Order reception and order placement system for management of delivery and installation work

Abstract

To provide a mechanism in a system for supporting order reception and order placement, for placing an order for delivery to the outside of a delivery area via a third-party transport company.SOLUTION: A system includes a server 20 and terminals installed in delivery bases 30 (30a-30c). Each of the terminals is configured to input and display information through an order reception screen and an order placement screen. When order placement information is input in one terminal, the order placement information including information specifying an order-reception base, through a unique owner management screen assigned to each delivery base, the order placement information is recorded on the server, and the server displays a flag indicating that the order placement information has been recorded, on an order reception screen of a terminal installed in the order-reception base. When a process is executed to receive the order placement information on the terminal installed in the order-reception base, the server displays a notification of acceptance of the order placement on the order placement screen of the terminal used for inputting the order placement information including information specifying an order-reception base, through the unique owner management screen.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for supporting logistics operations, and more particularly to an ordering system for managing the delivery and construction of packages that involve assembly and installation work. [Background technology]

[0002] For products such as home appliances and furniture sold at mass retailers, which are not delivered until they are ready to be used at the final installation location, if the distance is short, delivery is requested to a nearby transport company, and the work is completed within a single transport company. A delivery and installation schedule selection device for improving the efficiency of such delivery and installation work is known (Patent Document 1).

[0003] However, for products sold nationwide through media such as television shopping or online shopping, other transport companies may be involved between the shipper and the delivery destination.

[0004] When a transportation company with distribution bases throughout the country acts as the primary transporter, the goods collected from the shipper are gathered at the transportation company's logistics base (primary base), and then transported by large-scale land transport using large trucks, etc. to a logistics base (secondary distribution base) near the delivery destination.

[0005] Unlike systems where delivery is completed by delivery alone, systems that handle packages that require assembly and installation require the "last mile" delivery work from the delivery base to the end customer's home, and installation usually needs to be done by a team of two people, who also need the skills to install on-site. For this reason, delivery work is often outsourced to local transportation companies (delivery businesses that are separate companies).

[0006] The regional transport companies entrusted with delivery work receive the packages at the delivery base (secondary base), deliver them from the delivery base to the delivery destination (secondary transportation), and finally complete the delivery after installation at the delivery destination. In this case, the regional transport companies can share schedule information of the personnel (delivery capacity) that can be assigned using the order-receiving system provided by the major transport companies and receive orders for delivery work. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6214800 [Patent Document 2] Patent Application No. 2010-193972 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-302197 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] However, the order receiving systems provided by transportation companies with distribution bases all over the country are not open to the public, but are designed and operated to improve the efficiency of their own operations. Therefore, the ordering process for the delivery of packages to the transportation companies in each region is only carried out by the major transportation companies that receive orders for delivery from the shippers, that is, only in one direction from the major companies to the delivery companies in each region. In other words, it is a 1:N relationship in the sense that there is one ordering party and many (multiple) receiving parties.

[0009] Due to this background, it is normal for local transport companies (delivery businesses) to carry out delivery work within the delivery area that they can manage themselves, and it has been unrealistic to take on delivery work outside the delivery area by going through a third-party transport company, etc. Note that in logistics systems that do not involve assembly or installation work, various systems for improving operational efficiency are known (Patent Documents 2-3, etc.), but as mentioned above, in the delivery work of packages that involves assembly or installation work, the ordering work itself can be a major issue.

[0010] In this regard, the applicant of the present application had transactions with transportation companies (separate companies) throughout the country by constructing a unique system for placing orders for delivery work received by the applicant to transportation companies throughout the country. However, orders for work were only placed in one direction from the applicant to the multiple transportation companies that were its business partners, and orders for work were not placed or received directly between the respective transportation companies that were its business partners. One of the reasons for this is that small-scale delivery companies in each region, whose delivery areas are only in their neighborhoods, are busy with their daily work and have not had the opportunity to learn about the needs of major customers who deliver to the entire country as their delivery areas. Furthermore, small-scale delivery companies in each region have their own established operations for placing and receiving orders for daily work, and have not had the opportunity to look at other methods of placing and receiving orders. In this regard, the applicant of the present application had the opportunity to learn early about the importance of connecting delivery companies throughout the country through transactions with major customers who wish to deliver nationwide, which led to the idea of ​​the present invention.

[0011] The present invention relates to an ordering system for managing delivery work for cargo that involves assembly and installation work, and its main technical objective is to provide a mechanism for local transportation companies to order delivery work outside their delivery area through a third-party transportation business. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] The present invention is a system for supporting order placement and receipt operations used in a delivery business involving installation work, which is composed of at least one server and terminals installed at each delivery base connected via a network, The terminal includes: Information can be entered and displayed through the order screen and the order screen. When order information including information for identifying the receiving party's base is input through a unique shipper management screen assigned to each of the delivery bases on one terminal, the order information is recorded on the server, Next, the server displays a flag indicating that the order information has been recorded on an order receiving screen of a terminal installed at the order receiving side site, When the process of receiving the order information is performed at a terminal installed at the order receiving side base, the server displays a notification of acceptance of the order on the order screen of the terminal that entered the order information including information identifying the order receiving side base through the unique shipper management screen.

[0013] In the above configuration, when the order information including information for identifying the order-receiving base is updated at the terminal where the order information is input through the unique shipper management screen, the updated information of the order information is recorded on the server, Next, the server may be configured to display a flag indicating that update information for the order information has been recorded on an order receiving screen of a terminal installed at the order receiving side base.

[0014] In the above configuration, when the order information is updated at the terminal installed at the order receiving side base, the updated information of the order information is recorded on the server, Next, the server may be configured to display a flag indicating that update information for the order information has been recorded on the order receiving screen of the terminal that entered the order information including information identifying the order receiving location through the unique shipper management screen. As described above, when the so-called "last mile" delivery work, which goes from the delivery base to the end customer's house, is involved, it is necessary to consider not only the type of goods to be delivered (size, weight, etc.), but also the individual circumstances of each delivery destination (presence or absence of an elevator, individual conditions of the installation location, etc.). For this reason, it is extremely effective to, for example, take a photo of the site and attach it to the customer information in the system, the client sets a fee (budget) for each project, the contractor feeds back a signal to the client that the order has been received and the transaction has been concluded, a payment statement is prepared, and the client feeds back the evaluation after completion for quality control of the service, and it is possible to build a system that can meet such needs. It is considered that these points are unique to the present invention compared to the conventional technology. In particular, according to the present invention, it is expected that transactions between businesses that did not previously have transactions will become more active, so it is considered to be extremely useful to allow the client to present a budget and for the contractor to accept it before the transaction is concluded. Effect of the Invention

[0015] The system of the present invention is intended to be provided to transportation companies nationwide, and provides transportation companies with bases throughout the country with the opportunity to receive orders for delivery work involving assembly and installation work. Furthermore, by using this system, it becomes possible to receive delivery orders to distant locations that were not previously accepted, which has the advantage of revitalizing delivery business operators. According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an open network service that connects "the unspecified number of people" with "the unspecified number of people." [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows an ordering system for a delivery business. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2A shows an example of a prime contractor screen for placing an order, and FIG. 2B shows an example of an order receiving screen in the system of this embodiment. [Diagram 3]FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating the procedure for receiving a delivery request. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating the procedure for placing a delivery request. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 shows a conventional system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] The system of this embodiment will be described below. (Overall system configuration) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the system. This system 10 is a system that supports order placement and receipt operations used in a delivery business that involves installation work, and is composed of at least one server 20 and terminals 30a-30c installed at each of the delivery bases A-C connected via a network. Each of the terminals 30a-30c installed at each base is given a unique shipper management screen for each base, but there may be multiple terminals. A unique identification code that identifies each terminal is assigned to the terminal.

[0018] Each of the terminals 30a-30c can carry out ordering and receiving processes through an ordering screen and an order receiving screen, and various information for ordering and receiving processes can be input and displayed on the terminal. When ordering information including information for identifying the receiving base is input through a unique shipper management screen assigned to each distribution base on any one of the terminals, the ordering information is recorded in the storage device of the server 20. Next, the server 20 displays a flag indicating that the order information has been recorded on the order receiving screen of the terminal installed at the order receiving site. Then, when the terminal installed at the order receiving site performs processing to receive the order information, the server 20 displays an order acceptance notice on the order receiving screen of the terminal that entered the order information including the information identifying the order receiving site through the unique shipper management screen. With this mechanism, bases B and C, which do not have direct transactions with each other, can place and receive orders via server 20.

[0019] <Conventional system> For comparison, a conventional system will be explained using Figure 5. Base A in Figure 5 is an ordering base company (primary base) that orders delivery work, and receives various information about the package and final delivery destination from the shipper. Bases B and C are distribution bases (secondary bases) that are business partners of multiple transport companies, or the company's own transport company office at a different base.

[0020] In the conventional system, only the prime contractor screen for ordering, such as that shown in Figure 2(A), was displayed on the terminal of the ordering base company, base A, and the order receipt screen was not displayed. The terminals of bases B and C, which received the order, displayed only the order receipt base screen, and did not have the function of placing orders with other bases. In this way, the conventional system was a "one-way" system in the sense that orders were unilaterally placed from the ordering base company, base A, to the other bases B and C.

[0021] At base A, information regarding the final delivery destination is received from the shipper along with the cargo, and by entering this information into the prime contractor screen for ordering, an order is placed with a delivery base (secondary base, for example base B 130b in Figure 5) that can receive the cargo by the delivery company at the final delivery destination. The base order screen for receiving orders (for example base B) on the terminal of the base that received the order displays the details of the order entered into the prime contractor screen via server 120.

[0022] 2B shows an example of an order screen in the system of this embodiment. The order screen shows the number of received orders along with the indications "primary invoice" and "corrected invoice".

[0023] (Distribution Center Screen) Figure 3 is a flow diagram explaining the procedure for receiving a delivery request. Since various configurations are possible for the user interface for generating, searching, and displaying order slips and for order processing operations, only the basic order processing procedure will be explained.

[0024] Login is completed by authenticating the user ID and password assigned to each transport company (user) in advance (Sa1). If login is successful, the menu screen will be displayed. From the menu screen, select the base switching screen. On the base switching screen, if the transport company has multiple delivery bases (secondary bases) that can accept orders, select and register one of the bases displayed in the list (Sa2). After setting the base, the next step is to set the capacity (Sa3). Specifically, the date and time (delivery time slot), the number of items that can be delivered, the delivery category (delivery, installation, other), etc. are selected. Delivery in the delivery category refers to electrical appliances such as refrigerators and washing machines, which do not require or are easy to install. Installation in the delivery category refers to air conditioner installation, etc. From the second time onwards, you may devise a way to input data, such as copying the previous or first input data. Capacity settings may be set by editing the list screen of the number of deliverable items per day, or by copying the master data (initial value) set for each time period.

[0025] When a new order is received, the main order slip is displayed on the menu screen. When the main order slip is selected, a list of transition status confirmation screens is displayed for each order. Select an order that is not yet completed, check the slip contents, and import the slip to complete the order (Sa4). Needless to say, the items and order of items written on the order slip can be changed as appropriate.

[0026] Once the order processing is complete, an order slip is generated, and you can check the slip (Sa5) or check for any changes to the request details (Sa6).

[0027] (Shipping request screen) Figure 4 is a flow diagram explaining the procedure for placing a delivery request. Since various configurations are possible for the user interface related to the generation, search, and display of request slips and the request processing operation, only the basic procedure for receiving an order will be explained.

[0028] The user is authenticated by entering the user ID and password that have been assigned to each transport company (user) in advance, and login is completed (Sb1). If login is successful, the menu screen is displayed. From the menu screen, the user selects the screen for creating a new request slip (Sb2).

[0029] Next, enter the order information (Sb3). On the screen for creating a new request slip, enter the order number of the receiving transport company in the original slip number field and select the delivery category (delivery, construction, other). Next, enter customer information (delivery recipient's name, delivery recipient's phone number, delivery recipient's postal code, and delivery recipient's address). Next, confirm which days of the week delivery is available and whether or not there is a long-distance charge. Select or enter the information required for the request slip, such as the shipper, delivery base, delivery base's postal code, person in charge (delivery, construction, other person), and notes on the responsible base.

[0030] Next, the user returns to the menu screen and checks the capacity (Sb4). The system may be configured so that the base, delivery type, time period, and quantity are displayed in a matrix format along with the date, and the capacity (the number of packages that can be accepted) for the desired delivery date is displayed.

[0031] Next, detailed delivery information is entered (Sb5). Here, the request date is selected, the amount of cash on delivery is entered, and the product and work details are entered. The product is identified by the product name and model number, etc. If a preliminary inspection is to be performed, "preliminary inspection" is added. The volume (350L refrigerator, 42-inch TV, 4.4kW air conditioner, etc.), detailed product and work information, and other information (for example, recycling ticket number, collection and transportation, interior cosmetic cover, exterior staircase, etc.) may also be entered. If there are any matters to be communicated, such as the details of the work or the number of parts, these may be entered in the remarks column of the order slip. Company notes (address to bill for additional fees, address to bill for expenses, etc.) are entered and registered (Sb6). When registration is complete, the input information is recorded in the database of server 20, etc. Needless to say, the items and order of items written on the purchase order slip can be changed as appropriate.

[0032] Once the order processing is complete, an order slip (request slip) is generated, and by checking the slip (Sb5) or checking the slip import (receipt), it is possible to confirm that the delivery base has received the request (Sb6). [Explanation of symbols]

[0033] 10. Delivery business order system 30(30a~30c) Ordering base

Claims

1. A system for supporting order placement and receipt operations used in a delivery business involving installation work, which is composed of at least one server and terminals installed at each delivery base connected via a network, The terminal includes: Information can be entered and displayed through the order screen and the order screen. When order information including information for identifying the receiving party's base is input through a unique shipper management screen assigned to each of the delivery bases on one terminal, the order information is recorded on the server, Next, the server displays a flag indicating that the order information has been recorded on an order receiving screen of a terminal installed at the order receiving side site, An order-taking and placing system for a distribution business, characterized in that when the process of receiving the order information is performed at a terminal installed at the order-receiving base, the server displays a notification of acceptance of the order on the order screen of the terminal that entered the order information including information identifying the order-receiving base through the unique shipper management screen.

2. When the order information including information for identifying the order-receiving base is updated at the terminal where the order information is input through the unique shipper management screen, the updated information of the order information is recorded on the server, The order-taking and placing system for a delivery business as described in claim 1, wherein the server is configured to then display a flag indicating that update information for the order information has been recorded on an order-taking screen of a terminal installed at the order-taking side base.

3. When the order information is updated in the terminal installed at the order receiving side base, the updated information of the order information is recorded on the server, The order-taking and placing system for a distribution business as described in claim 1 is configured so that the server then displays a flag indicating that update information for the order information has been recorded on the order-taking screen of the terminal on which the order information including information identifying the order-taking party's base was entered through the unique shipper management screen.

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