Topps Tiles deploys Descartes Systems Group route planning and optimisation solution

UK retailer Topps Tiles is boosting its fleet delivery capabilities with Descartes Systems Group’s cloud-based route planning and optimisation solution.

By doing so, it says it is decreasing the average kilometres driven per delivery route by two percent and gaining a better understanding of the potential impact of changes to its delivery strategies.

“With over 300 stores nationwide in the UK, we’re continuously evaluating how to maintain a high degree of customer service while reducing operational costs, especially today’s high transportation costs,” says Simon Macdonald, National Transport Manager, Topps Tiles.

“Working with Descartes, we’ve replaced manual, spreadsheet-based processes with automated route planning to optimise the volume of tiles being delivered at any given time, as well as the routes our vehicles are travelling.”

“Descartes’ strategic route modelling capabilities are also enabling us to model delivery scenarios and make more informed strategic decisions, which would have been nearly impossible with traditional resource-intensive analytical methods.”

Part of its Routing, Mobile and Telematics suite, Descartes’ route planning and optimisation solution helps brands, retailers and logistics providers reduce costs with more agile and efficient routing, improve fleet resource management by generating additional delivery capacity and become more sustainable through the reduction of their CO2 footprint and their use of paper across the route network.

A mobile application helps drivers perform their daily routes, keeps managers aware of the progress and provides an accurate estimated-time-of-arrival (ETA) to notify customers of their deliveries.

Proof of delivery (POD) capabilities support customer service and order accuracy through real-time mobile communication.

“Topps Tiles’ long-term success is based upon its ability to continually provide customers with a superior shopping experience while offering cost competitive pricing,” says Pól Sweeney, VP Fleet Sales in Europe at Descartes.

“We’re delighted to help Topps Tiles minimise its operational costs today through our route planning and optimisation solution and in the future with our strategic route modelling capabilities.”