Predictive Trend Analysis

What is a Predictive Forecasting Based on Trend Analysis? Predictive forecasting models are considered automated planning tools and are often used by budget managers to quickly get an idea of what the future may look like for important financial items. Key functionality with this type of planning model automatically predicts the next 12 months based on the past 36 months. The user can adjust weighting and other drivers on the top of the form. Color codes above each forecast chart show whether it is likely to trend up or down in the final months. The user can also adjust the individual revenue and expense items at the row level. You will find an example of this type of planning model below.

Purpose of Predictive Forecasting Models Companies and organizations use Predictive Forecasting Models to enable managers to quickly get a picture of future revenues and expenses. When used as part of good business practices in a Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) Department, a company can improve its ability to predict a year into the future every single month without manually entering forecast data. In addition it can reduce the strain of using a manual planning process, which could prevent a company from a monthly reforecasting and gaining the resulting business insights.

Who Uses This Type of Planning Model? The typical users of this type of planning model are: Budget Managers and Analysts. Other Planning Models Often Used in Conjunction with Predictive Forecasting Models Progressive Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) Departments sometimes use several different Predictive Forecasting Models, along with regular, detailed budgeting and forecasting models and other management and control tools.

Where Does the Data for Analysis Originate From? The Actual (historical transactions) data typically comes from enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems like: Microsoft Dynamics 365 (D365) Finance, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central (D365 BC), Microsoft Dynamics AX, Microsoft Dynamics NAV, Microsoft Dynamics GP, Microsoft Dynamics SL, Sage Intacct, Sage 100, Sage 300, Sage 500, Sage X3, SAP Business One, SAP ByDesign, Acumatica, Netsuite and others. In analyses where budgets or forecasts are used, the planning data most often originates from in-house Excel spreadsheet models or from professional xFP&A solutions.

This Solver report template connects directly to your ERP data via the Solver Data Warehouse, enabling near real-time analysis with minimal setup. Designed for QuickStart deployment, it can be activated rapidly so your team can focus on analysis and decisions — not data preparation.

What is the Predictive Trend Analysis in Solver? The Predictive Trend Analysis is a pre-built xFP&A report template in Solver that delivers key financial and operational metrics in a single, easy-to-use interface, eliminating the need for manual data work or custom report development.

Who uses this Solver report template? This template is primarily used by CFOs, FP&A managers, and controllers who need accurate, timely reporting without manual data preparation. It is also valuable for department heads and business unit leaders who need periodic performance summaries.

Where does the data come from? Data is sourced automatically from your ERP system through the Solver Data Warehouse, which integrates with platforms such as Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, Dynamics 365 Finance, Acumatica, Sage Intacct, and other leading ERP solutions. Once connected, the template updates in near real-time with no manual data entry required.

To learn more, visit the Resource Library.