Background
Supply chain and logistics operations face constant change—new orders, traffic disruptions, vehicle breakdowns, and shifting time windows. Manual dispatch decisions led to suboptimal routes, wasted fleet capacity, and labor-intensive replanning.
We partnered with a logistics client to build Dispatch Commander (VRP), a solver that computes provably optimal routing and assignment decisions across time windows, vehicle types, policies, and service constraints—then pushes dispatch actions directly to operations systems. The system re-optimizes as the world changes.
The Challenges
- •Manual dispatch decisions could not keep pace with real-time changes
- •Suboptimal routing increased fleet cost and miles driven
- •Complex constraints (time windows, cold chain, crew skills) made optimization hard
- •Lack of audit-ready evidence for finance and compliance
“We were drowning in spreadsheets and still making decisions that cost us money. We needed something that could re-optimize as the world changed—and prove it.”
Our Approach
We designed a 3-phase approach: constraint modeling, optimization engine, and operational integration with audit-ready evidence.
Phase 01: Constraint Modeling at Scale
We modeled millions of real-world constraints: time windows, priority & SLA, multi-depot pickup/delivery, vehicle capacity, cold chain requirements, restricted zones, crew skill matching, service-type compatibility, and split/merge rules.
- •Comprehensive constraint set for production logistics
- •Traffic and disruption handling with automatic re-optimization
- •Safe dispatch with rationale and versioned rollback
Phase 02: Deterministic Optimization Engine
The solver computes provably optimal routing and assignment decisions, then pushes dispatch actions directly to operations systems. The execution loop runs continuously: orders + telemetry → optimize → dispatch actions → KPI dashboard.
- •Provably optimal routing under millions of constraints
- •Real-time re-optimization as conditions change
- •Direct integration with operations and dispatch systems
Phase 03: Audit-Ready Evidence Chain
Every plan includes constraints, rationale, and versioned rollback. We translate KPIs into an English evidence pack for finance and audit—making every routing decision traceable and defensible.
- •Audit-ready: constraints, rationale, versioned rollback
- •Evidence chain export for finance and compliance
- •Route plan + KPI snapshot for stakeholder reporting
The Results
- •50% reduction in dispatch labor
- •6% reduction in fleet cost
- •5% reduction in miles driven
- •Audit-ready evidence for finance and compliance
“We went from reactive spreadsheets to proactive optimization. Dispatch Commander re-optimizes as the world changes, and we can prove every decision.”
Final Takeaway
Deterministic optimization under millions of constraints is achievable in production. With the right constraint modeling, solver architecture, and operational integration—plus audit-ready evidence—logistics can move from manual dispatch to automated, provably optimal routing.
Technologies We Use
Modern, proven technologies to build robust applications
Optimization Solver
Python
Kubernetes
Real-time Telemetry
