Getting Familiar with Predictive Analysis to Forecast Expenses

Many moons ago in a previous position as a budget analyst I used SAS in previous position to budget and forecast expenses, including workload.  Yes, this was on the mainframe.  SAS had (still has) great time series analysis functions.

Now I am trying it with Predictive Analysis.  Has SAP made this accessible to non-statistician types like me?  See below.

Figure 1

In Figure 1,  I create a new folder

Figure 2

In Figure 2 create a new Analysis

Figure 3

In Figure 3 I select a .CSV file as a data source

Figure 4

I recommend previewing the data, in case there might be bad characters

Figure 5

Figure 5 execute/run view the visualization

Figure 6

At the prompt, say Yes to the Visualization perspective

Figure 7

Select Adhoc Chart

A familiar interface appears for those using Analysis Office or Design Studio

Figure 8

Open up the Algorithms and select Time Series Exponential Smoothing

Figure 9

Figure 9 select Output Mode, dependent column Expenses, and predict period is 12 months

Figure 10

Figure 10 is the familiar prompt and say Yes

Figure 11

Figure 11 shows the predicted expense values

Figure 12

Figure 12 shows to write the forecast results out to a file

Overall I found this easy to use and I am not a statistician.  First I want to thank the many people who helped me including SAP’s Scott Leaver, Vishwanath Belur , and fellow Mentors/IBMers Vijay Vijayasankar  and   Tomas Krojzl