Create Strategic Optimizations – Strategic Cycle Planning With Recurring Route Scenarios

Route4Me’s Strategic Routing simplifies complex strategic cycle planning for multi-frequency delivery and service schedules over extended periods. This overview covers the planning process from syncing data and uploading locations to evaluating scenarios and creating recurring route plans.

NOTE: Strategic Optimization Routes are draft routes that can’t be assigned, started, and completed until they’ve been synced.

Strategic Route Planning – How To Add Locations For Strategic Optimization

Open the Navigation Menu and select “Strategic Routing” > “Plan New Scenarios” to start creating Strategic Optimizations. The first step in Strategic Routing is adding Locations to your dataset. You can use one of the following methods:

1. Upload: Add Locations and schedule rules by uploading a spreadsheet.
   Learn more about Uploading Locations for Strategic Routing.
2. Database: Select Locations from your account database and set up schedule rules.
   Learn more about using Strategic Routing with Account Locations.
3. Datasets: Use existing Strategic Routing Datasets for new optimizations.
   Learn more about Strategic Routing with Location Datasets.
4. Pattern Analysis: Generate Strategic Routing Datasets from historic order data.
   Learn more about Strategic Routing with Pattern Analysis.

Create New Strategic Optimization

After you select a Strategic Routing method, the rest of the process will generally follow these steps:

1. Select Locations: Add Locations to your Strategic Routing dataset using one of the above methods.
2. Data Mapping: Route4Me will automatically validate uploaded data and map it to internal variables for optimization.
3. Dataset Editor: Refine the schedule and visitation rules for the Locations in your dataset.
4. Settings: Set a name for your Strategic Optimization and select route start Locations (depots).
5. Scenarios: Configure Strategic Scenarios with route optimization and schedule settings for planning routes.

Upload Locations For Strategic Routing

To upload a spreadsheet for Strategic Routing, click “Browse Files” and select a file or simply drag and drop a file into the field. You can also click “Download a template file” to download a preformatted spreadsheet where you can input your data.

Learn more about Strategic Routing Location Upload.

Route4Me will automatically validate your data and map it to internal variables for optimization. Once you’ve confirmed your uploaded data, click “Continue“. Learn more about spreadsheet formatting for Strategic Routing.

NOTE: Especially large datasets with thousands of locations and complex schedules may take slightly longer to optimize.

Edit Datasets To Refine Location And Schedule Settings

After adding Locations or selecting a Dataset, you’ll see the “Dataset Editor“. This is where you can adjust and fine-tune a Strategic Dataset, Location details, and schedule rules. When you’re done refining the Dataset, click “Continue“.

Learn more about using the Dataset Editor.

Optimization Settings – Select Route Start Locations And Facilities

After finalizing your Strategic Routing Dataset, you’ll see the “Optimization Settings” section. Here, you can input a name for your Strategic Optimization in the “Optimization Name” field and select route start locations.

Use the “Add Facilities” button to select Facilities for use as route depots. You can also click the “Add Address” button to manually input route start addresses instead of selecting Facilities. Click “Continue” when done.

Configure And Compare Strategic Scenario Settings

Next, you can configure Strategic Scenarios in the “Scenarios” section. The interface is divided into the following sections:

1. Scenarios List: Select a Scenario to modify, add new Scenarios to the Strategic Optimization, manage Scenarios, etc.
2. Scenario Settings: Define the route optimization settings and parameters of the selected Scenario.

When you’re done adjusting settings, simply click “Create” to run the optimization. Learn more about Strategic Scenario Settings.

Route4Me will automatically use your data and Scenario Settings to create the most optimal draft routes according to your preferences. The Strategic Scenarios and their respective routes will be grouped into a new Strategic Optimization.

Open And Manage Strategic Optimizations

The new Strategic Optimization will open with the “AI Summary” tab selected. You’ll see an automatically generated high-level overview and performance report. It compares draft routes to evaluate Scenario performance and provide suggestions.

From an open Strategic Optimization, you can review its AI Summary, check routing trends, manage Strategic Scenarios and Locations, etc. Learn more about Strategic Optimization Management.

To access and manage your Strategic Optimizations, go to “Strategic Routing” > “Scenarios” in the Navigation Menu. Your “Strategic Optimization” page is where you can find Strategic Scenarios grouped into Strategic Optimizations.

Open Your Strategic Optimizations