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.
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.
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.
Every HeadlightTM account includes a secure FTP dropbox for receiving customer, delivery and product information. The Headlight Data BridgeTM checks your dropbox every night and performs a “smart synchronization”.
Quickly identify contacts that aren’t pinned to street address and correct them.
My Info and Setup have been merged into a single item called “Setup”. All account information is quickly accessible from the four main tabs: My Info, Settings, Import/Export and Billing. It’s much easier to navigate.
Importing has been completely overhauled to make importing files quick and easy. 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.
Learn how to import deliveries and service calls into Headlight for route planning.
Adding “dummy” or “relay” stops is a handy way to fine-tune the routes. You can avoid certain roads and force routes to run a particular way. It also lets you add extra time for heavy traffic, waiting for a train crossing, going through security checkpoints, etc. It’s a great way to handle unusual route planning situations.
Learn how to change AVG settings to run Headlight Route Balancing applications
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!).
Learn how to install the Headlight secure access client before using the Route Planning modules.