As we approach the last few months of 2020, we have added a few new articles and updated others on the DotActiv PowerBase. During September, we added two new articles, updated two articles based on our software update, and revamped fourteen other articles to fit our clients needs.
As we approach the last few months of 2020, we have added a few new articles and updated others on the DotActiv PowerBase. During September, we added two new articles, updated two articles based on our software update, and revamped fourteen other articles to fit our clients needs.
With that said, we are also excited to say that we have released a new version of DotActiv, which includes new software features to be discussed in the section - New Software Updates.
If you would like to read past articles on what we’ve added or updated on the DotActiv PowerBase, you can browse through our previous PowerBase summaries here. You can also read about why we introduced the PowerBase here.
New Articles On The DotActiv PowerBase
How To Sign-Up, Download And Install Activ8
Activ8 is a team management system that includes team statistics and reporting, time and attendance, task and project management, electronic employee onboarding, employee record keeping, and leave and expense management.
At DotActiv, we use this software to drive a tasking, trusting and tendering company culture. With Activ8, we enable you to cultivate appropriate levels of transparency, better self management, and accountability across multiple store locations and offices.
This new article unpacks how to download and install our Activ8 software so that you too can enjoy better team management. If you would like to know how to sign-up for, download and install Activ8, read this article here.
The Ultimate DotActiv Reporting How-To Guide
You have access to a variety of standard and advanced analytical reports within your DotActiv software. These reports act as a guide to analyse how space has been allocated and the reports are helpful to share with the rest of your category management team.
What is the difference between basic and advanced reporting? Basic reporting functions are related to micro space or planogram reporting which is available in DotActiv Lite, Pro, and Enterprise. Advanced reporting functions, meanwhile, relate to macro space as well as retail analytics which are available in DotActiv Pro and Enterprise.
If you would like to turn your retail data into actionable insights with the use of our standard and advanced reports, read this article here.
New Software Updates On The DotActiv PowerBase
What Shelf Options Do You Have When Building A Planogram
When building a planogram using DotActiv software, you can apply various shelf features to make space planning an accurate, user-friendly, and time-efficient process.
Since the software update we have added a section to this article based on the new 'Can Combine' shelf property. It allows products on connected shelves to pack together when both shelves have this setting on.
If you would like to know more about what shelf options you have when building a planogram, read this article.
How To Set Up A Data Cube
A data cube is a multi-dimensional array of values used to understand data that is too complex to be understood or interpreted by a table of columns. More simply put, a data cube stores a smaller aggregate subset of data from your database for easier handling.
With our new software update, we have added a new aggregation type, ‘Unique Count’, which will pull the number of unique values of a field and not just the row count of the related values.
We have also added a new dimension, which you can choose from when you are setting up your data cube. The new dimension is ‘Clustering’ and provides easy access to your current clustering information. This feature allows you to easily pull information into your data cube, information of which category, format and/or NODs are set-up and for which stores as well as any related counts.
You can learn how to set up a data cube in this article.
Updated Articles On The DotActiv PowerBase
How To Add Different CAD Objects To A Floor Plan
While building a floor plan using DotActiv software, you have the opportunity to add a variety of different CAD objects. These include Walls, Lines, Gondolas, Aisle Indicators, Doors and Tellers.
When you are adding gondolas to your floor plan, you can choose between adding a ‘Gondola Block’ or adding a ‘Gondola Block By NOD’. This article now includes the difference between adding a ‘Gondola Block’ onto your floor plan and adding a ‘Gondola Block By NOD’.
How To Create A Support Ticket
Experiencing a technical problem? Learn more about how to create a ticket for our IT Support Team in this article.
We also recently updated this article by replacing the previous screenshot on where to find the ‘+ New Task’ button. The new screenshot allows for more context.
How To Pack Objects Onto A Gondola Block
In floor planning, you have the option to pack objects such as gondolas onto your ‘Gondola Block’. You can also view your floor plan or the objects that you have added onto your floor plan close up or from far away should you wish.
In this article, we added a short section that shows you how to zoom in and out of your floor plan. You can read the article here.
How To Create And Use The Split Shelf And Plano Report
Reporting on planograms can provide numerous benefits. A full detailed report delivered together with a planogram provides merchandisers with all they require to merchandise effectively.
We updated this article to make reference to the term ‘Product Positioning Report’. That is because the Split Plano And Shelf Report allows you to see the gondola segments together with the Shelf Report on the same page, listing each product on every shelf for each segment.
If you like to know how to create the Split Shelf and Plano Report, read this article.
Setting Up Your Status Bar To Display Data
When working on or presenting a planogram, it is always handy to see your data fields in the status bar.
What is the ‘Status Bar’? The ‘Status Bar’ is a horizontal bar, usually at the bottom of the DotActiv application screen or window, showing information about a document being edited or a program running.
We updated this article to include a comprehensive definition of the ‘Status Bar’ and why it is valuable to use. If you would like to learn more about setting up your status bar to display data, you can read this article.
Importing Data From Database, CSV And Planograms
DotActiv software allows you to transfer data to and from a database to a planogram, between a CSV and a planogram as well as between a CSV and a database.
This article now includes a section stating that if you would like to export sales data, it would have to be done via a data cube. We have also provided a link to the article that covers data cubes extensively.
If you would like to know more about importing data, you can read about it here.
Shortcuts For Working In DotActiv
Space planning is made easy in DotActiv software with many shortcuts or hotkeys available.
We have recently added another shortcut to this article which allows you to drag and drop products from one planogram to another planogram.
You can achieve that by pressing and holding ‘Shift’ and then clicking on the products to drag it.
How To Pack Out Products
Packing out products onto the shelf of your gondola may sometimes be more difficult than it appears. Luckily, this article simplifies this process for you by showing you the different ways that you can pack out your products in DotActiv software.
We have also added a section that unpacks double stacking and another section that briefly refers to the different types of caps.
You can read more on how to pack out products on your shelf in this article.
What Courses Does The DotActiv Academy Offer?
The DotActiv Academy offers a variety of retail and DotActiv software courses.
The DotActiv Academy includes two retail courses, namely the Introduction to Retail course, and Advanced Merchandising and Display Techniques course. Each course includes a theory section, downloadable summaries, additional resources, and practical tests.
To get the most out of DotActiv’s software, we have six Mastery Levels. By completing these courses, you will have the confidence to implement category management best practices using DotActiv’s software.
When you register for a free account on the DotActiv Academy, you get free access to all six DotActiv Software Mastery Level courses, which will help you to learn about building data-driven planograms. Register for your free account here.
We have updated this article to include the pricing of each of the different courses as well as a link to the relevant course. If you are interested in learning more about the courses mentioned above, read this article.
How To Update Your Planograms And Database With New Ranges
The purpose of updating planograms and your database is to refresh a planogram. In other words, adding newly listed products and removing discontinued lines from the planogram.
Refreshing planograms with new ranges ensures correct implementation in stores and assists in communicating the buyer’s strategy with the specific products to the store managers.
We have updated this article by adding an image of what the output looks like should you update your planogram with new ranges.
You can learn more about how to update your planograms and database with your newly created ranges in this article.
How to Fit A Planogram To Screen
DotActiv has a ‘Fit To Screen’ tool which allows you to fit your planogram to your screen if you would like to have a full view of your unfinished or completed planogram.
This article has been updated with a section that explains how to zoom in and out of your screen when you are building a planogram.
How To Build A Planogram
When saving a planogram, you should also ensure that all naming conventions of your planograms are all exactly the same, down to the last letter. Any reporting, importing or pulling of data is sensitive to this. The slightest change to the name could prevent the data from pulling through properly. Also, check for any spacing between letters or words.
We recently updated this article to unpack the importance of naming conventions and included an example. If you would like to know more about how to build a planogram read this article.
Using The Fixture Library While Planogramming
What is the Fixture Library? The Fixture Library refers to a collection of fixtures which you can save beforehand and use in the future when working in DotActiv software. This comes in handy when you regularly use the same or similar fixtures.
The Fixture Library saves you time and makes planogramming a whole lot easier when you have deadlines to meet. We recently updated this article on the Fixture Library to include the output of dragging and dropping a saved fixture onto your planogram after you have saved your fixture to the Fixture Library.
Learn more about Using The Fixture Library While Planogramming here.
How To Display Banners
Display banners are used when you want to add information like educational or promotional blocks into your planogram. However, it can also be used to indicate drop or segment numbering.
We recently updated this article to show how you can use banners to indicate drop or segment numbering. You can read more about banners and how to create them in this article.
Conclusion
The DotActiv PowerBase provides you with quick answers to specific questions about how to make the most of DotActiv’s products and services. If you come across an article that doesn’t answer a question to your satisfaction, please leave a comment on the article. It’s entirely anonymous and will help us to help you get the answers you deserve.
