Route optimisation

Route optimisation means planning which shipments one or more vehicles should perform, and letting the system calculate the route sequence for those shipments, so that the resources are used as efficiently as possible. This is done in Opter, with the help of the PTV Map&Guide service. During route optimisation, a delivery time calculation is also made, which can be sent out to the receiver in a notification (see Introduction to notifications).

Note:

Route optimisation works best if dispatching is carried out on vehicles, but route optimisation can also be carried out on drivers.

To make the routes as suitable as possible, it is important to have good positions for the addresses to which the shipments are to be sent. The positions are created when the order is saved, but can also be adjusted manually (Register > Adjust address positions). For more information, see Addresses and address positions.

Once route optimisation has been completed, the routes are displayed on the map in the Route optimization window. It is also possible to display the information from the route optimisation in dispatch by adding a number of columns in the shipment lists (see Route optimisation: preparation and configuration).

In order reception, route optimisation information is displayed in two places.

The tab Route optimisation log under Order log shows all shipments on the order on which route optimisation has been carried out (see Order log, order reception).
The Route optimisation tab under Details on individual shipments displays a log of the current shipment. Information is also displayed here on the estimated arrival time for pickup and delivery (see Shipments, order reception).

Different route optimisation variants

Route optimisation can be done in three different ways.

Manual route optimisation means calculating the most efficient route sequence possible for the shipments already assigned to a vehicle. For more information, see Manual route optimisation.
Automatic route optimisation means that the route sequence and arrival times are continuously updated for the vehicle each time an order in the system is saved. For more information, see Automatic route optimisation.
Multi-vehicle optimisation means that a number of shipments and a number of vehicles can be selected, and then the route sequence is optimised taking into account all the shipments and vehicles at the same time. The shipments are distributed among the vehicles in the best possible way. For more information, see Multi-vehicle optimisation.

Route optimisation of consignment shipments

Route optimisation of consignment shipments is not possible, but it is possible to calculate an optimal route sequence on individual consignment orders directly in order reception. For more information, see Route sequence for consignment orders.

Note:

It is possible to mark consignment shipments in dispatch and open them in the Route optimization window, but they are not managed in a good way and should be excluded from the route optimisation.

The Route optimization settings table

In the Office (Weight/Distance tab), Employees (Details tab), Vehicles (Route optimisation tab) and Vehicle types (Route optimisation tab) windows there is a table called Route optimization settings or Advanced. It is only for internal Opter use, and should not be used. Even if you add a row and enter a value in the table, it is not used in the route optimisation calculations.