Delivery Zones & Dispatch Slots
Define geographic delivery areas and recurring time templates to automate order assignment and route creation.
GeoJSON Polygons
Delivery zones are geographic areas defined as GeoJSON polygons on the map. When an order is created, the system automatically assigns it to the correct zone based on the delivery address coordinates.
Zone boundary types
- location_cityAdministrative regions — cantons, districts, cities, zip codes
- drawCustom polygons — draw freeform boundaries on the map
- layersComposite zones — combine multiple polygons into one zone
- blockExclusion rules — carve out areas that are not serviced
Each zone is colour-coded on the dashboard map. Orders appear as dots within their assigned zone, giving dispatchers an instant spatial overview of demand distribution.
Dispatch Slots
Dispatch slots are recurring time templates that define when routes depart. Each slot specifies the operational parameters for a set of deliveries.
Slot configuration
- scheduleDeparture time — when the route leaves the depot (e.g., 07:00, 13:00)
- warehouseDeparture depot — which warehouse the route departs from
- homeReturn depot — where the vehicle returns after completing deliveries
- local_shippingDefault vehicle & driver — pre-assigned resources for the slot
- hexagonDelivery zone — optionally link a slot to a specific zone
- timerCutoff deadline — how far before departure orders must be placed
Recurrence patterns
- Weekday-based: runs on specific days — e.g., Mon/Wed/Fri at 10:00
- Interval-based: runs every N days — e.g., every 2 days starting Monday
An operating calendar and exception calendar control when slots are active, handling holidays, seasonal changes, and one-off schedule overrides.
Scheduling Matrix
Together, zones and slots create a scheduling matrix that automates order-to-vehicle assignment:
| Zone | Morning Slot (07:00) | Afternoon Slot (13:00) |
|---|---|---|
| Zone North | VW Crafter ZH-1234 | Mercedes Sprinter ZH-5678 |
| Zone South | Fiat Ducato ZH-9012 | VW Crafter ZH-1234 |
| Zone East | Mercedes Sprinter ZH-5678 | Fiat Ducato ZH-9012 |
The scheduling matrix works in all dispatch modes. In Co-Pilot, orders are pre-grouped by zone for the dispatcher. In Autopilot, assignment happens fully automatically.
Explore the 8Move Platform