[SOLVED] Get OTM to Automatically Create Preferred Stop Sequences

[cspadola]

Good day - we have a scenario here for one of our customers where we will consistently ship the same product from the same source location to the same 5 destination locations all on one TL shipment (for each destination). This is the scenario throughout most of the year.

Currently, when OTM builds the TL shipment it also sets up the stop sequence based on the postal codes given for the destination locations. As all the destination locations are within the same city, OTM will use the postal codes for each destination to set up what OTM thinks is the proper stop sequence. Although OTM does select the most effiicient stop sequence, customer preferences and requirements dictate that the stop sequence should actually be different than what OTM selects. This is based on the customer putting different priority levels on their own destination locations in regards to late delivery time that the destination location needs to receive their order.

The information we have is Source Location address details, all the Destination Location address details and the customer's preferred stop sequence information.

Can someone tell me how we can set this up in OTM so that when the Planners run a bulk plan for these orders, OTM will automatically create the TL shipment with the stop sequence that the customer prefers?

What I would like to do is create a Routing Preference in OTM so that when the planners select all the orders for this customer for bulk planning, they can select this routing preference that the bulk plan will use to create the shipment which will use the stop sequence we want.

How would you suggest that we set this up in OTM so that it is as easy as:

1. Select all the orders on the Order Release screen for this customer.
2. Execute Action - create Bulk - Buy Shipment.
3. Select the Routing Preference created for this customer's orders and source/destination combination.
4. Review the stop sequence results.

Thanks.

[Sachin]

Re: Get OTM to Automatically Create Preferred Stop Sequences

Hi,

Just wanted to re-confirm the following information for a better understanding.


1. Will you be recieving late delivery times from all the destination locations?

2. Do you want to sequence the stops only based on delivery times or any other priority is there?

Regards,
Rajiv

[cspadola]

Re: Get OTM to Automatically Create Preferred Stop Sequences

Hi Rajiv...the late delivery times for each are "suggested" times, meaning as long as they are delivered to all their destination locations on the requested delivery date, then the customer is OK.

To give you an example, a TL shipment will be created that leaves Vancouver on Tuesday and needs to be fully delivered to 5-6 destination locations in Calgary by Thursday. Delivery times on the Thursday are anywhere between 9:00 and 18:00. As the customer has a preferred stop sequence (which they have indicated to us), we would like to sequence the stops based on this info. Agreed that it may not be the most efficient stop sequence but it is a customer preference that we need to adhere to. As long as the deliveries are made by Thursday and in the stop sequence indicated by the customer, all will be good.

Would you suggest creating a routing preference for this? If so, how would I go about doing this?

Thanks.

[LourensGlog]

Re: Get OTM to Automatically Create Preferred Stop Sequences

Two options:
- Use Dropoff Routing Sequence ID on the Order Release
- Use Ground schedule to predefine stop sequence

Let me know if you need help setting this up

[cspadola]

Re: Get OTM to Automatically Create Preferred Stop Sequences

I don't think applying this to the Order Release is a good solution for us as the orders are transmitted to us by our customer and I wouldn't want to ask them at this point to add this info into their transmissions.

How can I create the Ground Schedule(s) for this?

Thanks

[LourensGlog]

Re: Get OTM to Automatically Create Preferred Stop Sequences

Ground Schedules work a bit differently. You can't just bulk plan orders on a ground schedule shipment, but you have to create a ground schedule shipment first (using template), assign the orders to them (using rules) and then 'release' the shipment. This could work for your scenario, but you planner may not like this new procedure.

An easier option would be to assign the Dropoff Routing Sequence to the delivery locations. This way you don't need to change your order interface and your planner can keep on using bulk plan. Downside could be that if the delivery locations are used by other carriers as well, the same routing sequence would apply.

[Sachin]

Re: Get OTM to Automatically Create Preferred Stop Sequences

Hi,

Ground schedule might not fit in your case. Ground schedule creates an empty shipment for a pre-determined route and this route will be followed daily for delivery.

You have mentioned that your planners will change the stop sequence frequently as per their need. In this case, a single ground schedule will not help.

The second option of using drop off sequence in delivery locations (instead of order release) is a better idea. The problem here might be, you have to configure new drop off sequences regularly to meet your customers priority.

Rajiv

[cspadola]

Re: Get OTM to Automatically Create Preferred Stop Sequences

Hi Rajiv...the way it sounds, I think if we update the Delivery Locations for this customer with the drop sequence it should work. Or at least it sounds like the most likely of the available options that will work.

The locations are static and for the majority of the shipments for this customer, the pick-up and ship-to locations will be the same each week. When there are variances in their orders or changes in their stop sequence, we can resequence them manually. This should only happen 10-20% of the time which is better than today where we have to manually resequence 100% of these shipments.

Thanks for your assistance on this.

[LourensGlog]

Re: Get OTM to Automatically Create Preferred Stop Sequences

You're welcome: good luck!

Lourens

[Sachin]

Re: Get OTM to Automatically Create Preferred Stop Sequences

Hi,

As you have mentioned re-sequencing is required only about 10-20%, and you are comfortable with manual re-sequencing, either dropoff sequence at delivery locations or ground schedule can be used.

Regards,
Rajiv

Hi Rajiv...the way it sounds, I think if we update the Delivery Locations for this customer with the drop sequence it should work. Or at least it sounds like the most likely of the available options that will work.

The locations are static and for the majority of the shipments for this customer, the pick-up and ship-to locations will be the same each week. When there are variances in their orders or changes in their stop sequence, we can resequence them manually. This should only happen 10-20% of the time which is better than today where we have to manually resequence 100% of these shipments.

Thanks for your assistance on this.

[cspadola]

Re: Get OTM to Automatically Create Preferred Stop Sequences

We added the drop sequence preference to the customer drop-off locations and it works.