New on AntsRoute? Good news: here you can find the overview of the first steps to complete to discover the main features of the platform.
#1 Add the first field service operation (or delivery)
- Go to the 'Schedule' module.
- Click on the tab 'Schedule field services'.
- Enter the first three letters of the customer's name in the search bar.
- Select the customer in the drop-down list.
- Determine the 'Duration'.
- Fill in the delivery or field service details.
- Determine the 'Planning date'.
💡 To learn more about the scheduling of tasks, read this article.
#2 Optimise the routes
- Go to the 'Organize' module.
- Click on the tab 'Map'.
- Select the date on which tasks have been scheduled using the date picker.
- Click on the button 'Build routes'.
💡 To learn more about the optimisation fo routes, read this article.
#3 Choose your scheduling method
1. You have a list of customers to visit before defined dates. If you have many field service operations to schedule, you can import an Excel or CSV file with the list of tasks.💡 To learn more, click here.
2. You are called by your customers. Direct your customers to the most convenient dates and time slots in terms of travel time and costs. 💡 To learn more, click here.
3. You want to offer your customers the possibility of scheduling the field service operation online 24/7. Let your customers make appointments online at any time of the day using a dedicated website. 💡 To learn more, click here.
4. You have a list of customers to visit before a deadline. Schedule field service operations over several days, taking into account availability and deadlines. 💡 To learn more, click here.
#4 Set up the notifications
You can send notifications to customers at different stages of the process. Sending these notifications by SMS or email requires you to define beforehand notification templates for each type.
- Go to the 'Settings' module.
- Click on the tab 'Notifications'.
- Click on 'Notification templates'.
- Click on the button 'Add'.
The types of notification available on AntsRoute:
- Notification with ETA sent manually from AntsRoute. To learn more, click here.
- Notification with a link enabling the customer to confirm or reschedule the field service operation. To learn more click here.
- Automated notification when the route starts with a link enabling the customer to track the arrival of the worker on the map To learn more click here.
- Automated notification when the worker is on the way. To learn more click here.
- Notification triggered manually by the field worker from the mobile application. To learn more click here.
- Automated notification after completion of a step with a link enabling the customer to assess the quality of service. To learn more click here.
- Automated notification after completion of a step with a link enabling the client to download service report. To learn more click here.
#5 Discover the mobile application
AntsRoute is the mobile application linked to the delivery and field service route optimisation software AntsRoute. This application is dedicated to field workers.
The main features of the mobile application:
- The daily import and display of route data calculated by the AntsRoute software, enabling each field worker to be informed about his route and the tasks to complete ;
- The use of Google Maps or Waze navigation app at each step of the route, enabling the field worker to navigate to his next task ;
- The possibility of triggering actions: printing a label, sending a notification, call to mobile phone, call to landline ;
- Real-time access to updated delivery or field service operation schedules in the event of unexpected situations or emergency requests ;
- The sending to the operations manager confirmations of completion with comments, photos and customer signatures.
💡 To learn more about the mobile application, read this article.
#6 Determine the working hours of field workers
The working hours of the field workers are taken into account when optimising the routes. In order to define the working hours, you just need to complete the following steps:
- Go to the 'Resources' module.
- Click on the tab 'Field workers'.
- Click on '…' and 'Edit' for the required worker.
- Click on 'Working hours and start and end locations'.
💡 To learn more about the mobile application, read this article.