Inventory management business assistance device, inventory management business assistance method, and inventory management business assistance program

Abstract

To provide an inventory management business assistance device, an inventory management business assistance method, and an inventory management business assistance program which can assist inventory management business by automatically generating movement instruction data regarding a movement instruction between warehouses.SOLUTION: This inventory management business assistance device performs the following process including;: (1) comparing records in which a commodity CD and a warehouse CD are similar between a work table and an each center ordering condition master, and extracting a work record having a shippable number smaller than the number of ordering points in the master record; (2) comparing records in which a commodity CD and a warehouse CD are similar between the work table and the center ordering condition master, and extracting a work record having a shippable number equal to or larger than an appropriate stock number in the master record; and (3) generating movement instruction data regarding a movement instruction from a warehouse identified by the warehouse CD included in the work record extracted in (2) to a warehouse identified by the warehouse CD included in the work record extracted in (1).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 13

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an inventory management support device, an inventory management support method, and an inventory management support program. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses that "Generally, if parts that arrive at a factory and are stored are not used before their expiration date, they are discarded. Furthermore, even for common parts that can be reused in multiple factories, there has been no effective system for sharing the parts" (see paragraph 0006 of Patent document 1), and further discloses that "Therefore, one aspect of the disclosed form is to provide a method for enabling parts with an expiration date to be used up before their expiration date" (see paragraph 0013 of Patent document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-207053 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the field of inventory management as described in Patent Document 1, in order to optimize inventory at each base, it is necessary to generate transfer instruction data regarding transfer instructions between warehouses. However, in the past, the transfer instruction data was generated manually by a person in charge, which led to mistakes such as missing transfers and excessive transfer instructions, and also caused problems such as a large workload.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and aims to provide an inventory management work support device, an inventory management work support method, and an inventory management work support program that can support inventory management work by automatically generating transfer instruction data regarding transfer instructions between warehouses. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, an inventory management support device according to the present invention is an inventory management support device comprising a control unit and a storage unit, wherein the storage unit stores a work table including a work record having product identification data, warehouse identification data, and a shippable quantity, and an order condition master including a master record having the product identification data, the warehouse identification data, an appropriate stock quantity, and an order point, and the control unit compares the records between the work table and the order condition master, in which the product identification data and the warehouse identification data are the same, and detects the work record having the shippable quantity that is less than the order point in the master record. the inventory shortage record extraction means extracting a record code; a surplus inventory record extraction means comparing the records having the same product identification data and warehouse identification data between the work table and the order condition master to extract the work records having the shippable quantity equal to or greater than the appropriate inventory quantity in the master record; and an inter-warehouse transfer instruction generation means generating transfer instruction data relating to a transfer instruction from a warehouse identified by the warehouse identification data contained in the work record extracted by the surplus inventory record extraction means to a warehouse identified by the warehouse identification data contained in the work record extracted by the inventory shortage record extraction means.

[0007] In addition, in the inventory management business support device of the present invention, the memory unit further stores a lead time master including lead times between warehouses, and the inter-warehouse transfer instruction generation means refers to the lead time master and preferentially generates the transfer instruction data regarding transfer instructions between the warehouses which will result in a shorter lead time.

[0008] In addition, in the inventory management business support device of the present invention, the control unit is further characterized by having an order schedule generating means for generating order schedule data for placing an order with a supplier, following processing by the inter-warehouse transfer instruction generating means.

[0009] In addition, in the inventory management business support device of the present invention, the order condition master further includes supplier identification data and a lead time between the supplier and the warehouse, and the order schedule generation means generates the order schedule data including a scheduled order date, the warehouse identification data held by the work record extracted by the inventory shortage record extraction means, the supplier identification data in the order condition master, and a scheduled arrival date calculated by adding the lead time in the order condition master to the scheduled order date.

[0010] In the inventory management support device according to the present invention, the merchandise is a purchased item purchased from a supplier.

[0011] In addition, in the inventory management business support device of the present invention, the control unit is further characterized by comprising: a logistics management section-issued transfer instruction data generating means for generating, following processing by the inter-warehouse transfer instruction generating means, transfer instruction data relating to a transfer instruction to a warehouse identified by the warehouse identification data contained in the work record extracted by the inventory shortage record extraction means from the logistics management section; and a production request generating means for generating, following processing by the logistics management section-issued transfer instruction data generating means, production request data for making a production request to the company's own factory.

[0012] In addition, in the inventory management business support device of the present invention, the lead time master further includes a lead time from the logistics management section to the warehouse, and the logistics management section-issued transfer instruction data generation means refers to the lead time master and preferentially generates the transfer instruction data regarding a transfer instruction from the logistics management section to the warehouse which will shorten the lead time.

[0013] In addition, the inventory management support device according to the present invention is characterized in that the products are manufactured in the company's own factory.

[0014] In addition, in the inventory management business support device of the present invention, the memory unit further stores sales plan data including a sales plan record having product identification data, warehouse identification data, and a planned sales quantity, and the master record in the order condition master further has an order point mark rate, and the control unit further comprises an order condition master generation means for identifying records between the sales plan data and the order condition master where the product identification data and the warehouse identification data are the same, setting the planned sales quantity in the identified sales plan record as the appropriate inventory quantity in the identified master record, and calculating the order point by multiplying the set appropriate inventory quantity by the order point mark rate.

[0015] In addition, in an inventory management support method according to the present invention, there is provided an inventory management support method executed by an information processing device having a control unit and a storage unit, the storage unit stores a work table including a work record having product identification data, warehouse identification data, and a shippable quantity, and an order condition master including a master record having the product identification data, the warehouse identification data, an appropriate stock quantity, and an order point, and the control unit executes a process of comparing the records between the work table and the order condition master, in which the product identification data and the warehouse identification data are the same, to select the work record having the shippable quantity that is less than the order point in the master record. a surplus inventory record extraction step of comparing the records having the same product identification data and warehouse identification data between the work table and the order condition master to extract the work record having the shippable quantity that is equal to or greater than the appropriate inventory quantity in the master record; and an inter-warehouse transfer instruction generation step of generating transfer instruction data regarding a transfer instruction from a warehouse identified by the warehouse identification data contained in the work record extracted in the surplus inventory record extraction step to a warehouse identified by the warehouse identification data contained in the work record extracted in the shortage inventory record extraction step.

[0016] In addition, in an inventory management support program according to the present invention, there is provided an inventory management support program for causing an information processing device having a control unit and a storage unit to execute the program, the storage unit stores a work table including a work record having product identification data, warehouse identification data, and a shippable quantity, and an order condition master including a master record having the product identification data, the warehouse identification data, an appropriate stock quantity, and an order point, and the control unit executes the program by comparing the records between the work table and the order condition master, in which the product identification data and the warehouse identification data are the same, and determining whether the shippable quantity is less than the order point in the master record. a surplus inventory record extraction step of comparing the records having the same product identification data and warehouse identification data between the work table and the order condition master to extract the work records having the shippable quantity equal to or greater than the appropriate inventory quantity in the master record; and an inter-warehouse transfer instruction generation step of generating transfer instruction data relating to a transfer instruction from a warehouse identified by the warehouse identification data contained in the work record extracted in the surplus inventory record extraction step to a warehouse identified by the warehouse identification data contained in the work record extracted in the shortage inventory record extraction step. Effect of the Invention

[0017] According to the present invention, it is possible to automatically generate transfer instruction data relating to transfer instructions between warehouses, thereby making it possible to support inventory management operations. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of an inventory management operation support device. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an image diagram showing an example of logistics (movement of goods) for purchased goods. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an image diagram showing an example of logistics (movement of goods) for manufactured products. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the center-specific ordering condition master. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the center-specific lead time master. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the product master. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the demand forecast data and the center-specific order condition master. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of generating a work table. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the generation of a shipping available table in the logistics management section. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of tables and masters required for processing purchased items. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of order schedule data generated for purchased items. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of tables and masters required for processing manufactured products. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of transfer instruction data regarding a transfer instruction between warehouses, which is generated for a manufactured product. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of transfer instruction data regarding a transfer instruction from the logistics management section, which is generated for a manufactured product. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of manufacturing request data generated for a manufactured product. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] Hereinafter, an embodiment of an inventory management support device, an inventory management support method, and an inventory management support program according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment.

[0020] [1. Overview] In industries that require inventory management, manual ordering and manufacturing requests can lead to oversights or excessive instructions, which can result in lost opportunities and excess inventory. In addition, having a large number of warehouse locations and items can be a labor-intensive and inefficient process.

[0021] Therefore, in this embodiment, for example, based on the demand forecast (optimum stock quantity) and the order point, the movement instruction data, order schedule data, and manufacturing request data can be automatically generated. More specifically, in this embodiment, the planned stock quantity of products at each base is calculated according to the demand forecast for each logistics base, the calculated planned stock quantity is compared with the safety stock quantity at the base, and in the case of safety stock allocation, movement instructions are issued in the order of other bases and the logistics management department until the safety stock quantity is met, and if the safety stock quantity cannot be met, a manufacturing instruction is issued for manufactured products and an order is placed for purchased products.

[0022] This makes it possible, for example, to control appropriate inventory levels, streamline transfer instruction operations, and reduce ordering and manufacturing requests and ordering costs at appropriate values. The specific configuration and operation are described below.

[0023] [2. Configuration] An example of the configuration of an inventory management operation support device 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the inventory management operation support device 100.

[0024] The inventory management support device 100 is a commercially available desktop personal computer. The inventory management support device 100 is not limited to a stationary information processing device such as a desktop personal computer, but may be a portable information processing device such as a commercially available notebook personal computer, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a smartphone, or a tablet personal computer.

[0025] The inventory management operation support device 100 includes a control unit 102, a communication interface unit 104, a storage unit 106, and an input / output interface unit 108. Each unit included in the attachment input operation support device 100 is connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via an arbitrary communication path.

[0026] The communication interface unit 104 communicatively connects the inventory management support device 100 to the network 300 via a communication device such as a router and a wired or wireless communication line such as a dedicated line. The communication interface unit 104 has a function of communicating data with other devices via the communication line. Here, the network 300 has a function of connecting the inventory management support device 100 and the server 200 so that they can communicate with each other, and is, for example, the Internet or a LAN (Local Area Network). Note that data such as various masters described later may be stored in the server 200, for example.

[0027] An input device 112 and an output device 114 are connected to the input / output interface unit 108. The output device 114 may be a monitor (including a home television), a speaker, or a printer. The input device 112 may be a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, or a monitor that cooperates with a mouse to realize a pointing device function. In the following, the output device 114 may be referred to as the monitor 114, and the input device 112 may be referred to as the keyboard 112 or the mouse 112.

[0028] Various databases, tables, files, etc. are stored in the storage unit 106. Computer programs for cooperating with an OS (Operating System) to give instructions to a CPU (Central Processing Unit) to perform various processes are recorded in the storage unit 106. For example, memory devices such as RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read Only Memory), fixed disk devices such as hard disks, flexible disks, and optical disks can be used as the storage unit 106.

[0029] The memory unit 106 includes, for example, a work table 106a, demand forecast data 106b as sales plan data, center-specific ordering condition master 106c as ordering condition master, center-specific lead time master 106d as lead time master, movement instruction data 106e, ordering plan data 106f, manufacturing request data 106g, and product master 106h.

[0030] Here, in this embodiment, the product may be either a purchased product or a manufactured product. A purchased product refers to a product purchased from a supplier, and a manufactured product refers to a product manufactured in a company's own factory. The logistics (movement of goods) for purchased products is shown in FIG. 2, and the logistics (movement of goods) for manufactured products is shown in FIG. 3. When the product is a purchased product, there are two ways to move the inventory: moving the product from another warehouse (logistics center) as shown by the arrow (1) in FIG. 2, and purchasing the product from a supplier as shown by the arrow (2) in FIG. 2. When the product is a manufactured product, there are three ways to move the inventory: moving the product from another warehouse (logistics center) as shown by the arrow (1) in FIG. 3, moving the product from the logistics management department as shown by the arrow (3) in FIG. 3, and manufacturing the product in a company's own factory as shown by the arrow (4) in FIG. 3. The logistics management department is a warehouse that supplements manufactured products. In addition, the company does not store finished products in its own factories; finished products are transferred to the logistics management department.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 12, the work table 106a includes, for example, a work record having product identification data (product CD), warehouse identification data (warehouse CD), current inventory, order quantity, planned inventory, planned inventory, planned arrival quantity, quantity available for shipment, and required quantity.

[0032] The demand forecast data 106b is data for managing the demand forecast of a product as a planned sales quantity, and is also data that serves as a basis for generating the center-specific ordering condition master 106c described later. As shown in Fig. 7, the demand forecast data 106b includes a sales schedule record having, for example, the target year and month, the warehouse identification data (warehouse CD), the product identification data (product CD), the planned sales quantity, and the like.

[0033] 4 and the like, the center-specific ordering condition master 106c includes a master record having, for example, the application date, the warehouse identification data (warehouse CD), the product identification data (product CD), the safety stock quantity which is the lower limit for which there is no shortage of stock if there is this number of products, the optimum stock quantity, the order point which is the lower limit for which an order must be placed if the quantity falls below this number, the safety stock credit rate which is the credit rate used to calculate the safety stock quantity, the order point credit rate which is the credit rate used to calculate the order point, the supplier identification data (supplier CD), the lead time required for moving from the supplier to the warehouse, and the like. Note that the safety stock quantity, the optimum stock quantity, and the order point are set to "0" as initial values ​​at the start of processing as shown in FIG. 4.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 5, the center-specific lead time master 106d includes, for example, the warehouse identification data (warehouse CD) for the destination warehouse, the warehouse identification data for the source warehouse (source warehouse CD), and the lead time required for movement between warehouses.

[0035] The transfer instruction data 106e is data for instructing transfer between warehouses or transfer from the logistics management department to a warehouse, and is data for instructing the flow of logistics indicated by the arrows (1) and (3) in Figures 2 and 3. As shown in Figure 13 etc., the transfer instruction data 106e includes, for example, the transfer instruction date, the warehouse identification data for the output warehouse (output warehouse CD), the warehouse identification data for the input warehouse (input warehouse CD), the product identification data (product CD), the transfer instruction number, the planned input date, etc.

[0036] The order schedule data 106f is data for placing an order with a supplier (a supplier), and is data for instructing the flow of physical distribution indicated by the arrow (2) in Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 11 etc., the order schedule data 106f includes, for example, the order schedule date, the warehouse identification data (warehouse CD), the supplier identification data (supplier CD), the product identification data (product CD), the order schedule quantity, the expected arrival date, and the like.

[0037] The production request data 106g is data for requesting production to the company's own factory, and is data for instructing the flow of logistics indicated by the arrow (4) in Fig. 3. As shown in Fig. 15, the production request data 106g includes, for example, a production instruction date, business establishment identification data (business establishment CD), production warehouse identification data (product warehouse), the product identification data (product CD), the number of production requests, and the like.

[0038] The product master 106h is data for managing whether a product is a purchased product or a manufactured product. As shown in Fig. 6, the product master 106h includes, for example, the product identification data (product CD), an asset classification, and manufacturing department identification data for identifying a manufacturing department. The asset classification is a category indicating that the product is a purchased product ("product" in Fig. 6) or a category indicating that the product is a manufactured product ("product" in Fig. 6).

[0039] In addition to these tables, data and masters, the memory unit 106 may also include, for example, current inventory data (see Figures 8 and 9), order data (see Figures 8), scheduled outbound data (see Figures 8 and 9), scheduled arrival data (see Figures 8), scheduled incoming data (see Figures 8 and 9), available outbound data table (see Figure 9), and business establishment master (see Figure 15).

[0040] The control unit 102 is a CPU or the like that performs overall control of the inventory management operation support device 100. The control unit 102 has an internal memory for storing control programs such as an OS, programs that define various processing procedures, required data, and the like, and executes various information processing based on these stored programs.

[0041] The control unit 102 has, in terms of functional concept, for example, (1) an order condition master generating unit 102a as order condition master generating means for identifying the records in which the product identification data and the warehouse identification data are the same between the sales plan data and the order condition master, setting the planned sales quantity in the identified sales plan record as the appropriate stock quantity in the identified master record, and calculating the order point by multiplying the set appropriate stock quantity by the order point marking rate; (2) an inventory shortage record extracting unit 102b as inventory shortage record extracting means for comparing the records in which the product identification data and the warehouse identification data are the same between the work table and the order condition master, and extracting the work record having the shippable quantity that is less than the order point in the master record; (3) a required quantity calculating unit 102c; and (4) an inventory surplus record extracting unit for comparing the records in which the product identification data and the warehouse identification data are the same between the work table and the order condition master, and extracting the work record having the shippable quantity that is equal to or greater than the appropriate stock quantity in the master record. (5) an inter-warehouse transfer instruction generating unit 102e as an inter-warehouse transfer instruction generating means that generates transfer instruction data regarding a transfer instruction from a warehouse specified by the warehouse identification data contained in the work record extracted by the inventory shortage record extracting means to a warehouse specified by the warehouse identification data contained in the work record extracted by the inventory shortage record extracting means; and (6) an order schedule generating unit 102f as an order schedule generating means that generates order schedule data for placing an order with a supplier following the processing by the inter-warehouse transfer instruction generating means. (7) a logistics management section-issued transfer instruction data generating unit 102g serving as a logistics management section-issued transfer instruction data generating means for generating transfer instruction data regarding a transfer instruction to a warehouse identified by the warehouse identification data contained in the work record extracted by the inventory shortage record extraction means from the logistics management section following processing by the inter-warehouse transfer instruction data generating means; and (8) a production request generating unit 102h serving as a production request generating means for generating production request data to be used to request production from the company's own factory following processing by the logistics management section-issued transfer instruction data generating means.

[0042] The order condition master generation unit 102a identifies the records between the demand forecast data 106b and the center-specific order condition master 106c in which the product identification data and the warehouse identification data are the same, sets the planned sales quantity in the identified sales plan record as the appropriate inventory quantity in the identified master record, and calculates the order point by multiplying the set appropriate inventory quantity by the order point multiplication rate.

[0043] The inventory shortage record extraction unit 102b compares records in the work table 106a and the center-specific ordering condition master 106c that have the same product identification data and warehouse identification data, and extracts the work records that have a shippable quantity that is less than the order point in the master record.

[0044] The required quantity calculation unit 102c calculates a required quantity that is a quantity required to recover to the safety stock quantity.

[0045] The surplus inventory record extraction unit 102d compares records in the work table 106a and the center-specific ordering condition master 106c that have the same product identification data and warehouse identification data, and extracts the work records that have a shippable quantity that is equal to or greater than the optimum inventory quantity in the master record.

[0046] The inter-warehouse transfer instruction generation unit 102e generates transfer instruction data 106e regarding a transfer instruction from a warehouse identified by the warehouse identification data contained in the work record extracted by the inventory surplus record extraction unit 102d to a warehouse identified by the warehouse identification data contained in the work record extracted by the inventory shortage record extraction unit 102b.

[0047] The inter-warehouse transfer instruction generating unit 102e may generate the transfer instruction data 106e only for combinations of the work records having the same product identification data among the combinations of the work records extracted by the inventory surplus record extracting unit 102d and the inventory shortage record extracting unit 102b. In other words, simply put, the inter-warehouse transfer instruction generating unit 102e may generate the transfer instruction data 106e only when the product is common between the source warehouse (inventory surplus warehouse) and the destination warehouse (inventory shortage warehouse).

[0048] The order schedule generating unit 102f generates order schedule data 106f following the processing in the inter-warehouse transfer instruction generating unit 102e.

[0049] Following the processing by the inter-warehouse transfer instruction generation unit 102e, the logistics management section-issued transfer instruction data generation unit 102g generates transfer instruction data 106e relating to a transfer instruction to a warehouse identified by the warehouse identification data contained in the work record extracted from the logistics management section by the inventory shortage record extraction unit 102b.

[0050] The manufacturing request generating unit 102h generates manufacturing request data 106g following the processing in the logistics management section transfer instruction data generating unit 102g.

[0051] [3. Processing Overview] In this section, an overview of the processing according to this embodiment will be explained separately for purchased goods and manufactured goods.

[0052] [3-1. In the case of purchased goods] In the case of purchased goods, the following steps (1) to (4) are executed.

[0053] (1) The number of purchased items that can be shipped at each logistics center is calculated. (2) Based on the center-specific ordering condition master 106c, the necessary quantity up to the safety stock quantity is calculated only for items below the ordering point. (3) In accordance with the priority order (lead time), transfer instruction data 106e is generated from other bases that have a shippable quantity equal to or greater than the appropriate stock quantity. (4) When there is no shippable stock at each base, order schedule data 106f to the supplier is generated for each base.

[0054] [3-2. Manufactured Products] In the case of manufactured goods, the following steps (1) to (5) are executed. Note that the premise of this section is that the manufacturing warehouse does not hold inventory, the logistics management department holds inventory of manufactured goods, and the logistics management department does not ship the goods to customers.

[0055] (1) The number of manufactured products that can be shipped at each logistics center is calculated. (2) Based on the center-specific ordering condition master 106c, the necessary quantity up to the safety stock quantity is calculated only for items below the ordering point. (3) In accordance with the priority order (lead time), transfer instruction data 106e is generated from other bases that have a shippable quantity equal to or greater than the appropriate stock quantity. (4) If there is no shippable inventory at each location, movement instruction data 106e is generated from the logistics management department. (5) If the logistics management department does not have any stock available for shipment, production request data 106g is generated for the manufacturing department.

[0056] [4. Specific examples of processing] In this section, a specific example of the process according to this embodiment is described. In this section, [4-1] explains the generation of the center-specific order condition master 106c, and [4-2] explains the generation of the work table 106a, etc. [4-1] and [4-2] are, so to speak, preparatory steps required for inventory optimization. Then, [4-3] explains the inventory optimization process for purchased items, and [4-4] explains the inventory optimization process for manufactured items.

[0057] [4-1. Creating order condition master by center] In this section, the generation of the center-specific ordering condition master 106c will be explained mainly with reference to Fig. 7. First, the demand forecast data 106b shown in Fig. 7, which holds the target year and month, warehouse (center), and planned sales quantity for each product (item), is imported from a demand forecasting system or the like. As explained in [2. Configuration], in the center-specific ordering condition master 106c, the optimal stock quantity, order point, and safety stock quantity are set to "0" as the initial value as shown in Fig. 4.

[0058] The order condition master generation unit 102a generates the center-specific order condition master 106c by calculating and storing predetermined values ​​for the optimum inventory quantity, order point, and safety inventory quantity in the center-specific order condition master 106c in the state shown in Figure 4 based on the demand forecast data 106b shown in Figure 7, as follows.

[0059] As shown in Fig. 7, the order condition master generating unit 102a identifies records having the same product CD and warehouse CD between the demand forecast data 106b and the center-specific order condition master 106c, and sets the planned sales quantity in the identified record in the demand forecast data 106b as the appropriate stock quantity in the identified record in the center-specific order condition master 106c. Specifically, the order condition master generating unit 102a sets 100, 150, 250, 300, 350, and 400 as the appropriate stock quantities, in order from top to bottom, as shown in the column of the appropriate stock quantity in the center-specific order condition master 106c in Fig. 7.

[0060] Next, the ordering condition master generating unit 102a calculates the ordering point by multiplying the set optimum inventory quantity by the ordering point mark rate in the center-specific ordering condition master 106c, and calculates the safety stock quantity by multiplying the set optimum inventory quantity by the safety stock mark rate in the center-specific ordering condition master 106c. Specifically, the ordering condition master generating unit 102a calculates and sets, from top to bottom, 70, 120, 175, 240, 280, and 280 as the ordering points, and calculates and sets, from top to bottom, 120, 225, 325, 480, 525, and 520 as the safety stock quantities, as shown in the order point column of the center-specific ordering condition master 106c in Figure 7.

[0061] FIG. 7 shows the center-specific ordering condition master 106c thus completed with the appropriate stock quantity, order point, and safety stock quantity having predetermined values ​​stored therein.

[0062] [4-2. Creating work tables, etc.] In this section, the generation of the work table 106a and the available stock table will be described with reference to Fig. 8 and Fig. 9. The generation can be automatically executed overnight by batch processing, and in this example, it is executed at 1:00 AM on 3 / 3 / 2021. In addition, it is calculated based on the available stock information as of the previous day.

[0063] (1) Creating a work table The generation of the work table 106a will be described with reference to Fig. 8. As shown in Fig. 8, the work table 106a is generated by using the product CD and warehouse CD as keys to obtain necessary numerical values ​​from the current inventory data, the order data, the outgoing inventory schedule data, the incoming inventory schedule data, and the incoming inventory schedule data, and calculating the number of items that can be shipped and the number of items required.

[0064] Specifically, the number of items that can be shipped in the work table 106a can be calculated by the formula "current inventory in the current inventory data-order quantity in the order data-scheduled outgoing quantity in the outgoing schedule data+scheduled arrival quantity in the arrival schedule data+scheduled arrival quantity in the arrival schedule data." For example, the number of items that can be shipped for the record in the first row (product CD: manufactured product A, warehouse CD: West) in the work table 106a in Fig. 8 can be calculated as 50 by the formula "current inventory 100-order quantity 40-scheduled outgoing quantity 10+scheduled arrival quantity 0+scheduled arrival quantity 0."

[0065] Furthermore, the required quantity in the work table 106a can be calculated by the formula "safety stock quantity in the center-specific ordering condition master 106c-calculated shippable quantity." For example, the required quantity for the record in the first row of the work table 106a in Fig. 8 (product CD: manufactured product A, warehouse CD: West) can be calculated as 70 by the formula "safety stock quantity 120 in the center-specific ordering condition master 106c-calculated shippable quantity 50." However, if the calculated shippable quantity is not below the order point in the center-specific ordering condition master 106c, it is not included in the calculation of the required quantity, and the required quantity will be 0.

[0066] The work table 106a thus generated is shown in FIG.

[0067] (2) Creating a table of available stock The generation of the available output table will be described with reference to Fig. 9. As shown in Fig. 9, the available output table is generated by using the product CD and warehouse CD as keys to obtain necessary values ​​from the current inventory data, outgoing schedule data, and incoming schedule data, and calculating the available output quantity.

[0068] Specifically, the number of available items to be shipped in the available items to be shipped table in Figure 8 can be calculated as 80 using the formula "current number of items in stock in the current stock data (100) - number of items scheduled to be shipped in the scheduled outgoing data (100) + number of items scheduled to be received in the scheduled incoming data (80)."

[0069] The output possible table thus generated is shown in FIG.

[0070] Through the processing up to this point, the center-specific ordering condition master 106c, the work table 106a, and the shipping available table have been generated as the master and tables required for the inventory optimization processing, so the inventory optimization processing for purchased goods and manufactured goods is then executed.

[0071] [4-3. Optimization of inventory for purchased items] In this section, the inventory optimization process for purchased goods will be explained with reference mainly to Figures 10 and 11. When a product is a purchased item, the process is executed in the order of priority: shipment from each base, ordering.

[0072] The data and the like that are the premise of the inventory optimization process in this item are as described in this paragraph. The center-specific ordering condition master 106c is assumed to be a part of the center-specific ordering condition master 106c in FIG. 7 that was generated in [4-1] (see FIG. 10). The work table 106a is assumed to be a part of the work table 106a in FIG. 8 that was generated in [4-2] (see FIG. 10).

[0073] (1) Extraction of inventory shortage records The inventory shortage record extraction unit 102b extracts centers whose shippable quantity is less than the order point. Specifically, when records having the same product CD and warehouse CD are compared between the work table 106a in Fig. 10 and the center-specific ordering condition master 106c in Fig. 10, the work records in the first row (warehouse CD: Western) and the third row (warehouse CD: Kyushu) in the work table 106a in Fig. 10 have shippable quantities less than the order points in the master records in the first and third rows in the center-specific ordering condition master 106c in Fig. 10. Therefore, the inventory shortage record extraction unit 102b extracts the work records in the first row (warehouse CD: Western) and the third row (warehouse CD: Kyushu) from the work table 106a in Fig. 10.

[0074] (2) Required quantity calculation process Next, the required quantity calculation unit 102c calculates the required quantity, which is the number required to recover to the safety stock quantity, for the work records extracted by the inventory shortage record extraction unit 102b. Specifically, for the work record in the first row (warehouse CD: Western) extracted by the inventory shortage record extraction unit 102b, the required quantity is calculated as follows: safety stock quantity 480 - shippable quantity 230 = required quantity 250, and for the work record in the third row (warehouse CD: Kyushu) extracted by the inventory shortage record extraction unit 102b, the required quantity is calculated as follows: safety stock quantity 520 - shippable quantity 220 = required quantity 300.

[0075] (3) Excess Stock Record Extraction Process Next, the surplus inventory record extraction unit 102d extracts centers that have a shippable quantity equal to or greater than the appropriate stock quantity. Specifically, when records with the same product CD and warehouse CD are compared between the work table 106a in FIG. 10 and the center-specific ordering condition master 106c in FIG. 10, the work record in the second row (warehouse CD: east) of the work table 106a in FIG. 10 does not have a shippable quantity equal to or greater than the appropriate stock quantity. Therefore, the surplus inventory record extraction unit 102d does not extract the work record. In other words, since there is no surplus inventory in other warehouses, the inter-warehouse transfer instruction generation unit 102e does not generate transfer instruction data 106e regarding transfer instructions between warehouses.

[0076] (4) Order schedule generation process Finally, the order schedule generating unit 102f generates the order schedule data 106f. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, for the western warehouse, the order schedule generating unit 102f generates order schedule data 106f having the order schedule quantity of 250, which is the same as the required quantity calculated in (2), and for the Kyushu warehouse, generates order schedule data 106f having the order schedule quantity of 300, which is the same as the required quantity calculated in (2). In addition, in the order schedule data 106f in FIG. 11, the scheduled arrival date 2021 / 3 / 4 for the western warehouse is a date calculated by adding 1 day of lead time in the center-specific ordering condition master 106c in FIG. 10 to the scheduled order date 2021 / 3 / 3, and the scheduled arrival date 2021 / 3 / 6 for the Kyushu warehouse is a date calculated by adding 3 days of lead time in the center-specific ordering condition master 106c in FIG. 10 to the scheduled order date 2021 / 3 / 3.

[0077] As explained in section [4-3] above, when there is a shortage of stock of purchased goods, the process is carried out in the following order: first, the transfer of goods between warehouses is considered, and then an order is placed.

[0078] [4-4. Optimization of inventory for manufactured goods] In this section, the inventory optimization process for manufactured goods will be explained with reference mainly to Figures 12 to 15. When the goods are manufactured goods, the process is executed in the following order of priority: shipment from each base, shipment from the logistics management department, and manufacturing request.

[0079] The data etc. that are the premise of the inventory optimization process in this item are as explained in this paragraph. The center-specific ordering condition master 106c shall be a part of the center-specific ordering condition master 106c in FIG. 7 generated in [4-1] (see FIG. 12). The work table 106a shall be a part of the work table 106a in FIG. 8 generated in [4-2] (see FIG. 12). The center-specific lead time master 106d shall be the one shown in FIG. 12. The out-of-stock table shall be the one shown in FIG. 9.

[0080] (1) Extraction of inventory shortage records The inventory shortage record extraction unit 102b extracts centers whose shippable quantity is less than the order point. Specifically, when records having the same product CD and warehouse CD are compared between the work table 106a in FIG. 12 and the center-specific ordering condition master 106c in FIG. 12, the work records in the first row (warehouse CD: west) and the second row (warehouse CD: east) in the work table 106a in FIG. 12 have shippable quantities less than the order points in the master records in the first and second rows in the center-specific ordering condition master 106c in FIG. 12. Therefore, the inventory shortage record extraction unit 102b extracts the work records in the first row (warehouse CD: west) and the second row (warehouse CD: east) from the work table 106a in FIG. 12.

[0081] (2) Required quantity calculation process Next, the required quantity calculation unit 102c calculates the required quantity, which is the number required to recover to the safety stock quantity, for the work records extracted by the inventory shortage record extraction unit 102b. Specifically, for the work record in the first row (warehouse CD: west) extracted by the inventory shortage record extraction unit 102b, the required quantity is calculated as 70 (safety stock quantity 120-shippable quantity 50=required quantity), and for the work record in the second row (warehouse CD: east) extracted by the inventory shortage record extraction unit 102b, the required quantity is calculated as 225 (safety stock quantity 225-shippable quantity 100=required quantity 125).

[0082] (3) Excess Stock Record Extraction Process Next, the surplus inventory record extraction unit 102d extracts centers that have a shippable quantity equal to or greater than the appropriate inventory. Specifically, when records with the same product CD and warehouse CD are compared between the work table 106a in Fig. 12 and the center-specific ordering condition master 106c in Fig. 12, the work record in the third row (warehouse CD: Kyushu) in the work table 106a in Fig. 12 has a shippable quantity equal to or greater than the appropriate inventory quantity. Therefore, the surplus inventory record extraction unit 102d extracts the work record in the third row (warehouse CD: Kyushu) from the work table 106a in Fig. 12.

[0083] (4) Warehouse transfer instruction generation process Next, the inter-warehouse transfer instruction generating unit 102e generates transfer instruction data 106e related to transfer instructions between warehouses. Here, as explained in (3), there is surplus inventory in the Kyushu warehouse, and the amount is 50 units (shippable quantity 300 - optimum inventory quantity 250 = 50 units). In other words, 50 units of inventory can be transferred from the Kyushu warehouse. Meanwhile, as explained in (2), the required quantity in the western warehouse is 70 units, and the required quantity in the eastern warehouse is 125 units.

[0084] In this way, when there are two or more destination warehouses, the inter-warehouse transfer instruction generation unit 102e generates transfer instruction data 106e for the warehouse with the shorter lead time with priority. Here, referring to the center-specific lead time master 106d in FIG. 12, the lead time from the Kyushu warehouse to the western warehouse is two days, and the lead time from the Kyushu warehouse to the eastern warehouse is three days. Therefore, the inter-warehouse transfer instruction generation unit 102e generates transfer instruction data 106e instructing the transfer of 50 pieces of inventory from the Kyushu warehouse to the western warehouse, as shown in FIG. 13. In the transfer instruction data 106e in FIG. 13, the planned entry date 2021 / 3 / 5 is a date calculated by adding the lead time of two days to the transfer instruction date 2021 / 3 / 3.

[0085] (5) Processing of movement instruction data generated by the Logistics Management Division Next, the logistics management section issued transfer instruction data generating unit 102g generates transfer instruction data 106e related to the transfer instruction from the logistics management section. Here, referring to the available inventory table in FIG. 9, the available inventory quantity is 80 units. In other words, 80 units of inventory can be transferred from the logistics management section. Meanwhile, the required quantity for the western warehouse is 20 units, which is 70 units minus the 50 units transferred by the process described in (4), and the required quantity for the eastern warehouse remains at 125 units.

[0086] In this way, when there are two or more destination warehouses, the logistics management section-issued transfer instruction data generating unit 102g also generates transfer instruction data 106e preferentially for the warehouse with the shorter lead time (western warehouse). Referring to the center-specific lead time master 106d in FIG. 12, the lead time from the logistics management section to the western warehouse is 0 days, and the lead time from the logistics management section to the eastern warehouse is 1 day. Therefore, the logistics management section-issued transfer instruction data generating unit 102g generates transfer instruction data 106e preferentially instructing the logistics management section to transfer 20 units of inventory to the western warehouse, and then generates transfer instruction data 106e instructing the logistics management section to transfer 60 units of inventory to the eastern warehouse, as shown in FIG. 14. In addition, in the transfer instruction data 106e of Figure 14, the scheduled arrival date at the western warehouse, 2021 / 3 / 3, is a date calculated by adding a lead time of 0 days to the transfer instruction date, 2021 / 3 / 3, and the scheduled arrival date at the eastern warehouse, 2021 / 3 / 4, is a date calculated by adding a lead time of 1 day to the transfer instruction date, 2021 / 3 / 3.

[0087] (6) Manufacturing request generation process Finally, the production request generation unit 102h generates production request data 106g. Here, by the process described in (5), the required quantity for the western warehouse is 0 units, and the required quantity for the eastern warehouse is 65 units, which is 125 units minus the 60 units that were moved. In this case, the production request generation unit 102h generates production request data 106g requesting the production of 65 units, as shown in FIG.

[0088] As explained in section [4-4] above, when there is a shortage of inventory of manufactured goods, the process is carried out in the following order: first, transfer between warehouses is considered, then transfer from the logistics management department is considered, and finally, a manufacturing request is made.

[0089] [5. Summary of this embodiment] In this manner, according to the inventory management operation support device 100 of this embodiment, inventory management operations can be supported by automatically generating transfer instruction data 106e regarding transfer instructions between warehouses, regardless of whether the product is a purchased item or a manufactured item.

[0090] Furthermore, according to the inventory management support device 100 of this embodiment, if the product is a purchased item and the shortage in inventory cannot be replenished by an instruction to move the product between warehouses, the order schedule data 106f can be further generated.

[0091] Furthermore, according to the inventory management support device 100 of this embodiment, if the product is a manufactured item and the shortage in inventory cannot be made up by a transfer instruction between warehouses, transfer instruction data 106e regarding a transfer instruction from the logistics management department can be further generated, and if the shortage in inventory cannot be made up even by a transfer instruction from the logistics management department, production request data 106g can be further generated.

[0092] [6. Contribution to the United Nations-led Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)] This embodiment can contribute to improving business efficiency and promoting appropriate management decisions by companies, thereby contributing to goals 8 and 9 of the SDGs.

[0093] Furthermore, this embodiment can contribute to reducing waste and promoting paperless and electronic systems, thereby contributing to the achievement of SDGs Goals 12, 13, and 15.

[0094] Furthermore, this embodiment can contribute to strengthening control and governance, making it possible to contribute to Goal 16 of the SDGs.

[0095] 7. Other Embodiments The present invention may be embodied in various different embodiments other than those described above within the scope of the technical concept set forth in the claims.

[0096] For example, among the processes described in the embodiments, all or part of the processes described as being performed automatically can be performed manually, or all or part of the processes described as being performed manually can be performed automatically using known methods.

[0097] In addition, the processing procedures, control procedures, specific names, information including parameters such as registered data and search conditions for each process, screen examples, and database configurations shown in this specification and drawings may be changed as desired unless otherwise specified.

[0098] Moreover, with regard to the inventory management support device 100, each of the components shown in the figures is a functional concept, and does not necessarily have to be physically configured as shown in the figures.

[0099] For example, the processing functions of the inventory management support device 100, particularly the processing functions performed by the control unit, may be realized in whole or in part by a CPU and a program interpreted and executed by the CPU, or may be realized as hardware using wired logic. The program is recorded in a non-transient computer-readable recording medium that includes programmed instructions for causing the information processing device to execute the processes described in this embodiment, and is mechanically read by the inventory management support device 100 as necessary. That is, a computer program for giving instructions to the CPU in cooperation with the OS and performing various processes is recorded in a storage unit such as a ROM or HDD (Hard Disk Drive). This computer program is executed by being loaded into a RAM, and cooperates with the CPU to form a control unit.

[0100] In addition, this computer program may be stored in an application program server connected to the inventory management support device 100 via any network, and it is also possible to download all or part of it as needed.

[0101] In addition, the program for executing the process described in this embodiment may be stored in a non-transient computer-readable recording medium, or may be configured as a program product. Here, the "recording medium" includes any "portable physical medium" such as a memory card, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) memory, a Secure Digital (SD) card, a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, an Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EPROM), an Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM (registered trademark)), a Compact Disk Read Only Memory (CD-ROM), a Magneto-Optical disk (MO), a Digital Versatile Disk (DVD), and a Blu-ray (registered trademark) Disc.

[0102] Moreover, a "program" is a data processing method written in any language or description method, and may be in any form, such as source code or binary code. Note that a "program" is not necessarily limited to a single configuration, but also includes a distributed configuration as multiple modules or libraries, and a program that works with a separate program, such as an OS, to achieve its function. Note that the specific configuration and reading procedure for reading a recording medium in each device shown in the embodiments, as well as the installation procedure after reading, may use well-known configurations and procedures.

[0103] The various databases etc. stored in the memory unit are storage means such as memory devices such as RAM and ROM, fixed disk devices such as hard disks, flexible disks, and optical disks, and store various programs, tables, databases, and web page files etc. used for various processes and providing websites.

[0104] The inventory management support device 100 may be configured as an information processing device such as a known personal computer or a workstation, or may be configured as the information processing device to which any peripheral device is connected. The inventory management support device 100 may be realized by installing software (including programs or data) that causes the device to realize the processing described in this embodiment.

[0105] Furthermore, the specific form of distribution and integration of the devices is not limited to that shown in the drawings, and all or part of them can be functionally or physically distributed and integrated in any unit according to various additions or functional loads. In other words, the above-mentioned embodiments can be implemented in any combination, or the embodiments can be implemented selectively. [Industrial Applicability]

[0106] The present invention is useful, for example, in the logistics industry, and is particularly useful for companies that have logistics bases across the country and hold large amounts of inventory. [Explanation of symbols]

[0107] 100 Inventory management support device 102 Control section 102a Order condition master generation unit 102b Stock shortage record extraction section 102c Required quantity calculation section 102d Stock Surplus Record Extraction Unit 102e Inter-warehouse movement instruction generation unit 102f Order Schedule Generation Department 102g Logistics Management Section, Movement Instruction Data Generation Section 102h Manufacturing request generation department 104 Communication interface section 106 Storage section 106a Work Table 106b Demand forecast data 106c Center-specific order condition master 106d Center-specific lead time master 106e Movement Instruction Data 106f Order Schedule Data 106g Manufacturing request data 106h Product master 108 Input / Output Interface Section 112 Input Devices 114 Output Device 200 Servers 300 Network

Claims

[Claim 1] An inventory management operation support device including a control unit and a storage unit, The storage unit includes: a work table including a work record having product identification data, warehouse identification data, and a shipping quantity; An order condition master including a master record having product identification data, warehouse identification data, appropriate stock quantity, and order point; is stored, The control unit is an inventory shortage record extraction means for extracting the work records having the same product identification data and warehouse identification data between the work table and the order condition master record, and extracting the work records having the shippable quantity less than the order point in the master record; an inventory surplus record extraction means for extracting the work records having the same product identification data and warehouse identification data between the work table and the order condition master record, and for extracting the work records having the shippable quantity equal to or greater than the appropriate inventory quantity in the master record; an inter-warehouse transfer instruction generating means for generating transfer instruction data relating to a transfer instruction from a warehouse identified by the warehouse identification data included in the work record extracted by the inventory surplus record extracting means to a warehouse identified by the warehouse identification data included in the work record extracted by the inventory shortage record extracting means; a logistics management section-issued transfer instruction data generation means for generating, following the processing by the inter-warehouse transfer instruction generation means, transfer instruction data relating to a transfer instruction to a warehouse identified by the warehouse identification data contained in the work record extracted by the inventory shortage record extraction means from the logistics management section; a manufacturing request generating means for generating manufacturing request data for requesting manufacturing at the company's own factory following the processing by the logistics management section-issued transfer instruction data generating means; To have An inventory management operation support device characterized by the above.

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