Introduction:
A Manual Order is used when you need to build a job manually instead of using an existing shift. This option is helpful when the job requires multiple destinations or when a shift has not been created in advance. Manual Orders always create a Manual Shift at the bottom of the Dispatch Board page for the dispatcher to fulfill.
Navigation
Go to MMS > Dispatch > Dispatch Board.
At the top left, click New Order.
Select Manual Order.
This opens the full Manual Order form.
Required Fields
All fields marked with an asterisk (*) must be completed before submitting.
Required fields include:
Shift Date*
Start Time*
Mix*
Location details
Choose Source*
Choose Destination*
Rate Information
Select a rate option (Equipment Type Rates, Per Hour, or Per Ton)
Radius*
Optional fields include:
Number of trucks and staggering pattern
Time between arrival and load
End Time
Notify Clients
Equipment Type
Phase Code
Target first load / first dump
Notes to Dispatcher
Notes to Drivers
Set Arrival Pattern
You can choose one of the following arrival types:
Staggered Arrival
Grouped Arrival
Will Call
Each option updates the fields shown for arrival times, loading times, and intervals.
Choose Locations
Under Location, select:
Choose Source
Choose Destination
A map view is provided to help confirm the correct locations.
Adding Additional Location Sets
If a job requires multiple destination locations, you can click the + icon next to Location to add an additional set of Source/Destination fields.
(A separate article will cover adding multiple locations in detail.)
Submit the Manual Order
Review all required fields.
Click Order Manual Dispatch.
After submitting:
A Manual Shift is created at the bottom of the Dispatch Board page.
A notification is sent to the dispatcher’s inbox if messaging settings are configured to do so.
The dispatcher will fulfill the order from there.
Note: Manual shifts are now automatically named with an "(M)" prefix, for example (M) Dale-Coffee SR87. This prevents naming conflicts with existing shifts and does not change how the shift is fulfilled or reported on.
Troubleshooting: "Unable to create a shift for a manual order"
If you see this message after clicking Order Manual Dispatch, it means a manual order already exists for the same destination on that date.
FleetWatcher names each manual shift after its destination. Two shifts cannot use the same name on the same date, so the second order is blocked.
To fix this:
Check the Manual Shifts row at the bottom of the Dispatch Board page for the date you are working on. Look for an existing order that goes to the same destination.
If you need a second order to the same destination on the same day, change the Destination field so the new shift gets a different name:
Type the address into the Destination field instead of choosing a saved location from the dropdown.
Use the map to confirm the pin is in the right spot.
Add a short detail to the location name, such as the material name or a number (for example, "Magna RMC 2"), so it does not match the existing shift name.
Click Order Manual Dispatch again.
Note: This is expected behavior, not a system error. It is designed to stop two shifts from being created with the same name on the same day.
Editing a Manual Order
Edits cannot be made after clicking Order Manual Dispatch.
Any changes must be completed by the dispatcher through the standard editing process in the Fulfill tab.
Truck Assignments
Manual Orders do not assign trucks.
The dispatcher assigns trucks through the Fulfill tab after the Manual Shift is created.