$1.$ Do you feel that the forecasting procedure being done by both companies is

effective?

$2.$ Is the forecasting adequate for a seasonal business?

$3.$ Are the correct individuals being brought into the forecasting process?

$4.$ Is the collection and preparation of data adequate? Aristo:

A tool called Galt was used by the marketing managers to aggregate input from the

sales force. A detailed spreadsheet was prepared from this information with formulas

to track the distribution channels on$-$hand inventory as well as each customer$$s

individual forecast. The two streams of data were merged. The cumulative information

was rolled up and imported into the spreadsheet that the supply chain uses for

planning. The forecast is then reviewed with the marketing managers and supply chain

staff. Chemco:

Microsoft Excel with TM$1$ bolt$-$on application was the tool used to aggregate input from

the sales force. It also pulled in current on$-$hand inventory. The Demand Manager was

responsible for collecting the sales input and updating the forecast database in

TM$1.$ The sales forecast was updated once per month on a rolling $12-$month

basis. The sales force provided their updated forecast by the end of the first week of

the month. A demand meeting was held the second week of the month with the

Demand Manager responsible for facilitating and distributing documents needed at the

meeting. The Sales Managers, Marketing Managers, field sales force, and Supply

Planners attend. The Supply Managers have $$read only$$ access to the TM$1$ database

and update their production plans using the forecast The approved forecast is released

to the Supply Managers the day after the demand meeting.