Difference Between Reports and Views in Dispatch Science

 Dispatch Science provides two key ways to access and interpret operational and historical data: Views and

 Reports. Understanding the distinction between them is essential for selecting the right tool depending on

 your operational or analytical requirements.

Views

Overview:

Views are designed for real-time exploration of operational data. They provide immediate access to active

records like orders, deliveries, and exceptions. Users typically use views to filter, search, and monitor data

directly from the platform's interface.

Key Characteristics:

Optimized for performance and responsiveness using indexed or flattened database views.

Intended for operational use, not deep analytics.

Filtering, sorting, and grouping options are available but limited in complexity.

Used for monitoring logistics workflows, such as current deliveries or assignment statuses.

Common Use Cases:

Monitor all orders scheduled for pickup today.

View unassigned orders or delayed deliveries.

Track driver activity and service exceptions.

Reports

Overview

Reports are used for structured data extraction, often for analysis, invoicing, or auditing. They support more

complex business logic and calculations and are typically exported in formats like CSV or PDF for use by

external teams or stakeholders.

Key Characteristics:

Built using complex queries, enabling joins, aggregations, and time zone adjustments.

Frequently customized to meet specific client or billing requirements.- Used to generate structured summaries, financial breakdowns, or compliance metrics.- Reports reflect a static snapshot of data at a particular point in time.

Common Use Cases:

Monthly invoice reports per account.

Proof of delivery (POD) export for auditing.

Detailed analysis of extra fees by service level or zone.

Performance reports against Service Level Agreements (SLAs).

 Conclusion

 In Dispatch Science, Views and Reports serve distinct but complementary roles. Use Views when speed and

 operational visibility are required. Use Reports when precision, data aggregation, or structured exports are

 necessary for decision-making or compliance.