Software Reviews : Wisard Forecaster Publisher: Wisard Software Company,PO Box 19730,Green Bay,WI 54307 (telephone: [phone]) Year of Publication: 1986 Materials: One floppy disk,softbound manual (62 pages,index) Price: $99 basic LOTUS 1-2-3 version;$249 professional version;$1,995 commercial version Machine Specificity: IBM PC or compatible System Requirements: Minimum two drives,256K memory,DOS 2.0 or higher;works with LOTUS 1-2-3 or SYMPHONY templates,or can be executed from DOS Effectiveness: Good User-Friendliness : Good Documentation: Fair

Abstract

If you have the skills necessary for sophisticated statistical techniques in nonlinear forecasting, this will prove an exciting and easy-to-master utility for your LOTUS or SYMPHONY spreadsheets. WISARD combines several powerful forecasting formulas to produce trend lines that adjust for seasonality. A drawback is that you are not privy to exactly how the various forecasts are made (something the manual calls the "Confidence Factor"). A simple menu-driven, design/installation program combined with an affordable price make it attractive to the planner.