The Sterling TMS optimizerwhich is named Transport Power Ops is an optimization engine from IBM? ILOG?. This optimizer engine has the followingadvantages over the original ILOG Dispatcheroptimization engine.

The optimizer is built specifically fortransportation optimizationproblems:

• Users do not have to select the mathematicalheuristics to applyto each optimizer run. Instead the optimizer analyzes each problemset and automatically determines the best initial heuristics and improvementheuristics to apply.
• In most cases processing times are reducedand the optimizercan process larger problem sets (a larger number of orders).

The optimizer considers multiple mode and service combinations:

• The optimizer is not limited to building truckload shipments.For example you can consolidate parcel shipments into LTL shipmentsor consolidate LTL shipments into larger LTL shipments.
• Userscan profile a fleet in the optimizer for each mode and servicecombination available to them.

The optimizer can supportmultiple rates per fleet which providesmore realistic modeling:

• The fleet cost parameter is notlimited to a single rate per mile.
• You can profile mileage-basedrates or weight-based rates foreach mode and service combination available to your organization.
• For each fleet you can specify different rates for each shippinglane (for example from one postal code to another postal code).

The optimizer can accept transit durations by fleet whichfurtherenhances the modeling capabilities:

• The transit time isnot limited to a single mile-per-hour transitrate.
• You can profile transit durations for each mode andservice combinationavailable to your organization.
• For each fleet the transitdurations can be specified by shippinglane (postal code to postal code).

The optimizer can acceptpoint-to-point over-the-road distancesmaking route calculations more accurate:

• Sterling TMS submitsover-the-road distances to the optimizer for each order.
• Theoptimizer uses these point-to-point distances in route calculationswhere applicable rather than always using a Euclidean distance calculation.

The optimizer can replan shipments in multiple ways:

• Theoptimizer can do more than simply top off existing shipments.The optimizer can be configured to top off shipments with additionalorders combine shipments or break apart and replan all the ordersin a shipment.
• The optimizer is not limited to shipments thathave not been tendered.Optimizer users can submit shipments that are already assigned toa carrier up to the point that the shipment departs from the origin.

You can use the Load Builder module in Execution to managetheresults of your optimization runs:

• You can easily reviewand approve the shipments created by theoptimizer.
• You can manage by exception and find theordersthat were notconsolidated by the optimizer. You can submit the orders to anotherrun or set up separate shipping plans for the orders.