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PLANNING - Using Planning groups

Divide orders among transport planners, with auto-assignment based on transport services or custom rules. Filter planning board by groups.

Arynne Hargreaves avatar
Written by Arynne Hargreaves
Updated over a week ago

Planning groups can be used to divide orders between the different planners at a transport company.

Create Planning Groups

  • Go to RATES > Order input

  • Click on 'Planning groups' in the left hand column

  • Click on 'Add planning group'

  • Complete the General Info for the planning group

  • Use 'Add Rule' to automatically assign orders to specific groups when criteria is met.

Assign Planning Groups

You can automatically assign a planning group based on rules. These rules can be configured under RATES > Order Input.

  • Transport Services. If specified here, when an order is built using a specific transport service it will automatically be assigned to the planning group.

    • Options available will be based on what has been created under 'Planning Groups'

  • Planning Groups. Set rules with conditions to assign orders to groups

Create Rules for assignments

Rules are based on a set of parameters and conditions that when applied will automatically assign orders to a specific planning group. Rules consist of a set of elements:

  • Calculation Method: This is how the system will determine group assignment

    • Simple Rule

    • Excel Table

  • Metric: Various options - outlined below

  • Operator: This will include or exclude elements depending on what is set.

    • Is - A single element is included

    • Is not - A single element is excluded

    • Is greater than (or equals) - A value matches or is greater than specified

    • Is smaller than (or equals) - A value doesn't match or is less than specified

    • In - Multiple elements are included

    • Not in - Multiple elements are excluded

  • Value: This is pre-determined based on the 'Metric' selected. It will be either manual entry or based on a dropdown of existing options

Calculation Method:

Simple Rule

  • Use this option where a single criteria can be used to create the assignment rule.

    • For instance using a department rule to assign orders to a specific group.

    • Additional conditions and / or rules can be combined to create specific criteria to assign groups

Excel Table

  • Use this option when there are multiple conditions that must be combined to create a single rule.

    • For instance, segmenting by country, service level and packaging type. Using a table will allow multiple options to be added for service levels & packaging types.

Metric options defined

Goods (ordered)

  • This will look at the CARGO section of the order to determine the planning group assignment.

  • Packaging Type: When set, the Value will show available options to select in a dropdown, based on what is configured under Cargo Options>Packaging Types

  • Predefined package size: When using this option, the Value will display Packaging Type to select then an option to select the defined size.

  • Product: When set the Value will display the preset Product options that are created under Product Options > Products. This will also show the associated Product Types.

  • Product Type:This option will only consider the specific product types configured under Product Options > Product types.

  • Quantity: Manually enter the value; this is compared to the total order value and uses a specified operator to determine the rule.

  • Total loading meters: Manually enter the value; this is compared to the total order value and uses a specified operator to determine the rule.

  • Total pallet spaces: Manually enter the value; this is compared to the total order value and uses a specified operator to determine the rule.

  • Total volume: Manually enter the value; this is compared to the total order value and uses a specified operator to determine the rule. In addition, set the Unit Value to specific measurement (Cubic meter / Gallon / Litres).

  • Total weight: Manually enter the value; this is compared to the total order value and uses a specified operator to determine the rule. In addition, set the Unit Value to specific measurement (Kilo / Ton).

Order

  • This will look at specific order values to determine the planning group assignment.

  • Created by: This is the user that created the order; shown on the Order Details as "Responsible: [email protected]"

  • Customer: This is the name of the customer that placed the order; shown on the Order Details as 'Customer: Name".

  • Department: When a specific department is assigned to an order.

  • Import Source: Refers to the point of origin of the data brought into Qargo; distinguishing between Manual imports or API/EDI via a partner network

  • Service level: Service levels on the order can include Priority / Next day or Economy. Options will depend on what is set up in the Order options > Service Level

  • Stage type: Refers to the leg of the order, including Pickup, Delivery, Transfer - allows orders to be assigned based on specific activity, ie: moving between hub

  • Transport service: Based on service types configured in Order Options > Transport services; allows orders to be directed to planners within specific team

  • Vehicle category: Will use the specific vehicle category on the order to assign the planning group; useful where specific equipment type teams (ie: refrigerated)

Route

  • This will look at specific order values to determine the planning group assignment.

  • Stops - opens additional options & will ask for further parameters to be set.

    • Postcode area + country > Full or Prefix (UK / NL) postcodes: This will look at the country first, followed by the postcode. A stop is required.

    • Country: Will assign based on country on the order. A stop is required.

    • Postal Code: Will assign based on PostcodeA stop is required.

    • Postcode zone: Postcode zone must be set up first for this option. A stop is required.

    • Requested weekday: Select a day of the week. A stop is required.

    • State/country: Free text field to enter a state. A stop is required.

  • Stop options:

  • Number of collect / deliveries: Manually enter the quantity of stop for this rule to apply.

  • Total number of stops: Manually enter the quantity of stop for this rule to apply.

Applying Rules

An order that has been created with specific rules, will automatically be assigned to a Planning group.

Once saved, you can enable the 'Planning Group' column option and filter on these groups on your List views (Orders & Trips) and planning board.

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