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Overview

Routes are predefined transportation paths from origin to destination with associated distance, billing rates, and vendor rates. The Routes module enables you to standardize common routes, ensure consistent pricing, and simplify shipment creation.

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Key Features

Predefined Paths

Create reusable routes for common origin-destination pairs

Dual Pricing

Set both billing rates (revenue) and vendor rates (costs)

Distance Tracking

Record route distances in kilometers for planning

Package Assignment

Link routes to specific packages for organized operations

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Viewing Routes

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Routes Table

The main table displays all configured routes:
ColumnDescription
PackageAssociated package name or “None”
OriginStarting location
DestinationEnding location
DistanceRoute distance in kilometers
Billing RateRate charged to clients (₹/ton)
Vendor RateCost paid to transporters (₹/ton)
ActionsEdit button (admin only)
All users can view routes to understand available paths. Only administrators can create or edit route information.

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Understanding Pricing

Each route has two rates: Billing Rate (₹/ton):
  • Amount charged to your clients
  • Revenue per ton of cargo
  • Higher value
  • Example: ₹1,500/ton
Vendor Rate (₹/ton):
  • Amount paid to transporter
  • Cost per ton of cargo
  • Lower value (ideally)
  • Example: ₹1,200/ton
Margin/Profit: 
Margin = Billing Rate - Vendor Rate
       = ₹1,500 - ₹1,200
       = ₹300/ton profit
Your profit margin per shipment is calculated by multiplying the rate difference by the shipment quantity (tons).

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Search Functionality

Quickly find routes:
  • Search by origin (source) location
  • Real-time filtering as you type
  • Case-insensitive search
Routes Search

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Adding a New Route (Admin Only)

1

Open the Add Dialog

Click the + Add Route button in the top-right corner.Add Route Button
2

Assign to Package (Optional)

Choose whether to assign this route to a specific package:
  • Select a package to restrict route to that package
  • Select “None” for unrestricted routes
  • Only active packages are shown
When creating a shipment, selecting a package will filter the route list to show only routes assigned to that package.
3

Enter Origin Location

Specify the starting point of the route:
  • Required field
  • Use clear, consistent naming
  • Examples: “Mumbai Depot”, “Delhi Warehouse”, “Chennai Port”
  • Include city/area for clarity
4

Enter Destination Location

Specify the ending point of the route:
  • Required field
  • Match naming style with origin
  • Examples: “Bangalore Hub”, “Kolkata Distribution Center”
5

Specify Distance

Enter the route distance in kilometers:
  • Required field
  • Must be a positive number
  • Use actual road distance, not straight-line
  • Helpful for logistics planning and time estimation
Use mapping tools like Google Maps to get accurate road distances between locations.
6

Set Billing Rate

Enter the rate you charge clients per ton:
  • Required field
  • In Indian Rupees (₹)
  • Per ton of cargo
  • This is your revenue rate
  • Example: 1500 (represents ₹1,500/ton)
7

Set Vendor Rate

Enter the rate you pay transporters per ton:
  • Required field
  • In Indian Rupees (₹)
  • Per ton of cargo
  • This is your cost rate
  • Should typically be lower than billing rate
  • Example: 1200 (represents ₹1,200/ton)
If vendor rate exceeds billing rate, you’ll operate at a loss on this route. Double-check your pricing!
8

Submit the Route

Click Add Route to save:
  • All fields are validated
  • Success message appears
  • New route added to the table
  • Route immediately available for shipments

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Editing Route Details (Admin Only)

1

Locate the Route

Find the route using the search function or by browsing the table.
2

Click Edit Button

Click the pencil icon in the Actions column.Edit Route Icon
3

Modify Information

The edit dialog opens with current values pre-filled:
  • Update any field as needed
  • Package assignment can be changed
  • Rates can be adjusted (affects new shipments only)
  • Distance can be corrected
4

Save Changes

Click Update Route to save:
  • Changes are validated
  • Success message confirms update
  • Table refreshes immediately
Editing a route does not affect existing shipments. Only new shipments will use the updated information.

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Package Assignment

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Why Assign Routes to Packages?

Package assignment provides several benefits:
Group routes by client, project, or operational area for better organization.
When creating a shipment with a package selected, only relevant routes appear in the dropdown.
Standard users only see routes relevant to their assigned packages.
Generate package-specific reports showing routes used for each package.

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Assigning vs. Not Assigning

Assigned Routes (Package Selected):
  • Appear only when that package is selected
  • Filtered view for focused operations
  • Better for client-specific or project-specific routes
Unassigned Routes (“None” Selected):
  • Available for all packages
  • Always appear in route dropdowns
  • Good for common, frequently-used routes
For routes used across multiple packages, create duplicate route entries with different package assignments or leave unassigned.

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Using Routes in Shipments

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Route Selection Benefits

When you select a route during shipment creation:
  1. Auto-Fills Origin & Destination
    • Source field populates automatically
    • Destination field populates automatically
    • Both become read-only
  2. Ensures Consistent Pricing
    • Billing and vendor rates automatically applied
    • No manual rate entry needed
    • Reduces pricing errors
  3. Links Financial Data
    • Shipment revenue calculated from billing rate
    • Shipment cost calculated from vendor rate
    • Profit margin automatically determined

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Shipment Creation Flow

Select Package → Routes Filtered → Select Route → 
Origin & Destination Auto-Filled → Rates Applied → 
Complete Shipment Details
This workflow ensures data consistency and reduces manual entry errors across your logistics operations.

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Pricing Strategies

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Setting Competitive Billing Rates

Consider these factors:
  • Market Rates: Research competitor pricing
  • Distance: Longer routes typically have lower per-km rates
  • Volume: High-volume routes may allow lower margins
  • Service Level: Premium service justifies higher rates
  • Fuel Costs: Factor in current fuel prices

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Determining Vendor Rates

Negotiate vendor rates based on:
  • Transporter Quotes: Get multiple quotes
  • Route Difficulty: Complex routes cost more
  • Volume Commitment: Higher volumes can reduce rates
  • Relationship: Long-term partners may offer better rates
  • Market Conditions: Rates fluctuate with demand

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Profit Margin Guidelines

Margin %CategoryExample
15-20%StandardBilling: ₹1,500, Vendor: ₹1,275
20-30%GoodBilling: ₹1,500, Vendor: ₹1,200
30%+ExcellentBilling: ₹1,500, Vendor: ₹1,050
Margins below 15% leave little room for unexpected costs or operational issues. Always aim for sustainable margins.

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Common Route Configurations

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Express Routes

  • Higher billing rates
  • Premium transporters
  • Faster delivery times
  • Lower vendor margins needed

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Economy Routes

  • Competitive billing rates
  • Standard transporters
  • Normal delivery times
  • Higher vendor margins possible

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Bulk Routes

  • Volume-based pricing
  • Long-term transporter contracts
  • Regular, scheduled shipments
  • Optimized for cost efficiency

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Integration with Other Modules

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Shipments Integration

  • Routes selected during shipment creation
  • Auto-populates origin and destination
  • Applies pricing automatically
  • Links for financial calculations

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Packages Integration

  • Routes can be assigned to packages
  • Filters available routes
  • Organizes operations by package
  • Enables package-specific reporting

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Dashboard Integration

  • Route data feeds revenue calculations
  • Margin analysis uses billing vs. vendor rates
  • Distance data helps with logistics planning

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Common Workflows

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Setting Up a New Route

1

Research the Path

Determine the exact origin and destination, measure distance, and research market rates.
2

Get Vendor Quotes

Contact transporters for quotes on this route.
3

Calculate Billing Rate

Set your client rate with appropriate margin over vendor cost.
4

Create in System

Add the route with all details and appropriate package assignment.
5

Test with Shipment

Create a test shipment to verify the route works correctly.

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Updating Route Pricing

1

Monitor Margins

Regularly review route profitability from dashboard analytics.
2

Identify Underperforming Routes

Flag routes with low or negative margins.
3

Renegotiate Vendor Rates

Work with transporters to improve vendor rates.
4

Update Billing Rates

Adjust client rates if necessary (with notice).
5

Edit Route in System

Update the route with new rates for future shipments.
Communicate billing rate changes to clients in advance. Consider maintaining old rate for in-progress contracts.

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Mobile Responsiveness

The Routes interface adapts to all devices:
  • Desktop: All columns visible with full details
  • Tablet: All essential information displayed
  • Mobile: Key columns shown (Package, Origin, Destination, Distance, Billing Rate, Vendor Rate)
  • Full functionality on all screen sizes

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Troubleshooting

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Route Not Appearing in Shipment Dropdown?

1

Check Package Assignment

If you selected a package in the shipment form, only routes assigned to that package will show. Try selecting “None” for package to see all routes.
2

Verify Route Exists

Confirm the route was created successfully by checking the Routes page.
3

Refresh the Page

Sometimes a browser refresh is needed to update dropdowns with newly added routes.

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Rates Not Making Sense?

  • Verify you entered rates per ton, not total amounts
  • Check for decimal point placement errors
  • Confirm billing rate is higher than vendor rate
  • Review currency (should be in Indian Rupees)

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Distance Showing Incorrectly?

  • Ensure you used kilometers, not miles
  • Verify you used road distance, not straight-line
  • Check for typos in the distance field
  • Use mapping tools for accurate measurements

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Best Practices

Use consistent naming for locations:
  • “Mumbai Depot” not “Mumbai” or “mumbai depot”
  • Include facility type (depot, warehouse, port)
  • Maintain a location naming guide
Review and update rates quarterly:
  • Monitor fuel price changes
  • Check competitor rates
  • Assess vendor cost changes
  • Adjust margins as needed
Keep external notes about:
  • How rates were determined
  • Special agreements with vendors
  • Client-specific pricing arrangements
  • Seasonal rate variations
  • Assign client-specific routes to respective packages
  • Leave common routes unassigned
  • Don’t over-complicate with too many packages
  • Review assignments regularly
Create a “Route Rate Card” document outside the system that details your pricing strategy, vendor agreements, and rate history for each route.

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Next Steps

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