Navigating and Utilizing the New Sales Analysis Module & Download Center
We are excited to introduce the all-new Sales Analysis Module and Download Center within MarketTime! Designed to modernize and elevate your reporting experience, this new system fixes long-standing calculation issues found in legacy reports, provides multi-level grouping capabilities, and offers a centralized hub for re-running and exporting your sales data.
What’s New & Why We Made This Change
The Sales Analysis module replaces legacy Advanced Analytics (formerly under "Reports and Statements") with a faster, highly customizable reporting engine.
Key Benefits
- Multi-Level Grouping: Configure up to 4 user-defined levels (e.g., Manufacturer > City > Salesperson) with independent sorting controls per level.
- Granular Search & Filters: Filter reports by specific items, salesperson groups, retailer categories, product lines, and order statuses.
- Accurate Data Calculations: Resolves historical data discrepancies to ensure financial transparency.
- Centralized Download Center: Stores your report execution parameters—not static files—allowing you to quickly refresh reports with live data at any time.
Addressing Legacy Report Differences
If you notice differences between the new Sales Analysis reports and legacy "Reports and Statements" data, it is because Sales Analysis fixes calculation flaws present in the legacy system:
| Legacy Issue | How Sales Analysis Fixes It |
| Missing Unassigned Orders | Legacy reports excluded orders if no salesperson was assigned. Sales Analysis includes all valid orders regardless of salesperson assignment. |
| Inflated Line-Item Discount Totals | Legacy item reports calculated totals incorrectly when line-item discounts were applied. Sales Analysis accurately factors in net pricing and discounts. |
| Duplicate Grouping & Incorrect Totals | Legacy reports frequently duplicated entries during multi-attribute grouping. Sales Analysis cleanses data structures for accurate rollups. |
| Default Active/Inactive Filtering | Sales Analysis defaults to including both Active and Inactive manufacturers, salespeople, and retailers/leads. If you wish to match legacy default views, simply apply an "Active Only" filter. |
Navigating to Sales Analysis
- Log in to your MarketTime account.
- Locate the left navigation menu under Reports & Analytics.
- You will see two new additions:
Sales Analysis – Where you configure and generate new reports.
Download Center – Where you view, refresh, and export previously generated report parameters.
Report Types & Use Cases
Sales Analysis offers three specialized report types to fit your business needs:
1. Standard Report
Analyzes sales performance across a single specified date range.
- Best Used For: High-level performance tracking (e.g., identifying a manufacturer's top-performing cities and which salespeople cover those locations).
- Key Feature – Limit to Flag (1): Restricts Level 1 results (e.g., view only the top 3 manufacturers) to keep large reports clean and readable.
- Dynamic Sorting (3): Apply custom sorting to each grouping level (e.g., sort manufacturers by total dollar volume descending, while sorting cities alphabetically).
2. Date Range Comparison Report
Compares performance metrics across 2 or 3 distinct date ranges (e.g., Year-over-Year performance).
- Best Used For: Historical trend analysis and period-over-period growth tracking.
- Multi-Year Rule: When comparing 3 date ranges simultaneously, comparison variance columns ($ Diff and % Diff) compare period 2 and period 3 directly against the current baseline year to maintain grid readability.
3. Booked vs. Shipped Report
Measures order realization rates by comparing written order volume directly against actual invoiced fulfillment.
Metric Definitions
Best Used For: Determining actual line fulfillment rates and identifying gaps between booked business and invoiced revenues per manufacturer or rep.
How to Run a Sales Analysis Report
1.Select Report Type:
- Navigate to Sales Analysis and choose your report type: Standard, Date Range Comparison, or Booked vs. Shipped.
- Define Grouping Levels:
- Select up to 4 grouping hierarchy levels from the dropdowns (e.g., Level 1: Manufacturer, Level 2: Build To City, Level 3: Salesperson Assigned). Choose your preferred sort order (e.g., By Dollars or Alphabetical) for each level.
- Set Date Range:
- Choose a preset time frame (e.g., YTD, LYTD, Month to Date) or enter a custom date range. Specify whether calculations should run based on Order Date or Ship Date.
- Apply Custom Filters (Optional):
- Click Add Filter Group to apply detailed constraints, such as specific Item IDs, Product Lines, Salesperson Groups, Retailer Categories, or Zip/Territory codes.Run & Name Your Report:
- Enter a distinct name for your report and click Run Report.
Utilizing the Download Center
The Download Center replaces legacy "My Reports" static storage and acts as a centralized dashboard for all your executed reports.
Key Functionality
- Report Storage (1): The Download Center saves the exact search parameters of your report rather than a frozen PDF file.
- Return to Configuration (2): Clicking Run returns you to the Sales Analysis screen with all parameters pre-populated for fast tweaking.
- Delete Report (3): Delete the report from your Download Center.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why do some of my Sales Analysis totals differ from my old Reports & Statements totals?
The legacy reporting tool excluded orders without an assigned salesperson and miscalculated line-item discounts. Sales Analysis calculates all valid orders accurately. Additionally, ensure you apply "Active Only" status filters if you wish to exclude inactive salespeople or manufacturers.
How far back can I run historical data in Sales Analysis?
You can query historical data freely within your account's retention window. Standard dropdowns provide fast access up to 12 months, and custom date pickers allow you to query older date ranges.
Can I export Sales Analysis data to build custom charts or graphs?
Yes. Data exports generated through the Download Center output as clean, continuous flat CSV files, allowing you to quickly generate trend graphs or pivot tables in Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets.
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