OR/MS Today, February 2008
Vehicle Routing Software Survey
The information in the survey that follows was provided by the vendors in response to a questionnaire developed by Randolph W. Hall. The survey should not be considered as comprehensive, but rather as a representation of available vehicle routing packages. Questionnaires were sent to vendors drawn from previous survey participants, the OR/MS Today database and other sources. It includes the products of those vendors who responded by the deadline. If you know of a vehicle routing package that is not in this survey, please contact Patton McGinley at (770) 431-0867, ext. 214 or e-mail them to patton@lionhrtpub.com. They will be included in an online version.
Be sure to read the accompanying article.
The survey is divided into 15 separate pages. Following is an index of the pages and the information they contain:
- Page 1
- Vendor
- Year Introduced
- Platforms Supported: Windows, Linux, Unix, Mac OS, Web, ASP, Other (specify)
- Page 2
- Maximum size of problem solvable by the system: Number of Stops, Number of Vehicles, Number of Terminals
- Page 3
- Maximum size of problem solvable by the system (continued): Recommended Hardware, Processor Speed, Memory, Hard Disk Space
- Page 4
- Performance: Computation time, What types of algorithms are employed (open-ended)?, Are approximations used to reduce computation time?
- Page 5
- Routing Functions: Node Routing, Arc Routing, Real-time re-Routing, Real-time Stop Scheduling, Daily Routing, Route Planning & Analysis, Incorporates Real-time Traffic Information
- Page 6
- GIS Capabilities: Displays routes & stops on maps, Can edit routes with drag & drop, Geocodes stops from addresses
- Page 7
- Price Information: Single Site License (50 routes), Does license fee include map for one region?, What brand of map is provided?, Installation support cost ($/hour), Typical support hours needed for installation (50 routes)
- Page 8
- Solution Algorithm: Does system accept Soft Time Windows?, If so, how are Soft Time Windows Specified?
- Page 9
- Product is available as part of a suite that provides: On-board electronic display, Wireless messaging to driver, Real-time vehicle tracking, Bar-code scanner, Supply chain management software (e.g. inventory mangement), Customer order processing, Computer aided dispatch for police, fire or emergency vehicles
- Page 10
- Features: Assigns individual drivers, Turn-by-turn route instructions, Automatic forecasts of delivery, Load manifests, Loading plan for truckload
- Page 11
- Types of fleets that currently use the product: Local pick-up and delivery, Long-haul less-than truckload, Long-haul truckload, Courier, Buses, Taxis, Service fleets, Emergency services (police, fire, etc.)
- Page 12
- Other special features
- Recent innovations in system
- Page 13
- Number of companies using software
- Most significant installations
- Page 14
- Has your routing software been integrated with either cell phone or PDA technology? Describe the application:
- Have you developed other software innovations, such as use of social networking for information sharing? Describe:
- Page 15
- What is the largest change in the industry over the last two years?
- What do you expect to be the biggest change in the next two years?
- Vendor List
- Vendor
The survey appeared in the February 2008 issue of OR/MS Today. To order a copy of this issue, contact Customer Service at 770-431-0867, ext. 224 or send e-mail to: csr@lionhrtpub.com.
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