We are please to introduce the new OnePortal Forecasting Auto-Submit!

This is a new functionality within OnePortal which enables wholesaler forecasters to place targeted PDCNs on “auto-drive”. Auto-Submit is a fit for some, but not all PDCNs and often provides high quality forecasts for well established items with stable seasonal trends. Identifying the products which are a good fit opens space for forecasters to focus on products which require more attention and ultimately allow them to be more efficient, improve their Forecast Accuracy, and help their businesses run more efficiently!

WHAT is Auto-Submit?

• Auto-Submit (AS) is a feature within OnePortal Forecasting which allows wholesalers to select individual PDCN and week ranges to be automatically updated weekly with the most recent auto forecast value.
• The auto forecast values in ONP update every week based on the most recent available data used to generate the auto forecast. A few of those key data points are recent PDCN/Brand sales trends, pricing, and general market trends. Much like how your forecasts improve as the week gets closer, the auto forecast also improves from week 12 to week 5.
• In addition to targeting PDCNs which are good candidates, wholesalers can select the range of forecast weeks. The range selection allow for exclusions of specific calendar weeks to account for holidays, events, or other local trends for which the auto forecast may not be a good fit.

WHY use Auto-Submit?

• The goal of this feature is to allow forecasters to spend less time on low effort and stable forecast updates so that they can spend more time focusing on items which require greater effort and time investments.
• The desired outcome from the improved efficiency is to improve wholesaler forecast accuracy and bias which ultimately helps both wholesaler and AB run their businesses more effectively and profitably.

HOW to find good candidates for Auto-Submit?

Turning on AS for all PDCNs is not the goal. Some PDCN may be a good fit while others are not. Below are a few suggestions to help identify what products may be good/bad candidates. The indicators below are intended as a starting point and should still be evaluated by forecasters using their local market insights.

• Indicators of GOOD PDCN candidates
  • Auto FA is higher than WSLR FA
  • Auto FA comparable to WSLR FA
  • Healthy Bias %
  • Relative confidence in future sales trends compared to recent and year over year trends
• Indicators of BAD PDCN candidates
  • Poorly performing Auto FA
  • Bias % outside of a healthy range
  • Past or expected large and/or abrupt changes in rate of sales
  • New products
  • Promo products