Understanding Routes

Routing is essential to the JD Edwards EnterpriseOne Transportation Management system. Routing is the process by which the system selects a carrier and a mode of transport and then rates a shipment or load. A routing entry represents the path that the shipment takes. You can define the cost of shipping for the shipment based on a particular route by assigning a rate schedule to the routing entry.

You assign a routing entry and a rate to every shipment and load. You must set up both routing entries and rates during system setup, but you can change them whenever necessary. Routing entries and rates are set up for common carriers or private fleets. You can select a routing entry, or you can let the system automatically select a routing entry.

You create a specific routing entry that defines an origin and destination that is served by a carrier or private fleet. The system uses these search criteria to select a routing entry that meets the needs of the shipment or load:

Search Criteria	Description
Routing hierarchy	The routing hierarchy determines how the system searches for destination information in the Routing Entries table (F4950). You can specify a sequence for the routing hierarchy, but the system generally searches from the most specific destination to the most general destination.
Routing restrictions	Routing restrictions are limitations such as weight, volume, and number of pieces that are placed on a routing entry.
Options & equipment rules	Options and equipment rules list the options, equipment, or both that are supported by a routing entry, mode of transport, or carrier.
Preferences	If a mode of transport or carrier preference is set up, the route must match the mode, carriers, or both that are specified in the preference.
Delivery date requirements	A route is then selected based on delivery date. The system calculates shipment dates based on the user-entered dates and factors in the workday calendar to account for nonworking days such as holidays and weekends.

Each of these search levels eliminates routing entries that might not fit the shipment or load. The system sorts the available routes by the route selection type, which is set up in the customer preference. Customer preferences include least cost, best delivery time, best performance, or a combination of the three.

After the system selects and assigns a routing entry to a shipment, the payable and billable freight charges are calculated based on the rate information from the routing entry.

When you enter a purchase order or credit sales order (customer return), you can route and rate the resulting shipment. Based on the business process, you can set up rates and rate schedules that the system uses specifically for inbound shipments; however, you do not have to set up specific rates with inbound shipments.

As with outbound shipments, when you enter an inbound shipment, the system assigns the carrier or mode of transport that is entered on the order. If you do not enter a route manually, the system uses the customer preferences for preferred carrier and route information. If customer preferences are not defined, the system uses the routing tables to route and rate the inbound shipment. The system rates an inbound shipment only when the freight terms are collect.