Alloy Planning vs Forecast Pro

Alloy Planning is a web-based forecasting and planning platform built for consumer goods brands. It uses retail point-of-sale and channel inventory data to forecast demand down to retailer and SKU-location level, helping teams respond to demand shifts. The platform automatically updates point-of-sale, inventory, and shipment data and flags areas that need attention. Sales and Supply Chain teams can build and track plans together, including consensus demand and inventory plans informed by projections, sales forecasts, promotions, and capacity forecasts. Alloy.ai says its wider data platform combines commerce and inventory information, drawing on integrations for retailers, ecommerce platforms, distributors, 3PLs, and ERPs. It can normalize partner identifiers, units, metrics, calendars, and currencies, and model product movement across manufacturing, warehouses, and retail locations. AI tools include natural-language performance analysis, executive reporting, and preparation of store-level stockout recovery orders for approval. Demand sensing, scenario planning, and hierarchical forecasting are listed. The service runs on the web, and pricing is on request.

Forecast Pro creates statistically based business forecasts for use in broader planning systems. Its automatic best-pick algorithm considers seasonal patterns, trends, business cycles, promotional activity, and other factors. Users can forecast at multiple hierarchy levels while working with units, dollars, and other measures at once. Adjustments can be made at any level, with comments and override reports documenting and reconciling changes. The software archives prior forecasts so users can compare them with actual results and review forecast value added across process steps. Data can move through Excel, CSV, text files, or ODBC, and the maker says the product integrates with ERP, MRP, and BI systems. Forecast Pro runs on Windows and can be installed on a client machine or server, including Citrix or Windows Server. The SDK is also available as a Linux shared library, with.NET and Java interfaces. Professional starts at $199 a month, billed annually, with a 12-month minimum. A free trial provides all features for 21 days and ends automatically.