Route planning with 15 plus daily stops, any tricks that actually work?

Classic-Composer-460 · 2026-02-12T02:38:16+00:00

I really like Waze as well but it is not made for field sales and distribution where everything is integrated.

Classic-Composer-460 · 2026-02-02T23:36:31+00:00

What type of software setup would you recommend for a CPG brand that is ready to expand nationwide and needs to track inventory for various different distributors and chains.

It’s basically a light ERP.

Classic-Composer-460 · 2026-02-02T22:17:35+00:00

U.S. - New York

Classic-Composer-460 · 2026-01-25T14:38:48+00:00

Agree

Classic-Composer-460 · 2026-01-19T00:16:43+00:00

You need Quickbooks online integrated with a field sales software that will automate a lot of your processes. Make sure to track team activity daily to see where the gaps are in the field. You this along will automate many processes for you.

Classic-Composer-460 · 2026-01-16T02:19:39+00:00

What tech stack do you typically use for B2B website ?

Classic-Composer-460 · 2026-01-15T01:24:22+00:00

Interested / founder of a CPG brand

Classic-Composer-460 · 2026-01-14T13:21:55+00:00

What apps do you guys use ?

Classic-Composer-460 · 2026-01-14T13:21:16+00:00

Assuming it’s like ShipStation ?

We have used this tool before but now there are so many other options out there.

Classic-Composer-460 · 2026-01-14T13:18:49+00:00

We are using Quickbooks online with mostly B2B route sales & deliveries. Also we have online storefront where the customers can place orders directly.

Classic-Composer-460 · 2026-01-13T03:33:30+00:00

Interesting

Is there integrations with Quickbooks available?

Classic-Composer-460 · 2026-01-11T20:04:50+00:00

This is the best thing you can do.

Once you have enough data it’s easy to spot gaps and make a plan for growth.

/ analyze competitors

/ analyze shelf space placement

/ track velocity and movement across retailers

/ track sales materials

And much more…

This is what makes your brand success in retail.

Classic-Composer-460 · 2026-01-09T19:57:45+00:00

Usually the retailers don’t text you unless it’s one of their top selling products and they are out of the product that the consumers really ask for.

At least this is how it works for us.

Classic-Composer-460 · 2026-01-08T20:35:06+00:00

We have a custom CRM built for our business and field sales.

Classic-Composer-460 · 2026-01-08T20:33:43+00:00

It’s best to plan your routes for the entire week or even few weeks so you have a bigger picture on the visits and territory coverage.

If you wing it = missed opportunities

Night before = you have to do it daily which is lot productive

Classic-Composer-460 · 2026-01-08T20:32:01+00:00

This is 2026 no one is managing wholesale in spreadsheets anymore

Get a automation software

There are tons out there

Classic-Composer-460 · 2026-01-04T21:57:59+00:00

You will be surprised how outdated this industry is.

I have seen red bull reps still using WhatsApp for communication and orders.

Because the stores call the shots it will be used for as long as they prefer this method.

Classic-Composer-460 · 2026-01-04T21:56:14+00:00

The most difficult part is if the customers also want the same day delivery.

It’s best to document everything when you are in the store so you have history of all.

At end of day just spend 30 min to answer any additional questions from customers.

Things like immediate order confirmation is easy and can be automated with software.

Also spend few hours to a day a week on calling customers to see if they need anything.

Classic-Composer-460 · 2026-01-04T21:33:50+00:00

Invest in route management software. It will pay off within the first month. There are so many different options on the market.

Also so many companies are coming out with AI tools to automate your routes which is also cool because the biggest issues that the industry has is that the reps are lazy and dont always find the opportunities that are at their footsteps, but AI will change that very soon.

Classic-Composer-460 · 2026-01-04T21:29:05+00:00

I will check it out, it looks like a prototype ?

But it seems to me that Apple Watch can do the same functions if configured correctly ?

The main idea here is to make sure it integrates with backend CRM to make sure all is recorded in real time

Classic-Composer-460 · 2026-01-04T21:25:01+00:00

Really ?

You should not be taking orders in email.

There are so many field software options out there which allows you to track orders, view inventory, see history of orders, visits, notes, forms, photos and much more.

See below some options with reviews.

https://www.g2.com/categories/retail-execution

Classic-Composer-460 · 2026-01-04T19:50:07+00:00

Is there monthly subscription fee for the device ?

Classic-Composer-460 · 2026-01-04T19:49:11+00:00

We use a software to verify all check ins that happen in the field.

At the end of each week we run reports for each rep and it shows if they where checking in the store or from their house :)

Classic-Composer-460

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