Forecasting has been around for centuries, but it wasn't until the advent of customer relationship management (CRM) that it became a major part of strategic decision making. Over time, technological advances have seen forecasting become increasingly complex, while allowing businesses to gain unparalleled insights and make better-informed decisions.
At first, forecasting was no more than an educated guess based on past projections – often relying heavily on visually presented data. As CRM software began to emerge in the mid-1990s, however, this all changed. By utilizing traditional predictive analytics along with predictive models tailored to specific industries or organizations' needs, it soon became possible to generate more accurate forecasts with greater speed and efficiency.
As technology has continued its rapid evolution over subsequent decades, so too has forecasting grown in sophistication and possibilities. The increasing availability and affordability of powerful cloud computing enabling vast amounts of data collection as well as predictive simulations have made hitherto unimaginable levels of accuracy achievable. Today's advanced algorithms can combine business strategies alongside customer location information and real-time data processing to deliver truly transformative opportunities across all aspects of any enterprise looking to forecast correctly into the future.
Having said that, there is still plenty left unexplored when it comes to forecasting within industry contexts; machine learning, big data - these are just some examples of what could allow us far greater ranges when predicting future trends in our marketsplaces today– changing both how we strategize now and plan for tomorrow significantly.
The potential held by harnessing new technology is impossible predict accurately yet immense if realized; one thing is certain however: as companies realize the necessity improved strategy through reliable analytics going forwards into 2021 – yet another major milestone in CRM's core role for successful businesses will be firmly established!