Forecasting software: Past, present and future

We present an overview of the history of forecasting software over the past 25 years, concentrating especially on the interaction between computing and software. Initially we create a framework by describing important developments of computing technology in terms of hardware and software environments. We then concentrate on two different application areas of forecasting software: (1) research oriented forecasting software often used to analyze a small number of series (for example, in market research); and (2) forecasting modules in planning environments which are often partially automated due to the large number of time series involved. Finally we make some suggestions as to where forecasting software has room for improvement.