Data Visualization and Decision Support System Construction for Hippoobuy's Purchasing Business in Spreadsheets
Introduction
In today's data-driven business environment, Hippoobuy's purchasing business generates vast amounts of operational data that holds immense strategic value. By leveraging spreadsheet visualization capabilities, we can transform raw metrics into actionable insights through clear, interactive dashboards and reports.
Data Collection & Framework Construction
We systematize four core data dimensions:
- Product performance: Sales volume, profit margins, return rates
- Customer behavior: Geographic distribution, repurchase frequency, order value
- Supply chain metrics: Procurement cycles, shipping durations, inventory turnover
- Financial indicators: Cash flow, cost allocations, ROI by product line
The data architecture is implemented through Google Sheets with structured relationships using =QUERY and =FILTER functions for automated consolidation.
Visualization Implementation
Dynamic Chart Components
- Combo charts comparing revenue vs. procurement costs by category
- Geo-maps showing regional demand density using conditional formatting
- Sankey diagrams depicting customer purchase pathways
Interactive Dashboard Features
- Time period selectors (month/week/day drill-downs)
- Product category filters operating through named ranges
- KPIs with conditional color thresholds based on targets
Decision Support System Integration
The system incorporates predictive analytics:
┌───────────────────────┐
│ PRESCRIPTIVE │
│ Price optimization │
├──────────────────────┤
│ PREDICTIVE │↙
│ Demand forecasting ├──▶ Core model
├──────────────────────┤↖ using
│ DESCRIPTIVE │ REGEXEXTRACT
│ Performance trends │ + ARIMA(1,1,1)
└──────────────────────┘
Using cyclic iteration with GOALSEEK and 1-click report generation via Apps Script, management can simulate scenarios through parameters adjustments while maintaining data integrity with protected ranges.
Strategic Application
Proven applications have included:
| Decision Area | Visualization Used | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Category restructuring | Treemaps + sparklines | 18% margin ↑ |
| Warehouse positioning | Hexbin geochart | 23% logistics cost ↓ |