Organization-level Forecasting
Forecast Server implementations usually have one of two primary output objectives: SKU-level forecasts or organization-level forecasts. SKU (Stock Keeping Unit) forecasts are focused on predicting the demand for individual products to aid in demand planning. Organization-level forecasts are more concerned with how the SKU-level forecasts roll up into key performance indicators. The primary output in organization-level forecasts are measures such as total sales, cash balance, staffing requirements, etc. Financial forecasting systems typically fall in the organization-level category.
Assumption Owners
Forecast Server is built on the idea that organization-level forecasting is not a one-man task. Instead, there is a specific individual (or group) who is in the best position to provide each key input. For example, a product manager might the best person to estimate future units sold while someone in operations is the best person to estimate the production cost per unit, and someone in finance is the best person to estimate future cost of capital.
Forecast Server allows you to assign a particular individual to each key input, or Assumption, in the forecast model. These people are called Assumption Owners. Although any user can change an assumption when performing his or her own what-if analyses, only an assumption's owner can save the change in the authoritative database.
Assumption owners have a complete toolbox of methods they can use to forecast values for the assumptions they own. A product manager might choose to use a time series forecast for units sold while a finance manager might choose simple data entry for cost of capital. What's more, Assumption Owners can access these tools and update assumptions from anywhere in the world via an easy-to-use Web interface.
Forecasts Always Up-to-Date
The result of combining the Assumption Owner concept with a server-based system that manages all workflow issues is a forecast that is always up-to-date. Assumption owners can change their assumptions as soon as they notice a change in the business environment and all reports will reflect that change instantly. Forecast Server manages all complexities such as user authentication, versioning, audit trail, currency translations, etc.
One additional feature Forecast Server manages is Rollback. Although forecasts and reports are always up-to-date, any user can choose to rollback to any date in the past and see all reports as they existed at that time.
Web-based Reports
All users interact with Forecast Server via an intuitive and rich Web-based user interface. Reports are prepared on-demand to include the latest assumptions and data. Reports are drillable to allow users to understand the source of any key metric. They include a complete set of graphing and visualization tools that are as simple to use as hovering a mouse cursor over a key statistic to see its value over time. Users can create their own dashboards simply by clicking and dragging. What's more, these reports and dashboards are accessible from anywhere in the world—from your office to the golf course, and with almost any device—from your desktop computer to your smart phone.
Forecast Server provides an easy-to-use report interface with drill-down, graphing, rollback, delta reports and more—all via the Web.
Let Us Help
Forecast Server can be configured to work within virtually any IT environment and can automate a wide variety of forecasting tasks from data collection to executive-level reporting. Call +1-919-859-4101 to speak with a Vanguard representative and find out if Forecast Server is right for your specific project.
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