LoadOptimizer.ai

Pros: I liked that it did what I needed it to do, and what it purported to do, which was help me load a fixed space with a variety of boxes. I liked that it allowed me to perform as many load calculations as I needed. I appreciated that I could customize my container size, as I had an irregular container. I appreciated that it gave me various methods for loading the container (back to front, bottom-up, etc.). I also appreciated that it allowed me to export my load configuration. to excel, and that once I had finalized a load, I could create a "loading document" that took me step by step in how to load the boxes into my container. I also appreciate that loadoptimizer.ai continued to improve as I have been using it. For example, when I first started I could only use metric measurements but, soon afterwards, imperial was added. Various other enhancements rolled out as well. Not all affected me, but that had more to do with how I was using the tool; my situation being somewhat unique.

Cons: The following items, I believe, would be things the loadoptimizer.ai team would want as well (most of them anyway), and may implement some day:
- I wanted to be able to sort the box list manually.
- I would like to be given the ability to save my configuration without having to perform a calculation. Often, I would add a box, or change an existing box's dimensions or weight, and the only way I could get to the point of creating an Excel export was to have the server perform the load calculation. This would not only save me time, but reduce load on the servers.
- I would like the option of paying extra for longer think time. The calculation time provided is definitely good enough for draft runs and, because it is the only option at this time, it served as my final calculation as well. But as I near the end of a load configuration, I'd at least like the option of getting more think time so as to be sure I am maximizing my load.
- my load had weight limits as well, and loadoptimizer.ai does ask for weight by box. It would be nice if, at the very least, it displayed a running total of weight. And, in addition, if I went over, I would be notified that I was over weight (but it would allow me to still continue).
- I realize this is a big one, and I do not list it lightly, but I would have liked the ability to include objects other than boxes, and even irregular shapes. I know that has to be huge, and it is last on my list, but it would be nice. At the very least, perhaps support circular objects such as an oil drum shape.

Overall: I was very glad to have found this tool. I am moving internationally, had rented a U-Haul U-Box and I needed to pack it optimally. So, I was not the intended primary audience for this tool. I had a very small space and many different sized boxes. But this tool helped me to distribute the weight and optimally stack the container.