Q&A

C++ using the Qt library.

It takes 5–20 minutes to run calculations for 20,000 inventory items. This is an approximate calculation speed, and may vary depending on the configuration of the server or workstation. The clock speed of the processor core, the amount of RAM, and the speed of the hard disk (IOPS) are all critical factors.

The product has been tested on 300,000 SKUs and 400 retail stores (warehouses), including several distribution centers.

Yes. It is possible to perform all required calculations automatically in the background. Users can still work with prepared orders at the same time.

MySQL 5 or MS SQL. Depending on the version of the software product and your preferences.

The software product and RDBMS are installed on the server. Customers connect via RDP or another remote access method (since large amounts of computing power are required, the use of personal PCs is not advisable).

• A CPU with a base core frequency of 3+ GHz, turbo boost technology, and hyper-threading. The number of cores should be equal to the larger of the following values: the number of active users or ~16 cores for 2.5 million calculation units (50 retail stores with 50,000 SKUs each). Usually 16–32 cores are needed.

• 2+ GB of RAM per active user + the size of the RDBMS are required. Usually 32–64 GB is needed.

• The disk subsystem must be allocated directly under Forecast NOW! The use of blade systems, RAID arrays, and virtual data storage systems that are allocated from a shared resource are not allowed. If you need to use RAID, you should only use a maximum of 4 disks in a 1+0 configuration with a hardware RAID controller with its own cache. We recommend the following configuration instead of RAID: a dedicated disk for the OS (usually 256–512 GB) (SAS 15k or nvme SSD), a separate RDBMS disk for Forecast NOW! (usually 256–512 GB) (SAS 15k or nvme SSD WI write intensive), and a separate disk for backups (usually 1–2 TB) (HDD or SAS). The response speed of the disk is critical, and should not be more than 1 ms. The recommended RDBMS disk response speed is 0.2 ms. The speed in operations per second (IOPS) is a less critical parameter. We recommend 50,000+ IOPS.

Guaranteed compatibility: Windows 7/8/8.1/10, Windows Server 2008/2012. Compatibility is not guaranteed with the following Windows versions: Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista or older.

Yes, it is possible. If you are interested in this, please contact us.

Data is exchanged through .csv text files.

You can set up automatic data exchange by loading data from the sales accounting system into Forecast NOW! and then exporting it back.

The software product receives data from the sales accounting system. It is designed to fulfill business processes related to managing the company's product stocks, and it answers the following questions: what kind of product must be ordered and how much, when, and from whom?

Orders can be generated by users in the program (requiring only a minimum of operations). The program can be configured in conjunction with specialists and developers at the company. The head of the procurement department or the head of a unit can adjust the settings at a later time.

The license specifies the maximum number of users who can work with the program simultaneously.

Yes. You can upgrade to a new version by paying the difference in cost between versions.

This is also possible if you have a valid subscription to receive updates and support releases.

Yes, if the desired improvement relates to the area of product stock management. This is how we develop the software product: we collect feedback from users and incorporate improvements into the next release. Users of our system receive these improvements for free.

If you urgently need a particular improvement, then we can draw up a work specification and estimate the terms and cost. We can coordinate the improvement with you, implement the desired features, test it, and provide you with a software update. Usually, it takes 1–2 months to develop a new module. A substantial modification to an existing module takes 2–3 weeks, and we can complete minor changes in just 3–4 days.

No. The program is an installed application. You must install it on your own server, and all data is stored with you.

The application can run independently of an Internet connection, and no data is transferred to third parties.

There is no dependence on the cost of leased facilities. The pricing of the installed application is stable: you will not have to overpay.

Our specialists can provide you with technical support via Skype, phone or e-mail.

Each request for support by a user is assigned a ticket number in our support system.

The response time from the moment we receive complete information about the problem and the source data to the moment the user receives an answer is minimal and is usually no more than 1–2 business days.

If you have performed daily backups and have the program distributable, it will take between 5–7 minutes and 2 hours on average to restore your system to working capacity.

About 6 updates are released per year. Installing the update is automatic, and you only need to launch the update file.

The load on the IT department is minimal.

For wholesale and retail trading companies that range in size from 1 warehouse to a national network with hundreds of retail stores and distribution centers. It is suitable for companies with turnovers that range between RUB 20m to tens of billions of rubles.

It is suitable both for fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies with perishable products as well as for companies with low-turnover product stocks of spare car parts, building materials, and other similar goods.

No, it is not. But if you have your own retail operations, then it can be used to manage them.

Yes. The software uses mathematical modeling methods which rely on probabilistic rather than point forecasting.

When placing orders, mathematical modeling and probabilistic demand estimation methods are used, allowing accurate calculation of the volume of reserves and orders for both stably selling product items and those with only intermittent demand.

When the sales history is processed, methods are used to restore demand in times of stocking shortages, to filter out abnormal sales, and to clear away and account for seasonal fluctuations, trends, and marketing campaigns.

The minimum required data set is a history of sales and residual stocks grouped by day for at least 3 months.

Product classification and property data for products is desirable to ensure ease of use of the program. This and other data can be loaded automatically in the background without need for user intervention.

1. Conclusion of a license agreement
2. Mailing of a security key by courier delivery service and the program distributable by e-mail
3. Assistance with installing the distributable
4. Joint configuration of the integration between the sales accounting system and Forecast NOW!
5. Verification of the integration and the start of training on how to use the program
6. Joint configuration of the program and generation of test orders
7. Test operation at the selected product category or retail store in order to debug and adjust the system settings
8. Regular operation at all retail stores/warehouses while processing the company's entire product range.
9. Provision of support and consultation on issues related to software product configuration and use via Skype/e-mail with an average reaction time of 1 business day.
10. Additional training as necessary that is delivered remotely via Skype, TeamViewer or various webinar platforms.
11. Implementation of program modifications in accordance with the needs and requirements of customers.

Details regarding the pricing model can be found in the pricing section.

It depends on your existing business processes (whether your product range is divided into groups of buyers) as well as the number of warehouses and other factors. One person can fulfill orders for 50 retail stores.