Advertisement support method, advertisement support system, program, server and recording medium

Abstract

To realize efficient advertisement processing using a message communication function of a communication network service such as an SNS to distribute advertisement information and grasp whether or not the advertisement information is viewed.SOLUTION: An advertisement support method causes a management server to perform the steps of: generating flyer information including advertisement information of a device to be sold or reading the flyer information from a flyer information database (10-2), extracting distribution destination information registered in association with device information from a customer information database (10-1), publicly disclosing the flyer information on a website, distributing to a customer terminal (6) notification information including information indicating that the flyer information is publicly disclosed on the website, recording a corresponding customer terminal on the customer information database when the notification information or flyer information is viewed through the customer terminal, determining whether or not the customer who has viewed the website and relates to the customer terminal satisfies a reward condition, and notifying the corresponding customer terminal of a message notifying the acquisition of reward information if the reward condition is satisfied.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a technology for supporting advertising of gas equipment and the like for gas supply destinations such as LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas). [Background technology]

[0002] Retailers that sell fuel gas and gas appliances sell new gas appliances to customers and also advertise the products to encourage them to purchase new appliances or replace their old appliances. Traditionally, advertising and sales of equipment have been conducted by having a representative who is familiar with the customer's circumstances visit the customer, by posting printed flyers in the mail, or by sending product information and information about websites selling the products to registered customers via e-mail or other methods.

[0003] Regarding such product advertising functions using email, there are those that allow users to create and update advertising emails about their own store through operations on a web screen and send these emails to registered customer mobile phones (for example, Patent Document 1). There are also those that add a unique identifier to registered email addresses extracted from an email address file and send the email, and store access history information from customers who have sent the email (for example, Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2010-257402 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2015-7853 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Conventional methods such as posting printed flyers, placing advertisements on the advertising pages of newspapers and magazines, and insert advertisements only notify an unspecified number of people one-sidedly, making it difficult to grasp the effect of customers purchasing the product and becoming customers. Even if gas companies and gas equipment manufacturers that handle gas equipment distribute emails containing flyer information to registered email addresses, there are cases where customers do not understand the contents of the email or discard the email without even opening it. Even if a customer opens the email, if the email does not contain equipment that catches the customer's interest, they will not access the website where the product is listed, and there is an issue that the advertising effect is not achieved relative to the cost. In addition, by inspecting or replacing gas appliances at regular intervals, the safety of the appliances can be maintained and energy efficiency can be improved. Such inspections and replacements of gas appliances are set for long periods, such as 5 or 10 years or more. For this reason, it has been difficult for gas appliance sellers to grasp and manage all of the buyers of gas appliances.

[0006] The inventors of the present invention have found that, with regard to advertising such gas appliances, it is necessary to advertise products that suit the customer, to extract customers suitable for each product, to advertise to them, and to manage the same. Patent Documents 1 and 2 do not disclose or suggest anything about such a problem, and the configurations disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 cannot solve such a problem.

[0007] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to realize efficient advertising processing by utilizing the message communication function of a communication network service such as SNS (Social Networking Service) to distribute advertising information and grasp whether the advertising information has been viewed. Furthermore, another object of the present invention is to improve the safety and convenience of gas appliances owned by customers by providing advice or recommending new appliances depending on the customer's viewing of promotional information. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, one aspect of the advertising support method of the present invention includes the steps of: a management server generating flyer information including advertising information for the device to be sold, or reading the flyer information from a flyer information database; a management server extracting, from a customer information database, distribution destination information registered in association with device information; a management server publishing the flyer information on a website; a management server distributing, to a customer terminal associated with the distribution destination information, notification information including information indicating that the flyer information has been published on the website; a management server, when the notification information or the flyer information is viewed on the customer terminal, recording the corresponding customer terminal in the customer information database; and a management server determining whether the customer associated with the customer terminal that viewed the website satisfies the reward conditions. The method includes a step of, if the reward conditions are met, the management server notifying the corresponding customer terminal of the acquisition of reward information by sending a message.

[0009] In this advertising support method, the reward conditions may further include one or more of the number of times the website is viewed, the number of times the website is accessed by the customer terminal, the number of inquiries about the device, the number of membership registrations of customers associated with the customer, and the number of times friends are registered via messages. In this advertising support method, the reward information may further include any one or more of reward point information, purchase discount information, gift exchange information, and related service information.

[0010] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, according to one aspect of the advertising support system of the present invention, the system includes a customer terminal to which the flyer information is to be distributed, and a management server which generates flyer information including advertising information for the equipment to be sold, or reads the flyer information from a flyer information database, extracts from the customer information database distribution destination information registered in association with equipment information, publishes the flyer information on a website, distributes notification information including information indicating that the flyer information has been published on the website to the customer terminal associated with the distribution destination information, and, if the notification information or the flyer information is viewed on the customer terminal, records the corresponding customer terminal in the customer information database, determines whether the customer associated with the customer terminal that viewed the website meets the reward conditions, and, if the reward conditions are met, notifies the corresponding customer terminal of the acquisition of reward information.

[0011] In this management server, the reward conditions may include one or more of the number of times the website is viewed, the number of times the website is accessed by the customer terminal, the number of inquiries about the device, the number of membership registrations of customers associated with the customer, and the number of times friends are registered via messages.

[0012] In this advertising support system, the reward information may include any one or more of reward point information, purchase discount information, gift exchange information, and related service information.

[0013] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, according to one aspect of the program of the present invention, a program to be executed by a computer causes the computer to execute the following functions: generating flyer information including promotional information for a device to be sold, or reading the flyer information from a flyer information database; extracting distribution destination information registered in association with device information from a customer information database; publishing the flyer information on a website; delivering notification information including information indicating that the flyer information has been published on the website to a customer terminal associated with the distribution destination information; if the notification information or the flyer information is viewed on the customer terminal, recording the corresponding customer terminal in the customer information database; determining whether a customer associated with the customer terminal that viewed the website meets reward conditions; and, if the reward conditions are met, notifying the corresponding customer terminal of the acquisition of reward information with a message. This program may further cause the computer to execute a function that uses, as the reward conditions, any one or more of the following conditions: the number of times the website has been viewed, the number of times the website has been accessed by the customer terminal, the number of inquiries about the device, the number of membership registrations of customers associated with the customer, and the number of friend registrations via messages. This program may further cause the computer to execute a function of using, as the reward information, any one or more of reward point information, purchase discount information, gift exchange information, and related service information.

[0014] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, according to one aspect of the server of the present invention, a server that performs advertising support processing in cooperation with a customer terminal to which the information is to be distributed includes a flyer information database in which flyer information including advertising information for a device to be sold is stored, and a customer information database in which distribution destination information is stored in association with device information, and a processing unit that generates the flyer information including the advertising information for the device to be sold, or reads the flyer information from the flyer information database, extracts the distribution destination information registered in association with the device information from the customer information database, publishes the flyer information on a website, distributes notification information including information indicating that the flyer information has been published on the website to the customer terminal associated with the distribution destination information, and when the notification information or the flyer information is viewed at the customer terminal, records the corresponding customer terminal in the customer information database, and determines whether the customer associated with the customer terminal that viewed the website satisfies the reward conditions, and if the reward conditions are satisfied, notifies the corresponding customer terminal of the acquisition of reward information. In this server, the processing unit may use as the reward conditions one or more of the following conditions: the number of times the website has been viewed, the number of times the website has been accessed by the customer terminal, the number of inquiries about the device, the number of membership registrations of customers associated with the customer, and the number of times friends have been registered via messages. In this server, the processing unit may use any one or more of reward point information, purchase discount information, gift exchange information, and related service information as the reward information.

[0015] In order to achieve the above object, one aspect of a recording medium of the present invention is a recording medium storing the above program. Effect of the Invention

[0016] According to the present invention, any one of the following effects can be obtained.

[0017] (1) By using the messaging function, it is possible to inform customers that promotional information about the device has been uploaded to a website, thereby promoting sales of new products, etc. (2) The reaction of the device can be obtained based on the viewing state of notification information using the message communication function or promotional information on a website. (3) By managing equipment information in association with customers, it is possible to advertise to customers based on conditions such as when it is time to replace their equipment. (4) By providing customers with notification information or suggested information depending on whether or not they have accessed a website, it is possible to increase customers' desire to purchase. (5) By using the messaging function to inform customers that promotional information for the equipment has been uploaded to a website, waste caused by printing and mailing advertising documents can be reduced. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 10 is a flowchart showing an advertising support process according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 2] 1 is a diagram showing an advertisement support system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a customer information database. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a flyer information database. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 illustrates a message notification management database. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an advertisement support system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 illustrates hardware of a management server and a management terminal. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a flyer distribution destination extraction screen. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 illustrates a message notification screen. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a distribution screen for flyer information. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a notification screen showing suggested information. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an advertisement support sequence. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an advertisement support process according to the third embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen presenting reward information. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] [First embodiment] Fig. 1 shows an advertisement support process according to the first embodiment. The process contents and process steps shown in Fig. 1 are merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. This advertising support process includes generating advertising information for the device (S101), extracting distribution destination information (S102), publishing the advertising information (S103), managing distribution (S104), activating a message notification function (S105), sending message notifications (S106), managing website browsing (S107), determining whether browsing has occurred (S108), tallying and recording browsing information (S109), tallying and recording incomplete browsing (S110), and notifying suggested information (S111).

[0020] Generation of advertisement information for equipment (S101): The management server 4 generates flyer information including advertisement information for equipment selected by equipment sellers such as gas suppliers, gas equipment dealers, or equipment manufacturers, and stores the flyer information in the flyer information database (DB) 10-2. The equipment listed in this flyer information is selected, for example, from new products and equipment in stock held by the equipment seller. The generation of advertisement information also includes the reuse of existing document information. Furthermore, the advertisement information may select equipment that is common to all customers, or different equipment may be selected for each customer. The equipment information may include, for example, the product name and product model number, as well as comparative performance with older products of the same type, information on new functions, and the like.

[0021] Extraction of destination information (S102): The management server 4 extracts destination information registered in association with device information owned by a customer who is registered as a customer from the customer information in the customer information DB 10-1. In this extraction process, for example, a customer whose registered device information matches the device for which the advertising information was generated, or whose registered device is the same type, is extracted. Publication of advertisement information (S103): The management server 4 publishes advertisement information for the device, for example, by uploading flyer information to a website managed or operated by the device seller. Distribution management (S104): The management server 4 manages the distribution destinations of extracted customers, the contents of document information, message notifications, etc., in order to distribute the advertising information published on the Web site.

[0022] Activation of message notification function (S105): The management server 4 activates a message notification function for the customer terminal 6 when the flyer information including the advertising information is published on the Web site. Sending a message notification (S106): The management server 4 sends a message notification to the customer terminal 6, which is the distribution destination associated with the device information, including a message informing the customer terminal 6 that the promotional information has been published on the website and encouraging the customer terminal 6 to view it.

[0023] Management of Web site browsing (S107): After notifying the message, the management server 4 monitors browsing of the Web site from the customer terminal 6 that received the message. Determining whether the page has been viewed (S108): The management server 4 determines whether the page has been viewed from the relevant customer terminal 6. Counting and recording of viewing information (S109): If there is a viewing from the relevant customer terminal 6 (YES in S108), the management server 4 counts up information such as the date and time of viewing and which promotional information was accessed from the information contained in the flyer, and records this in the message notification management DB 10-3. The management server 4 may record the viewing of the notification information distributed using the message communication function together with the viewing of the promotional information, for example by monitoring the access to the website via the message communication function. The notification information distributed using the message communication function may be set with, for example, link information that allows direct access to the website.

[0024] Counting and recording of incomplete viewing (S110): The management server 4, for example, sets a specified period, and if there is no access from the customer terminal 6 to which the message was delivered within this period (NO in S108), generates incomplete viewing information and records this incomplete viewing information in the message notification management DB 10-3. Notification of suggested information (S111): The management server 4 uses the message function to deliver to a customer to whom notification information has been delivered, a message containing suggested information encouraging the customer to access a website, instead of or together with the advertising information. This suggested information may include, for example, function, performance, and price information for a device associated with the customer, and a suggestion encouraging the customer to replace the device they are using. This suggested information may include, for example, link information that allows direct access to the website. This suggested information may include the same suggested information regardless of whether the website is accessed or not, or the content may differ depending on whether the website is accessed or not.

[0025] <Advertising Support System 2> Fig. 2 shows an advertisement support system 2. The configuration shown in Fig. 2 is an example, and the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. This advertising support system 2 includes a management server 4 and a plurality of customer terminals 6 (6-1, 6-2, . . . , 6-N), and the management server 4 and each customer terminal 6 are linked to a network 8 by wired or wireless connection. The management server 4 is provided with a customer management DB 10. This customer management DB 10 includes a customer information DB 10-1, a flyer information DB 10-2, a message notification management DB 10-3, and the like. The customer terminal 6 is an information terminal such as a mobile phone, a smartphone, etc. The network 8 is, for example, a public line network.

[0026] <Information processing on Management Server 4> The management server 4 has, for example, the following information processing functions. A) Creation and recording of flyers containing promotional information B) Recording and management of customer information C) Extraction and recording of delivery destination information based on device information held by customer information d) Websites that publish flyers and their browsing management E) Generating, recording and notifying message notifications F) Registration of customer terminal 6 (g) Creation of proposal information and browsing management of the website on which the proposal information is published

[0027] <Customer information DB10-1> 3 shows an example of the customer information DB 10-1. This customer information DB 10-1 is a source of customer information, and stores registration information relating to customers. This customer information DB 10-1 includes a plurality of customer information files 12 (=12-1, 12-2, . . . , 12-N). Each customer information file 12 includes a customer information section 14, a device used information section 16, and a flyer information section 18.

[0028] The customer information section 14 is set with a customer's name section 14-1, address section 14-2, terminal information section 14-3, etc. The name section 14-1 stores identification information such as the customer's name for identifying the customer. The customers registered here include, for example, customers who have purchased equipment from the equipment seller in the past, those who have registered as customers on the seller's website, and those who have registered as friends with the seller using the message communication function. The address section 14-2 stores information such as the customer's location, address, and residence. The terminal information section 14-3 stores the address, telephone number, account information for using the message communication function, etc. of the customer terminal 6 used by the registered customer.

[0029] The equipment information section 16 stores, for example, information on equipment currently being used by a registered customer. This equipment information section 16 stores, for example, an equipment type section 16-1, a model name section 16-2, a gas consumption section 16-3, an installation date section 16-4, a warranty expiration section 16-5, and the like. The equipment type section 16-1 stores, for example, information on the type of equipment that consumes gas as fuel, such as water heater, gas air conditioner, gas heater, gas stove, and the like. The model name section 16-2 stores identification information such as product name and model number for identifying the installed model. The gas consumption section 16-3 stores gas consumption, and the like. The installation date section 16-4 stores equipment information such as the equipment used by the customer and the date of purchase. The warranty expiration section 16-5 stores warranty expiration information for the equipment. The flyer information section 18 stores management information such as information on whether or not a person is a target for distribution of advertising information and distribution history of advertising information. The flyer information section 18 includes, for example, a target device section 18-1 and a reception history section 18-2. The target device section 18-1 registers information on whether or not a person owns a device that is the same as or has the same functions and uses as a device selected as a sale target and for which advertising information has been generated. The management server 4 may, for example, refer to the registered contents of the target device section 18-1 to determine whether or not a person is a recipient of a flyer. The reception history section 18-2 stores history information on the receipt of notification information using a message communication function and the receipt of flyer information including advertising information by accessing a website.

[0030] <Flyer information DB10-2> 4 shows an example of the flyer information DB10-2. This flyer information DB10-2 stores information such as distribution deadlines and recipients via the website, as well as advertisement information for devices. This flyer information DB10-2 includes a title information section 20, a device information section 22, an expiration date information section 24, a recipient information section 26, and a distribution history information section 28. The title information section 20 stores information such as a title for identifying the leaflet or advertising information, such as information on the type of device to be advertised, such as water heater, air conditioner, gas heater, etc., and information appealing to customers, such as improved gas consumption efficiency, lower price, and improved functionality. The device information section 22 stores the name and model name of the device to be advertised. The expiration information section 24 stores condition information such as a sales promotion period set by the seller or a period during which the service content described in the leaflet is applied. The management server 4 may use the expiration information section 24 as a deadline for determining whether or not a customer to whom a message is delivered has viewed a website, for example, based on the expiration information section 24. The distribution destination information section 26 stores information on customers who have accessed the website through the message communication function. The management server 4 uses the information in the distribution destination information section 26, for example, to distribute data on the leaflet or specific advertising information to the customer terminal 6 used by the customer, making it viewable. The distribution history information section 28 stores a history of whether or not the leaflet or advertising information has been viewed by the customer after it has been distributed to the customer.

[0031] <Message notification management DB10-3> 5 shows an example of the message notification management DB 10-3. The message notification management DB 10-3 stores, for example, management information related to the transmission of notification information to customers by the message communication function and the notification of suggested information.

[0032] The message notification management DB10-3 has a notification destination information section 30, a notification date information section 32, a message information section 34, a proposal information section 36, and a history information section 38. The notification destination information section 30 stores delivery destination information extracted from customer information. In this extraction process, for example, the information is extracted based on the degree of agreement or relevance between the device included in the advertising information and the device information held by the customer. The notification date information section 32 stores information on the notification date of a leaflet or a message regarding the advertising information of the device. The message information section 34 stores advertising information and leaflets to be delivered to the delivery destination, as well as messages to be notified. The proposal information section 36 stores a proposal message to be further notified to the customer terminal 6 that viewed the message or website. The history information section 38 stores history information such as the notification history of the message.

[0033] <Advantages of the First Embodiment> According to the first embodiment, any one of the following effects can be obtained. (1) Promotional information for the device set as the target for sale is generated, and a flyer containing this promotional information is uploaded onto a website. After that, a message is sent to the customer distribution destinations related to the target device for sale, thereby enabling efficient promotion to customers who are interested in the device information. (2) By using the messaging function to inform customers that promotional information for the equipment has been uploaded to a website, waste caused by printing and mailing advertising documents can be reduced. (3) By having customers browse a website via the message communication function, it is possible to understand the customer's reaction to promotional information sent via messages and their level of interest, etc. (4) By combining information from messaging functions with website access history, etc., it is possible to understand customer reactions to the devices being sold. (5) By managing equipment information in association with customers, it is possible to advertise to customers based on conditions such as when it is time to replace their equipment. (6) By providing customers with notification information or suggested information depending on whether or not they have accessed a website, it is possible to increase customers' desire to make a purchase.

[0034] Second Embodiment Fig. 6 shows an advertising support system 2 according to the second embodiment. The configuration shown in Fig. 6 is an example, and the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. In Fig. 6, the same reference numerals are used to denote parts common to Fig. 2. This advertising support system 2 uses a computer as a support means and uses information processing to support the sales and advertising of gas equipment and its management by gas suppliers, gas sales companies, equipment manufacturers, etc. The advertising support system 2 of this embodiment includes a gas management system 40, a network system 42, and multiple customer terminals 6.

[0035] The gas management system 40 is a computer system belonging to a gas company, a manager of gas sales, an equipment manufacturer, or the like, and includes a management server 4 and a management terminal 44 . A customer information DB 10-1, a flyer information DB 10-2, and a message notification management DB 10-3 are stored in the management server 4. The management terminal 44 is an information presentation means of the management server 4 and is also used as an information input means. The network system 42 is a system that handles public information communication via a computer equipped with a communication function, and is linked to the above-mentioned network 8 (FIG. 2). The network system 42 includes a management server 46.

[0036] <Hardware of Management Server 4 and Management Terminal 44> 7 shows an example of hardware of the management server 4 and the management terminal 44. The management server 4 is a computer with a communication function, and includes a processor 48, a storage unit 50, an information input / output unit (I / O) 52, a communication unit 54, and a timer 56. The processor 48 is an example of a processing unit that executes an OS (Operating System) and an advertisement support program in the storage unit 50 . The storage unit 50 is an example of a recording medium that stores various programs used for advertising support. The storage unit 50 uses a storage element such as a read-only memory (ROM) or a random-access memory (RAM).

[0037] The I / O 52 outputs and acquires various information under the control of the processor 48. The communication unit 54 establishes wireless or wired communication with the management terminal 44, and also transmits and receives various information to and from various information devices and the network system 42 via wired or wireless connections under the control of the processor 48. Timer 56 is an example of a means for timing the period during which flyers are distributed to customers via a website, or a determination period set to determine whether or not a customer has accessed the website, and may be, for example, a hardware timer installed in management server 4, or a software timer executed by processor 48.

[0038] The management terminal 44 is a computer with a communication function similar to that of the management server 4, and includes a processor 58, a memory unit 60, an I / O 62, a communication unit 64, an information input unit 66, and an information presentation unit 68. The processor 58, the memory unit 60, the I / O 62, and the communication unit 64 have the same functions as those of the management server 4, and therefore their explanation will be omitted. The information input unit 66 is used to input information to the management server 4. The information presentation unit 68 may be used to present information such as a flyer including advertising information from the management server 4.

[0039] <Flyer distribution destination extraction screen 70> FIG. 8 shows a leaflet distribution destination extraction screen 70 presented on the information presentation unit 68 under the control of the management server 4. This leaflet distribution destination extraction screen 70 is an example of an extraction processing screen for customers who own the same type or related equipment for the set equipment to be sold, and uses a screen generated for example for promoting the sales of the equipment used. This leaflet distribution destination extraction screen 70 includes, for example, a function title section 71, an extraction condition section 72, a target customer section 73, a message communication section 74, and the like. The title section 71 displays title information of the processing functions that the management server 4 can execute. The extraction condition section 72 is an input section for inputting conditions for extracting customers associated with the equipment information corresponding to the equipment generating the advertising information. In the extraction condition section 72, for example, a fuel gas or other supply form information, household classification, number of family members, number of rooms, and other customer side conditions can be set, as well as a used equipment condition section 75, an equipment information condition section 76, a repair information condition section 77, and the like. The equipment usage condition section 75 is an example of a condition input section for identifying equipment used by a customer, and can input information such as equipment type, manufacturer name, fuel type, model name, equipment consumption amount, etc. The equipment information condition section 76 can input information such as installation date, warranty expiration date, serial number, and manufacturing date as information for each customer regarding the equipment identified in the equipment usage condition section 75. The repair information condition section 77 can input performance information such as past repairs and adjustment processing. The target customer section 73 is an example of a function that displays customer information extracted according to extraction conditions. The seller can display the extracted customer information by selecting the tab for the target customer section 73 on the leaflet distribution destination extraction screen 70. The message communication section 74 is an example of an operating means that starts up a message communication function in the management server 4 and connects to the selected customer terminal 6. This message communication section 74 may automatically generate notification information using, for example, device information entered or registered on the leaflet distribution destination extraction screen 70 or other device information acquired from an external database, and send the information to the customer using the message communication function. In this promotional support process, the management server 4 extracts customers who have conditions that may attract their interest in the devices to be sold, such as customers who have been using specific devices for a long time or customers who have a device repair history.

[0040] <Presentation of Message Information to Customer Terminal 6> FIG. 9 shows an example of a message notification screen 82 on which the notification information of a message distributed from the management server 4 is expanded on the display unit 80 of the customer terminal 6. On this message notification screen 82, for example, as shown in A of FIG. 9, as a message communication function, a message app such as LINE (registered trademark) is used, and a promotional message 84 including notification information from the management server 4 side and a flyer message 86 including distributed promotional information are displayed. The promotional message 84 includes, for example, a message notifying the extracted customer of the progress information of the owned device and the distribution of the flyer. The management server 4 generates notification information manually or automatically in response to the operation of the message communication unit 74, using the input information of the salesperson and the information registered in the customer information DB 10-1 of the extracted customer. Further, the flyer message 86 displays a screen in which the flyer screen is reduced, or a screen generated separately from the flyer screen, and stores link information that allows the customer to directly access the website by tapping the display unit 80 of the customer terminal 6.

[0041] In addition, as shown in B of FIG. 9, for example, the message notification screen 82 displays a link screen 88 that allows access to the seller's website other than the flyer screen. The link screen 88 stores link information that allows the customer terminal 6 to access, for example, a membership service screen, the top screen of the website, and other procedure or inquiry screens.

[0042] <Flyer Screen 92 Published on Website> FIG. 10 is an example of the flyer screen 92 displayed on the customer terminal 6. On the display unit 80 of the customer terminal 6, for example, a browser program 90 for browsing a website is started, and a flyer screen 92 linked to message information is displayed. On this flyer screen 92, for example, title information such as "Two hot water problems... solved by a water heater" is displayed as a title section 94 of the flyer. The flyer screen 92 also includes a plurality of advertisement information 96 (96-1, 96-2, ...). The advertisement information 96-1, 96-2 stores, for example, link information to product pages of each device to be advertised. Furthermore, the flyer screen 92 includes a function description section 98. In this function description section 98, for example, information corresponding to the advertisement information 96-1, 96-2, respectively, is described, such as a function description, performance description, and proposal description of the device.

[0043] <Presentation of Proposal Message Information to Customer Terminal 6> FIG. 11 is an example of a proposal message screen 100 displayed on the customer terminal 6. As shown in FIG. A proposed message screen 100 including proposed information regarding the device to be advertised is displayed on the message notification screen 82 on the display unit 80 of the customer terminal 6. This proposed message screen 100 includes, for example, a comparison result between the energy consumption information, price, and function information, which are performance information of the device owned by the customer or a similar model (collectively referred to as an old product), and the device to be advertised (new product), as well as a message encouraging the introduction or replacement of the advertised device. This message notification screen 82 is sent, for example, after the customer receives a message notification. The message notification screen 82 may display different contents depending on whether the customer terminal 6 has viewed the promotion message 84, the flyer message 86, or the website, or may display the same contents regardless of whether the message has been viewed. The judgment as to whether the advertisement message 84 or the flyer message 86 has been viewed may be made by using, for example, a "read" or "unread" judgment function provided in the message communication function.

[0044] <Advertising Support Sequence> 12 shows an advertisement support sequence. In this advertisement support sequence, information is exchanged between the management server 4, the management terminal 44, and the customer terminal 6. The management server 4 generates advertisement information for the device (S201), extracts destination information from customer information (S202), and publishes a flyer including the advertisement information on a website (S203). The management server 4 executes distribution management of the flyer (S204). For example, the management terminal 44 instructs the management server 4 to send a message (S205), and the management server 4 sends a message notification to the customer terminal 6 associated with the destination information (S206). The message is displayed on the customer terminal 6 that received the message notification (S207).

[0045] The customer terminal 6 uses the link function of the displayed message to access the website (S208). The management server 4 manages site browsing via the customer terminal 6, and determines whether the customer terminal 6 in question has browsed the public site (S209). The management server 4 counts whether the message has been viewed from the relevant customer terminal 6, and records the viewing information in the message notification management DB 10-3 (S210). When the management terminal 44 outputs a further message notification instruction to the management server 4 (S211), the management server 4 generates proposal information for the customer terminal 6 and notifies it using the message communication function (S212).

[0046] <Advantages of the second embodiment> According to this configuration, any one of the following effects can be obtained. (1) The same effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained. (2) By notifying a customer who has received notification of the release of promotional information of the device that is the subject of the promotion and of the device that the customer is using, the customer's interest in the promotional information can be attracted, thereby improving the effectiveness of the promotion. (3) The advertising support system can generate unique proposal information for each customer, thereby reducing the management burden on the seller and the burden of creating advertising messages. (4) By using the repair history information of the devices owned by the customers, it is possible to extract destinations for distributing flyers to customers who are likely to be interested in new devices, such as those who are replacing or purchasing additional devices, thereby enabling efficient distribution of flyers.

[0047] Third embodiment Fig. 13 shows an advertisement support process according to the third embodiment. The process contents and process steps shown in Fig. 13 are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to such configuration. This advertisement support process is an example of the advertisement support method and program of the present invention. This advertising support process is premised on the generation of advertising information for the device shown in the first or second embodiment, extraction of distribution destination information, publication of advertising information, distribution management, activation of the message notification function, transmission of message notification, management of website browsing, judgment of browsing, etc., and therefore a description thereof will be omitted. This advertising support process shows an example of processing for managing website browsing after message notification.

[0048] For example, as shown in FIG. 13, when a customer terminal 6 accesses a website and receives a flyer, the management server 4 records the browsing information (S301). The management server 4 then determines whether the customer who viewed the website meets a predetermined set condition (S302). If it is determined that the set condition is met (YES in S302), the management server 4 notifies the customer terminal 6 of the acquisition of reward information (S303) and records the acquisition of the reward information and the reward content in the customer information DB 10-1 (S304). The set condition for granting a reward includes, for example, the number of times the website on which the flyer is posted is viewed and the access record to the product page from the advertising information. Other set conditions for rewards include, for example, making an inquiry about a product to a seller using a message communication function or an inquiry function set in the website, and registering a new customer as a member or friend of a message in association with the customer.

[0049] <Presenting a reward message to customer terminal 6> Fig. 14 shows an example of a message notification screen 102 for reward information distributed from the management server 4. For example, as shown in Fig. 14, this message notification screen 102 is displayed on the message notification screen 82 as a text message indicating that member points will be awarded as a reward. The rewards to be awarded include points, gift certificates, and cash vouchers that can be used for services operated by other parties, as well as discounts on device purchases and exchanges for prizes on websites operated by sellers.

[0050] <Advantages of the Third Embodiment> According to this configuration, any one of the following effects can be obtained. (1) The same effects as those of the first and second embodiments can be obtained. (2) By providing reward information, it is possible to increase customer interest in message notifications containing promotional information, thereby improving the effectiveness of the promotion. (3) By increasing customer exposure to promotional messages, it is possible to increase customer interest in the equipment they own. [Modifications]

[0051] Modifications of the embodiment described above are listed below.

[0052] (1) In the above embodiment, the management server 4 uses the message communication function to notify the customer terminal 6 of preset advertising information, but this is not limited to the above. The management server 4 may, for example, via the management terminal 44, notify the registered customer terminal 6 of a promotional message according to the conditions for each customer, or may exchange messages such as questions and customer requests with the customer terminal 6.

[0053] (2) In the above embodiment, a case has been described in which a message including suggested information is sent regardless of whether the customer terminal 6 has viewed the website, but this is not limited to the above. For example, the management server 4 may send a message containing suggested information only to either the delivery destinations of customer terminals 6 that have not accessed the website, or the delivery destinations of customer terminals 6 that have accessed the website. This reduces the message creation load on the management server 4.

[0054] (3) The management server 4 may compare the performance of devices registered in the customer information DB 10-1, predict whether there will be any changes in the customer's family structure or lifestyle, and generate advertising information and send a notification message based on the result of the judgment. This advertising information and notification information may suggest devices suitable for the customer based on the prediction result, for example.

[0055] As described above, the most preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described. The present invention is not limited to the above description. Various modifications and changes are possible for those skilled in the art based on the gist of the invention described in the claims or disclosed in the description for carrying out the invention. It goes without saying that such modifications and changes are included in the scope of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0056] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the efficiency of advertising by distributing a message of advertising information to the device to be sold and the customer of the distribution destination information associated with this device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 2. Advertising Support System 4, 46 Management Server 6, 6-1, 6-2, ..., 6-N Customer terminal 8 Network 10 Customer management DB 10-1 Customer information DB 10-2 Flyer information DB 10-3 Message notification management DB 12, 12-1, 12-2, ..., 12-N Customer Information File 14 Customer Information Department 14-1 Name section 14-2 Address section 14-3 Terminal Information Section 16 Equipment Information Department 16-1 Type section 16-2 Model name section 16-3 Gas consumption section 16-4 Installation date section 16-5 Warranty Period 18 Flyer Information Department 18-1 Target Equipment Section 18-2 Reception history section 20 Title Information Section 22 Equipment Information Department 24 Expiration date information section 26 Distribution Information Department 28 Distribution History Information Department 30 Notification Information Department 32 Notification date information department 34 Message information section 36 Proposal Information Department 38 History Information Department 40 Gas Management System 42 Network Systems 44 Management terminal 48, 58 processors 50, 60 storage section 52, 62 Information input / output section (I / O) 54, 64 Communications Department 56 Timer 66 Information input section 68 Information presentation section 70 Flyer distribution destination extraction screen 71, 94 Title section 72 Extraction condition part 73 Target Customer Department 74 Message Communication Section 75 Equipment conditions section 76 Device information condition section 77 Repair information condition section 80 Display section 82 Message notification screen 84 Promotional Message 86 Flyer Message 88 Link Screen 90 Browser Programs 92 Flyer screen 96, 96-1, 96-2 Promotional Information 98 Function Description Section 100 Proposal message screen 102 Message notification screen

Claims

1. A step in which a management server generates flyer information including advertisement information for the device to be sold, or reads out the flyer information from a flyer information database; a step of the management server extracting, from a customer information database, distribution destination information registered in association with device information; The management server publishes the flyer information on a website; a step of the management server distributing notification information including information indicating that the flyer information has been published on the website to a customer terminal associated with the destination information; a step of the management server recording the corresponding customer terminal in the customer information database when the notification information or the flyer information is viewed on the customer terminal; the management server determining whether the customer associated with the customer terminal that accessed the website satisfies a reward condition; a step of the management server notifying the corresponding customer terminal of a message notifying the acquisition of reward information if the reward condition is satisfied; An advertising support method comprising:

2. The advertising support method according to claim 1, further characterized in that the reward conditions include any one or more of the number of times the website is viewed, the number of times the website is accessed by the customer terminal, the number of inquiries about the device, the number of membership registrations of customers associated with the customer, and the number of friend registrations via messages.

3. 2. The advertising support method according to claim 1, wherein the reward information further includes any one or more of reward point information, purchase discount information, gift exchange information, and related service information.

4. A customer terminal as a distribution destination; a management server which generates flyer information including promotional information for the device to be sold, or reads out said flyer information from a flyer information database, extracts from a customer information database distribution destination information registered in association with device information, publishes said flyer information on a website, distributes notification information including information indicating that said flyer information has been published on said website to said customer terminal associated with said distribution destination information, records said customer terminal in question in the customer information database when said notification information or said flyer information is viewed on said customer terminal, determines whether or not a customer associated with said customer terminal that viewed said website satisfies a reward condition, and if said reward condition is satisfied, notifies said customer terminal in question of the acquisition of reward information; An advertising support system comprising:

5. The advertising support system of claim 4, characterized in that the reward conditions include one or more of the number of times the website is viewed, the number of times the website is accessed by the customer terminal, the number of inquiries about the device, the number of membership registrations of customers associated with the customer, and the number of friend registrations via messages.

6. 5. The advertising support system according to claim 4, wherein the reward information includes any one or more of reward point information, purchase discount information, gift exchange information, and related service information.

7. A program executed by a computer, A function of generating flyer information including advertising information for the device to be sold, or reading out the flyer information from a flyer information database; A function of extracting, from a customer information database, distribution destination information registered in association with device information; A function of publishing the flyer information on a website; a function of delivering notification information including information indicating that the flyer information has been published on the website to a customer terminal associated with the delivery destination information; a function of recording the corresponding customer terminal in the customer information database when the notification information or the flyer information is viewed on the customer terminal; A function of determining whether or not a customer associated with the customer terminal that viewed the website satisfies a reward condition; If the reward conditions are met, a message is sent to the corresponding customer terminal to inform the customer of the acquisition of reward information; A program for causing the computer to execute the above.

8. The program according to claim 7 further causes the computer to execute a function of using, as the reward conditions, any one or more of the following conditions: the number of times the website has been viewed, the number of times the website has been accessed by the customer terminal, the number of inquiries about the device, the number of membership registrations of customers associated with the customer, and the number of friend registrations by message.

9. 8. The program according to claim 7, further causing the computer to execute a function of using any one or more of reward point information, purchase discount information, gift exchange information, and related service information as the reward information.

10. A server that performs advertising support processing in cooperation with a destination customer terminal, a processing unit that generates the flyer information including the promotional information of the device to be sold, or reads the flyer information from the flyer information database, extracts the distribution destination information registered in association with the device information from the customer information database, publishes the flyer information on a website, distributes notification information including information indicating that the flyer information has been published on the website to a customer terminal associated with the distribution destination information, records the corresponding customer terminal in the customer information database when the notification information or the flyer information is viewed on the customer terminal, determines whether a customer associated with the customer terminal that viewed the website satisfies a reward condition, and if the reward condition is satisfied, notifies the corresponding customer terminal of the acquisition of reward information.

11. The server according to claim 10, characterized in that the processing unit uses as the reward conditions one or more of the following conditions: the number of times the website has been viewed, the number of times the website has been accessed by the customer terminal, the number of inquiries about the device, the number of membership registrations of customers associated with the customer, and the number of friend registrations via messages.

12. 11. The server according to claim 10, wherein the processing unit uses, as the reward information, any one or more of reward point information, purchase discount information, gift exchange information, and related service information.

13. 10. A recording medium storing the program according to claim 7.

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