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Much of the route planning and optimization software currently in the marketplace is synonymous with high costs, limited capability, complexity to update and expensive knowledge silos – and often with no way to change routes dynamically in response to environmental changes. This combined with the never-ending need to delivery more efficiently and faster every year is why Google Maps Route Optimization has been built
It’s an API-driven solution built directly into Google Maps – but which is independent of Google’s broader cloud platform. In this article, we unpack what Route Optimization is, how it fits into the Google tech stack, and the tangible benefits it brings to modern fleet and single vehicle routing operations.
What is Google Maps Route Optimization?
Think back to how we all use Google Maps every day. We’re all familiar with the app’s detailed city and global maps, its accurate directions, and live information like traffic updates. It’s a powerful set of features for anyone trying to find their way somewhere.
Now, consider the complex needs of planning routes for an entire fleet of vehicles making multiple stops, ad hoc pick ups and constant updates. Fleet route optimization is the process that maximises delivery efficiency by finding the most cost-effective and time-efficient routes for a fleet of vehicles in real time.
It takes the classic "Travelling Salesman Problem" to the next level by factoring in over 100+ real-world constraints like driver work hours, fuel budgets, speed limits, capacity, delivery rules and delivery volumes. The entire technology is built on solving modern Route optimisation problems to help meet consumer expectations and reduce costs.
Google Maps Route Optimisation, then, is a new Google Maps feature that combines the power of Maps’ extensive features with a powerful fleet route optimization needs
Marry Google Maps Capabilities and Powerful Optimisation
Until recently, most route optimisation tools in use were those developed by third parties – and these tools relied on proprietary and often outdated optimisation logic.
Google also has an existing route optimization product built for cloud fleets – it’s an API that plugs into Google Cloud Platform, and its called Cloud Fleet Routing. It excels in solving complex logistical problems, but its pricing and GCP-centric nature limited broader adoption.
And this is why Google Maps Route Optimization (GMP RO) is groundbreaking: Route Optimization that combines the powerful capabilities of Google Maps Platform with a fast, cost-effective, cloud-agnostic fleet optimisation solution that is simply far more agile than any of the commonly-implemented fleet optimisation solutions.
What benefits does GMP RO bring?
At its core, GMP RO is a powerful optimization engine. Users define constraints like vehicle capacity, driver hours, delivery time windows, and fuel costs. GMP RO then rapidly processes this data, leveraging the vast knowledge base of Google Maps to generate optimised routes aligned with your business goals.
To a degree, that’s also true of existing solutions. The new Maps product is unique in several key aspects:
- Cloud agnostic: Seamlessly integrate GMP RO with your existing infrastructure, whether it's on AWS, Azure, or GCP.
- Ease of use: Designed for fleet managers, GMP RO removes the need to build specialised expertise in standalone routing software. Its intuitive interface and API-driven structure accelerate implementation without having to employ full time specialists just to manage the service.
- API advantage: Traditional routing software often operates as a "black box." GMP RO's API-driven approach gives you granular control. Data from your existing systems (order management, CRM, etc.) seamlessly interacts with the optimization engine.
- Flexibility: Easily model complex business rules – with up to 150 constraints. Adapt your optimizations on the fly in response to new orders, traffic incidents, or changes in customer requirements using events.
- Maps-based pricing: GMP RO now follows a familiar pay-per-request model, similar to other Google Maps APIs. This offers significant cost advantages, especially for larger fleets as the cost reduces as the usage scales.
GMP RO benefits from Google's continuous investment in Maps. This includes real-time traffic, rich road network data, and insights gained from Google's partnerships with global ride-share and delivery companies.
Real-World Benefits of GMP RO
The power of GMP RO translates into tangible gains for fleet-based businesses. It starts with significant fleet cost reduction as GMP RO can optimise for optimal asset numbers, better fuel efficiency, less vehicle wear and tear, and reduced overtime hours by achieving more deliveries per driver, per shift.
Deliveries are also more customer-friendly, as integrated route updates with Google Maps provide for real-time tracking links and accurate estimated arrival times (ETAs). GMP RO's data outputs also aid in capacity planning, territory analysis, and identifying areas for further efficiency gains.
There’s also the fact that, as fleet routing technology, Google’s new solution is simply more accessible. Because it’s API driven, Route Optimization links up with existing enterprise systems more easily. But arguably the key benefit is cost: there’s no large up-front capital investment to start using Route Optimization, and pricing is on a per-request basis.
OniGroup: Your Partner for GMP RO Success
While GMP RO delivers powerful tools, making the most of them requires strategic expertise. This is where OniGroup excels. We help businesses of all sizes navigate the transition to GMP RO and optimise this technology for your specific goals:
- Understanding your KPIs: We work with you to define what success means, rather than optimising for vanity metrics. Maximise deliveries? Minimise failed deliveries? Achieve carbon targets? We help you decide on the guiding principles for your GMP RO model.
- Optimising the right constraints: With up to 150 possible constraints, it's easy to overcomplicate. OniGroup advises on the critical few that will make the biggest impact on your business.
- Real-world experience: Our work with diverse clients, from cash-in-transit to large-scale delivery operations, enriches our approach, bringing best practices directly to your optimization project.
For example, a global delivery business (dealing with high valued goods) recently partnered with Oni to optimise an inefficient, manual route planning process. The company's lack of pre-assessment for new customers further complicated route optimization.
OniGroup analysed the company's specific operational constraints (e.g., vehicle capacity, city-specific regulations) and driver behaviour (e.g., reliance on 3rd party navigation) to develop a tailored model that simplified decision-making by identifying the most critical rules and constraints, streamlining operations and reducing costs.
In other words, by partnering with OniGroup, you ensure that Google’s powerful technology is tailored precisely to your fleet's operational needs and goals. Contact OniGroup today to learn how we can transform your fleet operations with GMP RO and expert route optimization guidance.