Forecast Pro XE 5.1
Introduction
Forecast Pro XE is our most popular edition. In addition to time series methods, Forecast Pro XE offers promotional modeling, causal modeling, decomposition, the ability to define and reconcile hierarchies, and the ability to forecast up to 100 items at a time.
With Forecast Pro XE, up to 100 items can be forecasted. Forecast Pro XE includes all of the forecasting methods found in the standard edition as well as:
- Dynamic regression - If there are important leading indicators, use Forecast Pro XE’s dynamic regression. You can include independent variables, lagged or transformed variables and build generalised Cochrane-Orcutt models. Self-interpreting diagnostics lead you quickly through the model building process.
- Event models - Event models extend exponential smoothing by providing adjustments for special events like promotions, strikes or other irregular occurrences. You can adjust for events of several different types. These could be promotions of different sizes or types, or the effects of movable holidays like Easter and Rosh Hashanah. Event models are easy to build and adaptable to a variety of situations.
- Multiple-level models - Multiple-level models allow you to aggregate data into groups that can be reconciled using a top-down or bottom-up approach to produce consistent forecasts at all levels of aggregation. There is no limitation on the number of levels. Seasonal and event indexes can be extracted from the higher-level aggregates and applied to lower-level data.
- Census X-11 seasonal decomposition - Census X-11 factors a time series into its major constituents. The output from this routine includes time series representing the trend-cycle, seasonal, trading day and irregular components. Census X-11 is the procedure the U.S. government uses to obtain de-seasonalised estimates of major macroeconomic indexes.
- Batch forecasting - Forecast Pro XE’s batch procedure allows you to forecast up to 100 items at a time. Forecast Pro automatically builds a model for each item and prepares the forecasts. You can tell the program which model to use, or you can let the expert system decide. If you need to forecast more than 100 items you should consider Forecast Pro Unlimited.