Plan Cluster

Cluster planning lets you create areas of the same size without having to consider the resource locations.

You can plan new resource locations with ideal positions inside the cluster.

Calculation is faster with the alternative process and results in exact solutions.

Click on menu button → Select under territory planning menu.

1. Select desired planning layer or create new layer.

If no base layer has been defined for the selected layer, the Define hierarchy window appears; you can then define a base layer.

The planning layer must be a layer allocated to the base layer, Manage. In this case, the base layer is automatically entered.

As the original objects at planning layer are overwritten by the clusters.

2. In the Base layer area, select either Include all objects or selected objects radio button.

3. Switch to next tab planning procedure.

4. Select the desired distance criterion.

Distance criterion	Description
Direct distance (in km)	The calculation is linear
Route distance (in km)	The calculation is based on detailed road network

5. Select the desired solution quality

Solution Quality	Description
Exact	Searches for exact solution
High	Searches for the best possible solution while adhering to parameters

An exact solution is not always possible. In this case, adjust the deviation tolerance or select solution quality High

6. If all resources are to be assigned the most equal potentials possible, enable the Even distribution of potential option.

7. To prevent overlapping of areas, enable the Avoid overlap option.

When this option is enabled, the calculation can be very time-consuming. This option is only available when the solution quality Exact is chosen

8. In the Deviation toleration field, enter in the percentage value by which the solution may deviate.

9. Switch to the following tab Potential Calculation.

10. In the Potential value field, select a field to create clusters based on its content.

The selection only contains base layer fields with numerical content.

The Overall potential field shows the total value of the field for all base objects.

11. Enter a desired value in cluster target field.

12. In grouping attribute field, select a field for grouping.

This list contains all the alphanumeric fields.

13. Click on button.

The allocations are then recalculated.

If your project contains a large volume of data and many clusters, this calculation may take some time to complete.

A message appears regarding the completed calculation.

The newly calculated clusters and allocations are created in the selected planning layer.