The verdict in three sentences
When a planner builds routes for 25 trucks and 600 deliveries every evening in a spreadsheet and from memory, the distributor pays the difference in fuel, overtime and clients served outside their time window. Automated optimisation costing 6,000,000 to 15,000,000 FCFA (about 9,150 to 22,870 EUR) computes routes that respect delivery windows, truck capacity and traffic, then tracks execution by GPS, with go-live in 2 to 4 months. The realistic target is 12 to 20% fewer kilometres and less fuel.
Why manual planning hits its limits
Whether in Toronto or Abidjan, a dense metro area piles up the constraints that make mental arithmetic impossible beyond a few trucks: congestion on the main arteries at peak hours, districts where delivery points are packed together, receiving hours imposed by supermarkets, and independent shops that close at fixed times. An experienced planner produces decent routes, but rarely optimal ones, and often spends 3 hours every evening building them.
| Constraint | Manual planning | Automated optimisation |
|---|---|---|
| Receiving windows | Remembered, often missed | Time window per client built into the calculation |
| Truck capacity | Eyeballed, trucks under-loaded | Weight, volume and pallet count checked |
| Traffic | Planner's experience | Travel times per time slot, kept up to date |
| Last-minute additions | Route redone by hand | Recalculated in minutes |
| Execution tracking | Calls to drivers | GPS position, flagged delays, photo proof of delivery |
| Planning time | 3 h per evening | 30 to 45 min of review |
Cost of route optimisation in 2026
The following amounts are 2026 orders of magnitude for a distributor with 15 to 40 vehicles, development and configuration included, quoted in FCFA with EUR equivalents. GPS units and mapping subscriptions are extra.
| Scope | Content | Budget | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic optimisation | Order import, route calculation, route sheets | 6,000,000 to 8,000,000 FCFA (9,150 to 12,200 EUR) | 8 to 10 weeks |
| + Driver app | Smartphone itinerary, proof of delivery, payment flag | 8,000,000 to 10,500,000 FCFA (12,200 to 16,000 EUR) | 10 to 12 weeks |
| + Real-time GPS tracking | Fleet map, delay alerts, SMS to client | 10,000,000 to 12,500,000 FCFA (15,250 to 19,050 EUR) | 11 to 14 weeks |
| Full version | All of the above + ERP connection, cost-per-route dashboard | 12,500,000 to 15,000,000 FCFA (19,050 to 22,870 EUR) | 13 to 16 weeks |
| Recurring cost (order of magnitude) | Per month | ||
| GPS unit and SIM card, per truck | 10,000 to 15,000 FCFA (15 to 23 EUR) | ||
| Mapping and routing API | 50,000 to 150,000 FCFA (76 to 229 EUR) | ||
| Platform hosting | 40,000 to 90,000 FCFA (61 to 137 EUR) | ||
| Driver smartphone data plan | 5,000 to 10,000 FCFA (8 to 15 EUR) |
What makes or breaks the project is the quality of client addresses. Many small shops have poorly geocoded addresses or rear delivery entrances: plan 2 to 4 weeks of geolocating delivery points, often done by drivers themselves through the app.
Where the 12 to 20% savings come from
The kilometres saved come from three sources: routes better grouped by zone, fuller trucks, so fewer of them on some days, and staggered departures to avoid traffic peaks. The table shows the effect on a 25-truck fleet.
| Indicator | Before | After 6 months (realistic target) |
|---|---|---|
| Kilometres per truck per day | 120 km | 100 to 105 km |
| Average load factor | 68% | 80 to 85% |
| Deliveries within window | 75% | 90% and above |
| Trucks used per day | 25 | 22 to 23 on some days |
| Driver overtime | 12 h per truck per month | 6 to 8 h |
Mini case study
Daniel is logistics director of a food distributor in Toronto. His 25 trucks cover about 120 km a day, burn 20 litres per 100 km, and diesel costs about 725 FCFA (1.10 EUR) per litre. Over 26 days a month, the fuel bill reaches about 11,300,000 FCFA (17,230 EUR), or nearly 136,000,000 FCFA (207,000 EUR) a year.
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He chooses the version with driver app and GPS tracking for 11,000,000 FCFA (16,770 EUR), plus about 500,000 FCFA (760 EUR) a month for GPS units, mapping and hosting. A 15% cut in kilometres saves about 20,400,000 FCFA (31,100 EUR) in fuel a year. The planner wins back 2 hours every evening, about 50 hours a month. After 6,000,000 FCFA (9,150 EUR) of annual running costs, the net gain is still about 14,400,000 FCFA (21,950 EUR), and the investment pays back in roughly 9 months, before counting reduced vehicle wear.
FAQ
Does the software account for traffic congestion?
Yes, travel times are computed per time slot from the mapping API's traffic data. Durations observed by GPS then refine the model, usually after 4 to 6 weeks of use.
Will drivers adopt the app?
The app is designed for an entry-level Android smartphone and works offline. Plan half a day of training per group of 8 to 10 drivers.
Can we handle clients who pay on delivery?
Yes, the driver flags cash, card or mobile payment collection in the app. Accounting sees the expected amounts per route at the end of the day.
Do we need to replace our sales management software?
No, orders are imported from the ERP or a daily file. A direct ERP connection is included in the full version from 12,500,000 FCFA (19,050 EUR).
How long before we see savings?
The first optimised routes run from go-live, after 2 to 4 months of project work. The 12 to 20% savings are usually measured over the first 3 months of operation.
Let's scope your project. Send us your number of trucks, delivery volumes and service areas: we will price a scope between 6,000,000 and 15,000,000 FCFA (9,150 to 22,870 EUR) with a go-live plan. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
