Plan routes with drag and drop

With OptimoRoute you can plan and adjust routes using drag and drop in both the timeline and map. In this article, we will explain how you can do this.

Who can use this feature
	All plans
	All users
	All regions

What is drag and drop planning?

Drag and drop planning allows you to move orders around on routes using the timeline and the map. This gives you the flexibility to create routes that make sense to you, your drivers, and your customers. While the OptimoRoute routing algorithm will give you the most efficient routes, it won't know all the nuances that go into running your unique business with your customers and drivers. 

Accessing editing mode

Editing mode allows you to make changes and run simulations without affecting any existing routes.

You will be able to:

• Add orders
• Move orders around
• Unschedule orders
• Undo edits
• Save and apply changes
• Discard all changes

To access the editing mode, you can just start moving orders around on the map or timeline. 

Editing routes with drag and drop

Routes can be modified in the timeline and on the map by dragging and dropping orders. When you move orders around, tool tips will appear to help you understand what will happen with the order(s) you are scheduling. 

There are four types of editing actions: 

• Adding orders
• Inserting stops
• Best fitting stops
• Unscheduling stops

Adding orders

You can add orders directly from the timeline from the unscheduled orders panel. 

To add orders: 

1. Go to the "Plan and Optimize" tab
2. Open the "Timeline" tab
3. In the "Unscheduled orders" panel, click the blue plus sign
4. Add order details
5. Click "Save"

This order will now be saved, even if changes are discarded. 

Inserting stops

Inserting stops allows you to manually move an order or a set of orders onto another route. This can be used to re-sequence an existing route or even move orders and routes to a new driver. Inserting stops will ignore any constraints you have. 

To insert stops: 

1. Go to the "Plan and Optimize" tab
2. Select an order from either the map or timeline
3. Drag them to a place on a route you want to insert them, either on the map or timeline
4. Release your mouse

A black dot will appear to let you know where you will be moving the orders to, along with a tool tip that will tell you exactly where you are going to be placing the orders. For example, "Insert between stops 1 and 2."

Inserting stops is only possible with a single unscheduled order. Operations with multiple orders like inserting multiple unscheduled orders and dragging multiple orders from multiple different routes, will instead use best fit.

Best fitting stops

The best fit feature allows you to move orders around while leveraging the OptimoRoute routing algorithm to help you place orders optimally in an existing route. Best fit will respect any constraints you have. 

To best fit stops: 

1. Go to the "Plan and Optimize" tab
2. Select an order or set of orders from either the map or timeline
3. Drag them to the driver's name on the timeline or to a place on the route on the map
4. Release your mouse

The route the order will be added to will be highlighted, along with a tool tip that will tell you that you will be performing a best fit action. 

Unscheduling stops

You can also unschedule stops to remove them from a driver's existing route. 

To unschedule stops: 

1. Go to the "Plan and Optimize" tab
2. Select an order or set of orders from existing routes either the map or timeline
3. Drag them to the "Unscheduled orders" panel
4. Release your mouse

This will unschedule the orders you have dropped into the panel.