Better plan for the future with fast, reliable forecasting.
Streamline and automate your forecasting process.
Automatically produce large-scale time series analyses and hierarchical forecasts – without human involvement. Reduced manual intervention means there's less chance of personal bias in the forecasting process. Fewer resources are required, and because forecast analysts don't have to build and monitor forecasting models for every time series, they can focus on more strategic, high-value forecasts or problems that aren't suitable for automation.
Plan better for the future.
Manage your organizational planning challenges by generating forecasts on an enterprise scale – quickly, automatically and as accurately as you can reasonably expect, given the nature of the behavior being forecast. The software delivers results for millions of forecasts at breakthrough speeds, enabling you to plan more efficiently and effectively for the future.
Produce forecasts that reflect reality.
Business drivers, holidays or events that affect the forecasting process are selected automatically from variables supplied to the system in the visual modeling process. You also have the flexibility to manually override forecasts based on groups that are defined using attributes, not just hierarchical variables. The resulting forecasts better reflect the intricacies of the situation.
KEY FEATURES
SAS Visual Forecasting provides an open forecasting ecosystem for quickly and automatically producing a large number of reliable forecasts.
Data access, preparation & quality
Access, profile, cleanse and transform data using an intuitive interface that provides self-service data preparation capabilities with embedded AI.
Custom chatbot creation
Create and deploy custom, natural language chatbots via an intuitive, low-code visual interface for chatbot-enabled insights and conversational user experiences.
Data visualization
Visually explore data and create and share smart visualizations and interactive reports through a single, self-service interface. Augmented analytics and advanced capabilities accelerate insights and help you uncover stories hidden in your data.
Scripting language for distributed processing
A scripting environment supports fast, in-memory time series analysis. The scripting language is optimized and compiled for the machine it's running on – no need to rewrite code for different machines.
Automatic time series analysis & forecasting
Several function packages perform specific tasks in the time series analysis process. Convert time-stamped transactional data into a time series format, then generate forecast models automatically.
Segmentation of project data
Partition data into segments of similar time series based on the nature of the data (e.g., slow-moving, new or seasonal items). Or use a prebuilt segmentation template based on Demand Classification attributes. Model each segment separately in the project pipelines. You can tune models appropriate to the patterns or characteristics of the time series in each segment.
Add events to models
Model the effect of events (holidays, retail promotions, natural disasters, etc.) on dependent time series to improve model accuracy. The solution includes default prebuilt events (e.g., major holidays), and you can add others from an external event repository.
Neural networks (NNs) & machine learning
Incorporate NNs through a panel series, multistage (NN/regression + time series), or stacked model (NN + time series) framework via modeling strategy nodes. Generate features and train NNs, create a forecasting methodology that combines signals from different model types, and address problems with both time series characteristics and a nonlinear relationship between dependent and independent variables.
Highly flexible forecast override
Make customized adjustments to specific filters or groups of time series defined by attributes, not just by hierarchical variables, using a powerful manual override capability.
Support for APIs & other programming languages
Use the broad range of built-in forecasting models, and/or customize models that work well with your data. Use public REST APIs to add SAS Analytics to other applications. Call analytical actions, procedures and APIs from SAS, Python, R, Java and Lua.
Hierarchical reconciliation
Model and forecast each series in a hierarchy individually, then reconcile top-down at multiple levels. Adjust a forecast at any level, and apportion it to lower levels to keep the hierarchy consistent. Individual forecasts (by products, locations, etc.) roll up to the top number.
Additional forecasting procedures
Address virtually any forecasting and time series analysis challenge with access to SAS/ETS® and SAS Forecast Server procedures.
Powered by SAS® Viya®
SAS Viya has a completely redesigned architecture that is compact, cloud native and fast. Whether you prefer to use the SAS Cloud or a public or private cloud provider, you'll be able to make the most of your cloud investment.
Explore More on SAS® Visual Forecasting & Beyond
COMMUNITY
SAS® Forecasting & Econometrics Community
Ask questions, share tips and learn more from your peers.
REPORT
IDC MarketScape: Worldwide General-Purpose Artificial Intelligence Software Platforms 2019 Vendor Assessment
SAS is named a Leader.
WHITE PAPER
What Management Must Know About Forecasting
Find out why forecasts are often wrong, and learn how you can improve them.
Related Offerings
Check out these products and solutions related to SAS Visual Forecasting.
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SAS/ETS®Model, forecast and simulate business processes using econometric capabilities, time series analysis and time series forecasting.
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SAS® Forecast ServerProduce large numbers of forecasts quickly and automatically to improve planning and decision making.
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SAS® Visual AnalyticsVisually explore all data, discover new patterns and publish reports to the web and mobile devices.
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SAS® Viya®Conquer your analytics challenges, from experimental to mission critical, with faster decisions in the cloud. SAS Viya enables everyone –data scientists, business analysts, developers and executives alike – to collaborate, scale and operationalize insights, everywhere.
