It would be nice if you expanded the acronym's at least once before using them so some of us knew what you were talking about.
DPS- Dispatch Planning System- This is the utility that is used to dispatch a plan before anyone knows exactly what's coming (previous day). This program controls a majority of what is going on with your load. If you want specifics, you can ask if this controls a specific element... my answer will most likely be yes.
DMS- Dispatch Management System- This is the utility used to make add/cuts during the sort. This is the program that you see/look at when you are finding out how many stops/pieces you have. (There are many more capabilities than add/cuts in this software).
GTS- Global Timecard System- Although it primarily holds timecards, it is the program that produces most of the reports shown to a driver, on road, PDS, or center manager.
PDS- Preload Dispatch Supervisor- This is the guy/gal you most likely dislike. Some run the dispatch AND the preload operation, others have two separate sups to run the op/dispatch (e.g. a sixty car center).
AMS- Address Management System- This uses the Postal Data Standard to populate all U.S. addresses (according to the USPS) and run them through UDC/AMS and create a PAL (Preload Assist Label) that tells the preloader where to put it in your truck. Kudos if you've heard this term before. This probably means you are communicating with your PDS and trying to solve your problems. Hopefully, he/she is not saying AMS just to get you off their back. It's an acronym that usually stops a conversation (even involving only people that know what they're doing and know the system). To put it in perspective; if you really wanted to create a massive, massive service issue with thousands of deliveries, AMS would be the program to start with. Sometimes we in operations fear it. GIGO puts it well. Respect it's use, or it will burn the drivers.
*Disclaimer: I have admittedly simplified the uses/capabilities of these systems. This is NOT because I think the audience is dense. These programs do more than most people can learn/utilize with YEARS of practice. If you want to understand a specific, then let me know and I will be happy to get more detailed. But it would be a waste of bandwidth to even TRY and explain EVERYTHING these utilities do.
I'm not sure I understand??? I thought the DPS standards are downloaded automatically from GTS?
Yes, it does.(e.g. IE does a new time study on a center.) Quickest and most accountable method is import via GTS.
I am aware of a "back door" way to edit the DPS standards (we were taught to do this for special situations). I was taught, and I don't remember how to do it.
I bet you would if I sat you down in front of DPS and said "change the time allowances ONLY using DPS." DPS "controls" the loop/sequence/unit numbers that make a loop/route/center (not respectively). For the drivers out there: the unit number is what controls the time allowances you get for a stop and it's travel time.
Will a new part time DPS really know how to do that?
:::::What follows may only be interesting to P-Man, but I want to answer him. Don't blame me if you get bored:::::
Referring back to the last answer I gave:
Will he/she? You tell me while you remember how easy it is to forget what you already know that I explain below
Let's set a standard here to save confusion and make it as simple as possible. The PT PDS' goal is to change one route's time allowances (for better or worse..... I don't care....................... I'm never getting married)
The condition is that he/she will use DPS only.
Two ways to open a center in DPS: production, off-line. PT PDS opens offline. Knowing that the SMALLEST unit of dispatch that DPS can import from off-line to production is a loop makes this simple (although it confuses some people).
Three car loop..... referenced for later
PDS opens the 9000 loop. He wants to change the 90C car's time allowances. He decides he will do this the simplest way possible. He will open up the AM (or PM... or all... doesn't matter) stops of the 90C route and change the unit numbers from 5 to 1. Again, I don't care if this adds or takes time, it will inherently do one of the two when applied. (Just for clarity's sake, let's make this a textbook loop. We will go with Clarksville. 90A and unit1 for AM. unit2 for PM. 90B has unit3 for AM. unit4 for PM. 90C has unit5 for AM. unit6 for PM. <------- Before the changes).
Now it's simple. Make sure all other center's are closed on the server (in DPS) and import that 9000 loop from Clarksville's off-line to production. This will require an Active Directory ID/password that allows it.... It would be reasonable to say that even a PT PKG handler could find one of these within minutes if properly motivated. That is not to take anything away from PKG handlers, but just to say that they don't even care about the system and can get the access if need be.
Something just doesn't make sense here anyway. Its easier for the PDS to just edit their planning target than to screw around with allowances.
You will have to explain this. The OP is upset that his allowances are changing. There is absolutely, 100%, unarguably NO EFFECT on what will show for a driver's performance (GTS Ops report) based on
target paid day, driver ovr/under, other time (i.e. safety), or pickups that are put into DPS. It is very important that this is understood. Nothing can hurt a center team's credibility more that a driver group believing the numbers that a PDS plans you at can give you an advantage/disadvantage. P-Man, make sure you read those four elements. Those four elements being manipulated make the reports that YOU may or may not look at look good. They do not affect reality. There are drivers being planned at 15.75 hour days in DPS that are working 9.79 on average. It is imperative that I note there is truly around 9.79 hours of work on the car. These drivers are scratching or coming in under. We are not REALLY dispatching them with 15 hours. They put in an honest day’s work and get paid an honest day’s work. However, 15 hours is all DPS can come up with due to NO user functionality on anything time/money bearing. It’s important to note that when I say “these drivers” you may be thinking “exception to the rule.” I will retort with “No.” I’ll keep it at that for now. This is one of many, many examples of DPS not being able to "learn" something like exceptional pickup volume or delivery pieces.
I mean absolutely no disrespect when I say this. And maybe it's not even applicable to you. But I believe staff members are lead to believe DPS can actually ADAPT to reality if given the proper user and knowledge. This is not the case. DPS will be upgraded within weeks. I can assure you even more true functionality will be taken from it before this peak. It will be taken in the upgrade.
It's upsetting that much of management (above center manager) believes editing
target paid day, pickup pieces/stops, ovr/und, or other/helper time does anything but help the brass sleep at night. That is it's only responsibility. UPS does not plan by paid day in DPS. And if you can show me a center planning by true paid day, I can show you a center that will not be doing it for more than a month. Again, I mean no disrespect if it comes off as too direct. And to be honest, we both know that any driver coming in at 8-9 hours is not profitable in 9999 out of 10,000 scenarios/situations.
By the way, allowances are not route specific.
I will assume you are saying that for the other readers.
Why do you think not editing allowances diminishes functionality. I've personally used DPS and have never seen a need to edit allowances. P-Man
Not to be pompous, but please feel free to point out ANY element of our current version of DPS that encourages or helps expound upon greater dispatch. Furthermore, please inform me where a PDS may start to really “make a difference.” I am positive the management committee would be more pleased with a 16.5% mile reduction from last peak and lower SPC. It would save tens of millions…. Not an exaggeration. But we will NOT do that. Instead, we will boost SPC from the region and let front line sups worry about fitting 500 pkgs in a 10 cube and where the overflow goes instead of running the cars and making a difference from behind the screen.