ECOM | KML Delivery Zones (BLAZE POS Only)

Learn how to implement KML files to define your delivery region.

What Are KML Zones? 

These files are a way to express geographic annotation so another service like ours can read them as a map. 

In simple terms, they give you the option to draw your delivery regions as enclosed shapes on a map. This is an alternative to defining your delivery area as a list of zip codes. 

Creating KML Files 

Use Google My Maps as your map service 

• Once you click on the link above, follow our video instructions here to create your KML files
• Your KML files must be a fully enclosed shape
• Read further to learn how to save those files as your POS delivery regions
  
  

Setting Up Your KML Regions

Learn how to create KML regions and assign them to relevant inventory locations. 

Part 1: Building Regions

Within BLAZE POS go to Global Settings > Company Settings > Regions

You can add new regions or edit existing ones - to add a new region click "ADD REGION" in the top right of the page. 

Once the region is open, you will need to select the KML zones type

Once KML is selected as the zone, you can upload your KML file using "Upload KML".

Also, click on the color bar to assign it a unique color (the color is especially helpful when assigning multiple regions to the same inventory).

Once your KML has been uploaded you will see a preview inside your region on the right side.

 

Part 2: Assign Regions to Inventory Locations

Once your regions are built, you need to assign them to the related inventory locations. 

Within BLAZE POS go to Global Settings > Current Shop Settings > Inventories

Edit an inventory to assign your region(s) from the Regions dropdown

Once the region(s) are assigned, click "Save" to finalize it

Consider the strategy based on your delivery type:

Scheduled/Asap Delivery

• "Pizza Model" delivery that runs out of your shop's stockroom 
• Assign all your regions to the inventory that represents your stockroom (usually the "Safe") 
• Assigning multiple regions allows you to configure unique delivery minimums, fees, and hours depending on which region they are ordering from

Express Delivery

• "Ice Cream Truck" style delivery where inventory is located within roving vehicles
• Assign your regions to the vehicle(s) that are in the related area
• If multiple inventory locations are assigned to the same region, we will randomly assign the customers inside the overlapping area to one of those inventories 
  • This ensures customers only place orders from one inventory at a time

 

Enabling KML Delivery

Once you have your regions built out, lets go through the steps to enable KML delivery so you can start receiving orders. 

Part 1: POS Configuration

In addition to building out the regions/inventories, there are a couple more settings that are important to enable inside the POS. 

Both settings are inside of Global Settings > Current Shop Settings > Online Store

First, set Validate Inventory Availability to "By Nearby Region" or By Nearby Region + Default Region". 

Second, ensure the "Enable Area Restrictions" setting is disabled.

Part 2: ECOM Mission Control Configurations 

First, go to Settings > Integrations > BLAZE POS and enable "Geographical Delivery Zones". 

Now go to the Inventories tab to confirm your zones are assigned. Your inventory locations must be active and enabled for the correct delivery type to receive delivery orders.

Click into the inventory location and go to the Zones tab to check the map 

If multiple Regions are associated to an inventory, the map will show the different zones by color and shape.

 

Delivery Availability

Let's make sure you understand your KML zone delivery availability for both delivery types.

Part 1: Scheduled/Asap Deliveries

By default, your delivery area for these delivery methods will be defined by the total of all KML regions assigned to your inventories. You can check this in Settings > Delivery > Scheduled Delivery Service Area.

You will see the KML file names under "Restricted Zones". 

 

Part 2: Express Deliveries

Your delivery area is defined by the unique region(s) assigned to each inventory location, so that means your express delivery area is based on the Zones you see in the Inventories tab. 

Reminder: Inventories must have "Express Delivery" toggled on to be eligible for express orders

 

(Optional) Set Up Opening/Closing/Cutoff times by Region

Summary

Within Mission Control you can set up unique times that each region opens for delivery, closes for delivery, and the last time of the day the region is eligible for same-day orders. 

• If you have dispatch pro then you can set this up within each BLAZE POS region 
  • Any settings updated in Mission Control will override the settings in each POS region
• Regional opening and closing hours must be within the set timeframe of your Scheduled and Express delivery settings 
  • In other words, you can shorten the daily time a region is available, but you can't extend it beyond the timeframes set in your delivery settings

Edit Regional Settings In Mission Control

Go to the Inventories tab > Click into an inventory > Zones tab > Select the edit button next to each region to edit its settings

You will see 3 tabs with the option to edit each. Here is what the tabs control:

• Open hours allow you to set a unique daily open and close time per region
• Closed hours allow you to set unique hours or days your region is closed for delivery
• Cut-Off times determine how late each day a same-day order can be placed