Read upfront on Basic Data Flow & Main Use Case

Better Route Deep Integration - extended use cases

Disclaimer

The basis implementation of the Better Route Deep Integration you find described here.

We are aware every delivery tour is each a bit different while still following basic delivery standards. Drivers have habits (and this is totally ok). Bettermile is there to support these needs.

Selecting the first waypoint

The driver preferring to start their daily tour in a particular street or specific area is completely normal. This can be reflected by allowing the selection of the first waypoint in the sequence request — which can also be changed throughout the day if needed.

Setting a custom timeframe on a waypoint

While timeframe information can be transferred on jobs via the connector, there are cases where it may make sense to allow the driver to also set a specific timeframe on the waypoint (e.g., they know a road is not accessible after 10:30 am).

Adding (& removing) custom jobs

Most jobs (tasks) for the driver’s tour are transmitted via the connector, but there may be situations — such as the driver needing to charge a vehicle — where this should be reflected as separate custom jobs. This ensures the charging spot is considered in sequences and ETAs are adjusted accordingly. (For this use case, it’s best to combine with custom timeframes and custom stop times.)

Defining a custom destination

Commonly, the driver returns to the depot at the end of the day. But this is not always the case, so we also allow defining a custom destination, which will be considered in calculations.

Defining custom waypoints

When a driver needs a "mega stop" — a parking spot where they deliver to multiple addresses by foot — they can define a custom waypoint. The driver can define the jobs to be done and the specific address.

Setting custom stop times

All waypoints are assigned calculated stop times based on the jobs at that point. However, in some cases (e.g., locations with security checks), the system can’t accurately estimate the stop time. Drivers can set a custom stop time — ideally in 15-minute intervals — to avoid overwhelming them with decisions.

Checking for recalculation gain

While on the road, things change — and faster routes might appear. Especially when the driver uses a fully custom order, you can check periodically for potential recalculation gain to see if ETA could be improved using a FULL_OPTIMIZATION mode. If a gain is found, it's recommended to switch back to FIXED_OPTIMIZATION to maintain the sequence structure.