Many companies still rely on manual processes to plan their product delivery or customer service routes. However, this practice needs to be left in the past, as poorly planned routes can lead to losses due to high fuel consumption, increased fleet and team idle time, and failures in operational routines.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered route planning is an excellent opportunity for companies seeking to optimize service delivery and reduce operational expenses.

Through real-time data analysis, AI helps improve service quality, increase field team productivity, and reduce mileage traveled and costs associated with vehicle maintenance and refueling.

What is AI-Powered Route Planning?

AI-powered route planning focuses on two main factors. The first is determining the fastest and most efficient way to complete a trip.

The second factor is the optimization of that route based on the analysis of diverse real-time data, including traffic conditions, distance between service points, service schedules, road conditions, and the availability of vehicles and respective employees.

Since AI also has the capacity to detect patterns, this technology allows for a proactive response to unforeseen events during service routes.

For example, should an unexpected traffic jam arise on the previously indicated path, the Artificial Intelligence can recalculate the route in the best way to minimize delays.

Another functionality of Artificial Intelligence is to predict traffic patterns through algorithms and historical traffic data, improving route planning for specific times and regions.

With the help of Artificial Intelligence, companies can:

• Deploy the right personnel at the right times;
• Choose the best type of vehicle to be used for each route;
• Optimize vehicle loading to maximize storage space (especially for transport and logistics companies);
• Optimize fleet usage, time spent traveling, and distance covered on each trip;
• Reduce time spent in traffic jams;
• Avoid travel on roads in poor condition;
• Decrease fuel costs;
• Save on vehicle maintenance;
• Improve service delivery times and the quality of service provided;
• Increase customer satisfaction.

5 Advantages of AI-Powered Route Planning

By planning and optimizing their service routes with the help of Artificial Intelligence, companies benefit across the entire operational chain, from employee productivity to the quality of service delivered. Below, check out the main advantages of relying on technology for route planning:

1 – Reduction of Operational Effort

Artificial Intelligence can reduce the effort involved in dispatching work orders by more than 80%.

This was the result obtained by the company Selt Engenharia when optimizing its operation with the Exati AI Route Planner, a tool that functions as an intelligent urban route planner.

If the company previously depended on a person dedicated daily to planning routes, with the implementation of the AI Route Planner, it began generating more efficient routes with just a few clicks, significantly reducing the routing time.

2 – Reduction of Operational Costs

By mapping out smarter, more economical, and safer routes, Artificial Intelligence helps reduce expenses related to fuel consumption, which also translates into a lower environmental impact. Intelligent route planning also contributes to mitigating vehicle wear, resulting in less need for fleet maintenance expenditures. By planning the best service routes, AI also allows for savings on tolls and taxes.

3 – Increased Field Team Productivity

Since the Exati AI Route Planner also allows for real-time monitoring of field activity execution, it becomes possible to intelligently distribute activities to external technical teams, reducing the idle time of vehicles and employees.

Consequently, teams can perform more services or complete more routes in less time, helping to meet or even exceed customer expectations regarding the service provided, ensuring it is completed on time (or even earlier than expected).

4 – Greater Operational Control

Another advantage of real-time external team monitoring is preventing failures in service execution, allowing, for example, for employees to address the most critical areas first. This enhanced visibility ensures better compliance with service level agreements (SLAs).

5 – Continuous Operational Optimization

Unlike manual route planning, which needs to be performed daily and multiple times a day, Artificial Intelligence automates planning. This means the tool needs to be programmed only once, as the AI takes charge of always executing the necessary commands for each new trip.

Furthermore, because the Exati AI Route Planner features complete dashboards for tracking data on tasks, routes, and teams, managers can verify what is working well in the operation and make necessary improvements before they affect the operational routine.

Rely on Artificial Intelligence to Optimize Your Route Planning

There is no doubt that companies investing in Artificial Intelligence for route planning are a step ahead of the competition in making their operations more efficient.

By optimizing their routes, organizations reduce costs, increase team productivity, and stand out in an increasingly competitive market.

If you feel you are losing too much time with manual route planning and wish to improve your teams’ service potential, request a demonstration and understand how the Exati AI Route Planner can transform your operation.