Overview
In order to run an accurate allocation to your stores, you will need to set up some key fields to get started. We build the allocation strategies at the Choice level. this can be determined by your organization, but basically just above sku level. Your Size Curve will be used to break out your forecasts down to the sku level. Although Allocation Strategies are set up at the Choice level, all of allocation is run at the sku level and will ensure that the correct sizes are being filled in for each choice and location.
When you navigate to the Allocation Strategies section of the Allocation Module, the default view should have all the fields needed:
Location List
Location Curve
Size Curve
Order Cycle
Safety Stock
Demand Type (ROS, Total Sales, Total Order and Item Plan)
Demand (number field for ROS and Total Sales Demand Types)
Sales Curve (dependent on the Demand Type)
Start and End dates
Presentation Profiles
Once the Allocation Strategies are set you can let the module manage the day to day. You will want to make tweaks from time to time and that can easily be done at any time.
Is Allocation Allowed
To define locations that are eligible for allocation, a flag is available in the location master data to define the whether locations are allowed to be included in allocations. simply set the flag to TRUE for any store that is allowed to receive allocations of inventory including the Online location. The source locations do not specifically need to be selected as TRUE as they will automatically be included as required. This setting reduces the number of locations that shows up in the curves and location lists.
Location List
In this article we are going to focus on Location Lists. Toolio defines Location Lists as clusters of stores that you normally group by and create similar assortments for.
Examples:
All Stores - your entire fleet of stores
Warm Stores - Climate based assortments
Tier A stores - Your best volume stores
Fashion Stores - Stores that do better with certain assortments.
etc.
In your settings, you will find on the left-hand side's navigation bar the location list section.
To get started click on the ADD button in the upper right corner. A menu will open to give it a name.
After you name it, select CREATE. A menu will pop up from the bottom and this is where you will select the stores you want to be a part of the location list.
Once you have selected the stores click SAVE and you can continue to make more or come back at another time.
Location Lists in your Allocation Strategies
Navigate back to your Allocation Strategies section in your Allocation Module. You will now be able to select the lists you made in the Location List field. However, before you start adding location lists to all your choices you will need to set up Location Curves, Size Curves, Target WOS, Start Date and Demand Type in order to save your strategy for the choice.
When you have set the overall strategy for a choice you can also fine tune this strategy at the location level so you can customize the location list and make certain store ineligible (along with most of the settings).
Double click on the Title or Color and an overlay menu will pop up from the bottom. Now navigate to the ALLOCATION STRATEGY OVERRIDES. Here you will see your strategy at the location level and you can make changes. Once you are done click SAVE and the details of your strategy will be saved.
Video
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Location Curves
Sales Curves