Sales Forecasting as a Service - A Cloud based Pluggable E-Commerce Data Analytics Service

Abstract

Abstract:Data analysts are increasingly important for companies to extract critical information from their vast amount of data in order to be competitive. Data analytics specialists or data scientists develop statistical models and make use of dedicated software components for example to categorize products and forecast future sales. Their unique skill set is among the most sought after in the current job market. Cloud computing on the other hand helps companies to acquire services in the cloud and share the required expertise for delivery among service users. In this paper we take a cross disciplinary approach to develop a data analytics technique and a platform based IT architecture that allows to outsource sales forecasting analytics into the cloud.

Extensible Portfolio of Forecasting Methods for ERP Systems: Integration Approach

“…SaaS is typically accessed by users using a thin client via a web browser. SaaS already remains a benchmark for adding ERP system models and approaches from outside in recent years [30]. A lot of literature provides SaaS techniques and approaches in ERP systems.…”

“…In [31], novel architecture for the field of industrial automation is described, the goals of which are: 1) computation of optimal production plans; 2) automated usage of the optimised plans; 3) flexibility and reusability during development and maintenance; and 4) seamless transition from current practice to the approach introduced herein. Research [30] review SMEs cloud computing in general, and SaaS are popular solutions to share the costs for IT service development and activities. Accordingly, the task of data analytics for product sales forecasting is a hopeful application for a new cloud service model.…”