Best Software for Worldwide Distance Calculation

[cspadola]

We will have a need in the near future to manage shipments to worldwide locations, especially in the Far East and South America. The current distance and rating server we use is fine for our EU shipments but we will soon need something that can provide calculations for these new locations.

Can someone provide any feedback regarding different packages available that work with OTM? We have tested PTV World Map recently and find that not all distance and rate inquiries work, depending on the locations being asked for. This may be because the data in this software has not yet been updated but as it is the latest version and was wondering if other packages offer more reliable results.

[nick.polites]

Re: Best Software for Worldwide Distance Calculation

You can install PC Miler Worldwide and see if that works. I have installed it on one client but found you will need to create a new Geo Hierarchy and External Distance Engine as the one used out of box does not send the Country code over to PC Miler. Unless the country code is sent over you may get incorrect distances back from the distance engine.

[cstarks]

Re: Best Software for Worldwide Distance Calculation

Nick,

For China, how was PC Miler Worldwide?

Thanks,

Chris Starks

[nick.polites]

Re: Best Software for Worldwide Distance Calculation

Not sure exactly how well it worked for the customer. Once I set it up I never heard a complaint after that

I know that you have to setup a new Geo Hierarchy because if you use the default one in OTM, it does not contain the country code in the call to PC Miler which sometimes can cause problems. If you do decide to implement it let me know and I'll dig up the document on what needs to be done.

Nick

[cstarks]

Re: Best Software for Worldwide Distance Calculation

Thanks for the quick response Nick. I guess my question is more about the functional side - is it pretty similar to the US mileage package - ie does it cover all of China for mileage or is it only specific regions within that country?

[nick.polites]

Re: Best Software for Worldwide Distance Calculation

I never got into the exact specifics so it may be better to contact ALK and find out.

[cstarks]

Re: Best Software for Worldwide Distance Calculation

Ha... One step ahead of you on that one. I am waiting for a call-back on that, but I wanted to hear from an implementer. I'll post what we find out from ALK for everyone.

Thanks again Nick.

[bman]

Re: Best Software for Worldwide Distance Calculation

Hello Nick,

How can we call pc miler from within a stored procedure...?

We have a need to iterate through the stops on a shipment and retrieve miles from origin location to stop #1, origin location to stop #2, origin location to stop #3. We are not looking for distance traveled or drive miles. We want the miles returned as if it were 3 direct individual shipments.

thanks in advance...Brian