Accurate Sales Forecasts
Real-Time, Customizable Forecasts. Try Salesforce: Free Trial & Demo.
www.salesforce.com
Real-Time, Customizable Forecasts. Try Salesforce: Free Trial & Demo.
www.salesforce.com
Sales Forecasting Models
Simulations to predict sales volume based on marketing variables
www.DecisionAnalyst.com
Simulations to predict sales volume based on marketing variables
www.DecisionAnalyst.com
Sales Forecasting
Sales Forecasting, Inventory Optimization & Inventory Planning
JustEnough.com/SalesForecasting
Sales Forecasting, Inventory Optimization & Inventory Planning
JustEnough.com/SalesForecasting
Quota Planning
Eliminate Erroneous Spreadsheets for Sales Forecasting Throughout the Enterprise. Organize & Optimize Sales Quotas by Individual, Territory or Team.
Quota Planning | Territories | Sales Commissions | Sales Analytics
www.Varicent.com
Eliminate Erroneous Spreadsheets for Sales Forecasting Throughout the Enterprise. Organize & Optimize Sales Quotas by Individual, Territory or Team.
Quota Planning | Territories | Sales Commissions | Sales Analytics
www.Varicent.com
Sales Planning and Modeling for Manufacturers
Download a white paper on how manufacturers are using Profit Velocity and margin to set prices.
www.maxager.com
Download a white paper on how manufacturers are using Profit Velocity and margin to set prices.
www.maxager.com
Sales Forecasting
Business Forecasting and Planning Software. Express Free Trial.
Prophix.com/Forecasting
Business Forecasting and Planning Software. Express Free Trial.
Prophix.com/Forecasting
Easy Sales Forecasting
Quick & Easy Sales Data Analysis Using The Phocas Forecasting Tool
www.phocas.biz
Quick & Easy Sales Data Analysis Using The Phocas Forecasting Tool
www.phocas.biz
IC Consulting Services
Sarbanes-Oxley Consulting Services Financial & Management Consulting
www.iccspartners.com
Sarbanes-Oxley Consulting Services Financial & Management Consulting
www.iccspartners.com
Listings
ACNielsen BASES
Sales forecasting system for consumer packaged-good brands, helping marketers of both new product initiatives and existing brands. Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio with offices in the United States, Europe, Asia, and Canada.
www.bases.com
Sales forecasting system for consumer packaged-good brands, helping marketers of both new product initiatives and existing brands. Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio with offices in the United States, Europe, Asia, and Canada.
www.bases.com
Business Forecast Systems, Inc.
Developer of Forecast MasterPlus(tm), Forecast Pro(tm) and Forecalc(tm) software. The graphics-oriented statistical analysis and forecasting software is used in business applications. The software runs on IBM PC and compatible computers. Prod...
www.forecastpro.com
Developer of Forecast MasterPlus(tm), Forecast Pro(tm) and Forecalc(tm) software. The graphics-oriented statistical analysis and forecasting software is used in business applications. The software runs on IBM PC and compatible computers. Prod...
www.forecastpro.com
C.I.M.S. Sales Forecasting System
Software gives you the ability to predict sales by customer, account group, channel, end-item SKU and package. Site includes a free demonstration.
www.greatlakessoftware.com
Software gives you the ability to predict sales by customer, account group, channel, end-item SKU and package. Site includes a free demonstration.
www.greatlakessoftware.com
Canada/BC Business Service Centre
Article outlining the steps in sales forecasting presented by the Canada/British Columbia Business Service Centre. Site includes links to other useful business related information.
www.smallbusinessbc.ca
Article outlining the steps in sales forecasting presented by the Canada/British Columbia Business Service Centre. Site includes links to other useful business related information.
www.smallbusinessbc.ca
Data Perceptions
Sales forecasting, planning and budgeting software for business.
www.dataperceptions.co.uk
Sales forecasting, planning and budgeting software for business.
www.dataperceptions.co.uk
Decisioneering
Denver-based Decisioneering develops and markets forecasting software tools.
www.decisioneering.com
Denver-based Decisioneering develops and markets forecasting software tools.
www.decisioneering.com
Demand Solutions (Europe) Ltd.
Forecast management/supply chain management software; pre-sales presentations, software sales and installation, product support, implementation, consultancy and training.
www.demandmanagement.com
Forecast management/supply chain management software; pre-sales presentations, software sales and installation, product support, implementation, consultancy and training.
www.demandmanagement.com
Forecasting Principles: Reviews of Forecasting Software
The Forecasting Principles site, created by Professor J. Scott Armstrong of The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, provides a comprehensive and structured review of the state of knowledge about forecasting methods.
www-marketing.wharton.upenn.edu
The Forecasting Principles site, created by Professor J. Scott Armstrong of The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, provides a comprehensive and structured review of the state of knowledge about forecasting methods.
www-marketing.wharton.upenn.edu
GMCS: Sales Forecasting & Safety Stocks
One-day training course given throughout the UK on Sales Forecasting and Safety Stocks' for manufacturing and distribution.
www.gmcs.co.uk
One-day training course given throughout the UK on Sales Forecasting and Safety Stocks' for manufacturing and distribution.
www.gmcs.co.uk
John Galt Solutions
Specializing on business forecasting, demand planning, inventory planning, and sales & operations planning solutions for the mid to large size businesses.
www.johngalt.com
Specializing on business forecasting, demand planning, inventory planning, and sales & operations planning solutions for the mid to large size businesses.
www.johngalt.com
NumberCruncher
Membership based company offering online financial forecast tools such as Web Forecaster to analyze cash flow, determine break-even, and project sales, cost of sales and gross profit.
numbercruncher.com
Membership based company offering online financial forecast tools such as Web Forecaster to analyze cash flow, determine break-even, and project sales, cost of sales and gross profit.
numbercruncher.com
Principles of Forecasting Project at Wharton School
To develop a set of principles to guide forecasting for problems in management, operations research and the social sciences.
hops.wharton.upenn.edu
To develop a set of principles to guide forecasting for problems in management, operations research and the social sciences.
hops.wharton.upenn.edu
Quadstone, Ltd.
Software developer that enable marketers in the banking, insurance, retail and telecommunications industries to better understand, predict, manage and influence customers behavior. Office in Boston, Massachusetts.
www.quadstone.com
Software developer that enable marketers in the banking, insurance, retail and telecommunications industries to better understand, predict, manage and influence customers behavior. Office in Boston, Massachusetts.
www.quadstone.com
Quota Planning
Eliminate Erroneous Spreadsheets for Sales Forecasting Throughout the Enterprise. Organize & Optimize Sales Quotas by Individual, Territory or Team.
Quota Planning | Territories | Sales Commissions | Sales Analytics
www.Varicent.com (Paid)
Eliminate Erroneous Spreadsheets for Sales Forecasting Throughout the Enterprise. Organize & Optimize Sales Quotas by Individual, Territory or Team.
Quota Planning | Territories | Sales Commissions | Sales Analytics
www.Varicent.com (Paid)
Roadmap Technologies
Company that provides sales forecasting and business planning software. Located in Beverly, Massachusetts.
www.roadmap-tech.com
Company that provides sales forecasting and business planning software. Located in Beverly, Massachusetts.
www.roadmap-tech.com
S.F.T., Inc.
Company develops and distributes business planning tools and decision support software applications.
catalog.com
Company develops and distributes business planning tools and decision support software applications.
catalog.com
Sales Forecasting
Information about sales forecasting for a new business or existing business, provided by the Canada Business Service Center.
www.cbsc.org
Information about sales forecasting for a new business or existing business, provided by the Canada Business Service Center.
www.cbsc.org
Sales Planning and Modeling for Manufacturers
Download a white paper on how manufacturers are using Profit Velocity and margin to set prices.
www.maxager.com (Paid)
Download a white paper on how manufacturers are using Profit Velocity and margin to set prices.
www.maxager.com (Paid)
SmartSales Inc - OutSmart
An Ontario, Canada based company providing software that defines and tracks the sales process enabling to estimate revenue, forecast sales, and determine when sales will close.
www.outsmartsoftware.com
An Ontario, Canada based company providing software that defines and tracks the sales process enabling to estimate revenue, forecast sales, and determine when sales will close.
www.outsmartsoftware.com
StrataView
Decision support system specifically designed for the corporate sales, marketing, forecast and finance environments.
www.strataview.com(Paid)
Decision support system specifically designed for the corporate sales, marketing, forecast and finance environments.
www.strataview.com(Paid)
The Center for Executive Education
Sales Forecasting Management course offered by The University of Tennessee College of Business.
thecenter.utk.edu
Sales Forecasting Management course offered by The University of Tennessee College of Business.
thecenter.utk.edu
The Stratégex Group
A global organization specializing in healthcare, pharmaceutical and medical market research, sales analysis, forecasting, and modeling.
www.strategexgroup.com
A global organization specializing in healthcare, pharmaceutical and medical market research, sales analysis, forecasting, and modeling.
www.strategexgroup.com
Accurate Sales Forecasts
Real-Time, Customizable Forecasts. Try Salesforce: Free Trial & Demo.
www.salesforce.com
Real-Time, Customizable Forecasts. Try Salesforce: Free Trial & Demo.
www.salesforce.com
Sales Forecasting Models
Simulations to predict sales volume based on marketing variables
www.DecisionAnalyst.com
Simulations to predict sales volume based on marketing variables
www.DecisionAnalyst.com
Sales Forecasting
Sales Forecasting, Inventory Optimization & Inventory Planning
JustEnough.com/SalesForecasting
Sales Forecasting, Inventory Optimization & Inventory Planning
JustEnough.com/SalesForecasting
Guide to Accurate Sales Forecasting
This all-important business plan element doesn't require advanced math
A business owner without a sales forecast is like a ship's captain without a destination: Both operate on whim and reaction. A better approach is a sales forecast set at the beginning of each year and looking as far down the road as is practical. A sales forecast becomes essential to your business plan when you seek a loan or other financing because it predicts how well you expect your company to do. To create a vital sales forecast, you'll need to take this approach:
- Analyze your company's current situation — its strengths and weaknesses; competition now and in the future; keys to success; customer demographics; and anticipated changes and opportunities in the market.
- Look at past sales figures to predict future years.
- Use your sales forecast as a roadmap to your productivity goals. Will you need more marketing, more employees, a price increase? Let your forecast be your guide.
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Profile your potential customers
Sources of statistical and anecdotal information can give you a good picture of who will buy your product or services. Such sources can also be used to predict the economic and population growth of your trading area.
I recommend:
U.S. Census Bureau examines the makeup of communities now and in the future. Claritas will segment your customers and target growth opportunities.
You can do it yourself
You don't need to be a math genius to create a sales forecast — just a record-keeper who makes well-informed guesses.
I recommend:
Pull your information into forecasts and reports with QuickBooks Premier Editions.
Or you can let software lead the way
Give Web-based programs your information, and they'll return forecasts and reports to you.
I recommend:
OutlookSoft Corp. provides a scalable platform. NetSuite Inc. specializes in solutions for small and midsize businesses.
Follow up every day
Web-based software that tracks your business daily can give you real-time forecasts and highlight sales tasks needing special attention.
I recommend:
Ross Systems Inc.'s iRenaissance was designed especially for process manufacturers. Salesforce.com offers real-time sales force automation.
Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide- Your forecast need not be perfect, only reasonable.
- The most recent past data can be used to predict future sales.
- To predict sales of a new product, let sales of an existing similar product be your forecasting guide.
- Project your prices as you make your sales forecast.
- Also figure the cost of sales — costs of the good sold rather than expenses that come out of profits.
