Demand signal repository

Demand signal repository (DSR) is the process whereby consumer goods companies integrate and cleanse demand data, and leverage that data to service retailers and end customers efficiently. Cleansing it and synchronizing it with syndicated and internal data allows companies to provide business users with a more complete view of their sales. The repository itself is a database that stores the information in a format that allows for easy retrieval of information so that users can easily query the database to identify what's selling, where, when and how. Identifying Out-of-Stock's (OOS's) is a requirement. Leveraging that data to perform predictive analytics is where applications actually leverage POS within their data model to help identify both current and potential impact.

With the right architecture, a DSR will grow with the business needs. It will be leveraged across multiple business groups including category management, supply chain, inventory management, promotion and event management, sales, marketing, etc.

Users should be able to use any tools needed for their specific job requirements. If they can't, they you have a point solution that is proprietary and not a true DSR. An open architecture should have a nice user interface that lets users easily get reports to help them understand their sales, manage category and brand information, etc. Users should easily be able to drag, drop and drill into information. They should be able to pull data from multiple data sets, share reports securely, create alerts, etc. In addition, users that have specific job requirements, such as price elasticity or analyzing promotional ROI, etc. may have a specific tool they need to use which leverages POS data. A properly designed DSR will allow other tools (in addition to their own tool) to leverage POS data.

Alerts will pin-point areas of the business that require immediate attention. The goal of a DSR is to provide faster access to more information, improve retailer relationships, maximize ROI, streamline internal efficiencies, improve performance at all stages of the supply chain and support multiple departments and teams.

External links

• Getting the Intelligence to Build Demand-Driven Supply Networks Microsoft, March 2009