The Difference Between Routing, Route Scheduling, and Route Optimization

Efficiency optimization within a manufacturing operation is the number one goal of any production facility and it can not be conducted without proper routing, route scheduling, and route optimization.

 Routing, route scheduling, and route optimization are all extremely important processes for creating reliable cost-effective routes. These three processes all sound like they make mean the same thing, but each of these processes actually differ dramatically, especially route optimization. It is essential to understand the differences between routing, route scheduling, and route optimization and how it could help you with reducing expenses through waste reduction, cost reduction, and more. Therefore, in this blog we will be discussing the differences among routing, route scheduling, and route optimization within a manufacturing operation. 

Routing, Route Scheduling, and Route Optimization 

The difference between routing, route scheduling, and route optimization include the following: 

• Routing - Routing is defined as the process of creating the most cost effective route through minimization of distance or travel time necessary in order to reach a set of planned stops. Routing is a crucial process of logistics systems, especially due to the high competition and narrowing margins in the global market. Routing of goods and services incurs huge costs for vehicle operation, fuel, labor, and maintenance. 
• Route Scheduling - Route scheduling is the process of assigning an arrival and service time for each stop, with drivers being assigned shifts that adhere to working hours. The entire objective of both routing and route scheduling is to effectively cut down on your expenses, such as mileage and vehicle capital costs. 
• Route Optimization - Route optimization is the process of planning one or multiple routes, with the purpose of minimizing overall costs, while achieving the highest possible performance under a set of given constraints. 

A software that can aid with routing, route scheduling, and route optimization is PlanetTogether’s Advanced Planning and Scheduling Software (APS). PlanetTogether’s Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS) Software can easily aid your manufacturing operation through efficiency enhancement and production optimization. Advanced Planning and Scheduling Software (APS) allows you to have a visual representation of your manufacturing operation as a whole and manipulate areas that are in need of optimization through cost reduction, profit increase, and waste reduction. APS is being implemented into manufacturing operations around the globe and are allowing manufacturers to maintain their competitive edge. 

Advanced Planning and Scheduling Software 

Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS) software has become a must for modern-day manufacturing operations due to customer demand for increased product mix and fast delivery combined with downward cost pressures. APS can be quickly integrated with a ERP/MRP software to fill gaps where these system lack planning and scheduling flexibility and accuracy. Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS) helps planners save time while providing greater agility in updating ever-changing priorities, production schedules, and inventory plans.

• Create optimized schedules balancing production efficiency and delivery performance
• Maximize output on bottleneck resources to increase revenue
• Synchronize supply with demand to reduce inventories
• Provide company-wide visibility to capacity
• Enable scenario data-driven decision making

Implementation of Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS) software will take your manufacturing operations to the next level of production efficiency, taking advantage of the operational data you already have in your ERP.