Apollo Investigator makes it possible to compare many aspects of product ranges,
distribution and sales performance across a large number of planograms.Apollo Investigator is self-contained and can therefore be used without Apollo
on your PC. It is ideal for anyone who requires merchandising information, such
as account managers or category managers, but who don't possess the specialist
merchandising skills.
SUMMARY OF BENEFITS
- Comparison of product assortment in different stores or store groups
- Evaluation of manufacturer presence and contribution
- SKU count versus return on inventory investment and depth of distribution
- Planogram performance tracking over time and highlighting of exceptions such
as a changes in the number of facings.
Accurate data is imperative for any analysis. Investigator simplifies the
process of checking that the information in the planograms is accurate and
consistent.
The database allows flexible analysis of a range of variables, e.g. impact of
‘space' on product performance and optimum planogram requirements.
If discrepancies exist they will be highlighted and an option given to change
them. The changes can then be saved back to the original planograms, ensuring
data integrity
MAIN FEATURESApollo Investigator can analyse data from hundreds of planograms, allowing
comparisons across entire store groups if necessary.
Firstly, the data integrity is checked. This enables anomalies such as incorrect
product names, manufacturers or categories to be easily identified, changed and
then written back to the planograms.
Apollo Investigator then creates a database, which can be analysed using its own
integral report writer, enabling powerful interrogation and data manipulation.
Why Should I buy Apollo Investigator?
Situation
Out of stocks typically represent between five and ten per cent of a CPG
retailer’s turnover (source: Andersen Consulting). Whilst a 100% service level
is neither desirable nor attainable, for a retailer with an annual turnover of
e10 bn, a service level of 90% - or 10% out of stock rate, represents a
staggering e1.1 bn in potential lost sales.
Function of Apollo Investigator
It is extremely difficult to know exactly when a product is running out of
stock. Stock cover needs to be calculated by dividing the dimensions of the
product into the space allocated to it, then applying sales and delivery
data.
The Apollo merchandising tool automatically generates a stock cover figure
for every product in the fixture, so exact stock cover can be established.
Although Apollo is effective, it only works with a single planogram.
To be
able to analyse stock cover in multiple planograms at a time, you need Apollo
Investigator. Planograms are simply loaded directly into Apollo Investigator,
which can then produce a report by store, cluster or total chain level cut by
product, brand or even total category. One retailer can even be compared against
another.
Benefits
Apollo Investigator quickly and easily identifies deficiencies in stock cover by
planogram, which can then be addressed individually. In addition to analysing
stock cover, Apollo Investigator can report on many fields from Apollo using 16
different measures. It is an invaluable planogram analysis tool with the ability
to produce range matrices by store, to comparing sales against space by
manufacturer.
Furthermore, Investigator checks the integrity of the planograms
by matching the data against templates. If it finds discrepancies it suggests
alternatives and can even change the planogram to ensure that it’s accurate for
future use.
There are two versions of Apollo Investigator. One which produces an Oracle
Sales AnalyzerTM database and a ‘Lite’ version, which has it’s own integral
reporting tool.
Summary
Apollo Investigator is an indispensable tool as it checks the integrity of
planograms, makes intelligent suggestions for changes, performs the changes
through to powerful reporting and analysis. It can dramatically increase
productivity and help to identify huge cost savings for anyone working with
large numbers of planograms.
Apollo Investigator Features and Benefits
Analyses hundreds of planograms simultaneously
The data can be stored in a multi-dimensional database
which can be cut however the user chooses, using primary fields from Apollo,
such as Manufacturer or Category and measures such as Sales or Price.Use the fully functional internal reports and charts
facility or export the data to OSA.
Generates distribution and range multi-dimensional matrices
Helps you check that products are included in the correct planograms
Planogram data cut using Apollo fields
Identifies cost savings with effective merchandise management, by aggregating
planogram performance, such as measuring space by sales, to ensure correct
space allocation and stock holding.
Apollo Investigator checks the integrity of planogram data
Data accuracy in hundreds of planograms can be checked simultaneously by
comparing it against a template or series of templates. Where errors are
detected, Investigator will suggest a modification.
Make changes to multiple planograms by clicking a button
The ability to make multiple changes to planograms, e.g. changing the price of
a product for a cluster of stores, saves time and guarantees accuracy.
Update the original planograms automatically
If the user chooses to accept the modifications, the original planograms can
be automatically updated and saved without having to load them into Apollo.
Independent of Apollo
Can be installed on many machines without also having Apollo installed.
Investigator loads and saves the planograms directly.
Dual currency compliant
Investigator has the ability to display a secondary currency automatically
calculated from the primary currency. For example, show French Francs with
Euros.
Wizard driven
The complex loading of templates and planograms, comparison, error detection
and modification can be completely controlled by a Wizard for ease of use.
Frequently Asked Questions
What versions of Investigator are available?
There are three Apollo Investigator modules:
- Data Integrity Checker
- Investigator OSA
- Investigator
How many planograms can I analyse?
We have successfully tested Investigator with over 950 planograms
simultaneously.
How do I get training and support?
Call your usual helpdesk numbers or contact your RetailSmart Account
Manager.
What fields in the planogram do I need to fill in?
Movement, Retail Price, MeasA, MeasB, MeasC, MeasD, MeasE, MeasF, MeasG,
MeasH, MeasI, MeasJ, Brand, Category, City, Cluster, Component, District,
Manufacturer, Retailer, Section, State, Store, SubCategory, UPC, Product Name
What platforms are supported?
Apollo Investigator has been tested on Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows
2000, Windows NT4 and Windows XP.
What planogram types can be used
with Investigator?
In the initial release you will only be able to use Apollo Section
files (*.APB). In subsequent releases we may incorporate a new component which
will enable us to read Apollo Section Database (Section.DAT), Intercept (*.ICP)
and Spaceman (*.PLN) file formats. This decision will be taken depending on
feedback from the market.
Can you add more than one
planogram at a time?
Yes, Investigator uses standard Windows functionality so you can press
<control> or <shift> and highlight the files you want to load.
Is the copy protection the same as for Apollo?
No. We developed a new copy protection system for Investigator using an
activation code. You call the Helpdesk for a code and type it in when prompted
to do so.
So does that mean I can transfer the software to
another PC?
No. The activation code is set for the original PC only. If the user
wants to transfer Investigator to another PC that is a matter for local
negotiation and licensing creativity. The majority of users questioned prefer
this method.
