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Configuring the Sequencer/Optimizer


Sequencer/Optimizer's Tool Bar

The toolbar allows you to customize, manage, and apply various optimization profiles.

Optimization Profile: Select an optimization profile. You can choose the 'Default' settings or opt for 'Current Day Settings' to apply optimization parameters that are tailored to the day's routing needs.

Add a new Optimization Profile: You can create a new optimization profile by clicking the plus icon. This allows for the customization and saving of specific optimization settings for future use.

Edit an Optimization Profile: Use the pencil icon to edit the selected optimization profile. You can modify existing parameters and save them under the same profile name.

Delete Selected Optimization Profile: Use the trash bin icon to delete the selected optimization profile. This permanently removes the profile and its settings from the application.


Optimization Tab

On the Optimization tab, you can define the algorithms and goals that shape how your routes are optimized while considering distance, cost, or adhering to specific regional constraints.



The following table describes all available settings in the Optimization tab.

Setting

Description/Configuration

Runtime Algorithm

Select how the optimizer runs:

  • Single Cycle: Runs optimization in one cycle.

  • Timed Cycle: Runs within the set timeout period.

Timeout Minutes

Set the maximum time (in minutes) allowed for the optimization algorithm to run.

Goal

Set the primary objective for route optimization. Select a goal from the dropdown:

  • Active Time: Minimize total active time for drivers. May increase driver count to achieve the goal.

  • Broken Constraints: Reduce the number of broken constraints, such as time windows or capacity limits.

  • Center of Gravity on Distance: Cluster deliveries to minimize overall travel distance to a central point.

  • Center of Gravity on Driving Time: Cluster deliveries to minimize overall driving time to a central point.

  • Compartment Manipulation Time: Sequence stops to minimize compartment handling time. Requires defined vehicle compartments.

  • Compartment Management and Driving with Depot: Maximize compartment use while reducing driving time. Considers vehicle compartment access and depot stops.

  • Constraint Violations: Reduce overall constraint violations during optimization.

  • Cost: Minimize total route cost. Use this when optimizing for third-party vehicles. Cost parameters must be defined for drivers and vehicles.

  • Cost + Early Departures: Combine cost minimization with early departures to reduce vehicle count.

  • Cost + Time: Combine cost and time minimization.

  • Cost – Income: Optimize to maximize profit by weighing route costs against order income. Orders not assigned are those not profitable for own vehicles.

  • CO₂ Emission: Minimize emissions. Requires vehicle emission parameters.

  • Distances Unbalanced: Minimize distance but allow imbalance in workload.

  • Distance: Minimize total route distance.

  • Distance Without Depot: Minimize total route distance, excluding travel to/from depot.

  • Driving Time: Minimize driving time on all routes.

  • Driving Time Without Depot: Minimize route driving time, excluding depot time.

  • Early Departures: Allow early departures to reduce vehicle count or optimize distance/time.

  • Emission: Minimize total route emissions.

  • High-Density Regions On Distance: Optimize routes in dense areas for shortest distance.

  • High-Density Regions On Driving: Optimize routes in dense areas for least driving time.

  • Mass Displacement: Balance mass distribution evenly between vehicles.

  • Maximum Number of Used Vehicles: Limit to a maximum vehicle count.

  • Minimum Number of Used Vehicles: Minimize vehicle count.

  • Postcode: Group orders by postal code to enhance delivery zone efficiency.

  • Regions: Cluster routes geographically to reduce overlap.

  • Time: Minimize total time on all routes.

Read more about Goals and Solutions.

Solution Criteria 1–4

Define up to four additional criteria for route optimization. Select an option from the dropdown. All goals listed above are also available as solution criteria. Set up to four additional criteria to refine route selection when multiple solutions meet the main goal.

Read more about Goals and Solutions.

Stop Ordering

Specify how stop ordering is handled.

  • Start/End Anywhere: Allows routes to start or end at any location.

  • Start Close to Depot:

  • End Close to Depot:

Insert Shipments Algorithm

Assign By Minimum Regret: Inserts shipments based on the least opportunity cost.

Best: Allows New Tours and/or Vehicles: Enables creating new tours or using additional vehicles.

Best: Allows No New Tours and/or Vehicles: Restricts to existing tours and no additional vehicles.

Break Constraints: Allows New Tours and/or Vehicles: Allows the introduction of new tours or vehicles even if it means breaking some constraints.

Break Constraints: Allows No New Tours and/or Vehicles: Keeps to current tours and vehicles without breaking constraints.

Speed Factor

Percentage of the speed factor used for optimization calculations.

Use Toll Roads

Toggle whether optimization can consider toll roads in route building.

Allow Reloads

Enable if vehicles are allowed to be reloaded during a route.

Allow Multi-Depot Loads

Enable if shipments can be loaded from multiple depots.

Maximum Number of Territories to Serve

Specify the maximum number of territories a single optimization run can cover.


About Optimization Goals and Solution Criteria

The options in the Goal and Solution Criteria dropdowns are provided by the optimization engine and are based on standardized optimization objectives from Descartes WinRoute. Each option corresponds to a specific algorithm or method for route planning and optimization.

Selecting a goal configures the optimization engine to prioritize that objective when building or refining routes. Solution Criteria let you specify up to four additional factors to further refine route selection if multiple solutions meet the main goal.

Optimization options are updated as new algorithms are released or enhanced. For details on the available options and how each impacts route optimization, contact your administrator or consult your platform’s documentation resources.


Sorting Criteria for Route Solutions

When multiple route solutions meet the selected Goal and Solution Criteria, the optimizer uses a standard set of sorting rules to select the best option.

Solutions are sorted in the following order:

  1. Broken Constraints (ascending): Solutions with fewer constraint violations, such as time windows or capacity, are preferred.

  2. Planned Orders (descending): Solutions that include more planned orders are prioritized.

  3. Number of Vehicles Used (ascending): Solutions that require fewer vehicles are preferred.

  4. Selected Goal Metric (ascending): Solutions are then sorted by the metric corresponding to your selected Goal, such as Distance, Driving Time, or Cost.

This sorting order ensures that feasible solutions with minimal violations and higher delivery efficiency are always preferred. For additional details about specific sorting logic or optimization behaviors, refer to your platform’s documentation or reach out to your administrator.


Restrictions Tab

The Restrictions tab consolidates all maximum limits for route duration, stops, distance, and waiting times, making it easier to manage operational boundaries for optimization.


Setting

Description/Configuration

Maximum Route Minutes

Set the maximum total duration (in minutes) a route is allowed to take.

Maximum Route Driving Minutes

Set the maximum total driving time (in minutes) permitted per route.

Maximum Waiting Minutes Between Orders

Define the maximum waiting time (in minutes) allowed between consecutive orders/stops.

Maximum Waiting Minutes

Specify the maximum total waiting time (in minutes) allowed during the entire route.

Maximum Number of Clients per Route

Limit how many clients (stops) can be included on a single route.

Maximum Route Length

Set the maximum allowable distance (in kilometers) for any single route.

Maximum Distance Between Stops

Set the maximum allowed distance (in kilometers) between any two consecutive stops.


Notes:

  • All fields default to blank if no restriction is required, enter a value only if you need to enforce a specific limit.

  • All duration settings are in minutes; all distance settings are in kilometers.

  • This tab gathers all previous “maximum” and limit fields from the old General tab for easier management.


General Tab

The General tab is your command center for establishing the parameters to craft and sequence your routes. Set the stage for your routes' durations, driving times, and order intervals to ensure that each journey adheres to your business’s time and service standards.


The following table describes all available settings in the General tab.

Setting

Description/Configuration

Variable Early Route Start Time

Specify (in minutes) how much earlier a route can start compared to its scheduled start time.

Variable Late Route Start Time

Specify (in minutes) how much later a route can start than its scheduled start time.

Best Route Start Time

Choose the criteria for the best start time for a route

None: No specific optimization for start time.

Fastest: The quickest possible start time.

Earliest: The earliest possible start time.

Latest: The latest possible start time.

Smart Earliest: The earliest start time considering multiple factors.

Least Waiting Earliest: The earliest start time with the least waiting period.

Least Waiting Latest: The latest start time with the least waiting period.

Include Start Depot Service Time in Max Route Minutes

Select Yes to include start depot service time in the total allowed route minutes.

Include End Depot Service Time in Max Route Minutes

Select Yes to include end depot service time in the total allowed route minutes.

Start Time Window Deviation

Allow deviation (in minutes) from the scheduled start time window.

End Time Window Deviation

Allow deviation (in minutes) from the scheduled end time window.


Capacity Tab

The Capacity tab allows you to manage the fleet's load by defining the parameters for pieces, weight, and volume. Set the standard capacities for your trucks to ensure each vehicle's optimal use.


The following table describes all available settings in the Capacity tab.

Setting

Description/Configuration

Use Pieces

Enable to include the number of individual items (pieces) as a constraint in load planning and optimization.

Use Weight

Enable to consider total shipment weight in load planning and optimization.

Use Volume

Enable to consider total shipment volume in load planning and optimization.

Default Truck Piece Capacity

Enter the standard piece capacity for trucks, used for planning when “Use Pieces” is enabled.

Default Truck Weight Capacity

Enter the standard weight capacity for trucks, used for planning when “Use Weight” is enabled.

Default Truck Volume Capacity

Enter the standard volume capacity for trucks, used for planning when “Use Volume” is enabled.

Plan % of total Piece Capacity

Enter the percent of piece capacity to use for planning (default is 100).

Plan % of total Weight Capacity

Enter the percent of weight capacity to use for planning (default is 100).

Plan % of total Volume Capacity

Enter the percent of volume capacity to use for planning (default is 100).

% of total pieces delivered before pickup

Define what percent of pieces must be delivered before pickups are allowed.

% of total weight delivered before pickup

Define what percent of weight must be delivered before pickups are allowed.

% of total volume delivered before pickup

Define what percent of volume must be delivered before pickups are allowed.


Breaks Tab

The Breaks tab is a functional area designed to manage driver break scheduling during routes. It allows for precise configuration of break timings and types, such as driving hours, waiting times, or service durations.


The following table describes all available settings in the Driver Breaks tab.

Setting

Description/Configuration

Activate Break

Click the checkbox on the far left to enable the scheduling of a break in a route's driving time.

After ______ of time.

Set the duration of time after which a break is triggered.

... time consisting of

Driving: Time spent driving before a break is required.

Waiting: Time spent waiting before a break is required.

Service Time at Customer: Service time at a customer location before a break is required.

Service Time at Depot: Time spent at the depot before a break is required.

insert _____ minutes ...

Enter the duration of the break.

of ______ type.

Enter the type of break to be triggered.

Break: A rest period.

Sleep: A break specifically for rest or sleep.

Fuel: A break for refueling the vehicle.

Lunch: A lunch break.

Maintenance: A break for vehicle maintenance.

Business Stop: A break for a business-related stop outside regular deliveries.

Other: Any other type of break not categorized above.

Recover time consists of

Waiting: Time spent waiting that counts as recovery.

Service Time at Client: Time spent providing services or performing tasks at the client's location.

Service Time at Depot: Time spent at the depot performing tasks such as loading, unloading, or maintenance.

Free Time at Customer: Time not counted as work hours when at a customer's location.

Free Time at Depot: Time at the depot not included in driving or service hours.

All Legal Breaks: Mandatory breaks as per legal requirements.

Repetitive

Check if the break schedule should be repeated at regular intervals.


Trips Tab

The Trips tab is structured for the allocation and restriction of trip-specific parameters within the route optimization process.


The following table describes all available settings in the Trips tab.

Setting

Description/Configuration

Maximum Number Of Trips

Set the maximum number of trips a vehicle can undertake within a route.

Maximum Minutes Per Trip

Set the maximum duration allocated to a single trip.

Maximum Stops Per Trip

Set the highest number of stops permitted on a trip.

Trip 1 Max Minutes

Set the duration limit for the first trip.

Trip 1 Allowed Stops

Set the number of stops allowed for the first trip.

Trip 1 Max Pieces

Set the maximum number of pieces that can be carried on the first trip.

Trip 1 Max Weight

Set the weight capacity for the first trip.

Trip 1 Max Volume

Set the volume capacity for the first trip.

Trip 2 Max Minutes

Set the duration limit for the second trip.

Trip 2 Allowed Stops

Set the number of stops allowed for the second trip.

Trip 2 Max Pieces

Set the maximum number of pieces that can be carried on the second trip.

Trip 2 Max Weight

Set the weight capacity for the second trip.

Trip 2 Max Volume

Set the volume capacity for the second trip.


Cost Tab

The Cost tab within the Sequencer/Optimizer allows you to apply an existing cost profile to the optimization process. These profiles contain detailed cost rules and are created separately through the Configuration > Cost Profiles section of the application.


To use a cost profile:

  1. Create or edit a cost profile from Configuration > Cost Profiles.

  2. Define fixed costs, as well as tiered price intervals for distance, time, and stop-based costing. For more details, see Configuring Cost Profiles.

  3. Once created, return to the Cost tab in the Sequencer/Optimizer.

  4. From the Cost Profile dropdown, select the desired cost profile to apply it to the optimization process.


These profiles allow the optimizer to:

  1. Apply cost per stop

  2. Calculate cost over multiple time or distance intervals

  3. Integrate with the optimization engine using granular cost modeling

  4. All cost values defined in the profile will influence route selection during optimization.


Orders Tab

The Order tab allows you to set priorities to guide the sequencing and scheduling within the routing process.


The following table describes all available settings in the Order Priority tab.

Setting

Description/Configuration

Use Order Priority

Toggle this to enable or disable the consideration of order priority in the routing optimization.

Order Priority Factor

Choose the priority level for orders ('Normal,' 'Low,' 'Medium,' or 'High'). This factor will determine how the system sequences orders when planning routes, with higher priority orders being scheduled earlier or more urgently than those with lower priority.

Consolidate Orders

None: No consolidation of orders.

Best: Optimizes consolidation based on best fit.

Strict: Applies strict rules for order consolidation.

Update Current Settings: Confirm the settings configured on the current profile.

Save and Close: Click Save to apply the configuration and Close to return to the Map View page.


Compartments Tab

The Compartments tab centralizes options related to compartmentalized vehicle routing, making it easier to control how shipments are grouped within vehicle compartments.


Setting

Description/Configuration

Single Customer In Compartment

Select Yes to ensure only shipments for a single customer are assigned to each compartment. Select No to allow multiple customers’ shipments to be grouped together in a compartment.


Notes:

  • This setting is especially useful when using vehicles with divided cargo areas (compartments) and you need to enforce separation by customer.

  • All compartment-related settings are now managed in Compartment Profiles.


Depots Tab

The Depots tab centralizes depot-related controls, making it easier to configure shipment reassignment between depots and dispatch centers.


Setting

Description/Configuration

Reassign shipments from Location Depot to Dispatch Centers

Select Yes to allow the system to move shipments from their original (location) depot to different dispatch centers if required for routing optimization. Select No to keep shipments assigned to their original depot only.


Optimization Progress Window

When you run an optimization that uses these profiles (for example, from Map View or Scheduling Board), the Optimization Progress window appears to show real-time status.


The refreshed window includes:

  • Progress gauge and timer

    • Circular gauge showing the current optimization percentage.

    • Elapsed time displayed below the gauge.


  • Key metrics tiles

    • Assigned Shipments – number of shipments currently placed on routes.

    • Shipments/Route (avg) – average shipments per route.

    • Routes – total number of routes in the current solution.

    • Distance (tot/avg) – total distance for all routes and average distance per route.

    • Duration (tot/avg) – total duration for all routes and average duration per route.

  • Actions

    • Use Current Result – accept the best solution found so far and close the window.

    • Stop – stop the optimization run without applying any changes.


Notes:

  • This setting is useful for flexible routing environments where shipments may need to be dynamically reassigned based on availability, volume, or operational needs.

  • Depot-related options are managed in Configuring Depots.


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