Recommendations for integrating route optimization?

[#1]

My data includes locations, so given several of those locations, I want to know what's the best way to determine the most optimal route between them. Is there a way to do this with the Google Map extension in QlikView, or is this best done outside of QlikView? Suggestions much appreciated!

[Alexander_Thor]

Hi Lan,

I have worked a little bit with route optimization before and it's hard to say without knowing the complexity of your data set.

Google does it ok for ground based routes but that's about it. If by optimal you mean going from point A to the next location in terms of distance then yes Google might be a viable alternative. QlikView could easily just sort the lat and long values to determine that for you and then let google handle the transit paths.

Usually with the more advanced data sets you would calculate the optimal route based on several variables in a external route optimization tool and then use that optimized data set to visualize in QlikView. For example you would need to take into account stock inventory, warehouse placement, how to load your truck etc etc.

[#3]

Thanks Alexander! Sorry I didn't clarify before - my location data is both addresses (street information, city, and state) and coordinates (longitude and latitude).

And yes, I am looking for ground based driving directions. Is the Google Maps API still a viable solution, or is there a different extension that would work better?

[Alexander_Thor]

Yes together with the directions api that could be a viable solution.

If you could share a small sample of your data set I could try putting something together. It won't be production class code but atleast you would get an idea on how it would look and perform.

Either if you can share it here or send over e-mail to akl@qliktech.com

[#5]

Here is a small sample of my data (I emailed you a larger set):

Site_Address1	Site_Address2	Site_City	Site_State	Site_5_digit_zip_code	latitude	longitude
864 W Stearns Rd	Ste 103	Bartlett	IL	60103	41.97583	-88.199
1200 GROVE STREET CT	STE E	CHATTANOOGA	TN	37402	35.04374	-85.3178
1301 W 38TH ST	STE 514	AUSTIN	TX	78705	30.30664	-97.7466
501 MORRIS   ST		CHARLESTON	WV	25301	38.34739	-81.626
11721 FUQUA   ST		HOUSTON	TX	77034	29.621	-95.2102

Thank you!

[#6]

Hi Lan,

The latest release of IdevioMaps features basic route optimization (IdevioMaps, route optimization, if you want you can try it out. How many stops do you want to optimize?

Thanks

Patric Nordström

(disclaimer: I work for Idevio)

[#7]

Hi Patric. Thanks for the suggestion, this looks interesting. The number of stops would be about 5 and beginning from a static starting point.

[#8]

Hi Lan, sounds like a good match, we handle up to 15-20 stops with a normal client. Thanks, Patric