GrMAP has released a software application for merchandise and assortment planning, targeting mid- to large-scale retailers. The new tool is supported by Groupsoft US, an international development team providing the retail industry with enterprise resource planning (ERP) implementations, supply-chain optimization and business warehouse consulting. GrMAP can be used as a standalone merchandise-planning system, or to supplement other ERP platforms, such as SAP Retail and SAP AFS. According to GrMAP, the software provides retailers with data in support of assortment planning, inventory localization and cross-channel planning. The result, the vendor claimed, is improved SKU accuracy and fewer overstocks and stockouts. GrMAP allows for localization, so that product segmentation aligns with assortments based on demographics, geography, and competition. The GrMAP Enterprise Version includes modules for top-down and bottom-up planning, as well as allocation across multiple countries, report formats and currencies. Also included is an Open to Buy suite, which tracks forecasted sales against receipts and inventory projections.
