Seamless Route Optimization: Connecting Epicor P21 with Descartes
Overview
Our client, a distribution company, relied on Epicor’s Prophet 21 (P21) to manage their orders. However, they wanted to optimize their delivery routes using Descartes, a specialized route-planning tool that ensures deliveries are made in the most efficient way possible.
To achieve this, we needed to create a smooth integration between P21 and Descartes, ensuring that:
✔️ All relevant orders were automatically pulled from P21.
✔️ Orders were sent to Descartes for route planning.
✔️ Optimized routes were retrieved and updated back in P21.
By automating this entire process, the client could reduce manual effort, minimize delivery delays, and improve overall logistics efficiency.
Technical Overview (Without the Jargon!)
To make this happen, we used P21’s Automation Studio (powered by Workato)—a tool that allows different software systems to communicate with each other without requiring manual data entry.
Here’s how it worked:
🚀 Step 1: Collect Orders – The system automatically pulled order details from P21.
📡 Step 2: Send to Descartes – The orders were securely transmitted to Descartes for route optimization.
🛣️ Step 3: Retrieve Optimized Routes – Once Descartes processed the data, it returned the most efficient routes.
🔄 Step 4: Update P21 – The system automatically updated orders in P21 with the optimized delivery routes.
To make the integration seamless, we built a custom connector that allowed P21 and Descartes to “speak the same language”. This meant fewer errors, faster processing, and a more reliable delivery system—all without any extra work for the client’s team.
The Result?
This integration eliminated manual data transfers, reduced delivery inefficiencies, and gave our client real-time control over their logistics operations. By leveraging automation, they could now focus on delivering faster, smarter, and with lower operational costs.
At Quaytech, we specialize in making complex business processes simple and efficient through smart automation. If you’re looking to streamline your operations, let’s talk! 🚀