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Predict Future Rely on Proven
DECISION CB PREDICTOR
Predict Future Outcomes
Outcomes, Technology to Accurately CB Predictor analyzes the trend, seasonality, and error in your
Predict the Future time-series data using one of eight different forecasting
Optimize methods. It ranks all the methods according to how closely
Since 1986, Decisioneering, Inc. has
the Results provided risk analysis and decision they fit your data and automatically selects the best one to
intelligence software tools that empower use. After previewing the results graphically, you can have the
individuals and organizations to understand forecasted values placed into your spreadsheet where you can
uncertainty and make better decisions. Now, use them in subsequent calculations and formulas.
Decisioneering offers CB PredictorTM, the first
and only, forecasting tool designed to work Create Predictive Models
seamlessly with risk analysis and optimization If your time-series data are dependent on outside influences such
technology. With CB Predictor, available as a stand- as prices or regular sales promotions, CB Predictor can perform
alone or as part of Crystal Ball® 2000 Professional iterative linear regression to build the most accurate predictive
Edition, future performance can be accurately model. This advanced method automatically determines the
predicted from historical data. relationships between independent and dependent variables in
your data and uses those relationships to create the best forecast.
Time-series Forecasting
Time-series forecasting (TSF) is a collection of methods Developer Kit Adds More Flexibility
used to predict future outcomes based upon historical The CB Predictor Developer Kit brings complete automation
values. These historic values, often referred to as a “time- and control to time-series forecasting from within a Visual
series” data, are spaced equally over time and can represent Basic for Applications (VBA) program or any other language
anything from monthly sales data to daily electricity outside of Excel that supports OLE 2 automation. The Kit
consumption to hourly call volumes. allows developers to customize functionality, tailoring it to
their users’ needs. With this kit, you can:
• Create turnkey applications that integrate the software
TSF assumes that the time-series data are a combination of a
into your workflow
pattern and some random error. By understanding the
• Automatically run forecasts on multiple sets of data
pattern’s trend, its long-term increase or decrease, and its
• Integrate Crystal Ball and CB Predictor with other
seasonality, the pattern can be separated from the error and
software tools
extrapolated into the future.
• Build custom reports and automate post-forecasting analysis
Simple to Use
Industries •Academia •Management Consulting
CB Predictor is an easy-to- •Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) •Oil & Gas
use Microsoft® Excel add- •Finance •Pharmaceutical
•Healthcare •Telecommunications
in. The step-by-step wizard •Insurance •Utilities
guides you through the
Applications •Econometrics •Forecasting (continued)
program without ever •Forecasting Financial Statements
leaving the spreadsheet Sales Call Center Demand
Power Demand Market Demand
environment. For example, Market Penetration Tax Revenue
the program automatically selects your existing data, then
Organizations •Anderson Consulting •Johns Hopkins University
determines the best forecasting method from eight Using CB Predictor •Con Edison Energy •Nova Chemicals
methods available. The wizard also allows you to preview •Coors Brewing Company •Price Waterhouse Coopers
•Enron Oil & Gas •Sprint
the forecast graphically. Finally, the forecasted results •Ernst & Young •US Postal Service
are pasted automatically into your spreadsheet, •Florida Power Corporation •Wells Fargo
extending the data and date columns as needed.
"CB Predictor's transparent design and simplicity
makes the software an excellent choice for anyone
who needs to make intelligent guesses regarding
future costs, revenues, supply, or demand."
–PC Magazine
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CB PREDICTOR
FEATURE FUNCTION BENEFIT
Wizard-driven Process Automatically selects location of your Generates reliable forecasts in seconds
data and guides you through the
forecasting process
Forecasting Techniques Single & Double Moving Average, Single & Easy and accurate predictions of historical
Double Exponential Smoothing, Additive and data with trend or seasonality
Multiplicative Decomposition, Holt-Winters’
Seasonal, and Multiplicative Smoothing
Autocorrelation View Visually and numerically identifies Eliminates guesswork in determining
seasonal data seasonality
Iterative & Forward Stepwise Automatically builds your regression Removes the guesswork about
Regression equation using only the most significant which variables to include in a
independent variables regression equation
HyperCastingTM One-step creation of a regression equation Saves time and effort when building
and forecasting of the independent and regression models
dependent variables
Probabilistic Output Automatically determines confidence Include uncertainty from time-series
intervals for forecasts and places results forecasts as part of broader risk analysis
back into the spreadsheet as Crystal
Ball assumptions
Reporting and Charting Customizable reporting engine displays Easy presentation and communication
statistics, charts, reports, and PivotTables with others
for all results
Software Requirements
•Microsoft Office 95 and later
•Microsoft Windows 95, NT or later
Other Decisioneering Products Available
Decisioneering offers a full suite of desktop risk analysis and decision intelligence software tools and services that empower users to
make better decisions. These include: Crystal Ball 2000 Standard and Professional Edition, Open Crystal Ball–the platform-independent
version of Crystal Ball, Training, and Consulting Services. The Training Department offers introductory and advanced training classes with
an emphasis on risk analysis techniques using “real-world” case studies. Custom model development and integration as well as Web-
enabled application development are available from our Consulting Services Experts.
Technical Support
The Decisioneering Help Desk offers free technical support for 30 days following the purchase of any Decisioneering product. Technical
support plans beyond the 30-day period can also be purchased. In addition, tips, articles, models, FAQ, white papers, and a resource
center are always available from our Web site.
Product Maintenance
Product maintenance is an essential service and valuable investment for all CB Predictor users. Decisioneering offers licensed clients a
twelve-month maintenance agreement that includes unlimited Help Desk phone support (toll free for users in US and Canada) and free
updates for products that are released during the maintenance period. Users with maintenance agreements have access to our Help Desk
experts for assistance with installation, product capabilities, and general use of the product.
1515 Arapahoe Street, Suite 1311 | Denver, CO | USA 80202
Crystal Ball is a registered trademark and CB Predictor is a trademark 303.534.1515 | 800.289.2550 | [Link]
of Decisioneering, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their
respective owners. © 2001, Decisioneering, Inc. Decisioneering UK, Ltd. | [Link]