Daily Planning
The Daily Planning module takes sales
orders and optimises delivery schedules utilising the depot network
(with fixed or variable boundaries) and vehicles available. An
interface between DiPS and mainframe computers to transfer order and
route information is available as a standard feature of the package.
Tailored interface programs are developed as part of the standard
installation process. Links have been developed for packages such as
SAP, JBA, JDE, OPUS, and many other bespoke SOP and Warehouse
systems.
All data is vetted and sorted on entry and can include customer
address details and access restrictions as well as order
information. Once in the database order data may be amended at any
time, either by manual intervention or further downloads of order
data. Orders may be input using simple unit totals or with a more
complex arrangement including individual product codes, employing
the DiPS system to dynamically calculate unit totals from the
product code information.
All or some of the routes may be
wholly or partially initialised by the load planner starting the
scheduling process with a pre-defined fixed route pattern if
required. The program is able to make multiple passes through the
data to solve all the constraints that have been placed on the
solution. For example, if different priority orders exist, it is
possible to schedule higher priority orders first in order to
maximise vehicle capacities in the early passes followed by lower
priority "fillers" in later passes. Different fleet profiles and
multi-day or multi-trip routes are also planned automatically
without pre-defined user interaction.
Once the DAYPLAN run is complete these routes will be saved on the
central database. It has been found in practice that about 85% of
these routes are directly acceptable. This leaves much more time per
route for a load planner to concentrate on the more difficult areas
of the day's plan. This program will also build
carrier lists according to user defined constraints of order size
and location. Subsequent vehicle routes may choose to take orders
off these existing carrier lists if it is economical to do so.
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All the required checks are made on time and load constraints using
the road network travel times and warning messages advise the user
of anything illegal. Visual displays for Orders not assigned to
Trips by varying priority ensure that nothing is missed from the
plan. Re-optimisation of the calls in a route is provided as an
option.
A wide range of standard reports are available from the DiPS system,
but if specific designs are necessary, individual routines may be
developed to govern any requirements. In the past, these have taken
the form of Driver's loading and running sheets, and Customer
Service Centre prints. As with Order Download, the interface of
route information back to warehouse managements systems to
facilitate picking list or loading plan generation is part of the
standard package. Route information is also used in conjunction with
other technologies, such as satellite tracking. The Route and Order
Statistics Files, which are automatically gathered by the daily
operation, are also able to provide all the necessary data to drive
a number of Management Reporting Modules using spreadsheet programs
and are fully integrated with the DiPS Strategic Planning System.
For more information or to arrange a demonstration of DiPS software please
phone 01299 400528 or email sales@dips.co.uk.