DotActiv FAQs
Everything you need to know about our software, services, and how we work.
Some of our featured clients:
Getting Started
What is DotActiv and what does it actually do?
DotActiv is category management software designed to help retailers and suppliers decide:
- What products to stock
- Where they should sit on the shelf
- How to optimise performance using real data
It connects your data, planning, and execution into one system so decisions don’t stop at a dashboard — they get implemented.
How quickly can my team get started?
Most teams can start planning within a few days, depending on how ready their data is.
Getting started follows a simple process:
→ Software setup and access
→ Data preparation and validation
→ First planograms built and reviewed
→ Rollout across stores or categories
The key step is data. Before any integration can begin, your product, sales, and store data need to be accurate and properly structured. Without that, planning won’t deliver reliable results.
If your data is ready, setup is fast. If not, our team will guide you through what’s needed and help get it into the right format.
Do I need technical skills to use the software?
No.
The platform is built for category managers and planners.
With tools like Lola (AI assistant), you can even query data using plain English instead of technical tools.
What happens after I've made my software purchase?
Once your purchase is complete, your team gets immediate access to the platform.
- Lite users: download link + license key → start immediately.
- Pro & Enterprise users: access immediately, full functionality unlocks after database integration
Integration typically takes a few weeks, but you can begin preparing workflows straight away.
How long should it take me to create my first planogram?
Most teams create their first planogram within a few days.
The process is structured so you move quickly from learning → applying it in your real categories.
Plans, Pricing & Scaling
Do I need a license per store?
No.
Licensing is not per store.
It’s based on access to the software and its capabilities.
What does “license per year” actually mean?
Each plan is priced as an annual license.
This gives your team full access to the platform for 12 months.
It’s not tied to store count.
Is the Enterprise price per user or per company?
Enterprise pricing is designed for teams and operations, not individual users.
It supports multiple users, stores, and workflows — without scaling cost per person in the traditional way.
Can I upgrade plans as my business grows?
Yes.
You can upgrade or downgrade at any time:
- Upgrades → immediate access to new features.
- Downgrades → take effect next billing cycle.
Most teams start smaller and scale as:
- More stores are added
- Planning becomes more complex
- AI usage increases
How do I know which plan is right for my business?
A simple guide:
- Independent / small team → Lite
- Growing operation → Pro
- Multi-store / complex planning → Enterprise
- High-volume AI-driven planning → Enterprise AI
We typically confirm this during a demo based on your data and structure.
What’s the difference between Lite and Pro?
Lite:
- Basic planogram creation
- Limited analytics
Pro:
- Database integration
- Clustering Maintenance
- Range Maintenance
- Custom dashboards
- Multi-store planning logic
If you’re managing more than a few stores or categories, Pro is usually the starting point.
Is there a free trial available?
Yes. We offer DotActiv Free, which you can access directly on our website. It’s designed to help you get started with planogram creation and understand how the platform works, before moving to a paid plan.
As your needs grow (more data, more stores, more advanced planning), you can upgrade to a plan that fits your business.
Are there any hidden setup or implementation fees?
No.
The price you see is the price you pay.
Optional services (like advanced integration or outsourced planning) are available, but never required.
Can I pay monthly or annually?
We currently only offer annual plans.
This gives your team full access to the platform for 12 months, with better value over the long term.
If your needs change, you can cancel with 30 days’ notice.
What happens if I cancel my subscription?
You can cancel anytime.
You’ll retain access until the end of your billing period.
AI, Usage & Scale
What are AI credits and how do they work?
AI credits are used when running AI-powered features like:
- Nova (planogram generation)
- Lola (AI queries)
More credits = more usage.
How many planograms can I generate per month?
It depends on your plan:
- Lite: ~6–50/month
- Pro: ~18–140/month
- Enterprise: ~40–330/month
- Enterprise AI: up to ~1900/month
What happens if I run out of AI credits?
You can:
- Upgrade your plan,
- or purchase additional credits (where available).
Is there a limit to the number of stores I can manage?
No fixed limit.
Higher tiers are designed to handle:
- More stores
- More data
- More complexity
Data, Integration & Setup
What data do I need to create a planogram?
At a minimum:
- Product list
- Dimensions (height, width, depth)
- Basic sales or movement data
More advanced planning uses:
- POS data
- Stock data
- Clustering inputs
How does database integration work?
For Pro and Enterprise users:
We provide:
- Documentation to connect your database
- Structured onboarding
- Support to ensure data flows correctly
The goal is to unify your data into one working environment.
What is the timeline for database integration?
Typically a few weeks.
This depends on:
- Your data structure
- System complexity
- Internal readiness
Can I start using the software before integration is complete?
Yes, you can access the platform immediately and begin learning the system, setting up workflows, and preparing your planning.
You can also use CSV files to start building planograms in the meantime.
Full functionality unlocks once your data is connected, but this allows your team to get moving early (with the understanding that these initial outputs may need refinement once full data integration is in place).
Can DotActiv work with a .psa file format?
Yes.
DotActiv supports common industry formats and can work with .psa files as part of migration or integration.
Can DotActiv provide images or product dimensions if we don’t have them?
Yes.
We can assist with sourcing or building:
- Product images
- Dimensions
- Planogram-ready datasets
Hardware & Technical Requirements
What are the hardware and software requirements?
DotActiv is a Windows-based desktop application.
Most modern business laptops meet requirements.
For Enterprise:
- Database connectivity requirements are provided
- IT documentation is included
Is my data secure with DotActiv?
Yes.
We use industry-standard security protocols and encryption to ensure your data remains protected.
Training, Support & Implementation
What software training can I expect?
Every user gets access to:
- DotActiv Academy (structured learning)
- Knowledge Base (practical guides)
For Pro & Enterprise:
- Onboarding sessions
- Guided setup aligned to your data
Training supports you as you work — not all upfront.
What support can I expect?
Support is built into the platform.
All plans include:
- Training (Academy)
- Knowledge Base
- Ongoing assistance
Higher tiers include:
- Proactive support
- Hands-on guidance
- Help applying the software to real decisions
You’re not on your own.
How is premium support different?
Standard support:
- Training + guidance
- Help when needed
Premium support:
- Dedicated success guidance
- Proactive involvement
- Support in applying category strategy
Can DotActiv assist with a project plan for implementation?
Yes.
We can help structure:
- Rollout plans
- Internal workflows
- Category processes
This is especially valuable for multi-store operations.
Does DotActiv provide ad hoc services?
Yes.
You can engage us for:
- Specific category projects
- Planning support
- Data or process improvements
Can DotActiv provide a demo using our data?
Yes.
We can run demos using:
- Your data
- Your categories
- Your structure
This gives you a clear view of how it would work in your business.
Services & Outsourcing
Can I outsource category planning to DotActiv?
Yes.
We can run your category management end-to-end:
- Build and maintain plans
- Standardise decision-making
- Roll out planograms
- Continuously optimise performance
You still have full visibility through the platform.
Product & Value
How does DotActiv compare to Excel?
Excel is flexible, but not built for retail planning.
DotActiv:
- Applies retail-specific logic
- Automates planograms
- Ensures products are space-aware
- Provides reporting and visualisation
It removes manual work and reduces errors.
Why is pricing structured this way?
Because category management isn’t just software.
Pricing reflects:
- Planning capability
- Data processing
- AI usage
- Scale across stores and teams
What if this doesn’t work for our business?
That’s why most teams start with a demo.
We assess:
- Your data
- Your structure
- Your goals
Then recommend the right setup.
Still have questions?
If you want to see how this works in your environment:
