How to: Make predictive cash flow forecasts

  • Article

Cash flow forecasts help you ensure that your company has enough cash available to meet its financial obligations, and are useful for identifying adjustments. For example, if you have a cash surplus you might pay off some debts, and you'll appreciate an early warning if times look tight.

Cortana Intelligence uses the Azure Machine Learning service to make reliable, predictive forecasts. For example, forecasts from Cortana Intelligence can help you predict, and avoid, cash deficits. The service combines historical information with current postings for payables and receivables, including postings with due dates that are in the future. These include:

  • Purchase orders
  • Sales orders
  • Posted sales and purchase invoices
  • Credit memos

Before you start

There are a few things to do before you can use Cortana Intelligence for cash flow forecasts:

  • If you aren't already using cash flow forecasts, you will need to set up:

    • One or more setups in Cash Flow Setups.
    • Accounts for payables, receivables, sales orders, and purchase orders. Cortana Intelligence uses the postings in these accounts.
    • One or more cash flow forecasts in Cash Flow Forecast. Be sure to include purchase orders, sales orders, receivables, and payables as sources.
      For more information, search for cash flow forecasts in the Help system.

  • Know the API URL and API key for the predictive web service to use.
    You can use Azure Machine Learning or another service, if you have one. Alternatively, a public model named Forecasting model for Microsoft Dynamics NAV is available online in the Cortana Intelligence Gallery. To use the model, follow these steps:

    1. In a browser, go to the Cortana Intelligence Gallery
    2. Search for Forecasting Model for Microsoft Dynamics NAV, and then open the model in Azure Machine Learning Studio.
    3. Use your Microsoft account to sign up for a workspace, and then copy the model.
    4. Run the model, and publish it as a web service.
    5. Make a note of the API URL and API key. You will use these credentials when you set up Cortana Intelligence in Dynamics NAV.

  • Consider how often to calculate the forecast. The Azure Machine Learning service has limitations regarding use. For example, if you have a lot of items, it might be better to calculate less frequently.

  • Be assigned to the Accountant role center.

Set up Cortana Intelligence

You can use an assisted setup guide to set up cash flow forecasts. The guide helps you specify things like how often to update the forecast, the accounts to base it on, information about when you pay taxes, and whether to use Cortana Intelligence.

If you are already using cash flow forecasts and just want to turn on Cortana Intelligence, you can also use a manual process. When you sign in, a notification displays in a blue bar at the top of the workspace. To set up Cortana Intelligence right away, choose Yes please. The message displays only once. If you close it, use the manual process to set up Cortana Intelligence.

Tip: Consider the length of the periods that the service will use in its calculations. The more data you provide, the more accurate the predictions will be. Also, watch out for large variances in periods. They will also impact predictions. If Cortana Intelligence does not find enough data, or the data varies a lot, the service will not make a prediction.

To use the assisted setup guide:

  1. In the Accountant role center, under the Cash Flow Forecast chart, choose the Open Assisted Setup action.
  2. Fill in the fields as necessary in each step of the guide.

To use a manual process:

  1. Search for Cash Flow Setup, and then choose the related link.
  2. Expand the Cortana Intelligence FastTab, and then fill in the fields as necessary.

Turn on Cortana Intelligence for cash flow forecasts

  1. Search for Cash Flow Forecasts, and then choose the related link.
  2. Choose the Cash Flow Worksheet action.
  3. On the Cash Flow Worksheet page, choose the Suggest Worksheet Lines action.
  4. Under Source Types to Include, choose the Cortana Intelligence Forecast check box.

Investigate a cash flow forecast

To take a good look at the data behind the forecast, including the variance, choose the Cortana Intelligence column. The first row in the table displays the variance. The other rows are arranged by source document.

For example, you can see how the forecast:

  • Handles confirmed sales and purchases
  • Subtracts payables and adds receivables
  • Skips duplicate sales orders and purchase orders

See Also

Dynamics 365 Business Central
Work With Dynamics NAV