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Scheduling Multiple Logistics on One Task - User Guide

Overview

The new multi-logistics scheduling feature allows you to assign more than one logistics agent to carry out work on a single task.

This gives you better control over:

  • Major operations that require coordinated assets

  • Realistic execution of complex offshore work

  • Resource planning and utilization

  • Simulation accuracy for duration and cost

You can now explicitly define how many logistics agents are required for certain major task types.

1. What This Feature Does

Previously, most tasks were scheduled with one logistics agent at a time unless the task type inherently required multiple assets (e.g., towing). Now:

  • You can schedule multiple logistics agents to work together on one task

  • For major tasks, you can specify how many agents are required

  • The scheduler will allocate the required number of available logistics agents before starting the task

This ensures the task only begins when sufficient resources are secured.

2. Where This Applies

This functionality is especially relevant for major operational tasks, including:

  • Towing replacement

  • Major component replacement

  • Installation work

For these task types, you can now define:

Number of logistics agents required to carry out the task together

The task will not start unless the required number of agents are available simultaneously.

3. How to Configure Multiple Logistics on a Task

Step 1 – Create or Edit a Task

Navigate to the task configuration screen and either:

  • Create a new task

  • Or edit an existing task

Step 2 – Define Task Type

Select the appropriate task type (e.g., towing replacement, major component replacement, installation).

Step 3 – Specify Required Logistics Agents

For major tasks, you will now see a field allowing you to define:

Required number of logistics agents

Enter the number of vessels/assets that must work together to execute the task.

Example:

  • Towing replacement → 2 vessels required

  • Major component replacement → 3 vessels required

  • Installation work → 2–4 vessels depending on operation

Step 4 – Save the Task

Once saved, the scheduler will respect this requirement during simulation.

4. How Scheduling Works with Multiple Logistics

During each scheduling cycle:

  1. The system gathers all eligible tasks.

  2. It checks available logistics agents (vessels/assets).

  3. For tasks requiring multiple agents:

    • The system verifies that the required number are available at the same time.

    • If enough agents are not available, the task is postponed.

  4. Once sufficient agents are available:

    • The task is scheduled.

    • All assigned agents are booked simultaneously.

This ensures coordinated execution.

5. What Happens If There Aren’t Enough Agents Available?

If the required number of logistics agents is not available:

  • The task remains pending.

  • The scheduler will retry in the next scheduling cycle.

  • Other tasks requiring fewer resources may be scheduled first.

This may impact:

  • Task start time

  • Completion time

  • Fleet utilization

  • Overall throughput

Good catch — that’s an important operational detail and it absolutely should be clear in the impact section. If users don’t understand this, they’ll think the system is duplicating work.

Below is the revised Impact on Simulation Results section with that clarification properly integrated and clearly explained.

You can replace your current impact section with this.

6. Impact on Simulation Results

Work Orders in the UI

When a task requires multiple logistics agents:

  • The system schedules one work order per logistics agent

  • This means you will see multiple work orders in the UI for a single operational task

For example:

  • If a towing replacement requires 2 logistics agents,

  • The system creates 2 scheduled work orders — one for each agent.

These work orders are linked to the same underlying task but are scheduled individually per agent.

What this means in practice:

  • The number of visible work orders in the UI will increase

  • This does not mean the task is duplicated

  • It reflects that each logistics agent executes its own assigned portion of the work

This behavior ensures:

  • Clear tracking of vessel utilization

  • Accurate cost allocation per agent

  • Transparent scheduling timelines per logistics asset

Task Duration

  • The task only begins when the required number of logistics agents are available simultaneously.

  • Delays may increase if agents are not available at the same time.

  • Execution timing becomes more realistic for major coordinated operations.

Fleet Utilization

  • Each logistics agent is scheduled independently.

  • A major task requiring multiple agents will tie up multiple vessels at once.

  • Utilization rates will reflect actual coordinated deployment.

Because the system schedules one work order per agent, fleet usage becomes more granular and traceable.

Cost Impact

Since each logistics agent receives its own work order:

  • Charter time is calculated per agent.

  • Operating costs increase proportionally with the number of agents assigned.

  • Idle time costs may occur if agents are waiting for synchronized availability.

Throughput Impact

Because major tasks may require multiple agents:

  • Fewer agents may be available for other tasks.

  • Smaller tasks may be delayed.

  • Overall throughput can shift depending on fleet size and configuration.

The system remains conservative:

  • It will not partially start a task.

  • It will not double-book logistics agents.

  • It schedules one work order per agent to ensure clean accounting and conflict avoidance.

Key Behavioral Reminder

  • Major tasks (towing replacement, major component replacement, installation work) allow you to define the number of required logistics agents.

  • The scheduler creates one work order per agent.

  • You will therefore see more work orders in the outputs when multi-agent tasks are used. This is expected and ensures accurate simulation tracking.

7. Best Practices

To get reliable results:

  • Only specify multiple logistics agents for operations that truly require coordinated assets.

  • Ensure your fleet size supports your major task requirements.

  • Review utilization outputs to confirm realistic deployment.

  • Test scenarios with different agent counts to understand operational bottlenecks.

8. Key Behavior to Remember

  • Tasks requiring multiple logistics agents will not start partially.

  • All required agents must be available simultaneously.

  • Scheduling remains conservative: the system avoids conflicts and double-booking.

  • Major tasks (towing replacement, major component replacement, installation work) now allow you to explicitly define how many logistics agents are needed.