How to plan routes with Google Route Optimization in your own Google Cloud

6 steps5 min read

Afi Planner plans on its own routing engine by default. If your company already uses Google Cloud, you can run plannings on Google Route Optimization in your own project instead. Only an owner can change this.

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   Step 1: Open the solver setting

   Go to Settings and find Route planning solver. Choose Google Route Optimization: the setup steps appear below it, with links that open the right pages in the Google Cloud console.

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   Step 2: Enable the API in Google Cloud

   Pick a Google Cloud project with billing turned on and enable the Route Optimization API in it.

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   Step 3: Give Afi Planner access

   In IAM, click Grant access, paste the service account email shown in Settings (use Copy) and give it the role Route Optimization Editor.

   Tip: A new grant can take a few minutes to reach Google. If the test below says the account has no permission right after you granted it, wait 2–5 minutes and test again.

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   Step 4: Send the project ID for approval

   Paste the project ID (not the project name or number) and click Send for approval. Afi reviews the project, then turns it on and emails you. Until then your plannings keep running on the Afi routing engine.

   Tip: You can withdraw a request that is still waiting. If Afi can’t approve the project, Settings shows why.

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   Step 5: Test the connection

   Once the project is approved, click Test connection. Afi Planner sends one small planning to Google; when it works, the project shows as Verified.

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   Step 6: Switch back any time

   Choose Afi Engine to plan on Afi again. Your project stays saved, so switching back to Google later is one click.