FBS (Forecasting and Budgeting System) supports sales forecasts and budget planning in production, purchasing and distribution. The results range from product groups to single products (bottom-up/top-down). Planners need to prepare in advance for future sales: thus, cost savings can be increased by avoiding excessive inventory while at the same time a high level of customer service is maintained.

Each planner using FBS determines the method of calculating the forecast values and the presentation of results. The values can be presented in various ways, from detailed planning sheets containing in-depth information up to summarized management reports. The planner gets detailed results supporting his decision-making planning process.

FBS – Forecast Methods

If required, the DLS system proposes the appropriate forecasting method on the basis of an ex-post-analysis. For that, FBS refers to twelve different mathematical methods to create the forecasts – starting from the simple average calculation, to exponential smoothing up to more sophisticated methods like Croston, ARAR and others.

The sales forecast includes the mathematical-statistical analysis of time-series. It runs automatically and only takes a few minutes, even when calculating several thousand time-series. FBS allows an individual definition of time periods: single days, weeks, months, years or periods defined in the company calendar.

FBS – Sales Planning

The forecast calculated by FBS is one of several components of information at the planner’s disposal. Likewise, the software includes any other planning-relevant information of the company – budgets, sales tasks, marketing activities – in the planning process. The planner gets an extensive view on the complete planning procedure and is thus able to make well-informed decisions.