Article ID: | iaor2006899 |
Country: | United States |
Volume: | 35 |
Issue: | 3 |
Start Page Number: | 202 |
End Page Number: | 214 |
Publication Date: | May 2005 |
Journal: | Interfaces |
Authors: | Faulin Javier, Sarobe Pablo, Simal Jorge |
Keywords: | decision, vehicle routing & scheduling, agriculture & food |
We designed a decision-support system for FRILAC Company in Navarra, Spain, to optimize its routes for delivering frozen products. FRILAC's logistics department had been organizing deliveries based on vehicle runs, but FRILAC deemed this process inaccurate and expensive. We suggested simplifying this procedure by creating a decision-support system (DSS). We had a twofold aim: to design a route builder geared specifically to the road network of the area and to integrate the DSS into the global management of the company. We achieved both objectives by constructing the DSS LOGDIS in Microsoft Access. LOGDIS, using Clarke and Wright's algorithm, designs routes that minimize distances traveled, shows final outcomes on screen, creates reports for vehicle drivers, and estimates route costs. FRILAC has successfully implemented the results, reaching an average cost saving of 10 percent.