7-9 Minute Read
Table of Contents
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Making Deliveries Without a Route Manager?
In the ice industry, it is incredibly common and often necessary for company owners to be the ones behind the wheel, handling deliveries, managing orders, and keeping everything moving from the field. For many new startups and smaller teams, this hands-on approach is not just normal. It is a smart way to stay lean, adaptable, and focused during a critical period of company growth.
Cool Running Software was designed with that reality in mind.
Whether you’re delivering solo or working with a small team, Cool Running Software gives you everything you need to run and grow your ice business. Within CRS, you can manage your customers, track your merchandisers, fulfill orders, monitor sales, and more — all in one connected system.
The power of our web platform, combined with the CR Driver App, allows you to manage operations from anywhere, giving you the ability to run your business directly from the field while you scale with confidence.
And when your business grows to the point where you need to coordinate multiple drivers or bring on a dedicated route manager, Cool Running makes it easy to level up. Our RouteBuilder module is designed to take over right whenever you’re ready for full scale route planning & dispatching tools.
Until then, CRS in its most flexible form is the perfect setup for running your business without a route manager or dispatch team. These tools are built to support how your operation works today, while giving you room to grow tomorrow.
Who This Setup Works Best For
While RouteBuilder is designed to give ice companies full control over route planning and dispatching, not every operation is ready for that setup and that’s okay.
CRS can fully accommodate companies who need to run lean, stay mobile, and handle deliveries directly from the field.
This setup works especially well for:
- Ice business startups
New operations building their customer base and running deliveries with a small team. - Owner-operators
Business owners managing deliveries themselves and keeping things hands-on. - Companies with 1–3 drivers
Small crews that don’t yet require full route planning or a dedicated dispatcher. - Companies in growth mode
Businesses expanding customer volume without immediately adding staff or new systems. - Emergency ice delivery companies
Teams with drivers on the road, responding quickly to new orders as they come in, without the time or structure for pre-planned routes. - Businesses with a focused service area
Companies delivering within a familiar region where stop lists stay consistent and flexible.
If any of this sounds like your operation, CRS gives you the tools to stay efficient, responsive, and organized, giving your company a clear path forward as you scale.
Videos to Watch First
Before we dive into how to get the most out of CRS without RouteBuilder, we recommend watching these two short videos. Together, they show the full process, from entering and completing orders in the CR Driver App to using the latest features introduced in Version 1.0.124 that make this setup even more efficient.
1. Entering and Completing Orders In CRS Without RouteBuilder
This video walks through how you can create delivery orders directly in CRS without using the RouteBuilder module. You’ll see how orders are added from the web platform and automatically show up in the CR Driver App for delivery. It also covers how drivers (or owner-operators) can view, fulfill, and complete those orders right from the app.
You can enter same-day hotshots, plan for future deliveries, or respond to incoming calls and customer requests in real time, all without needing a dispatcher or prebuilt route.
Why this matters:
This is the foundation of using CRS without RouteBuilder. It shows how small teams can manage customer needs, complete deliveries, and stay on top of daily activity without relying on paper, whiteboards, or a formal planning system.
2. What’s New in CR Driver Version 1.0.124
This video highlights the newest features added to the CR Driver App that help drivers find the right stops faster and stay more organized throughout the day without relying on a dispatcher or planned route.
You’ll see how the Search Tool makes it easy to locate any stop instantly by name, which is especially useful when responding to last-minute orders or servicing customers in unfamiliar areas.
The Smart Filters give drivers more control over how they view their customer list, making it easier to prioritize and manage field work:
- Sensors: Sort by lowest sensor reading to quickly see which locations need ice the most
- Pending Orders: Instantly filter for any customers with open or incomplete deliveries
- Delivery Zone: View customers by geographic area to group work more efficiently without a routed plan
Why this matters:
For teams working without RouteBuilder, these features are essential. Whether you’re responding to orders throughout the day or managing an open list of customers, the Search Tool and Smart Filters reduce wasted time, eliminate guesswork, and help drivers make better decisions on the road.
For teams working without RouteBuilder, these features are essential. Whether you’re responding to orders throughout the day or managing an open list of customers, the Search Tool and Smart Filters reduce wasted time, eliminate guesswork, and help drivers make better decisions on the road.
Real World Examples: Use Cases Without a Dispatcher
Running CRS without RouteBuilder gives small teams the flexibility to work directly from the field, without needing a dispatcher to assign routes or manage deliveries. In this section, we’ll walk through real-world examples that show how ice companies are using CRS to stay organized, prioritize deliveries, and respond quickly to customer needs.
All of this is possible within the CR Driver App & our cloud based web platform.
For small teams and owner-operators, starting the day often means making quick decisions about which stops to prioritize. Without a dispatcher or a prebuilt route, the CR Driver App gives drivers the tools they need to plan deliveries directly from the field.
Field-Based Planning for Daily Deliveries
For small teams and owner-operators, starting the day often means making quick decisions about which stops to prioritize. Without a dispatcher or a prebuilt route, the CR Driver App gives drivers the tools they need to plan deliveries directly from the field.
Here’s how a typical morning might look:
- Log in to the CR Driver App to access your full customer list.
- Apply the “Sensors” filter to sort locations by lowest ice level and identify high-priority stops based on real-time inventory needs.
- Switch to the “Pending Orders” filter to see any customers with open or incomplete orders that still need to be fulfilled.
- Use the “Delivery Zone” filter to group customers by area, making it easier to handle deliveries region by region without wasting time backtracking.
- Begin servicing stops, working through the list in the most efficient order based on your filters and current location.
As each delivery is completed, the stop drops off your list, giving you a live view of what’s left. This lets you focus on the most important deliveries first, stay efficient throughout the day, and maintain full control over your route.
Responding to a Call-In Order Midday
Let’s say you’re out on deliveries when a customer calls asking for a same-day drop. Without a dispatcher or office support, it’s up to you to take the order, plan it into your day, and get it done while staying organized.
With CRS, you can handle this directly from your phone:
- Access the CRS web platform right from your mobile device. In the CR Driver App, tap the profile icon in the bottom right and select “Log into Web Panel” (second to last option).
- Use the “Order Entry” screen to create a new order. Select the customer, choose today’s delivery date, add products, and include any special instructions.
- Once the order is saved, it will appear in your CR Driver App automatically.
- Use the Search Tool to jump straight to the stop, or apply Smart Filters like “Pending Orders” or “Delivery Zone” to slot it in with the rest of your work.
- Complete the delivery as normal the stop drops off your list once finished, keeping everything clean and up to date.
This simple addition helps drivers handle large routes more confidently and reduces missed stops or wasted minutes looking for the right customer.
This quick process keeps you responsive and organized, even when things change during the day. You can take on extra orders without losing track or breaking your flow.
Finishing the Day Strong: Closing Out Deliveries
At the end of a long delivery day, the goal is clear. Head back with an empty truck and no loose ends. For small teams without dispatchers or route planners, that responsibility falls on the driver. CRS makes it easy to double-check what is left and decide how to wrap up the day.
Here is how you can use the tools already in your hands:
- Open the CR Driver App and go to the All Customers list.
- Apply the “Pending Orders” filter to see any customers with open or incomplete deliveries. This helps you catch anything that might have been missed or added late in the day.
- Use the “Sensors” filter to quickly identify locations with low ice levels. If you have remaining inventory on the truck, these are ideal stops to top off before heading in.
- Optionally, use the “Delivery Zone” filter to stay within a certain area if you want to minimize drive time before returning to the plant.
- Knock out any final stops, complete the deliveries, and finish the day knowing the truck is empty, the orders are closed, and everything is logged in CRS.
This process helps small teams operate with confidence and control, even without a dispatcher.
Putting It All Together: Tips for Daily Success
CRS is built to help small teams stay efficient and organized, even without a dispatcher or routing system. Here are practical ways to get the most out of your setup every day:
- Start your day with Filters and Search
Use Smart Filters to prioritize deliveries by sensor level, pending orders, or delivery zone. Combine that with the Search Tool to instantly jump to any customer without scrolling through long lists. - Enter call-in orders right from your phone
Use the web platform on your device to add same-day deliveries as they come in, keeping everything tracked and ready in the app. - Track truck inventory throughout the day
Add your starting inventory in the CR Driver App before making deliveries. This keeps sales totals accurate and makes end-of-day review simple. - Use Delivery Notes to avoid repeat issues
Gate codes, drop locations, “call ahead” instructions — save them to the order so you’re never guessing at the stop. - Group by Zone to stay efficient
Assign delivery zones to your customers so you can group deliveries by area and reduce time behind the wheel. - Enter tomorrow’s known orders before heading home
Whether from your phone or back at the plant, entering tomorrow’s deliveries ahead of time ensures you or your drivers start the next day ready to go.
Ready to Take the Next Step With CRS?
Whether you’re a startup handling deliveries yourself or a growing operation preparing to scale, Cool Running Software gives you the tools to run your ice business with confidence — from the field or the office.
Update your CR Driver App today to Version 1.24 to start using the new search tools, smart filters, and other improvements. If you have any questions, we are ready to help.
For New Startups and Growing Ice Companies
Cool Running Software is built to grow with you. From real-time cloud access and mobile invoicing to route planning, GPS tracking, merchandiser oversight, and accounting integrations. Every tool works together to help you scale with confidence.
For Current CRS Customers
If you’re looking to optimize your setup or want to talk through how to make the most of CRS without RouteBuilder, we’re here to help.
Email us: iceguy@coolrunningsoftware.com
Call us: 440-343-1744
