Forecasting is a great way to communicate with the DCL Operations team. It’s important to let them know any estimated changes in shipping volume for any given week. The more you can update DCL on your order volume forecast, the more you can ensure successful fulfillment.
The first and most important element you will need is a projected growth percentage to apply to historical data. With such a percentage in hand, this article provides a step-by-step guide on how to use historical data in eFactory to create weekly or monthly projections for an upcoming forecast period.
How to select the analytics you want to pull from eFactory:
Begin in the Analytics tab. Select “By Time” in the left column navigation.
2. Filter using the following criteria:
Time (weekly)
Shipped Date (begin and end dates for the time period you wish to capture, for example, the previous quarter or the last year)
Warehouse (when applicable)
Ensure you click “Apply” for each option
3. Select “Run Report.”
You can run the report to show either orders, lines, packages, or units (you cannot select all at the same time).
To see growth select the “Compare to previous 2 years.”
How to create your quarterly forecast:
1. Once you have selected the analytics fields that you wish to report, select the “Download Excel File” button.
2. Based on the information provided by your company, you can now utilize the table in your exported Excel file to estimate the number of orders expected at DCL.
Create two new columns.
Use the formula highlighted below to project your order growth by the percentage of change.
Below is an example formula of 15% projected growth.
Continue the formula through the column to complete your order forecast.
Repeat those steps to determine unit projection using a similar formula to create that projection.
Repeat the steps to add the formula to all lines and a unit forecast as well.
How to Submit Your Forecast to your DCL Team
DCL asks that you run a forecast quarterly to ensure our operations team is updated on any changes.
Once an updated forecast is complete, please email the information to your Account Manager approximately one month prior to the start of a new quarter.
Proper forecasting ensures that our partners in the operation can anticipate any fluctuations in volume and can staff appropriately to ensure smooth fulfillment.