Definition

  • A product is defined by the user to segment material flow into different groups that flow from different sources and have distinctly different transportation properties.  


Managing Products

  •   Products can be created in two different ways:

    1. Import - any product name created in the upload file will automatically create that product name in the model

    2. Interface - open Scenario Selector>>Configuration>>Product  and click the plus sign to name a new product


Product Properties

  • Global settings

    1. Density Class - Modifies the LTL rates 

    2. Units per Shipment - Modifies the weight break for LTL and Parcel shipments

    3. Units per Container - Modifies the Inter-modal rates

    4. Units per Truck - Modifies the FTL and FTL f(x) rates

  • Node settings

    1. Activities - activities can be assigned to all products or to specific products

    2. Capacity - a node can have a capacity limit set for all products or for specific products


Modeling Tips

  • Users should simplify their models by consolidating to as few products as possible - it makes the models easier to manage and the solvers will run faster.

  • Here are some great questions to ask if you need to segment SKUs into products.

    1. Are there groups of SKUs that are sourced from different supply nodes?

    2. Are there groups of SKUs that have distinctly different transportation properties AND have different proportions of demand in different geographies?

    3. Are there groups of SKUs for which you want to assign specific activities?

        If the answer is no, you do not need to segment your SKUs into product families - you can use one generic product.