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Class hours may vary, please reach out to contact@ascendientlearning.com if you have any questions.
Using SAS(R) Forecast Server Procedures
This course teaches you how to create and manage a complete forecasting system using the SAS Forecast Server procedures, giving you the power to confidently plan your business operations. Skills...
Read MoreOverview
This course teaches you how to create and manage a complete forecasting system using the SAS Forecast Server procedures, giving you the power to confidently plan your business operations.
Skills Gained
- process time series data
- automate the forecasting of the majority of your series in a large-scale forecasting process
- handle exceptions by adding custom models and selection lists to a model repository
- create and manage event variables and event variable data sets to use as inputs to forecast models
- implement best practices in model selection, data hierarchy construction, and statistical forecast reconciliation processes.
Who Can Benefit
- Experienced data scientists and analytic leads who want to learn to develop scripts in the SAS Forecast Server programming language to build, maintain, and optimize the performance of their forecasting system
Prerequisites
- Before attending this course, you should
- have experience with a Windows computing environment
- have experience using a product such as Microsoft Excel to enter or transfer data and to perform elementary analyses such as computing row and column totals and averages, and producing charts and plots
- have taken Forecasting Using SAS® Forecast Server Software or have equivalent experience with time series data and modeling
- have taken SAS® Programming 1: Essentials or have equivalent experience.
Course Details
Introduction
- motivation: the large-scale forecasting problem
- layout of the course
Exploring and Processing Timestamped Data
- accumulation: transforming transactional data into time series data
- handling missing and zero-valued intervals
- aggregation: building the data hierarchy
- two feasible data layouts for SAS Forecast Server
- using the TIMEDATA procedure
- identifying systematic variation in the data
- a SAS toolbox for exploring time series data
The Design of SAS Forecast Server-Based Forecasting Software
- the design of SAS Forecast Server-based forecasting software
- functionality overview: system inputs and automatic model selection
Diagnosing and Selecting Models Automatically
- HPFDIAGNOSE procedure: automatic model specification
- model selection lists and automatic model selection
Creating Custom Models and Managing Model Lists
- creating custom models: HPFxxxSPEC procedures
- creating and managing model selection lists: HPFSELECT procedure
Using the Events Functionality
- creating and managing event variables: HPFEVENTS procedure
- using the HPFEVENTS procedure: extensions and further details
Reconciling Statistical Forecasts
- basic forecast reconciliation using the HPFRECONCILE procedure
- disaggregation methods in forecast reconciliation
Producing, Assessing, and Modifying Forecasts
- honest assessment
- preparing to generate forecasts: accumulation and aggregation of the data
- preparing to generate forecasts: creating custom models, diagnosing models, and building a model selection list
- generating forecasts: automatic model selection and forecast outputs
- assessing system accuracy and generating reconciled forecasts
Rolling the Forecasting System Forward in Time
- forecasting by exception
- assessing model degradation
- handling data updates and structural changes
Schedule
FAQ
Does the course schedule include a Lunchbreak?
Classes typically include a 1-hour lunch break around midday. However, the exact break times and duration can vary depending on the specific class. Your instructor will provide detailed information at the start of the course.
What languages are used to deliver training?
Most courses are conducted in English, unless otherwise specified. Some courses will have the word "FRENCH" marked in red beside the scheduled date(s) indicating the language of instruction.
What does GTR stand for?
GTR stands for Guaranteed to Run; if you see a course with this status, it means this event is confirmed to run. View our GTR page to see our full list of Guaranteed to Run courses.
How do I find an Ascendient Learning training location?
We have training locations across the United States and Canada - View a complete list of classroom training locations.
Which delivery formats are available?
At Ascendient Learning, we offer training that is Instructor-Led, Online, Virtual, and Self-Paced.
Does Ascendient Learning deliver group training?
Yes, we provide training for groups, individuals and private on sites. View our group training page for more information.
What does vendor-authorized training mean?
As a vendor-authorized training partner, we offer a curriculum that our partners have vetted. We use the same course materials and facilitate the same labs as our vendor-delivered training. These courses are considered the gold standard and, as such, are priced accordingly.
Is the training too basic, or will you go deep into technology?
It depends on your requirements, your role in your company, and your depth of knowledge. The good news about many of our learning paths, you can start from the fundamentals to highly specialized training.
How up-to-date are your courses and support materials?
We continuously work with our vendors to evaluate and refresh course material to reflect the latest training courses and best practices.
Are your instructors seasoned trainers who have deep knowledge of the training topic?
Ascendient Learning instructors have an average of 27 years of practical IT experience and have also served as consultants for an average of 15 years. To stay current, instructors spend at least 25 percent of their time learning new, emerging technologies and courses.
Do you provide hands-on training and exercises in an actual lab environment?
Lab access is dependent on the vendor and the type of training you sign up for. However, many of our top vendors will provide lab access to students to test and practice. The course description will specify lab access.
Will you customize the training for our company’s specific needs and goals?
We will work with you to identify training needs and areas of growth. We offer a variety of training methods, such as private group training, on-site of your choice, and virtually. We provide courses and certifications that are aligned with your business goals.
How do I get started with certification?
Getting started on a certification pathway depends on your goals and the vendor you choose to get certified in. Many vendors offer entry-level IT certification to advanced IT certification that can boost your career. To get access to certification vouchers and discounts, please contact info@ascendientlearning.com.
Will I get access to content after I complete a course?
You will get access to the PDF of course books and guides, but access to the recording and slides will depend on the vendor and type of training you receive.
How do I request a W9 for Ascendient Learning?
View our filing status and how to request a W9.
Reviews
Good training. A lot to take in for the short amount of time we have though
They were very good. They made sure everyone was able to get into the training and got all of the material needed for class.
Instructor was great, course was mostly very good except for too much focus on pricing
Courseware was effective but would like to have some PDF material on BPML and XPATH
The instructor was thorough and they also provided hands-on demonstrations with labs.
