Electronic Manufacturing Inc. is dedicated to the production of diverse products related to computers. Below you will see the production data of four of their products during the past 3 years presented in quarters.
Examine the historical production trends and address the following:
- Prepare demand forecasts for the next four quarters for all four products.
- Describe the forecasting method you chose and explain why that forecasting method is best suited to this scenario.
- Explain why you did, or did not, choose the same forecasting method for each product.
- What are the benefits of using a formalized approach to forecasting these products?
| Year 1 | Products | |||
| Quarter | Motherboard | Hard Drive | Video Card | Ink |
| 1 | 2,550 | 1,525 | 1,855 | 5,250 |
| 2 | 995 | 1,025 | 1,285 | 4,250 |
| 3 | 3,850 | 3,025 | 4,240 | 5,155 |
| 4 | 2,855 | 3,175 | 1,970 | 5,345 |
| Total | 10,250 | 8,750 | 9,350 | 20,000 |
| Year 2 | Products | |||
| Quarter | Motherboard | Hard Drive | Video Card | Ink |
| 1 | 4,025 | 3,965 | 3,525 | 9,350 |
| 2 | 2,595 | 3,025 | 3,025 | 9,005 |
| 3 | 6,225 | 3,250 | 7,320 | 9,255 |
| 4 | 5,905 | 4,125 | 3,480 | 10,640 |
| Total | 18,750 | 14,365 | 17,350 | 38,250 |
| Year 3 | Products | |||
| Quarter | Motherboard | Hard Drive | Video Card | Ink |
| 1 | 5,275 | 4,905 | 4,850 | 13,250 |
| 2 | 3,350 | 4,250 | 4,325 | 13,125 |
| 3 | 7,005 | 4,105 | 8,150 | 13,325 |
| 4 | 6,730 | 5,535 | 4,625 | 15,775 |
| Total | 22,360 | 18,795 | 21,950 | 55,475 |
