Google has introduced two new solutions to help fleet operators improve delivery success and optimise fleet performance.

The Last Mile Fleet Solution and Cloud Fleet Routing API can help fleet operators address delivery challenges through an integrated suite of mapping, routing and analytics capabilities

Launched to help operators meet pandemic-driven challenges, the new solutions include Last Mile Fleet Solution from Google Maps Platform and Cloud Fleet Routing API from Google Cloud.

The pandemic has accelerated ecommerce adoption and strained supply chains, while consumer expectations around delivery speed and visibility have reached an all-time high. Last Mile Fleet Solution and Cloud Fleet Routing API help fleet operators address these challenges through an integrated suite of mapping, routing and analytics capabilities.

The Cloud Fleet Routing API focuses on the route planning phase of delivery and allows operators to perform advanced fleet-wide optimisation, enabling them to determine the allocation of packages to delivery vans and the sequencing of the delivery tasks. It’sintegrated with Google Maps routes data and can solve simple route planning requests in near real time while responding to demands at scale with parallelised request batching. It can also help carriers meet sustainability targets by reducing distance travelled, number of delivery vans and CO2 output from computing.

The Last Mile Fleet Solution focuses on delivery execution and allows fleet operators to optimise across every stage of the last-mile delivery journey, from ecommerce order to doorstep delivery, while enhancing the delivery experience for consumers and bringing optimum tools for drivers. It builds on the On-demand Rides & Deliveries mobility solution from Google Maps Platform, already used by ride-hailing and on-demand delivery operators around the world.

The solutions can be implemented together to allow businesses to optimise across every stage of the last-mile delivery journey. Features include address capture, route optimisation, driver routing and navigation, shipment tracking, and visibility into real-time route progress and shipment insights for operations teams.

“The pandemic further accelerated both e-commerce and the number of deliveries, which were already growing rapidly. The increased strain on delivery networks, plus many other factors like driver shortages, poor address data, factory closures, and an increase in fuel prices have impacted delivery time and success,” said Hans Thalbauer, managing director, global supply chain & logistics industries, Google Cloud.

“With Google Maps Platform’s Last Mile Fleet Solution and Cloud Fleet Routing API, we’re making it easier for delivery fleet operators to address these issues and create seamless experiences for consumers, drivers, and fleet managers.”

Last Mile Fleet Solution is now in Public Preview for companies that directly manage or own their delivery fleet. The Cloud Fleet Routing API will become generally available in Q2.