What Is Load Optimization?
Shipwells Load Optimization feature (also called Shipment Assembly) automatically groups multiple purchase orders into optimized shipment loads. It evaluates order pickup/delivery windows, equipment constraints, weight, volume, and carrier contracts to suggest the most cost-effective and time-efficient load plan.
This is sometimes referred to as the Optimize or Optimize Orders function — it is not a button on individual shipments, but rather a workflow that operates on orders before they are turned into shipments.
Where to Find Load Optimization
Option 1: Orders Dashboard → Optimize Orders
Navigate to Orders in the top navigation bar.
Select one or more purchase orders using the checkboxes on the orders table.
With orders selected, click the Optimize Orders button that appears in the action bar.
Shipwell will run the optimization and create a load plan. You will be redirected to the Optimization Results view showing the proposed loads.
Option 2: Optimization Results Dashboard
Navigate to Orders → Optimization Results in the main navigation.
This dashboard shows all load optimization plans that have been created, including their status, orders, and proposed shipments.
Click into a plan to see individual loads and their details.
From within a load, you can click Rerun Optimization to re-optimize if orders have changed.
What the Optimization Does
When you optimize orders, Shipwell:
Groups compatible orders into loads based on pickup/delivery proximity, time windows, and equipment type
Calculates the most cost-efficient carrier assignment using configured contracts and routing guides
Generates a proposed multi-stop load plan with route sequencing
Identifies orders that could not be consolidated (shown as unassigned)
Optimization Configuration
Optimization behavior is configured at the company level. Administrators can set up optimization configurations under:
Company Settings → Defaults → Load Optimization
Configurations control how the system optimizes — by cost, by duration, or by a custom algorithm — and which constraints to enforce (weight limits, equipment type, etc.).
After Optimization
Once you approve a load plan:
Each load is converted into a shipment in Shipwell
The orders are linked to their respective shipments
Normal carrier assignment, dispatch, and tracking workflows apply
