Location planning and optimization with PLANTOUR
Location counts: strategic location planning
Location planning and optimization with PLANTOUR evaluates and optimizes the assignment of customers to the depot locations as well as the cost structures and locations of the depots themselves. In addition to factors such as distance and travel time, an individual cost control function can also be integrated. The Location Optimization module answers the following questions:
- Customer assignment: From which location can the customer be serviced best?
- Location scenarios: How do the cost parameters change if additional logistics locations are made available? What number of locations is the optimum for the existing customer structure?
- Relocations and closures: How can the customers be serviced if the location of a depot site changes or is closed?
As a basis for the cost calculation of the location planning, the operative customer and depot data as well as the integrated distance calculation from our tour planning software PLANTOUR can be directly accessed. Based on trip time, distance, number of stops and the selected quantity units, the cost parameters per depot and the assignments are calculated with the help of specified default values. The result of the standard optimization can be used directly in tour planning.
Creation of simulation depots
Explore different scenarios by freely simulating locations based on your actual depots.
Individual cost function
Distance, visit frequency, trip time, dynamic cost factors or fixed costs: Put together your detailed evaluation functions.
Evaluation of customer assignments
Find out which location can serve your customers best, free from operational constraints.
CALCULATION OF DEPOT COSTS
Let the location optimization calculate the costs of the depots with fixed and customer-dependent cost components.
CREATION OF COMPARISON SCENARIOS
Test different options in planning and compare them afterwards. Simulate any number of location scenarios until you have found your best solution.
DIRECT INTEGRATION INTO PLANNING
Optimize your logistics locations on the basis of operational data and use your results directly in operational route planning.
Detailed reporting of current costs
Transparency regarding the current costs of location and customers helps you to make the right decisions: How much does a customer cost in delivery? Is that in ratio to sales? How much is the warehouse?
Optimizing customer assignments
Simulation from a logistical point of view: Is the customer supplied by the right depot? Or can customer value be increased by restructuring? How will customer costs develop when new customers are acquired in the region?
Economical selection of depot locations
Do you have an optimal supply network for your customers? Or can deliveries be completed quicker and more economically if you relocate your depot or open an external warehouse and optimize your location?
Review by means of simulation scenarios
What if – compare scenarios and simulate alternatives in customer assignment and location decision. Verify your decisions and use your results directly for future planning.
Location simulation current state analysis
Derive your simulation data directly from your operational data without affecting your daily business. Create simulation depots in order to evaluate various scenarios or let the system make a suggestion.
Location simulation result I
The system calculates the optimal depot/customer assignment based on default cost parameters and delivery frequencies. According to your preferences, you can either work with lines...
Location simulation result II
... or with areas and thus make area allocations at the same time. You can easily derive delivery areas for future new customer assignments.
Location simulation result III
Control detailed calculations of the assignment with fixed and variable cost rates for customer, location and resource.