Knowing how much money your business will bring in, when it is due, and what profits will remain after a certain time period is absolutely crucial in order to manage your cashflow and the health of your business. Sales forecasting is an incredibly useful tool to help you manage this, and in recent years the process has become highly affected by the strategic use of automation. In this article we are going to look at exactly what sales forecasting is and why it is crucial for business. We will then compare traditional methods versus automated forecasting, and how the combination of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automation can further improve accuracy. We will then finish off with the key metrics you need to track when forecasting sales, and some helpful hints on the tools you need to make this happen.