PDA Route optimisation app

[EdRush]

I have a few questions about how to use the route optimisation app;

1. How do you put in a starting location if you dont know the postcode? (the app wont run without this)
2. Is it possible to scan tracked items as delivered on the doorstep without exiting the route screen? (switching screens on every call can kill the route)
3. How do you tell the app that you have delivered the item and to move on to the next call? (otherwise how does the app know where to go next?)

Ive been using it today and it was just a big faff. I found that pressing the back button by accident killed the app and lost the route, forcing you to rescan all the packets again.... which happend more than once... and it seems this is the only way to use it, because you have to constantly switch back and forth bewtween the menus when scanning packets on the doorstep

Having said this Ive had zero work time training on this app, and only tried it out today for the first time..

Is there a guide or manual on how to use the app which I can read through?

[1560loopsayear]

Wish I could help you but I've only used it once and it was one of the most frustrating times I have working for Royal Mail. I know some take two PDA's one for keeping the route in place and the other for scanning parcels so you don't have to flick between the apps.

The fact that you still have to put in a full postcode and no flexibility around it i.e. town, place name, part post code etc.. just shows you how much of a priority technology and software development is to this company. I'm guessing there are better route-planners out there than the in-house one we have to put up with. Thankfully I only deliver parcels in the area I know so I don't need it, but for temporary packet drivers or new starters it must be

[casualnowwithangard]

The postcode of your office should be your starting location

They have recently updated the app so you now don't have to leave the screen, just swipe right to change location to attended and then it should come up with confirm delivery to customer screen, complete this as normal then it will start navigating you to the next location

Before this update it was easier with two pdas one to scan parcel at doorstep and other purely for navigation

The app works great unless you doing parcels on just one walk as it gets confused and you can only deliver them in order on pda bit like the parcelforce system

[TopperGas]

Wish I could help you but I've only used it once and it was one of the most frustrating times I have working for Royal Mail. I know some take two PDA's one for keeping the route in place and the other for scanning parcels so you don't have to flick between the apps.

The fact that you still have to put in a full postcode and no flexibility around it i.e. town, place name, part post code etc.. just shows you how much of a priority technology and software development is to this company. I'm guessing there are better route-planners out there than the in-house one we have to put up with. Thankfully I only deliver parcels in the area I know so I don't need it, but for temporary packet drivers or new starters it must be

I can't see how only being able to enter the post code is an issue as surely everyone knows the post codes of their own DO, if not a simple Google search will confirm the post code.

I've used RON this afternoon and had no issues swapping between that and "Outdoors" to scan the parcels when I arrived at a customers house.

[Route1]

I have a few questions about how to use the route optimisation app;

1. How do you put in a starting location if you dont know the postcode? (the app wont run without this)
2. Is it possible to scan tracked items as delivered on the doorstep without exiting the route screen? (switching screens on every call can kill the route)
3. How do you tell the app that you have delivered the item and to move on to the next call? (otherwise how does the app know where to go next?)

Ive been using it today and it was just a big faff. I found that pressing the back button by accident killed the app and lost the route, forcing you to rescan all the packets again.... which happend more than once... and it seems this is the only way to use it, because you have to constantly switch back and forth bewtween the menus when scanning packets on the doorstep

Having said this Ive had zero work time training on this app, and only tried it out today for the first time..

Is there a guide or manual on how to use the app which I can read through?

We also had zero training. Self taught when the lats started. If u find a manual let us know too.

1. Start location is usually your DO.
If i finished my bit & i go help a colleague I use the start location as either where i meet them or keep it as the DO.

2. Those using the RON take two PDAs as they are likely to crash / wipe route if u switch from RON to outdoor. Its just the way it is. You get used to it. Wiping the route seems to be an "upgrade" they added to the new PDAs. Old PDA only crashed or rebooted.

3. Two ways to do this.
(a) If u are on the map, press back or whatever it is to get to the list (manifest) and swipe it (cant rem if its swipe left or right). It will say attended. Click drive to get back to the map & it will take u to the next stop.
(b) If u are on the map, click of the delivery point, extend the menu and click "delete". It'll remove the current delivery point and start giving u directions to the next one.

Using (a) is easier when first starting to use it. (b) i think is better as it retains a map of all the delivery points when u zoom out.

Another marvellous upgrade is they removed the ability to change the route mid way through the delivery. Old PDA allows u to go to settings and change the route order or even add more delivery stops. Cant find it on the new PDAs.

[WASD]

I just number the parcels from the app's order, then use my own navigation.

In my area it's simply not worth the hassle, it drops GPS signal constantly. Well, it's actually not possible to deliver using the app in my area, you'd never get anywhere.

[TopperGas]

I just number the parcels from the app's order, then use my own navigation.

In my area it's simply not worth the hassle, it drops GPS signal constantly. Well, it's actually not possible to deliver using the app in my area, you'd never get anywhere.

I've found the new PDA's are almost as good as a mobile phone for "locking" on to the GPS, I can't even recall them losing connection recently. It's just irratating that we seem to have gone to an older version of the RON app for some strange reason.

If you don't know the area you're delivering then using RON is your only option.

[Grumpyoldmailman]

If you don't know the area you're delivering then using RON is your only option.

And not a very good option unless you are delivering to a built up area. Our competitors use pin point technology which will take them to any property in the UK via GPS coordinates, if your out in the sticks your lucky to get within a 1/4 of a mile with our Copilot software.

[fb1969]

I had a look at the Navigation on my PDA today. Where it has a few shops marked, one of them I clicked on hasn't been there for at least 15 years!

[TopperGas]

If you don't know the area you're delivering then using RON is your only option.

And not a very good option unless you are delivering to a built up area. Our competitors use pin point technology which will take them to any property in the UK via GPS coordinates, if your out in the sticks your lucky to get within a 1/4 of a mile with our Copilot software.

That's harsh! It'll probably take you to within 250 yards, problem is Google Maps is not that much better, so you've either got to use an app which pinpoints addresses on your own phone, or hope you can find a helpful local who'll point you in the right direction.