Frequently Asked Questions about Zoning and Sectorisation:
Can I try out different zoning options?
Why isn't my new zoning being applied?
How do I generate automatic zoning?
Do I have to set up zoning?
Zoning isn't essential for optimising routes. Use it if it suits your business and the way you work.
It can be generated automatically or manually. Zoning allows you to define geographical sectors for your routes.
How do I create zoning?
You can add new zoning in three ways:
- Via the zoning section in the Plans tab. This lets you create sectors on a blank map. To start, create zones from a blank map. Click the "pentagon" icon at the top left of the map. Your mouse pointer will turn into a cross. By clicking, you set the boundaries of your sectors. Double-click to close the zone. In the panel on the right, assign a vehicle to each zone you create. The vehicle's settings will determine its colour. Save the zoning.
- Or via the plan by clicking the pencil icon next to Zoning. This displays a map with your destinations. From here, you can create zoning manually as described above.
- Or automatically by clicking the "Generate" dropdown menu. You can choose "From the plan" to generate automatic zoning based on your existing routes. You can also generate automatic zoning by number of zones, depending on how many vehicles you have (for a fleet of 10 vehicles, you can create between 1 and 10 zones). Automatic zoning will balance the number of delivery points across zones.
Can I try out different zoning options?
Yes, you can try out different zoning options as your business evolves or if your current routes are no longer suitable.
Your list of destinations is saved. You can create zoning from scratch by clicking Plans > Zoning > New zoning. A blank map will appear, allowing you to set up sectors of similar size.
You can also create zoning from your schedule. Click New Zoning in the right-hand window of the Plan tab. A map showing all your destinations will be displayed.
Zoning can be duplicated from the list of zonings (Zoning in the Plan tab). The duplicated plan can be edited using the pencil-in-a-square icon. Save your changes by clicking "Save Zoning".
How do I edit zoning?
From your list of zonings, select the one you want to edit.
A pencil-in-a-square icon lets you edit the points of your zone. When you click this icon, you'll see controllers (small white squares) that you can move.
Simply click and drag the controller to the desired location.
Click the confirm button to save your changes. You can cancel by clicking the Abandon button.
In the right-hand panel, you can assign a new vehicle to this zone or keep the existing one. Save your changes by clicking save.
Why isn't my new zoning being applied?
On the zoning edit page, make sure each zone is assigned to a vehicle – zones that are still grey haven't been assigned.
How do I generate automatic zoning?
Zoning can be generated automatically from the "Plans" section.
Purpose: Automatic zoning creates zones balanced by number of delivery points.
- Step 1: Select a route plan.
- Step 2: Click the pencil icon.
- Step 3: Create a Name for your zoning, then click "Create zoning".
- Step 4: (Optional) Add a Reference for the zoning
- Step 4: (Optional) Use Destinations from an existing route plan to display and filter destinations for creating the zoning.
- Step 5: Click the "Create zoning" button. You have two options for generating zoning automatically:
The first option is based on the existing routes in your schedule – click "From the route plan" to activate it.
The second option generates zoning based on the number of vehicles you have (here we have 5 vehicles, so the dropdown offers up to 5 zones).
- Step 5: Your automatic zoning is generated. You can still change which zones are assigned to each vehicle. After clicking "Back to plan", you'll return to the plan view. Just select the zoning you’ve created in the "Zoning" section.