Order management method, order management system, and program

Abstract

To provide an order managing method, an order managing system, and a program capable of managing, in an integrated scheme, information transmitted and received between an orderer and a deliverer regardless of the difference in respective formats.SOLUTION: In an order managing system, an order managing device 300 converts primary order information D1 which is created by an ordering terminal 100, contains the contents relating to the order, and is in accordance with a format defined by a corresponding orderer, into a compatible format, transmits such a format to a relay device 200 through a network, obtains secondary order information D2 stored in the relay device 200 through the network, converts the obtained secondary order information D2 into third order information D3 that is in a predetermined common format, and stores such information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an order management method, an order management system, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] There is known an information management system that allows an orderer to place an order with a supplier via the Internet, and the supplier to transmit a response to the order via the Internet (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-164227 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When placing an order, the format of the information exchanged between the purchaser and the supplier may differ between the two parties. For this reason, it is preferable to be able to centrally manage the information exchanged between the purchaser and the supplier regardless of the differences in format.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to enable centralized management of information exchanged between purchasers and suppliers regardless of differences in format. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is a system including: a plurality of order terminals corresponding to a plurality of orderers who place orders to a supplier; the order management device; and a relay device that relays information exchanged between the order terminals and the order management device. a supplier terminal at the supplier that accepts the order;an order management method in an order management system including the above, comprising: a sending step in which the order terminal converts primary order information, which has content related to an order and is created in a format determined by a corresponding orderer, into secondary order information in a format compatible with the order management device, and sends the secondary order information to the relay device via a network; a first storage control step in which the relay device stores the secondary order information sent in the sending step in a first storage unit of the relay device; an acquisition step in which the order management device acquires the secondary order information stored in the relay device via a network; and an order processing step in which the order management device converts the acquired secondary order information into tertiary order information in a predetermined common format, and stores the tertiary order information in a second storage unit. a second sending step in which the order management device sends the tertiary order information to the supplier terminal; a reply step in which the supplier terminal, having acquired the tertiary order information, converts primary reply information, which has content related to a reply to the order and is created in a format determined by the supplier, into secondary reply information in a format compatible with the order management device, and sends the secondary reply information to the order management device via a network; and a reply processing step in which the order management device converts the acquired secondary reply information into tertiary reply information in a predetermined common format. Including the order management device further includes an order confirmation information generating step in which the order management device generates order confirmation information including information that satisfies the extraction conditions indicated by the extraction setting information of the corresponding orderer from the tertiary order information and the tertiary response information stored in the second storage unit, and a second storage control step in which the order management device stores the generated order confirmation information in the first storage unit of the relay device so that the corresponding order terminal can acquire it. It is an order management method.

[0007] Another aspect of the present invention is a system including: a plurality of order terminals corresponding to a plurality of orderers who place orders to a supplier; an order management device; and a relay device that relays information exchanged between the order terminals and the order management device. a supplier terminal at the supplier that accepts the order; an order management system including: a transmission unit in said order terminal that converts primary order information having content related to an order and created in accordance with a format determined by a corresponding orderer into secondary order information in a format compatible with said order management device, and transmits said secondary order information to said relay device via a network; a first memory control unit in said order terminal that stores said secondary order information transmitted by said transmission unit in a first memory unit of said relay device via the network; an acquisition unit in said order management device that acquires the secondary order information stored in said relay device via the network; and an order processing unit in said order management device that converts the acquired secondary order information into tertiary order information in a predetermined common format, and stores said tertiary order information in a second memory unit. a second sending unit by which the order management device sends the tertiary order information to the supplier terminal; a reply unit by which the supplier terminal, which has acquired the tertiary order information, converts primary reply information, which has content related to a reply to the order and is created in a format determined by the supplier, into secondary reply information in a format compatible with the order management device and sends the secondary reply information to the order management device via a network; and a reply processing unit by which the order management device converts the acquired secondary reply information into tertiary reply information in a predetermined common format. Equipped with The order management device further comprises an order confirmation information generation unit that generates order confirmation information including information that satisfies the extraction conditions indicated by the extraction setting information of the corresponding purchaser from the tertiary order information and the tertiary response information stored in the second storage unit, and a second storage control unit that stores the order confirmation information generated by the order management device in the first storage unit of the relay device so that the corresponding order terminal can acquire it. It is an order management system.

[0008] Another aspect of the present invention is a system including: a plurality of order terminals corresponding to a plurality of orderers who place orders to a supplier; an order management device; and a relay device that relays information exchanged between the order terminals and the order management device. a supplier terminal at the supplier that accepts the order; an order processing unit that converts, in the order terminal, primary order information having content related to an order and created in a format specified by a corresponding orderer into a format compatible with the order management device, transmits the converted primary order information to the relay device via a network, and then acquires secondary order information stored in the relay device; and a second transmission unit that transmits the tertiary order information to the supplier terminal; a response processing unit that converts primary response information, which has content related to a response to the order and is created in accordance with a format determined by the supplier, into a format compatible with the order management device at the supplier terminal that has acquired the tertiary order information, and transmits the secondary response information to the order management device via a network, thereby acquiring secondary response information, and converting the acquired secondary response information into tertiary response information in a predetermined common format; an order confirmation information generation unit that generates order confirmation information including information that satisfies the extraction conditions indicated by the extraction setting information of the corresponding purchaser from the tertiary order information and the tertiary response information stored in the second storage unit; and a second storage control unit that stores the generated order confirmation information in a first storage unit of the relay device so that the corresponding ordering terminal can acquire it. This is a program that functions as a [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain the effect that information exchanged between the purchaser and the supplier can be managed in a unified manner regardless of differences in format between the two parties. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of an order management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an order management device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure executed by the order terminal, the relay device, and the order management device in response to an order according to the present embodiment. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of a tertiary order information handling process executed by the order management device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure executed by the ordering terminal, the relay device, the order management device, and the supplier terminal according to the present embodiment in relation to the exchange of response information. [Figure 6]FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a flow of processing in response to an order in the order management system according to the present embodiment. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a specific example of a format conversion process for order information according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure executed by the ordering terminal, the relay device, the order management device, and the supplier terminal according to the present embodiment under another example of exchange of response information. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a process flow according to another example of exchange of response information in the order management system according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure executed by the ordering terminal, the relay device, and the order management device according to the present embodiment in relation to the exchange of request information. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure executed by the ordering terminal, the relay device, and the order management device according to the present embodiment in relation to the exchange of order confirmation information. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the procedure of an order confirmation information generation process executed by the order management device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 13] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure for format conversion processing for order confirmation information executed by the order management device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a process flow in response to the exchange of order confirmation information in the order management system according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] [Example of overall configuration of management system] Fig. 1 shows an example of the overall configuration of an order management system in this embodiment. The order management system in the figure is a system in which purchasers 10, such as multiple manufacturers, can order necessary materials and the like from a single supplier 40 via an order intermediation system SYS. The orderer 10 may be a company such as a manufacturer, for example. The delivery party 40 may be a company such as a supplier that supplies materials to the manufacturer, for example. The number of purchasers 10 using the order management system of this embodiment is not particularly limited.

[0012] The purchaser 10 places an order with the supplier 40 using an order terminal 100. The order terminal 100 may be a terminal with a network connection function, such as a personal computer, a smartphone, or a tablet terminal. The order terminal 100 is connected to the relay device 200 via a network.

[0013] The order intermediation system SYS is provided on a network and mediates the placing and receiving of orders between the purchaser 10 and the supplier 40. The order intermediation system SYS provides web applications that handle orders. That is, the order intermediation system SYS provides an order web application that the order terminal 100 accesses in response to an order from the purchaser 10, and an order receiving web application that the supplier terminal 400 accesses in response to an order from the supplier. The order intermediation system SYS includes a relay device 200 and an order management device 300. The order management device 300 may be provided with the functions of providing the above-mentioned order placing web application and order receiving web application.

[0014] The relay device 200 relays information (data) exchanged over the network between the order terminal 100 and the supplier terminal 400. The relay device 200 may be a cloud storage provided on the network.

[0015] Each of the order terminals 100 and the relay device 200 may exchange information encrypted using an orderer ID and a private key that are uniquely assigned to the corresponding orderer 10 .

[0016] The relay device 200 includes a storage unit 201 (an example of a first storage unit). The storage unit 201 has n dedicated storage areas 211 (211-1 to 211-n) set therein, each corresponding to one of a plurality (n) of orderers 10. Each dedicated storage area 211 is associated with a terminal identifier of the order terminal 100 of the corresponding orderer 10.

[0017] The relay device 200 stores information uploaded by one ordering terminal 100 to be sent to the supplier 40 in a dedicated memory area 211 in the memory unit 201 that corresponds to the purchaser 10 of the ordering terminal 100 that is the upload source. The relay device 200 delivers the information stored in the memory unit 201 in response to uploading from the ordering terminal 100 by transmitting it to the order management device 300.

[0018] Furthermore, the relay device 200 stores the information uploaded by the order management device 300 to be sent to the orderer 10 in the dedicated memory area 211 in the memory unit 201 that corresponds to the destination orderer 10. The relay device 200 delivers the information stored in the memory unit 201 in response to the upload from the order management device 300 by transmitting it to the order terminal 100 that corresponds to the destination orderer 10.

[0019] When placing an order with the supplier 40, the purchaser 10 accesses the order web application using the order terminal 100, thereby uploading the order form data (order information) to the relay device 200. The supplier terminal 400 accesses the order receiving web application to obtain the order information from the relay device 200. This allows the supplier 40 to receive the order from the purchaser 10. Furthermore, in response to receiving an order from the purchaser 10, the supplier 40 creates a reply to the order using the supplier terminal 400. The reply describes, for example, the quantity that can be delivered and the delivery date for the quantity of materials indicated in the order information. The supplier 40 uploads the data of the created reply (reply information) from the supplier terminal 400 to the relay device 200. The order terminal 100 acquires the reply information stored in the relay device 200. This allows the purchaser 10 to check the reply from the supplier 40 to the order.

[0020] [Example of order management system configuration] Fig. 2 shows an example of the configuration of the order management device 300 of this embodiment. The functions of the order management device 300 shown in the figure are realized by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) included in the order management device 300 as hardware, executing a program. The order management device 300 in the figure includes a communication unit 301, a control unit 302, and a storage unit 303. The communication unit 301 communicates with the relay device 200 via the network.

[0021] The control unit 302 executes various controls in the order management device 300. The control unit 302 includes an order processing unit 321, an order confirmation information processing unit 322, and a web application providing unit 323. The order processing unit 321 executes processing related to an order (order placement) from the orderer 10. The order confirmation information processing unit 322 executes processing related to the order confirmation information. The order management device 300 stores information corresponding to the exchange of orders between the purchaser 10 and the supplier 40, such as order information and response information. The order confirmation information is collected according to certain conditions from the information corresponding to such exchanges of orders, and is provided from the supplier 40 to the purchaser 10. The purchaser 10 can grasp the contents and status of the order from the provided order confirmation information. The web application providing unit 323 provides web applications. That is, the web application providing unit 323 provides an order web application that the order terminal 100 accesses, and an order receiving web application that the supplier terminal 400 accesses. When the ordering terminal 100 logs in to access the ordering web application, the web application providing unit 323 transmits the user account (login information) of the orderer 10 to the web application providing unit 323. The web application providing unit 323 performs user authentication using the transmitted login information, and permits login to the ordering web application if authentication is successful. Similarly, when the supplier terminal 400 accesses the order receiving web application, the web application providing unit 323 transmits the user account (login information) of the supplier 40 to the web application providing unit 323. The web application providing unit 323 performs user authentication using the transmitted login information, and permits login to the order receiving web application if the authentication is successful.

[0022] The storage unit 303 stores information related to the order management device 300. The storage unit 303 in the same figure includes an order information storage unit 331, a response information storage unit 332, a first conversion rule information storage unit 333, a second conversion rule information storage unit 334, a third conversion rule information storage unit 335, an extraction setting information storage unit 336, a purchaser information storage unit 337, and a supplier information storage unit 338.

[0023] The order information storage unit 331 (an example of a second storage unit) stores order information. The order information stored in the order information storage unit 331 is uploaded to the relay device 200 by the order terminal 100 and acquired from the relay device 200 by the order management device 300, as described above.

[0024] The response information storage unit 332 stores the response information. The response information is information that is created by the supplier terminal 400 in response to the acquisition (receiving of order) of the order information as described above, and is uploaded to the relay device 200 to be handed over to the purchaser 10 that is the ordering source. The response information storage unit 332 stores the same response information as that uploaded to the relay device 200.

[0025] The first conversion rule information storage unit 333 stores first conversion rule information. The first conversion rule information is information used by the order processing unit 321 to convert the format of the order information (secondary order information) acquired from the relay device 200 into order information (tertiary order information) in a common format handled by the order management device 300. The first conversion rule information is provided for each purchaser 10. The first conversion rule information corresponding to one purchaser 10 indicates the conversion rules determined in accordance with the order information specifications that the purchaser 10 has independently set in its own core system, the circumstances, requests, etc. of the purchaser 10.

[0026] The second conversion rule information storage unit 334 stores the second conversion rule information. The second conversion rule information is information used by the order confirmation information processing unit 322 to convert the order confirmation information in a common format (primary order confirmation information) into a format suitable for each purchaser 10. The second conversion rule information is also provided for each purchaser 10. The second conversion rule information corresponding to one purchaser 10 also indicates the conversion rules determined according to the specifications of the order information that the purchaser 10 has independently set in its own core system, the circumstances, requests, etc. of the purchaser 10.

[0027] The third conversion rule information storage unit 335 stores the third conversion rule information. The third conversion rule information is information that the order processing unit 321 uses to convert the response information (second response information) acquired from the supplier terminal 400 into a common format. The third conversion rule information is also provided for each purchaser 10.

[0028] The extraction setting information storage unit 336 stores extraction setting information. The extraction setting information is information for each purchaser 10. The extraction setting information corresponding to one purchaser 10 indicates the extraction conditions for order confirmation information specified by the corresponding purchaser 10. Specifically, the extraction conditions for order confirmation information may indicate the period to be extracted (extraction period). Furthermore, the extraction conditions for order confirmation information may also include a specification of whether or not to include information that has been extracted in the past, among the information included in the extraction period.

[0029] The orderer information storage unit 337 stores user information (orderer information) registered for each orderer 10. The orderer information for one orderer 10 includes login information used for authentication when logging in to the order web application. The supplier information storage unit 338 stores user information (supplier information) registered for each supplier 40. The supplier information for one supplier 40 includes login information used for authentication when logging in to the order receiving web application.

[0030] [Example of order processing procedure] An example of a procedure for placing an order performed in the order management system of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 3 to 7. In the following, the flowcharts of Figures 3 to 5 will be explained, with reference to Figures 6 and 7 as appropriate.

[0031] First, an example of a processing procedure executed by the order terminal 100 of one orderer 10 and the relay device 200 in response to one order will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Step S100: The ordering terminal 100 creates primary order information in response to operations by the ordering person of the purchaser 10. The file format of the primary order information and the definitions of various items on the order form are determined independently by the core system of the purchaser 10.

[0032] Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating the flow of processing in response to an order from an orderer 10 in the order management system of this embodiment. Figure 6 shows an example in which one orderer 10 operates the order terminal 100 with terminal identifier [T0001] to create primary order information D1.

[0033] Step S102: The primary order information created in step S100 is in a unique format compatible with the core system. When placing an order using the created primary order information, the primary order information needs to be converted into the order information format (common format) that the order management device 300 handles. Therefore, the ordering terminal 100 executes a process of converting the order information created in step S100 into a common format. 6 shows that the primary order information D1 has been converted into secondary order information D2 in a common format in the ordering terminal 100. The common format may be, for example, CSV.

[0034] Step S104: The order terminal 100 causes the relay device 200 to upload the secondary order information using the order web application.

[0035] The conversion process into the common format in step S102 and the uploading process of the secondary order information to the relay device 200 in step S104 may be executed as a series of processes in response to an operation to instruct the execution of an order, for example. The primary order information created in step S100 may be stored in the ordering terminal 100 or in a storage device of a core system connected to the ordering terminal 100. Similarly, the secondary order information obtained in step S102 may be stored in the ordering terminal 100 or in a storage device of a core system connected to the ordering terminal 100.

[0036] Step S200: The relay device 200 receives the secondary order information uploaded from the order terminal 100 in step S104. Step S202: The relay device 200 stores the secondary order information received in step S200 in the corresponding dedicated storage area 211. 6 shows that the secondary order information D2 uploaded from the ordering terminal 100 with the terminal identifier [T0001] is stored in the dedicated storage area 211-1 associated with the terminal identifier [T0001]. Note that the corresponding login information (user account) may be used as the terminal identifier.

[0037] Next, with reference to the same flowchart in FIG. 3, an example of a processing procedure executed by the order management device 300 and the relay device 200 when the order management device 300 acquires secondary order information from the relay device 200 will be described. Step S210: The relay device 200 receives the secondary order information request sent from the order management device 300 in step S302, which will be described later. Step S212: The relay device 200 transmits all the secondary order information stored in the dedicated storage area 211 to the order management device 300 at the timing when the secondary order information request is received in step S210.

[0038] In addition, if no secondary order information is stored in any of the dedicated memory areas 211 at the time a secondary order information request is received, the relay device 200 may notify the order management device 300 that no secondary order information is available in response to the secondary order information request, instead of sending the secondary order information. The relay device 200 may delete the secondary order information sent to the order management device 300 from the dedicated storage area 211 at a predetermined timing after sending.

[0039] Step S300: In the order management device 300, the order processing unit 321 waits for the timing to acquire the current secondary order information. The order processing unit 321 may determine that the timing has arrived in response to an instruction to acquire the secondary order information sent via an order receiving web application by the supplier terminal 400 operated by the order receiving clerk of the supplier 40. Alternatively, the order processing unit 321 may acquire the secondary order information at regular intervals. In this case, the order processing unit 321 may determine that the timing has arrived in response to a certain amount of time having passed since the previous acquisition of the secondary order information. Step S302: When the time comes to acquire the secondary order information, the order processing unit 321 transmits a secondary order information request to the relay device 200. Step S304: The order processing unit 321 receives the secondary order information transmitted from the relay device 200 in response to the secondary order information request in step S302.

[0040] FIG. 6 shows that the secondary order information D2 stored in the dedicated storage area 211-1 of the relay device 200 has been acquired by the order management device 300 through the process of step S302.

[0041] Step S306: The order processing unit 321 executes a tertiary order information handling process. The tertiary order information handling process in step S306 involves converting one or more pieces of secondary order information received in step S304 into a common format in order to obtain tertiary order information, and storing the tertiary order information in the order information storage unit 331.

[0042] An example of the procedure for the third-order information handling process in step S306 of FIG. 3 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Step S400: The order processing unit 321 assigns 1 as an initial value to the variable m that indicates the processing order of the secondary order information received in step S304 of FIG.

[0043] Step S402: The order processing unit 321 refers to the first conversion rule information stored in the first conversion rule information storage unit 333, that corresponds to the m-th secondary order information. Step S404: The order processing unit 321 executes format conversion processing to convert the m-th secondary order information into a common format in accordance with the conversion rule indicated by the first conversion rule information referred to in step S402.

[0044] A specific example of the format conversion process in step S404 will be described with reference to FIG. Figure 7(A) shows an example of the content of secondary order information that was the subject of format conversion processing. The secondary order information in this figure has the following defined items: order date, order number, supplier code, purchasing person, and supplier person. The order date field contains the date on which the order was placed. In the order number field, "ODR001" is entered, which is the order number assigned by the purchaser 10 for the relevant order. In the supplier code field, "SP1" is entered, which is determined by the purchaser 10 as the supplier code indicating the supplier (delivery company 40) of the relevant order. The purchasing person field contains "MK1023," which is the employee code indicating the person in charge (purchasing person) of purchaser 10 who placed the order. In this example, the contact person field is left blank.

[0045] Figure 7(B) shows an example of the contents of the first conversion rule information referenced in step S402. The first conversion rule information shown in the figure has a structure in which items in the purchaser format and fixed information are associated with each item defined under the common format. Items in the purchaser format are items defined under the format of the order information of the purchaser 10. Fixed information is information that is fixedly determined under the common format as the initial value to be stored in the corresponding item when the purchaser 10 is the corresponding purchaser. In the figure, an example is shown in which the items defined under the common format are the order number, order detail number, purchaser code, supplier code, purchaser user ID, supplier user ID, and issue date. Furthermore, the first conversion rule information indicates that the order number in the purchaser form corresponds to the order number item in the common form. In addition, the order detail number field in the common form indicates that the fixed information "001" applies. In addition, the item for the purchaser code in the common form indicates that the fixed information "MK1" applies. In addition, it is indicated that the supplier code item in the common form corresponds to the supplier code item in the purchaser form. Additionally, the Purchaser User ID field in the common form indicates that the Purchaser Form's Purchasing Officer field and the fixed information "MK1001" correspond to each other. In this way, when both the Purchaser Form's field and the fixed information are shown to be associated with a common form field, priority may be given to associating the Purchaser Form's field. When the Purchaser Form's field is not entered, the fixed information may be associated. In addition, the supplier user ID field in the common form corresponds to the business partner contact field in the purchaser form and the fixed information "SP001." It is also indicated that the issue date item in the common form corresponds to the order date item in the purchaser form.

[0046] In this case, the order processing unit 321 converts the secondary order information of Figure 7(A) into tertiary order information in a common format shown in Figure 7(C) in accordance with the conversion rules indicated by the first conversion rule information of Figure 7(B). In other words, the order handling processing unit 321 includes the following items as the common format tertiary order information, as shown in the figure: order number, order detail number, orderer code, supplier code, orderer user ID, supplier user ID, and issue date, which are the same as the items in the common format shown in the first conversion rule information.

[0047] Then, the order processing unit 321 stores "ODR001", which is the order number in the secondary order information, in the order number field in the tertiary order information. Furthermore, the order processing unit 321 stores the fixed information "001" in the item of the order detail number in the third-order information. Furthermore, the order processing unit 321 stores the fixed information "MK1" in the item of the orderer code in the tertiary order information.

[0048] Additionally, the order processing unit 321 stores the supplier code "SP1" in the secondary order information in the supplier code field in the tertiary order information. Furthermore, the order processing unit 321 stores "MK1023", the purchasing person in the secondary order information, in the item of the purchaser user ID in the tertiary order information. In other words, in this case, the order processing unit 321 prioritizes and applies the item of the purchasing person in the secondary order information out of the item of the purchasing person in the secondary order information and the fixed information, which are associated with the item of the purchaser user ID in the common format in the first conversion rule information.

[0049] In addition, the order processing unit 321 stores the fixed information "SP1001" in the supplier user ID field in the tertiary order information. In the first conversion rule information, the supplier user ID field in the common format is associated with the business partner contact field in the secondary order information and the fixed information, and the business partner contact field in the secondary order information takes precedence. However, in this case, as shown in FIG. 7(A), the business partner contact field in the secondary order information is left blank with no description. Therefore, the order processing unit 321 applies the fixed information in the secondary order information.

[0050] Furthermore, the order processing unit 321 stores the date stored in the order date field in the secondary order information in the issue date field in the tertiary order information.

[0051] In this way, the format conversion process converts the secondary order information into tertiary order information. FIG. 6 shows that the format conversion process is performed on the secondary order information D2 using the first conversion rule information D50, resulting in the acquisition of the tertiary order information D3.

[0052] Returning to the explanation in Figure 4. Step S406: The order processing unit 321 determines whether the format conversion process in step S404 has been completed successfully. For example, if there is a defect in the secondary order information that was the target of the format conversion process, the format conversion process may become impossible and may not be completed successfully.

[0053] Step S408: If it is determined in step S406 that the format conversion process did not end normally, the order processing unit 321 notifies the purchaser 10 corresponding to the secondary order information that was the subject of the format conversion process that there was an error in the format conversion process (error notification). The order processing unit 321 may send an error notification, for example, an e-mail to the e-mail address registered for the orderer 10 in question, informing the user that an error occurred in the format conversion process.

[0054] Step S410: If it is determined in step S406 that the format conversion process has been completed successfully, the order processing unit 321 executes a validation check on the tertiary order information obtained by the format conversion process in step S404. The validation check here may be a process of confirming whether a common format is maintained for, for example, items, etc., of the tertiary order information.

[0055] Step S412: The order processing unit 321 determines whether the result of the validation check in step S410 is OK or not.

[0056] Step S414: If the validation check in step S412 determines that the information is not OK because an error has been detected, such as the information not conforming to a common format, the order processing unit 321 notifies the purchaser 10 corresponding to the secondary order information that was the subject of the validation check that the validation check was not OK (notification of processing result). The order processing unit 321 may send a processing result notification by e-mail to the e-mail address registered for the corresponding purchaser 10, informing that the validation check was not OK. Such a processing result notification may include content explaining the event detected as an error in the validation check.

[0057] Step S416: If it is determined in step S412 that the result of the validation check is OK, the order processing unit 321 stores in the order information storage unit 331 the tertiary order information obtained by the format conversion process in this step S404. FIG. 6 shows that the tertiary order information D3 obtained by the format conversion process has been stored (saved) in the order information storage unit 331 after undergoing a validation check.

[0058] Step S418: After the processes of steps S408, S414, and S416, the order processing unit 321 determines whether the current variable m is equal to or greater than the maximum value. Step S420: If it is determined in step S418 that the current variable m is less than the maximum value, there remains some secondary order information that has not yet been subjected to format conversion processing among the secondary order information received in step S304 of Fig. 3. In this case, the order processing unit 321 increments the variable m and returns the process to step S402.

[0059] Then, when the processing from steps S402 to S416 has been executed in response to all of the secondary order information received in step S304 of Figure 3, it is determined in step S418 that the current variable m is greater than or equal to the maximum value, and the processing for the tertiary order information is terminated. 3 and 4, the tertiary order information is stored in the order management device 300. Then, when the supplier terminal 400 accesses the order receiving web application, the tertiary order information stored in the order management device 300 is output on the supplier terminal 400 by, for example, displaying or printing, thereby allowing the supplier 40 to accept an order from the purchaser 10. The tertiary order information may be downloadable to the supplier terminal 400.

[0060] In this way, the order management device 300 converts the secondary order information uploaded from the ordering terminal 100 to the relay device 200 into tertiary order information in a common format and stores the tertiary order information. This allows the order management device 300 to centrally manage order information that was previously in a different format for each orderer 10 in a common format. It also becomes possible to centrally manage order information that was in a different format between each orderer 10 and supplier 40 in a common format.

[0061] For example, there are cases where order information created in the purchaser's core system is sent to the supplier by facsimile or email, and the supplier then registers the received order information in their own system and responds by facsimile or email. In such an environment, if a change occurs to the order details, the supplier must search their own system for order information and past exchange information such as facsimiles and emails to make adjustments, which is cumbersome and places a heavy burden on the person in charge. Therefore, orders and responses to orders are sometimes exchanged using EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) using dedicated lines or VANs (Value Added Networks), or Web-EDI using the Internet. However, in systems that use these communications, if you want to unify the different formats for each purchaser, the purchaser must, for example, recreate the order information to correspond to the common format specified by the supplier, which places a heavy burden on the purchaser's staff. In this embodiment, the conversion to the common format is performed by the order management device 300, so the purchaser 10 only needs to send the secondary order confirmation information to the relay device 200 while maintaining their own format, thereby reducing the burden of uploading order information.

[0062] In addition, upon receiving an order from the purchaser 10, the supplier 40 creates information on a reply to the received order (reply information) and delivers it to the purchaser 10 via the relay device 200. An example of a processing procedure executed by the supplier terminal 400, the order management device 300, the relay device 200, and the ordering terminal 100 in response to the delivery of response information from the supplier 40 to the orderer 10 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0063] Step S500: The supplier terminal 400 creates reply data (primary reply information) corresponding to the tertiary order information 1 in accordance with the operation of the order taker of the supplier 40. The file format of the primary reply information, definitions of various items, etc. may be those determined by the supplier 40. The supplier terminal 400 may store the primary response information thus created in its own storage unit or in the storage of the core system to which the supplier terminal 400 is connected. FIG. 6 shows that primary response information D11 has been created at the supplier terminal 400.

[0064] Step S502: The supplier terminal 400 obtains secondary response information by converting the format of the primary response information created in step S500 into the format (common format) of response information handled by the order management device 300. The common format to which the secondary response information corresponds may also be, for example, CSV. FIG. 6 shows that the primary response information D11 has been format-converted in the supplier terminal 400 to obtain secondary response information D12.

[0065] Step S504: While accessing the order receiving web application, the supplier terminal 400 transmits a request to upload secondary response information to the order management device 300. In response to the upload request, the supplier terminal 400 transmits the secondary response information to be uploaded to the order management device 300.

[0066] Step S600: In the order management device 300, the order processing unit 321 receives the secondary response information transmitted from the supplier terminal 400 in step S504.

[0067] Step S602: The order processing unit 321 performs format conversion processing to convert the secondary response information received in step S600 into third response information in a format that corresponds to the purchaser 10 in question. In performing the format conversion process in step S600, the order processing unit 321 uses the third conversion rule information of the purchaser 10 to which the secondary response information to be processed corresponds from the third conversion rule information stored in the third conversion rule information storage unit 335. FIG. 6 shows that the order management device 300 has performed format conversion processing on the secondary response information D12 passed from the supplier terminal 400 to obtain tertiary response information D13.

[0068] Step S604: The order processing unit 321 stores the tertiary response information obtained by the format conversion process in step S402 in the response information storage unit 332. As a result, the order management device 300 stores the response information to be sent to the purchaser 10. FIG. 6 shows that the order management device 300 has saved the tertiary response information D13 in the response information storage unit 332.

[0069] Step S606: The order processing unit 321 uploads the tertiary response information to the relay device 200. In response to uploading the tertiary response information in step S606, the order processing unit 321 may notify the corresponding purchaser 10 that the response information has been uploaded. Such notification of uploading may be made, for example, by sending an e-mail to the e-mail address of the corresponding purchaser 10 to notify that the response information has been uploaded.

[0070] Step S800: The relay device 200 receives the tertiary response information uploaded from the order management device in step S606. Step S802: The relay device 200 stores the received tertiary response information in the dedicated storage area 211 associated with the ordering terminal 100 of the purchaser 10 as the destination. FIG. 6 shows that the tertiary response information D13 received from the order management device 300 is stored in the dedicated storage area 211-1 associated with the ordering terminal 100 with the terminal identifier [T0001].

[0071] Step S810: The relay device 200 receives the response information request transmitted from the order terminal 100 in step S900, as will be described later. Step S812: The relay device 200 transmits the tertiary response information stored in the dedicated memory area 211 associated with the order terminal 100 that is the sender of the received response information request to the order terminal 100 that is the sender of the response information request.

[0072] Step S900: While the ordering terminal 100 is accessing the ordering web application, it transmits a response information request to the relay device 200 in response to an operation by the person in charge of the orderer 10, for example. Step S902: The ordering terminal 100 receives the tertiary response information transmitted from the relay device 200 in response to the response information request transmitted in step S900. The ordering terminal 100 may store the received tertiary response information in its own memory unit or in the storage of the core system to which the ordering terminal 100 is connected. Figure 6 shows that the third response information D13 stored in the dedicated memory area 211-1 was transmitted from the relay device 200, and the ordering terminal 100 with terminal identifier [T0001] received the third response information D13.

[0073] In this way, the order management device 300 converts the response information (secondary response information) created in a format corresponding to the supplier 40 into tertiary response information in a format adapted to the purchaser 10 through format conversion processing, and sends it to the purchaser 10. In this way, the order management device 300 can send to the purchaser 10 response information adapted to the format of each purchaser 10, while managing the order information in a common format in an integrated manner.

[0074] Conversely to the above, for example, there may be a case where the orderer 10 responds to an inquiry from the supplier 40 to the supplier 40. In this case, the order management system of this embodiment may transmit response information from the order terminal 100 to the order management device 300 via the relay device 200 in accordance with the procedure for transmitting order information shown in FIG. That is, the ordering terminal 100 creates primary response information and converts the created primary response information into secondary response information in a format compatible with the order management device 300. The ordering terminal 100 uploads the converted secondary response information to the relay device 200. The relay device 200 stores the uploaded secondary response information. The order management device 300 acquires the secondary response information stored in the relay device 200, and converts the acquired secondary response information into tertiary response information in a predetermined common format in accordance with the example processing procedure shown in FIG. 4.

[0075] Next, another example of delivery of response information from the supplier 40 to the orderer 10 will be described. In this other example, the response information is uploaded from the supplier terminal 400 to the relay device 200. The order management device 300 converts the format of the response information uploaded to the relay device 200. The order terminal 100 outputs the response information whose format has been converted by the order management device 300. The transmission of response information performed in this manner will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0076] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure executed by the supplier terminal 400, the order management device 300, the relay device 200, and the ordering terminal 100 in response to another example of delivery of response information from the supplier 40 to the orderer 10.

[0077] Step S2100: The supplier terminal 400 creates primary response information in response to an operation by the supplier 40's order taker. Fig. 9 is a diagram illustrating the flow of processing according to another example of the delivery of response information from a supplier 40 to a purchaser 10. Fig. 9 shows an example in which one supplier 40 operates the supplier terminal 400 to create primary response information D11.

[0078] Step S2102: The supplier terminal 400 obtains secondary response information by converting the format of the primary response information created in step S2100 into the format of response information handled by the order management device 300 (common format). FIG. 9 shows that the primary response information D11 has been format-converted in the supplier terminal 400 to obtain secondary response information D12.

[0079] Step S2104: The supplier terminal 400 causes the relay device 200 to upload the secondary response information using the order receiving web application.

[0080] Step S2200: The relay device 200 receives the secondary response information uploaded from the order terminal 100 in step S2104. Step S2202: The relay device 200 stores the secondary response information received in step S2200 in the corresponding dedicated storage area 211. Figure 9 shows that the uploaded secondary response information D12 is stored in a dedicated memory area 211-1 associated with the terminal identifier [T0001] of the ordering terminal 100 of the client 10 to which the response information is to be handed over.

[0081] Next, with reference to the same flowchart in FIG. 9, an example of a processing procedure executed by the order management device 300 and the relay device 200 when the order management device 300 acquires secondary response information from the relay device 200 will be described. Step S2210: The relay device 200 receives the secondary response information request transmitted from the order management device 300 in step S2302, which will be described later. Step S2212: The relay device 200 transmits all the secondary response information stored in the dedicated storage area 211 to the order management device 300 at the timing when the secondary response information request is received in step S2210.

[0082] In addition, if no secondary response information is stored in any of the dedicated memory areas 211 at the time a secondary response information request is received, the relay device 200 may notify the order management device 300 that no secondary response information is available in response to the secondary response information request, instead of sending the secondary response information. The relay device 200 may delete the secondary response information transmitted to the order management device 300 from the dedicated storage area 211 at a predetermined timing after transmission.

[0083] Step S2300: In the order management device 300, the order processing unit 321 waits for the timing to acquire the current secondary response information. The order processing unit 321 may determine that the acquisition timing has arrived in response to an instruction to acquire secondary response information sent via an order web application by the order terminal 100 operated by the person in charge of the orderer 10. Alternatively, the order processing unit 321 may acquire secondary response information at regular time intervals. In this case, the order processing unit 321 may determine that the acquisition timing has arrived in response to a certain time having elapsed since the previous process of acquiring secondary response information. Step S2302: When the time comes to acquire the secondary response information, the order processing unit 321 transmits a secondary response information request to the relay device 200. Step S2304: The order processing unit 321 receives the secondary response information transmitted from the relay device 200 in response to the secondary response information request in step S2302.

[0084] FIG. 9 shows that the secondary response information D12 stored in the dedicated storage area 211 of the relay device 200 has been acquired by the order management device 300 through the process of step S2302.

[0085] Step S2306: The order processing unit 321 executes tertiary response information handling processing. The tertiary response information handling processing is a process of converting one or more pieces of secondary response information received in step S2304 into a common format in order to obtain tertiary response information, for example, according to the processing procedure in Fig. 4. That is, the order processing unit 321 executes a format conversion process for converting each piece of secondary response information received in step S2304 into tertiary response information in a common format in accordance with the conversion rule indicated by the third conversion rule information corresponding to the delivery destination purchaser 10. The order processing unit 321 stores the tertiary response information obtained by the format conversion process in the response information storage unit 332. Figure 9 shows an example in which secondary response information D12 is converted into tertiary response information D13 by a format conversion process using third conversion rule information, and the obtained tertiary response information D13 is stored in the response information storage unit 332.

[0086] By accessing the ordering web application on the ordering terminal 100, the person in charge at the purchaser 10 can output or locally save the tertiary response information D13 stored in the response information storage unit 332 on the ordering terminal 100, as shown in Figure 9.

[0087] [Procedure for sending and receiving order confirmation information] In the order management system of this embodiment, the purchaser 10 can request the supplier 40 to receive order confirmation information. In response to the request for order confirmation information, the supplier 40 passes the order confirmation information to the requesting purchaser 10. The order confirmation information is information for confirming the details of the exchanges that the purchaser 10 has had with the supplier 40 regarding the order. The order confirmation information may include order information and response information as information that has been exchanged between the purchaser 10 and the supplier 40.

[0088] 10 to 14, an example of a procedure performed in the order management system in relation to the exchange of order confirmation information between the purchaser 10 and the supplier 40 will be described. In the following, the flowcharts of FIGS. 10 to 13 will be explained, with reference to FIG. 14 as needed.

[0089] An example of a processing procedure executed by the order terminal 100 and the relay device 200 in response to uploading of request information from the order terminal 100 to the relay device 200 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Step S1000: The order terminal 100 creates request information in response to an operation by a person in charge at the orderer 10. The request information is information that requests the order management device 300 to generate order confirmation information. The order confirmation information includes information extracted from the order information (third order information) stored in the order information storage unit 331 of the order management device 300 and the response information (third response information) stored in the response information storage unit 332 corresponding to the requesting purchaser 10. The request information specifies a period to be extracted (extraction period) as an extraction condition for the order information and response information to be extracted. The request information may also include a specification as to whether or not to include information that has been extracted in the past, among the information included in the extraction period. Furthermore, the request information may be prepared in advance in a standardized format, style, etc., by using a file or the like provided by the supplier 40 as a template. FIG. 14 shows the request information D21 created by the order terminal 100 with the terminal identifier [T0001].

[0090] Step S1002: The order terminal 100 uploads the request information created in step S1000 to the relay device 200.

[0091] Step S1100: The relay device 200 receives the request information uploaded from the order terminal 100 in step S1002. Step S1102: The relay device 200 stores the received request information in the dedicated storage area 211 associated with the terminal identifier of the order terminal 100 that is the upload source. FIG. 14 shows that the request information D21 uploaded from the order terminal 100 with the terminal identifier [T0001] is stored in the dedicated storage area 211-1 associated with the terminal identifier [T0001].

[0092] Next, with reference to the same flowchart of FIG. 10, an example of a processing procedure executed by the order management device 300 and the relay device 200 when the order management device 300 acquires request information from the relay device 200 will be described. Step S1110: The relay device 200 receives the request information request sent from the order management device 300 in step S1202, which will be described later. Step S1112: The relay device 200 transmits the request information stored in the dedicated storage area 211 to the order management device 300 at the timing when the request for request information is received in step S1110.

[0093] In addition, if the requested information is not stored in any of the dedicated memory areas 211 at the time when the requested information request is received, the relay device 200 may notify the order management device 300 that there is no requested information in response to the requested information request instead of sending the requested information. The relay device 200 may delete the request information sent to the order management device 300 from the dedicated storage area 211 at a predetermined timing after sending.

[0094] Step S1200: In the order management device 300, the order confirmation information processing unit 322 is configured to acquire request information at regular intervals. Therefore, the order confirmation information processing unit 322 waits for a certain period of time to elapse since the previous process of acquiring request information, until the timing for acquiring request information arrives. Step S1202: When the time comes to acquire the request information, the order confirmation information processing unit 322 transmits a request information request to the relay device 200. Step S1204: The order confirmation information processing unit 322 receives the request information transmitted from the relay device 200 in response to the request information request in step S1202. Step S1206: The order confirmation information processing unit 322 stores the received request information in the extraction setting information storage unit 336 as extraction setting information.

[0095] Figure 12 shows that the request information D21 stored in the dedicated memory area 211-1 of the relay device 200 is transmitted by the order management device 300, and the transmitted request information D21 is stored in the extraction setting information memory unit 336 as extraction setting information D22.

[0096] Next, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 11, an example of a processing procedure executed by the order terminal 100, the relay device 200, and the order management device 300 in relation to the exchange of order confirmation information will be described. Step S1300: The order management device 300 periodically uploads order confirmation information to the relay device 200. Therefore, the order confirmation information processing unit 322 waits for a certain period of time to elapse since the previous upload of order confirmation information, and for the timing to upload the current order confirmation information to arrive. Step S1302: When it is time to upload the order confirmation information, the order confirmation information processing unit 322 executes the order confirmation information generation process.

[0097] The flowchart in FIG. 12 shows an example of the procedure for processing to generate order confirmation information in step S1302. Step S1600: The order confirmation information processing unit 322 assigns 1 as an initial value to a variable p that indicates the order confirmation information generation order.

[0098] Step S1602: The order confirmation information processing unit 322 sequentially generates order confirmation information corresponding to each piece of extraction setting information stored in the extraction setting information storage unit 336 after the previous upload of the order confirmation information. Therefore, the order confirmation information processing unit 322 references the p-th extracted setting information from the extracted setting information stored after the previous upload of the order confirmation information. The extracted setting information referenced in this way corresponds to one purchaser 10.

[0099] Step S1604: The order confirmation information processing unit 322 collects information that satisfies the extraction conditions indicated by the extraction setting information referenced in step S1602. 14, the order confirmation information processing unit 322 extracts the tertiary order information D3 and the tertiary response information included in the extraction period indicated as the extraction condition in the extraction setting information from the order information storage unit 331 and the response information storage unit 332. Furthermore, if the extraction condition specifies that information included in the extraction period that has been extracted in the past should not be included in the extraction target, the order confirmation information processing unit 322 is configured not to extract information that has been extracted in the past even if it is information included in the extraction period. Note that, for example, transmission data such as emails sent from the order management device 300 in the past may also be included in the information collected in step S1604.

[0100] Step S1606: The order confirmation information processing unit 322 generates primary order confirmation information from the information collected in step S1604. The primary order confirmation information to be generated may be generated as one or more files in a predetermined format, for example. The primary order confirmation information thus generated corresponds to the first purchaser 10, who is the sender of the extracted setting information (request information) referenced this time.

[0101] 14 shows that, in response to the processing of steps S1604 and S1606, tertiary order information D3 and tertiary response information D13 are extracted from the order information storage unit 331 and the response information storage unit 332, respectively, in accordance with the extraction conditions of the extraction setting information D22. It also shows that primary order confirmation information D31 is generated, including the contents of the extracted tertiary order information D3 and tertiary response information D13.

[0102] Step S1608: The order confirmation information processing unit 322 determines whether the current variable p is equal to or greater than the maximum value. Step S1610: If the current variable p is less than the maximum value, there is still extracted setting information that has not been used to generate the primary order confirmation information. In this case, the order confirmation information processing unit 322 increments the variable p and returns the process to step S1602. Then, when the primary order confirmation information has been generated using all the extracted setting information, it is determined in step S1608 that the current variable q is equal to or greater than the maximum value, and the order confirmation information generation process in the figure is terminated.

[0103] Returning to the explanation of FIG. Step S1304: The order confirmation information processing unit 322 performs a format conversion process for converting the format of each piece of primary order confirmation information generated in step S1302 in accordance with the corresponding purchaser 10.

[0104] The flowchart in FIG. 13 shows an example of the procedure for the format conversion process in step S1304. Step S1700: The order confirmation information processing unit 322 assigns 1 as an initial value to a variable q that indicates the format conversion processing order of the primary order confirmation information.

[0105] Step S1702: The order confirmation information processing unit 322 refers to the second conversion rule information stored in the second conversion rule information storage unit 334, that corresponds to the q-th primary order confirmation information.

[0106] Step S1704: The order confirmation information processing unit 322 executes a format conversion process for converting the format of the q-th primary order confirmation information in accordance with the conversion rule indicated by the second conversion rule information referred to in step S1702. The second conversion rule information indicates, for example, the correspondence relationship between items defined by the supplier 40 for the order confirmation information and items specified by the corresponding purchaser 10. As a format change process, the order confirmation information processing unit 322 may perform processes such as converting items defined by the supplier 40 into items defined by the purchaser 10, or deleting unnecessary items, in accordance with the correspondence relationship of items indicated by the second conversion rule information.

[0107] Secondary order confirmation information is obtained by the format conversion process in step S1704. In Fig. 14, secondary order confirmation information D32 is obtained by the format conversion process using the second conversion rule information 1.

[0108] Step S1706: The order confirmation information processing unit 322 determines whether the current variable q is equal to or greater than the maximum value. Step S1708: If the current variable q is less than the maximum value, there is still primary order confirmation information that has not yet undergone format conversion processing. In this case, the order confirmation information processing unit 322 increments the variable q and returns the process to step S1702. Then, when the format conversion process has been performed on all of the primary order confirmation information, it is determined in step S1706 that the current variable q is equal to or greater than the maximum value, and the format conversion process in the figure is terminated.

[0109] Returning to the explanation of FIG. Step S1306: The order confirmation information processing unit 322 of the order management device 300 uploads to the relay device 200 all of the secondary order confirmation information obtained by the format conversion process in step S1304.

[0110] Step S1400: The relay device 200 receives the secondary order confirmation information uploaded from the order management device 300 in step S1306. Step S1402: The relay device 200 stores the received secondary order confirmation information in the corresponding dedicated storage area 211. Figure 14 shows that one of the secondary order confirmation information uploaded from the order management device 300 has been stored in the dedicated memory area 211-1 associated with the ordering terminal 100 with terminal identifier [T0001].

[0111] Next, with reference to the same FIG. 11, an example of a processing procedure executed by the order terminal 100 and the relay device 200 when the order terminal 100 acquires the secondary order confirmation information will be described. Step S1410: The relay device 200 receives the order confirmation information request transmitted from the order terminal 100 in step S1600, which will be described later. Step S1412: The relay device 200 transmits the secondary order confirmation information stored in the dedicated memory area 211 associated with the terminal identifier of the order terminal 100 that transmitted the order confirmation information request received in step S1410 to the order terminal 100 that transmitted the order confirmation information request. The relay device 200 may delete the secondary order confirmation information that has been transmitted from the dedicated memory area 211.

[0112] Step S1500: The order terminal 100 transmits a request for order confirmation information to the relay device 200 in response to, for example, an operation by a person in charge or in response to a trigger being generated such as when a predetermined time has passed. Step S1502: In response to the order confirmation information request sent in step S1500, relay device 200 sends secondary order confirmation information to order terminal 100. Order terminal 100 receives the sent secondary order confirmation information. Furthermore, order terminal 100 may store the received secondary order confirmation information in its own memory unit or in the storage of a core system to which order terminal 100 is connected.

[0113] In this way, the order management device 300 can convert the primary order confirmation information generated using the order information and response information in a common format into a format suited to the orderer 10, and send the secondary order confirmation information obtained by the format conversion to the orderer 10. In other words, the order management device 300 can provide order confirmation information suited to the format of each orderer 10 to each orderer 10, while converting order information and response information into a common format and managing them in an integrated manner.

[0114] In the above embodiment, the order management device 300 acquires the order information (secondary order information) from the relay device 200, and the order management device 300 acquires the request information from the relay device 200 as batch processing at regular intervals. In this case, the control for exchanging information between the order management device 300 and the relay device 200 can be simplified. On the other hand, the order management device 300 may acquire the order information (secondary order information) from the relay device 200 and the request information from the relay device 200, for example, every time the order information or request information is uploaded to the relay device 200. In this case, it is possible to improve the responsiveness of the transmission of response information or order confirmation information in response to the uploading of order information or request information from the ordering terminal 100 to the relay device 200.

[0115] Note that programs for implementing the functions of the above-described ordering terminal 100, relay device 200, order management device 300, supplier terminal 400, etc. may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the programs may be loaded into a computer system and executed to perform the processing of the above-described ordering terminal 100, relay device 200, order management device 300, supplier terminal 400, etc. Here, "loading a program recorded on a recording medium into a computer system and executing it" includes installing the program on a computer system. The term "computer system" here includes hardware such as an operating system and peripheral devices. The term "computer system" may also include multiple computer devices connected via a network, including the Internet, a WAN, a LAN, a dedicated line, or other communication lines. The term "computer-readable recording medium" refers to portable media such as floppy disks, optical magnetic disks, ROMs, and CD-ROMs, as well as storage devices such as hard disks built into a computer system. Thus, the recording medium storing the program may be a non-transitory recording medium such as a CD-ROM. The term "recording medium" also includes internal or external recording media accessible from a distribution server for distributing the program. The program code stored on the recording medium of the distribution server may be different from the program code in a format executable by the terminal device. In other words, the format in which the program is stored on the distribution server is not important as long as it can be downloaded from the distribution server and installed in a format executable by the terminal device. The program may be divided into multiple parts, each downloaded at a different time and then combined on the terminal device, or each part may be distributed by a different distribution server. Furthermore, the term "computer-readable recording medium" also includes a storage medium that stores a program for a certain period of time, such as volatile memory (RAM) within a computer system that serves as a server or client when a program is transmitted over a network. The program may also be for implementing part of the functions described above.Furthermore, the above-mentioned functions may be realized in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system, that is, a so-called differential file (differential program). [Explanation of symbols]

[0116] 10 purchaser, 40 supplier, 100 order terminal, 200 relay device, 201 memory unit, 211 (211-1 to 211-n) dedicated memory area, 300 order management device, 301 communication unit, 302 control unit, 303 memory unit, 321 order response processing unit, 322 order confirmation information processing unit, 331 order information memory unit, 332 response information memory unit, 333 first conversion rule information memory unit, 334 second conversion rule information memory unit, 335 third conversion rule information memory unit, 336 extraction setting information memory unit, 400 supplier terminal

Claims

1. An order management method in an order management system including a plurality of order terminals corresponding to a plurality of orderers who place orders to a supplier, an order management device, a relay device that relays information exchanged between the order terminals and the order management device, and a supplier terminal at the supplier that receives the orders, comprising: a transmission step in which the order terminal converts primary order information, which has order-related content and is created in a format determined by the corresponding orderer, into secondary order information in a format compatible with the order management device, and transmits the secondary order information to the relay device via a network; a first storage control step in which the relay device stores the secondary order information transmitted in the transmission step in a first storage unit of the relay device; an acquisition step in which the order management device acquires the secondary order information stored in the relay device via a network; an order processing step in which the order management device converts the acquired secondary order information into tertiary order information in a predetermined common format and stores the tertiary order information in a second storage unit; a second transmission step in which the order management device transmits the tertiary order information to the supplier terminal; a reply step in which the supplier terminal that has acquired the tertiary order information converts primary reply information, which has content related to a reply to the order and is created in a format determined by the supplier, into secondary reply information in a format compatible with the order management device, and transmits the secondary reply information to the order management device via a network; a response processing step in which the order management device converts the acquired secondary response information into tertiary response information in a predetermined common format, an order confirmation information generating step in which the order management device generates order confirmation information including information that satisfies the extraction conditions indicated by the extraction setting information of the corresponding purchaser from the tertiary order information and the tertiary response information stored in the second storage unit; a second storage control step in which the order management device stores the generated order confirmation information in a first storage unit of the relay device so that the corresponding order terminal can acquire the information, How to manage orders.

2. The first storage unit has an individual storage area corresponding to each of the orderers, The first storage control step stores the received secondary order information in an individual storage area corresponding to the orderer of the ordering terminal that transmitted the secondary order information. The order management method according to claim 1 .

3. The order confirmation information generating step generates order confirmation information in a format designated by the format designation information of the corresponding orderer. The order management method according to claim 1 or 2.

4. An order management system including a plurality of order terminals corresponding to a plurality of orderers who place orders to a supplier, an order management device, a relay device that relays information exchanged between the order terminals and the order management device, and a supplier terminal at the supplier that receives the orders, a transmitting unit in the order terminal that converts primary order information having order-related content and created in a format determined by the corresponding orderer into secondary order information in a format compatible with the order management device, and transmits the secondary order information to the relay device via a network; a first storage control unit in the order terminal that stores the secondary order information transmitted by the transmission unit in a first storage unit of the relay device via a network; an acquisition unit of the order management device that acquires the secondary order information stored in the relay device via a network; an order processing unit in the order management device that converts the acquired secondary order information into tertiary order information in a predetermined common format and stores the tertiary order information in a second storage unit; a second transmission unit that transmits the tertiary order information to the supplier terminal by the order management device; a reply section in which the supplier terminal that has acquired the tertiary order information converts primary reply information, which has content related to a reply to the order and is created in a format determined by the supplier, into secondary reply information in a format compatible with the order management device, and transmits the secondary reply information to the order management device via a network; a response processing unit that converts the acquired secondary response information into tertiary response information in a predetermined common format by the order management device; Equipped with the order management device has an order confirmation information generation unit that generates order confirmation information including information that satisfies the extraction conditions indicated by the extraction setting information of the corresponding purchaser from the tertiary order information and the tertiary response information stored in the second storage unit; The order management device further includes a second storage control unit that stores the generated order confirmation information in a first storage unit of the relay device so that the corresponding order terminal can acquire the information. Order management system.

5. a computer as the order management device in an order management system including a plurality of order terminals corresponding to a plurality of orderers who place orders to a supplier, an order management device, a relay device that relays information exchanged between the order terminals and the order management device, and a supplier terminal at the supplier that receives the orders; an acquisition unit in the order terminal that converts primary order information having content related to an order and created in a format determined by a corresponding orderer into a format compatible with the order management device and transmits the converted secondary order information to the relay device via the network, thereby acquiring secondary order information stored in the relay device; an order processing unit that converts the acquired secondary order information into tertiary order information in a predetermined common format and stores the tertiary order information in a second storage unit; a second transmission unit that transmits the tertiary order information to the supplier terminal; a response processing unit that converts primary response information, which has content related to a response to the order and is created in accordance with a format determined by the supplier, into a format compatible with the order management device at the supplier terminal that has acquired the tertiary order information, and transmits the secondary response information to the order management device via a network, into tertiary response information in a predetermined common format; an order confirmation information generating unit that generates order confirmation information including information that satisfies the extraction conditions indicated by the extraction setting information of the corresponding purchaser from the tertiary order information and the tertiary response information stored in the second storage unit; a second storage control unit that stores the generated order confirmation information in a first storage unit of the relay device so that the corresponding order confirmation information can be acquired by the ordering terminal; A program to function as a

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