It can pay for itself in a hurry, just in time savings. It has scheduling, customer relations and employee relations advantages as well. Even if crews have beepers, they must find phones to call in. Easier said than done, especially in suburban and rural areas. And there is no guarantee the phones they eventually find will work.
Calls save time and miles when there are last-minute delivery cancellations.
When necessary, you can also quickly re- route crews for pickups and other special stops along their routes. If there's a breakdown, for instance, and you get an SOS call, you might be able to save the day by sending out another truck. And, instead of the office calling customers when there are logjams, drivers can call directly-maybe even give them an idea as to when they will arrive. Talking from a customer's home can be inhibiting for a driver when there's a problem with a delivery. Many drivers welcome overtime, but no one appreciates an overcooked dinner.