Introduction to Opter

Opter can run either with a local server and database, or as a cloud service. The infrastructure then runs in the Microsoft Cloud and is maintained by Opter. For more information, see Opter Cloud.

Local server and database

The infrastructure needed to run Opter with a local server environment includes a main server, a web server and a database.

Main server: manages services such as price calculation and EDI and operates as a database server.
Web server: hosts the web portals and is used for communication with mobile devices.
Database: stores settings and data.
Application server (optional): used to run Opter via remote connections.

Installation of the server environment is carried out by a deployment consultant.

The PC client

Opter is extensive and consists of several parts, with the main parts being

order reception
order check
dispatch
accounting functions such as price lists, invoicing and crediting.

The PC client is used for daily work tasks. Opter is configured and adapted to your business and your users in order to automate as much of the workflow as possible. Many of the settings are managed in the office settings (Settings > Offices) and the customer registry (Register > Customers). Opter has a number of default settings when it is installed. The general settings for your business are configured in the office settings, and settings are then applied at, for example, the regional, customer and customer reference levels to create exceptions from the default and office settings.

Webs

Opter includes some web portals for external users. The settings for what is to be shown and what can be searched for are configured in the internet order settings (Settings > Internet > Internet order settings). Opter has the following webs:

Customer web: used by transport buyers to book transport. For more information, see Customer web and Track & Trace.
Track & Trace: Is part of the customer web and is used to track transport operations and communicate with the receiver. For more information, see Customer web and Track & Trace.
Supplier web: this allows suppliers to see the transport operations they perform for you and, if you allow it, they can also create orders and assign shipments. For more information, see Introduction to the supplier web.
Subcontractor web: this allows subcontractors to see the transport operations they perform for you. For more information, see Introduction to the subcontractor web.
Driver web: this allows drivers to get an overview of their transport tasks. For more information, see Introduction to the driver web.
Vehicle web: this allows drivers to get an overview of all the shipments assigned to a specific vehicle. For more information, see Introduction to the vehicle web.
Terminal web: this provides an overview of all the shipments handled at terminals. For more information, see Introduction to the terminal web.

When “resource webs” are indicated, this refers to the supplier web, subcontractor web, driver web, vehicle web and terminal web.

Apps

There are two apps for Android:

Opter Driver
Opter Terminal

If you are about to start using one of the apps, you can read one of the following articles:

Tip

A new app for iPhone and iPad is under development. You can try using it now if you wish by searching for Opter in the App Store. The new “Opter Driver” app requires iOS version 15.0 or later. If the new app does not work, this may be due to Opter lacking a configuration. In that case, please contact support.

Versions in Opter

There are two different version tracks:

The bug fix track has version numbers such as 2022.12.29, 2023.06.14, 2023.06.09 and 2023.12.07.
If you follow this path, you will get a more stable product, but you will have to wait up to six months for new features. New features are delivered in 2022.12.00, 2023.06.00, 2023.12.00, 2024.06.00 and so on.
If you want new features sooner, you can contact support to see if it is suitable for you to switch to continuous delivery.
The continuous delivery track with new features and bug fixes between 06 and 12 has version numbers such as 2023.07-01.24 and 2023.12-01.39.
When you receive an update, you get all the new features and bug fixes that have been introduced since the version you have. So, you can't just get bug fixes in this track.

Note:

Thus, versions 2023.12.112 and 2023.12-01.112 do not have the same content:

2023.12.112 has the new features delivered in 2023.12.00 and thereafter only bug fixes.
2023.12-01.112 has the new features that were delivered in 2023.12.00 and then additional new features and bug fixes, and is what we call continuous delivery.

If it says in the help that an article “applies to version 2023.12-01.213 and later”, this means the following:

If you have 2023.12.00, you may not have the feature in your version of Opter. It may be there, but may function and look slightly different. If you have 2024.06.00, the article applies to your version of Opter.
For example, if you have 2023.12-01.43 or 2023.12-01.212, you may not have the feature in your version of Opter. It may be there, but may function and look slightly different. If you have 2023.12-01.214, the article applies to your version of Opter.