FAQ

Does Interplai offer the option to bundle orders together?

Absolutely! For each trip, Interplai offers many ways that orders can be bundled. Customize the optimization mode with whether you want a vehicle to pick up single or multiple orders, drop off single or multiple orders, or any combination of these options. For more details on bundling options, see Delivery Scenarios.

Why use Interplai instead of Google maps or Bing maps?

A route plan with multiple destinations cannot be planned by using Google Maps or Bing Maps alone. Additionally, these tools do not support constraints such as driver work hours, delivery dates, vehicle load capacity, and driver skills.

How are distances calculated?

Instead of finding the distance of a straight line between two locations (Euclidean distance), we measure the actual distance a vehicle would travel along the road networks (Taxicab distance). This produces a more accurate estimate of travel distance (and duration!) as a vehicle moves throughout a zone.

Does Interplai offer a driver dispatch app?

This is a feature we are working on and will offer very soon! For more information, please contact [email protected].

We already have an interface for ordering and dispatching drivers. Can we continue to use our interface, or are we required to use the one created by Interplai?

Interplai values each client’s unique needs, that’s why we have built customizable levels of integration. You may choose to use your existing system, or use the interface provided by Interplai. Contact us to find out more!

Our business includes different regions with very different needs. We service both large cities and smaller rural areas. Can we customize the settings for each region?

Yes! Each geographical region is called a "zone” which is created independently from other zones. Within each zone, you can set parameters that work best for how business is carried out for that specific region. For more information about the ways to customize a zone, see Zones.

Some of our vehicles can carry more items than others. Can we specify how much space a vehicle has for items or people?

Yes! The capacity can be set for each vehicle, which limits the maximum amount of cargo it can carry at one time. The unit for capacity or cargo is created by you but should be used consistently throughout a zone. For example, one cargo unit may refer to one package or one person. In addition, this allows you to set the demand, which is how much room will be needed at each checkpoint location for cargo being picked up or dropped off.

Some of our vehicles are more expensive to use than others and we would like to use the cheapest vehicle for each route. Can we factor this expense into the routes?

Yes! When creating a vehicle, you can specify the “fixed cost” for each vehicle. This tells our solver how expensive a vehicle is and allows us to compare vehicles in order to minimize the cost. There are also other options for customizing vehicles, such as setting the capacity and service type.

How does Interplai choose which vehicle to assign to a trip?

Using artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms, we have developed a solver that allows you to determine which factors are most important when assigning vehicles. We have customizable options include combinations of assigning the vehicle based on proximity (closest in distance or time), factoring in more expensive vehicles versus cost-effective vehicles, choosing specialty vehicles, considering the amount of space a vehicle has to carry goods or people, and more! You can set whether you want to minimize the travel duration or distance, and much more!