How do people record Firewood orders and schedule deliveries ?

[arboriculturist]

Currently we record orders and schedule deliveries manually.

 

There must be a better way to simplify this, save time and provide the delivery info to the delivery driver. We do use WhatsApp for driver.

 

Perhaps someone has the answer to setting up a basic database and giving the driver what is needed?

 

All the online software seems to tailored to companies the size of Tesco, not someone who just delivers Firewood. 

 

Any replies much appreciated.

[Chalgravesteve]

I've not found a better way than a daily manual schedule. Assuming that you are doing the same as us which is delivering over a 15/20 mile radius, we had a map printed which shows all the postcode areas overlaid and circles showing the 15/20/25 mile radius from us. 

 

As we get orders in, we build a schedule around the larger ones, in terms of geographic location. If we get a late order into the same area as an existing schedule and we have space on the van, we get it on to minimise the travel distances as much as possible.

 

It wouldn't be difficult to create the manual master list into an excel spreadsheet though for each day.

   

[Woodworks]

Not sure if this might work but I have just started doing invoices on Google Sheets which is stored in the cloud I guess. Put the times on the invoice and then your driver can access it through Google Sheets out on the road.