Minimizing Route Optimization Run Times in SAP TM

⇨ oute optimization algorithms have existed in the market for decades, and hundreds of solutions are available. These solutions are similar in terms of features and capabilities. For SAP users, optimization engines for transportation planning are embedded in SAP Transportation Management (TM) module.

⇨ SAP TM engine has multiple optimization engines. SAP TM VSR optimizer is the engine that helps plan optimal shipments based on available resources and parameters like demand, capacities, schedules, and transportation costs, among other parameters. Behind the optimizer’s interface is an algorithm that considers all the parameters and plans optimal routes.

⇨ Various approaches can be used to reduce the model run time: •Minimizing model complexity •Build sub-models •Leverage multi-CPU core systems

The Vehicle Scheduling and Routing (VSR) optimizer in SAP Transportation Management (TM) is used extensively for vehicle route optimization. Like every other route optimization solution, heuristic leverages various modeling parameters to develop optimal routes. However, route optimization heuristics are computationally intense, and therefore, model run times are typically long. This article discusses three approaches that can be used to reduce the model run time:

• Minimizing model complexity
• Build sub-models
• Leverage multi-CPU core systems