Using Via Locations vs Interim Locations

[joecallan]

I am looking to configure rates and itineraries based on agents that provide the following service:

Origin Location to Destination Airport via Origin Airport

From what I can see, adding via locations to the itinerary excludes rates lacking similar via points from evaluation. It offers no additional track and trace capabilities.

Can the above scenario be combined into 1 leg on an itinerary? How can I factor in the air schedules which are Origin Airport to Destination Airport?

Thanks,
Joe

[joecallan]

Re: Using Via Locations vs Interim Locations

We have ruled out using Via Points and now know that interim points are the way that we would like to proceed (Interim Points appear as a stop on the shipment Stops tab). We have been successful building a TL shipment with an interim point, so I am now trying to plan a single legged AIR shipment using an interim point.

This is what I have found:

1. An air order will create a shipment without an interim point on the itinerary.

2. An air order will not create a shipment with an interim point on the itinerary.

3. I tried adding an interim flight to the air schedule to simulate the hub to origin airport portion of the move - still unsuccessful.

4. I removed the interim point from the itinerary and the order planned using the schedule in #3.

5. I changed the itinerary leg to TL and the order plans with the interim stop included.

Has anyone out there been successful using interim points with a mode profile of air?

Thanks,
Joe

[ianlo]

Re: Using Via Locations vs Interim Locations

We have ruled out using Via Points and now know that interim points are the way that we would like to proceed (Interim Points appear as a stop on the shipment Stops tab). We have been successful building a TL shipment with an interim point, so I am now trying to plan a single legged AIR shipment using an interim point.

This is what I have found:

1. An air order will create a shipment without an interim point on the itinerary.

2. An air order will not create a shipment with an interim point on the itinerary.

3. I tried adding an interim flight to the air schedule to simulate the hub to origin airport portion of the move - still unsuccessful.

4. I removed the interim point from the itinerary and the order planned using the schedule in #3.

5. I changed the itinerary leg to TL and the order plans with the interim stop included.

Has anyone out there been successful using interim points with a mode profile of air?

Thanks,
Joe

Hi Joe,

What version of OTM are you using? Are you planning on Order Releases or Order Movements?

In our implementation, we are using interim stops for ground transport movements and not for air. We have modelled our movements much like yours - source > customs location > destination. Honestly, I kinda regret using interim stops as I am planning onto them using Order Movements and they have given me nothing but headaches.

Apparently, interim stop functionality is not very well implemented (unlike normal point to point movements)

If possible, I would suggest you model your movements (if business allows) for point to point itineraries.

The problems with interim stops I have are as follows:
1) Unable to add order movements / order releases on to shipments planned with interim stops
2) Unable to properly consolidate orders into planned shipments in the expected manner when using interim stop itineraries (this has been addressed in the following thread - http://www.otmfaq.com/forums/f15/5-5...-shipment-420/
3) Bulk planning produces the wrong stop locations (although timings are correct) (this is addressed in OTM 5.5 CU3RU1

[joecallan]

Re: Using Via Locations vs Interim Locations

Ian:

We are on OTM 5.5 CU3 and are using Order Releases.

Thanks for the feedback.

Here is an update:

- I haven't been able to have the origin airport included as an interim point on a shipment in conjunction with service time calculations.

- The alternative was to add the Airports to the Hubs as Operational Locations and check the "Assign Operational Locations to Stops" box on the appropriate leg of the itinerary. The positives are that the shipments now factor in service time and the rates & schedules should be sufficient as is. The negative is that the customer will not be able to collect event info at the interim airport. They will however, know the freight is between the origin Hub and the destination Airport and will be able to approximate its arrival.

After reading your points below, I'm hoping operational location functionality is more flexible than the interim point.

Joe

[ianlo]

Re: Using Via Locations vs Interim Locations

Hi Joe,

Yep what you mention sounds about right. We also experimented with VIA locations initially, but realised that we had to use interim stops because business and ops insisted that they wanted to collect events on interim stops.

On hindsight, if I would have known, I would have tried to dissuade them from using interim stops - but I guess its too late now.. we are too deep into the project and too close to the go-live to even consider otherwise.

I hope you have better luck with VIA locations. All the best!