MobileIQ » Headlight 101: Quick Start

Welcome to Headlight Quick Start

MobileIQ — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 00:00:38 +0000

Headlight users make daily delivery and service calls in a wide range of industries. Lawn care, private security, auto parts, bottled water, pest control – just to name a few. All of them use Headlight to save hours and miles every day. This Quick Start Program will teach you the same techniques. You’ll know exactly where the drivers are headed, exactly where they’ll be during the day and exactly how many miles will be driven.

Download the Quick Start Outline

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.

Most of this information also applies for Prescheduled Delivery Routes (i.e. managing deliveries on a fixed calendar schedule), but there are some differences. If that’s your situation, visit the MobileIQ website for additional tutorials.

Quick Start #1: Using the Headlight Dashboard

MobileIQ — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 23:55:28 +0000

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.

Quick Start #2: Getting orders on the map

MobileIQ — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 23:50:27 +0000

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.

Quick Start #3: Changing the start location for routes

MobileIQ — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 23:45:28 +0000

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.

Quick Start #4: Importing orders, deliveries and service calls

MobileIQ — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 23:40:00 +0000

You’ll probably be importing data from another system into Headlight. It might be an Excel spreadsheet, text file, CSV file or a standalone billing, order entry or CRM system. After you select a file, Headlight automatically matches fields and flags records that can’t be imported. Smaller jobs are geocoded in real-time, so map symbols appear instantly.

Download the order file used for this lesson

Usage

Click the orange Import tab.
Select an Excel or CSV file to upload and click Next.
Headlight matches standard fields automatically based on column headers.
Headlight display a summary report.

Quick Start #5: Using the Fleet Manager

MobileIQ — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 23:35:57 +0000

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.

Quick Start #6: Planning daily routes

MobileIQ — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 23:30:43 +0000

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.

Download the order file used for this lesson

Quick Start #7: Routing multiple vehicles

MobileIQ — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 23:25:00 +0000

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.

Download the order files used for this lesson

Quick Start #8: Driving directions and route books

MobileIQ — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 23:20:10 +0000

Headlight lets you print maps, driving directions and delivery instructions for any route day. This is often called a Route Book or Route Itinerary Report when used with larger fleets. This feature is available from the orange Route Planning tab.

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!).

First, select a date from the calendar. Headlight will display available routes and total order for that day. You can print route books for any or all of the available routes at the same time. Each route book will appear as a new tab or window (depending on the browser you’re using), so it’s easy to review each separately.

When everything’s ready, just print from your browser.

Quick Start #9: Inviting additional users

MobileIQ — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 23:15:09 +0000

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.