You can make global changes to the Headlight database using Fleet Manager. The basic steps are enabling edit from the customer view and using Search & Replace to update specific fields.
Most of Headlight works the same way whether you’re using a PC or a Mac, but using the Route Planning modules takes an extra step or two for Mac users. This post explains two different ways to solve the problem. Keep in mind, you’ll only need one of these methods for running the Route Planning modules. Everything else in Headlight will work just fine.
This screencast covers the Headlight signup process and addresses some common problems.
Need to quickly plan a route? These 25 orders were routed in less than thirty seconds!!!
The driving mileage also dropped by 85 miles and saved 2 1/2 hours of route time. Just click on any ETA link in the left sidebar to show orders for a single route day. Use the Quick Route dialog to optimize and get driving directions in seconds. When everything’s ready, just print from your browser and hand it to the driver.
Headlight lets you print maps, driving directions and delivery instructions for any route day. It’s a great help for the drivers, especially when making deliveries or service calls to a new area.
Headlight now lets you show route paths. Just click on any ETA link in the left sidebar. Headlight will instantly filter the view to only show deliveries on the same route and date (i.e. one route day). The matching route path shows every stop in sequence. It’s a great way to quickly see how a route is being driven.
Excerpt from Route Balancing Workshop held earlier this year. No audio.
Every Headlight account starts as a free Test Drive. You can upgrade your account or change plans from within Headlight. Just click Setup, select the Billing tab and follow the instructions. After purchasing a paid plan, you’ll receive an upgrade token by email. This two-step process ensures the transaction takes place securely.
There’s a lot of Headlight information scattered around the website. Tutorials, blog posts, articles, case studies and many other support resources. What’s been missing is a single place that pulls everything together. And a means to search the available information. And most important, a simple guide to getting started with step-by-step lessons. The new Help area address all of these problems.
The big news is Headlight’s slick new Import Data Wizard.
CSV stands for Comma Separated Values, sometimes also called Comma Delimited.
A CSV file is a specially formatted plain text file which stores spreadsheet or basic database-style information in a very simple format, with one record on each line, and each field within that record separated by a comma. It’s important that the individual “records” within [...]
Quick Start lets you learn Headlight in an organized manner. Each lesson consists of a brief explanation, short video tutorial (typically 2 to 4 minutes) and a spot for questions and comments. These build progressively, but feel free to dive in anywhere or skip ones that aren’t needed immediately. You can always come back any time for a refresher course.
This lesson covers the basics of using Headlight. It includes searching for orders, Info Balloons, finding addresses and places, screen layout, map display options and some “hidden” map features. Since most Headlight features rely on the Dashboard, it’s highly recommended for new users.
Learn to add individual orders, deliveries and service calls and place them accurately on the map. Although most will match properly (a process called “geocoding” or “pinning”), there’s usually a few mistakes along the way. Learn how to quickly identify and correct missing, incomplete or invalid delivery addresses.
A depot is any place where the routes start and finish. It could be an office location, warehouse, processing plant or service center. You’ll learn how to change the default location, add new ones and pick different symbols for displaying depots and routes. If the depots aren’t pinned accurately, the route mileage won’t be accurate. This lesson also covers customizing the Map Markers used for displaying orders on the map.
You’ll probably be pulling data from another system into Headlight. That could include CSV files, Excel spreadsheets or a standalone billing, order entry or CRM system. This is a short and invaluable lesson.
Fleet Manager is used for planning daily routes, reviewing existing routes and creating route scenarios. Topics include changing display options, renaming product categories, customizing Route Statistics and filtering routes. Knowing your way around will save considerable time when planning routes.
Alrighty – it’s routing time! This lesson starts by importing a file with new orders and finishes with a street-ready route scenario. For companies with multiple vehicles and depots, we recommend watching this lesson before moving onto Multiple Vehicle Routing.
This lesson explains how to route multiple vehicles out of multiple depots. It includes assigning drivers to specific areas, balancing routes by different criteria (stops, hours, revenue) and useful tips for getting the job done quickly. The three examples can easily be adapted to handle almost any routing situation. For anyone spending hours each day on route planning, this is the must-watch lesson.
Most companies expect drivers to sequence each day’s order and add special deliveries manually. That takes at least 30-45 minutes each day. Instead, try handing out daily route books with maps and driving directions. You’ll make everyone’s workday shorter, drop the fleet mileage by 20-40% and make things easy for relief drivers (like the office manager!).
This lesson explains how to add (and remove) additional users. It’s particularly useful across different departments and office locations. Learn how sales and service can take advantage of different Headlight features to make their jobs easier.
Use Headlight to quickly answer common service questions. Customer service reps can instantly find a driver assignment, ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival), locate nearby drivers for same-day orders, email a delivery schedule and even print directions for an emergency delivery from the office.
Do your customer ever call and ask: “I need something right away. When can you be out here?” This lesson explains how to efficiently route last minute deliveries. Different industries have different terms (e.g. will call, ASAP, special, emergency, on demand), but it all means the same thing. Here’s how to look like you’re going out of the way without actually going out of the way.
The smaller map shows sequenced delivery orders for a route. Click the link below to see detailed driving directions in a new window. From the new window, you can print two different ways. File | Print uses the default layout or customize it with the Print link (upper right corner).
View Larger Map w/Detailed Driving Directions
Tiny [...]
Many people send requests along the lines of “Hey, my company is evaluating different routing applications. I’d like to send you some data, have you route it and send it back. Based on that, we’ll make a decision about using the Headlight service.” At first glance, that seems reasonable for both parties. The person gets real-world results and we get a potential customer. The problem? It’s a waste of everyone’s time.