Management device and management system

Abstract

A management device according to an embodiment includes a setting unit and a management unit. The setting unit sets addresses for products of a plurality of clients. The management unit manages the products in the plurality of warehouses on the basis of the addresses.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The disclosed embodiments relate to a management device and a management system. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a product management device that stores products in a warehouse and ships products from the warehouse based on shipping information (for example, see Patent Document 1).

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-180082.

[0004] However, there may be idle space in the warehouse where no goods are stored. In other words, there is room for improvement in the efficiency of warehouse use. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention is made in view of the above situation, and its object is to improve the utilization efficiency of the warehouse.

[0006] A management device according to one embodiment of the technical solution includes a setting unit and a management unit. The setting unit sets addresses for products of multiple customers. The management unit manages the products in multiple warehouses based on the addresses.

[0007] Furthermore, a management device according to one embodiment of the technical solution includes a management unit. The management unit manages merchandise for each customer among multiple customers stored in a warehouse. If, based on shipping information, a first customer's merchandise is out of stock, and the same merchandise as the out-of-stock first customer's merchandise is being stored as merchandise for a second customer different from the first customer, the management unit ships the second customer's merchandise as a replacement.

[0008] According to one method of the technical solution, the utilization efficiency of the warehouse can be improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 This is a side view schematically showing the storage status of commodities in a warehouse.

[0010] Figure 2 This is a plan view schematically showing the storage status of goods in a warehouse.

[0011] Figure 3 A diagram showing an overview of a management system according to an embodiment.

[0012] Figure 4 A schematic block diagram illustrating a warehouse management device according to an embodiment.

[0013] Figure 5 A schematic block diagram illustrating a management device according to an embodiment.

[0014] Figure 6This figure shows an example of addresses set for products.

[0015] Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating the address setting process according to the embodiment.

[0016] Figure 8 This figure schematically shows an example of a computer hardware configuration that functions as a management device or a warehouse management device.

[0017] Figure 9 It is a schematic block diagram illustrating a warehouse management device 2 according to the second embodiment.

[0018] Figure 10 This is a flowchart illustrating the product removal process according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] The present invention will be described below by way of embodiments, but the following embodiments do not limit the invention of the claims. In addition, not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the technical solution of the invention.

[0020] (First embodiment)

[0021] The management system 1 of the first embodiment (refer to Figure 3 ) is a system for managing goods in multiple warehouses WH. Warehouses WH are located in different regions. Warehouses WH store a large number of goods separately by commodity. In warehouses WH, goods are managed, for example, as SKUs (Stock Keeping Units). Goods with the same design but different sizes are managed as different SKUs according to their sizes. For example, when there are three sizes of the same design (such as S / M / L), they are managed as 3SKUs. In warehouses WH, many goods are managed separately by SKU.

[0022] Warehouse WH, for example Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, commodities are stored and arranged on a shelf 100 that can be stored in a front-to-back direction (X-axis direction), a left-to-right direction (Y-axis direction), and an up-down direction (Z-axis direction). Figure 1 It is a side view schematically showing the storage status of commodities in the warehouse WH. Figure 2 1 is a plan view schematically showing the storage status of commodities in the warehouse WH. Commodities are stored on the shelves 100 in a state of being stored in the baskets 101 .

[0023] In warehouse WH, a picking robot 102 travels horizontally and longitudinally above the shelves 100, retrieving baskets 101 containing merchandise from the shelves 100. Based on shipping information, the picking robot 102 lifts the baskets 101 containing merchandise from the shelves 100 and removes them. The baskets 101 lifted by the picking robot 102 are transported to the delivery department. There, the merchandise is removed from the baskets 101 and shipped.

[0024] In the warehouse WH, products are stored in multiple management levels according to their shipping frequency. For example, products are stored in "L1", "L2" and "L3" according to their shipping frequency.

[0025] Products in "L1" are long-tail products with a low sales frequency. Products in "L2" are sold more frequently than products in "L1." Products in "L3" are sold more frequently than products in "L2." Products with a high sales frequency are those that are sold frequently.

[0026] "L1" has a much wider variety of products than "L2" and "L3." "L2" has a wider variety of products than "L3." "L3" has a smaller variety of products. Furthermore, the number of management levels for categorized products can be two or four or more.

[0027] For example, frequently sold products are stored on the upper shelves 100 because they are frequently picked up by the picking robot 102. For example, in the warehouse WH, the products are stored in the order of "L3", "L2", and "L1" from the top.

[0028] The storage method for goods in the warehouse WH is not limited to the above method. For example, the warehouse WH may have multiple shelves storing multiple goods arranged across aisles. In this case, the picking robot picks goods from the shelves while traveling along the aisles.

[0029] Since the sales frequency of products in "L1" or "L2" is low and the variety is large, if all products in "L1" and "L2" are stored in the warehouse WH, the warehouse WH will become large. However, in reality, there is vacant space in the warehouse where no products are stored.

[0030] Furthermore, when each company that sells products prepares the products of "L1" and "L2" and stores them in its own warehouse WH, it is necessary to have a larger warehouse WH or a larger number of warehouses WH.

[0031] Therefore, the load for storing the products of "L1" and "L2" will increase.

[0032] In view of this, the management system 1 of the first embodiment is provided to manage a portion of the products of both the own company and other companies. In other words, the management system 1 of the first embodiment is provided to manage the products of multiple companies in a unified manner. In the following description, other companies will be referred to as clients.

[0033] In addition to storing its own products, warehouse WH also stores customer products. For example, warehouse WH stores its own products "L1," "L2," and "L3." Furthermore, warehouse WH also stores customer products "L1" and "L2" (other companies).

[0034] For example, a company may have a management system 1, while a client (another company) may not have one. Specifically, the company (the company) manages the client's (the other company's) merchandise using management system 1. Alternatively, the company may have only warehouse management device 2 and management device 3 (warehouse WH), as described below. In this case, the company (the company) with management system 1 stores the client's (the other company's) merchandise in warehouse WH and delivers the merchandise to the client.

[0035] Thus, the management system 1 can reduce idle space in the warehouse WH and improve the utilization efficiency of the warehouse WH. Furthermore, the management system 1 can reduce unused warehouses WH and reduce the load for managing the warehouse WH.

[0036] refer to Figure 3 The management system 1 according to the first embodiment will be described. Figure 3 1 is a diagram showing an outline of a management system 1 according to the first embodiment. The management system 1 includes a warehouse management device 2 and a management device 3 .

[0037] The management device 3 is connected to the network N1 in a wireless or wired manner so as to be communicable with each other via the information providing device 4. The network N1 is, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network) such as the Internet, and is composed of one or more networks.

[0038] The management device 3 and the warehouse management device 2 are connected to each other via a network N2 in a wireless or wired manner so as to be communicable with each other.

[0039] Information providing device 4 is an information providing device owned by a client. For example, information providing device 4 is a server owned by the client. The client is a company that sells goods. For example, a client includes a company that sells goods over the internet. In other words, a client includes a company that sells goods through e-commerce. The client may include multiple different clients. In other words, information providing device 4 is an information providing device owned by each client.

[0040] Information provision device 4 manages customer merchandise. Information provision device 4 transmits customer merchandise information to management device 3. The customer merchandise information transmitted to management device 3 (hereinafter referred to as "customer merchandise information") includes information related to the merchandise owned by the customer. For example, customer merchandise information includes information related to the total inventory of the merchandise desired by the customer. Customer merchandise information relates to merchandise with a management level below a predetermined level. The predetermined level refers to merchandise with a low shipping frequency. For example, merchandise with a predetermined level is "L2" or lower.

[0041] The information providing device 4 transmits the shipping information of the customer's products (hereinafter referred to as "customer's shipping information") to the management device 3. The customer's shipping information is shipping information related to products whose management level is lower than a predetermined level.

[0042] Furthermore, the information providing device 4 includes an information providing device owned by the company. The information providing device 4 includes, for example, a server device owned by the company. The information providing device 4 owned by the company transmits the company's product information to the management device 3. The company's product information includes information regarding the total inventory of products required by the company. The company's product information is information regarding products at all management levels. The information providing device 4 owned by the company transmits the company's product shipment information to the management device 3. The company's product shipment information is information regarding products at all management levels. The company's information providing device 4 owned by the company may be included in the management system 1.

[0043] The warehouse management device 2 manages merchandise in the warehouse WH. The warehouse management device 2 manages shipment of merchandise from the warehouse WH. The warehouse management device 2 ships merchandise from the warehouse WH based on shipment information sent from the management device 3. The warehouse management device 2 is provided, for example, for each warehouse WH.

[0044] refer to Figure 4 The warehouse management device 2 will be described. Figure 4 This is a schematic block diagram illustrating the warehouse management device 2 according to the first embodiment. The warehouse management device 2 includes a communication unit 10 , a storage unit 11 , and a control unit 12 .

[0045] The communication unit 10 is implemented by, for example, a NIC (Network Interface Card). In addition, the communication unit 10 is connected to the network N2 (reference Figure 1 ) is connected. The communication unit 10 is connected to the management device 3 so as to be communicable. In addition, the communication unit 10 is connected to each picking robot 102 in a wireless manner (refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 ).

[0046] The storage unit 11 is implemented by, for example, a semiconductor memory element such as RAM (Random Access Memory) or flash memory, or a storage device such as a hard disk or optical disk, etc. The storage unit 11 stores various programs executed by the control unit 12 .

[0047] The control unit 12 includes an acquisition unit 13, a management unit 14, and an instruction unit 15. The acquisition unit 13, the management unit 14, and the instruction unit 15 are not limited thereto, and may be integrated or divided.

[0048] The acquisition unit 13 acquires product management information and shipping information from the management device 3 via the communication unit 10. Product management information is information about the products stored in the warehouse WH. For example, product management information includes information related to the product and its quantity. Furthermore, product management information for products with management levels "L1" and "L2" below a predetermined level includes information related to the company (customer or own company) that owns (sells) the product.

[0049] Shipping information includes information about the product and its destination (buyer). Shipping information for products with management levels below a predetermined level, "L1" and "L2," includes information about the company that shipped the product (customer or own company). Furthermore, products corresponding to the product management information are brought into warehouse WH for storage.

[0050] The management unit 14 manages the commodities stored in the warehouse WH based on the acquired commodity management information and shipping information. The management unit 14 manages the inventory status of commodities in the warehouse WH and the storage locations of the baskets 101 storing commodities based on the acquired commodity management information and shipping information.

[0051] For products with management levels below a predetermined level, "L1" and "L2," the management unit 14 manages the products separately for each customer and the company itself. For example, even if the same product is owned by different customers, it is stored in separate baskets 101 for each customer. Alternatively, the same product owned by different customers can be stored in a single basket 101, with the number of products owned by each customer managed.

[0052] Based on the obtained shipping information, the instruction unit 15 generates operation information for the picking robot 102 to remove the product from the shelf 100. The generated operation information is sent to the picking robot 102. As a result, the picking robot 102 removes the basket 101 containing the product from the shelf 100 based on the shipping information.

[0053] Next reference Figure 5 The management device 3 will be described. Figure 5This is a schematic block diagram illustrating the management device 3 according to the embodiment. The management device 3 includes a communication unit 20 , a storage unit 21 , and a control unit 22 .

[0054] The communication unit 20 is implemented by, for example, a NIC. In addition, the communication unit 20 communicates with the networks N1 and N2 (see Figure 1 ) is connected. The communication unit 20 and the information providing device 4 are connected so as to be able to communicate. In addition, the communication unit 20 and the warehouse management device 2 are connected so as to be able to communicate.

[0055] The storage unit 21 is implemented by, for example, a semiconductor memory element such as a RAM or a flash memory, or a storage device such as a hard disk or an optical disk. The storage unit 21 stores various programs and the like executed by the control unit 22 .

[0056] The control unit 22 includes an acquisition unit 23, a setting unit 24, and a management unit 25. The acquisition unit 23, the setting unit 24, and the management unit 25 are not limited thereto, and may be integrated or divided.

[0057] The acquisition unit 23 acquires product information from the information providing device 4 via the communication unit 20. The acquisition unit 23 acquires the customer's product information from the customer's information providing device 4. The acquisition unit 23 acquires the company's product information from the company's information providing device 4.

[0058] The acquisition unit 23 acquires the shipping information from the information providing device 4 via the communication unit 20. The acquisition unit 23 acquires the customer's shipping information from the customer's information providing device 4. The acquisition unit 23 acquires the company's shipping information from the company's information providing device 4.

[0059] The setting unit 24 sets product management information. Specifically, the setting unit 24 sets the warehouse WH for storing the products and the managed quantity of the products in the warehouse WH. The setting unit 24 sets the warehouse WH for storing the products based on the demand forecast for the products. The setting unit 24 sets the warehouse WH for storing the products based on the demand forecast for the products in the region.

[0060] Furthermore, the setting unit 24 sets the managed quantity of commodities in the warehouse WH based on the demand forecast of commodities. The setting unit 24 sets the managed quantity of commodities in the warehouse WH based on the demand forecast of commodities in a region.

[0061] Demand forecasts are generated based on, for example, actual product purchase records and purchaser address information. Demand forecasts are obtained, for example, from the company's own information provision device 4. Demand forecasts can also be obtained from a customer's information provision device 4. Demand forecasts can also be generated by the management device 3 based on information obtained from the company's own information provision device 4 and the customer's information provision device 4. Demand forecasts are generated, for example, using a demand forecast model.

[0062] The demand forecast is generated, for example, as a heat map. A heat map is a map where regions are color-coded according to the level of demand. For example, regions with high predicted demand are colored red, while regions with low predicted demand are colored blue.

[0063] For example, when demand for cold-region products is high, the setting unit 24 sets the managed quantity of the products in the warehouse HW located in or near the cold region to be greater than the managed quantity of the products in the warehouse WH located in other regions.

[0064] Thus, for example, most of the products that are purchased in cold regions are shipped from warehouses WH close to the buyers. This shortens the time it takes for the products to reach the buyers. In addition, it reduces the costs for delivering the products, such as transportation fees.

[0065] The setting unit 24 sets the managed quantities of the warehouse WH and the products in the warehouse WH for each customer's products and the company's products. Specifically, the setting unit 24 sets the managed quantities of the warehouse WH and the products in the warehouse WH for each customer's products "L1" and "L2" and for all the company's products.

[0066] The setting unit 24 sets addresses for products. It also sets addresses for products from multiple customers. It also sets addresses for products from its own company. Specifically, it sets addresses for products with a management level below a predetermined level. It also sets addresses for products from customers with the product numbers "L1" and "L2." It also sets addresses for products from its own company with the product numbers "L1" and "L2."

[0067] The address includes information that can be used to identify the warehouse WH storing the product from among multiple warehouses WH. Furthermore, the address includes information that can be used to identify the product within the warehouse WH. The address is set regardless of which warehouse WH the product is stored in. In other words, the address is a unified address across multiple warehouses WH.

[0068] For example, an address such as Figure 6 Settings shown. Figure 6 This figure shows an example of the address set for a product. Figure 6 As an example, the addresses of products stored in warehouses "WH1," "WH2," and "WH3" are shown. Furthermore, warehouses "WH1," "WH2," and "WH3" manage 100 SKUs of products under "L1" and "L2," respectively. Furthermore, the company itself is shown as "Company A," and its customers are shown as "Company B," "Company C," and "Company D."

[0069] In addition, Figure 6In the example, the management numbers (for example, the number of basket 101) in "L1" of warehouse "WH1" are represented as "WH1-L1-1" to "WH1-L1-100." The management numbers (for example, the number of basket 101) in "L2" of warehouse "WH1" are represented as "WH1-L2-1" to "WH1-L2-100." The same applies to warehouses "WH2" and "WH3." The management numbers in warehouses WH are for illustrative purposes only; products do not necessarily need to be managed using management numbers in each warehouse WH.

[0070] The address is uniformly assigned to the management number of each warehouse WH. For example, the address is assigned numerically in increasing order from "0001" to "0002," "0003," and so on. For ease of explanation, the address is represented by numbers, but this is not a limitation. The address may be in characters or a combination of characters and numbers.

[0071] For example, the addresses are set to be unified in order from warehouse "WH1-L1-1". For example, "0001" is set as the address corresponding to warehouse "WH1-L1-1". For example, "0002" is set as the address corresponding to warehouse "WHL1-2".

[0072] Furthermore, "0100" is set as the address corresponding to the warehouse "WH1-L1-100," and "0101" is set as the address corresponding to the warehouse "WH1-L2-1."

[0073] Furthermore, "0200" is set as the address corresponding to the warehouse "WH1-L2-100," and "0201" is set as the address corresponding to the warehouse "WH2-L1-1."

[0074] In this way, the places where the commodities of "L1" and "L2" are stored in each warehouse WH are used as one virtual warehouse.

[0075] The address is set for the customer's products and the company's products according to the warehouse WH where they are stored. In other words, the address is associated with the management number of the warehouse WH where the products are stored and the products.

[0076] For example, in warehouse "WH1," the address "0001" is set for product "aaa" from "Company A" stored as "L1-1." In warehouse "WH1," the address "0002" is set for product "bbb" from "Company A" stored as "L1-2." Furthermore, in warehouse "WH1," the address "0100" is set for product "bbb" from "Company B" stored as "L1-100."

[0077] Furthermore, in the warehouse "WH1", the address "0102" is set for the product "mmm" of "Company B" stored as "L2-2".

[0078] Furthermore, in warehouse "WH2," the address "0201" is set for product "bbb" of "Company A" stored as "L1-1." Even if it is the same product "bbb" of Company A, different addresses are set when it is stored in different warehouses WH.

[0079] The management unit 25 manages the products in the plurality of warehouses WH based on the addresses. For the plurality of warehouses WH, the management unit 25 manages the products of "L1" and "L2" having management levels lower than a predetermined level based on the addresses.

[0080] The management unit 25 specifies the warehouse WH for shipping the product based on the shipping information transmitted from the information provision device 4 , and transmits the shipping information to the warehouse management device 2 of the warehouse WH for shipping the product.

[0081] For example, when shipping information is transmitted from a customer's information provision device 4, the management unit 25 detects the warehouse WH storing the shipped goods based on the address. Next, based on the purchaser's address in the shipping information, the management unit 25 selects a warehouse WH suitable for shipping among the warehouses WH storing the goods. For example, the warehouse WH closest to the purchaser's address is selected as the warehouse WH to ship the goods. The management unit 25 then transmits the product shipping information to the warehouse management device 2 of the selected warehouse WH.

[0082] The management unit 25 transmits the commodity management information set by the setting unit 24 to the warehouse management device 2. The commodity management information is transmitted to each warehouse management device 2, and the commodities are thereby managed in each warehouse WH.

[0083] Next, refer to Figure 7 The address setting process of the first embodiment is described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating the address setting process of the first embodiment.

[0084] The management device 3 sets addresses for products whose management level is lower than a predetermined level (S100). The management device 3 sets addresses for the products of the customer "L1" and "L2". In addition, the management device 3 sets addresses for the products of its own company "L1" and "L2".

[0085] The management device 3 manages merchandise with a management level below a predetermined level based on a set address (S101). The management device 3 manages a warehouse WH storing merchandise with a management level below a predetermined level based on the address. The management device 3 manages merchandise with a management level below a predetermined level separately for multiple customers and for its own products based on a unified address.

[0086] The management device 3 includes a setting unit 24 and a management unit 25. The setting unit 24 sets addresses for products of multiple customers. The management unit 25 manages products in multiple warehouses WH based on the addresses.

[0087] Thus, in the case where the warehouse WH centrally stores the goods of multiple customers, the management device 3 can manage the goods of each customer separately. Therefore, the management system 3 can suppress the occurrence of idle space in the warehouse WH and improve the utilization efficiency of the warehouse WH. In addition, for example, the customer can miniaturize the warehouse WH for storing goods or reduce the number of warehouses WH for storing goods. Therefore, the management device 3 can reduce the management load of goods. In addition, the management device 3 can manage the goods of multiple customers in multiple warehouses WH in a dispersed manner. Therefore, the management device 3 can regard multiple warehouses WH as, for example, a huge warehouse to manage a large number of goods. Therefore, the management device 3 can manage a large number of goods by effectively utilizing existing warehouses WH, for example, instead of rebuilding a huge warehouse.

[0088] The setting unit 24 sets the warehouse WH for storing the commodities and the managed quantity of the commodities in the warehouse WH based on the demand forecast of the commodities.

[0089] Thus, the management device 3 can prevent products that are not suitable for storage from being stored in the warehouse WH. Therefore, the management system 3 can improve the utilization efficiency of the warehouse WH.

[0090] The plurality of warehouses WH are provided in different regions. The setting unit 24 sets the warehouses WH for storing commodities and the managed quantities of commodities in the warehouses based on the demand forecast of commodities in the region.

[0091] Thus, for example, it is easy to send goods from a warehouse WH that is closer to the buyer of the goods. Therefore, the management device 3 can shorten the time it takes for the goods to be delivered to the buyer. In addition, the management device 3 can reduce the cost of delivering goods, such as transportation fees.

[0092] In the warehouse WH, commodities are stored in a plurality of management levels according to the shipping frequency. The setting unit 24 sets addresses for commodities whose shipping frequency is below a predetermined level.

[0093] As a result, for example, a client can handle products with a low shipping frequency without requiring a warehouse WH for storing products with a low shipping frequency.

[0094] Figure 8This diagram schematically illustrates an example of the hardware configuration of a computer 1200 functioning as the management device 3 or the warehouse management device 2. Programs installed on computer 1200 can cause computer 1200 to function as one or more "units" of the apparatus of this embodiment, or can cause computer 1200 to perform operations associated with the apparatus of this embodiment or one or more "units," and / or can cause computer 1200 to execute the processes of this embodiment or stages of such processes. Such programs can be executed by CPU 1212 to cause computer 1200 to perform specific operations associated with some or all of the blocks in the flowcharts and block diagrams described in this specification.

[0095] The computer 1200 of this embodiment includes a CPU 1212, a RAM 1214, and a graphics controller 1216, which are interconnected via a main controller 1210. The computer 1200 also includes a communication interface 1222, a storage device 1224, and input / output units such as a DVD drive and an IC card drive, which are connected to the main controller 1210 via an input / output controller 1220. The DVD drive may be a DVD-ROM drive or a DVD-RAM drive. The storage device 1224 may be a hard disk drive or a solid-state drive. The computer 1200 also includes a ROM 1230 and an input / output unit such as a keyboard, which are connected to the input / output controller 1220 via an input / output chip 1240.

[0096] The CPU 1212 controls each unit by operating according to programs stored in the ROM 1230 and the RAM 1214. The graphics controller 1216 acquires image data generated by the CPU 1212 from a frame buffer provided in the RAM 1214 or from the graphics controller itself, and displays the image data on the display device 1218.

[0097] Communication interface 1222 communicates with other electronic devices via a network. Storage device 1224 stores programs and data used by CPU 1212 within computer 1200. A DVD drive reads programs and data from a DVD-ROM, etc., and provides them to storage device 1224. An IC card drive reads programs and data from an IC card and / or writes programs and data to an IC card.

[0098] The ROM 1230 stores a boot program, etc., which is executed by the computer 1200 upon activation, and / or programs that depend on the hardware of the computer 1200. The input / output chip 1240 can also connect various input / output components to the input / output controller 1220 via a USB port, a parallel port, a serial port, a keyboard port, a mouse port, etc.

[0099] The program is provided on a computer-readable storage medium such as a DVD-ROM or an IC card. The program is read from the computer-readable storage medium or installed in the storage device 1224, RAM 1214, or ROM 1230, also examples of computer-readable storage media, and executed by the CPU 1212. The information processing described in these programs is read by the computer 1200, enabling cooperation between the programs and the various types of hardware resources described above. By implementing information manipulation or processing based on the use of the computer 1200, a device or method can be constructed.

[0100] For example, when communication is performed between the computer 1200 and an external device, the CPU 1212 can execute a communication program loaded in the RAM 1214 and, based on the processing described in the communication program, instruct the communication interface 1222 to perform communication processing. Under the control of the CPU 1212, the communication interface 1222 reads transmission data stored in a transmission buffer provided in the RAM 1214, the storage device 1224, a DVD-ROM, or a recording medium such as an IC card, and transmits the read transmission data to the network, or writes reception data received from the network to a reception buffer provided on the recording medium.

[0101] Furthermore, the CPU 1212 can read all or a required portion of a file or database stored in an external recording medium such as the storage device 1224, a DVD drive (DVD-ROM), or an IC card from the RAM 1214, and perform various types of processing on the data in the RAM 1214. The CPU 1212 can then write the processed data back to the external recording medium.

[0102] Various types of information such as various types of programs, data, tables, and databases are stored in the recording medium and can be processed. CPU1212 can perform various types of processing on the data read from RAM1214 and write the results back to RAM1214. The above-mentioned various types of processing include various types of operations, information processing, conditional judgments, conditional branches, unconditional branches, information retrieval / replacement, etc. specified by the instruction sequence of the program described anywhere in this disclosure. In addition, CPU1212 can retrieve information from files, databases, etc. in the recording medium. For example, in the case where a plurality of entries each having an attribute value of a first attribute associated with an attribute value of a second attribute are stored in the recording medium, CPU1212 can retrieve an entry that is consistent with the condition specifying the attribute value of the first attribute from the plurality of entries, and read the attribute value of the second attribute stored in the entry, thereby obtaining the attribute value of the second attribute associated with the first attribute that meets the pre-set condition.

[0103] The above-mentioned program or software module can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium on or near the computer 1200. In addition, a recording medium such as a hard disk or RAM provided in a server system connected to a dedicated communication network or the Internet can be used as a computer-readable storage medium, thereby providing the program to the computer 1200 via the network.

[0104] The boxes in the flowcharts and block diagrams of this embodiment may represent stages of the process of performing an operation or "parts" of a device having the function of performing an operation. Specific stages and "parts" may be implemented by dedicated circuits, programmable circuits provided together with computer-readable instructions stored on a computer-readable storage medium, and / or processors provided together with computer-readable instructions stored on a computer-readable storage medium. Dedicated circuits may include both digital and / or analog hardware circuits and integrated circuits (ICs) and / or discrete circuits. Programmable circuits may include, for example, field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) and programmable logic arrays (PLAs), such as reconfigurable hardware circuits including logical AND, logical OR, logical XOR, logical NAND, logical NOR, and other logical operations, flip-flops, registers, and storage elements.

[0105] A computer-readable storage medium may include any tangible device capable of storing instructions to be executed by an appropriate device. As a result, a computer-readable storage medium having instructions stored therein will have a product containing instructions that can be executed to create a solution for performing the operations specified in the flowchart or block diagram. Examples of computer-readable storage media include electronic storage media, magnetic storage media, optical storage media, electromagnetic storage media, semiconductor storage media, etc. More specific examples of computer-readable storage media include floppy disks (registered trademark), magnetic disks, hard disks, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), static random access memory (SRAM), compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile disc (DVD), Blu-ray discs (registered trademark), memory sticks, integrated circuit cards, etc.

[0106] The computer-readable instructions may include any of source code or object code described in any combination of one or more programming languages, including assembly instructions, instruction set architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine-dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state-setting data, or object-oriented programming languages ​​such as Smalltalk (registered trademark), JAVA (registered trademark), C++, and existing procedural programming languages ​​such as the "C" programming language or similar programming languages.

[0107] The computer-readable instructions are provided to a processor or programmable circuit of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing device locally or via a wide area network (WAN) such as a local area network (LAN) or the Internet, so that the processor or programmable circuit generates a program for executing the operations specified in the flowchart or block diagram. Examples of the processor include a computer processor, a processing unit, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor, a controller, and a microcontroller.

[0108] (Second embodiment)

[0109] Next, the management system 1 of the second embodiment will be described. The description will focus on the differences from the first embodiment. The description of the same components as the first embodiment will be omitted. The following description will include our own company and other companies as clients.

[0110] If the client is your own company, the client's product information is information related to all products in your company's management levels. If the client is another company, the client's product information is information related to products with a management level below a predetermined level. The predetermined level is a level associated with products with low shipping frequency. For example, products with a predetermined level are products with a management level of "L2" or below.

[0111] If the client is the company, the client's shipping information is shipping information related to products of all management levels of the company. If the client is another company, the client's shipping information is information related to products with a management level below a predetermined level.

[0112] refer to Figure 9 The warehouse management device 2 will be described. Figure 9 This is a schematic block diagram illustrating a warehouse management device 2 according to a second embodiment. The warehouse management device 2 includes a communication unit 10, a storage unit 11, and a control unit 12. The storage unit 11 stores the inventory status of commodities in the warehouse WH.

[0113] The control unit 12 includes an acquisition unit 13 and a management unit 14. The acquisition unit 13 and the management unit 14 are not limited thereto, and may be configured as an integrated unit or as separate units.

[0114] The acquisition unit 13 acquires product management information and shipping information from the management device 3 via the communication unit 10. Product management information is information about the products stored in the warehouse WH. Product management information includes, for example, information about the products and their quantity. Product management information also includes information about the customers who own (sell) the products.

[0115] Shipping information includes information about the product and the shipping destination (buyer). Shipping information includes information about the customer to whom the product is shipped.

[0116] Regarding commodities of "L1" and "L2" whose management levels are lower than a predetermined level, the management unit 14 manages the commodities individually for each customer.

[0117] The management unit 14 manages the inventory quantity of each customer's merchandise. The management unit 14 generates take-out information based on the shipping information. The take-out information is information for the picking robot 102 to take out merchandise from the shelf 100.

[0118] Specifically, the management unit 14 identifies the shipped product and the customer who owns the shipped product based on the shipping information. Hereinafter, the customer who owns the product based on the shipping information is referred to as a "specific customer," and the product owned by the specific customer based on the shipping information is referred to as a "specific product." A specific customer is the company that owns the product purchased by the purchaser, and a specific product is the product purchased by the purchaser.

[0119] The management unit 14 detects the stock quantity of the specific product. The management unit 14 detects the stock quantity of the specific product based on the stock status of the products stored in the warehouse WH of the storage unit 11.

[0120] The management unit 14 determines whether the specific product is in stock. If the specific product is in stock, the management unit 14 generates takeout information for the specific product.

[0121] When a specific product is out of stock, that is, when a specific product owned by a specific customer (first customer) is out of stock, the management unit 14 determines whether the same product as the out-of-stock specific product exists in the inventory of products of another customer (second customer) different from the specific customer.

[0122] Specifically, regarding the same specific product that is out of stock, the management unit 14 detects the inventory quantity of other customers' products based on the inventory status of products stored in the warehouse WH of the storage unit 11. Next, regarding the same specific product that is out of stock, the management unit 14 determines whether the other customers' products are in stock.

[0123] If the same product as the out-of-stock specific product is in stock at another customer, the management unit 14 generates takeout information for using the product owned by the other customer as a substitute product for the specific product.

[0124] The generated take-out information is output to the picking robot 102. Thus, the picking robot 102 takes out the basket 101 storing the products from the shelf 100 based on the take-out information.

[0125] If the specific product is in stock, the management unit 14 ships the specific product. If the specific product is out of stock and the same product as the specific product is in stock as another customer's product, the management unit 14 ships the other customer's product as a replacement product.

[0126] Furthermore, the goods shipped as replacement goods are replenished as goods for other customers. For example, when goods for other customers are shipped as replacement goods, the management unit 14 updates the inventory information for the goods for other customers. Based on the updated inventory information, the management unit 14 performs processing for replenishing the goods for other customers. As a result, the goods for other customers are transported to the warehouse, and the goods for other customers are replenished.

[0127] When other customers have no stock, the management unit 14 manages the out-of-stock specific product as out-of-stock in the warehouse WH. For example, the management unit 14 notifies that the warehouse has no stock of the specific product.

[0128] Next, the management device 3 (reference Figure 5 The acquisition unit 23 acquires product information from the information providing device 4 via the communication unit 20. The acquisition unit 23 acquires product information for each customer from the information providing device 4 of each customer.

[0129] The acquisition unit 23 acquires the shipping information from the information providing device 4 via the communication unit 20. The acquisition unit 23 acquires the shipping information of each customer from the information providing device 4 of each customer.

[0130] The setting unit 24 sets product management information. Specifically, the setting unit 24 sets the warehouse WH for storing the products and the managed quantity of the products in the warehouse WH. The setting unit 24 sets the warehouse WH for storing the products based on the demand forecast for the products. The setting unit 24 sets the warehouse WH for storing the products based on the demand forecast for the products in the region.

[0131] Furthermore, the setting unit 24 sets the managed quantity of commodities in the warehouse WH based on the demand forecast of commodities. The setting unit 24 sets the managed quantity of commodities in the warehouse WH based on the demand forecast of commodities in a region.

[0132] Demand forecasts are generated based on, for example, actual product purchase records and purchaser address information. Demand forecasts are obtained, for example, from the company's own information provision device 4. Demand forecasts can also be obtained from information provision devices 4 of other companies. Demand forecasts can also be generated using management device 3 based on information obtained from the company's own and other companies' information provision devices 4. Demand forecasts are generated, for example, using a demand forecast model.

[0133] Furthermore, the warehouse WH for storing commodities and the managed quantity of commodities in the warehouse WH can be set based on information transmitted from the information providing device 4 of each client.

[0134] The setting unit 24 sets the warehouse WH for storing goods and the managed quantity of goods in the warehouse WH for each customer's goods. For example, the setting unit 24 sets the warehouse WH for storing goods and the managed quantity of goods in the warehouse WH for goods "L1" and "L2" of another company and all goods of the company.

[0135] The setting unit 24 sets addresses for products. The setting unit 24 sets addresses for each customer's products. Specifically, the setting unit 24 sets addresses for products with a management level below a predetermined level. The setting unit 24 sets addresses for each customer's "L1" and "L2" products. The setting unit 24 can also set addresses for the company's own "L3" products.

[0136] Next, refer to Figure 10 The flowchart of the second embodiment will be used to describe the product removal process. Figure 10 This is a flowchart illustrating the product removal process according to the second embodiment.

[0137] The control unit 12 of the warehouse management device 2 acquires the shipping information from the management device 3 (S200). The control unit 12 specifies a specific customer and a specific product based on the shipping information (S201).

[0138] The control unit 12 detects the inventory quantity of a specific product (S202). The control unit 12 reads the inventory status of the products in the warehouse WH stored in the storage unit 11 and detects the inventory quantity of the specific product based on the read inventory status. The control unit 12 determines whether the specific product is in stock (S203). If the specific product is in stock (S203: Yes), the control unit 12 generates takeout information for the specific product (S204).

[0139] If the specific customer's product is out of stock (S203: No), the control unit 12 detects the inventory quantity of other customers' products for the same product (S205). The control unit 12 reads the inventory status of products in the warehouse WH stored in the storage unit 11 and detects the inventory quantity of other customers' products based on the read inventory status for the same product as the specific product. The control unit 12 then determines whether the other customers' products are in stock for the same product as the specific product (S206).

[0140] If the same product as the specific product is in stock from another customer ( S206 : Yes), the control unit 12 generates takeout information for using the other customer's product as a substitute product for the specific product ( S207 ).

[0141] When the control unit 12 generates the take-out information (S204, S207), it outputs the take-out information to the picking robot 102 (S208). As a result, the picking robot 102 takes the basket 101 containing the products from the shelf 100 and ships the specific product or the substitute product.

[0142] If the product of another customer is out of stock for the same product as the specific product (S206: No), the control unit 12 ends this processing. In addition, the control unit 12 notifies the warehouse WH that the specific product is out of stock, for example.

[0143] The warehouse management device 2 includes a management unit 14. The management unit 14 manages the merchandise of multiple customers stored in the warehouse WH on a customer-by-customer basis. If a specific product based on shipping information is out of stock and the same product as the out-of-stock specific product is already stored as a product for another customer, the management unit 14 ships the product of the other customer as a replacement product.

[0144] Thus, even if a specific product is out of stock, the warehouse management device 2 can ship a replacement product that is the same as the specific product. Therefore, the warehouse management device 2 can reduce product shipment delays. In other words, the warehouse management device 2 can deliver the product to the purchaser more quickly.

[0145] When a replacement product is shipped, the same product as the replacement product will be replenished as a product for other customers.

[0146] Thereby, the warehouse management apparatus 2 can suppress the out-of-stock of the merchandise of other customers.

[0147] In the warehouse WH, products are stored in multiple management levels according to shipping frequency. Products from multiple customers stored in the warehouse WH are products with a shipping frequency below a predetermined level. For products with a shipping frequency below a predetermined level, the management unit 14 ships replacement products.

[0148] Thus, each client, such as another company, can handle products with low shipping frequency without requiring a warehouse WH for storing products with low shipping frequency. In addition, the warehouse management device 2 can reduce the storage quantity of products with low shipping frequency and suppress shipment delays of products with low shipping frequency.

[0149] In addition, when a specific product is out of stock in the warehouse WH and the same product as the specific product is in stock for other customers, the warehouse management device 2 will ship the other customer's product as a substitute product. However, if the other customer's product becomes out of stock by shipping the substitute product, the other customer's product may not be shipped.

[0150] While the determination of whether to ship a replacement product has been described as being performed by the warehouse management device 2, the determination may also be performed by the management device 3. The management device 3 manages inventory information in each warehouse WH. The management device 3 can obtain inventory information in each warehouse WH from each warehouse management device 2. The management device 3 sets the warehouse WH for shipping products based on the shipping information transmitted from the information providing device 4. Furthermore, the management device 3 determines whether a specific product for a specific customer is in stock in the warehouse WH for shipping products.

[0151] If the specific product is in stock, the management device 3 generates information for shipping the specific product. If the specific product is out of stock, and the same product as the specific product is in stock for another customer in the warehouse WH from which the product is to be shipped, the management device 3 generates information for shipping the other customer's product as a substitute product. The management device 3 transmits the generated specific product or the generated substitute product information to the warehouse management device 2 in the warehouse WH from which the product is to be shipped. The management device 3 then ships the specific product or the substitute product from the warehouse WH. This processing is performed, for example, by the control unit 22 (management unit 25) of the management device 3.

[0152] Although the present invention has been described above using the embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. It is obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes or improvements can be made to the above embodiments. It is clear from the description of the claims that the addition of such changes or improvements is also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0153] It should be noted that the order in which actions, processes, steps, and stages, etc., are executed in the apparatus, system, program, or method described in the claims, specifications, and drawings may be implemented in any order, unless otherwise expressly stated as "before," "prior to," or the like, and the output of a preceding process is not used for a subsequent process. Even if the process flow in the claims, specifications, or drawings is described using the phrases "first," "next," or the like for convenience, it does not necessarily mean that the process must be executed in that order.

[0154] Description of Reference Numerals

[0155] 1. Management System

[0156] 2. Warehouse management device

[0157] 3. Management device

[0158] 4. Information provision device

[0159] 22. Control Department

[0160] 24. Settings

[0161] 25. Management Department

[0162] WH, warehouse.

Claims

1. A management device, wherein: Equipped with setting department and management department, The setting unit sets addresses for products of multiple customers. The management unit manages the commodities in a plurality of warehouses based on the addresses.

2. The management device according to claim 1, wherein: The setting unit sets a warehouse for storing the product and a managed quantity of the product in the warehouse based on a demand forecast for the product.

3. The management device according to claim 1, wherein: The multiple warehouses are located in different regions. The setting unit sets a warehouse for storing the product and a managed quantity of the product in the warehouse based on a demand forecast for the product in a region.

4. The management device according to claim 1, wherein: In the warehouse, the goods are stored in multiple management levels according to the frequency of shipment. The setting unit sets the address for the product whose shipping frequency is below a predetermined level.

5. A management system, wherein: A warehouse management device is provided that manages shipments from the warehouse and includes the management device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. A management device, wherein: A management unit is provided for managing the commodities of a plurality of customers stored in the warehouse respectively for each of the customers. When a product of a first customer is out of stock based on the shipping information and the same product as the out-of-stock product of the first customer is stored as a product of a second customer different from the first customer, the management unit ships the product of the second customer as a replacement product.

7. The management device according to claim 6, wherein: When the substitute product is shipped, the same product as the substitute product is replenished as the product for the second customer.

8. The management device according to claim 6, wherein: In the warehouse, the goods are stored in multiple management levels according to the frequency of shipment. The commodities of the plurality of customers stored in the warehouse are commodities with a shipping frequency below a predetermined level, The management unit causes the replacement product to be shipped for the product whose shipping frequency is lower than the predetermined level.

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