Route Planner On-demand 25.01 is available as of January 27, 2024. This release includes new features, enhancements and resolved issues. Reference the ticket number in parentheses if you have any questions about the respective items to the support team.

IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ
Be advised of the following important information concerning this release:

• Microsoft® Internet Explorer®: As Microsoft has announced the end of support for applications and services on Internet Explorer, the browser is no longer supported for the Descartes® Route Planner On-demand application. The browser can be used, but new functionality may not work. Please use Google™ Chrome or Microsoft Edge as the preferred internet browser to access Route Planner On-demand.

• Supported Versions: Versions one year older than the current version will not be supported (i.e., for 25.01, versions 23.10 and older are not supported). You can continue using versions older than one year from the current version; however, critical issues with those versions will not be addressed.

Submit your enhancement idea using our Idea Portal! You can find more information and learn how to request access here.

Highlights

25.01.02

🟩 Resolved Issue: Users could not optimize routes when the 'Restrict Shipment Assigned Based on Attribute' feature was enabled without configured dispatch restrictions. (1202682)

🟩 Resolved Issue: Assigned shipments on Fixed Routes incorrectly remained in the UNROUTED tab, were marked as "Unassigned," and caused duplicate stops when clustering was enabled. (1200522)

25.01.01

🟩 Resolved Issue: Some records were missing from the winterface export when using the dupdate parameter. This occurred when a stop was reassigned from one route to another. The newly added shipment state of 'REASSIGNED' was designated but not considered a dispatch update, preventing it from being included in the extract. (1195945)

🟩 Resolved Issue: Dispatch-type users (roles: dispatcher, dispatcher_admin, client_admin) could not obtain a route on Descartes Mobile if assigned to a route in the On-demand application when the feature allowing them to serve as a driver was enabled. (1194841)

25.01.00

🟩 Resolved Issue: Routes are not sorted correctly by number in the application's interface; instead, they are sorted by the first digit of their name, treating the route key as text. (1183945)

🟩 Resolved Issue: In certain use-case scenarios, route-related data such as duration, distance, and finish time were found not to be calculated and shown as expected. Due to routes not having full/complete information calculated and presented, the same related data is found missing from generated exports/reports. (1182895)

🟪 Enhancement: A new Delivery Company field has been added to the column selection lists, allowing users to see information about the Route, Vehicle, and Driver in a single column. If any of these entities have different values, they will be combined in the column to give a complete view of current assignments. (1182498)

🟩 Resolved Issue: The Vehicle column tooltip didn't appear and showed its related data on hover over in the Map View and Dispatch pages as expected. (1181744)

🟩 Resolved Issue: The application's location selection list did not sort the options alphabetically as expected when new locations are added where previous records exist. This issue has been resolved and now the addition of a new location will automatically trigger a sort of list. (1177445)

🟩 Resolved Issue: The system incorrectly included a removed depot stop in the route data sent to wGLN when linking two stops together within a route. While the depot stop was correctly removed in the user interface, the wGLN route XML still showed the depot stop, causing inaccurate task representation for drivers. (1176872)Resolved Issue: The vehicle tooltip did not display the Driver Name information on the Track My Order page. The Driver Name detail appears now as expected when hovering over the vehicle icon when configured to do so. (1172723)

🟩 Resolved Issue: The application displayed an incorrect stop on a route after a trip swap involving trips associated with different depots. While customer stops were swapped correctly, depot stops retained their previous designation instead of reflecting the new route assignment. This issue is now fixed. (1172551)

🟩 Resolved Issue: In Dispatch mode, the Map View page failed to keep the selection of depot stops when attempting to generate the stop context menu. (1172550)

🟩 Resolved Issue: Route paths were not redrawn automatically after a vehicle change in Map View. Users had to refresh the browser or exit and re-enter the page to see the updated route. (1172493)

🟩 Resolved Issue: The Internal Order ID information was not displayed as expected for depot stops across multiple views, including Map View and Dispatch pages. This issue occurred specifically for depot-type stops when the Internal Order ID column was configured to appear at the stop detail level and the user expanded the respective stop. (1166416)Resolved Issue: Items such as route lines, truck and GPS icons were not displayed correctly on the map when users zoomed or dragged the map while using the Try New Map feature. (1166245)

🟩 Resolved Issue: The Geocode Address map did not load as expected when performing geocode operations from the Scheduling Board and Dispatch pages when Google Maps™ was configured as the external mapping service. (1165240)

🟩 Resolved Issue: Users could not configure and view field data items in the Order Search Results window, affecting Order Management, Map View and Scheduling Board pages. This limitation was introduced in the previous version due to incorrect adjustments to the column configuration capabilities. (1162585)

🟪 Enhancement: A new logic has been implemented for backend data updates on the Map View page, ensuring that shipment updates are only processed when actual changes are detected. This enhancement prevents unnecessary backend operations and improves system performance and usability. (1161968)

🟩 Resolved Issue: The multi-image viewer icon did not function properly on the Order Management > View Route Detail page. The icon failed to display correctly and did not open the image viewer window when selected. (1161280)

🟩 Resolved Issue: The following issues found in the Cost Profile configuration are now resolved: (1161070)

• Input values were not saved accurately, leading to rounding errors on editing or initial creation.

• The delete icon was missing during entry creation.

• Incomplete entries were incorrectly saved with zero values.

• Price values per mile, minute, or stop were not saved as actual dollar amounts.

🟩 Resolved Issue: Changing a hold spot's associated customer incorrectly marked the customer as "ungeocoded" after updating the record. The customer record now retains its geocoding status as expected. (1159327)

🟪 Enhancement: Adjustment to the Timecard Edit feature and change to the Last Employee Entry logic to ensure it only captures the employee's last entry, excluding any changes made by a manager. As a result, only the most recent employee-made entry is now set and reported on. (1157596)

🟩 Resolved Issue: Errors in the new custom Merchandiser Payroll reports resulted in non-payable records being erroneously included. This issue is now resolved, ensuring the reports accurately exclude non-payable entries. (1157259)

🟩 Resolved Issue: When unlinking a transfer order, the delivery shipment's origin was not reset to its original value; instead, the pickup shipment's value was incorrectly utilized. Additionally, the selling store information was not reset to its original state after performing the unlink action. Both issues are now resolved, ensuring the correct origin and respective selling store values are now properly restored after the unlink action is performed. (1156042)

🟩 Resolved Issue: The processing icon continued to display incorrectly when users attempted to add a new area to an existing territory. The icon now disappears as expected once the process is complete. (1155846)

🟩 Resolved Issue: An error occurred when optimizing larger datasets, causing the process to fail and the page to refresh prematurely. This issue arose when a significant number of unrouted shipments were present for the delivery day and the Restrict shipment assignment based on attribute feature was enabled. (1154493)

🟪 Enhancement: Dispatch Preference - Name information is now available and displayed in the Restrictions Exist window. This information is displayed when users select the 'Restrictions Exist' link within the Dispatch Preferences page, making it easier to identify the related preference being reviewed. (1151820)

🟩 Resolved Issue: Modifications to merchandiser routes incorrectly produced zero drive miles for stops when an infeasible stop(s) was present. This issue occurred when users manually edited stop-related data to clear an infeasible stop alert. The system now recalculates stops correctly after modifications. (1151288)

🟪 Enhancement: The 'Show Field Data' option is now available on the context menus for routes, stops, jobs, and items while in Dispatch mode in Map View. This option allows users to view all items logged via driver execution, even when a route is frozen. Learn more about Field Data Availability. (1148466)

🟩 Resolved Issue: The multi-image column display enhancement introduced in the previous version was missing for child field data items. The functionality has been extended to now include child field data for the route, stop, job and item levels. (1148455)

🟩 Resolved Issue: The Scheduling Board page displayed incorrect Hold Spot stop time calculations while creating the first or only route for a day. The Hold Spot appeared sequentially with incorrect driving times. This issue is now resolved, and times are now calculated and displayed as expected. (1148428)

🟩 Resolved Issue: Users could not manually create transfer order shipments through the Order Management > Add Order page. When attempting to submit a transfer order, the page displayed a white screen due to a system error caused by the user's account depot access configuration. (1144511)

🟩 Resolved Issue: The Configuration > Users page experienced long loading times displaying respective information when users with depot access were configured for all locations, especially in systems with a large number of depots and active user accounts. (1143572)

🟩 Resolved Issue: Users assigned the 'read_only' role were improperly able to perform actions beyond their designated permissions; e.g., adding orders in the Map View and Scheduling Board modules, as well as geocoding shipments in the Scheduling Board module. The system now restricts these actions to ensure compliance with the limitations of the 'read_only' role. (1143511)

🟪 Enhancement: The system now validates values inputted for all date and time-related fields on the Export Configuration page. Users receive an error notification and field-specific indication if an invalid format is entered. (1143243)

🟪 Enhancement: In Track mode, the GPS tooltip in the Map View module now displays GPS Type and GPS Source information when the Show GPS tooltip information option is enabled in the General Display settings. GPS Type indicates how the data was processed, such as breadcrumb (GPS) or event (e.g., Arrive, Complete), while GPS Source identifies the origin of the data, migrated from the Deliveries > Dispatch selected route map. (1141139)

🟩 Resolved Issue: Users could not select routes on the map in Map View when the General Display setting Show GPS tooltip information (track mode) was enabled and GPS data was actively displayed. (1141019)

🟩 Resolved Issue: API requests made with invalid credentials previously returned inconsistent and incorrect error messages. Some responses mixed XML and JSON formats, while others duplicated error messages. The correct error response format is now available across all APIs to ensure consistency. (1140666)

🟪 Enhancement: The Report Schedule generation process now ensures reports are generated only at the configured date and time specified in the schedule. Reports are no longer automatically generated and sent upon the initial creation or modification of a schedule. (1138491)

🟪 Enhancement: The application now includes new configuration options to manage the visibility of fields found on the Add Hold Spot form, similar to the configuration options available for the Order Management > Add Order page. Also, the Edit Hold Spot form is now aligned to resemble the Add Hold Spot form, including updates to field lengths, dropdown placement and background display. All fields are now configurable, ensuring proper visibility based on company-defined settings. (1136681)

🟪 Enhancement: Users can now add a comment to Hold Spots on the Scheduling Board. These comments are retained with the Hold Spot and are optionally displayed in the tooltip when hovering over the stop on the board. The associated comments are no longer available once the Hold Spot expires or is replaced with an actual order. Learn more about Adding Comments to Hold Spots. (1136678)Resolved Issue: The Create Trip option was missing from the stop context menu in the Scheduling Board module, preventing users from creating reload scenarios. (1131360)

🟪 Enhancement: A new option, Optimize Unrouted Shipments Only, is now available for both manual and scheduled optimizations. This feature ensures only unrouted shipments are optimized, leaving existing routes untouched unless selected. Learn more about Optimizing Unrouted Shipments. (1127571)

🟪 Enhancement: The Support page is now updated and refactored for improved usability. The workflow is now streamlined to consolidate resources, such as the User's Guide and Release Notes, into a single page. Additionally, a new option to view Descartes Mobile Release Notes is now available, providing users with quick access to related information. With this change, the previous User's Guide & Release Notes and Support User Profile options have been replaced with a new Help option. (1127536)

🟪 Enhancement: The application now supports applying fixed routes to the same dataset while using Dispatch Preferences. This enhancement filters data based on resource-level restrictions defined in the selected dispatch preference, ensuring only relevant shipments and resources are processed. Fixed route groups can now include routes for all active depots, with data filtered according to configured settings. (1126581)

🟩 Resolved Issue: Users were incorrectly able to input negative values in number-type fields across various configuration pages. New validation logic added now prevents the entry of negative values for fields such as metrics, CO2 emissions, compartments and cost profiles. Error indicators now appear when the user enters invalid values, and the system prevents these values from saving. (1123092)

🟪 Enhancement: The 'Multiple' window in the Properties column now shows Vehicle Key information when you select the 'Multiple' link on the View Vehicles configuration page. (1121184)

🟪 Enhancement: Users can now configure recurrence patterns (e.g., daily, weekly, monthly) for Resource Schedules, Vehicle and Driver schedules. This feature allows resources to be set as "unavailable" for specific days or times without creating multiple entries manually. New options include specifying recurrence intervals, defining start and end dates, and editing occurrences or entire series through a context menu. The Resource ScheduleAPI has been updated to support the newly added fields and functionality. Learn more about Recurrence Configuration for Vehicle Schedules. (1101307)

🟪 Enhancement: The application now tracks and captures manual changes made by dispatchers to optimized datasets, such as who made the change, when they occurred, and the nature of the changes (e.g., new stop position, intra-route adjustments, or additions to the route). These data points are recorded to assess and aid in the reporting of the efficiency and effectiveness of route planning, expanding on the current reporting options of the original plan. (1099573)

🟪 Enhancement: The application now tracks and reports on the usage of the optimization feature at the location level, providing detailed insights into its value to the organization. Manual optimization requests are now captured and logged in the same table as the scheduled optimization details are found. Key data points now captured as part of the optimization process include: (1099572)

• Number of Routes, Stops and Shipments

• Total Duration (hours) and Total Distance

• SPORH (Stops Per Route Hour)

• Total Violations (e.g., Time Windows, Capacity)

• Cost (if applicable)

• Planning Date, Optimization State, Optimization Result (e.g., peak, final) and Duration

• Optimization Type (schedule or manual)

🟪 Enhancement: Users can now configure 'Days of Week' for Daily reports and 'Week Start Day' for Weekly and BiWeekly reports in the Report Schedule setup. This change allows greater control over when reports are generated and what data is to be included and ensures alignment with organizational schedules. Learn more about Days of Week and Week Start Day for Report Schedules. (1097908)

🟪 Enhancement: The Depot tooltip in the Map View module now displays the Type (e.g., Store, Dispatch Center, etc.) for non-location type records when users hover over the depot icon. (1088287)

🟪 Enhancement: A new Speed Factor field is now available on the Add/Edit A Vehicle page, allowing users to configure speed factors specific to individual vehicles. The configured value is now used in route calculations and optimization sessions for accurate planning. Validation ensures that only positive numeric values, including decimals, can be saved for speed factor entries. Learn more about Configuring Vehicles. (1072606)

🟪 Enhancement: A new configuration option, Is ReadOnly, is now available on the Add/Edit A User page to restrict dispatch-related activities at the location level for users with either Dispatcher or Dispatcher_Admin roles. When enabled, the user assumes read-only privileges for the selected location(s) and cannot perform any dispatch operations. This setting is also supported in the Users Upload and Users API, allowing restrictions to be configured during import and via API integrations. Learn more about Configuring Read-Only Access for Dispatch Roles. (1067224)

🟪 Enhancement: The application now supports multi-role user accounts, enabling a single user to perform both dispatch and driver operations. A new 'Can Serve as Driver' setting is now available for dispatcher, dispatcher_admin and client_admin roles. Learn more about Enabling Dispatcher Users to Serve as Drivers. (1064088)

When this setting is enabled:

• Dispatch users flagged as drivers are included in driver-related configuration windows and selection lists.

• Such users are sent automatically to wGLN, enabling mobile execution capabilities.

• For user accounts created or updated via MDLP integration, the 'Can Serve as Driver' setting is automatically applied if driver-related data is provided.

🟪 Enhancement: Updates to the Shipment History entries simplify and clarify certain use case scenarios: (1056212)

• Reassignment (Route-to-Route): When a stop or shipment is moved from one route to another via drag-and-drop, a single history entry now displays as "REASSIGNED," including details of the original route and the new route.

• Route Clone: When a shipment is cloned via the Route Clone function, history now shows a single entry as "CLONED ROUTED," eliminating redundant entries.

🟪 Enhancement: A new user role, User Coordinator, has been added to the application. This role solely manages user accounts, with no dispatch-related capabilities. Learn more about User Coordinator Role Permissions. (1052919)

Key features include:

• User Management: User Coordinators can view, add and edit users within the application but cannot configure routes, vehicles or other operational elements.

• Restricted Role Access: User Coordinators can only see lower-level roles and cannot view or manage dispatcher or higher-level roles (e.g., Client Admin, Dispatcher Admin).

• Report Access: User Coordinators can view and generate all applicable reports via the Report Configuration menu.

• Role Management by External Admins: Client Admin and Dispatcher Admin roles can view, create and modify User Coordinator accounts.

🟪 Enhancement: The application now fully uses Regional Settings for date and time format displays. Previously, some areas of the application displayed inconsistent formats that did not align with the configured settings at the organization, location or user levels. This update ensures that date and time formats adhere to the Regional Settings specified in the configuration. (1051310)

🟪 Enhancement: The application now includes additional configuration options for the automatic shifting of unrouted shipments to the next delivery day feature. (1020770)

Added the ability to:

• Configure a specific time for the system to move unrouted shipments to the next delivery day.

• Set a maximum number of days to shift an unrouted shipment before being excluded from the operation.

🟪 Enhancement: The application now supports optimizing only selected shipments via a new Optimize Selected Shipments option. This feature allows users to optimize for chosen shipments, addressing operational needs requiring some degree of manual intervention. Read more about Right-Click Context Menu Options. (1018477)

Key features include:

• Selected shipments can be optimized independently without affecting other routes or shipments.

• Optimization includes selected shipments within existing routes if the 'Keep Existing Routes and Insert Shipments' setting is enabled.

• If the option is disabled, existing routes are unrouted and optimized alongside the selected shipments.

🟪 Enhancement: The Fixed Routes & Territories page now features updated icons for improved usability. (995566)

🟪 Enhancement: The application now enforces role-based restrictions on Winterface uploads and exports. Only user accounts assigned with the Integration role can perform these actions. This update ensures better security and control over https data transfer operations. (971175)

🟪 Enhancement: A new Vehicle Profile Parser allows administrative users to configure and import vehicle profile records via file upload rather than manual entry. (884803)

Key features include:

• A new Upload option is available on the Configuration > View Vehicle Profiles page.

• The parser supports fields such as Wide Turning Radius, Hazardous Materials and Route Restrictions with configurable positive indicators.

• Duplicate records are now prevented, with validation ensuring vehicle profiles cannot be created with duplicate names, whether uploaded or entered manually.

• Positive indicator values for fields like Wide Turning Radius now support both uppercase and lowercase inputs for consistency (e.g., "Y," "yes," "TRUE").

🟪 Enhancement: The Dispatch module now includes the Add Break Stop feature, allowing dispatch users the ability to insert break stops directly within the module. New options are now available on the route and stop context menus, similar to how they are found in the Map View module. (754315)

🟪 Enhancement: The Configuration > Parameters > FTP and Configuration > Parameters > Descartes myVan pages have been removed from the application. These legacy parameter configuration pages are now completely replaced by the more flexible Integration Profiles feature, which offers enhanced functionality and support. (668256)

🟪 Enhancement: The On-demand application now supports creating and managing Properties Profiles, simplifying the setup and configuration of vehicle and driver properties. Learn mode about Managing Properties Profiles. (462194)

Key features include:

• A new Properties Profile configuration page allows users to define property sets that can be applied to vehicles and drivers.

• New selection fields for applying Properties Profiles are now available on the Add/Edit A Vehicle and Add/Edit A User pages, visible only when profiles exist.

• Users can edit Properties Profiles directly from these pages, similar to Cost Profiles.

• 'Vehicles and Users Parsers' and 'Vehicles and Users APIs' support new profile specification fields.

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