Introduction
For businesses with a field force, time is literally money. If your team is zig-zagging across the city inefficiently, you are wasting fuel and missing out on potential store visits. To plan routes and store visit schedules effectively, you need a strategy that considers location, priority, and traffic patterns to ensure every minute on the road is productive.
The Efficiency Gap in Field Operations
Most SMEs struggle because they let drivers choose their own paths. To plan routes and store visit schedules correctly, you must use data to cluster visits. By visiting all stores in one “zone” on the same day, you can increase the number of daily visits per staff member by up to 30%.
Using Merchio for Route Optimization
The modern way to plan routes and store visit schedules is through automation. Merchio offers advanced route planning features that allow you to assign specific stores to specific team members based on the most efficient path. This not only saves on vehicle maintenance but also ensures that your high-priority “A-tier” stores are never missed.
Adjusting to Real-Time Changes
A static schedule is often disrupted by traffic or customer delays. A smart system to plan routes and store visit schedules should be dynamic. If a merchandiser is delayed, the schedule should adjust or alert the manager. This agility allows your team to remain productive even when the unexpected happens on the road.