The OS4 solution (formerly known as LEO) created in the early-to-mid 2000s, has required all load building optimization requests to occur on the Vehicle Space Optimization (VSO) server. This is a dedicated server(s) that is deployed specifically to house the Load Building Optimizer (OLO) to handle all calculations. But that is about to change.

With the latest release of OS4 (called OS4 5.1, compatible with S4HANA 2023), we can now support the OLO connection via the Transport Load Optimizer (TLO) cockpit in SAP to process the optimization calculations. This streamlines processes and reduces hardware requirements while increasing access and integration flexibility.

Even though we will be able to call the OLO Optimizer in OS4 5.1, use of the VSO server will still be available and configurable. The VSO server will continue to be utilized while we are transitioning industry-specific and customized functionalities from the older OLB version into OLO. This migration period will take some time and will vary by customer. Therefore, some customers will be able to use OLO in its current state, and others will continue to use VSO configuration until their transitions are complete.

When the OLO Optimization is implemented, end users will have two different methods to visualize the results. The first is through the current “Companion App” which uses SAP’s UI5 framework. This Companion App is native to SAP and can only be accessed with an SAP username and password. The second method uses the OLO Solution Viewer. With a cloud-native design, anyone who is given the link to the optimization results can access the OLO 3D Graphic in a web browser. The link is placed on ORTEC’s standard Pack_H tables in SAP. Customers are be able to send it from Pack_H to their warehouse or to any other systems that may need to use the results.

Benefits for Your Operation:

Reduced infrastructure costs to the customer.

Reduced implementation efforts.

Increased access to the 3D Load Graphic in the OLO Solution Viewer.
For example, this allows customers whose warehouse teams – such as Forklift drivers – to view the information without requiring an SAP username and password.

Increased flexibility for integration.
Today, many customers have a need to optimize shipments that are built in non-SAP systems. Examples of this would be a VMI tool, a WMS, or a web-ordering tool. With the VSO server, customers can only optimize data and orders that are in SAP. The OS4 connection to OLO allows customers to call our optimizer from any system outside of SAP, and OLO will have access to the same MD and configurations that OS4 uses.

Contact your Account Manager to learn more.