Creating an Artificial History with References
To perform forecasting, the F&R Processor requires time series values for the transaction data. When a new product is involved, however, no historical data is available, and therefore no separate time series of consumption data. You can use the time series of similar products (which are grouped in a reference module) for the new product as a replacement. Assigning multiple references, such as products from a certain merchandise category, may improve the forecast results.
You use this process to assign the artificial history of a reference module to a new product. You can build this time series from scratch or recalculate it from the date of the last build (update). You can schedule this process periodically or start it manually.
Note
You can also use a single reference from a similar product (reference product) to forecast a new product. In this case, the system uses the time series from the single reference until separate time series values are available for the new product.
Prerequisites
You have fulfilled the prerequisites for creating time series, for example, using the standard time series profile for reference modules, or you have created a custom profile based on the standard profile. For more information, see Time Series Profile.
You have identified new products that require planning and created references for them.
Process
Carry out the following process steps:
You import reference modules and reference assignments from the SAP Retail system through the interface (for more information, see Inbound Interface for Reference Modules). You can also create and edit reference modules manually in SAP F&R (in individual cases). For more information, see Editing Reference Data.
You can create single reference assignments in location product editing (if you have not imported them already).
You create the artificial history from the time series of the assigned references. For more information, see Calculating the Time Series for the Artificial History.