Variable loading and unloading times can be concurrently based on any or all of the following shipment attributes:
Weight
Volume
Pieces
Pallets
Units
Quantity
Time factors for weights and volumes must be expressed in relation to the applicable base unit of measure for the application.
Values used to compute variable loading/unloading times can be optionally activated for Docks and Shipping Locations as well as for Equipment Types that are eligible to be used as the Trailer Equipment Type. Minimums, maximums and per unit values cannot be defined for Equipment Types that are only eligible to be used as a Tractor Equipment Type.
When loading / unloading times are computed during scheduling, variable loading/unloading times will be computed only when loading or unloading at the location will be live. If loading/unloading is non-live, variable loading / unloading time will be zero. Variable loading/unloading times are only computed at locations where freight will either be loaded or unloaded; variable times will not be applicable for locations visited strictly to pick up or drop off equipment (tractor and/or trailer).
The Loading / Unloading Time Calculation Mode for the applicable shipping location will determine whether variable loading and unloading times are computed using values for the applicable shipping location, dock (if applicable) or trailer equipment type:
If mode is Equipment Time only if Specified, times defined for the Trailer Equipment Type will be used, if defined; otherwise, dock times will be used, if times have been defined and a dock is applicable; otherwise times for the location will be used.
If mode is Accumulated, times will be computed for the Trailer Equipment Type, if times have been defined for the equipment. Times will also be computed for the Dock, if times have been defined and a dock is applicable; otherwise, times will be computed for the location. Total for the equipment will be added to the total for the location/dock.
If mode is Location/Dock Time Only, times will be computed for the Dock, if times have been defined and a dock is applicable; otherwise, times will be computed for the location.
If mode is Higher Value, times will be computed for the Trailer Equipment Type, if times have been defined for the equipment. Times will also be computed for the Dock, if times have been defined and a dock is applicable; otherwise, times will be computed for the location. The greater of the total for the equipment vs. the total for the location/dock will be used.
If mode is Dock Supersedes Equipment, times for the Dock will be used if times have been defined and a dock is applicable; otherwise, times defined for the Trailer Equipment Type will be used, if defined; otherwise, times for the location will be used.
Note: If docks have been defined for a location but a dock commitment does not exist for a stop at this location, scheduling will use the loading/unloading times for the eligible dock that would require the least amount of loading or unloading time.
Minimum and Maximum Variable Loading/Unloading Times will define a floor and ceiling for the time that will be required to load or unload freight at a facility. When the maximum is zero, this indicates that there is no applicable maximum. Minimum and maximum will be activated / deactivated at Equipment Type level as a pair.
The determination as to which pair of Minimum and Maximum Variable Loading/Unloading Times will be used will be made as follows:
If mode is Equipment Time only if Specified, minimum/maximum times defined for the Trailer Equipment Type will be used, if defined; otherwise, dock minimum/maximum times will be used, if times have been defined for that entity and a dock is applicable; otherwise minimum/maximum times for the location will be used. If Minimum and Maximum Times have been activated for an Equipment Type, these will supersede the values for a Shipping Location even if values are zero.
If mode is Accumulated, the greatest minimum and greatest maximum time amongst the Trailer Equipment Type (if times have been defined for the equipment), the Dock (if times have been defined and a dock is applicable) and the Shipping Location will be used.
If mode is Location/Dock Time Only, minimum/maximum times for the Dock will be used, if times have been defined and a dock is applicable; otherwise, minimum/maximum times for the location will be used.
If mode is Higher Value, the greatest minimum and greatest maximum time amongst the Trailer Equipment Type (if times have been defined for the equipment), the Dock (if times have been defined and a dock is applicable) and the Shipping Location will be used.
If mode is Dock Supersedes Equipment, minimum/maximum times for the Dock will be used if times have been defined and a dock is applicable; otherwise, minimum/maximum times defined for the Trailer Equipment Type will be used, if defined; otherwise, otherwise minimum/maximum times for the location will be used.
Variable loading/unloading time can be defined for any combination of the six shipment attributes. A total will be computed for each attribute. The variable loading/unloading time for each of the shipment attributes will be aggregated. Typically, just one shipment attribute will be used.
For each location, dock or equipment type, the variable loading and unloading times can be defined for combinations of:
For each combination of category and shipment attribute, the most specific combination of item type and loading type will be used to compute the variable loaded or unloaded time. Potentially, multiple Variable Time Factors may need to be used to compute the variable duration for freight being loaded or unloaded at a location. The hierarchy for establishing precision is:
Combination with a defined item type and loading type
Combination with a defined loading type
Combination with a defined item type
Combination without a defined item type or loading type
The computed variable loading or unloaded time could potentially be increased by a percentage defined in Global Settings – Loading/Unloading Buffers (Employee). If applicable, the percentage could vary based on the number of Item Types being loaded or unloaded at the stop.
For loads with Load Item Loading data:
Variable loading/unloading time defined for Units, Pieces or Pallets will be computed based on the corresponding value recorded for each row in Load Item Loading.
Variable loading/unloading time defined for Quantity will be computed based on either Pieces or Pallets, whichever is populated.
Since weight and volume are not maintained for Load Item Loading data, variable loading/unloading time defined for weight or volume will be based on the pro-rated percentage of total units from the source Shipment Detail.
For loads without any Loading Item Loading data, all shipment attributes will be based on values from the Shipment Details.
Note: Loading Type cannot be defined at Shipment Detail Level. Furthermore, Item Type cannot be defined for Shipment Details for shipments using Item Detail Level.