Alrighty, I spent a solid 10 hours rebuilding the inventory forecasting template to meet more customers needs. Overall, the user experience has improved dramatically and I've already had feedback saying "this is awesome" so we are on the right track here.
Template Updates:
- Changed from daily basis to monthly basis (this reduced the need for 365 columns per year to only 12, which improved the scalability of the file dramatically) No negative effects, all logic still in tact.
- Adjusted layout of each tab so there is no stacking of cohort sections. This makes the file dramatically easier to expand for more than 19 SKUs. Now, the user simply has to drag the bottom row of each tab down as far as they want and everything works from there. The default sum totals go down to 10,000 rows, which should be more than enough for 99% of this templates target audience.
- Added payment term schedule so the user can define the month # and % of the total purchase amount that is paid in up to three payment dates. This drives AP and cash requirement values.
- Added accounts payable balance over time.
- Adjusted the growth rate per SKU so there is a single annual growth percentage applied to each SKU for each year instead of a percentage for each month of the year. Previously the growth rate was only able to be entered in the first forecasted 12 months and that rate was applied to all future years. Now it is adjustable by year and goes out for up to 6 years.
- Extended the model to go for up to 72 months.
- Added a value for 'starting inventory' that flows through all accounting logic properly.
- Rebuild all visualizations so the data is more easily digested.
