MapPoint is an application using a cartographic database which makes it possible to locate  points on a map, calculate itineraries for one vehicle and carry out  geomarketing analyses.

 What is TourSolver ?

TourSolver is  a complementary solution (" Add-On ") to Microsoft MapPoint 2002 or 2004. Based on the cartographic map provided in MapPoint, TourSolver is an application optimizing and scheduling the routes for a fleet of vehicles, while handling a given number of constraints related to the points to be visited and a given  number of parameters related to the vehicles and the drivers.

 

What is the difference between optimizing with TourSolver and MapPoint  ?

MapPoint can calculate and display one itinerary for a single vehicle. TourSolver takes into  account an entire fleet of vehicles, manages constraints (such as the delivery  time windows, capacity, returns to depot)..., while determining the best routes and sequence simultaneously.

 

What does optimization mean ?

Optimization means finding all of the routes for a fleet of vehicles which minimize the total cost of use, respecting the constraints related to the customers and vehicles.  This total cost will take into account the distance costs, the time costs,  including possible overtime and night breaks costs, including penalties in the  case that some constraints cannot be completely matched.

 

Is it possible to optimize routes over several days ?

TourSolver includes two independent assistants which makes possible either to optimize over one day, or to optimize over several days. In this case, TourSolver can take  into account the cost of the overnight stops.

 

What types of vehicles can be used ?

Any type of  vehicle can be used. A certain number of parameters such as the capacity of the vehicle, its driving cost per distance, etc. You can have different types of  vehicles used in the same optimization while respecting their individual  characteristics.

 

What are the system requirements for TourSolver for Microsoft MapPoint  ?

Operating  system : Windows 98, NT4 sp6, Windows 2000, Windows XP

RAM  requirement : minimum 384 Mb ; recommended : 512 Mb

Microsoft  MapPoint 2002 or 2004Other software : Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word recommended for better analysis of the  results.

 What is the price of TourSolver ?

Pricing is based on the number of vehicles in the fleet.  Please contact us for a quote.

 

Can  I upgrade my license to a higher number of vehicles ?

Yes, you only  have to pay the price difference.

 

What is the available geographical coverage ?

Different  versions of TourSolver are available :Benelux, Canada, France, Germany, Italy,  Spain & Portugal, Switzerland, United-Kingdom, United States, etc.  NB.: please contact us for other available countries

 

What languages is TourSolver available for?

Upon installation you can choose the language you want the product to be installed in : English, French, German, Italian or Spanish.

 

How  does one inputs his customers into TourSolver ?

The data (customers and vehicles) can be entered straight into MapPoint (" Import data "  or preferably " Link data "). This operation places the data on the map. They  are then identified as " Push-Pins " in MapPoint. TourSolver uses then those  push-pins for optimization.

 

How  are customers placed on the map ?

Microsoft  MapPoint has a " geocoding " function which allows either entries with postal address (street°, postcode, city) or GPS co-ordinates (latitude and  longitude). Either one or the other (for the whole file) will be used to place  the customers on the map.

 

How  can I display and print my routes ?

The routes calculated in TourSolver can be displayed in MapPoint, for the whole fleet or on a per vehicle basis. MapPoint Print command allows printing the routes.

 

How  can I distribute routes to routes the drivers ?

Generally  speaking, routes can be exported in Microsoft Excel, Word or ASCII text. Two  options are possible : the planning which indicates for each vehicle the ordered list  of the customers to be visited ; the detailed roadbook which indicates, in  addition to the planning, the actual driving instructions to go from one  customer to another.

Once exported, the routes can be printed from Microsoft Excel or Word.

 

Can  one use TourSolver with a GPS tracking system or AVL ?

TourSolver can be used as a perfect compliment to an AVL system in order to compare planned routes and routes actually driven.

TourSolver can also automatically e-mail the list of the routes to your vehicle tracking  service.