include customer type, shipment type, and territory assignment, among others

The Map View page is designed to allow planners to:

• view all shipments on a map,

• plan and schedule routes,

• perform dispatch changes,

• rapidly identify driver progress.

In addition, the Map View page allows the planner to track the progress of the route and use tools to perform same-day dispatching.

To access the Map View page:

1. From the main menu, select Deliveries > Map View.

2. Select a Dispatch Preference (see Configuring Dispatch Preferences), if enabled.
   
   

The Control bar provides the following information, features and available functionality:

Two different modes are displayed on the Map View page: Track and Dispatch. These modes can be accessed from the control bar. To switch between the two, click the option (Track/Dispatch) and select the mode from the dropdown.

• : The Track mode plots the GPS breadcrumb of the driver’s route and shows the current position with a truck icon. The standard GPS refresh rate is 30 seconds. While in Track mode, users can apply the following right-click options to a route on the map:

• Follow this Driver: Keeps the specified driver centered on the map as new GPS points are received. To return to the default view, right-click on the selected route and choose the option to Stop Following This Driver.

• Show Field Data: Displays any field data (images, signatures, etc.) associated with the route.

• Show Turn By Turn: Shows the planned path along the road (not straight-line representation). To view the default Straight Line view, select Show Straight Line.

• Show/Hide Frozen Routes : Toggles the view of frozen routes. Users can hide frozen routes from the Routes pane as default by deactivating the 'Show frozen route(s) in routes' option in the General Display section.

• Show/Hide Routes Summary: Displays a row at the bottom of the Routes pane that displays totals for all the Routes (number of Routes, Stops, Duration, Distance, etc.)

• : The Dispatch mode allows you to perform specific actions and/or make changes to routes. Any changes made while dispatching on the day of service will trigger real-time publishing and updates of the drivers' handheld.

Note: The three panes on the Map View page are synchronized. If a customer/shipment is selected on the Map pane, the selected shipment will be highlighted in pink on the Shipments pane. If a shipment is selected from the Shipments pane, the selected shipment will be highlighted pink on the Map pane.

Zooming and Centering the Map

The user can change the display of the map by zooming in or out and changing the center of the map.

• To zoom in and out, use the +/- on the left side of the map. You can also use the mouse’s wheel to accomplish the same result.

• To zoom in on a section of the map, hold down the Ctrl key and then, using the left mouse button, drag the zoom box around the area to view.

• To re-center the map on a position, click .

• To collapse the map, click the > button.

• If the map is collapsed, click the < button on the Map bar on the right side of the screen to expand it.

Working with the Routes and Shipments Panes

The user can change the view of these panes and expand the level of detail within each pane. In addition, highlighting an item in either pane will highlight the item on the map.

• To collapse either of these panes, click the < button (Routes pane) or v button (Shipments pane).

• To expand either of these panes, click the > button (Routes pane) or ^ button (Shipments pane).

• From the Routes pane, click:

  • The > symbol next to a route will display the stops on the route.

  • The > symbol next to a stop will display all the associated orders with the stop.

  • The > symbol next to an order will display all the item details of the respective order.

  • v symbol displays less detail.

• From the Shipments pane, clicking the > symbol next to a shipment will display the associated legs of the shipment. Clicking the > symbol next to the order displays the item detail of the order.

• Two tabs always exist on the Shipments pane. The UNROUTED tab displays all shipments that are not currently on a route. The ALL SHIPMENTS tab displays all shipments regardless of whether they are routed or unrouted.

  • If you perform a search on the shipments, the search results will appear in the Shipments pane under the SEARCH RESULTS tab.

• If selecting a route or a stop from the Routes pane or from the map, a new tab, SELECTED ROUTES or SELECTED STOPS, will appear in the Shipments pane and the selected route or shipment is highlighted on all the panes (Routes, Map and Shipments)

• If any shipments exist for customers that are not geocoded, those customers will appear on the UNGEOCODED CUSTOMERS tab.

• Clicking any column header in either pane will toggle between sorting in ascending or descending order.

• The following methods are used to select multiple items within the Routes and Shipments panes:

  • Select an item and use the Ctrl key while selecting multiple items.

  • Select an item and use the Shift key to select another item. All items between the two items selected will be included as part of the overall selection. This option is currently only available when selecting multiple routes and/or stops from the Routes pane and when selecting multiple shipments on the URNOUTED tab from the Shipments pane.

  • Right-click on a single or multiple items (i.e., route, stop, shipment, order) to display their respective context menus.

3RD PARTY Tab Enhancements (v25.10+)

Starting with version 25.10, a dedicated 3RD PARTY tab is available in the Shipments pane for organizations using 3rd Party Courier workflows.



This tab displays only shipments assigned to 3rd party carriers and can be customized with new column options introduced in this release, including:

• Customer Type

• Shipment Type

• Territory Assignment

• Additional shipment-level attributes

These enhancements improve filtering and analysis of 3rd-party activity during planning and dispatch.

Exceptions Tab

Starting in version 25.10, when one or more exceptions exist for shipments, an EXCEPTIONS tab appears in the Shipments pane. This tab lists only shipments with exceptions, allowing you to focus on problem shipments directly from Map View.

Right-click Context Menu Options

The shipments context menu provides a suite of options for managing shipments directly from the Unrouted Shipments and All Shipments tabs within the Shipments quadrant on the Map View Page. When you right-click on a single or multiple shipments, the menu allows you to perform the following actions:

Create Route: Opens a route form to create a new route for the selected shipment(s). The system will prompt the user if any shipment's customer is found already assigned to another route when creating routes manually.

Optimize Selected Shipments: Allows users to optimize specific shipments without affecting other routes. If the 'Keep Existing Routes and Insert Shipments' option is enabled, the selected shipments are integrated into existing routes. If disabled, existing routes are unrouted and optimized alongside the selected shipments, providing flexibility for manual intervention in route planning.

Change Depot Association: Reassigns the selected shipment(s) to a different depot.

Change Delivery Company: Switches the carrier or delivery service provider for the selected shipment(s).

Edit Order Priority: Modifies the priority level of the selected order(s), which may affect their sequence in the route.

Edit Order: Modifies the details of the selected order.

Clone: Duplicates the selected order or route, creating an exact copy for further editing.

Swap: Exchange of an unrouted shipment for shipment already assigned to a route.

Delete: Removes the selected order or shipment from the system.

Change Delivery Date: Updates the scheduled delivery date for the selected shipment(s).

Edit Shipment Start/Due Date: Modifies the start or due date for the selected shipment(s).

Change Stop Indicator: Updates the status or type indicator for a shipment or subset of shipments. This feature can be enabled by users with the client_admin role on Configuration : Parameters (Section) : Dispatch.

Geocode: Update to shipments location data to ensure its accuracy for routing.

Edit Time/Window: Modifies the time window for delivery or service at a particular stop.

Edit Service Time: Ability to set and/or modify the planned service time for unrouted shipments prior to assignment to route.

View/Add Comment: Accesses the comment section to review or add notes regarding the selected shipment(s).

Advise: Analysis of current routes along with a shipment that is unassigned, provides suggestion on suitable route options.

Export: Downloads data related to the selected shipment(s) in a file format.

Show Field Data: Displays additional details or attributes associated with the selected shipment(s) or stop(s).

Hide Shipment: Hides the selected shipment(s) from the current view.

Show Export History: Display of historical details regarding export of shipments.

Change Order Type: Ability to select and update multiple selected shipments order type.

Menu Option Order Update (v25.10+)

Starting in version 25.10, Edit Route now appears at the very top of the right-click menu for routes in Dispatch mode, making it faster to find and use.

Additionally, the Unroute option for stops has been moved further down the menu, to reduce accidental clicks

Searching Data

Within Map View, a user can search for data based on information that is displayed in the columns on the shipments pane. For example, the user may want to see only the shipments that are being delivered to the same city.

To search for data:

1. From the Map View control bar, click the magnifying glass icon and type in the data you would like to utilize as part of a search.

2. Click Enter.

3. The results will appear on the shipments' pane within the SEARCH RESULTS tab.
   
   

Searching for Non-Customer Addresses

As of version 25.04, users can now search for non-customer addresses directly within the Map View interface. This feature supports feasibility checks and delivery planning for locations not yet in the customer database.

To search for a non-customer address:

1. From the Map View toolbar, click the Search Address button. Starting in version 25.10, the button uses a map pin icon.
   
   
   

2. In the Search Address field, start typing the address. After you type at least three characters, matching results from the Descartes Geocoder service appear in a dropdown. Hover over a search result to highlight the entire line.

3. Select a result to display it on the map as a blue marker. The map automatically centers on the selected location.

4. Continue planning or adjusting routes as needed from the updated map view.

Using the Image Viewer

Starting in version 24.10, enhancements made to the Image Viewer streamline how images are displayed and managed in the application (e.g., route, stop, job, or item), particularly for users reviewing images captured and sent by drivers from Descartes Mobile.

When multiple images are present, an image icon is displayed instead of all thumbnails. Single images are displayed as smaller thumbnails for space optimization.

Clicking the icon opens the Image Viewer, where users can interact with the images.

The Image Viewer provides tools for:

• Navigate between all related images.

• Zoom In/Out for closer inspection.

• Rotate images left or right.

• Download individual images.

• Open images in a new browser tab.

Configuring Options

Options can be configured to control how the data is displayed or used within the Map View page. These options can be configured at three different levels:

• Organization: Options configured at this level will be used for all locations and users within the organization.

• Location: Options configured at this level will be used for all users within the location. The configuration settings may be different from one location to another within the organization.

• User: Options configured at this level will be specific only to the user.

To configure Map View options, from the control bar, click Menu. The following options are displayed:

The following table provides a high-level explanation of the available options that can be configured:

Starting in version 24.10, the dispatcher_admin role is restricted from configuring Organization and Location Defaults. It has the same capabilities as the dispatcher role for options like General Display, Icon Display, Columns, and Filters. This restriction is controlled by a parameter in Configuration > Parameters > User Security, which is disabled by default.

Configuring General Display Options

The general display options allow the user to configure how the data will be displayed on the Map View page. For example, the user may always want to display the routes on the map as turn by turn directions instead of a straight line.

To configure general display options:

1. From the Menu option, select General Display. The image below shows the general display options that can be configured by a client_admin and/or dispatcher_admin user role:
   
   
   
   To configure the display options the same for all locations and users across the organization, enable both Use Organization Defaults and Use Org/Location Defaults.
   
   
   
   To configure the display options the same for all specified users for the selected location, disable the Use Organization Defaults and enable User Org/Location Defaults.
   
   
   
   To configure display options for only the user currently logged in, disable both Use Organization Defaults and Use Org/Location Defaults.
   
   
   
   See all General Display options that can be configured by users that have the dispatcher role.
   
   When the Use Defaults box is checked for an option, then the settings displayed are set the same for the entire organization and/or specific location (all locations and users) by a client_admin user role. If the Use Defaults box is unchecked, the settings will be specific only to the user that is currently logged in.

2. Configure the general display options and click Save. The following displays the before and after the general display option is applied.
   
   
   
   
   The first map displays the routes in a straight-line view. The second map displays the routes in a turn-by-turn view.
   
   To learn more about all the different general display options, refer to Describing Map View General Display and Exceptions Options.

Configuring Icon Display

You can visually differentiate shipments on the map by configuring icon display rules based on shipment or customer attributes. This helps you quickly identify shipment types, priorities, or custom categories with colors and icons.

To configure icon display settings:

1. From the Map View or Scheduling Board page, click Menu and select Icon Display.

2. Choose the level to apply your configuration:

   • User: Settings apply only to your account.

   • Location: Settings apply to all users for a specific location.

   • Organization: Settings apply to all users and locations.

   • Enable “Use Organization Defaults” or “Use Org/Loc Defaults” to inherit higher-level settings as needed.
     
     
     

3. Add rules to define how shipments are displayed:

   • Click the pin icon to set the color and shape.

   • Set the icon size.

   • Under the Attribute column, select the desired attribute (e.g., Customer Brand Name, Shipment Type).

   • Choose a comparator (e.g., Is Equal To, Contains).

   • Select or enter a value for the rule (e.g., “true”, “DirectPickup”).

   • Click Add to add additional rules. Multiple rules use “AND” logic; shipments must meet all criteria for the icon to apply.

   • Remove a rule using the trash bin icon.

   • Click Save to apply the configured criteria.
     
     

Note: In this example, shipments associated with customers with a “No Dock” customer type attribute will appear in purple on the map. When this type of customer shipment is placed as a stop on a route, the stop number will appear on the icon and the border color will change to match the same color as the route.

Enhanced Icon Display Usability and Drag-and-Drop

Starting in version 25.07, the Icon Display feature is enhanced by adding the following functionality:

• Streamlined Filter Row: The filter row makes it easier to create, view, and modify multiple icon display rules in one place, with an instant preview of icon settings.

• Attribute and Value Dropdowns: Improved dropdown logic simplifies attribute and value selection.

• Drag-and-Drop Rule Ordering: You can now change the order of rules by clicking and holding the new drag handle (≡ icon) and moving rules up or down the list.
  The new left-side identifier (drag handle) supports clear, easy drag-and-drop in both Filters and Icon/Depot Display.
  
  
  

• Visual Indicators: When dragging, a grey rectangle marks the original position in the list for easy tracking.

• Consistent Experience: These enhancements are available in Map View, Scheduling Board, and Fixed Routes.

Configuring Depot Types

A depot is considered a location where routes will start and end, and/or fulfillment points for shipments. By default, depots are displayed with a picture of a building on the pin drop icon. A routing environment can have different types of depot locations, and the user may want to visually differentiate these different depot types on the map. For example, the user may want to have all store depot types displayed differently than warehouse depot types.

To configure depot types:

1. From the Map View page, click Menu.

2. Under Display, select Depot Types.
   
   
   

3. Uncheck Use Organization defaults, if applicable.

4. To add a new depot type, click Add.

5. To change the color, click the pin drop icon and select a color from the pallet. If you want to create a custom color, click the + symbol and drag the mouse to the desired color.

6. Under the Attribute column, choose an "Depot Type" from the dropdown list.

7. Under the Comparator column, choose a comparator from the dropdown list.

8. Under the Value column, choose the value from the dropdown list.

9. Click Save Changes.

Note: In this example, depots with a “Store” depot type will appear green on the map.

Configuring Route Display Color

Starting in version 24.07, users can change the color of routes displayed on the map for a specific day within the Map View module. This enhancement addresses situations where the optimizer assigns similar colors to adjacent routes, making it difficult to distinguish between them.

To change the route display color,

1. With admin user role permission, activate the 'Allow Change Route Color' option on the Configuration > Parameters > Dispatch page.

2. Once enabled, right-click on a route to open the context menu and select Change Route Color.

3. From the popup, click on the colored bar to display the color picker function. Select a color.

4. Save changes, and the route will display the newly configured color.
   
   

Configuring Map Layers and Provider Options

Starting in version 25.07, vector maps support additional providers and offer an improved Map Layers interface. These updates expand compatibility, improve display quality and make it easier to customize your map view across supported pages.

• Provider Expansion:
  Vector maps now support HERE_API and HERE_API_Aerial, enabling features like satellite view when available in Map View. To view commercial and truck restrictions, your configuration must include the respective token and a valid subscription. A Decartes representative with an admin user role can configure these settings in Configuration > External Services > VectorMap > Providers.

• Improved Map Layers Window:
  The Map Layers interface (previously called "Vector Map Layers") has been streamlined for easier use. The window now has smaller items, less unused space, and a more intuitive way to select and customize layers.

To use Map Layers:

1. Click the Layers icon to open the Map Layers window.

2. Choose your preferred map style and enable any desired layers.

3. All changes apply instantly.
   
   

Configuring Automatic Actions

The Actions feature allows the user to reduce their manual workload, as the system takes over certain tasks, such as sequencing routes upon creation or status changes. Automation ensures that actions are performed consistently every time without the dispatcher's interaction.

To configure actions:

1. From the Map View page, go to Menu and select Actions from the dropdown.
   
   
   

2. In the 'Automatically Sequence Route on Creation,' choose the 'Default' option from any of the provided dropdown menus. This will activate the system to organize a new route in an optimized sequence immediately after it's created. This feature can be configured for the user logged in, the selected locations, or the entire organization. If you select the 'User Org/Location Defaults' checkbox, it will prioritize and apply the pre-established default settings for the organization or location, superseding any individual preferences that were previously selected.

3. In the 'Automatically Sequence Route on Update,' choose the 'Default' option from any of the provided dropdown menus. This will activate the system to sequence a route upon every status update. If you select the 'User Org/Location Defaults' checkbox, the system will consider pre-established default settings for the organization or location, superseding any individual preferences that were previously selected.

4. The 'Automatically Activate Selected Stops Tab on Stop Selection' automatically switches to the 'Selected Stops' tab whenever a stop is selected on the map. This eliminates the manual step where users have to click the tab to view information about the chosen stop. Click 'Yes' to activate the feature for the user logged in, the selected locations, or the entire organization. If you select the 'User Org/Location Defaults' checkbox, the system will consider pre-established default settings for the organization or location, superseding any individual preferences that were previously selected.

5. Finally, click Save to apply the configuration.

Configuring and Applying Filters

Filters are used to refine how information is displayed on both the Map and Shipment panes within the Map View page. For example, the user may want to display only the routed shipments.

To configure filters:

1. From the Map View page, click the funnel icon () on the Control bar.
   
   
   

2. Click the Configure button.

3. Give the filter a Name, as this is what will be displayed in the corresponding selection list.

4. Under the Attribute column, choose an attribute from the dropdown list.

5. Under the Comparator column, choose a comparator from the dropdown list.

6. Under the Value column, choose the value from the dropdown list and/or enter the corresponding value.
   
   
   

7. Click Save Changes.

To apply a filter:

1. From the Map View page, click the filters icon.
   
   
   

2. Click on the filter name to apply and click Apply.
   
   The following displays the before and after a filter is applied.
   
   
   
   
   
   The map on the top displays all the orders for the delivery day. The map on the bottom displays only the orders that are assigned to a route for the delivery day.
   
   

3. To disable the active filter, click on the Filters dropdown list and remove the checkmark for the filter and click Apply. In addition, you can also select the Clear option for filters and click Apply.

Configuring Exceptions

Exceptions are visual indicators either on the Map and Routes panes or a combination of both. If an exception is enabled, the dispatcher can visually detect if there is something amiss with the routing and respond accordingly. For example, the dispatcher may want to display those routes with a total distance exceeding 1000 miles/kilometers.

To configure exceptions:

1. From the Map View page, click Menu.

2. Select Exceptions. The image below shows the available options for exceptions that can be configured by a client_admin and/or dispatcher_admin user role:
   
   
   
   To configure the exception options the same for all locations and users across the organization, enable both Use Organization Defaults and Use Org/Location Defaults.
   
   
   
   To configure the exception options the same for all specified users for the selected location, disable the Use Organization Defaults and enable User Org/Location Defaults.
   
   
   
   To configure display options for only the user currently logged in, disable both Use Organization Defaults and Use Org/Location Defaults.
   
   
   
   The image below displays the general display options that can be configured by users that have the dispatcher role:
   
   
   
   When the Use Defaults box is checked for an option, then the settings are the same for the entire organization and/or specific location (all locations and users). If the Use Defaults box is unchecked, the settings are specific to the user that is currently logged in.
   
   

3. Configure the exception options and click Save. The following displays the before and after the exception option is applied.
   
   
   
   
   
   The first map displays the route before the exception is applied. The second map displays the same route with the exception applied. All exceptions are displayed on the map with a red color as well as the respective field colored in red within the Routes pane for specific route(s).
   
   To learn more about all the exceptions, refer to Describing Map View General Display and Exceptions Options.

Update: In version 24.10, exception-related information has been added to generated tooltips in Map View and the View Deliveries pages. Users can now review route exception details directly from the tooltips in the route column and stop/shipment exception icons.

Configuring Columns

The user can configure how the data is to be displayed in the tables within the Routes and Shipments panes by choosing which columns and sequence they want to include in each table.

To configure columns:

1. From the Map View page, click Menu.

2. Select Columns. The following displays the list of tables for which columns can be configured.
   
   
   
   The following images display where the tables exist on the Map View page.
   
   
   
   Right-clicking on any of the columns in the table's header section within Map View will automatically open the column options for the relevant table.
   
   
   
   Tooltips are displayed when the mouse hovers over an object on the map. The information that is displayed in the lower section (below the dotted line) of the tooltip is configurable. For example, a user may want to see the quantity of a shipment being delivered to a customer
   
   
   
   The Search Results columns are displayed on the SEARCH RESULTS tab.
   The Unrouted Shipments columns are displayed on the UNROUTED tab.
   The Ungeocoded Customers columns are displayed on the UNGEOCODED CUSTOMERS tab.
   
   

3. Click Routes.
   
   
   

4. Uncheck the Use Organization defaults, if applicable.

5. Select a column label from the Available Columns and drag and drop it to the Current Columns to add it to the view. Perform the reverse to remove columns from view.

6. Move the order of the columns by dragging and dropping the labels from within the Current Columns list. The order the columns are displayed from top to bottom is how they are displayed left to right in the respective table.

7. Click Save.

3rd Party Shipments Column Configuration (v25.10+)

Starting with version 25.10, the 3rd Party Shipments Columns configuration window has been added to Map View. This menu allows users to customize which fields appear on the 3RD PARTY tab in the Shipments pane.

Newly supported column selections include:

• Customer Type

• Shipment Type

• Territory Assignment

• Any additional shipment attributes available to your organization
  
  

Viewing Compartment Information

Defining a Compartment Profile enables the stop-level display of information relevant to a route's compartments, such as capacity details. If applicable, add the 'Compartment' column to the grid. The Compartment Information Route window allows you to view shipment information for single- or multiple-compartment deliveries.

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