In this section, administrators can initiate new optimization schedules, modify existing ones, and customize scheduling features to align with operational demands. These schedules enable users to automate route optimization according to preferred days and times, facilitating an organized and efficient planning process.
Enabling Optimization Scheduling
In the Sequencer/Optimizer section under Configuration Parameters, users with the system_admin role can toggle the functionality of optimization scheduling within the On-demand application. These settings determine whether optimization scheduling features are accessible and specify if they apply to all locations or are location-specific:
Enable Optimization Scheduling: When set to 'Yes,' this activates the optimization scheduling feature, making it accessible to users with dispatcher-level permissions or higher.
Show Optimization Scheduler for client_admin users: When set to 'Yes,' users with the client_admin role will view the Optimization Schedule module on the System Menu and can create, edit, and delete schedules.
Show Optimization Scheduler for dispatch_admin users: When set to 'Yes,' users with the dispatch_admin role will view the Optimization Schedule module on the System Menu and can create, edit, and delete schedules.
Tick the checkbox to confirm the information and click Configure Parameters to save and apply changes. Users affected by this configuration may have to log off and log back in to view and access the Schedules module.
To manage optimization schedules, access the Schedules module from the System Menu.
Configuring a New Optimization Schedule
To configure a new Optimization Schedule,
From the System Menu, navigate to the 'Schedules > Optimization Schedules' section.
Click Add Optimization Schedule.
In the 'Available Vehicles' section, tick the boxes next to the vehicles you want to include in the schedule. Use 'Select All' to include all vehicles or 'None' to deselect all.
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In the Options section:
Select the Optimization Profile from the dropdown list.
Use the checkboxes to configure additional options like Use Territory With Optimizer, Keep Existing Routes and Insert Shipments, Reassign Stops Among Routes, and Optimize Unrouted Shipments Only.
(New as of version 25.04): Select a Filter from the new Filters dropdown. These filters are pre-configured within the application and determine which shipments are eligible for optimization. Filters are drawn from the current Location level in Map View; if none exist there, filters at the Organization level are listed. If the selected filter is later deleted in Map View, it will be removed from the schedule on the next run.
Set the Start Date and Time for when the schedule should begin.
Optionally set a Start Date Offset and choose the Active Days by ticking the appropriate day-of-week checkboxes.
Click Add to save the schedule or Cancel to discard.
Editing an Optimization Schedule
To view/edit an existing Optimization Schedule:
From the System Menu, navigate to the 'Schedules > Optimization Schedules' section. If any schedules already exist, they will be listed here.
To modify a schedule, click the 'Edit' button next to the schedule you wish to change.
Make the necessary adjustments to the schedule properties as required.
Save your changes to update the schedule.
Additional Enhancements to Optimization Scheduling (as of version 25.04)
Several new capabilities were introduced to enhance visibility, control, and error prevention during schedule configuration and execution:
Mandatory Vehicle Selection: Users must now select at least one vehicle before saving a schedule. The Add button is disabled until a selection is made.
Extended Start Date Offset Support: Users can now choose start offsets up to +7 days, improving planning flexibility.
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In-Progress Optimization Visibility:
A new notification alert appears in Map View and the Application Alerts panel when a schedule is actively running.
A new Inspect button lets users open the Optimize window to monitor progress or terminate the process using the Use Current Result option.
When optimization is running, shipment and route datasets become temporarily locked, preventing routing/unrouting or edits until the process completes.
Inactive Resource Warnings: If a route or vehicle assigned to a schedule becomes inactive, the system highlights this with red warnings and prevents schedule runs until valid resources are assigned again.
Safeguards for Resource Gaps: Optimization schedules cannot be saved or run if no routes or vehicles are selected.
These changes ensure that optimization runs are more reliable, traceable, and protected against data integrity issues.
Deleting an Optimization Schedule
To delete an existing Optimization Schedule,
Click the checkbox of the schedule you wish to delete. You can select multiple items at once,
Click the 'I have verified this information to be correct' checkbox to confirm your choices.
Finally, click the Delete button.