🎥 Webinar #6 - Learn More About Optiply's Algorithm
Have you ever wondered exactly what is going on under the hood when Optiply calculates your purchase advice?
Discover how the Optiply algorithm actually works and learn how to leverage it to streamline your daily operations. In this session, hosted by Customer Success Manager Albertine alongside Sander van den Broek, we demystify the math and logic behind the software. Learn how to use this powerful tool to its full potential, enhance your purchasing processes, and drive your company's success.
👉 [Click here to access the webinar]
🌍 1. How to Add Translated Subtitles
Because this webinar was originally recorded in Dutch, you can easily use YouTube's auto-translate feature to watch the session with English subtitles (or any other language you prefer!).
To turn on translations:
Open the video and click the CC (Closed Captions) icon on the bottom right of the video player to turn on subtitles.
Click the Settings (Gear) icon right next to it.
Select Subtitles/CC, and then click Auto-translate.
Choose your preferred language from the dropdown list.
That's it! You can now watch the session comfortably in your desired language.
🛑 2. Key Takeaways: Demystifying the Algorithm
If you are short on time, here is a quick recap of the core concepts discussed in the webinar to help you understand how Optiply calculates your purchasing needs:
Takeaway 1: The Core Forecasting Logic
We break down how the algorithm looks at your historical sales data to predict future demand. You will learn how Optiply weighs recent sales heavily while still accounting for your long-term baseline trends to create a highly accurate daily sales forecast.
Takeaway 2: Understanding Seasonality
Not every product sells consistently year-round. Discover how the algorithm detects seasonal patterns and trends. We also explain the "Yearly Seasonality" setting, which dictates whether the algorithm should prioritise recent sales or look at the data from the exact same period last year.
Takeaway 3: Calculating Safety Stock
Why does the system sometimes advise ordering more than you expect to sell? We explain the math behind safety stock. The algorithm dynamically calculates this buffer based on your Desired Service Levels and the historical reliability (lead time deviation) of your suppliers.
Takeaway 4: Turning Data into Actionable Advice
Learn how all the pieces come together. We show you how the algorithm takes the forecasted demand, subtracts your current stock, adds the safety buffer, and then applies your specific supplier constraints (like MOQs and Lot Sizes) to spit out the final, perfectly rounded purchase order quantity.
❓ 3. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does the algorithm automatically adapt over time?
Yes! The algorithm is dynamic. It constantly ingests your latest sales data and delivery times. If a product suddenly starts selling faster, or a supplier becomes consistently late, the algorithm will automatically adjust its forecasts and safety stock calculations without you having to touch a thing.
What happens if I have a sudden, random spike in sales?
Sudden, massive spikes (like a viral social media post or a Black Friday sale) can temporarily confuse forecasting algorithms. This is why we have the Promotions tool! You can use it to filter out that abnormal data spike so the algorithm goes back to predicting your normal, everyday sales accurately.
Can I manually override the algorithm's advice?
Yes, you always have the final say on the Purchase Page. However, if you find yourself constantly overriding the algorithm's advice, it means the system is missing data. The goal is to identify why the algorithm is wrong and fix the underlying setting (like lead times or service levels) so you can trust the automation moving forward!