Time windows are constraints that allow you to tell OptimoRoute between what time range an order must be scheduled. Time windows help you make sure that your service or delivery happens when it is supposed to. In this article, we will show you how to set this up.
| Who can use this feature | |
| All plans | |
| All users | |
| All regions | |
Configure time window settings
To configure how time windows are incorporated into your planning:
- Go to "Administration→Settings"
- Then "Orders→Time windows"
- Choose how you want the time windows to behave
- Click "Save"
Time window definitions
Time windows can be set to one of the following options:
- Service duration: The time window is used to determine the time range during which the order must start and finish.
- Service start time: The time window is used to determine when the order must start. The order can finish outside this time window.
Add time windows to existing orders
To add time windows to existing orders:
- Go to the "Plan and Optimize" tab
- Open an order you want to add a time window to
- Click "Add Time Window"
A time range will open up where you can input the time window for the order with a start and end time. You can add up to 3 time windows for a single order.
Importing time windows
You can also add time windows in bulk by importing time windows when you import orders.
To do this you must first choose whether to import Time Windows in one column or in two columns.
Any time format that is recognized by your spreadsheet as time is recognized by OptimoRoute. For example:
- 1pm-3pm
- 1:00pm-3:00pm
- 13:00 - 15:00
One column time windows format:
- Add the column "Time windows" to your spreadsheet
- Input both start and end times for your time windows.
- Multiple time windows for an order can be separated by a comma (,).
- Import the spreadsheet, mapping the new column to "Time Windows."
Two-column time window format:
- Add the columns "Time Window from" and "Time Window to" to your spreadsheet
- Input a start time under "Time Window from" heading and end time under the "Time Window to" heading for your time windows
- Import the spreadsheet, mapping the new columns to "Time Window from" and "Time Window to."
| Time windows must have a start and end time. If you do not add both a start and end time, the time window will not be imported. |
Routing results
When time windows are applied, then OptimoRoute will make sure that the order isn't scheduled outside of that time window.