TABLE OF CONTENTS
How to configure the orders stacking automation
A number of parameters impact how DelivApp's algorithm groups the orders, and creates routes. This guide will help you configure these parameters so that they are optimal to your operational needs.
To make decisions on the orders grouping and distribution, the algorithm combines parameters on the Account level and on each Business level. Every single parameter impacts the decision, and limits the grouping and dispatching options for the system.
Account level - parameters that apply to the entire operation and all depots/pick-up locations:
Maximum orders per courier.
Total time limit for pick-ups in one route.
Average Pickup Duration.
Average Drop-off Duration.
Readiness Heads Up time.
Maximum service distance for bicycle.
Depot/pick-up location level - parameters that apply to a single business and do not impact other pick-up locations:
Max delivery time:
For a selected region (this parameter has the highest priority if it is set).
For a depot/pick-up location (this parameter is only effective if the Max delivery time for the region is not set).
Max cooling (per depot/pick-up location).
Default cooking time (the parameter is called Default cooking time and is set per depot. It can also be custom per order, it is then assigned upon accepting the order).
Account settings parameters
These parameters are global for the entire delivery operation.
Go to General settings, click on the Settings tab in the upper navigation panel, then click on the General settings in the left sidebar (screenshot 1).
(screenshot 1)
In the General settings screen, you will find the following parameters:
Maximum Number Of Orders In One Route - this parameter limits the number of orders in one route that can be offered to a courier. For example, if Max orders per courier is set at 3, even if delivery time and other constraints permit 5 orders, the system will still limit this number to 3. This parameter helps regulate the capacity and workload for the couriers.
Maximum Time Allocated For Pickups In One Route - this parameter defines how much time a courier can spend on picking orders from different locations. (E.g. Total time limit for pick-ups is set at 15 minutes, the system needs to decide whether or not to group 3 orders from 2 different pick-up locations. If combined travel time between the pick-up locations and Uploading time at pick-ups are under 15 minutes, the orders will then be grouped. If this time is above 15 minutes, the orders will then not be grouped).
Allow Pickups Within Following Radius Only - this parameter limits the distance for couriers to receive orders for delivery (E.g. If the radius parameter is 3 miles and the distance of the courier is further than 3 miles, the manager cannot assign the order to that courier. In case the radius less than 3 miles courier can receive an order for delivery).
Average Pickup Duration - an average time allocated to complete picking orders at a single pick-up location. This value is used for calculating route duration and ETAs. (E.g. If Uploading time at pick-up is set to 5 minutes, and a courier needs to collect orders from 3 pick-up locations, a total of 15 minutes will be added to the route time).
Average Dropoff Duration - an average time allocated to complete a delivery. This value is used for calculating route duration and ETAs. (E.g. If Unloading time at drop-off is set to 3 minutes, and a courier needs to deliver 3 orders, a total of 9 minutes will be added to the route time).
Allow Automatic Delivery Manipulation When The Order Is Ready For Pickup Within - this parameter tells the system when an order can be grouped for routing. It is relative to the order readiness time. (E.g. an order entered the system at 17:15, and was assigned a default readiness time of 20 minutes. The system knows that the order should be ready at 17:35. If the automatic delivery manipulation is set at 10 minutes, then at 17:25 (10 minutes before 17:35), this order is ready to be grouped with the other orders).
Maximum Service Distance For Bicycle Couriers - this parameter limits the maximum coverage distance for a bicycle or a kick-scooter
in one route. (E.g. if this parameter is set for 3KM, then a courier on a bicycle will not receive an order that is further than 3 KM from pick-up location. In addition, the courier will not get orders from pick-up which are further than 3KM + 600m (20% of the value for this parameter) from their location).
Courier Penalty Time After Rejected Order - this parameter will sanction a courier for the selected amount of time after rejecting an order, this means that during this time the courier will not be able to accept any other order. Accepted order that was then rejected.
Expand Courier Pool To All If Job Is Not Taken For - If an order is not accepted by the courier who was assigned to it, it will be automatically available for all other couriers.
First notify couriers within the following radius - Only couriers on the selected radius will receive the notification of an order available.
Notify Couriers About New Orders Based On The Following Strategy - on this setting you can select which courier will receive the notification for a new order, it could be all of them, the closest one or the least busy.
* Once all the necessary changes are done, please click on the Save button.
Depot settings parameters
Click on the Settings tab on the upper navigation panel, then click on the Depot settings on the left sidebar and then click on edit icon
(screenshot 3).
(screenshot 3)
Below are the settings that are custom per business/pick-up location. If you have more than one pick-up location, this parameter has to be separately configured for each one of them.
In the depot editing screen, you will find following parameters (screenshot 4):
(screenshot 4)
Max delivery time (including cooking time) - this is the maximum time for an order to be delivered to the customer. This time begins counting from the moment the order enters the DelivApp system. (E.g. an order was received at 17:15; if the max delivery time is set for 20 mins, the order should be delivered by 17:35. Most likely with such a setting, the orders from this depot will not be grouped with the other orders. If we want the grouping to happen, we may need to increase Max delivery time for that depot. It is up to you to decide on the best timing, note that this parameter includes cooking and delivery time, so there has to be enough time for both).
*This parameter can be set at the Delivery Region level as well. To change this parameter’s value for a specific region, click on the “Settings” tab on the upper navigation panel, then click on the “Regions” on the left sidebar. At the “Regions” screen, click on the edit icon in the relevant region.
Then at the newly opened screen you will find the “Max delivery time” field for the current region. (screenshot 5 and 6).
Please be aware that the value of this parameter on Region Level has higher priority than the one on depot level. E.g. If the order belongs to the Fulham delivery region, this parameter will be set to 70 mins, regardless of the pick-up/depot this order comes from.
(screenshot 5)
(screenshot 6)
Max cooling time (order on the road) - this is the maximum amount of time an order can spend on the road. For example an order was picked-up at 17:15, if the Max cooling time is set for 20 minutes, this order may be grouped with the other orders, and the system will make sure that it is delivered no later than 17:35.
Default cooking time - each order entering the system, requires a cooking time to be assigned (see Ready in field). If no Ready in time is assigned, the system will automatically fill out the Ready in field using the Default cooking time value.
Default control center - If you are working with control centers, every pick up location will need to be assigned to one of them.
Color - You can select shades of gray to identify to which pick up location an order belongs to
*Once all the necessary changes are done, please click on the Save button.
P.S. In case of any issues with order grouping/route, you always can ask for support via portal chat (screenshot 7).
(screenshot 7)
Contact the support manager and share an identification number of the order group/route with issue clarification.
In case a courier clicked on the Pull button, and the algorithm didn’t create a group, they will receive a message that includes the identification number (screenshot 10 and 11).
(screenshot 10)
(screenshot 11)