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T he importance of digitalisation is constantly increasing. Whether day-to-day operations for eCommerce and accounting, or 'big picture' solutions, such as BPMN, advancing digitalisation has now found its way into almost all areas of business life. However, there are still some reservations about the potential of digital mobility applications in some sectors.

Some sectors appear conservative in the adoption of digitalisation owing to a nervousness around where to begin. On the other hand, companies such as skills-based businesses and other service/utlilty providers are facing their challenges through the integration of uncomplicated software solutions. A mobile route planning app in particular can be a real 'game changer' when it comes to day-to-day operations.

In this post, we'll discuss why a route planning app must be integral part of any digital strategy for companies with a field force.

ROUTE PLANNING APP FOR B2B SERVICE PROVIDERS

Today, more than ever, agility, speed, as well as flexibility are critical for the B2B industry. No matter whether professional service providers for technical applications, craftsmen, engineers—even caterers—all of these industries face challenges when it comes to day-to-day business in the field. Whether it's a short-term ad-hoc order due to a technical defect or a last-minute order for a company event, in all cases digital applications can make the companies' everyday work much easier. Mobile solutions that can be used across many departments of the company are particularly valuable here. Day-to-day business can be made much more efficient with a route planning app. Another advantage of such an application is that the administrative units of the company also benefit from this side of digitalisation.

THE BEST ROUTES ALWAYS IN HAND

When it comes to route planning via a smartphone for service technicians and engineers in the field, it's always much more complex than driving A to B. The same can be applied to almost all industries that in their day-to-day business travel to different customers in one city or even to customers in different cities. This also includes transport and logistics companies that often have to drive to different depots first (additional to the customers on their route). With a corresponding route planning app that is tailored to the needs of the respective service provider, even the most complex routes can be undertaken economically, flexibly and at short notice. Compared to manual route planning, the workload per schedule/dispatch employee can be significantly reduced.

Read what makes for efficient route planning ›

DIGITAL TOOLS SAVE TIME

Apart from the actual planning, a route planning app offers many other advantages. For example, the mobile application ensures that drivers arrive at a customer's premises in the shortest possible time. The app takes into account the current traffic situation and obstructions on the route, and includes this data in the planning. This not only saves the company's costs, but also significantly improves the environmental balance of the vehicles by reducing downtime. This is especially true for service providers who have a particularly extensive or large fleet of vehicles. A route planning app makes it possible to use the vehicles efficiently and to avoid unnecessary subsequent deployments as a result of delays.

ALL RELEVANT DATA IN ONE APP

Another great advantage of a route planning app is that not only do field employees in the operative day-to-day business benefit, but also the administrative company units, such as the head office. This way, both company units can access all customer master data relevant to the order and, if necessary, add to and change it in an uncomplicated and flexible manner. The data can be retrieved by the employees on site, cumbersome paper documentation is no longer necessary. This also makes internal company communication much easier, as the mobile tool of the route planning app can be used in case of queries. This is also beneficial to customer satisfaction, as the first-time-fix rate can be significantly improved.

NEW FLEXIBILITY THROUGH DIGITAL SOLUTIONS

Day-to-day business in the B2B sector can sometimes be extremely unpredictable. Here, too, the advantages of a route planning app become clear. If the employee scheduled for a customer cannot arrive at the customer's premises within the agreed time window due to a vehicle breakdown, fast and flexible action is required. Using the route planning app, it is now possible for a replacement driver to be sent on their way immediately and without delay, so that the works/job order can still be completed on time.

STRENGTHENING CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS AND A PERFECT CUSTOMER JOURNEY

To achieve any level of favourable reputation and success, a high level of customer satisfaction is essential. Companies that offer skills-based services in their day-to-day business are particularly dependent on satisfied customers. A route planning app enables employees to concentrate fully on the customer and, in particular, to take individual requirements into account. In the fast-moving and competitive B2B arena, customers appreciate individualised appointments. Customers can prepare for a timed appointment in advance, with notification of the driver's estimated time of arrival by e-mail or SMS. This ensures a high level of customer satisfaction, which in turn is the basis for strengthened customer loyalty.