SAS Forecast Server
Choose an appropriate forecasting model. Optimize parameters. And produce huge volumes of high-quality forecasts. All automatically. With our forecasting software, there's no need for human intervention unless desired.
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Don't write code – unless you want to
Get easy access to our powerful forecasting software with the SAS Forecast Studio GUI. No need to manually code your models. And because our solution operates in both interactive and batch environments, user skills and needs determine whether the interface or a batch job is appropriate. More advanced users can access even more capabilities using the SAS programming language.
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Reduce the chance of personal bias
Generate millions of statistically based, trustworthy forecasts automatically. Because large forecasting processes are more manageable, analysts can focus on the most important (or problematic) forecasts. Large-scale automation also means less manual intervention. This reduces the chance that organizational politics or personal agendas will contaminate the forecasts.
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Deliver forecasts that reflect reality
The software automatically selects specific drivers, holidays or events that can affect the business forecasting process, so your forecasts better reflect the intricacies of your business. The most appropriate model for your data is built automatically, resulting in forecasts that are as accurate as can reasonably be expected, given the nature of the behavior being forecast.
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Plan more effectively for the future
A virtually unlimited model repository makes it possible to create more appropriate forecasting models for a wider range of behaviors. Planners can test what-if scenarios and determine how they are likely to affect future demand. And graphics help you visualize the effects of holidays, sales promotions and unexpected events so you can better plan future activities.
Key features
Easy-to-use GUI
Provides point-and-click access to powerful SAS forecasting capabilities, without having to know SAS programming.
Scalability & modeling
Facilitates ongoing and repeatable forecasting throughout the entire organization.
Automatic outlier detection
Examines the history of each item being forecast and automatically identifies outliers and shifts in the data. Subsequent forecasts can be adjusted appropriately.
Interactive time series exploration & analysis
Provides a graphical user interface for exploring and analyzing large volumes of time series data prior to forecasting.
Automatic forecasting
Automatically determines the forecasting models most suitable for the historical data. An appropriate model is generated for each item being forecast based on user-defined criteria, and model parameters are automatically optimized.
New project wizard
Guides users through data selection, assigning roles to variables in the data set, setting up a forecasting hierarchy and selecting important automatic forecasting criteria.
Hierarchical forecast reconciliation
Individually models and forecasts every series in the hierarchy (each lowest-level series and all higher levels of aggregation), then reconciles forecasts across the full hierarchy, per user’s choice of top-down, bottom-up or middle-out reconciliation.
User override facility
Enables forecasters to override the statistical forecast to incorporate judgment or outside information into the forecasting process.
Scenario analyzer
Lets planners test what-if scenarios, such as changes to pricing or promotions, and determine their likely effect on future demand.
