Droplet Fuel introduces its all new driver app with electronic meter integration. The app, available in iOS and Android versions, connects via Bluetooth to the meter in the truck. The office staff simply routes stops and assigns them to a driver. The driver gets in the truck and starts delivering without even stopping in the office to pick up tickets.
How It Works
The driver app allows a driver to see all of their stops for the day in one spot. They can reorder stops as needed, or just go with the route as provided by the office staff.
- View routes: The first thing the driver sees is his route(s). He can click into a route and see all the stops, already in order of delivery.
- Navigate to a stop: Once the first stop is selected, the driver simply hits ‘Go’ and the app will open the navigation app of their choice. Works with Google Maps, Apple Maps, Truck Maps, and Waze.
- View and edit orders: The order information will all be displayed for the driver. Pertinent notes (e.g. house color, payment method, etc.) will be provided, as well as the gallons, price per gallon, etc.
- Send to meter: Once the driver arrives at a stop, he can send the delivery information to the meter. If it is an order for 100 gallons, for example, it will automatically preset the meter for 100 gallons.
- Get from meter: After the oil has been pumped, the app will pull the delivered amount back from the meter.
- Finalize order, including any add-ons: With the electronic meter information now pulled from the meter, the driver can finalize the order. He can perform the final charge on the credit card, and even add any additional items to the invoice such as a prime-and-start or fuel additive.
- Print a ticket for the customer: Once all is said and done, the system will automatically print a delivery slip for the homeowner. An additional copy can be printed for the office.
Live Truck Tracking
One of the benefits of the Droplet Fuel driver app is live truck tracking. You’ll be able to see where your drivers are on their route throughout the day. If a customer calls up for an emergency fill, you’ll know if you can accommodate them right away.
Assign different colors to different trucks to easily tell them apart on the map.
Meter Compatibility
The Droplet Fuel driver app works with Mid:Com and Liquid Controls (LC) electronic meters. A Bluetooth dongle will be installed in the cab of the truck and provide connectivity between the driver’s app and the meter itself. The meter will interface with the printer and the app will control print functions without the driver having to switch the meter selector to print mode.
Tablet Compatibility
The Droplet Fuel driver app works with both iOS and Android operating systems. As such, you can decide if you would like to use Android or Apple devices for your drivers. In our experience, Apple devices tend to be a little bit more expensive, but are much more reliable than Android devices. Therefore, we encourage companies to use iOS (Apple) devices if possible.
You can choose to use tablets (iPads), or even just a regular smart phone (iPhone). The app will work on either type of device.
Navigation Compatibility
With the Droplet Fuel app, each driver gets to decide which navigation app to use. If they prefer Apple Maps, they can set that as the default.
- Apple Maps: Apple Maps is the default mapping program on Apple devices. It has a very clean interface and is easy to see.
- Google Maps: Google Maps is sometimes preferred to Apple Maps and is the standard mapping program on Android devices.
- Waze: Waze monitors traffic jams and congestion and will often reroute you around traffic more than Apple or Google will.
- Truck Maps: Some drivers prefer Truck Maps as it does a good job of considering tunnels and bridges that they cannot cross.
Printer Compatibility
Printing tickets in the truck will be a game-changer for your office staff. Depending on the electronic meter you use, you may have a thermal (roll) printer, or a flat printer.
- Thermal (Roll) Printer: This is the best type of printer for two reasons: 1) it does not require ink; 2) you only replace the roll every so often.
- Flat Printer: A flat printer requires you to insert a ticket before starting a delivery. The benefit of this style printer is you can use custom-branded tickets.
Benefits of the Driver App
The benefits of the Droplet Fuel driver app are numerous. From no longer having to print tickets in the office, to being able to see where a given truck is throughout the day, you will immediately see the difference. The driver app cuts down on hours of work in the office, as drivers are able to finalize stops in real time. Cash flow is improved because credit card transactions can be completed on the fly. And drivers are more productive since they do not have to manually set the meter anymore.
To see if the driver app makes sense for your business, schedule a demo today, or give us a call at 203-456-1012.
Happy spring,
Steve