Daily Planning - Extra Options
Trunking Networks
DiPS
Shipment data can also be employed to account for movement
of produce from one location to another, for example
back-loading from supplier to a factory location, as part of
a distribution operation. This is employed to plan trunking
operations and can even be extended to include "via" points,
where loads are staged for onward movement by another
resource.
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Fixed Routes
Where all or some of the routes need
to use a pre-defined pattern, DiPS may be set-up with
intelligent fixed routing management. As an example, after
working closely with market leaders in the brewing industry,
DiPS is now able to offer a variety of options, from
traditional fixed routes downloaded with orders or
maintained in the database, to continually updated schedules
based on last weeks routes, and even zonal scheduling based
upon customer postcode. All options may be combined in a
single operation, whilst still providing the ability to
automatically plan additional orders.
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Scheduling Engineers / Sales Force Planning
This module is designed to produce one day’s
routes from a given file of jobs. The program is able to make
multiple passes through the data to solve all of the constraints
that have been placed on the solution. For example, if multiple
operatives exist, it is possible to schedule Promised Work to a
given utilisation (using flexible boundaries) in the early passes
followed by any Infill Work in later passes.
Each operative can be given unique start and finish locations and
times. Provision has also been made to let operatives attend
meetings (defined by location and times) during the working day.
Each job can require any permutation of up to a dozen skills and
each operative can have the ability to do some or all of the skills
specified (strictly on a one operative per job basis). The unique
algorithm is designed to allocate each job to the nearest operative
on a minimum cost basis. Jobs that are much nearer one operative
than another are allocated to that operative early in the solution
whereas jobs equal in cost for two operatives will be routed at the
end of the plan dependent upon each operative’s workload and
location.
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.