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MRM.COM: RO+N is retiring

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POSTMAN
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MRM.COM: RO+N is retiring

Post by POSTMAN »

https://www.myroyalmail.com/news/2024/09/ron-retiring

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Our Parcel Route Optimiser and Routing (RO+N) app, used by our Dedicated Parcel Route (DPR/LAT) and Sunday Parcel Delivery Drivers, is being replaced with a new and improved process.

Throughout October we will be retiring RO+N from the PDAs and introducing the new app Adhoc Route. This change is relevant to anyone who uses a PDA to optimise and deliver parcels on DPR and LAT routes, along with our Sunday Parcel Deliveries.

Adhoc Route gives the benefit of web-based route optimisation, along with the option for drivers to make minor alterations to their routes based on their own local knowledge. Using technology and the expertise of our drivers together will help to make our routes as efficient as possible.

Has Adhoc Route been piloted?
This new app has been successfully piloted across 23 national DO sites, with over 5,000 routes being optimised.

What’s next?
The RON+N changes will take place over October. The date for the switch on of the new process will be shared via the Line to each office and supported by a dedicated Project Team.

Learning materials will be available, and drivers will be coached on the changes, either by Workplace Coaches, COMs or PCOMs. Any questions in the meantime please speak with your manager.

In addition to Adhoc Route, we also have a replacement of our PDA mapping software in the works. This will be provided by Tomtom and will give us monthly map updates, along with live traffic alerts to support our drivers in being reactive to disruptions on their routes. We’ll share when we have a timeline on this.
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menditsa
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Re: MRM.COM: RO+N is retiring

Post by menditsa »

Need enough PDA'S that work first :dance
Mr Rush
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Re: MRM.COM: RO+N is retiring

Post by Mr Rush »

Have the updates been rolling out? All of a sudden our PDAs have become buggy again this week.
The machine stops.
Trumanity
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Re: MRM.COM: RO+N is retiring

Post by Trumanity »

menditsa wrote:
03 Oct 2024, 16:30
Need enough PDA'S that work first :dance
...and vans!

.....and drivers!!!!
sindba
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Re: MRM.COM: RO+N is retiring

Post by sindba »

"along with the option for drivers to make minor alterations to their routes based on their own local knowledge"

Seems they realised that actual human posties knew how to manage their own workload better than a bloody app or spreadsheet.

Whodda thunk it.
kazardaimenu
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Re: MRM.COM: RO+N is retiring

Post by kazardaimenu »

Good riddance! A backwards system.
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Re: MRM.COM: RO+N is retiring

Post by funkflex55 »

Yep Ron was absolute dog s**t. Has you going to the same roads twice in the same day. About time they upgraded it. Hopefully the new sat nav will be better but based on recent RM procedure changes you've gotta be worried!
GizzardPuke
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Re: MRM.COM: RO+N is retiring

Post by GizzardPuke »

I guess Google are charging too much for RM to use Google Maps.
I used to use RON when I worked Sundays as I was in areas I didn't know. Dreadful. I think it works just by plotting every house on a map and not taking into account the roads needed to get you there. Many a time I was faced with an eight foot high wall blocking my way or being asked to drive down a footpath in the woods with bollards stopping vehicle access. :d'oh!
hkccm
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Re: MRM.COM: RO+N is retiring

Post by hkccm »

I think the PDA need retiring. Use smartphone instead.
Migrate the PDA features into a smartphone App.
sindba
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Re: MRM.COM: RO+N is retiring

Post by sindba »

hkccm wrote:
03 Oct 2024, 20:53
I think the PDA need retiring. Use smartphone instead.
Migrate the PDA features into a smartphone App.
Free smartphones courtesy of Royal Mail? Sounds good!
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Re: MRM.COM: RO+N is retiring

Post by Mr Rush »

hkccm wrote:
03 Oct 2024, 20:53
I think the PDA need retiring. Use smartphone instead.
Migrate the PDA features into a smartphone App.
What do you think the current PDAs are? It's confusing because RM calls all the devices Postal Digital Assistants but only the old Intermec ones were PDAs by the real world definition Personal Digital Assistants.
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kazardaimenu
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Re: MRM.COM: RO+N is retiring

Post by kazardaimenu »

These PDAs keep glitching and the battery runs out in under 8 hours. There has to be a better way.
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Basildon Bond
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Re: MRM.COM: RO+N is retiring

Post by Basildon Bond »

Our Parcel Route Optimiser and Routing (RO+N) app
So RO-N is 'Parcel Route Optimiser and Routing' and not 'Parcel Route Optimiser and Navigation'?

They cannot even get their acronym expanded correctly on their website! The 'N' is for 'Navigation'. The office staff really don't know what we do.
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Re: MRM.COM: RO+N is retiring

Post by heapsy »

Ok, so I used, with a bit of frustration, the new system, last Saturday for the first time. Sunday, got another chance. Tbh, I don't get why they changed it. It takes longer to sort out. It isn't as easy as they make out. And I'm not sure where these improvements are. Also, zero training.
Last edited by heapsy on 19 Oct 2024, 18:03, edited 1 time in total.
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Basildon Bond
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Re: MRM.COM: RO+N is retiring

Post by Basildon Bond »

heapsy wrote:
18 Oct 2024, 21:12
Ok, so I used, with a bit of frustration, the new system, last Saturday for the first time. Sunday, git another chance. Tbh, I don't get why they changed it. It takes longer to sort out. It isn't as easy as they make out. And I'm not sure where these improvements are. Also, zero training.
I assume the non-ops header codes are now listed in the app and selected from a list, hence you don't have to scan a barcode. Is this correct?

I'm wondering, if there is multiple route codes (or whatever they are called), how do they stop more than one person selecting the same code at the same time? I just hope they have done a lot of testing.

They talk about making minor changes or tweaks to the route. However, it looks a little awkward to be scrolling through a long list (80 - 120) parcels and moving the call points around.