Finding sequential relationships in your data (FindSeqRules procedure)

You can find sequential relationships in your data by using the FindSeqRules procedure.

You might have data tables that include records that can be grouped according to a particular key. These groups might represent, for example, sales transactions or orders of customers. They can also represent defects of a product.

If groups represent sales transactions or orders of customers, the key might be the customer ID. If the groups represent defects of a product, the key might be the serial number of the product.

You can sort these groups according to another order key. This order key can be the purchase date or the date of the repair order. For product defects, this order key can be the date when the defects occurred.

With the FindRules procedure that is described in Finding relationships (FindRules procedure), you can identify the products that are purchased together or the defects that typically occur for one product. With the FindSeqRules procedure, you can additionally find out the sequential order in which the articles are bought or the sequential order in which the defects have occurred. With regard to retail data, you can use this information for targeted mailing campaigns. For example, you might want to offer your customers the articles that they are likely to buy soon. With regard to defects, you can efficiently manage repair and warranty cases by fixing proactively defects that are likely to happen in the near future.

You can use the FindSeqRules procedure also in other business areas.