SAF AG - New Software Functions for Even Better Forecasts
Tägerwilen (euro adhoc) -
Release 5.0.0 of SAF SuperStore and SAF SuperWarehouse considers cannibalization effects and price developments
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companies/EuroCIS
Tägerwilen, February 10, 2009. SAF AG, which is listed in the Prime Standard of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (ISIN CH0024848738), and is one of the world's leading suppliers of automated forecasting and ordering systems for retailers,will demonstrate the new functions of Major Release 5.0.0 for its SAF SuperStore and SAF SuperWarehouse products at the EuroCIS trade fair (February 10-12, 2009 in Düsseldorf). SAF software models price developments at suppliers as well as cannibalization effects caused by promotions. That way, retailers can estimate how the promotion of one product impacts the demand for other items. In addition to further improving forecast quality, SAF has also optimized reporting and breakdown of the forecast results.
"A promotion for bio-beef can reduce the demand for turkey schnitzel, but increase the demand for barbecue sauce. It's difficult for retailers to estimate these cannibalization effects," explains Dr. Andreas von Beringe, SAF CEO. "The expanded functionalities of our new Version 5.0.0 help retailers to consider these and other important effects in their replenishment. Forecast quality has been further improved through the inclusion of additional influencing factors."
In addition, both the SAF SuperStore and the SAF SuperWarehouse software products have been expanded by an investment buying function that considers price developments at suppliers in replenishment planning. For example, the system shifts orders into other time periods to achieve better pricing terms from the manufacturer. Besides that, in Release 5.0.0, the forecast is apportioned so that the proportions of the different influencing factors are recognizable in the forecast. That's important for understanding the forecasts and further analyses. Retailers can quantify, for example, the effect of a promotion on the sales of a product. They can also see how high the sales would have been without the promotion, if additional influencing factors such as holidays have an effect at the same time.
SAF software displays each interim step in the calculation of the order optimization. This improved reporting enables users to understand why the system changed orders. They gain more confidence in the system and the quality of the results, and pass on unnecessary manual changes by ordering. Furthermore, the functional scope of the SAF forecasting module has been expanded so that metric influencing factors can now be transformed. For example, through transformation of the price history of an item, the software can calculate its respective change in price. This can better explain the sales performance of an item thus improving forecast quality.
SAF will present its product line from February 10-12, 2009 in Düsseldorf at the EuroCIS, Europe's leading trade fair for information technology and security in retail.
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About SAF AG SAF Simulation, Analysis and Forecasting AG specializes in the development of automated ordering and forecasting software for retailers and industrial manufacturers. SAF deploys the demand chain management approach, which controls replenishment planning based on consumer demand patterns. SAF software assists users to realize substantial cost savings and optimizes general logistics conditions through its simulation capabilities. As a result, significant competitive advantages are achieved along the entire value chain: lower inventories, improved product availability, and last, but not least, a higher level of customer satisfaction.
SAF AG was established in 1996 by Dr. Andreas von Beringe and Prof. Dr. Gerhard Arminger. SAF shares are listed at the official market (Prime Standard) at the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FWB). Today, the company employs approx. 100 people. Consolidated sales revenues for fiscal year 2007, were approx. 13.2 million EUR with consolidated profit of 3.0 million EUR according to IFRS statements. SAF's products are distributed in many European countries as well as in the United States. The company is headquartered in Tägerwilen, Switzerland. SAF also has a subsidiary in the United States: SAF Simulation, Analysis and Forecasting U.S.A., Inc., Grapevine, Texas and in Slovakia, Bratislava: SAF Simulation, Analysis and Forecasting Slovakia s.r.o. with the focus on Nearshore- Development.
This Press Release is digital available under: www.saf-ag.com: Please click on Press & Events / Press Releases
end of announcement euro adhoc
Further inquiry note:
Astrid Strömer
+41 (0)71 666 79 48
astrid.stroemer@saf-ag.com
Branche: Software
ISIN: CH0024848738
WKN: A0JD78
Index: Prime All Share, Technologie All Share
Börsen: Börse Frankfurt / regulated dealing/prime standard
Börse Berlin / free trade
Börse Stuttgart / free trade
Börse Düsseldorf / free trade
Börse München / free trade