Working with Time Windows

Time windows are strict constraints that tell the optimization engine when a delivery must be completed. Mastering time windows is essential for B2B deliveries and premium B2C experiences.

Setting Time Windows

When importing orders or creating them manually, you can set two specific parameters: - Earliest Arrival Time: The driver will not be routed to arrive before this time. - Latest Arrival Time: The absolute deadline for the delivery.

If a customer requests delivery between 9:00 AM and 12:00 PM, Viaoga builds the route so the driver arrives inside that window, using real road travel times and the service time set on each stop. A van that would arrive early simply waits.

Strict vs. Soft Constraints

By default, time windows in Viaoga are strict. If a delivery cannot be made within the window without violating other constraints (like vehicle capacity or driver shift times), the optimizer will leave the order as "Unassigned".

Enabling Soft Windows

Soft windows are not available yet. Today a stop that cannot be served inside its window is left unscheduled at the end of the route with no planned arrival time, and named in the optimiser's summary, so you can decide what to do: widen the window, move it to another vehicle, or run it tomorrow.

If you would rather the stop were scheduled late than left out, remove the window from the order and the optimiser will place it wherever the day best allows.