Distribution Software & Logistics Planning Systems

MJC²'s distribution planning & logistics optimisation software DISC (DIstribution SCheduling) is designed for scheduling and optimising very complex transportation logistics operations. To the best of our knowledge DISC is the fastest distribution software solution in the World and one of the few systems capable of coping with very complex logistics management and transportation planning problems.

DISC models single-depot and multi-depot operations, optimising delivery schedules, multidrops, full loads, backhauls, transhipments, trunking movements, hub-and-spoke networks, crossdocks, multicollects, tramping, reverse logistics and intermodal movements.

Apart from creating the transportation plan DISC also schedules related activities such as warehouse operations, sortation, load building and yard management to ensure that an integrated distribution logistics schedule is created. For more information about the DISC logistics system please see the following sections:

• Transport Planning & Logistics Scheduling
• Delivery Software
• Integrated Distribution Logistics Optimization
• Load Building & Load Planning
• Driver Planning
• Supply Chain Logistics Management

In today's highly competitive haulage & logistics market, fleet optimization using vehicle scheduling & delivery planning software has become a necessity for large supply chain networks. The DISC logistics scheduling software, with its advanced transportation planning algorithms, gives logistics management teams and third party logistics (3PL) companies the transport planning tools they need to optimise their fleet.

Our transport software can schedule all aspects of the logistics operation, including primary distribution (e.g. collections from suppliers to Regional Distribution Centres or trunking between composite depots) and secondary distribution (e.g. from distribution centres to retail outlets, customers or branches), as well as reverse logistics, customer returns and backhauls.

DISC provides powerful transport optimisation tools for solving complex operational and strategic distribution planning problems. Typical applications include delivery planning, retail distribution scheduling, haulier planning, home delivery scheduling, wholesale planning, road haulage scheduling, parcel/express delivery scheduling, freight transport optimisation and bulk haulage planning. DISC is particularly applicable to operations which handle short shelf life products and fast moving goods in a highly dynamic market, where rapid response to changing orders while meeting tight delivery windows is vital.

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Delivery Software

MJC²'s delivery software tools optimise the assignment of work to vehicles and drivers to maximise productivity and resource utilisation. The delivery route planning system takes account of constraints such as time windows, vehicle type and capacity, driver hours, access restrictions, load compatibility, temperature control, etc. The multi drop route planner optimises each vehicle delivery schedule to minimise distance travelled and hours worked while fulfilling customer orders. Our delivery scheduling software includes a powerful graphical user interface which displays delivery multi-drop routes in map and gantt chart form.

Collection operations can also be scheduled, and DISC can create integrated delivery/collection routes to maximise vehicle utilisation while minimising empty running. DISC's route planning tools have the flexibility to plan vehicles and drivers in a wide range of delivery/collection operations such as home delivery, distribution to retail stores, bulk delivery/collection, parcel delivery, food & beverage distribution, palletised logistics, waste/refuse collection, etc.

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Unlike most distribution business software systems, DISC optimizes the vehicle plan and warehouse activity schedule using an integrated logistics solution. This ensures that all aspects of the distribution logistics operation are planned in a coordinated way. Vehicles, drivers, trailers, shunters, loaders, warehouse operatives, docks, bays, lanes, etc. are all included in the distribution schedule if required.

To achieve this, all transport and warehouse variables and constraints are modelled e.g.:

• Forecast or actual volumes/demands by customer or delivery point and by product or product group;
• Transport constraints such as vehicle type and size, compartment size, temperature control, bulk and packed constraints, etc.;
• Delivery routing constraints such as window times (by product group), vehicle and docking constraints at delivery points, prioritisation of delivery windows, multidrop planning rules, etc.;
• Routing and scheduling times and distances and access constraints;
• GPS tracking or other vehicle tracking information (DISC can be integrated with MJC²'s REACT to take into account the realtime position of vehicles and drivers when rescheduling in response to operational changes to the original plan);
• Production constraints (DISC can be integrated with MJC²'s e-Stock and PIMSS systems to ensure accurate modelling of stock and production constraints);
• Reverse logistics requirements, returns, waste collections, etc.
• Warehousing constraints (loading/picking capacity, docking constraints, limited floor space or holding vessel capacity, etc.);
• Cross-docking and consolidation requirements; and
• Constraints on resources and their availability (e.g. trailers, tankers, tractors and drivers).

Taking this information into account, and following other rules and constraints as required, the logistics scheduling system produces an integrated distribution and load plan which covers:

• Loading, laneing and bay allocation for each warehouse or delivery point;
• Assembly/picking and loading sheets;
• Shunting movements and docking schedules;
• Vehicle schedule for trailers and tractors (with load contents); and
• Driver schedule and shift start times.

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Our distribution systems include sophisticated load planning software which can automatically optimise the load building process. The load planner can automatically determine each pallet load and vehicle allocation while taking account of operational factors such as product compatibility, temperature control, stacking/packing constraints, customer delivery constraints, weight balancing, object size, driver training requirements, combination of dispatch unit sizes, preferred loading sequence, multidropping, multicollecting, special equipment, unloading rates, drop-trailer operations, etc.

We can also integrate our loading software with customised or bespoke load building modules if required. This ensures that load optimization is part of the overall planning and delivery process so that resulting transport and warehouse schedules are feasible in terms of vehicle loading constraints.

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Driver Planning

The DISC logistics system includes powerful driver planning tools for real-time scheduling of drivers and strategic optimisation of rosters and shift patterns. All transport schedules take account of constraints such as working hours directives, contractual rules, preferred start times, driver skills/training, etc. Complex operations such as changeovers, night-aways, tramping, driver swaps, etc. are modelled. Integration with our ROCS roster creation software enables forward planning of driver rotas based on anticipated demand and required working patterns.

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DISC can be used by senior logistics managers to examine `What if' scenarios for strategic planning, or in operational mode by planners. In `What if' mode the user can simulate future operations (e.g. Christmas plans) and can derive contingency plans for anticipated peak periods. This mode can also be used, for example, when analysing the need to create additional warehouse space or to modify the fleet profile by acquiring different vehicle types. The `What if' mode is also an ideal tool for third party logistics companies looking to expand their business.

The DISC logistics software can be run constrained by resources, unconstrained or partly constrained (e.g. adding agency drivers and spot hire vehicles when necessary). As a result the transportation management system advises on shortfalls and resulting degradations to the optimal plan and allows the user to add or change resources if appropriate. Different degradation rules are used at different levels of the plan. For example in long-term mode the strategic planning system might advise on the need for new docking bays for a given branch, warehouse or plant, while in short-term mode it might only be able to request agency drivers for a given day. In realtime mode it might only be allowed to indicate delays expected due to a shortfall in warehouse capacity or available vehicles at a given time. The transport scheduling software plans vehicle utilisation and includes configurable rules to optimise the use of own resources or 3PL (third party logistics) drivers and trucks.

User-friendly transport planning windows show graphical representations of the distribution plan while the scheduling engine allows optimization of complicated logistics management problems. The scheduler is driven by a user-friendly graphical interface and integrates easily with existing supply chain execution systems. All reports, which can be both graphical and tabular, can be designed or customised to meet the particular business needs of the user.

DISC's what-if scheduling and planning tools allow users to answer questions like:

• What if my fleet size was reduced by 10%?
• What if I used a third party logistics provider?
• What if my trip routing costs change?
• What if the vehicle schedule could change daily?
• What if the WTD rules change? How will I optimize distribution logistics accordingly?
• What if I centralise transportation logistics planning?

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