Wholesale Distribution Software

Start by understanding the complexities of your fleet. If you’re operating more than ten vehicles, you’re going to need advanced software that can handle a lot of routes, sequences and constraints. 

Ask yourself if routes are mainly static and predictable, or of you need to handle ad hoc orders and same-day delivery. Do you see seasonal differences and fluctuations in order volume? Will you need to recut routes when you add a new account? 

When it comes to daily planning, do planners need the ability to make changes on the fly, without breaking existing routes? To make decisions, will they need visibility into weight and granular product details? 

Consider whether you have different customer types and service levels. Would you benefit from serving top-tier accounts on a fixed route while fitting in lower-tier customers dynamically? Will the route optimisation software need to factor in promised time windows and preferred delivery days? 

Think about how fast you’re currently able to invoice customers. Do you have a convenient way to deal with Overages, Shortages and Damages (OS&D) in the field? Do you suspect you’re issuing unwarranted credits and incurring unnecessary re-deliveries? 

Questions like these will help you narrow down the features and capabilities that are important to your business. The ideal solution will allow you to build profitable routes, without sacrificing customer service. 

Descartes offers delivery management software to optimize wholesale deliveries from end to end. 

Strategic planning: This step involves making long-term decisions about the delivery network such as fleet size, vehicle types and depot locations. These decisions define fixed routes, preferred delivery days, and service rules that shape daily route planning. 
 
Daily route planning: Real-world orders are routed based on business constraints. Optimization minimizes the cost of routes while considering factors like weight, capacity, promised time windows, vehicle requirements and driver skillset. Drivers are assigned and last-minute adjustments take place. 

Execution: Drivers follow the delivery sequence and use their mobile device to manage stop-level tasks. This involves capturing proof of delivery (POD) at the case or pallet level, managing OS&D and following safety and compliance workflows. 

Tracking: Execution data feeds back into the system so dispatchers can see when time windows are at risk. Customers receive real-time notifications and tracking based on the driver’s location.  

Continuous improvement: Customers submit feedback about their delivery experience. Meanwhile, software feeds execution data back into planning. Machine Learning (ML) can learn how service times vary based on variables like account type, order size and product type. These learnings improve estimated time of arrival (ETA) models so that plans match reality. 

Manually optimized routes look good enough on paper. But on closer inspection, some trucks are going out under capacity while other routes are overstretched. Drivers unknowingly rack up unnecessary mileage and hours. Estimated arrival times (ETAs) are inaccurate, putting customer retention at risk.   

Route optimization software can cut wholesale logistics costs by reducing mileage, distance and number of routes. With Descartes, you can choose the metrics that matter to your business and optimize accordingly—all while respecting promised time windows.

With more efficient routes in place, wholesalers typically see reduced fuel consumption and less driver overtime. Route planning time is reduced, so planners can focus on handling exceptions and value-add tasks.  

Descartes offers mobile apps to digitize POD and OS&D management. By moving away from paper-based reconciliation, wholesalers can: 

• Reduce credits and redelivery costs. 

• Improve cashflow and invoice accuracy. 

• Minimize administrative overhead and manual corrections. 

Descartes works with leading food wholesale distributors such as U.S. Foods. We partner with manufacturers, retailers and distributors catering to foodservice, retail, convenience and hospitality sectors. 

Food wholesalers see benefits such as: 

• Reduced mileage 

• Reduced route planning time 

• Increased delivery accuracy 

• Reduced claims and credits 

• Reduced inbound calls from customers 

Beverage wholesalers use Descartes’ routing and mobile software to reduce mileage, minimize driver overtime and improve customer service.  

Strategic planning helps to build reliable fixed routes that can adapt to seasonal fluctuations. Daily route optimization reduces planning time and allows you to make adjustments without breaking fixed routes. Integrated mobile tools feed execution data back into planning to build better plans.  

Merchandisers, drivers and dispatchers have real-time visibility of deliveries, and the tools to adapt when things don’t go to plan. 

Yes, food, beverage and pharmaceutical distributors use Descartes’ solutions to deliver on time, at temperature.