Demand forecasting is the process of using predictive analysis of historical data to estimate and predict customers’ future demand for a product or service. Demand forecasting helps the business make better-informed supply decisions that estimate the total sales and revenue for a future period of time.
Through demand forecasting, businesses can optimize inventory by predicting future sales by analyzing historical sales data to make informed business decisions about everything from inventory planning and warehousing needs to running flash sales and meeting customer expectations (Lopienski).
Importance of Demand Forecasting
There is no business without a demand. Businesses cannot make decisions without understanding demand. Demand forecasting is never 100% accurate. There are steps to improve production lead times, increase operational efficiencies, save money, launch new products, and provide a better customer experience.
Preparing Your Budget
Demand forecasting reduces risks, helps increase profits, and makes efficient financial decisions. These financial decisions impact cash flows, allocation of resources, opportunities for expansion, inventory accounting, and operating costs.
Planning and Scheduling Production
Demand forecasting lets you provide the products your customers want when they want them. This requires order fulfillment to be synced up with marketing prior to launching.
Storing Inventory
Demand forecasting inventory purchases and warehousing. This helps companies spend less money on purchase orders.
Contributed by:
Mohammad Musib Khan
What to read next:
What are Sales Forecasting and Demand Management?
What is Cross Docking and It does work?
Aftab Khan is a logistics specialist with over forty years of experience in all aspects of supply chain and logistics management. He is an engineer by training and holds an MBA, besides several certifications from APICS/ASCM, ISCEA, and BRASI. Mr. Khan is the Executive Director of Business Research and Service Institute LLC, USA.
-
Aftab Khan#molongui-disabled-link
-
Aftab Khan#molongui-disabled-link
-
Aftab Khan#molongui-disabled-link
