A merchant lives or dies on getting the right materials to site on time. But planning loads, sequencing drops and keeping customers informed is still done on whiteboards and phone calls at most yards. AI can take the grind out of it, without replacing your ERP or your transport system.
Why delivery scheduling is so hard to get right
Every day the yard has to fit a shifting set of orders onto a limited number of vehicles: matching load weights and sizes to the right truck, sequencing drops so the route makes sense, honouring promised delivery windows, and squeezing in the urgent job that came in at 4pm. Do it well and customers trust you with their next order. Get it wrong and you have half empty wagons, missed windows, and a site manager ringing to ask where his bricks are.
Most of that planning still happens in someone’s head or on a whiteboard, and most of the “where is my delivery?” calls still land on the transport desk.
What OptiFlow does
OptiFlow is an AI layer that helps you plan loads and keep customers informed, working from the orders and delivery data already in your ERP. It groups orders into sensible loads, flags where a vehicle is over or under capacity, suggests a workable drop sequence, and handles the routine communication, sending customers a confirmation and an updated ETA so they stop ringing to chase.
Your transport planner stays in control and makes the final call; OptiFlow does the repetitive sorting and the customer updates around them.
How it works
- Gather, OptiFlow reads the day’s confirmed orders and delivery requirements from your system.
- Plan, it groups them into loads by weight, size and destination and proposes a route order for each vehicle.
- Flag, under filled loads, clashing time windows or overweight vehicles are highlighted so a planner can adjust.
- Inform, customers get automatic confirmations and ETAs, and updates if things change, cutting the flood of chase calls.
Working out whether a load fits or how many trips a job needs? Try our free delivery load calculator.
On top of your existing systems, no rip and replace
OptiFlow does not replace your ERP or transport software. It layers on top of what you already run, Kerridge K8, Intact iQ, Ibcos Gold and others, using the order and delivery data that is already there. No migration, and your team keeps the tools they know.
See how OptiFlow plans deliveries and keeps your customers informed. Get a quote →
Related reading: automating order entry, stock and price enquiries, and the full AI for builders merchants overview.
Frequently asked questions
Does OptiFlow replace my transport or route planning software?
No. OptiFlow is an AI layer that works on top of your existing ERP and delivery data. It helps plan loads and communicate with customers without a migration or a new system to learn.
Does the AI decide the routes on its own?
It proposes load groupings and a drop sequence and flags problems like under filled or overweight vehicles, but your transport planner stays in control and makes the final decision.
How does it cut down “where is my delivery?” calls?
OptiFlow can send customers automatic confirmations and ETAs, plus updates if a delivery time changes, so they are kept informed proactively instead of ringing your transport desk to chase.
Can it help me get fuller loads?
Yes. By grouping orders by weight, size and destination it highlights under utilised vehicles and helps you plan fuller, more efficient loads. Our free delivery load calculator lets you sanity check individual loads too.