Product Line Review

The Product Line Review is intended to give you the ability to compare sales related metrics between two time periods. This dashboard allows you to filter, switch dimensions and add or remove fields from the report. You control the date ranges using Review Date and Comp Date filters. You will be able to use this report to inform many decisions, as well as to identify areas in your operation where further analysis can be explored on other reports and dashboards.

It is important to note that the data considered begins with the date on the heading panel of the dashboard, under Earliest Transaction Date.  This means that your trends and filtered data will start with the transactions on this date.

You will see a link to this document in the heading of the dashboard, click on Dashboard Help to access the document.

At the top of the dashboard are graphics that show your Sales, Quantity, Cost, Gross Margin dollars and Gross Margin %; and how they track vs. the comp period that you select in the filters.  You'll see at the bottom of each gauge the % of growth (or deterioration) vs. the comp period.

To the right of the dashboard are your filters - first choose the time periods that you want to review. The Review Date is the time frame you are reviewing; the Comp Date is the time frame you are comparing to the Review Date. You are also able to filter by several layers of dependent inventory properties - for example, if you filter on a Category / Type XYZ, the filters below Category / Type will list only inventory that is in Category / Type XYZ; this will help reduce the listings to more manageable filters.  You can select specific items or groups of items - this will focus the dashboard information to the area you need to review. You are able to filter by location and manufacturer to futher focus the data. The data on the dashboard will adjust to the filters you select.

Use the Date filter to choose dates in a variety of forms. Simply choose the option in the filter and choose the specific date ranges you want to review. You can choose from any of the date options listed, including specific calendar dates.

Choose the fields and columns you wish to review, as well as the dimensions that make most sense for your analysis. By right clicking on the headers and rows, you can add or remove fields from the view. By right clicking on the row descriptions, you can add / remove the field, or choose a different dimension to display and analyze your data in many layers.

Below the data tables you will see a sales $ trend line for the last 2 years; this is not affected by the date filters, though it will adjust for any other filters you select. Although simple and the most basic of trends, this will give you an idea of where to start looking at the highs & lows of your performance.

You will also see two graphics that track your sales $ and Gross Margin % in a Year over Year (YoY) chart.  These charts are best used when comparing same months in different years.  Again, you are able to look at specific categories or items when comparing YoY by using the filters to the right of the dashboard.  Hovering over the points in the graphics will show you the numbers that are represented.  There are a variety of reasons that sales $ and Gross Margin % track differently YoY; cost, promotions and seasonality are among them.  For example, in the example below you can see that September sales were down vs the comp period, yet GM % was up when compared for the same time.  You'll want to understand the reasons behind the trends, and take action to continue the positive trends and correct for the deteriorating ones. 

The tables can be exported to work with the data outside the dashboard. Do this by clicking on the 3 dots at the top right corner of the widget, choose Download and export an image or file.  The recommended file type for a spreadsheet is CSV.