We’re excited to introduce the Simulator in our Prediction module, designed to enhance scenario planning and forecasting. Now available as a purchasable add-on!
Unlike the Optimiser, which focuses on optimizing media budgets or targets, the Simulator allows you to explore custom "what-if" scenarios for both media and non-media inputs. Users can now test various strategies based on historical data, adjusting multiple factors to simulate potential outcomes. This feature empowers data-driven decision-making, providing deeper insights into future performance possibilities.
This enhancement empowers users to make more informed, data-driven decisions by testing different strategies and understanding their potential impacts.
Accessing the Simulator
Easy Navigation:
Access the Simulator by selecting "Simulation" from the Prediction Module's "Predict" button. This streamlined approach simplifies the process of starting simulations.
Simulation Period Selection
Choose the simulation period for your simulations, either from predefined options (Presets) or select manually. Adjust this period to fit your specific needs for more accurate scenario analysis.
Reference Period:
Once the period is selected, a Reference period is automatically chosen—the corresponding historical data from the previous year. For example, if a user is simulating for Q1 2024, the reference period will be Q1 2023. The values from the reference period are then used as "baseline numbers" for simulation in Q1 2024. User’s specific inputs are shown as “scenario numbers”.
Simulator Input
After selecting the simulation period, user will be directed to input screen. This screen will display all the drivers for which user can change the values and simulate and analyse the outcome
Organized Driver Tabs:
View and manage drivers through "All," "Media," and "Non-Media" tabs for a structured approach to data input and analysis.
Dynamic Value Editing:
Modify scenario values and percentage changes with automatic updates across all tabs, ensuring consistency and reducing manual adjustments. e.g. If user makes changes to Media driver from overall tab then the same change will reflect in media tab for that media driver
Filter media groupings and drill down to update specific values or add custom groupings for detailed analysis.
Easily add new driver hierarchies, with automated validation and adjustment of related data to keep your analysis accurate and up to date. E.g. user wants to club all the publishers as single grouping then user can use this option
Once user clicks on ‘+’:
Resetting Values:
Quick Reset: users can use the "Reset" button to clear all input values with a confirmation pop-up to prevent accidental data loss.
Monitoring Changes:
Change Tracking: The “Changed” tab helps you monitor modifications to driver values, enhancing your ability to track and review changes throughout the simulation.
Auto-Save Functionality:
The Simulator automatically saves user inputs, so if a user accidentally closes the application, the previously entered data will be reloaded when the Simulator is opened again, provided the browser cache has not been cleared.
Running the simulation and viewing results
Users can start simulation with ‘Simulate’ button, where system will process the inputs and run the simulation
Once user clicks on Simulate user can choose between High level results or Detailed Results.
Options available to users for simulation:
High-level results:
High-level results page provides overview of the simulation results by providing a summary of key metrics like Total Investment, Effect, and Profit, along with their percentage changes.
Visual Overview:
A chart displaying the baseline and total effect offers a visual summary of the simulation's impact, making it easy to grasp the overall results at a glance.
Simulation Scenario Data Table:
Weekly data is presented in a table, showing values and percentage changes for Total Investment, Effect, and Profit. Users can easily see the weekly performance comparison between baseline and scenario values
User Options:
At the bottom of the page, users can start a new simulation, modify the current simulation, or get detailed results. There is also an option to adjust data view granularity to weekly, monthly, quarterly, or yearly, ensuring that the information is presented at the preferred level of detail.
Detailed results:
Detailed result page provides in-depth analysis and insights following a simulation. This page allows users to explore detailed breakdowns of Media and Non-Media variables, enhancing their ability to make data-driven decisions.
Email Notification Toggle:
Convenience: An email notification toggle on the Overview page allows you to be notified when the detailed output is ready. By default, this option is enabled, ensuring you stay informed about the simulation process.
Overview Page:
Immediate Insights: The Overview page presents basic data, including a table with the investment and total effect, complemented by an evolution-over-time chart. This provides an initial understanding before moving on to the detailed results.
Overall Summary:
This tab offers a general overview of Media and Non-Media variables, showcasing Total Investment, Total Effect, and other key metrics through charts and tables.
Media Tab:
Focuses on Media variables, featuring an evolution-over-time chart and a Media Data Table with filtering and reordering options. This allows for in-depth media performance analysis.
Non-Media Tab:
Dedicated to Non-Media variables, this tab presents an evolution-over-time chart and a Non-Media Data Table, providing detailed insights. Since Non-Media variables lack an effect metric, this will not be displayed, ensuring clarity and relevance.
Charts and Data tables:
Evolution over time: Like high level output this chart displays the baseline and total effect offers a visual summary of the simulation's impact. Apart from this it also displays contribution chart showcasing contribution of all the drivers towards baseline and scenario effect.
Data Tables:
Users can see the data tables, which displays respective variable data for investment (only for Media drivers), effects and profit with options for sorting, and rearranging. Also, users can adjust the hierarchy for media related drivers (similar to MI).
Media data table:
Non-Media data table:
Data view Options:
Customizable Data View:
Users can adjust the granularity of the data by selecting from Weekly, Monthly, Quarterly, or Yearly views. This flexibility allows for tailored analysis, ensuring the data is presented in the most useful format for your needs.
Media hierarchy:
Users can change the hierarchy for media drivers (similar to MI page) by using this option
Export options
Download for Further Analysis:
Simulation outputs can be easily exported as Excel files, allowing for further analysis outside the platform. This feature ensures that your data is always at your fingertips.
Saving simulation outputs
After running a simulation, users can now save their results with just a few clicks. The "Save Simulation" button on the results page provides an option to preserve your simulation data for future reference or team collaboration.
Save Options:
Private or Shared:
Users can choose to save the simulation as "Private," making it accessible only to themselves, or "Shared," allowing team members to access and view the simulation results. This flexibility caters to both individual analysis and collaborative efforts.
Easy Access:
Once saved, simulations are immediately available on the Activities page, categorized by name, period, and other relevant details. This organized storage ensures that you can quickly locate and review past simulations.
Enhanced Comparison Capability:
Users can now select multiple saved simulations within the Activities tab and view their results side by side. This feature makes it easier to evaluate the impact of different simulation parameters and scenarios, helping users make more informed decisions.
Evolution over time:
Media data table:
Non-Media data table:
Concluding remarks:
The enhanced Simulator is designed to provide deeper insights into scenario planning, improving your ability to analyse and optimise future strategies. With its flexible inputs, easy-to-use interface, and detailed breakdown of results, the Simulator ensures you can make informed, data-driven decisions that align with your business goals.
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