Product Details
Overall Functionality
PART is
a Routing & Scheduling tool that sequences a given set
of stops or shipments following Department of Transportation
rules while meeting predefined customer service requirements
(time windows and service times). It is a stand-alone Windows based application
with a friendly user interface. The ease of use is the strength of the
system. PART
is designed to manage tactical and operational route planning.
It can be easily interfaced with the Order processing
and dispatching systems to provide an integrated solution
through ASCII data file transfers.
PART consists of Data Management, Geographic
Information System (GIS), Routing, and Scheduling modules.
Presentation features of PART include route maps, reports,
and charts. All the data and solutions can be exported
as text files into MS Word or MS Excel. The GIS module was built using Microsoft
Map Point & PC*Miler’s development tools (Mapping engine)
and provides a geographic view of the routing solution.
Its presentation features include route maps, order
distribution, and road networks.
Routing and Scheduling modules use proprietary solver
engines built based on proven mathematical models to generate
optimal solutions. The scheduling module includes Gantt charts
to present the vehicle schedules in a spatial (time) view. Various reports and export options allow
the solution to be presented in numerous user-defined formats.
In addition to generating optimal routing
and scheduling solutions, PART enables benchmarking an existing
solution. Existing
routes can be imported into the system ‘as is’ and calculated
to reproduce the benchmark solution.
The solution can then be generated in PART and compared
to the benchmark solution.
Data Management
Orders can be imported into PART in
the form of ASCII files.
The data import wizard guides users through the setup
process for importing Order data into the system. Minimal
data entry is required during the setup.
All the user settings are stored in the system so that
repeated imports of the same format will not require further
data entry, minimizing user errors.
PART’s Data View presents Order data
in a spreadsheet format.
This view enables users to sort the orders based on
different criteria (Load, City, Zip Code, Service Time etc.),
get more details on any Order by double clicking on a row,
and provides drag and drop features. This view presents a text representation
of the data imported into the system.
As the solution is developed, the Data
View updates automatically to reflect the changes.
Geographic Information
System (GIS)
The GIS module consists of Mapping,
Geo coding, and Path finding functionality. PART uses the mapping libraries of Microsoft
Map Point or PC*Miler to Geo code and plot the locations and
draw routes on the Map.
The display of various geographic features (stops,
routes, roads, highways, states etc.) of the Map is user configurable.
Map View also provides Zoom In/Out and Pan features
for adjusting the view. Geo coding is automatically done before
plotting the locations on the Map when users choose to open
the Map View. The Path finding feature can be used to
generate driving directions for a specific route or all routes
in the system. The
driving directions report is generated in the form of a text
file that can be imported into MS Word or MS Excel and configured
further according to requirements. Actual highway miles via the road network
from Microsoft Map Point or PC*Miler’s database is used for
generating the directions report.
PART currently uses the highway and
street level mapping capabilities of Microsoft Map Point or
PC*Miler. PART
also provides a plug and play capability for using the mapping
tools of other vendors.
Routing
The routing engine uses proven routing
algorithms to create optimal routes. Distance and time calculations required
by the routing engine are run using Microsoft Map Point or
PC*Miler’s Server or BatchPro utility.
When using the Server utility the calculations are
done on an as needed basis, while using the BatchPro utility
all the calculations are done in one instance and used repeatedly
as required. These
calculations can be done based on City and State combination,
Zip Codes, or Latitude and Longitude values.
The calculated distance and time values are automatically
saved into a file that can be used for later use when using
the same Stop data. After building the Routes and determining
the optimal Stop sequence for each route, PART schedules them
following the different restrictions and constraints predefined
by the user. Planning
cycles can be defined by actual calendar days and Routes are
simulated by day of the week and date.
Parameters
Routing parameters in PART let the
users specify various restrictions and constraints
In addition to the Planning
cycle, Customer/Master time windows and DOT rules, constraints
could be defined for maximum route distance, route time, number
of stops, layovers, wait time etc. Vehicle definitions are
also used to constrain Routes in terms of availability and
capacities.
Scheduling
PART uses robust scheduling algorithms
to schedule the routes within a predefined planning horizon. The Vehicle to Route assignments is presented
on a Gantt chart. The
chart provides the users the ability to change the assignments,
route departure times, and days manually.
The Gantt chart can be configured (time scale of 1
day to 4 weeks), printed or saved for presentations.
A major strength of PART’s schedule
charts is the graphic representation of the different events
(driving, arrivals, layovers, waits etc.) that occur on a
route as it is occurs within a planning horizon.
Each event is presented in a different configuration
(color or size of the bar) to distinguish them from each other. At any time the complete (statistics and
manifest) information of a route can be obtained by double
clicking on any bar that corresponds to it on the chart.
The labels on the bars distinguish routes on the chart. When a route is dragged and dropped (at
a different time or day or resource) it is automatically re-simulated
and scheduled to check feasibility of the move. In case of infeasible moves users are
warned of violation but are let to decide on forcing the move. Important resource statistics are also
presented on the chart for quick reference.
While scheduling
routes for a driver, PART ensures that the DOT regulations
are complied with by considering the rules in rolling 24-hour
periods (normal 10-hour driving and 15 hour duty restrictions
for any 24-hour period for a driver).
Reports &
Exports
Various reports can be created and
printed. Order
Summary, Route Summary, and Route Manifest reports can be
viewed and printed. Along with the driving directions’ reports
these reports can be exported as text files and imported into
MS Word or MS Excel for further configuration.
A summary of the routing and scheduling solution is
presented in the form of Summary Statistics, which can be
printed.
Sample
Report
The Route Manifest report is shown
in the following figure.
This report includes a summary of all the key statistics
of all the routes in the system in addition to detailed manifest
information for each route. Manifest information includes Stop information
(City, State, and Zip Code) and arrival and departure information
at each Stop. Manifest
also lists the other events on the route (layovers and waiting
at stops).
Technology
Developed in Visual C++ using Object
Oriented Design (OOD) methodology and Component Object Model
(COM) concepts. Uses
industry standard STL (Standard Template Libraries) and streaming
techniques for efficient data storage, retrieval, and persistence.
PART does not require any database drivers or software.
Key Features & Benefits
·
PART’s technical architecture
is based on Object Oriented design principles, which enable
plug and play of functionality.
For example, any Mapping engine can be used in PART
instead of that of Microsoft Map Point or PC*Miler.
Similarly the Routing and Scheduling engines can be
swapped as and when needed. ·
Complete visibility of the
routing and scheduling solution through Data (text based),
Map (geographic), and Schedule (Gantt chart) views.
·
Consolidated view of all the
routing entities (Depots, Orders, Routes, and Vehicles).
·
Industry standard Microsoft
Map Point or PC*Miler distances and times used for routing
and scheduling. Users are also provided with the ability
to specify maximum driving speed irrespective of the speeds
used by Map Point or PC*Miler.
·
Turn by turn driving directions
for all routing solutions.
·
Planning is done by the day
of the week and date.
Start and End dates of the planning horizon can be
set using a user friendly Calendar.
·
Routing and scheduling solutions
for the whole of North America. Street level routing (based on latitudes
and longitudes) for US.
·
Configurable Maps and Gantt
charts. Spatial
(Gantt chart) view of the routes indicates different events
like arrivals, waits, and layovers etc. that happen as the
route is simulated within the planning horizon. Real-time simulation runs in the background
as the routes are moved around on the Gantt chart to reflect
changes in departure times and route events.
·
Comprehensive reports and
exports of data and solution.
Summary Statistics can be printed.
·
User friendly and interactive
interface, facilitating shorter learning curve for new users. Easy to setup the problem with minimal
data entry.
·
Runs in all Windows environments,
NT environments.
For
Pricing Information Please Call Toll Free: 772-224-1116
Paradox
Software Consulting, Inc.
5082
S.E. Inkwood Way
Hobe
Sound, FL 33455
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