Logistics transformation: the impact of AntsRoute on key business functions

Published on 10 October 2024 • Reading time: 8 min read

Digital transformation is much more than a trend: it is an essential lever for SMEs and mid-sized businesses seeking to stand out in an increasingly demanding logistics environment. Distribution logistics, which ensures that products reach their destination safely, is at the heart of this small revolution. Against this backdrop, AntsRoute offers an innovative solution for digitising, automating and optimising delivery routes.

But how is AntsRoute transforming roles within companies? Which logistics functions are reaping the greatest benefits, and how is this solution facilitating the transition to Logistics 4.0? This article takes a look at the logistics functions affected by AntsRoute and shows how this tool improves operational efficiency while meeting the day-to-day challenges faced by companies.

Table of contents:

• Key logistics activities optimised by AntsRoute
• Internal logistics functions that interact with AntsRoute
• External functions
• The benefits of AntsRoute in logistics management
• The logistics professions of the future and the adaptability of AntsRoute

Key logistics activities optimised by AntsRoute

Distribution logistics brings together operations that are essential to ensuring that goods reach customers under the best possible conditions. Here are the main activities that can benefit from the use of AntsRoute software:

1. Wrapping and packaging: Proper preparation of products for transport reduces the risk of damage. AntsRoute can optimise routes according to the nature of the goods, reducing delivery times while ensuring product integrity.
2. Transport and distribution: Transport management is a cornerstone of logistics. With AntsRoute, routes are optimised to take account of constraints (working hours, types of vehicle, traffic). The result: fewer kilometres travelled, lower costs and faster deliveries.
3. Order management: AntsRoute integrates easily with order management systems, synchronising routes and shipments in real time. Teams can live track each delivery, ensuring better communication with customers.
4. Returns management (reverse logistics): Returns, whether of faulty or unwanted products, can damage customer satisfaction if not managed properly. AntsRoute simplifies the planning of pick-ups and returns, while offering flexible rescheduling options and accurate tracking of returned goods.
5. Customer service: Effective communication is essential for efficient customer service. AntsRoute’s automated notifications improve transparency and customer satisfaction, while reducing complaints.

The benefits of AntsRoute don’t stop there. By also supporting logistics support activities – from information management (internal and customer) through quality management to flow planning and control – AntsRoute centralises and automates data, making logistics more efficient and effective.

Key logistics activities optimised by AntsRoute.

Internal logistics functions that interact with AntsRoute

You may be wondering who in your company can benefit from the features of AntsRoute software. The answer is simple: a wide range of professions. Let’s find out together how each function within the logistics organisation can benefit from this innovative solution to improve performance, optimise processes and facilitate operations management.

1. Strategic and operational coordination functions

Manager
Objective: Make strategic decisions based on reliable data to increase productivity and profitability.
Interaction with AntsRoute: Thanks to the statistics provided by AntsRoute, managers can monitor the performance and productivity of their teams and delivery drivers in real time. By taking into account the results of these key performance indicators (KPIs), such as business volume, distances travelled, quality of work carried out and customer satisfaction, they can adjust their strategy. Soon, data on turnover and margins will also be available, thanks to rules for calculating the price of deliveries. A system for calculating route costs is already in place.

Supply Chain Manager
Objective: Monitor the entire supply chain, from planning to delivery, while optimising costs and delivery times.
Interaction with AntsRoute: AntsRoute offers complete visibility of route performance, making it easier to optimise routes and reduce transport costs.

Logistics Coordinator
Objective: Manage warehouse and distribution operations, while ensuring the smooth flow of incoming and outgoing goods.
Interaction with AntsRoute: It can monitor deliveries in real time, adjust routes to take account of unforeseen events, and optimise the management of available resources (vehicles, drivers, etc.).

2. Technological and integration functions

Chief Information Officer (CIO) / Information Technology (IT)
Objective: Ensure the integration of software solutions with the company’s information systems, so that processes run smoothly.
Interaction with AntsRoute: AntsRoute’s robust APIs enable seamless integration into the company’s digital ecosystem, guaranteeing data synchronisation.

3. Administration and day-to-day management functions

Administrative Assistant
Objective: Manage logistics information, process customer data and provide administrative follow-up.
Interaction with AntsRoute: The assistant can automate route management, set up customer notifications and generate performance reports.

Operations Manager and Logistics Manager
Objective: Coordinate logistics operations and ensure that deliveries are carried out correctly.
Interaction with AntsRoute: The solution makes it possible to plan, optimise and readjust delivery routes, taking into account geographical constraints and customer time windows. You can also monitor the progress of deliveries in real time, enabling you to react quickly to unforeseen circumstances (cancellations, rescheduling).

4. Field and operational functions

Order Picker
Objective: Organise orders for dispatch while respecting deadlines.
Interaction with AntsRoute: Although indirectly, AntsRoute helps to plan deliveries, making it easier for pickers to get organised.

Delivery Drivers
Objective: Ensure the delivery of goods on optimised routes, while maintaining a good relationship with customers during delivery.
Interaction with AntsRoute: Delivery drivers benefit from a mobile application (available on Android and iOS) that simplifies their daily lives with a multitude of functions. They receive their daily routes, access customer contact details, trigger navigation with Waze or Google Maps, validate stops with proof of delivery, reschedule deliveries if necessary and have the option of glancing at the schedule for the coming days. Thanks to this solution, the error rate is reduced and delivery times are better respected.

5. Customer and quality-oriented functions

Customer Service Manager
Objective: Guarantee an optimal customer experience.
Interaction with AntsRoute⁣: The solution makes it possible to send automated notifications on the progress of deliveries, improving transparency and satisfaction.

Business Development Manager
Objective: Develop the sales strategy by proposing innovative logistics services.
Interaction with AntsRoute⁣: AntsRoute’s statistics help identify opportunities for improvement and attract new customers.

Logistics Quality Manager
Objective : Ensure high quality standards in the supply chain.
Interaction with AntsRoute⁣: The solution makes it easy to monitor delivery performance and identify problems.

External functions

Consultants in Supply Chain and Cost Optimisation
Objective: Analyse and improve logistics processes.
Interaction with AntsRoute: Access accurate data on logistics performance to propose optimisation solutions.

Consultants in Operational Audit and Digital Transformation
Objective: Assess the efficiency of logistics operations and support companies in their transition to integrated digital processes.
Interaction with AntsRoute: Reporting functions help to identify weak points and recommend improvements.

Specialist Consultants
Objective: Provide expertise on specific aspects of logistics, such as green logistics and stock optimisation.
Interaction with AntsRoute: They can analyse data to develop tailored strategies.

The AntsRoute software enables users to offer end customers the best possible experience.

The benefits of AntsRoute in logistics management

To illustrate the significant impact of implementing AntsRoute, let’s take the example of a distribution company specialising in the delivery of food products. Before adopting AntsRoute, this company faced a number of daily challenges.

Before AntsRoute

The company was managing its deliveries in the traditional, manual way, which gave rise to a host of problems. Routes were planned on paper, which often led to errors in delivery schedules and inefficient allocation of resources. Operations managers struggled to keep track of the progress of deliveries, leading to frequent delays and growing customer dissatisfaction. Communication with delivery drivers was limited to telephone exchanges, making coordination complex and inefficient. Empty runs were commonplace, and the lack of real-time monitoring made it difficult to manage unforeseen events such as cancellations or rescheduling.

After AntsRoute

The integration of AntsRoute has enabled the company to transform its logistics :

• Optimised planning: Thanks to AntsRoute’s advanced algorithm, route planning is now fully automated. By taking into account specific constraints such as working hours, distances and product types, routes are optimised, reducing transport costs and journey times.
• Real-time visibility: Operations managers benefit from a real-time dashboard, enabling them to monitor each delivery at any time. This transparency allows them to react immediately to unforeseen circumstances and adjust routes if necessary, minimising delays.
• Improved communication: Delivery drivers use an intuitive mobile application to receive instant notifications about their routes, validate stops with proof of delivery and communicate easily with the office. This interconnection improves coordination and reduces errors.
• Analysis and continuous improvement: AntsRoute provides detailed reports on logistics performance. These analyses help the company to identify areas for optimisation, measure route efficiency and anticipate future needs, thereby strengthening its competitiveness in the marketplace.

Thanks to AntsRoute, the SME has optimised its routes, reduced the distances covered and improved customer satisfaction, offering total transparency on the progress of deliveries. The drivers, equipped with an application providing all the information in real time, benefit from simplified management. Logistics teams can monitor the progress of routes and adjust schedules accordingly in the event of unforeseen circumstances.

The result? Fewer delays, greater customer satisfaction and significant savings thanks to route optimisation.

AntsRoute route optimisation software.

The logistics professions of the future and the adaptability of AntsRoute

In the era of Logistics 4.0, with automation, Big Data and artificial intelligence, companies need to rethink the management of their logistics flows to remain competitive. AntsRoute is playing a key role in this digital transformation, adapting to new business areas such as:

1. Supply Chain Architect: Responsible for designing and optimising logistics networks by anticipating long-term needs. With AntsRoute, he uses precise data to adjust flows and minimise transport costs.
2. Supply Chain Data Analyst: This role involves transforming data into useful information. AntsRoute, with its real-time monitoring and detailed statistics, enables processes to be analysed and adjusted as required.
3. Sustainable Supply Chain Manager: Responsible for the sustainability of logistics processes, a role that has become essential in an era of decarbonisation and environmental regulations. AntsRoute optimises routes and avoids empty runs, helping to reduce companies’ carbon footprints.

AntsRoute has established itself as a key partner for SMEs and mid-sized companies wishing to make a success of their logistics transformation. By optimising every stage of the supply chain and adapting to changing business needs, this solution paves the way for more efficient, sustainable and competitive logistics.

It’s time to test our software! Try AntsRoute free for 7 days now!

WRITTEN BY

Florine Martin
Florine has been a freelance web copywriter since 2021, writing for a variety of clients in a range of sectors. Since the beginning of 2024, she has been writing articles about logistics for our company, AntsRoute.