BISCIT Delivery Planning - User Guide
- 1 Overview
- 2 General Information
- 3 Getting Started
- 4 Login
- 5 Moving Orders
- 5.1 Drag and Drop
- 5.2 Assign Route Button
- 5.3 Run Page
- 6 Comments
- 6.1 Notes
- 6.1.1 Internal Notes
- 6.1.2 Daily Notes
- 6.1.3 Run Page
- 6.1 Notes
- 7 Vehicle Management
- 8 Route Management
- 9 Settings
- 10 Run Page
Overview
BISCIT Delivery Planning (BDP) is the final piece in the puzzle sitting between Epicor Kinetic Warehouse (EKW) and Proof of Delivery (POD). BDP offers proactive planning and end to end visibility from order to delivery.
The drag and drop functionality allows users to react to changing priorities quickly enhancing your planning capabilities. Increased visibility promotes earlier planning, optimizing logistics resources for greater efficiency. Consequently, it elevates the customer service experience by ensuring timely deliveries, every time.
With route optimization and seamless integration with EKW’s Delivery Staging feature, this enables your team to strategically load customer shipments onto delivery vehicles in reverse delivery sequence unlocking unprecedented efficiencies and streamlining your distribution operations.
As it is fully integrated to POD, it ensures that delivery instructions and optimized routes are effortlessly communicated. POD’s capture of ‘sign on glass’ signatures and images provide a seamless and efficient delivery confirmation experience.
BDP is purpose built for Epicor Kinetic, with real time integration resulting in a singular, reliable source of truth, ensuring data consistency and integrity across your operations.
General Information
Setting Up IDP Login for the BDP Application
To configure IDP login for the BDP application, follow these steps:
Access Epicor Login
Go to https://login.epicor.com/.
Log in and navigate to the Admin section.
Manage Applications
Click Manage Apps in the Apps section of the Admin page.
Edit the Target Application
Locate the application you need to log in to.
Click the three dots (⋮) to the right and select Edit.
Verify Reply URIs
Under Reply URIs, ensure the following URIs are registered:
https://bdp-pilot.biscit.comhttps://bdp-beta.biscit.comhttps://bdp.biscit.comUsers that have BDP embedded in their Epicor environment: Please insert the URL of your Epicor site as well, for example, if I have my BDP embedded on environment: https://myepicorenv.biscit.co/Kinetic/Home, I will place
https://myepicorenv.coexactly like that in the Reply URIs, same applies for the use of this URL in step 6.
Enable Advanced Mode
In the top-right corner, click Advanced Mode.
Go to the Registered URIs section.
Check Logon and CORS Tabs
Ensure the Logon and CORS tabs contain the same URIs listed in step 4.
Following these steps will ensure proper IDP login configuration for the BDP application.
DispatchPortalGroup Information
Ensure that all users that plan on operating in BDP (i.e. Moving data, optimizing runs) are added to a new “DispatchPortalGroup” security group.
After setting up with the steps below, and logging in for the first time, there will be a new security group called “DispatchPortalGroup”
Go to user account and security maintenance.
Enter the user to be assigned to the group.
Go to groups and ensure “DispatchPortalGroup” is an authorized group for the user.
Getting Started
Go to https://bdp.biscit.com . For Demo please use the link below:
If the user is using BDP for demo purposes, please use this link: https://dispatch-portal-demo.biscit.co/
Agree to the Terms of Service.
Enter Epicor server name and click Continue.
Enter User Name and Password.
Select Company and Site.
Click Log in.
This will start the CAB file install containing required services automatically
A pop up will appear saying the install has been successful.
a. Click OK, and the browser window will automatically close.
b. Continue to Step 8.
Regenerate the Epicor Data Model for your Epicor environment.
Refresh Epicor application pool.
10. Log into Epicor and open the Conversion Workbench and run Conversion 210.
11. Refresh the Epicor application pool.
12. Log in to BDP to complete automated setup steps now that the services exist.
Refer to the succeeding instructions to perform the final Epicor checks.
Epicor Checks
The previous steps are the pre-requisite instructions for the following setup.
Log into Epicor and perform some checks:
Open Site Maintenance.
Ensure each site has an address and most importantly, a Country specified for the address, as this is not set by Epicor by default. This can be found under ‘Site Maintenance’, select your site, and drop down address.
Open User Account Security Maintenance and add users to the DispatchPortalGroup security group that has been automatically created during installation.
Users that are not included this group will have read-only access in the portal.
The user should now be all set up to start using BDP for the first time.
Refer below on how to create data for BDP:
Ensure that users that are going to be accessing the BDP have access to user data within your Epicor environment.
Users that do not have access to customer data will not be able to see any runs in the BDP.
How to create Data in BDP
There are 2 ways data is displayed in BDP, either a transfer order, or a sales order will be displayed on the dispatch board:
Creating sales order data:
Go to the Epicor instance you are connecting to (either the client or via the web browser).
Search for and select the Order Entry module.
Once opened, select the New button to create a New Order.
Enter in the following details:
customer, need by and ship by date, and then click save. This will give you an order number
Title | Information |
|---|---|
Customer | Input Customer |
Need by and | Input Need by and |
Ship by date | Input Ship by date |
In the Lines page and the Detail section and click on the New button to create a new line.
Enter in the part and the quantity, and click on the Save button.
Select the Ready to fulfill checkbox and on the Save button.
The order will be seen in BDP.
Creating transfer order data
Go to the Epicor instance you are connecting to (either the client or via the web browser).
Search for and select Transfer Order Entry module.
Click the new button and enter from site.
The from site should be the plant you are using in BDP
Click on the save button.
Go to the Line Details section and click the New button to create a line.
Complete the following details:
Title | Information |
|---|---|
Part number, | Input Customer |
Quantities | Input Quantities |
Need by | Input Need by and |
Ship by date | Input Ship by date |
Click on the Save Button.
The order should now display in BDP
Login
Type in the BDP web address (https://bdp.biscit.com ) into the browser Address field, and hit ENTER.
Read the Terms of Service.
Once read and understood toggle the I accept switch to the right and click on Continue.
In the Server field, type in the license server url and click on Continue.
Enter the user credentials in the respective User Name and Password fields.
Click Login.
In the Company Configuration screen, choose the appropriate Company and Plant from the drop-down and click on Log In.
Once logged in, the user will be redirected to the BDP Home screen, where the Dispatch Board is also located.
a. Clicking on the Advanced Filter button allows the user to search using the following parameters:
Order Number
Customer Name
Part Number
b. The Advanced Filter button will appear to be highlighted in orange if a parameter has been selected.
c. The search parameters can be cleared by clicking the Clear button.
Moving Orders
Users can move orders on the dispatch board using one of three methods:
Drag and Drop
To move orders using drag-and-drop:
Ensure the Group By filter is set to Route view.
For assigned orders, expand the route card, then drag and drop the order to a new route or date.
Unassigned orders can be moved without additional steps—simply grab the item from the left side of the card and drag it to the desired route or date.
Dragging and dropping orders works at delivery level, meaning it will move all orders in a delivery.
Assign Route Button
Alternatively, users can assign orders using the Assign Route button:
Click the Assign Route button on the right side of the order card.
Select the desired route and date.
Click Assign to confirm the changes.
You are able to assign whole routes at the top level of the card, or you can assign separate deliveries to new routes / dates as shown below when drilled down into the card.
This view is available on the route view and the plant view, please note the plant view is a summarised version of the board and will only allow you to use this button at route level.
Run Page
Users can also move orders via the Run Page:
Click the order card to open the Run Page.
Click the pencil icon on a delivery card to view all order releases assigned to that run.
Select the lines/releases you wish to move.
Click Assign, and the selected order lines and releases will be reassigned automatically.
Once the page is opened, you are then able to move releases as a whole order, or by separate releases, as shown below
These methods provide a seamless and efficient way to manage order assignments.
Comments
Comments made in the Internal Notes section is specifically made for the dispatcher to note in making a delivery.
The BDP application allows users to add comments seamlessly across two key areas: the Run page and the Dispatch Board. These features enable effective communication and collaboration, helping users document, share, and reference important information directly within the application.
Notes
You can access and edit two types of notes within the Dispatch Board: internal run notes and daily notes. Internal run notes provide a way to document specific details about a run, while daily notes allow users to add comments about a particular day or even a range of days, offering greater flexibility for planning and communication.
Internal Notes
a. On the BDP Home screen, click on the comment box against a run.
b. An ‘Internal Note’ text box will appear that will allow the user to add a note against a run, once the note is complete, click save.
c. Once saved, the board will refresh and the note will be orange, indicating that there is an internal note against the run.
NOTE: If you wish to have the internal note displayed above the run card, go to the menu > general settings, and turn on the ‘Use Note Cards’ toggle.
Daily Notes
a. On the BDP Home screen, click on the comment box against a day.
b. A comment modal will appear, allowing the user to specify a start date (the first day the note will apply), an end date (the final day the note will apply), and a note section to add details for a specific day or range of days. Click save once complete, and the board will refresh, and the selected dates with the note added will appear orange to specify that there is a note on that day.
Run Page
a. On the BDP Home screen, select a Run to view it.
b. Click on the notes icon within a run to view the Internal Notes.
c. In the Internal Notes view, note the intended comments that a dispatcher will need while making their delivery.
Example 1:
Example 2:
c. Notes made under the Internal Notes will be noted as well in any packs under that run in EPICOR.
Vehicle Management
The Vehicle Management section of BDP allows the user to add new vehicles and edit existing vehicles in their fleet.
Adding a new Truck
a. In the Trucks page, click on New Truck to initiate the creation of a new truck.
b. In the New Truck screen, input all the appropriate information to create the new truck.
Title | Information |
|---|---|
ID | Input ID |
Description | Input Description |
Length | Input Length |
Height | Input Height |
Tare Weight | Input Tare Weight |
c. Click on Create New Truck.
Editing a Truck
a. In the Trucks page, click on pencil icon beside a truck listing and edit the necessary information in the fields.
Title | Information |
|---|---|
Description | Input Description |
Length | Input Length |
Height | Input Height |
Tare Weight | Input Tare Weight |
c. Once done editing, click on Update.
d. An existing truck can also be deleted.
e. Click on Delete Truck to delete an existing truck.
Adding Trailers
a. In the Trailers page, click on New Trailers to initiate the creation of a new trailers.
b. In the New Trailers screen, input all the appropriate information to create the new trailers.
Title | Information |
|---|---|
ID | Input ID |
Description | Input Description |
Length | Input Length |
Height | Input Height |
Tare Weight | Input Tare Weight |
c. Click on Create New Trailers.
Editing Trailers
a. In the Trailers page, click on pencil icon beside a trailers listing and edit the necessary information in the fields.
Title | Information |
|---|---|
Description | Input Description |
Length | Input Length |
Height | Input Height |
Tare Weight | Input Tare Weight |
c. Once done editing, click on Update.
d. An existing trailer can also be deleted.
e. Click on Delete Trailer to delete an existing trailer.
Adding new Forklifts
a. In the Forklifts page, click on New Forklifts to initiate the creation of a new forklifts.
b. In the New Forklifts screen, input all the appropriate information to create the new forklifts.
Title | Information |
|---|---|
ID | Input ID |
Description | Input Description |
Weight | Input Weight |
c. Click on Create New Forklifts .
Editing existing Forklifts
a. In the Forklifts page, click on pencil icon beside a forklifts listing and edit the necessary information in the fields.
Title | Information |
|---|---|
Description | Input Description |
Weight | Input Weight |
c. Once done editing, click on Update.
d. An existing trailer can also be deleted.
e. Click on Delete Forklifts to delete an existing trailer.
Route Management
The Route Management page is where the user will be able to create New Routes and edit the said routes.
Creating a new route.
a. In the Route Management page, click on the New Route to initiate the creation of a new route.
b. In the New Route screen, input all the appropriate information to create the new route.
Title | Information |
|---|---|
Route ID | Input Route ID |
Type | Normal Route - A route that goes from the depot to the list of addresses. Switch Route - A route that will go from the depot to a specified collection point, where deliveries on a run will be delivered from. Remote Route - A collection point from the above switch route. Once the driver reaches the remote route, the deliveries on the run will originate from this point. |
Departure Time | Input Departure Time |
Driver | Driver Name |
Truck | Input Truck |
Forklift | Input Forklift |
Trailer | Input Trailer |
c. Click on Create New Route.
Editing an existing route.
a. In the Route Management page, click on the pencil icon beside an existing route to edit it.
b. In the Route screen, all the details in an existing route can be changed.
Title | Information |
|---|---|
Departure Time | Input Departure Time |
Driver | Driver Name - A list of employees in the EPICOR system |
Truck | Input Truck |
Forklift | Input Forklift |
Trailer | Input Trailer |
c. Once done editing, click on Update.
d. An existing route can also be deleted.
e. Click on Delete Route to delete an existing route.
Settings
The General Settings section allows the user to calibrate and setup BDP to fit the business needs.
General Settings
a. In the Settings section, click on General Settings.
b. Set the necessary settings accordingly:
Title | Information |
|---|---|
App Version | Specifies the version the user is using for BDP. |
Minimize Weekends | This is a setting that will impact the Dispatch Board. If the toggle is switched to the right, the Dispatch Board will load with weekends automatically minimized. When the toggle is switched to the left, the weekends will be maximized like the weekdays. |
Unit system | Allows the user to specify whether or not they would like to view data in Imperial or Metric system accordingly. For example, if Metric was selected, it would display the vehicle weight/length in metres/kilograms. If Imperial was selected, it would display in feet/pounds |
Decimal Accuracy | This will display the height/weight measurements to the amount of decimals specified, with maximum being 2 decimals. |
Delivery Card Display Fields | Select which fields you would like to have displayed on the delivery card view on the run page. |
Route Card Delivery Display Fields | Select up to 2 fields you wish to have displayed on the delivery cards while on the route view of the dispatch board. |
Enabled Plants | Select which plants you wish to use the BDP. Selected Plants will have orders display on the dispatch board, where as deselected plants will not, even when new orders are created. Please note this is a company scoped setting. |
Ship Via Mappings | Toggle on to Prioritise the Ship Routing Field over Ship Via Mapping when creating new orders and having them automatically mapped when in BDP. |
Display run internal notes as cards in the dispatch board | Toggle on to display run internal notes as cards on the dispatch board. Allows users to see notes without the need to hover. |
In Progress calculation method | Toggle on to see the In-progress status visible if one or more deliveries are shipped (regardless of status of others). Toggle off to see the In-progress status visible if one or more deliveries are shipped and all others are packed. |
c. Click Save.
Company & Plant
a. In the Settings section, click on Company & Plant.
b. Choose the appropriate Company and Plant from the drop-down list.
c. Click Save.
Routing
Important: Obtaining an Azure Maps Key for Route Optimization
If you plan to enable run optimization within the BDP, you will need an Azure Maps Key. Follow the steps below to obtain one:
Sign in to the Azure Portal
If you don’t have an Azure account, search for "Azure Portal" and click Start your free account.
Follow the sign-up process by filling out your details.
Once registration is complete, click Go to Azure Portal.
Create an Azure Maps Account
In the Azure Portal, search for Azure Maps Accounts and navigate to the page.
Click Create.
Fill out the required details, including creating a new Resource Group to store the Maps account.
Click Review + Create, then confirm the creation.
Retrieve Your Azure Maps Key
Once the account is created, go back to the Azure Maps Accounts page.
In the left-hand menu, select Authentication.
Copy the Primary Key and enter it into your Azure Maps Key settings in the Dispatch Portal.
For information on pricing for Azure Maps for your region and currency, please see https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/pricing/details/azure-maps/
a. In the Settings section, click on Routing.
b. In the Azure Maps Key field, enter the the appropriate Azure Maps Key.
c. Click Save.
Time Factors
a. In the Settings section, click on Time Factors.
Title | Information |
|---|---|
OTS Delivery (minutes) | Input OTS Delivery (in minutes). This will add the minutes that have been entered against the delivery time for each one time ship to order delivery on a run. |
Border Times (minutes) | Input Border Times (in minutes). This will add the minutes that have been entered against the delivery time for each border crossing that is present on a run. The minutes entered here will be doubled on optimisation to account for the return trip back through the border. |
Skid Times (minutes) | Input Skid Times (in minutes). This will add the minutes that have been entered against the delivery time for each pallet on a run. A pallet will be grouped by a pack, so if there are 2 packs on a delivery, then it will be assumed that there are 2 pallets. |
Unplanned Contingencies (minutes) | Input Unplanned Contingencies (in minutes). This will add the minutes that have been entered against the delivery time for unplanned contingencies (e.g. Stopping for food, stopping for the bathroom etc.). |
Break times (minutes) | Input Break times (in minutes). This will add the minutes that have been entered against the delivery time for break times the driver is entitled to. This will account for how many break minutes per hour the driver is entitled to. |
Assumes Stop Duration (minute) | Input Assumes Stop Duration (in minute). This will add the minutes that have been entered against the delivery time for assumptions on stop duration (e.g. Stopping for fuel, customer stop times etc.). |
c. Click on Save.
Cost Factors
a. In the Settings section, click on Cost Factors.
Title | Information |
|---|---|
Vehicle Cost (dollars) | Input Vehicle Cost (in dollars). This will be an estimate of the cost of the vehicle. (Truck Tyres, Vehicle Maintenance, Cleaning etc.) |
Fuel Cost (dollars) | Input Fuel Cost (in dollars). This will be an estimate of the cost of fuel per km. |
Labor Cost (dollars) | Input Labor Cost (in dollars). This will estimate the cost of labor per hour. For example, if a run is 6 hours, it will be the inputted value times 6. |
Miscellaneous Cost(dollars) | Input Miscellaneous Cost(in dollars). This will be an estimate of miscellaneous cost per run. |
c. Click on Save.