Graphs. MerchantOS actually has them.
It’s a feature that we receive so few support requests about that we’re compelled to believe one of these three scenarios is true:
- MerchantOS users just don’t know it’s possible to go into an item and look at a graph of the units sold.
- Users don’t find this information useful.
- Graphs are nobody’s friend, and should be wiped from our software.
Bradley proved #3 is false earlier this week. Graphs, when used properly can represent data that can help your business become more profitable.
Justin has been trying to decide whether or not we should keep the Graph feature as we update MerchantOS. I argue that the way the universe works, if we remove it we would surely hear about it. We really can’t be sure either way, so as of now, this feature is on the chopping block.
What we need is your input. Do you use graphs? How could we improve them so that you would use them more often? Should we drop them altogether?
Let us know in the comments!
I love the graphs. I wish you could set up graphs to compare items within categories or by vendor or other criteria.
I would like to see the graphs integrated into all of the reporting. To see graphs by item is nice, but it doesn’t give me a complete picture. I would like to see item vs. category/department to see how the item stacks up against other items in the same category.
Ditto the last comment. While the graphs for individual SKUs are useful, it would be more interesting to be about to graph sales data at a higher level. e.g., how did category x compare to category y over time?
I concur that graphing would be useful for comparing sales by month, by hour, etc. If you can easily implement it in those reports, that’s where I’d look for it most. It’s also helpful within individual items, but the reports are where I’d like to see them most.
Keep the graphs! I use them all the time to see how individual items are performing. I like to keep as little inventory on hand as possible and the graphs are indispensable in determining my minimum quantity on hand. I also would like to see graphs incorporated into reporting to compare sales by month, hour, year etc.
Graphs, both with Merchantos and our old system is on of the most important features we use regularly. You probably don’t get many questions because they are self explanatory. That’s what graphs are, simple pictures that tell a big story.
More of what everyone has said so far. Full featured graphing and reporting is vital to getting the big picture.
Please keep the graphs! I would like to see graphs utilized in the reporting sections of “Sales by Day” and “Sales by Hour”, then if possible be able to have the y-axis represent margin, quantity, sales, etc. This would be very beneficial visual information to have.
Yes! I love graphs. I find them most useful to compare sales by hour – sales by day – sales by department, etc.
I haven’t discovered a way to do that in MerchOS.
I find graphs of individual items less useful- and would like to see graphs incorporated into all of your reporting.
Graphs yes. They translate raw data into a visual story, I tend to understand statistics better that way. I think the Graph feature could be greater improved with overall sales data rather than individual items.
I use graphs all the time, and like many other posters, I wish that they were a little more integrated with other functions. I’d like to be able to compare graphs for multiple SKUs side by side, or graph entire categories. Sure, I can do that by exporting data to a spreadsheet, but if there’s a way to build it into MerchantOS, that just makes my life simpler.
Graphs are useful for certain high volume items like tires & tubes where little change occurs over time. BMX pedals, for example, are constantly evolving so graphing by category would be valuable.
Just took the new charts for a test ride.
Love ‘em!! Thanks, crew.