Route Planning for FMCG and Van Sales: How DSD Assist Optimises Every Mile

Whether you’re a national distributor or a local supplier, saving time and money on the road is key to profitability. For businesses operating in FMCG, wholesale, van sales, and field services, route planning is no longer just a nice-to-have—it’s a competitive necessity.

With DSD Assist, route planning becomes smarter, faster, and more adaptable to real-world complexities. Our platform doesn’t just calculate how to get from point A to B—it helps you maximise your fleet’s performance, reduce costs, and enhance customer satisfaction.

What Is Route Planning in the Context of DSD?

Route planning is the process of designing optimal delivery routes that minimise distance, fuel use, and downtime—while accounting for real-world variables like vehicle capacity, driver schedules, customer delivery windows, and on-site requirements. In the DSD world, this could mean planning sales rep visits, order drop-offs, and crate pickups, all in a single, efficient loop.

With DSD Assist’s advanced planning software, you can automate this process—replacing guesswork and outdated maps with AI-powered logic and live dispatch visibility.

Why Route Planning Matters for Your Business

⛽ Lower Operating Costs

Fuel and labour are two of the biggest cost drivers in distribution. DSD Assist helps cut fuel consumption and overtime by generating hyper-efficient routes that eliminate unnecessary mileage.

🕐 Save Time—Automatically

Instead of spending hours building delivery schedules manually, DSD Assist enables your team to plan routes in minutes—even weeks in advance. Dispatch changes? No problem—real-time updates ensure your drivers and back office stay in sync.

📈 Maximise Delivery Capacity

Fewer kilometres per order means you can handle more customers with the same fleet, without hiring extra staff or investing in more vehicles.

💬 Improve Customer Experience

With live ETAs, route tracking, and proof-of-delivery (POD) features built in, DSD Assist helps you keep customers informed while ensuring your reps and drivers deliver with professionalism and accountability.

Route Planning vs. Route Optimisation

Route planning is deciding where to go. Route optimisation is deciding how to go there most efficiently. With DSD Assist, both are seamlessly combined:

• Plan smarter: Incorporate customer time windows, rep skills, delivery types, and stock availability.

• Monitor smarter: Track route progress live via our mobile app and dashboard.

• Adapt faster: Make real-time changes to driver schedules and routes when issues arise.

5 Benefits of Route Planning with DSD Assist

1. 💰 Cut Costs and Boost Revenue

DSD Assist helps reduce fuel, labour, and overtime costs through efficient routing. With less waste and more deliveries per shift, your bottom line improves.

2. 🧩 Scale Without Chaos

Whether you’re planning for 5 drivers or 50, DSD Assist simplifies complex routing decisions. Schedule across days or weeks with drag-and-drop ease.

3. ⭐ Improve Customer Satisfaction

Send customers real-time delivery updates via SMS. Capture proof of delivery with signatures or photos. Build trust with transparency.

4. 🤝 Retain Drivers and Reps

Balanced routes = better work-life balance. DSD Assist helps evenly distribute workloads, avoid burnout, and retain skilled team members.

Why Google Maps and MapQuest Aren’t Enough

Many small businesses rely on free tools like Google Maps or MapQuest for routing. While great for basic navigation, they fall short for commercial use:

• Limited stops

• No vehicle capacity settings

• No live fleet tracking

• No integration with orders or delivery windows

In contrast, DSD Assist was built specifically for commercial logistics and van sales, meaning every feature is designed to handle your operational reality—not just point-to-point travel.

Key Features That Set DSD Assist Apart

⚡ Speed & Automation

Import stops, assign routes, and optimise in seconds—not hours. Handle daily changes without spreadsheet headaches.

🔄 Real-Time Adaptability

Plan for roadblocks, adjust for cancellations, and reroute drivers as needed—all from your dashboard.

📊 Route Intelligence

Gain insights into performance, delivery success rates, missed windows, and route profitability. Use this data to make smarter decisions.

📱 Mobile-First Experience

Drivers and sales reps get turn-by-turn directions, route updates, and job instructions on their phones—plus tools for POD, order notes, and feedback capture.

🔗 Seamless System Integration

DSD Assist integrates easily with your ERP or CRM systems reducing manual data entry and syncing all teams in real time.

Choosing the Best Route Optimisation Software

If you manage daily deliveries, field reps, or direct store sales, the right software can double your delivery capacity and slash your mileage by up to 40%.

Look for software that offers:

• Speed in planning

• Adaptability to real-world changes

• Actionable data and route analytics

• Integration with your sales, delivery, and finance tools

DSD Assist is purpose-built to deliver all of this for FMCG and distribution businesses.

Route planning isn’t just about finding directions—it’s about building an efficient, profitable, and customer-centric business. With DSD Assist, you don’t just plan better routes—you operate smarter, reduce risk, and grow sustainably.

Ready to optimise your routes and scale your business? Book a free demo with DSD Assist today and discover how better routing can transform your operations.