Step 9. Sales and demand forecasting: Forecaster-> Columns

Forecaster Columns – Inventory Demand Forecasting

Use Columns screen to validate uploaded files, review number of errors/warnings, print errors/warnings and reload uploaded files. This screen is used for validation purposes of uploaded data for sales forecasting. The screen is structured in exactly the same way as Trainer->Sources however, to forecaster should be loaded more recent files. For example, algorithm training is performed once a month at the very beginning of the month but forecasting is generated several times a month and therefore most recent data have to be uploaded for forecasting. Most of the issues related to artificial intelligence and processing with algorithms are related to data quality and therefore it is important to understand and validate the quality of uploaded data before processing through an algorithm.

– Generate PDF Report

User can generate PDF report displaying the status of data validation of individual files. This is the place where the user checks which exact records from individual files have not been uploaded and also the reason why validation file. User will get name, row number in CSV file and the reason so data issue can be immediately fixed if needed. An example of such an issue might be the wrong date format, reverted columns in CSV files, etc. CSV files can be then corrected with correct values and Reload and Validate button is used to reload the data (see below).

– Reload and Validate

User can make corrections to already uploaded CSV files and click on Reload and validate button to perform validations on data corrections.

Source Columns Screen

Individual files main details are reviewed on the primary screen. each primary screen consists of the following details:

• Name

Name is representing the name of the column heading and values varies based on the upload file selected on the left side of the screen.

• Source

This is an indication of the value source. Currently can be source either CSV which is value uploaded in CSV file by user or Manual which is the value entered later on within the process.

• Type

Type is expected format for actual field.

• Mandatory

Value is mandatory if the checkbox is selected.

• Errors

This value is representing the number of errors recognized during the file processing. System will not allow you to proceed to the next step before a number of errors equals 0. You can generate pdf report to review all errors within the CSV file. User can reload and validate file upon correcting an error by selecting the button Reload and validate. Keep in mind that the file has to have the same name as the originally uploaded file and also needs to be located in the same folder as the original file.

• Warnings

This value is representing the number of warnings recognized during the file processing. System will allow you to proceed to the next step even if a number of warnings do not equal 0 however it is recommended to clear as many warning as possible. You can generate a pdf report to review all warnings within a CSV file. User can reload and validate file upon correcting warnings by selecting the button Reload and validate. Keep in mind that the file has to have the same name as the originally uploaded file and also needs to be located in the same folder as the original file.

Validations Screen

Displaying validated data in a consolidated way.