ALDI Future Forecasting VFA User Guide
- July 23, 2024
- ALDI
Table of Contents
ALDI Future Forecasting VFA User
Specifications
- Product Name: Vendor Forecasting Application (VFA)
- System Compatibility: Works for regions transitioning onto new systems
- Features: Order forecasts, Sales forecasts, Suggested Order Quantities (SOQ’s)
Product Usage Instructions
Introduction
Welcome to the Vendor Forecasting Application (VFA) guide for ALDI’s future
forecasting. This guide will help you understand key forecasting improvements
and navigate the changes effortlessly.
Key Improvements
The VFA introduces order forecasts for the first time, providing you with
the latest sales and order forecasts for each region as they transition onto
the new systems. Access the VFA for user-friendly functions and data exports.
Getting Started
Ensure you have an activated Empower ID account with the Supplier Admin /
Employee role assigned. Contact the key Empower ID user in your business or
email BPET.GBIE@aldi.co.uk for assistance.
Accessing Demand Data
Starting from February 2024, you can access sales forecasts and SOQ’s for
regions not on the new systems through the VFA. Sales and order forecasts for
regions on the new systems are also available.
Important Notes
Sales forecasts are accessible on the VFA for all regions you supply to.
Use sales and order forecasts in the VFA only for live regions. Stay updated
on transitions to new systems.
Support
For queries related to EmpowerID, contact the EmpowerID Key User in your
organization. For VFA or forecast queries, email your availability contact.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
How do I access the VFA?
- The VFA can be accessed through a tile on the Supplier Portal or directly via this link.
-
My forecasts do not look quite right. What do I do?
- If your forecasts seem off, consider upcoming events, recent communications about forecast adjustments, changes to sales, or new/discontinued articles. If unsure, contact your availability contact with specific details.
-
Someone has joined/left the business; how do I manage their VFA access?
- To manage VFA access, ensure the individual has an Empower ID account with the Supplier Admin / Employee role. Contact the key Empower ID user in your business for account creation/deletion. Email
THE VENDOR FORECASTING APPLICATION (VFA)
VENDOR GUIDE TO ALDI’S FUTURE FORECASTING
Welcome to the future of ALDI forecasting! This guide is your go to resource
to understand the key forecasting improvements and navigate this positive
change effortlessly.
For all non live regions, The Edge is the system used to find sales forecasts and Suggested Order Quantities (SOQ’s) (PTZ Business Partners only) for regions not on our new systems.
Please no longer use The EDGE for live regions.
KEY IMPROVEMENTS
UPGRADED SALES FORECASTING ENGINE
Introducing SAP UDF (Unified Demand Forecasting) –smarter, efficient, and
ready to elevate forecast accuracy. Sales forecasts will be in the VFA for all
regions.
INTRODUCTION OF ORDER FORECASTS
Exciting news! We’re giving you order forecasts for the first time. You can
find them in the VFA, available for each region as they transition onto our
new systems.
VENDOR FORECASTING APPLICATION (VFA)
Get ready for the VFA! It’s your go-to tool for checking the latest sales and
order forecasts. It has a user-friendly feel, better functions, and effortless
data exports. Access it here.
WHAT AND WHEN?
AS SOON AS POSSIBLE
Please ensure you have an activated Empower ID account with the Supplier Admin
/ Employee role assigned. Not sure if you have an account or need to create
one? Please contact the key Empower ID user (with the ‘Supplier Admin’ role)
in your business, or email
BPET.GBIE@aldi.co.uk.
ACCESSING YOUR DEMAND IN THE FUTURE
From February 2024, this is where you will access your demand data:
Sales forecasts and SOQ’s for regions not on our new systems
Please no longer use The EDGE for any Sawley information.
SOQs – Suggested Order Quantities (for PTZ vendors only). See FAQs for more information.
Sales forecasts and order forecasts for regions on our new systems
(Order forecasts for Sawley were made available and ready to use towards the
end of February. We will let you know in advance when each region is live)
Sawley was the first region that were onboarded to our new systems in February 2024.
PLEASE NOTE
Sales forecasts are available on the VFA for all regions you supply to. Please
only use the sales and order forecasts in the VFA for live regions.
We’ll keep you posted with the key updates, changes, and milestones, including when each region transitions onto the new systems.
SUPPORT
For any queries relating to EmpowerID, please contact the EmpowerID Key User
within your organisation, or
BPET.GBIE@aldi.co.uk
For any queries relating to the VFA or forecasts, please email your
availability contact.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How do I access the VFA?
The VFA will be available as a tile on the Supplier Portal. Alternatively, you
can access the VFA here: VFALINK.
I would like to learn more about the order forecasts.
Order forecasts will be available in the VFA for regions on our new systems.
They are driven by our new sales forecasting engine, SAP UDF, whilst
considering factors such as current stock levels, order optimization
requirements, article grouping requirements, and existing open orders. You can
view order forecasts on a daily view for the next 14 days, or a weekly view
for the next full 4 calendar weeks. Our pilot region, Sawley, was the first to
have an order forecast, in February2024.
My forecasts do not look quite right. What do I do?
Please consider if there are any upcoming key events; recent comms about
forecast adjustments; changes to recent sales; new / disc articles etc. Still
unsure? Please reach out to your availability contact with the affected
article code(s), region(s), date(s), vendor ID, forecast type (sales or order
forecast) and what the query is.
Someone has joined/ left the business; how do I manage their VFA access?
One must have an Empower ID account with the Supplier Admin / Employee role to
automatically gain VFA access. Please contact the key Empower ID user (with
the ‘Supplier Admin’ role)in your business, they can support with creation/
deletion of an Empower ID account. Please email
BPET.GBIE@aldi.co.uk if you have any queries
about this.
How often does the VFA update?
The VFA is updated daily (around 6am) with the latest demand data. You will
know the VFA has updated when the first sales forecast date you see is
tomorrow’s date.
There is a problem with the VFA. What do I do?
Please refresh the page or clear your cookies and cache and re-open your
browser. If the problem persists, please kindly reach out to your availability
contact.
When will I see forecast adjustments for key events?
Our new forecasting engine, SAPUDF, naturally captures many key event and
seasonal trends. The timing of any final adjustments may vary based on the
specific nature and timing of each key event. The closer we are to the event,
the more precise and accurate our forecasts become. Your availability contact
will continue to communicate any key adjustments to you.
I would like some more information on SOQs(Suggested Order Quantities) PTZ vendors only. SOQ’s, are the daily updated figures shown on The EDGE excel extract (in column BG) to give you an indication of the order expected to be placed with you later that day. SOQs will eventually be replaced by the order forecasts in the VFA for regions on our new systems. Please use the SOQ information on The EDGE for regions not on our new systems and use the VFA for order forecasts for regions on our new systems.
Why do I need an EmpowerID account?
An Empower ID account allows you to securely access relevant ALDI
applications, such as the VFA. Your SAP vendor ID(s) are assigned to your
Empower ID account.
Why do I need an EmpowerID account?
An Empower ID account allows you to securely access relevant ALDI
applications, such as the VFA. Your SAP vendor ID(s) are assigned to your
Empower ID account.
I have multiple SAP vendor ID codes; how do I see all my data in one place?
Please ensure all your SAP vendor ID codes are assigned to your Empower ID
account. Please use the drop-down function in the business partner selection
to view your different SAP vendor IDs. If all your articles sit under1 SAP
vendor ID, then all articles will show under that SAP vendor ID on the VFA.
When will I see the forecast for a new article?
Please typically expect to see your demand data for new articles approx.
4-6weeks before the on-sale date.
When will I see the forecast for a new article?
Please typically expect to see your demand data for new articles approx.
4-6weeks before the on-sale date.
HOW TO USE THE VFA – CRITERIA SELECTION
For a video demonstration, please visit the Vendor Forecasting Application page on the Merchandise Business Partner Website via the link here.
WRITTEN MATERIAL ON HOW TO USE THE VFA
Access the VFA with your Empower ID account via the Supplier Portal, or by
clicking here. Selecting a Sales Forecast
- Data available on a daily level for the next 14 days, or a weekly level for the next full 14 calendar weeks.
- The Sales Date is simply the date we expect to sell the stock in store.
- Sales forecasts are available for all regions (please only use for regions on our new systems for now).
Selecting an Order Forecast
- Data available on a daily level for the next 14 days, or a weekly level for the next full 4 calendar weeks.
- You can view the data by Order Date, or Delivery to DC Date.
- Order forecasts are available for regions on our new systems, starting with Sawley, from February 2024.
HOW TO USE THE VFA – VISUAL IN-APP DATA
Here is what the data looks like.
- You can use the filters along the top to narrow down your search, and toggle on/ off sub totals
- CBIS Code = your old article code (what you see on The EDGE)
- AHEAD Code= your new article code (display)
- UoM – CAR = Unit of measure in cartons (our new term for ‘cases’)
- Carton Size= How many units are in a carton
- Sales/ Order FC Total= The total of the visible forecast in the VFA, based on your selection criteria
- You can view your demand data in a graph by selecting the ‘Chart’ button
- The filters along top are useful for this view
- This view is helpful if you wanted a quick visual of the trends over time. You can select multiple articles.
- If you click on a bar, you can view the forecast details by clicking the ‘Details’ button
- Lastly, you can export all your demand data into excel by clicking the ‘Export To Excel’ button. You can select a ‘Standard File’, or a ‘Flat File’.
- Here is an example of a Standard File – Similar format to the app, instantly shareable, and easy to read
Here is an example of a Flat File – Perfect for those wanting to build the data into their own analysis tools
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