Routing Process

Oracle Field Service Routing leverages a sophisticated algorithm to optimize resource utilization. It learns about your resources and activities through the information you enter and through the real-time data that it collects about resources and activities. The application then uses this information to generate routes that optimize the mobile workforce utilization details.

Oracle Field Service Routing includes the logic to consider the resource arrival time communicated to the customer, so that the company's commitments can be fulfilled. If the customer has been notified of the arrival period (both the start and end time of the arrival period have been communicated), and such arrival period overlaps the Service Window, the module uses this overlap as the interval within which the activity start is preferred to be scheduled.

Here is the data flow of the routing process:
  • Oracle Field Service receives activities from the activity booking system. The application identifies the necessary skills and skill levels for the activity as well as any other requirements and then identifies resources with a matching set of skills, skill levels, working areas and other constraints. Then Oracle Field Service Routing assigns the activity to the resource that best matches the requirements. If a resource is selected as the Preferred resource for an activity, the resource is given priority. However, when a Preferred resource is inactive or unavailable, other appropriate resources are selected. The company realizes cost savings through efficiencies, resources receive routes that are tailored to their skill levels and their locations, and customers receive quality service on time.

  • Oracle Field Service Routing always considers the assignment requirements established for activities and resources in Oracle Field Service. This includes - work skills, work zones, activities forbidden, required resources, activity links constrains and resource calendars. Routing plan level settings let you configure additional constrains and priorities; however, it is not possible to minimize the standard constrains at the plan level.

Note: Routes are optimized using a number of different goals, not just the ones that you select. For example, if you build a routing strategy that optimizes travel and work time, the application prioritizes not just the optimization of travel time and work, but it also maximizes a number of assigned activities and minimizes resources overtime as additional optimization goals.