Wondering whether OptimoRoute is a route management and optimization platform that can get the job done for you?
In that case, all you need to do is read on, as in this blog, we’ll:
To get a grasp of what OptimoRoute has to offer to prospective users, we have done the following:
That enabled us to conduct an in-depth analysis of OptimoRoute’s core functionality and, as a result, to figure out its best use cases and evaluate its value for money.
So, let’s dive right in!
No software analysis would be complete without an estimation of its overall user experience, and ease of use plays a vital part in it.
OptimoRoute’s interface does have a slightly dated appearance, so it could definitely do with an update.
Moreover, it can get cluttered with tons of smaller windows opening one over the other.
Other than that, OptimoRoute is reasonably easy to use.
Its dashboard is pretty intuitive, so you won’t have to be particularly tech-savvy to wrap your head around it.
Moreover, OptimoRoute has a decent number of help articles and video tutorials on their website to help new users get onboarded and help existing users get the hang of the more advanced features.
Their customer support is pretty responsive and promptly answers their clients’ questions and dilemmas.
So, although OptimoRoute’s interface does look like it desperately needs to be refreshed a little, it’s intuitive, fairly easy to navigate around, and won’t pose an issue for most users, even the less experienced ones.
Moreover, judging from customers’ reviews, it seems their support team is spot on since they give their best to help clients whenever and with whatever issue they may have.
As its name would suggest, OptimoRoute is primarily focused on routing and not so much on other areas of delivery management as such.
When it comes to routing options, OptimoRoute does have some pretty nifty features, such as:
Moreover, OptimoRoute can consider things like driver work times and delivery/service time windows when planning routes to get the most precise results.
However, there’s a pretty significant downside to OptimoRoute’s routing ability - it cannot incorporate live traffic data in its routing and optimization. That means the routes won’t be as optimal as you’d like them to be. In turn, that will affect other things, such as ETAs.
This is a handy feature for businesses with fixed schedules for weeks or even months ahead, as they can easily plan out the routes, assign tasks to available drivers, and ensure that the suitable vehicles are matched with the proper load.
Unlike similar software that offer little to no customisation options, OptimoRoute enables setting up and customising certain parameters that can help with your overall efficiency.
For example, you can set up:
OptimoRoute helps you track vital information such as drivers' performance ratings, delivery arrival accuracy, predominant types of orders, etc.
Moreover, its breadcrumbs feature is excellent for seeing in close-up detail where the actual routes that were taken differ from the planned routes.
However, OptimoRoute is not without its downsides. It suffers from the same issues most slightly older platforms have, as it’s been primarily designed for route planning and optimization alone.
Features that are supposed to allow a more versatile use and an all-around delivery and other complex logistics operations management were only developed and added on later, on the go.
As such, they’re not as advanced and sleek as the features of newer software that are more oriented toward delivery management.
So, some of the shortcomings that could be a problem for more advanced users include the following:
All in all, OptimoRoute has a truly great set of features that can give your route planning some serious leverage.
However, businesses that have demands for more complex logistics operations and need better integration with the entire supply chain, or are primarily focused on deliveries rather than field services, sales and similar industries, will find OptimoRoute lacking in several points.
The fact that it has just two POD collection methods, its inability to incorporate live traffic data in its route calculations, and no live chat options between drivers and dispatchers particularly stand out.
These omissions on its part are not that strange, though, once you consider that OptimoRoute is a route planning software first and foremost.
OptimoRoute has fixed pricing plans that don’t consider a business’s specific requirements and characteristics and charges users on a per-driver basis.
What’s more, if you need more advanced features (e.g. POD collection, real-time order tracking, customer feedback, analytics reports etc.), you’ll have to opt for the Pro plan at $49 per driver per month when billed monthly.
Given that OptimoRoute is priced on a per-driver basis, your costs will stack up real high real fast if you have a larger fleet or are planning on expanding it.
And to make matters even more aggravating, there’s a cap on the number of orders (a pickup or a delivery) that can be planned and stored at once - which will be a significant obstacle for bigger businesses, as the limit is set at just 1,000.
So, if you manage a fleet of about 30 vehicles, expect to pay as much as $1470 in just one month and for a meagre 1000 orders at that.
OptimoRoute’s team is pretty straightforward about its best use cases.
They find it most suitable for small businesses, various on-field services (e.g. technicians, plumbers, exterminators, waste collectors, etc.), as well as sales representatives and real estate agents who have to drive around a lot and need help with saving time and cutting costs.
That means that OptimoRoute is not a great fit for larger businesses that predominantly deal with deliveries and need a platform with more advanced features aimed at delivery management.
Moreover, businesses with a bigger fleet and a significant number of drivers will also do better with some other software, as OptimoRoute can get really pricey due to its per-driver pricing.
So to cap it all, small businesses and individuals who need route optimization first and foremost will benefit the most from using OptimoRoute.
On the other hand, medium and large businesses with more advanced needs for all-around delivery management and optimization should steer clear of OptimoRoute as its pricing policy and lack of advanced delivery-related functions make it inadequate for them.
We’ve already written a blog on best OptimoRoute alternatives for various use cases, so here’s just a brief recap of the one tool that offers the most versatility.
So, if you’re a medium or large business or are a smaller firm that still wants to get a hold of cutting-edge delivery management features, what’s the best alternative?
Well, eLogii is one such platform that offers all the features you will ever need, as it effortlessly tackles customer satisfaction and overall delivery management and has excellent routing capabilities.
eLogii has a wide range of highly-customisable features that make it a perfect choice for various types of businesses - from field service providers to retailers, pharmaceutical companies, restaurants, couriers, on-field service providers, etc.
Some of its most notable features include:
Moreover, eLogii doesn’t have one-size-fits-all pricing packages, which makes it an ideal solution for small, medium and large businesses alike.
And since its pricing is task-based, the price won’t depend on the size of your fleet, which is a critical factor in deciding - particularly for larger businesses.
eLogii comes with custom-tailored pricing plans that are based on your business’s particular configuration and needs, with the typical entry-level price starting at around $359 per month for 2500 tasks, with unlimited drivers and vehicles.
And what’s even better, most of the features we’ve mentioned above are included in the Starter plan, meaning you won’t be conditioned to opt for the most expensive choice straight away, as is the case with OptimoRoute.
If you’d like to compare each plan’s features, you can do it here.
eLogii is an end-to-end cloud-based delivery management platform. Our powerful solution solves the biggest challenges of modern distribution and field service businesses, including route optimisation, planning, and execution.
BOOK YOUR DEMO in less than 2 minutes. Fill out a quick form, and one of our experts will get in touch to show you how eLogii works in action. The demo will be tailored specifically to your business needs, and you’ll get a pilot period to test out our expert’s bespoke configuration for yourself.
Start saving time and money in your operations today!