Release Notes 59
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
It's not always about quantity — sometimes it's about getting the fundamentals exactly right. This month's update is smaller in volume, but significant in terms of value. We're addressing some of the most requested and long-awaited improvements to the platform, including smarter delivery cost calculations, a cleaner customer-facing interface and more comprehensive vendor tools. Whether you're an existing partner looking to optimise your platform's performance or an entrepreneur considering Playfood for your next project, these updates address the key factors that make a food delivery business successful: precision, clarity and reliability.
1. Route-Distance Calculation Mode
This feature has been on the wish list for a while, and it's finally here! Until now, the system calculated delivery distance as the straight line distance between the customer's address and the restaurant on the map. In theory, that sounds reasonable. In practice, however, it can differ significantly from the actual route taken by a courier, especially in mountainous regions, cities with complex road layouts, areas with rivers or restricted zones. The discrepancy between the estimated and real distance directly affects what customers are charged and what the marketplace actually pays couriers, and these discrepancies add up over time.
The new route-distance calculation mode closes that gap entirely. When enabled, the system calculates delivery costs based on the actual road route rather than a straight line. This brings unexpected expenses down to zero, making your pricing far more accurate and fair for everyone involved.
To activate this mode, please contact your dedicated Account Manager, as configuration by the development team is required. Please note that the classic straight-line mode remains the default, so you will need to request the switch explicitly. If accurate delivery costing is important to your market — this is the update to act on.
2. Delivery Cost Range in Vendor Profiles
Alongside refreshing the catalogue, we've also updated the vendor description page. In the 'Information' section, customers can now see a range of delivery costs — from the lowest to the highest possible amount — rather than a single fixed figure. This gives customers a realistic idea of what to expect before they start adding items to their basket.
It also ties in neatly with the route-distance update: when this feature is active on your platform, the delivery costs displayed in the vendor profile will reflect the same recalculated range. This keeps everything consistent and transparent, from browsing to checkout.
3. Enhanced Missed Order Alerts for Vendors
Last month, we introduced sound notifications for vendors — this month, we're building on this feature. In a busy kitchen environment, a notification that blends into the background might as well not exist. Therefore, we have enhanced the missed order alert experience with visual and audio improvements in the vendor module.
Vendors will now see a clear action button that opens a dedicated panel where they can select their preferred sound notification from a curated list. We'll let the sounds speak for themselves — spoiler alert: they are ordered from most to least unpleasant, because when an order is at risk of being missed, subtle just doesn't cut it. Your team will hear it. Consider that a promise.
4. New Localisation Added
Playfood continues to grow its global reach — and this month we're welcoming a new language to the system. The Netherlands language is now available as a localisation option, meaning partners operating in the Netherlands can enable it and run their platform entirely in their native language, from the customer app through to the admin panel.
If you're based in the Netherlands or planning to launch there, this update removes one more barrier between you and a fully localised, locally relevant product. See the full list of available languages here.
Although this month's update contains a shorter list, each item addresses a meaningful issue: fairer pricing, a better browsing experience, more effective vendor tools and a broader global footprint. These are all developments worth paying attention to.
Current Playfood partners, if you have any questions about these updates or would like the route-distance mode enabled on your platform, please contact your Key Success Manager, who will be happy to help you make the most of every new feature.
Exploring Playfood for a new venture? Contact our Product Manager to find out more about the future direction of the platform and how it can support your roadmap from day one.
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