds, real-time traffic feeds, across truly optimised appointments saves time and money within weeks.At head office and throughout depots and warehouses, again thanks to tour optimisation and automation, the workload of dispatch is reduced by up to 50 percent. Employees gain time for strategic work again.
ADVANTAGE 9
MILES/KM + CO2 BALANCE
The positive saving effects are just as evident in the area of energy and the environment. Compared to other planning methods, modern tour optimisation software helps to reduce driven miles/kilometres and CO2, thus improving carbon footprint and saving on travel costs.ADVANTAGE 10
DATA PROTECTION
For any modern company, they are sacred: data protection and data security. FLS VISITOUR protects customer and employee data with a security-sensitive system architecture, encryption and comprehensive role and rights management. The system also takes into account requirements such as co-determination rights and compliance rules.TOUR OPTIMISATION - CLEAR ADVANTAGES WITH INTELLIGENT SOFTWARE
Successful field service management requires holistic and intelligent deployment planning. The influencing factors are manifold and planning must bring all stakeholders together. Customers, dispatchers, management, and field technicians/engineers. As complex as the task is, as great are the potentials. With a modern software solution, companies will optimise their tours and leverage the enormous potential that lies in intelligent tour planning.PROMOTE LEAN PROCESSES WITH TOUR OPTIMISATION SOFTWARE
To gain an understanding of tools to optimise the field experience and manage risk for your workforce and customers book a short discussion or contact us at info@fastleansmart.com.Read more:
Route planning SaaS: Your competitive advantage
Cost control: Reactive maintenance with Field Service Management software
Field force security with Field Service Safety software