A decision support system for strategic, tactical and operational visit planning for on-the-road personnel

The use of a decision support system (DSS) for efficiently optimising and managing field workers’ visits is discussed. This tool was designed after years of consulting experience and algorithmic research. It includes not only an innovative memetic algorithm to solve very large problems with realisti...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Rademeyer, A. L., Lubinsky, D. J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Stellenbosch University 2017-05-01
Series:South African Journal of Industrial Engineering
Subjects:
Online Access:http://sajie.journals.ac.za/pub/article/view/1538
Description
Summary:The use of a decision support system (DSS) for efficiently optimising and managing field workers’ visits is discussed. This tool was designed after years of consulting experience and algorithmic research. It includes not only an innovative memetic algorithm to solve very large problems with realistic features and constraints, but also analytic tools and mapping capabilities to compare scenarios. As practitioners, we include some insights from case studies done at strategic, tactical, and operational decision levels. The system solves scenarios at all three decision levels simultaneously, not sequentially. The empirical studies highlight some misconceptions that are present in industry in planning visits for on-the-road personnel activities.
ISSN:1012-277X
2224-7890