CM-002-V11-EN

The file manager is the first thing you interact with when logging into the Optibus platform. It stores all your work in the form of Projects and lets you manage them.

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A Project is a container of a specific service change. Each project is usually equivalent to one sign-up period.

Each project contains three product tabs: Planning, Scheduling, and Rostering. They are linked in a sequential order which means that you move from planning to scheduling and then rostering as shown below:

The Planning tab is where you create or import Timeplans. In a timeplan, you create routes and route patterns, set running times, and build timetables.

A timeplan is then exported into a Scheduling dataset, which in turn is automatically imported into the Scheduling tab. With these imported datasets, you can create schedules for both vehicles and drivers.

Next, the scheduling data is imported into the Rostering tab, also in the form of a dataset. Using the Rostering product, the generated services are organized into weekly work assignments.

Let’s go over the hierarchy in more detail.
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Timeplans exist in the Planning product. You can create just one timeplan or you can create multiple timeplans representing different scenarios. You can see these in a project with a Tp symbol as shown below:

For each timeplan, you can export it into the Scheduling product and create what is called a Scheduling Dataset in Optibus. A scheduling dataset is a specific view of the timeplan containing routes, service groups, and trips that you want to allocate your resources to. You can see these in the project with a Ds symbol standing for a dataset as shown below:

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​ Each scenario of resource allocation is called a Schedule, you can see these in the project with an Sc symbol standing Schedule. Under a dataset, you can have multiple schedules for different scenarios.
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Here, you can create what is called a Roster Dataset. It shows specific duties that you want to allocate and similar to the scheduling dataset you can create different rostering scenarios for those duties. You can see them in the project with a Ds symbol standing for a roster dataset as shown below:
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Projects have a set of attributes to help you distinguish between them. The attributes are presented as columns in the list of projects.

The search bar at the very top of the Projects screen is called Global Search. It lets you find any folder or file within your domain just by typing in the name. As soon as you start typing in the search bar, it will show the most relevant results:
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You can click on the file or folder to immediately open it. Alternatively, when hovering over an item, click Show in folder on the right to view it in its location within the project, or click the chain link icon to copy the link to the item.
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To view the complete list of results, click Search when you are done typing the name. Above the list, you will see the exact number of items matching your query. Click Back to return to the regular Projects screen.
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If you click on the Global Search bar, you will see a list of Recently opened items.

Creation

To create a project, click the +New Project button in the top-right corner of the file manager.

When creating a new project, you will be asked to enter its name, description, date range, and status. The only mandatory field is Name.
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You can navigate the Projects page similarly to the file manager on your computer. Click on a project to open it.

Use the path to go back to the previous level of the project. For example, if you are viewing the list of schedules within a dataset, you can go back to the dataset level or project level by clicking on the corresponding path:

Projects can also be grouped and managed in folders. To create a folder, click the folder icon next to the search bar on the top left. Give the folder a name and click Save.

The easiest way to move projects and folders is via drag-and-drop:

This action can also be done in bulk: just check the boxes next to the items you want to move beforehand.

​Alternatively, you can right-click the project or folder and click Move. Then search for or select the folder to move into, and click Move.
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Note: an item can only be moved into a folder. If you just want to change the order of items in the list, see the Sorting projects and folders section below.

Projects and folders can be sorted to make it easier to find the one you need. To sort projects, you can use one of the columns: Name, Created by, Start Date, etc. Just click on a column to sort items alphabetically/chronologically, depending on the column. Keep clicking on the column to reverse the sorting order. The small arrow next to the column name will indicate the currently shown order.
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For example, here is how you sort items by name from A to Z:
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You can edit names and descriptions of folders, projects, and most items within a project, such as timeplans, schedules, etc.

Right-click an item and click Edit.

When editing a project, you can also change its date range and status.

You can set project configurations, such as depot codes, holidays, serviced organizations, etc. To do that, right-click on the project (or hover over the project and click the three dots button to the right of the project) and select Configuration. Configurations apply to every timeplan, schedule, and roster within a project.

To create a copy of a project, right-click on it, then click Make a copy.

The following popup lets you give a name and description to the copy, and set its date range and status. When done, click Next.

The next menu lets you select which files (timeplans, schedules, or rosters) to copy.
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Note:

Projects can be deleted from the projects screen, both individually and in bulk. You can right-click on a project and select Delete to delete an individual project.
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To delete multiple projects, check the boxes next to the projects you wish to delete, right-click and select Delete selected items, or click the bin icon and confirm you wish to delete the selected projects.