This article acts as a guide to help you get started once you’ve downloaded DotActiv Free. You can learn more about the capabilities of DotActiv Free here.
Applicable Products: DotActiv Free
1. Save Data Template
The first step is to download your data template so that you can create a data-driven planogram. You can download and save a data template from the DotActiv application by clicking on the “Save” button on the template panel within the data tab.
2. Prepare Data In The Template
Once you have downloaded your data template, you can begin populating the template by considering the following:
- Store selection of data
Populate the data template using the data of the store that you will be creating planograms for.
- Period selection
Select the period that you will be working with. The data populated in your datasheet will reflect the sales and units data collected during this period.
- Product assortment
Select the collection of products that will be on offer and populate your data sheet with the data from your product range so that they can be added to your planogram. You can read more about assortment planning here.
It is important to note that DotActiv Free will only allow a maximum of 40 rows of data to be imported from your CSV.
3. Set Up Your Planogram
Open the DotActiv software and create a new gondola. It is important that the dimensions you use are an accurate reflection of your gondolas in-store. Learn how to create a gondola in this article.
Please note that DotActiv Free only allows single drop gondolas with a maximum height of 180cm, a width of 91cm and a depth of 45cm.
If you are working with apparel items, this article will explain how you can add apparel containers before you start building your planograms for this product category.
4. Add Fixtures And Set Their Dimensions
Once your gondolas have been created, you can add and customise your fixtures. To learn more about how to do this, refer to this article.
5. Import Populated Template To Planogram
DotActiv Free requires a manual data import. To do this, ensure that your data is cleaned and in the correct format.
You can import your data by clicking on the “Import To Planogram” button in the template panel.
Alternatively, you can open the software and drag and drop CSV files into the DotActiv application.
6. Add Products To Planogram And Import Images
Once you have imported your populated template, you can import your product images. This article discusses how to clean and prepare your product images for import. Once these steps have been completed, you can link images to your products in the following ways:
- Manual image upload
Add images to your planogram by dragging it from your desktop or any other folder and dropping it on the product in the DotActiv application as explained here. It is advised to only follow this process if there are very little images to be added or if you would like to overwrite outdated images.
- Bulk Image Import
This method can be applied when your images are already saved as the Barcode name. If you use this method, ensure that the Front, Side, and Top images are saved in separate folders. Bulk image import is explained here.
- Product library
All images in the Product Library can be accessed from a central cloud-based database. This means that all users have access to this product data. You can read about downloading images from the product library here.
7. Complete Planograms Using Some Of The Following Tools
DotActiv Free comes with various tools to justify product placement and to identify areas where changes to the planogram can be made.
- The Planogram Automation Function
You have the option to use the planogram automation function to place products on your gondola. This function packs your products on your gondola by considering criteria selected by you. Configuring Planogram Automation is explained here.
Once the planogram automation has run, you can make manual changes to your planogram from here to ensure that it is accurate.
- The Highlights Function
The highlights function is used to apply colour to your planogram to emphasise specific attributes on your planogram. Learn more about how to apply the highlights function here.
- The Planogram Analyzer
The planogram analyzer enables you to measure how complete your planogram is while you space plan. It includes a list of criteria to help you improve the planogram before finalization and sign off. You can read about how to use the planogram analyzer here.
- Planogram Reports
DotActiv Free comes standard with planogram reporting which includes 10 different reports used to report on the data on your planogram. The function of each report is discussed in more detail in this blog post here.
Merchandising is another important factor to consider when building your planograms. This is where your merchandising principles, techniques, strategies and consumer decision tree is considered as this will determine your product flow. Place your products on your planogram accordingly.
Once your planogram is complete you can save it and print it to PDF to be shared with your team.