Online vs Offline Optimization

Online optimization is best suited for trips that need to be filled shortly after being created. This applies to same-day delivery orders, such as food or medicine delivery. For Optimization Solutions to be produced in real-time, the optimizer must suggest routing and vehicle information based on the data that it has at that moment. However, updates are continually sent to the server, so new information may lead to better or different routes. This is referred to as online optimization, where Interplai makes suggestions based on current information, but allows for the possibility that the solution is created with partial data, since new data may be obtained.

The opposite of online optimization is referred to as offline optimization. If solutions are to be planned ahead of time, offline optimization assumes the data is complete and no new information will be received. This is best suited for trips that can be carried out at a later point in time, such as retail or scheduled-appointment deliveries. This way, the route can be fully planned in advance and executed at a later date.