Creating a ZIP-Based Route Plan

A ZIP-Based Route Plan is a type of routing configuration that organizes deliveries based on ZIP codes (postal codes). It's used to automatically assign orders or recurring deliveries to specific zones within a route plan, where each zone is defined by one or more ZIP codes.

Route Recurrences can only be used with ZIP-Based Route Plans.

Key Characteristics:

• Zone Definition by ZIP Code: You group delivery addresses into zones using ZIP codes. This allows for efficient route planning based on geographic proximity.
• Automation: When orders or recurring deliveries come in, the system checks the delivery ZIP code and automatically assigns it to the matching zone in the route plan.
• Flexible Scheduling: You can create daily, weekly, or custom schedules and associate specific zones and route recurrences with each schedule.
• Optimized Routing: Depending on the selected mode (e.g., minimize drivers, predefined drivers), the system can optimize routes within and across zones.

Steps to Create:

1. Go to Orders > Route Plans, then click New Route Plan.

2. Fill in the fields:

   • Display Name (required)

   • Description (optional)

   • Rank (optional)

   • Select Zip Based

   • Enter Warehouse Information

   • Specify whether the Route ends at the warehouse

   • Choose an Optimization Mode, then click Save

Optimization Modes:

• Single Route (Last Mile Routing)

• Minimize Number of Drivers or Predefined Number of Drivers (Advanced Distribution add-on)

3. Zones are listed below the Accounts/Service Levels, and Schedules are shown on the right.
   
   
   

4. When using a Route of type Recurrence, selecting an Account or Service Level is optional. Orders tied to the selected Route Recurrence will be added to the appropriate Zone.
   
   

5. Click Add to create a Zone:

   • Name the zone and assign an optional color.

   • Enter one or more ZIP Codes (ignored for Recurrence-only zones).

   • Choose the Mode.

   • Define where the route ends and override warehouse addresses if necessary.

   • Click Save.
     
     
     

6. Repeat for additional zones as needed.

Scheduling the Route Recurrence

7. Click Add Schedule:

   • Select the days the route should run.

   • Enter the Route Start Time for each day.

   • The Order Creation Cutoff determines when orders will be created for Recurrences.
     

The Pickup Cutoff Time is not used for Route Recurrences.

8. Click the + icon next to a day to expand its schedule.

9. Click Add New to assign a Zone and a Recurring Route:

   • Choose the Zone Name.

   • Select the Recurring Route.

   • The changes are automatically saved.
     
     

You can assign multiple Routes to one Zone or multiple Zones to one day.

10. Click Start to activate the Route Recurrence.

    • Orders will be generated on the next scheduled date and placed in the designated Route Container.

11. Use the collapse icon to close all expanded schedule days. 

Stopping a Recurring Route

1. Open the relevant Route Plan.

2. Click Stop to pause the Route Recurrence.
   
   

Deleting a Route Recurrence from a Route Plan

1. Expand the Schedule Day by clicking the + icon.

2. Click the delete icon to remove a Zone and its Recurring Route.

To delete a Schedule:

• First remove all Zone/Route combinations.

• Once the Schedule is empty, the delete icon will be enabled.

Benefits:

• Improves delivery efficiency by minimizing travel time and distance.

• Ensures consistent route assignment for recurring deliveries.

• Supports the automation of order placement in the correct route and container.