M-Factor’s Predictive Analytics Platform is the technology backbone for the M4, T4, and P4 software-as-a-service solutions.  Its specific components collect, transform and verify the requisite input data, develop and update custom-built demand models, and execute sophisticated analytics, simulation and optimization calculations using the data and models.  Its open architecture supports data and models of any form and provides open APIs for use with third party systems, notably for integration with existing TPM systems.

Next Generation Analytics Server
At the heart of the platform is the PrOLAP® Predictive Analytics Server. Its powerful optimization, simulation, and analytics engines analyze the complex, non-linear interactions of consumer demand across accounts, markets, channels; between competitive and complementary products; through various seasons; and in consideration of any number or type of marketing vehicles, pricing scenarios, competitive actions, cannibalization effects, or environmental factors.  Its proprietary and patent-pending technologies are both scalable and flexible to support enterprise-class implementations.

Patented Modeling Capabilities
The platform includes M-Factor’s patented modeling software application. Its state-of-the-art algorithms are designed specifically for demand model estimations.  It is used both for initial model development as well as to update and modify existing demand models as the market environment changes.  This enables evaluation of the models using instantly available business analyses such as volume variation (”due-to”) and volume decomposition.  The entire process is transparent, allowing M-Factor modelers to work interactively with you to incorporate specific business feedback.  This is very different from traditional “black-box” approaches to modeling and greatly increases model quality.

Robust Data Foundation
Finally, the platform contains a rich set of data tools that allow Extraction, Transformation, and Loading (ETL) of data from disparate sources as soon as it’s delivered from the market.  Importantly, rigorous data validation capabilities are embedded to enable identification of data issues before they impact the models or results.  The platform’s interface for managing the flexible metadata definitions allows custom configuration of the solution.  The platform supports SSL, configurable strong password authentication, strictly enforced user roles and a data security layer to prevent unauthorized access.