How Mapping and Routing Technology Can Elevate Operations Ahead of Peak Season

With peak season rapidly approaching, logistics companies are once again preparing for the busiest time of the year. Typically, the holiday season means a surge in demand, with consumers snatching up deals and bagging a bargain. However, the peak period has gradually started to extend beyond the usual end of year rush, and logistics companies are being forced to scale up their operations sooner than ever before. 

As a result, businesses plan to hire additional staff over the next few months, ranging from warehouse workers to drivers, to handle the increased volume of deliveries. However, blindly adding more staff is no longer the answer and in some cases, due to driver shortages, even harder to do. Now, having the right technology in place early is essential to keeping business streamlined during this critical period. 

Andrew Nowell, sales director at Trimble, believes that in a season where every minute counts and consumer expectations are at an all-time high, commercial mapping and routing technology can support logistics companies by staying ahead of the curve and delivering optimal service when it matters most. 

Fail to Prepare, Then Prepare to Fail

Unlike five years ago, when planning for peak season involved the use of manual tools and guesswork, today’s data-driven insights allow companies to forecast with confidence what Q4 will look like. When it comes to last-mile delivery, mapping and route planning technology is specifically designed for fleets and commercial vehicles, offering historical data and calculated operational strategies to create precise plans ahead of time.

Ultimately, this technology allows logistics businesses to optimize delivery routes, ensure the best utilization of the fleet, and maintain driver retention, which is key in an industry where every parcel company is competing for additional peak season drivers. 

Boosting the Onboarding Process

Commercial mapping and routing technology can be a game-changer for peak season drivers. In fact, according to CFlow, “automating business processes saves organizations an average of $51,000 per year.” 

For example, with companies onboarding seasonal specific or inexperienced drivers who are unfamiliar with routes, advanced mapping tools simplify the process, making a new driver’s day-to-day far less stressful. The reason for this is that these tools enable new drivers to confidently navigate unknown areas by providing them with optimized routes, real-time updates and historical traffic data. 

This means that even someone unfamiliar with a route can be handed a van loaded with parcels, and they would be able to successfully complete their deliveries. This capability not only helps the drivers ease into their new job, but also improves their efficiency. 

"Without smart mapping, logistics businesses would typically limit parcel assignments and avoid late-night routes for inexperienced drivers to ease the learning curve,” says Nowell. “But with this technology,  new recruits are seamlessly integrated into delivery teams, enabling onboarding in days instead of weeks, which is super important during peak season when every moment counts."

Boosting Employee Retention

Due to the fact that many seasonal delivery drivers are paid per stop – meaning their income directly correlates to how efficiently they can complete their deliveries – route optimization is not just beneficial for the company, but for the drivers themselves. Ultimately, this can significantly reduce the number of stops a driver makes in a day, impacting their earnings and overall job satisfaction. By reducing unnecessary driving and time spent in traffic, drivers can increase their per-day earnings while also reducing the stress that comes with inefficient routing. 

It’s clear that advanced mapping and routing technology presents a solution that extends beyond simply managing increased demand. With features like data-driven route optimization, historical traffic insights, and strategic planning, logistics businesses deliver an efficient service when it matters most. Not only can businesses onboard new employees and get them up to speed faster, but it will also enhance the experience for both seasoned and seasonal employees. In a competitive environment where the peak season stretches beyond traditional boundaries, embracing mapping technology is essential to stay ahead of the curve.

Contact our team to learn more about how Trimble’s mapping solutions can save you time and money.