Definition

Solution that the optimizer generates, evaluates, and then optimizes. There are two types of initial solution:

The existing planned shipments from a previous optimization run or manual planning form an initial solution.

The optimizer generates additional initial solutions by distributing orders and deliveries to vehicle resources using heuristic criteria.

Use

The optimizer can only process, and, where necessary, improve existing planned shipments from a previous optimization run or manual planning as an initial solution, if they meet the following prerequisites:

They must not be released (the optimizer does not change released planned shipments during the optimization run).

They must lie completely within the planning horizon.

If they belong to an interlinked shipment, this shipment must lie within the planning horizon.

They must use connections with transportation lanes.

They must lie in selected vehicle resources.

They must not violate any incompatibilities.

If they are part of an interlinked shipment, this shipment must be valid for optimization (for example, an order can be transferred to another vehicle a maximum of two times and the transshipment locations must correspond to the transshipment locations defined in the hierarchy).

If they belong to schedule vehicle resources, the schedule data must be correct (differences in the schedule data can occur if schedule times or the itinerary change).

The optimizer filters planned shipments that do not meet these prerequisites before the optimization run begins. The optimizer then checks the validity of the initial solution. An initial solution is invalid, for example, in the following cases:

You have manually entered values for the durations (transportation, loading/unloading) or changed the values since the shipment was scheduled. These values therefore deviate from the standard values defined in the master data at the time of planning.

The optimizer plans two successive shipments to the same vehicle resource that is not one of your own vehicle resources. The optimizer cannot plan the journey of the vehicle resource from the end of the first planned shipment to the start of the second planned shipment because there is not enough time available.

Only if the initial solution is valid can the optimizer use it and execute the optimization run.