Rastret Builds More Efficient Fleet Management Software and Hardware with AWS and HERE's Help

As the demand for home deliveries grows, delivery companies face challenges in finding qualified drivers. Rastret, a provider of software and hardware solutions for fleet management, aims to assist its clients in optimizing delivery routes and expanding the pool of potential drivers. With the support of HERE Technologies and Amazon Web Services (AWS), Rastret is solving complex problems for its customers through the use of user-friendly development tools and updated tour planning information. This helps Rastret build a more efficient fleet management system, keeping customers within budget constraints and leveraging HERE's data, APIs, and geotagging tools to plan the most efficient routes for their clients.

Delivery companies in Central and South America, like many countries across the globe, face two major challenges: demand for home deliveries has increased, and finding experienced and knowledgeable drivers is difficult. “Today, even a small local shop has to have a home delivery system,” said Miguel Loya, CTO at Rastret. More deliveries mean more drivers are needed – but historically, only those with expert local knowledge could do the job. This limited who a fleet owner could hire and it required owners to give more freedom to drivers. “Technology has made the delivery market more dynamic because that expertise is no longer needed,” Loya added. Armed with the right navigation tools, drivers can rely on Rastret’s software to plan routes for them. This widens the pool of potential drivers.

Rastret provides software and hardware to small and mid-size logistics companies. The company’s solutions upgrade the customer’s navigation capabilities and expand their pool of potential drivers, while keeping them within tight cost margins. Already operating in the Americas, from Chile to the Southern USA, the company is now expanding into parts of Europe.

Rastret leverages AWS Partner HERE fleet-specific data, tools and APIs, such as HERE Tour Planning and HERE Last Mile, along with geofencing, geocoding and geotagging tools. Up-to-date information on changes in the weather, construction on the roads, road geometry and traffic helps Rastret’s clients plan the best routes and react quickly to changes.

“I am really impressed by the flexibility of HERE’s products. They save us a lot of work because they are ready-made solutions and we can focus on implementation,” Loya said.

Stability is vital to Rastret’s clients, which is why Rastret works so closely with AWS. The security and stability of AWS’ servers gives the logistics company the flexibility and reliability they need to grow.

Rastret uses AWS and HERE to solve location-related challenges. Together, AWS and HERE accelerate speed to market and time to value through the power of location services and the leading cloud and IT services. Rastret has been a proud AWS customer for a number of years due to the service’s flexibility, scalability and reliability. The addition of location technology from HERE blended well with AWS’ offering and accelerated multiple areas of Rastret’s business.

Fresh and accurate location data is critical to solving the driver shortage for Rastret’s clients. Since switching to HERE products and development tools, they’ve resolved a number of issues related to inaccurate information and outdated positions.

It can be difficult to quantify the impact a good development tool has on a project. But in terms of implementation timelines, Loya estimates that HERE’s tools enable them to work approximately 30% faster.

“Right now, I’m working on a project and the results we’re obtaining are about two months ahead of schedule,” said Loya.

The overall benefits of AWS and HERE extend to Rastret’s customer base as well. Rastret has watched its clients reduce fuel use and increase fleet efficiency without increasing the size of their fleet.

Research and development sets Rastret apart from its competition. With support location technology, the company is using connected vehicle sensor data from approximately 8,000 vehicles to enhance services, such as driver analysis reports and vehicle performance.