Routing from the Routing tab

INTRODUCTION

DispatchTrack allows you to route your stops either from the Routing tab or the Service Units tab. If you wish to look at all unscheduled stops in one map and schedule multiple trucks at the same time, you need to route from the Routing tab. The Routing tab contains three main sections :

  • The Service Unit navigation bar on the left
  • The Map
  • The Service Unit decks below the map

How do I route from the Routing Tab?

1. Click the Routing tab to get started. The Routing console is displayed, with Service Units on the left navigation bar, and a map on the right.

2. All scheduled stops (stops marked Scheduled in the Service Order tab) are automatically linked together i.e., the Routes have been marked, Service Unit wise. Notice that each route has a different color and is the same as the color next to the Service Unit in the left navigation bar. [Note: Unscheduled stops are marked as pink diamonds]

To schedule a route, use the following steps:

1. First click the Service Unit that you are assigning to on the left navigation bar. The selected Service Unit will be displayed as a white box.

2. Press the Shift key on the keyboard – you’ll notice that the mouse pointer changes to a ‘+’. Create a rectangle encompassing the required unscheduled stops(pink diamonds). Hey presto - the route is assigned.

How to make alterations to a route?

1. Mouse-over a route. When the pointer changes to a palm with the index finger, click. The Service Unit box corresponding to that route appears right next to the route for easier altering.

2. We may see a few details of the route in this box

  • P – indicating the number of pieces of equipment being transported
  • S – indicating the total number of stops
  • D – indicating the distance in miles of the Route
  • T – indicating the estimated time to complete the Route.

3. Pick from Shortest Distance, Farthest First, Reverse Route or Manual Route depending on the requirement and the route is redone.

4. Click on Calc Time and the time is recalculated for the Route

Viewing all stops and making modifications.

1. Just below the map, the Service Units are decked up, each containing details of the stops. Even at this stage, alterations may be made to the Order by clicking on the Order Number next to the name. The order of the stops may be altered within a Route by just clicking on the stop box and moving it physically to wherever required.

2. Stops may also be moved to another Route just the same way – by clicking on the stop and dragging it to another route.

3. Within a route, the “Move route to another unit” icon may be used to move the route to another Service Unit.

4. Within a route, the “Route lock” icon may be used to lock the Route so that no other changes are made inadvertently.

4. Within a route, the Time lock icon may be used to lock the Time so that no other changes are made inadvertently.

6. Within a route, the “Add Events” icon may be used to add an event, such as a Lunch Break for the driver, etc and moved up or down the route to be placed wherever required.

7. Within a route, the “Edit Route Settings” icon may be used to edit the Start time, Load and Unload time, the Driver name and his companion.

8. Within a route, the Save icon may be used to save the changes made to that Route.

How do I use the Service Unit navigation bar on the left side?

1. The Service Unit navigation bar contains a list of all the Service Units that have been added. If a Service Unit is scheduled for service for that day, details of the schedule are available under each Service Unit.

The eye icon may be used to view/hide a Route

2. The route lock icon is used to lock the route so that no changes are made inadvertently.

3. The “Move up” icon is used to move the Service Unit to the top of the List

4. The “docking” icon is used to dock the Service Unit next to the map for easier Routing.