1 Introduction

Oracle Retail Size Profile Optimization (SPO or SizeOpt) creates optimal profiles of size distribution by both merchandise category and by store. This gives retailers insight into consumer demand patterns by size. SPO improves the quality of merchandise at size-level by detaining optimized size profile and creating Pre-Packs to match them. This information can be used by downstream execution systems, such as Assortment Planning, to translate style and color, or similar aggregate level plans or replenishment strategies, into optimal order or buy quantities by SKU at the store level. For a more detailed overview of the functionality within SPO, see the Oracle Retail Size Profile Optimization User Guide for the RPAS Classic Client or the Oracle Retail Size Profile Optimization User Guide for the RPAS Fusion Client.

Contents of this Guide

This implementation guide addresses the following topics:

• Chapter 1: "Introduction". Overview of the SPO business workflow and skills needed for implementation.

• Chapter 2: "Implementation Considerations". Explanation of the factors to take into consideration before performing the implementation.

• Chapter 3: "Build Script". Information on building and patching the SPO domain.

• Chapter 4: "Data Flow". Overview of the SPO data flow.

• Chapter 5: "Fashion Planning Bundle and ODI Integration". Overview of the Fashion Planning Bundle data flow and the ODI enabled integration for the bundle.

• Chapter 6: "Script Integration". Overview of the script integration used for the Fashion Planning Bundle and Allocation integration.

• Chapter 7: "Configuration Considerations". Explanation of the factors to take into consideration before changing the configuration.

• Chapter 9: "Configuring the SPO Solution". Explanation of how to use the SPO plug-in to configure SPO.

• Chapter 8: "Batch Processing". Explanation of batch scheduling and batch designs.

• Chapter 9: "Configuring the SPO Solution". Explanation of the SPO configuration plug-in.

• Chapter 10: "Configuring the Prepack Optimization Module". Explanation of the prepack configuration plug-in.

• Chapter 11: "Internationalization". Translations provided for SPO.

Overview of the Fashion Planning Bundle

The Fashion Planning Bundle is the integration of Item Planning (IP), Clearance Optimization Engine (COE), Assortment Planning (AP), Merchandise Financial Planning (MFP), and Size Profile Optimization (SPO) as a full-suite planning solution for fashion retailers.

For details on integration, see Chapter 5 and Chapter 6.

Business Process Workflow

Figure 1-1 shows a typical workflow for SPO.

Figure 1-1 Business Process Workflow- SPO

Parameter Configuration and Size Profile Approval are performed through the user interface. For more information, see the Oracle Retail Size Profile Optimization User Guide for the RPAS Classic Client or the Oracle Retail Size Profile Optimization User Guide for the RPAS Fusion Client.

The other steps are performed using batch scripts. For information on build scripts, see Chapter 3. For information on integration scripts, see Chapter 6. For information on any other batch script, see Chapter 8.

Figure 1-2 shows the typical workflow for Prepack Optimization.

Figure 1-2 Business Process Workflow- Prepack Optimization

The Prepack Optimization module contains a set of workbook templates to support the initialization, review, and approval of optimized prepacks. The process of optimization can be done online or as a batch process. For more information on the Prepack Optimization module, see Chapter 10.

Key Features of SPO

SPO provides the following features:

• Preprocessing to correct or filter data anomalies and stockouts.

• Generation of optimal size profiles.

• Performance of richness and reliability trade-offs.

• Generation of alerts.

• Review and approval of size profiles.

• Creation of store clusters based on size profiles.

• Creation of optimized prepacks aligned to cluster store profiles.

Skills Needed for Implementation

The implementer needs an understanding of the following applications and technical concepts.

Applications

The implementer should understand the interface requirements of the integrated applications and data sources for the master data, demand, and inventory history. For the Fashion Planning Bundle, the implementer needs this knowledge for the following applications:

• Oracle Retail Predictive Application Server.

• Oracle Retail Assortment Planning.

• Oracle Retail Clearance Optimization Engine.

• Oracle Retail Item Planning.

• Oracle Retail Merchandise Financial Planning.

• Oracle Retail Size Profile Optimization.

• Oracle Retail Data Warehouse (RDW).

• Oracle Retail Merchandising System (RMS).

• Oracle Data Integrator.

Technical Concepts

The implementer should understand the following technical concepts:

• UNIX system administration, shell scripts, and job scheduling.

• Performance constraints based on the retailer's infrastructure.

• Technical architecture for SPO.

• Retailer's hierarchical (SKU/store/day) data.

• SPO batch processes.

• Setting up an RPAS domain.

• A basic understanding of RPAS configuration and how to use the RPAS Configuration Tools.

• Understanding of how RPAS rule language works.

• Understanding of measures and dimension constructs.

• Understanding of how Fusion Client works.