Resolve the given business problem by applying an appropriate quantitative technique in Excel to achieve an optimal solution.

Once completed, develop a recommendation for the firm. The report should respond to the following writing prompts:

1. Discuss all needs (e.g., financial, non-financial) of the hypothetical firm based on the given scenario.

2. Discuss the firms objective. (One statement is sufficient.)

3. Discuss the reasoning process applied to develop the math model as well as the technique used to achieve an optimal solution (e.g. application of the decision-making process steps).

4. Make your recommendation.

VFD is excited that your firm consents to advise us. As we discussed prior, we need your firms guidance on resolving a supply issue. Vital Fuels Distribution supplies commercial, industrial, and agricultural industries for over two decades. Our customers rely upon our consistency as well as quality.

In the past few weeks, we have experienced near shortages multiple times. We cannot underestimate the sales expectations weekly (the frequency with which we receive petroleum supply).

We must correctly determine weekly sales volume for proper capacity and inventory planning. We have data (see chart below) from the past 12 weeks. We have struggled over this period to correctly determine sales activity.

We want to identify the sales pattern as well as identify a correct methodology or technique which will allow VFD to accurately forecast future sales for a similar period.

We are eager to hear your guidance with regards to understanding this problem and what approaches we may take to resolve it internally going forward.

WEEK	SALES (1000's of gallons)
1	23
2	21
3	20
4	20
5	21
6	22
7	21
8	20
9	21
10	20
11	25
12	23