Overview

Optimization may propose a plan that calls for a shipment to be split at one or more hubs. If the legs for a shipment are subsequently removed from their loads and returned to optimizer for re-planning without first collapsing the shipment’s itinerary, the next optimization plan will be limited by the hubs assigned by the first optimization plan. While it may still be desirable to route the shipment through these hubs, there may be lower cost solutions using different hubs, or by not using hubs at all.

The Collapse Itinerary operation will allow the user to remove intermediate shipment legs for multiple shipments at one time. It is expected that this operation will normally be triggered immediately prior to initializing an optimization request.

Collapse Itinerary function will provide two options:

  • collapse the whole itinerary for the shipment
  • collapse a specific shipment leg

This function will be provided as part of the Load Build module, as follows:

  • From the Load Build Control Page, as a ‘mass update’ function.

    • User will be prompted to choose the collapse method (for example, collapse whole itinerary vs. collapse the last leg of the shipment) as well the selection criteria for the shipments (for example, Shipment Origin and Destination, Weight and Volume Range, Pickup/ Delivery Date ranges, Reference Numbers).

  • From the List of Shipment Legs not Assigned to Load (Attached to Plan), the List of Shipment Legs Not Attached to Plan and the List of Shipments Selected for Optimization:

    • The Collapse function will support multiple selection. User will be prompted once to choose the collapse method (for example, collapse whole itinerary vs. collapse the selected leg) for all selected legs.

The status for resulting shipment leg will be set to the value for the first impacted shipment leg for the itinerary prior to the collapse request.

If the selected shipment legs were attached to a Plan, the resulting legs will be attached to the same Plan; if selected shipment legs were not attached to any plan, resulting legs will not be attached to a Plan.