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Overview: what you can do from the Route Optimization page

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Route Optimization is an optional feature. To find out more, or add this to your vWork account, please contact support@vworkapp.com.  A member of the vWork Team will be in touch to discuss your requirements.

Alternatively, you can read all about it in the article What is Route Optimization?

In this article

This article introduces the three functions available to you on the Optimization page. It describes what these functions are, what they are used for, and what they look like. It is supported by other articles that explain each of these functions in more depth and how you use them. You will find links to these articles, with the function they explain, below.

Topics covered in his article are:

Note: Before you attempt to run your first route optimization it is important to make sure your vWork account is set up in the best way to get the most from this feature. If you haven't already done so, now is a good time to review your account settings and templates. The article How do I set up my vWork account to use Route Optimization? explains what you need to check and set up before you begin using route optimization.

The route optimization process

To create and publish a route optimization you will:

  1. Configure the optimization: define the time period you want the jobs optimized for, search for and select the jobs to include, and select the mobile workers you want to use. Then run the optimization to create it in an unpublished state ready for review.
  2. Review the unpublished optimization to determine if it meets your requirements and adjust it, or delete it and recreate it using a different configuration.
  3. Publish the optimization to the schedule.

Optimization_process.png


Here is a video overview of the optimization process.

How do I open the optimization feature?

The optimization feature is found under the Jobs tab. 

To open Optimization:

What are the optimization functions?

Optimization has three functions you choose between on the optimization page. These are:

The purpose of each of these functions is described below.

Create

Optimization_functions_menu_Create.png

When you open Optimization Create is highlighted in the optimization function menu found in the top left of the optimization Map.  

Create is where you perform the first stage of the optimization process:

  1. Define the date and time period you want your jobs scheduled within.
  2. Search for and select the jobs to include. 
  3. Add mobile workers and define how you want the optimization to assign them to routes.
  4. Run the optimization to create it in an unpublished state ready for review.

The Create function page is divided into two sections that are used together to configure the optimization:

  • On the left is the optimization map. By default, this shows all unassigned jobs. This is where you can quickly see the geographic location of jobs and workers and if they are included in the optimization configuration. You can also easily select and deselect jobs and workers for inclusion from the map. 

  • On the right is the optimization workflow. This is where you configure the optimization by choosing how to select jobs and workers, and determining what date and time period you want the optimization created for. The workflow is also where you create favorite optimizations.

    Opening_page_Create.png

The map and workflow are explained fully in the articles:

View

Optimization_functions_menu_View.png

View provides an overview of all optimizations and also provides detailed information about each optimization. 

View is where you complete 2 and 3 in the optimization process:

  • Review the unpublished optimization to determine if it meets your requirements and adjust it, or delete it and recreate it using different settings.
  • Publish it to your worker’s phones.

You can also unpublish an optimization, or parts of it, from View.

View is divided into two sections:

  • The top section shows the map. This provides a geographical representation of the optimized routes for each mobile worker.

  • The lower section of the screen shows either an overview of all optimizations, or the status of each route in a specific optimization, and the full details and timing of that optimization. This is where you publish, modify, or delete unpublished optimizations. You can also review completed optimizations here too.

View_page.png

How you use View to manage and publish optimizations is explained fully in the articles:

Favorites

Optimization_functions_menu_Favorites.png

Favorites is where you store and retrieve your most often used optimization settings and search parameters. Not only is this a great time saver, but it also ensures consistency when you regularly use Optimization and require the settings you use to always be the same.

Favorites_page.png

The article Create and use a favorite optimization explains how to set up, save, and apply favorite a favorite optimization configuration to a new optimization. 

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