Demand planning software can help you more accurately predict what customers will want, allowing you to more efficiently invest your resources in products or services for which there is a definite market. With demand planning software, you'll have popular stock and services on hand when your customers want them.

Past sales are one indicator of what may sell in the future, but looking only at these numbers offers an incomplete picture. You also need to look at the many factors that led to these sales: pricing, promotions and marketing, and competition, for example. Demand planning software, also called demand forecasting software or demand management software, is designed to track this complex mix of variables.

Typical features of demand planning systems include:

1. Collaborative demand planning, that allows stakeholders and staff to work together to create more accurate forecasts.
2. The ability to create "what-if" scenarios and perform simulations to evaluate multiple outcomes.
3. Integration with other business management software systems.
   

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Choose from multiple forecasting techniques with business demand planning software from Forecast Pro

Designed for business professionals, Forecast Pro offers several forecasting techniques, and its expert selection feature automatically chooses the most appropriate method. With its batch forecasting option you can forecast from 100 to thousands of items, depending on which version you use. This demand planner software also supports collaboration between colleagues. Forecast Pro can be integrated into several other commercial software systems, and is available in English, Spanish, French, German, and Japanese.

I recommend: Forecast Pro offers three versions of its demand planning software: Forecast Pro Basic, Forecast Pro XE, and Forecast Pro Unlimited. You can order the software by phone or by using their downloadable order form.

Forecast demand in multinational corporations with demand forecasting software from SmartCorp

SmartForecasts, from SmartCorp, goes well beyond basic demand planning. With its batch automatic forecasting capability, you can forecast 100,000 items with the ease and speed of forecasting only one. And with its intermittent demand planning feature, you can accurately forecast even those items with an irregular demand, such as high-priced goods, or parts for the automotive or electronics industries, for example.

I recommend: With so many companies going global, one of the program's standout features is its collaborative forecasting and planning option, which allows users at all levels of your organization, all locations, and even outside your company, to contribute to the forecasting process. The program's cause-and-effect modeling lets you take into account multiple variables and scenarios. Request a demo to see if SmartForecasts is right for your business.

For greater flexibility, choose web-based demand planner software from Delphus

For greater flexibility, choose web-based demand planner software from Delphus

I recommend: If you're new to forecasting, or want to save time or money, try the Virtual Forecaster from Delphus. This web-based system is designed for both those with little knowledge of demand planning, and for those without much time to devote to the task. The company's PEER Planner Forecasting Suite allows you to share information throughout all levels of your company.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  While demand management software creates a more uniform way to predict product demand, some companies obtained inaccurate results by relying solely on demand planning systems. In response, other companies have set up dual forecasting systems, in which both the sales team and the computer write forecasts which complement each other and provide more comprehensive models.