In this article, we'll take a closer look at how you plan routes using Gordon's Last Mile Platform. Among other things, we'll cover how to select and filter what orders to route, configure your settings, add vehicles, and approve the batch.
Requirements
In order to access 'Planning' and create new routes, your user needs to have write-level permission.
1. Upload your orders
Import or sync orders to Gordon's Last Mile Platform by using one of the following methods:
Third-party apps & integrations
Logtrade
2. Select orders
Navigate to 'Planning' and begin with choosing the orders you'd like to route. The orders are routed on a per-depot basis. You can also narrow down the orders using the filtering on the left, the lasso tool, or a combination of the two.
Route filters
The most common filters to use include delivery group and time window. If no filter is used you will route all orders.
Order-based filters are attributes that you enter when importing an order:
Delivery group - If you have multiple delivery groups in your account you can choose to route them separately or together.
Time window - Select what time windows you want to route. This gives you the opportunity to route the entire day at once. You can also group time windows to create morning routes and afternoon routes.
Location-based filters help you select orders depending on their coordinates and geographical location:
Lasso tool - Select orders on the map that you'd like to route together.
Area and Zone - Addresses and zip codes can be grouped by areas and zones in the order switch. This will help to identify orders in the same geographical area. Decide if you want to route them separately or together.
3. Set service time
This determines how long time it should take for each delivery from the point where the driver arrives at the destination until delivery is completed. Our platform uses machine learning and will automatically add service time to previously known stops.
3. Configure your settings
Set a batch name
Start by giving your batch a name. Make it short and easy to understand, so you know what to search for. If more than one route is created from the batch, each route will receive a number, i.e. "Test 1", Test 2", or "Test 3".
Set Service time
Set a number (minutes) next to the batch name. A default number can be set in your depot as well. The service time determines how long time it should take for each delivery from the point where the driver arrives at the destination until delivery is completed. Our platform uses machine learning and will automatically add service time to previously known stops.
Choose capacity type
Define if you want to route with count (# of orders), weight (kg) or Item (# of parcels).
Add vehicles
Press 'Add Vehicles' and start from the top and fill out the attributes that the route engine should consider. There are several required and optional fields.
4. Create a batch
Press ‘Start routing’. Now the route optimisation engine goes to work. Depending on the workload the time can vary. An email will be sent once the routing is completed. You can also follow the progress under 'Batches' where the route will receive the status 'Unhandled'.
5. Review the result
Once the batch has been created, you'll receive an email. You can review the result under 'Batches'. The routes will have the status 'Unhandled'. Select the batch and review the result. You can dive into the details using 'Route overview'.
Press ‘Push to activity’ to approve the result and make the routes available for driver assigning. You can also delete the batch and redo the routing if needed.
Note: You are able to retract a batch after it's been approved as long as the route has not started or has a driver assigned to it.