Create a Run Type
To create a new run type, click the + (plus) icon above the run type overview table. In the Create Run Type pop-up, as shown below, you must specify the value for the following fields.
Run Type Name
This is a unique name and must be less than 30 characters. The run type name is used as an identifier when the forecast output is exported to other applications.
Data Source
This determines which data will be used as input to the selected forecast method. The sources that are currently supported are store sales, warehouse transfers, warehouse shipments, and fact measures.
Note that if you choose warehouse shipments, only the data going out of a warehouse to stores is recorded.
Forecast Method
A forecast method must be specified for each run type. All the runs created for the run type will use the selected forecast method. The methods that are currently supported are Sales & Promo, Life Cycle, Hierarchical Bayesian, Automatic Exponential Smoothing, and Options Forecast. The forecast method must be chosen based on the specific use case and application.
Forecast Measure
This determines the measure that will be used as input by the forecasting algorithm. The final forecast will be generated for this measure. For the Sales & Promo and Life Cycle methods, the supported measures are total gross sales units, total net sales units, and regular & promotion gross sales units. For the Automatic Exponential Smoothing method, the forecast can be generated for other measures such as clearance sales, other sales, and returns.
Number of Historical Weeks for Options Activities Aggregation
This determines the number of weeks to be used by the Options Forecast. If the Options Forecast is selected, all settings below are not available.
Customer Segment
Select Forecast by Customer Segments to generate the forecast by the merchandise/location/segment. If you turn on the switch, you must also click the button next to it in order to select one or multiple customer segments. It is recommended that you only select the segments that you want the forecast to be generated for (that is, un-select inactive segments) as this will make the data aggregation and forecast generation processes more efficient. Forecast by Customer Segment is applicable only for the Life Cycle method.
Price Zone Group
Select the Forecast by Price Zone to generate the forecast by merchandise/price zone. If you turn on the switch you must also click the button next to it in order to select one or multiple price zone groups. It is recommended that you only select the price zone groups that you want the forecast to be generated for (that is, un-select inactive price zone groups) as this will make the data aggregation and forecast generation processes more efficient. Forecast by price zone is applicable for the Life Cycle and Hierarchical Bayesian methods.
Hierarchy Type - Merchandise/Location/Calendar
Select the hierarchy type you want to use for this run type. For instance, for the merchandise and product hierarchies the default choices in the drop-down list are Normal Hierarchy and Extended Hierarchy. If an alternative hierarchy is created it will also appear as a possible selection. Depending on the selection, the choices for the merchandise and location forecast levels are dynamically updated.
Forecast Level- Merchandise/Location/Calendar
Select the intersection that you want the forecast to be generated at. This will also determine the level at which sales data will be aggregated and flow through the various stages of forecasting. If you turn on the Forecast by Price Zone, the location level defaults to a level at the top of the location hierarchy. (This level is configurable and is determined by PMO_MIN_LOC_HIER_PROCESSING_LVL in the RSE_CONFIG table in the Manage System Configuration screen.)
Spread Profile Level - Merchandise/Location/Calendar
You can turn on the switch for the Spread Forecast to Day level only if the Forecast Level – Calendar is Week. Select the Spread Forecast Level for Merchandise/Location/Calendar only after turning on the switch for the Spread Forecast to Day level.