Lack of Digital Readiness Quickly Leads to Costly Errors
Like any technology, AFS adoption is only as good as its implementation. If drivers aren’t trained effectively, they end up skipping steps or relying on workarounds to complete their tasks. The result? Discrepancies like inaccurate orders and inventory counts at best, reduced profits due to frustrated customers and retailers at worst.
Don’t wait until the costs of these issues have already hit to address them. Instead, take a proactive approach: Ensure your drivers and merchandisers can execute correctly now, and save yourself from costly errors later.
Unlock New Expertise for Drivers
Drivers are experts on the road. They know how to service stores, manage inventory, and keep shelves stocked. But when they’re moving through fast-paced routes, they don’t inherently know how — or have time — to capture that work in AFS.
Traditional training programs offer:
- PowerPoint decks explaining screens and fields
- One-time classroom or ride-along training
- Generic system walkthroughs disconnected from the employee’s device
- Shadowing and sharing knowledge
But presentations and screens don’t reflect drivers’ day-to-day work, and generic training programs don’t cut it in real-world work.
Where AFS DSD Implementations Break Down
Most AFS partners configure the system effectively, then leave you to manage training and usage challenges on your own. But the post-rollout phase is vital to long-term success.
Without effective digital readiness programs, you’re left with:
- Training that doesn’t let drivers practice end-to-end routes
- Desktop-based explanations for mobile, in-cab workflows
- No safe place to learn before mistakes affect live orders and inventory
- Inconsistent execution across drivers, routes, shifts, and contractors
In most cases, AFS configuration isn’t the issue. It’s training programs that don’t give drivers realistic, on-device learning that widen the gap between adoption and execution.
Rollout Readiness
Prepare Drivers Pre-Route
Minimize mistakes with proactive AFS training that allows route drivers to practice orders, checkins, credits, and inventory before they head out on their route.
Operational Excellence
Generate Cleaner Data
Consistent execution means consistent data. Strengthen AFS workflow execution to improve inventory accuracy, billing, retailer trust, and downstream reporting.
Onboarding Support
Ramp New Drivers at Speed
Help new drivers become productive quickly with practical, hands-on training — no classroom sessions or disconnected walkthroughs required.
How Dairy Farmers of America Accelerated AFS Adoption and Cut Deployment Costs
DFA rolled out AFS Direct Store Delivery to 3,500+ drivers, then partnered with Skyllful to support workflows and ensure effective route execution. With a practical vehicle for applying AFS in real route conditions, drivers were empowered to do their best work every day.
“We would have never been able to sustain the deployment velocity without Skyllful.”
IT BRM
“We’ve gone from six resources down to two. Instead of being able to get this done in months it would have been a year-plus to get this completed.”
IT Director Business Analyst
“We knew if we did things the way we had traditionally done it, we wouldn’t have long term engagement.”
IT Senior Manager
“We would spend countless hours trying to update PowerPoints and re-editing videos as our applications changed. Skyllful reduces that into a matter of minutes.”
Director of Field Engineering and Training