In the AFS system you can calculate the move time for each route from your vendor to your plant. The AFS route determination is based on the standard route determination, with which you can determine the route from your plant to your customer in Sales and Distribution. During the route determination process, the transportation zones of your vendor and plant, as well as the shipping conditions and transportation groups are taken into account.

The move time for a route can be recalculated for different shipping conditions. For example, you specify that the goods are to be transported by truck. If you require the goods urgently, they will be transported by plane. Different routes and therefore different move times will be determined for these different shipping conditions.

You can determine routes via forward or backward scheduling. Whereas during forward scheduling the delivery date is recalculated, it remains as is during backward scheduling. The production date, the packing date, and the ex factory date are, however, recalculated.

In order to use the route determination, you have to define transportation zones, shipping conditions, transportation groups, and routes (with transit times and transportation lead times). The transportation zones, shipping conditions, and transportation groups of R/3 standard shipping are used. After defining transportation zones, define routes for a link between the zones, depending on the shipping conditions and the transportation groups. Finally, the transportation zones will be assigned to a vendor and plant.

Make the following settings in Customizing:

1. To define transportation zones, choose Logistics Execution ® Shipping ® Basic Shipping Functions ® Routes ® Route Determination ® Define Transportation Zones.
2. To define shipping conditions, choose Logistics Execution ® Shipping ® Basic Shipping Functions ® Shipping Point and Goods Receiving Point Determination ® Define Shipping Conditions.
3. To define transportation groups, choose Logistics Execution ® Shipping ® Basic Shipping Functions ® Routes ® Route Determination ® Define Transportation Groups.
4. To define routes, choose Materials Management ® Purchasing ® Purchase Order ® Define AFS Route Determination in Purchase Order In the dialog box, select Define Route.
5. You set the link between the transportation zones depending on the shipping conditions and the loading groups. Choose Materials Management ® Purchasing ® Purchase Order ® Define AFS Route Determination in Purchase Order and select Define Route Determination in the dialog box.
6. To assign a transportation zone to your plant, choose Materials Management ® Purchasing ® Purchase Order ® Define AFS Route Determination in Purchase Order and select Define Transportation Zones in the dialog box.