MERLIN-a factory product forecasting expert system

MERLIN is a system for forecasting a factory's product demand. The system analyzes and predicts a year-out forecast for over 500 products and product options in about an hour at a Hewlett Packard automated factory. This task previously required many days of effort by two forecasters. Because MERLIN contains embedded knowledge bases, it can make predictions using the latest reasoning process of the forecasting experts. It features a simulation mode that enables the forecasters to improve the system by allowing them to test new forecasting algorithms and analyze the results via metrics displayed in graphical format.<
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