Routing Configuration Simplification

This simplified routing configuration streamlines the setup and maintenance of routing plans by consolidating multiple filters into a single, unified Filters section. By removing rarely used parameters and improving assignment logic, it reduces complexity and makes managing routing more intuitive and efficient.

Simplified Filters

Previously, routing plan filters were distributed across four different sections, each handling specific categories of activities:

Non-scheduled activities in the routing bucket that should be scheduled and assigned
Activities in the routing bucket that should be assigned
Preassigned non-scheduled activities that should be scheduled
Activities in the existing routes

These sections have now been unified into a single, comprehensive Filters section that governs the routing of activities across all locations.

Preassigned activities allocated to resources with Do Not Assign priority are now subject to re-optimization in the simplified filters. When re-optimization is enabled, these activities may be automatically moved either to the bucket or unscheduled, as appropriate.

Additionally, terminology and label changes have been made in the following areas:

The action previously labeled Add activity filters group has been renamed to Add assignment rule.
In the Activities and Resources sections, Other has been renamed to All when it is the only line for activities or the only filter for resources.

By default, this simplified filter section is displayed. To revert to the legacy configuration, enable the Legacy Assignment Rules switch.

If the Legacy Assignment Rules switch is enabled:

All four groups are displayed by default and cannot be deleted.
In the Filters section, the default Other activity filter can no longer be deleted.
For existing plans, if a group was missing in the original configuration, a default group with a Do Not Assign filter is automatically added.

Routing Parameters

Enable Routing by Inventory

The Enable Routing by Inventory assignment parameter is now enabled by default and has been removed from the routing plan configuration. Any activity that requires inventory will only be assigned to a mobile worker if the mobile worker has the necessary inventory, beginning from the number of days specified by the Number of days prior to activity date that inventory is required parameter.

To ensure backward compatibility, the Number of days prior to activity date that inventory is required parameter is set to 0 days for plans where Enable Routing by Inventory was disabled.
For newly created plans, the Number of days prior to activity date that inventory is required parameter is set to 99 days.

Enable Inventory Pickup

The Enable Inventory Pickup assignment parameter is now enabled by default and has been removed from the routing plan configuration. Inventory warehouse visits will be automatically added when both of the following conditions are met:

At least one active Warehouse activity type exists. If there are multiple Warehouse activity types, the most recently added active type is used.
At least one resource with the Warehouse role matches the routing plan filters and has the required inventory available.

When warehouse visits can be automatically added by Routing, all mobile workers are considered compatible, regardless of their on-hand inventory. However, if warehouse visits cannot be automatically added, only mobile workers who already have the required inventory on hand are considered compatible. Inventory associated with resources that do not have the Warehouse role is no longer considered, as these resources cannot be used for warehouse visits in routing.

Treat as Warehouse

The Treat as a Warehouse assignment cost parameter within resource filters has been removed. Now, only resources with the Warehouse role can be treated as warehouses; resources with other roles are no longer eligible.

To ensure backward compatibility, Treat as Warehouse resource filters have been converted to Do Not Assign priority and moved to the top of the resource filters list. This ensures that resources previously designated as warehouses will not be assigned activities.

For example, if an activity filter originally included the following resource filters:

A1 – Normal
A2 – High
A3 – Treat as Warehouse
A4 – Do Not Assign

After migration, the filters would be reordered and prioritized as follows:

A3 – Do Not Assign
A1 – Normal
A2 – High
A4 – Do Not Assign

Overdue Activities Threshold

For the Reduce Activities Overdue optimization goal, the Preferable Overall Reduction of Activities Overdue Value, % parameter has been removed. The optimization goal itself remains available.

Dynamic Routing

The Dynamic Routing compatibility parameter has been removed from all routing plans where it was not already enabled. This parameter will be fully deprecated and removed in release 26D.

Immediate Bundling Start

For Immediate Routing plans utilizing the Automatic Assignment and Fallback method, the Assignment and Bundling within Day Interval Starting parameter has been removed. Now, assignment and bundling begin on the same day that immediate routing starts. To reflect this change, the Bundle the Activities Starting From parameter has been renamed to Bundle the Activities Starting Today within a Given Time Interval, Days.

Resources Outside the Bucket

For Immediate Routing plans, the Use Resources Outside the Routing Bucket parameter has moved from Filters to Assignment and Fallback.

Time Limit Warning

If the suggested Run Schedule Time Limit exceeds 60 minutes, a warning will be displayed: We suggest decreasing the number of activities the plan should work with by splitting the plan into several sequential ones.

Use Cases

Inventory-Dependent Activities: Companies handling activities that require specific inventory can ensure mobile workers are only assigned jobs when they have the necessary items in stock, preventing delays and rescheduling.
Warehouse Resource Management: Businesses that rely on warehouse visits for inventory pickup can automatically assign such visits when certain conditions are met, improving workflow and reducing manual planning.
Transitioning Legacy Plans: Organizations with existing routing plans can transition to the new simplified configuration for easier maintenance, while legacy compatibility allows continued operation until updates are complete.

Business Benefit

Simplified Configuration: The consolidation of filter sections and removal of rarely used parameters significantly reduce the effort and complexity involved in setting up and maintaining routing plans.
Reduced Errors: Streamlined settings minimize the risk of configuration mistakes, leading to more accurate routing and fewer unnecessary or repetitive reassignments.
Enhanced Efficiency: Fewer filters and improved assignment logic lead to better routing results and optimized field operations.
Backward Compatibility: Legacy options ensure a smooth transition, allowing existing plans to maintain compatibility while taking advantage of new, simplified features.

Steps to Enable

Although the simplified filters are enabled by default, plans created before 25D have the Legacy Assignment Rules switch enabled for backward compatibility. To use the simplified filters configuration in an older plan, simply disable the Legacy Assignment Rules switch.

Tips And Considerations

For the Activities in the Existing Routes filter, if a routing plan previously used the Treat as Warehouse resource priority to unassign certain activities, consider disabling the Legacy Assignment Rules and applying the same filter with the Do Not Assign priority instead.

Deprecation: The following Routing configurations will be fully deprecated effective 26D. It is recommended that you review and reconfigure any impacted routing plans in advance to ensure continued alignment with your buisness requrirements.

The Dynamic Routing compatibility parameter has been removed from all routing plans where it was not already enabled, effective with release 25D. This parameter will be fully deprecated and removed in release 26D.

Baseline Settings, as well as baseline-related comparisons and savings in the routing report, will be deprecated and completely removed in 26D.