Multi-Depot Optimization for Field Service and Delivery Route Planning

What this means for distribution businesses

A 3PL operating from warehouses in London, Birmingham, and Manchester sets up each location as a depot and assigns drivers to the sites they serve. Drivers assigned to multiple depots can pick up from whichever location their tasks originate from. Grocery distributors with regional cold storage facilities can link each delivery to the depot where the stock is held. Courier networks with local hubs can assign drivers to their home depot or to two nearby ones so the optimizer builds routes from the right starting point. For building materials distributors with yard locations across the country, each task references the depot where the materials are stored via its UID.

What this means for field service businesses

An HVAC company with service centres in six cities sets each one up as a depot and assigns technicians to their local base or to multiple nearby branches. The optimizer builds routes starting and ending at the assigned depot so technicians are not driving across the country to begin their day. Pest control businesses expanding into new regions can add depots as they grow and assign local drivers to them. Electrical contractors with regional offices can assign specialist engineers to multiple depots so they pick up parts from whichever branch has stock. For facilities management companies with local offices across the UK, each depot serves as the start and end point for its local team.

How it works

• Create depots in Configuration > Depots with a location name and address
• Assign each driver to one or more depots in their driver profile
• Tasks originate from a specific depot, set via the dashboard or by referencing the depot UID in the API
• The optimizer builds routes starting and ending at each driver's assigned depot
• Import depots in bulk via CSV or the API endpoint for large multi-site operations