Demand Forecasting Import

Menu Path: None

To use Demand Forecasting Import, click DF Import in Min-Max Buying Recommendations.

Purpose

Import demand forecasting information from third-party software.

Overview

Use Demand Forecasting Import to import a demand forecasting import file from third-party demand forecasting software.

For import format information, see Demand Forecasting Import Format.

Importing Demand Forecasts

To import a demand forecasting import file:

Select an import file name and path, as well as the external forecasting system the file is coming from (MARS or Demand Forecasting). This file is the requisition file that is generated by the third party software (file extension ".req").
Click the Print Options tab, and select output options for the import report.
Click the Import button in the ribbon to start the import and/or validation process. The Importing dialog box appears. The Import Status field displays the status of the import, including any error messages.

After the import is complete, data will not be visible in the Products to Produce grid of Min-Max Buying Recommendations until you select the buying ID (using the Lookup button next to the Buying ID field) that the import created. A buying ID is created for each requisition number that the third-party demand forecasting software created. The buying ID is created based on the requisition number, for example, if the requisition number is "00000005," the buying ID will take up the prefix of the buying location and use "XXX00000005."

After information is visible in the scroll box, you can make adjustments to the Quantity and Add to This PO/WO fields. Alternately, you can export the data into an Excel spreadsheet, make modifications per your requirements, and import it back into Min-Max Buying Recommendations for purchase order creation.

The Totals by Supplier grid at the bottom of the screen displays the total costs of items to be ordered for the listed supplier(s). The total cost for each supplier sums up the total cost of each supplier’s line item total cost from the Products to Produce grid.

When you are ready to create purchase orders, verify / change the PO class field; purchase orders will be created for the selected PO class. (The default PO class will be populated in this field if it was assigned for your user’s extended purchasing options). Click the Create button to create purchase orders based on the data in Min-Max Buying Recommendations. Purchase orders created through this method are finalized in Purchase Order Maintenance. This allows you to make any last-minute modifications to items on the orders. Purchase orders need to be "ordered" for each order. Doing so will update each purchase order’s line item’s quantity On Order field in Inventory Matrix Inquiry.

Ribbon Home Tab Buttons

Button	Description
Exit	Click this button to close the Demand Forecasting Import window.
Import	Click this button to start the import process.

General Tab Fields and Buttons

Field or Button	Description
Import File	Enter the path and file name containing the data to be imported, or click the Lookup button to navigate to and select the file.
Forecasting System	Select the forecasting system that created the import file: MARS Demand Solutions
Import Status	This field displays the current status of the import in progress.

Print Options Tab Fields and Buttons

Field or Button	Description
Output Option	Select one of the following output options: Screen - Output to a PDF so you can immediately view the report. File - Output to a PDF, Excel, Access, or delimited file to be stored for later use. If you select this option, specify the file type and either the output folder or file name. Printer - Output to a selected printer. If you select this option, specify a printer in the Printer field. Email - Output to your default email application. If you select this option, you are prompted to select recipients for the email, then an email is created with the report attached as a PDF file. Excel - Output directly to Excel. You can specify the location of the Excel application in the Spreadsheet File field in User Profile Maintenance. If you output to Excel, the report may include additional information.
Output File Type	Select whether to output to a PDF, Excel, Access, or delimited (CSV, DAT, or TXT) file. These radio buttons are only available if you select the File radio button.
Specify File Name	Select this check box to specify the file name of the output report. This check box is only available if you select the File radio button.
Output Directory	Enter the location for the output report, or click the Lookup button to navigate to and select a location. This field is only available if the Specify File Name check box is cleared.
Output File Name	Enter a location and file name for the output report, or click the Lookup button to navigate to and select a location and file name. The file extension of the file name should match the selected output file type. This field is only available if you select the Specify File Name check box.
Excel Format Name	Enter an Excel format name, or click the Lookup button to select an Excel format name. Excel formats can be set up to specify which fields are output to Excel, and the order and sort order of the fields. This field is only available if you select the Excel radio button.
Format Maintenance	Click this button to display Excel Format Maintenance, which allows you to set up Excel formats. This button is only available if you select the Excel radio button.
Save As Type	Click the Lookup button to select whether to save the delimited file as a CSV, DAT, or TXT file. This field is only available if you select the Delimited radio button, and only enabled if the Specify File Name check box is cleared.
Include header	Select this check box to include a row of header information in the exported delimited file, which labels the data. This check box is only available if you select the Delimited radio button.
Delimiter	Enter a comma (,), caret (^), or vertical bar (\|) as a delimiter for the exported delimited file. This field is only available if you select the Delimited radio button.
Enclosing Character	If you want to use single or double quotation marks around data exported to a delimited file, enter ' or " in this field. Even if this field is left blank, text fields that have commas or carriage returns are enclosed in quotes. This field is only available if you select the Delimited radio button.
Printer	Click the Lookup button to select a printer. This field is only available if you select the Printer radio button.
Process	These radio buttons are disabled in this window.
Task Occurs	These radio buttons are disabled in this window.
Time	These fields and radio buttons are disabled in this window.
Date	This field is disabled in this window.
Task Description	This field is disabled in this window.
Scheduling Assistant Queue	This field is disabled in this window.
External Email	This check box is disabled in this window.
Screen Alert	This check box is disabled in this window.
Internal Email	This check box is disabled in this window.