Enabling Automatic Trend Calculations

For seasonal products, use an automatic trend calculation to moderate the demand forecast. The system calculates and applies a trend based on recent demand compared to the previous year's demand. Trend is represented as a percentage increase or decrease to the calculated demand.

Define the automatic trend parameters in the Product Auto Trend Percentage Maintenance dialog box.

In addition to setting automatic trend parameters at the product level, you can also set these parameters at the branch or buy line level. Parameters set at the product level override those set at the buy line and branch level.

Note: The following procedure is a manual process for a single product. Use the Mass Load program to enter inventory parameters to groups of products.

To enter forecast period parameters for a product:

  1. Enter forecast parameters.

  2. In the Product Forecast Parameters dialog box, from the File menu, select Demand Parameters to display the Product Demand Parameters dialog box.

  3. From the File menu, select Insert Branch to display the Product Demand Parameters dialog box.

  4. In the Enter new branch or territory field, enter the branch or territory ID.

  5. Click OK to return the ID to the Branch field in the Product Demand Parameters dialog box.

  6. In the Auto Trend column, enter Yes next to the branch or territory for which to calculate trend for seasonal products.

  1. From the Edit menu, select Auto Trend to display the Product Auto Trend Maintenance dialog box.

  2. From the File menu, select Insert Branch to display the Product Auto Trend Maintenance dialog box.

  3. In the Enter new branch or territory field, enter the branch or territory ID.

  4. Click OK to return the ID to the Branch/Terr field in the Product Auto Trend Maintenance dialog box.

  5. Complete the following fields:

Field

Description

Max Decrease %

The maximum negative trend to apply to the demand forecast for the product. This parameter only applies to seasonal products with the Auto Trend flag enabled.

Max Increase %

The maximum positive trend to apply to the demand forecast for the product. This parameter only applies to seasonal products with the Auto Trend flag enabled.

  1. Save the information and exit the window.

Changes take effect when you exit Product Maintenance.

See Also:

Forecasting Overview

Including Direct Shipments in the Demand Calculation