Some fleets operate fixed routes that are stored in their ERP. Daily Planner can build new routes while taking these fixed routes into consideration. 

At the order level, you can pass a Stop User Field titled FixedRt that contains the route the order should be placed on. If an order’s FixedRt value matches a TruckID, then that order will be placed on the matching truck. This works for previously created routes or new routes built in the Route Building Wizard. 

You can also pass a User Field titled FixedSeq that represents the fixed sequence of that order. The stops in the route are then sequenced according to the FixedSeq values associated with those orders. You can apply sequences to specific routes or batch apply sequences as you see fit using the Apply Fixed Sequences and Optimize button. Orders that do not have Fixed Route values associated with them will be slotted in according to the standard algorithm.

Setup

These Reserved fields must first be set either in your ERP or stop file and truck file in order to use this feature:

• TruckID - This truck-level field will be used to match to the FixedRt field.
• FixedRt - This order-level field is used to cross reference the TruckID field. If a FixedRt value matches a TruckID then that order will be loaded onto the asset with the corresponding value.
• FixedSeq - This order-level field is used to designate where an order should be placed in a given sequence. This should be a numeric value.

Orders with a FixedRt field are slotted according to which FixedRt field matches the TruckID field. 

Load Fixed Orders via the Route Building Wizard

Fixed Route orders can be loaded through the Route Building Wizard in the same way dynamic orders are loaded. If orders with Fixed Route fields are detected then you will not be able to unselect trucks on the Truck Profile tab. This is so that the algorithm takes all assets into consideration when looking for matching FixedRt fields.

Once you have completed building routes through the Route Building Wizard, any orders with matching identifiers will be loaded onto the appropriate assets. Orders will be slotted by best cost, prioritizing no violations. Violations may still occur on these routes because of the way matching fields are prioritized over avoiding violations. After the routes are created you can apply sequences.

Load Fixed Orders via Load Unloaded Orders

Fixed Route orders can also be loaded through Load Orders in the same way that dynamic orders are loaded. If orders with Fixed Route fields are detected, then new routes might be created regardless of whether the Create New Routes if Needed box is checked. This is so that the algorithm takes all assets into consideration when looking for matching FixedRt fields.

Once you have completed loading unloaded orders, any orders with matching identifiers will be loaded onto the appropriate assets. Orders will be slotted by best cost, prioritizing no violations. Violations may still occur on these routes because of the way matching fields are prioritized over avoiding violations. After the routes are created you can apply sequences.

Apply Fixed Sequence and Optimize

Routes containing orders with fixed route fields can be resequenced according to the sequence set in the ERP or stop file. You can either apply this action to a single route or batch apply to whichever routes you choose. The Apply Fixed Sequence and Optimize option is available in the Route Card three dot menu (batch), Route Pane three dot menu, or in the Route Details three dot menu. Apply Fixed Sequence and Optimize will only show as an action for routes where orders with FixedRt values are detected.

After you select Apply Fixed Sequence and Optimize, the application will resequence your orders according to a few general rules:

• It will apply sequencing for the selected routes according to the FixedRt and FixedSeq fields associated with the orders in those routes.
• If a route has a combination of orders that do and don’t have associated FixedRt and FixedSeq identifiers, then it will apply the Fixed sequencing logic to applicable orders and then slot in non-sequenced orders according to the algorithm. 
• In cases where an order contains a fixed sequence (FixedSeq), but not a fixed route (FixedRt) value, then the fixed sequence is ignored. The order should be put in the best sequence possible according to the algorithm.
• If a route contains orders with the same fixed sequence, then it will prioritize orders that were sequenced first and then slot in other orders with overlapping sequences as close as possible to their original sequence without interfering with other order sequences.

Badges and Visibility

If you would like to view the reserved fields, you can add those fields to the card layout or grid layout. For card view, select the Card Style button and select Configure Layouts. TruckID can be found in the Dispatch section for Route Cards. FixedRt and FixedSeq can be found in the User Fields section for Route Details and Unloaded Orders. 

For a grid view, select the table configuration button in the top right corner of the table and select the desired columns from the drop down. TruckID can be found in the main drop down for the Route grid. FixedRt and FixedSeq can be found in the main drop down for the Route Details and Unloaded Orders grid. 

Fixed route orders can also be identified by badges in card view and a green highlight in grid view. If an order has the FixedRt reserved field associated with it, a gray badge showing the TruckID and sequence number will show for Unloaded Orders. Once an order is loaded, the badge will just show the sequence number in the Route Details card view. If the FixedSeq value associated with an order is non-numeric, it will not show in the badge. When viewing Route Details or Unloaded Orders in grid view, orders with FixedRt values will be highlighted in green.

Route Details Card View badge example

Unloaded Orders Card View badge example

Route Details Grid View green highlight example

Unloaded Orders Grid View green highlight example