🔗 This feature is available for all plans.
For detailed information about each plan, you can check it out 👉 here.
This feature will assist you organizing your upcoming visits. With ForceManager, you can create an optimized route with the companies you choose.
1. Access Companies and Make Your Selection
Access the Companies menu and from there select the companies you want to add to the route. You can segment and filter your companies by location, select those that have not been visited in the last 30 days, or any other relevant criteria.
2. Schedule Your Events or Tasks
Once you have selected the group of companies to visit, click on the schedule icon.
A window will open with the planner, which will automatically generate events and tasks for the indicated day. You can also define other values such as:
• Planning type
• Date and time of the first meeting
• Management type
• Time between meetings
• Responsible person
• Duration of the meeting
3. Preview the Route
By clicking on View Day’s Route, you can see how the route is configured. The travel distance and estimated time will also be displayed. You can easily adjust the route if necessary simply by changing the order of the companies to visit. Once changes are made to the route order, you can recalculate the route to see if it has been optimised.
4. Route Management from Mobility
Salespeople outside the office will receive notifications if events are assigned to them. Your team will be able to view and access the day’s route from their current location, providing information in context.
5. Analysis and ComparisonHere's how to make the most of it:
In today's business world, especially in sectors that rely on field sales and services, the efficiency and optimisation of commercial routes are crucial for improving performance and reducing costs. Aware of this need, we have developed a dedicated functionality that allows companies to compare the planned daily routes with those that were actually executed. Here, we explore how this tool can transform commercial operations.
What is Planned vs. Executed Route Comparison?
Our new functionality is designed to provide sales and logistics teams with a clear view of the efficiency of their daily activities. It allows users to visualise not only the routes planned for a particular day but also compare them with the routes that were actually carried out.
This comparison offers valuable insights into the accuracy of planning and the team's adaptability in the field.
It is important to note that the functionality does not individually track users but compares the check-ins performed by the user with the scheduled events.
The planned route is based on the events, and the executed route is based on the check-ins.
To visualise the route comparison, we need to access the Activities section.
We must add the necessary filters to show the check-ins for a date or range (week, month,...) and a particular user.
Once we have filtered the check-ins, we can visualise the map by clicking on the link "Compare route" at the top right of the results.
Accessing the activities menu in the map view will display two route visualisation options for the day.
Check-in Route (Blue): These are the check-ins performed as part of the planned activities for that day and user. Each check-in point marks an interaction, a visit, or a task completed by the salesperson.
Geolocated Event Route (Purple): These events are the ones scheduled in the users’ agenda. Each geolocated event represents a task, a meeting, or any other commitment planned for the day.
Key Benefits
Improvement in Operational Efficiency:
By comparing planned routes with executed ones, companies can identify deviations and understand the reasons behind them. This allows future planning adjustments to minimise travel time and maximise effective visits.
Cost Reduction
Optimising routes also means a reduction in fuel and vehicle maintenance costs. By ensuring routes are as efficient as possible, companies can significantly lower their operational expenses.
Improvement in Customer Service
With more efficient routes, representatives can arrive on time for their appointments, thereby improving customer satisfaction and the effectiveness of sales or services offered.
Data Analysis and Decision Making
The functionality provides valuable data that can be analysed to make informed decisions on how to improve mobility strategies and resource allocation. It allows sales managers to see what was actually on a salesperson’s agenda and what they have actually managed to accomplish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the entire week be planned with ForceManager’s route planner?
The functionality allows planning day by day, segmenting and obtaining the specific route for each day with Google Maps. This helps to dynamically and interactively obtain the route distance and time.
Is it necessary to update the application to access this functionality?
Yes, it is recommended to use the latest available version of the application. Updates are usually automatic, but there will always be an option or reminder message to update when a new version is available.
Can the route be scheduled based on the longest time since the last activity?
Yes, ForceManager allows using a standard filter that shows lists of companies by last activity, such as the last 7 days or the last 30 days. This filter is available in both the web and mobile applications, facilitating portfolio coverage.
Is it possible to save planned routes?
Currently, routes cannot be saved permanently. Events are managed autonomously by each user. However, administrators or supervisors can assign mass events and modify routes from the calendar.
Can the route be sent to navigation applications like Waze or Google Maps?
Yes, when moving to the next event, the route can be opened in applications like Waze or Google Maps to get directions from the current location to the client’s address. This is compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
What happens if the client records are incomplete or not geolocated?
If a client is not geolocated, the planner will indicate that it cannot locate it on the map and will not define a route point for that event. It is recommended to geolocate all clients when capturing their data, especially if done from the mobile application, as geolocation is done automatically.
Does the route planning functionality allow for business opportunities?
Currently, the functionality is focused on generating routes for clients. The possibility of generating routes for business opportunities is being considered for future updates based on user feedback.
What to do if a route is not generated automatically?
If the route is not generated, it may be due to various reasons, such as a lack of precise geolocation data or the existence of more than 25 events in a single route.
How to manage potential clients that are not yet registered in ForceManager?
To manage potential clients, they must first be included in ForceManager. This can be done via the web, through a mass upload, or directly from the mobile application. Once registered, they can be managed like any other client in the database. More information in this article.
How to ensure the route planning functionality is available in my application?
The functionality is being updated progressively. If there are any issues, contact the support team by sending a message in our chat at https://support.forcemanager.net, or contact your Customer Success Manager for assistance.