Distribution Software & Logistics Planning Systems
MJC˛'s distribution planning & logistics optimization software DISC (DIstribution SCheduling) is designed for scheduling and optimizing very complex transportation logistics operations:
trunks - linehauls - consolidation - crossdocks - transhipments
radial deliveries - multidrops - full loads - delivery slot planning
backhauls & backloads - drivers hours balancing - tramping - vehicle planning
warehouse & yard planning - reverse logistics software - intermodal movements
sortation - full/part load planner - assembly - load building
Our customers tell us DISC is the fastest distribution software solution on the market and it is the only system that can cope with very large logistics management and transportation planning problems. DISC provides an integrated logistics optimization environment, covering all aspects of the distribution operation.
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Multi-Depot Transport Planning & Logistics Software
MJC˛'s transport software can schedule all aspects of the multidepot 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, backhauls and backloading.
DISC provides powerful lean transport optimization tools for solving complex operational and strategic distribution planning problems. Typical applications include:
+ Delivery Planning
+ Retail Distribution Scheduling
+ Haulier Planning
+ Home Delivery Scheduling
+ Vehicle Optimization
+ Bulk Haulage Planning
+ Road Haulage Scheduling
+ Parcel/Express Delivery Networks
+ Freight Transport Optimization
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
MJC˛'s delivery software tools optimize allocation of work to drivers and vehicles to maximise productivity and resource utilisation. The delivery route planning system takes account of constraints such as time windows, lorry type and capacity, driver hours, access restrictions, load compatibility and temperature control. The multi drop route planner optimizes each vehicle delivery schedule to minimise distance travelled and hours worked while fulfilling customer orders. DISC includes powerful user-friendly graphical tools which display multi-drop routes in maps and barcharts.
DISC can also schedule collection operations or 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 for a wide range of delivery/collection operations: home delivery, distribution to retail stores, bulk delivery/collection, parcel delivery, food & beverage distribution, palletised logistics, waste/refuse collection, etc.
Integrated Distribution Logistics Optimization
DISC optimizes transport and warehouse activity schedules creating integrated logistics solutions. 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, including:
- Volumes & Orders: forecast or actual by customer, delivery point, product or product type
- Transport constraints: vehicle type & size, compartment size, temperature control, bulk/packed constraints, compatibility
- Delivery routing constraints: time windows, vehicle docking constraints, priority deliveries, multidrop sequencing rules
- Vehicle tracking: GPS, in-cab, real-time rescheduling in response to delays
- Production/manufacturing: stock availability, repositioning requirements, shelf-life constraints
- Warehousing constraints: loading/picking capacity, docking constraints, limited floor space, holding vessel capacity
- Consolidation: cross-docking, transhipments, groupage, trunking, hub-and-spoke
- Resource constraints: trailers, tankers, tractors, drivers, shunters, cranes, loading/unloading bays, etc.
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 truck loading sheets
- Shunting movements and docking schedules
- Vehicle schedule for trailers and tractors (with load contents)
- Driver schedule and shift start times.
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 vehicle scheduling mode it might only be allowed to indicate delays expected due to a shortfall in warehouse capacity or available vehicles at a given time.
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Driver Planning & Vehicle Scheduling Software
The DISC logistics system includes powerful driver planning tools for real-time scheduling of drivers and strategic optimization 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 of our vehicle scheduling software with our roster creation tools enables forward planning of driver rotas based on anticipated demand and required working patterns. The transport scheduling software plans vehicle utilisation and includes configurable rules to optimize the use of own resources or 3PL (third party logistics) drivers and trucks.
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.
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Load Planning
Our distribution systems include sophisticated load planning software which can automatically optimize 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, load scheduling rules, 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 load scheduler program 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. The load plans include manifests and job sheets, and the load optimizer can export schedules to warehouse or transportation management solutions as required.
Strategic Transportation Software
The DISC transportation software can be used by distribution services and 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. The transportation management software 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.
DISC's transportation & logistics management solutions 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 transport schedule could change daily?
- What if the WTD rules change? How will I optimize distribution logistics accordingly?
- What if I centralise transportation logistics planning?
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.
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