Load Planning Software

Trailer Planning Software

MJC²'s DISC and REACT provide operational and real-time optimization of trailer utilization:

• Load planning and fill optimization: maximize trailer fill and reduce number of loads, taking into account complex profile of consignments and compatibility rules.
• Yard management software & door scheduling: optimize allocation of work to trailers and automatically plan door allocations and shunters.
• Real-time trailer tracking and scheduling: avoid "losing" trailers in the network by automatically tracking and planning repositioning.
• Strategic fleet planning: optimize the fleet profile at each location and analyse what-if scenarios for future expansion or new business.

Our load optimization software models a wide range of logistics operations and markets: retail, foods, petroleum, bulk products, wholesale distribution, building materials, chilled/frozen products, liquids, palletised freight, containers, swap bodies, etc.

By optimizing the allocation of work to trailers and tracking trailer location/status in real-time it is possible to reduce trailer fleet and corresponding costs significantly.

Load Planning Software

Loading Building Rules

MJC²'s load planning software automatically optimizes the load building process. The system automatically determines each pallet load and vehicle allocation, taking into account factors such as product compatibility, temperature control, stacking/packing constraints, weight balancing, load scheduling rules, dispatch unit sizes, preferred loading sequence, drop-trailer operations, etc.

Customised Load Planning Software

Load building rules can be customised, ensuring 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.

Resulting load plans include manifests and job sheets, and the load planner integrates with WMS and TMS systems for real-time management of the operation.

Yard Management Software & Door Scheduling

REACT includes automated traffic planning software tools to facilitate real-time scheduling of depot and warehouse operations. Our yard management systems can automatically schedule shunter movements, dock allocation and vehicle/trailer usage.

Traffic management in the yard and transport scheduling is integrated to ensure that all aspects of logistics operation are co-ordinated and optimized.

REACT models warehouse constraints, employee availability, load building requirements, docking constraints, preferred loading sequences, trailer compatibility rules, etc. and can receive real-time updates about the location and status of resources (shunters, trailers, drivers, etc.)

Based on these live datafeeds REACT automatically replans yard activities and issues updated instructions to staff via in-cab devices or messaging systems. Scheduling modules automatically assign shunting movements and loading plans.

Real-time Trailer Tracking

Integration with GPS trailer tracking systems (or other vehicle location and telematics systems such as container tracking) provides real-time visibility of the operation.

REACT uses this real-time data to automatically re-allocate work in response to delays or deviations from plan, and to re-schedule corresponding driver and truck movements.

Integration with IoT-enabled sensors provides real-time monitoring of temperature or seal status to increase security and resilience in the supply chain. Please see for example our recent work on container logistics and postal/parcel security.

Strategic Load Optimization

Integrated planning of warehouse and preloading activity, combined with corresponding transport optimization, increases the average loads per day achieved by each asset and reduces congestion in busy hubs and distribution centres.

MJC²'s SLIM software provides strategic modelling and 'what-if' tools to allow forward planning of fleet profiles and allocation to sites.

SLIM addresses questions such as "What is the benefit of upgrading to double-deckers?" or "What is ideal fleet profile for a new distribution hub?".

Integration with yard management and trailer software tools ensures that the end-to-end operation is modelled, covering flows through main hubs and depots and impact on shift patterns and resource requirements.