Generating Forecast Packages

Outcome

A tailored forecast package for each forecaster is available to forecasters using distributed work method and the central version is open for forecasters using central work method.

The forecast packages and the central version are used by the forecasters to make their Market Forecast Proposals based on market intelligence.

Data import and forecast activities in M3 DMP do not affect M3 Business Engine. The M3 Business Engine is affected when you export data from M3 DMP.

See Exporting Consolidated Sales Forecast Proposal.

Before starting

You must define the Changeable Time Horizon for the version before the version is opened and packages are created.

See Adjusting Environment.

Processes

To make data available, activities four and five are necessary. Activities one to three are used to create optional tailored tools for the forecasters and performed in a different order. Activity six is necessary to perform if one or more forecasters are not connected to the M3 DMP server.

These are the list of activities and descriptions:

1. Defining filters

   Use this procedure to define filters that select parts of a dataset, such as views. To include specific records, select a range of periods, key values, and data types.

   See About Filters.

2. Creating to-do lists is optional

   In this activity, you establish and assign To-do items to forecasters. The To-do list is included in the forecast package that the system generates for each forecaster or is available when a forecaster signs in to the central version.

   See Create a To Do list.

3. Defining user dataset access and user domains
   In this activity, each users access rights to the datasets in the version are defined. The users are assigned with rights to a dataset:

   • Change
   • View
   • None

   If you have rights to change or view a dataset, the system assigns you to specific domain rights for that dataset. This rule means that you can have limited access to specific data within the dataset. Your access rights and assigned domains determine which datasets are included in a forecast package or are available in the Datasets menu for a forecaster using the central process flow. You must include only datasets with change or view rights.

   See About Users and Define user dataset access.

4. Opening version and generating forecast packages

   In this activity, the forecast packages for the forecasters are created. In the Open dialog box, you can run an automatic clean-up of the location where old packages are stored before you generate new ones.

   The forecast includes the previous sales activities from a user.

   Note: Changes that are committed are included in a package. The generated forecast packages are available at the specified online or offline location, depending on the work method.

   A forecaster who uses the central process flow has access to the datasets assigned to the forecaster when the administrator opens the version.

   See Open Version, Close Version, and Generate Forecast Packages.

5. Distributing forecast packages

   Use this activity to distribute forecast packages if one or more forecasters use a distributed method for offline work that is not connected to the M3 DMP server. Forecast packages for these users are stored as a compressed file in the specified offline location, which offers several alternatives to distribute the package, such as email and file copy.

   See About Forecast Cycle in M3 DMP.