Work support device, work support system, and work support program

Abstract

To support comparison of quotes.SOLUTION: A work support device includes: a reception unit for receiving input of a quotation; a conversion unit for converting a first item name included in a first quotation that has received the input into a corresponding first reference name, and a second item name included in a second quotation that has received the input into a corresponding second reference name; a generation unit for generating a quote comparison table including a first quote that is associated with the converted first reference name and a second quote that is associated with the second reference name converted by the conversion unit; and a display control unit that displays the quote comparison table generated by the generation unit. When the first reference name and the second reference name are an identical reference name, the generation unit generates data that displays the quote comparison table in which the first quote and the second quote are associated with the identical reference name.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a business support device, a business support system, and a business support program. [Background technology]

[0002] When carrying out construction work or the like, the client requests construction estimates from multiple contractors, and performs an appraisal task of assessing the estimates of each contractor by comparing the estimates submitted by each contractor for each item name. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] However, if the item names on the estimates are different for each contractor, it is difficult for the purchaser to compare each item name. Even if estimates can be compared for each item name, if the purchaser does not know the criteria for judging the appropriateness of the estimate, the purchaser cannot judge the validity of the estimate itself. Furthermore, even if the criteria for judging the appropriateness are known, if there are a large number of item names, judging the appropriateness of the estimate for all item names is a heavy workload for the purchaser.

[0004] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a business support device, a business support system, and a business support program that support comparison of estimates. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] According to one aspect, a business support device includes: a reception unit that receives an input of a quotation including item names and quotations associated with the item names; a conversion unit that converts a first item name included in a first quotation input received by the reception unit into a first standard name corresponding to the first item name, and converts a second item name included in a second quotation input received by the reception unit into a second standard name corresponding to the second item name; a generating unit that generates data displaying an estimate comparison table including a first estimate associated with the first standard name converted by the converting unit and a second estimate associated with the second standard name converted by the converting unit; A display control unit that displays the estimate comparison table on a display unit based on the data generated by the generation unit, When the first standard name and the second standard name are the same standard name, the generation unit generates data displaying the estimate comparison table in which the first estimate and the second estimate are associated with the same standard name. Effect of the Invention

[0006] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a business support device, a business support system, and a business support program that support comparison of estimates. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a system configuration of a business support system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of a task assistance device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a functional configuration of a task assistance device. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a first diagram showing a specific example of data cleansing processing by a conversion unit of the business support device. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a second diagram showing a specific example of data cleansing processing by the conversion unit of the business support device. [Figure 6A] FIG. 11 is a first diagram showing a specific example of an item name automatic conversion process performed by a conversion unit of a business support device. [Figure 6B] FIG. 2 is a second diagram showing a specific example of an item name automatic conversion process performed by the conversion unit of the business support device. [Figure 7A] FIG. 11 is a first diagram showing a specific example of manual item name conversion processing by a conversion unit of a business support device. [Figure 7B]FIG. 2 is a second diagram showing a specific example of manual item name conversion processing by the conversion unit of the business support device. [Figure 7C] FIG. 13 is a third diagram showing a specific example of manual item name conversion processing by the conversion unit of the business support device. [Figure 7D] FIG. 4 is a fourth diagram showing a specific example of manual item name conversion processing by the conversion unit of the business support device. [Figure 7E] FIG. 5 is a fifth diagram showing a specific example of manual item name conversion processing by the conversion unit of the business support device. [Figure 8A] FIG. 11 is a first diagram showing a specific example of a manual conversion result reflection process performed by a conversion unit of a task support device. [Figure 8B] FIG. 2 is a second diagram showing a specific example of a manual conversion result reflection process performed by the conversion unit of the business support device. [Figure 9A] 13 is a diagram showing a specific example of an estimate comparison table generation process performed by a generation unit of the business support device. FIG. [Figure 9B] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a specific example of an estimate comparison table generated by a generating unit. [Figure 10] 11 is a diagram showing a specific example of a reference information adding process performed by an adding unit of the task support device; [Figure 11A] 11 is a diagram showing a specific example of a comparison information adding process performed by an adding unit of the task support device; [Figure 11B] 13 is a first diagram showing a specific example of an estimate comparison table to which reference information and comparison information have been added by an adding unit. FIG. [Figure 11C] 13 is a second diagram showing a specific example of an estimate comparison table to which reference information and comparison information have been added by the adding unit. FIG. [Figure 12A] FIG. 11 is a first diagram showing a specific example of data recording processing by an addition unit of the task assistance device. [Figure 12B] FIG. 2 is a second diagram showing a specific example of data recording processing by the addition unit of the task assistance device. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a specific example of a data update process performed by an addition unit of the task support device. [Figure 14A] 13 is a first diagram showing another specific example of an estimate comparison table to which reference information and comparison information have been added by an adding unit. FIG. [Figure 14B]13 is a second diagram showing another specific example of an estimate comparison table to which reference information and comparison information have been added by the adding unit. FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another example of the manual conversion screen. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, each embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this specification and the drawings, components having substantially the same functional configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0009] [First embodiment] <System configuration of business support system> First, a system configuration of a business support system according to a first embodiment will be described. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the system configuration of the business support system. As shown in Fig. 1, the business support system 100 includes a business support device 110, an image forming device 120, and a terminal device 130. In the business support system 100, the business support device 110, the image forming device 120, and the terminal device 130 are communicatively connected via a communication network 140.

[0010] The business support device 110 is a device used by a user 111 such as an orderer when performing an assessment task or comparing quotations, and is a device that supports the assessment task or comparison of quotations by the user 111. The assessment task is a task of judging the suitability of the estimates of multiple businesses by comparing quotations submitted by each business item name.

[0011] In the first embodiment, the business support device 110 generates an estimate comparison table based on estimates (electronic files in a predetermined format) acquired from a plurality of businesses, and displays it to the user 111. The estimate comparison table refers to information in which estimates from each business are arranged in a predetermined direction (side by side) under unified item names, and standard information and comparison information (described in detail later) are added, so that the user 111 can easily judge the suitability of each estimate by comparing the estimates from each business.

[0012] The image forming device 120 is a device that, when a paper quotation is submitted by each contractor, scans the paper quotation, generates an estimate in an electronic file of a specified format, and transmits it to the business support device 110 via the communication network 140.

[0013] The terminal device 130 is a device used by a contractor to create a quotation. The contractor creates a quotation by using the terminal device 130. The contractor transmits the created quotation from the terminal device 130 to the business support device 110 via the communication network 140.

[0014] In the example of FIG. 1, for convenience of explanation, only one terminal device 130 is shown, but the business support system 100 includes terminal devices 130 for each company that creates quotations.

[0015] <Hardware configuration of business support device> Next, the hardware configuration of the task support device 110 included in the task support system 100 will be described.

[0016] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the business support device 110. The business support device 110 is constructed by a computer, and includes a CPU 201, a ROM 202, a RAM 203, an HD 204, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) controller 205, a display 206 (an example of a display unit), an external device connection I / F (Interface) 208, a network I / F 209, a data bus 210, a keyboard 211, a pointing device 212, a DVD-RW (Digital Versatile Disk Rewritable) drive 214, and a media I / F 216, as shown in Fig. 2.

[0017] Among these, the CPU 201 controls the operation of the entire business support device 110. The ROM 202 stores programs such as an IPL used to drive the CPU 201. The RAM 203 is used as a work area for the CPU 201. The HD 204 stores various data such as programs. The HDD controller 205 controls reading or writing of various data from or to the HD 204 under the control of the CPU 201. The display 206 displays various information such as a cursor, a menu, a window, a character, or an image. The external device connection I / F 208 is an interface for connecting various external devices. In this case, the external device is, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory or a printer. The network I / F 209 is an interface for data communication using the communication network 140. The data bus 210 is an address bus, a data bus, or the like for electrically connecting each component such as the CPU 201 shown in FIG. 2.

[0018] The keyboard 211 is a type of input means having a plurality of keys for inputting characters, numbers, various instructions, etc. The pointing device 212 is a type of input means for selecting and executing various instructions, selecting a processing target, moving a cursor, etc. The DVD-RW drive 214 controls reading and writing of various data from a DVD-RW 213 as an example of a removable recording medium. Note that this is not limited to DVD-RW, and may be DVD-R, etc. The media I / F 216 controls reading and writing (storing) of data from a recording medium 215 such as a flash memory.

[0019] <Functional configuration of the business support device> Next, a functional configuration of the business support device 110 will be described. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the business support device. A business support program is installed in the business support device 110, and the business support device 110 realizes the functional configuration shown in Fig. 3 by executing the program.

[0020] Specifically, the business support device 110 functions as a reception unit 301 , an AIOCR unit 302 , a display control unit 303 , a conversion unit 304 , a generation unit 305 , and an addition unit 306 .

[0021] The reception unit 301 receives an estimate via the communication network 140. As described above, the estimate received by the reception unit 301 is an electronic file in a predetermined format, and the reception unit 301 notifies the AIOCR unit 302 of the estimate that has been received.

[0022] The AIOCR unit 302 performs AIOCR processing on the estimate notified by the reception unit 301 to recognize characters contained in the estimate, and transcribes the estimate into a predetermined format based on the recognition result.

[0023] The specified format is a format that includes headings for classifying and transcribing the characters included in the quotation according to the recognition results, such as "classification," "item name," "quantity," "unit," "unit price," and "amount."

[0024] The AIOCR unit 302 notifies the display control unit 303 of the quotation after it has been transcribed into a predetermined format.

[0025] The display control unit 303 displays various display screens on the display 206 and accepts various instructions input by the user 111 via the keyboard 211, the pointing device 212, etc. The display control unit 303 generates various display screens by transmitting and receiving information between the AIOCR unit 302, the conversion unit 304, the generation unit 305, and the addition unit 306. The display control unit 303 also transmits and receives information between the AIOCR unit 302, the conversion unit 304, the generation unit 305, and the addition unit 306 based on the various accepted instructions.

[0026] When the conversion unit 304 is notified of the quotation after being transcribed into a predetermined format by the display control unit 303, the conversion unit 304 performs a "data cleansing process."

[0027] In addition, the conversion unit 304 performs conversion processing on characters classified under the heading of "item name" of the quotation after the data cleansing processing has been performed and the quotation has been transcribed into a predetermined format.

[0028] In addition, since the characters classified under the heading of "item name" on the quotation after being transcribed into the specified format are the names of quotation items for estimating "quantity," "unit," "unit price," "amount," etc. in the quotation, these characters will be referred to as the "item name" of the quotation hereinafter.

[0029] The conversion unit 304 performs conversion processing on the item names of the estimate by referring to the standard name list stored in the standard name list storage unit 311 (an example of a storage unit), and converts the item names of the estimate into standard names. Generally, an estimate may have different item names for the same material for each vendor, so the conversion unit 304 converts the item names of the estimate into standard names so that the same material is unified into the standard names.

[0030] The reference name list is information showing the correspondence between item names and reference names in an estimate, and is a list of conversion histories when item names were converted to reference names in past estimates. However, the reference name list is not limited to a list of conversion histories. For example, the reference name list may be a list of reference names that are candidates for converting item names. In that case, the reference name list may be generated by reading samples in advance and correcting or adding to them manually by the user, or may be generated entirely by manual input. The conversion unit 304 executes both a process of automatically converting item names in an estimate to reference names and a process of converting from candidates for reference names extracted or searched from the list of reference names to candidates for reference names selected by the user 111 by referring to the list of reference names. In the following, the former is referred to as an "item name automatic conversion process" and the latter is referred to as an "item name manual conversion process".

[0031] The conversion unit 304 also performs a "manual conversion result reflection process" on the base name that has been manually converted by the manual item name conversion process, thereby reflecting the result in the base name list. The conversion unit 304 also performs a "manual conversion result reflection process" on the base name that has been manually converted by the manual item name conversion process, thereby generating an estimate after automatic and manual conversion to the base name, and notifies the display control unit 303.

[0032] When the generation unit 305 is notified of the estimate after automatic and manual conversion to the reference names from the display control unit 303, the generation unit 305 performs "estimate comparison table generation processing." Specifically, the generation unit 305 arranges each converted reference name vertically in the estimate comparison table. In addition, the generation unit 305 arranges each estimate for each item name included in the estimate after automatic and manual conversion to the reference names in a position corresponding to each reference name in the estimate comparison table.

[0033] The generating unit 305 executes the process of arranging each estimate in a position corresponding to each criterion name in the estimate comparison table for multiple quotations. In this way, the generating unit 305 can generate an estimate comparison table in which each estimate for each item name in multiple quotations is arranged side by side in a position corresponding to each criterion name. The estimate comparison table generated by the generating unit 305 is notified to the adding unit 306.

[0034] When the addition unit 306 is notified of the estimate comparison table by the generation unit 305, the addition unit 306 performs a "reference information addition process." Specifically, the addition unit 306 obtains "reference information" that serves as a reference when the user 111 judges the suitability of each estimate from the pivot table storage unit 313 or the like, and adds it to the estimate comparison table. The reference information added by the addition unit 306 includes, for example, Market price per item name, - The lowest price in the past (lowest price in the past) and the average price in the past (average price in the past) for each item in the past quotations, The lowest overall price for each item name among the market unit prices for each item name and the unit prices for each item name in past quotations (lowest overall price), etc. are included.

[0035] The unit prices for each item name in past quotations are stored as a past unit price table in the past unit price table storage unit 312. The lowest and average unit prices in the past are stored as a pivot table in the pivot table storage unit 313.

[0036] The adding unit 306 also performs a "comparison information adding process." Specifically, the adding unit 306 calculates "comparison information" by comparing each estimate for each item name included in the estimate comparison table with the corresponding reference information, and adds the "comparison information" to the estimate comparison table. The comparison information added by the adding unit 306 includes, for example, - The reduction or difference in the estimate for each item name (cost reduction potential) calculated by comparing the estimate for each item name with the reference information; The total reduction or difference in the estimate for each item name (total cost reduction potential), etc. are included.

[0037] The adding unit 306 also generates comments derived from the cost reduction potential calculated for a specific item name and adds them to the estimate comparison table. The comments generated by the adding unit 306 may include explanations of key points (such as key item names, unit prices, and quantities) when comparing estimates from each contractor.

[0038] Furthermore, the adding unit 306 notifies the display control unit 303 of the estimate comparison table to which the reference information and the comparison information (including comments) have been added.

[0039] The addition unit 306 also performs a "data recording process" to record the estimates in the generated estimate comparison table in the past unit price table storage unit 312. Furthermore, the addition unit 306 updates the pivot table storage unit 313 and also performs a "data updating process" to update the comparison information in the estimate comparison table.

[0040] In this way, the business support device 110 performs data cleansing processing on the quotation after it has been transcribed into a predetermined format, and then performs an item name automatic conversion processing and an item name manual conversion processing for unifying the item names of the quotation to standard names. In addition, the business support device 110 performs an estimate comparison table generation processing in which estimates of quotations submitted by multiple businesses are arranged side by side for each item name converted to the standard name, and displays the estimate comparison table to the user 111.

[0041] As a result, in the past, if the item names on the estimate differed depending on the vendor, it was difficult to compare each item name. However, according to this embodiment, even if the item names on the estimate differ depending on the vendor, the user 111 can easily compare each item name.

[0042] Furthermore, the business support device 110 acquires reference information that is used as a reference when judging the suitability of an estimate, adds the information to the estimate comparison table, and then performs a reference information addition process to display the information to the user 111.

[0043] As a result, whereas in the past, it was not possible to determine the validity of the quotation itself because the criteria for judging the appropriateness of the quotation were unknown, according to this embodiment, the user 111 is able to judge the validity of the quotation itself by referring to the criteria information.

[0044] Furthermore, the business support device 110 generates comparison information by comparing the estimate with the reference information for each item name, adds the generated comparison information to the estimate comparison table, and then performs a comparison information adding process to display the generated comparison information to the user 111.

[0045] Conventionally, the user 111 himself / herself had to judge the suitability of the estimate for each item name, but according to this embodiment, it is possible to select the item name to be focused on based on the comparison information. As a result, according to this embodiment, the workload of the user 111 in the assessment work and comparison of estimates can be reduced.

[0046] <Specific examples of processing by each unit of the business support device 110> Next, a specific example of various processes performed by each unit (here, the display control unit 303, the conversion unit 304, the generation unit 305, and the addition unit 306) of the task support device 110 will be described.

[0047] (1) Specific example of data cleansing process by the conversion unit 304 First, a specific example of the data cleansing process performed by the conversion unit 304 will be described. Fig. 4 is a first diagram showing a specific example of the data cleansing process performed by the conversion unit of the task support device.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 4, the conversion unit 304 has a data cleansing unit 401, an item name automatic conversion unit 402, and an item name manual conversion unit 403, and in the data cleansing process, the data cleansing unit 401 operates in cooperation with the display control unit 303.

[0049] When the display control unit 303 is notified of the quotation after being transcribed into a predetermined format from the AIOCR unit 302, the display control unit 303 generates a pre-cleansing screen 410 and displays it to the user 111. As shown in Fig. 4, the pre-cleansing screen 410 includes a company A quotation 411 after being transcribed into a predetermined format and a cleansing button 412.

[0050] As shown in the example of FIG. 4, a quotation 411 of company A after being transcribed into a prescribed format includes the headings "Classification", "Item Name", "Quantity", "Unit", "Unit Price", and "Amount".

[0051] The cleansing button 412 is an instruction button for instructing data cleansing processing of the company A quotation 411 after it has been transcribed into a predetermined format. When the cleansing button 412 is pressed on the pre-cleansing screen 410, the company A quotation 411 after it has been transcribed into a predetermined format is notified to the data cleansing unit 401.

[0052] The data cleansing unit 401 executes data cleansing processing when it receives the Company A quotation 411 after being transcribed into a predetermined format from the display control unit 303. Data cleansing processing generally refers to processing for correcting deficiencies such as data errors, omissions, and duplications, and for improving the accuracy of data.

[0053] In the case of the data cleansing unit 401 in this embodiment, the data cleansing process is, for example, - If half-width katakana characters are included in the item name, the process of changing them to full-width katakana characters, - If a line break is included in the middle of an item name, the process of correcting it to eliminate the line break, etc.

[0054] The data cleansing unit 401 notifies the display control unit 303 and the automatic item name conversion unit 402 of the Company A quotation that has been subjected to data cleansing processing and transcribed into a predetermined format (hereinafter referred to as the Company A quotation after data cleansing).

[0055] 5 is a second diagram showing a specific example of data cleansing processing by the conversion unit of the business support device. When the display control unit 303 is notified of the company A quotation 511 after data cleansing from the data cleansing unit 401, the display control unit 303 generates a post-cleansing screen 510 and displays it to the user 111. As shown in FIG. 5, the post-cleansing screen 510 includes the company A quotation 511 after data cleansing.

[0056] As shown in the example of FIG. 5, in the company A quotation 511 after data cleansing, multiple item names have been corrected from half-width to full-width (see the underlined item names in the company A quotation 511 after data cleansing).

[0057] (2) Specific example of automatic item name conversion process by the conversion unit 304 Next, a specific example of the item name automatic conversion process by the conversion unit 304 will be described. Fig. 6A is a first diagram showing a specific example of the item name automatic conversion process by the conversion unit of the business support device. In the item name automatic conversion process, the item name automatic conversion unit 402 operates in cooperation with the display control unit 303.

[0058] When the item name automatic conversion unit 402 is notified of the A company quotation 511 after data cleansing from the data cleansing unit 401, it refers to the reference name list storage unit 311. As described above, the reference name list storage unit 311 stores, for example, a reference name list 600 as information indicating the correspondence between the item names of the quotation and the reference names.

[0059] The item name automatic conversion unit 402 determines whether or not there is an item name included in the A company quotation 511 after data cleansing that matches a reference name included in the "reference name" in the reference name list 600. If the item name automatic conversion unit 402 determines that there is an item name that matches a reference name included in the "reference name" in the reference name list 600, it identifies the reference name.

[0060] Furthermore, the item name automatic conversion unit 402 determines whether or not there is an item name included in the company A quotation 511 after data cleansing that matches an item name included in "item name stated in the quotation" in the reference name list 600. If the item name automatic conversion unit 402 determines that there is an item name that matches an item name included in "item name stated in the quotation" in the reference name list 600, it identifies a reference name that corresponds to the item name included in "item name stated in the quotation" in the reference name list 600.

[0061] The item name automatic conversion unit 402 automatically converts, among the item names included in the post-data-cleansing company A quotation 511, those for which a reference name can be identified, to the identified reference name. Note that, if there is an item name that matches a reference name included in the "reference name" in the reference name list 600, the item name automatic conversion unit 402 does not need to automatically convert that item name.

[0062] The item name automatic conversion unit 402 also notifies the display control unit 303 of the automatically converted company A quotation in which the item names have been automatically converted to the reference names. At this time, the item name automatic conversion unit 402 stores the automatically converted reference names and the item names before conversion in association with each other. The display control unit 303 displays the converted quotation screen 610 using the item names before conversion and the converted reference names stored in association with each other.

[0063] As a result, the display control unit 303 generates a converted quotation screen 610, which is a display screen including the Company A quotation after the automatic conversion in the base name, and displays it to the user 111. As shown in FIG. 6A, the converted quotation screen 610 includes the Company A quotation 611 after the automatic conversion in the base name.

[0064] In the converted quotation screen 610, the underlined characters attached to the item names of the A company quotation 611 after automatic conversion to the reference name represent the characters that were automatically converted to the reference name by the item name automatic conversion unit 402. Characters that are not underlined are item names that were not automatically converted by the item name automatic conversion unit 402. Note that the converted quotation screen 610 also includes item names that were not automatically converted because they match the reference names included in the "reference name" in the above-mentioned reference name list 600. For this reason, such item names may be underlined to indicate that the reference name in the reference name list 600 has been identified by the item name automatic conversion unit 402.

[0065] 6B is a second diagram showing a specific example of the item name automatic conversion process by the conversion unit of the business support device. As shown in FIG. 6B, in the item name automatic conversion process, in addition to the process of displaying the converted quotation screen 610 (FIG. 6A), a process of displaying a reference name list screen is performed.

[0066] Specifically, the item name automatic conversion unit 402 reads out the reference name list 600 from the reference name list storage unit 311, and notifies the display control unit 303. As a result, the display control unit 303 can generate a reference name list screen 620, which is a display screen including the reference name list 600, and display it to the user 111. As shown in Fig. 6B, by displaying the reference name list screen 620, the user 111 can recognize how each item name has been converted as a result of the execution of the item name automatic conversion process.

[0067] (3) Specific example of manual item name conversion process by the conversion unit 304 Next, a specific example of the item name manual conversion process by the conversion unit 304 will be described. Fig. 7A is a first diagram showing a specific example of the item name manual conversion process by the conversion unit of the business support device. In the item name manual conversion process, the item name manual conversion unit 403 operates in cooperation with the display control unit 303. The item name manual conversion process is started by pressing the manual conversion button 612 (an example of a first instruction button) on the converted estimate screen 610 shown in Fig. 6A.

[0068] When the manual conversion button 612 is pressed on the converted estimate screen 610, the display control unit 303 notifies the item name manual conversion unit 403 of each item name 701 that was not automatically converted to a standard name by the item name automatic conversion unit 402.

[0069] When the display control unit 303 notifies the manual item name conversion unit 403 of each item name 701 that has not been automatically converted to a reference name by the automatic item name conversion unit 402, the manual item name conversion unit 403 refers to the reference name list stored in the reference name list storage unit 311. Furthermore, the manual item name conversion unit 403 calculates a match rate (character match rate) between each item name 701 that has not been automatically converted to a reference name and each reference name included in the "reference name" in the reference name list 600, for example, using AI. Note that the AI ​​used in the manual item name conversion unit 403 to calculate the match rate includes any model that performs natural language processing, for example, the OpenAI Embedding model, the BERT model, etc.

[0070] The item name manual conversion unit 403 notifies the calculated match rate to the display control unit 303. The display control unit 303, which has been notified of the match rate from the item name manual conversion unit 403, generates a match rate list screen 710, which is a display screen including a match rate list 711, and displays it to the user 111.

[0071] 7A, in the match rate list 711, each item name 701 that was not automatically converted to a reference name is arranged horizontally, and each reference name included in the "reference name" of the reference name list is arranged vertically. Also, the match rate is stored in the area where each item name arranged horizontally intersects with each reference name arranged vertically.

[0072] 7B is a second diagram showing a specific example of the manual item name conversion process by the conversion unit of the business support device. As shown in FIG. 7B, when notifying the display control unit 303 of the calculated match rate, the manual item name conversion unit 403 also notifies the display control unit 303 of the reference name candidates.

[0073] The reference name candidates refer to a predetermined number of reference names whose match rates with each item name 701 that was not automatically converted to a reference name are calculated and whose match rates are equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value.

[0074] When the display control unit 303 is notified of the reference name candidates from the item name manual conversion unit 403, the display control unit 303 generates a manual conversion screen 720 and displays it to the user 111.

[0075] As shown in FIG. 7B, on the manual conversion screen 720, item names 701 that have not been automatically converted to reference names and reference name candidates 721 are arranged vertically.

[0076] 7B, the base name candidate with the highest match rate is displayed as a default in base name candidate 721. When user 111 selects a base name candidate other than the base name candidate with the highest match rate, pull-down menu 722 is displayed. As shown in FIG. 7B, in pull-down menu 722, base name candidates corresponding to the item name designated by user 111 among item names 701 that were not automatically converted to base names are arranged in descending order of match rate together with the match rate.

[0077] This allows the user 111 to select a reference name candidate corresponding to the item name that was not automatically converted from the reference name candidates included in the displayed pull-down menu 722, that is, to make a selection based on the match rate, and identify the reference name corresponding to the item name.

[0078] 7B, the manual conversion screen 720 includes a search screen display button 723 for instructing the display of a search screen. When the user 111 determines that there is no suitable base name candidate corresponding to the item name that was not automatically converted among the base name candidates included in the displayed pull-down menu 722, the user presses the search screen display button 723.

[0079] That is, when the user 111 encounters an item name for which the reference name cannot be specified, the user 111 presses the search screen display button 723 to enable the user 111 to search for and specify the reference name from within a wider range.

[0080] FIG. 7C is a third diagram showing a specific example of the item name manual conversion process by the display control unit and the conversion unit of the business support device, and shows the process when the search screen display button 723 is pressed.

[0081] As shown in FIG. 7C, when the search screen display button 723 is pressed on the manual conversion screen 720, the display control unit 303 extracts the item names for which no reference name candidates were selected by the user 111 (item names for which no relevant candidates were selected) as search item names.

[0082] The example of FIG. 7C shows a state in which the search screen display button 723 is pressed, and the display control unit 303 extracts "clean pipe HIVP 50A" as a search item name.

[0083] FIG. 7D is the fourth diagram showing a specific example of manual item name conversion processing by the conversion unit of the business support device, and shows the state in which the display control unit 303 extracts the search item name and then displays the search screen 730.

[0084] As shown in FIG. 7D, the search screen 730 includes a field 731 for inputting a name to be searched for. In the example of FIG. 7D, "clean pipe HIVP 50A" extracted as a search item name is input as the name to be searched for. Also, as shown in FIG. 7D, the search screen 730 includes a reference name candidate 732 that displays reference names searched based on "clean pipe HIVP 50A". In the example of FIG. 7D, a predetermined number of reference names whose match rate with "clean pipe HIVP 50A" is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold are displayed as reference name candidates in order of highest match rate.

[0085] Here, the user 111 modifies the search item name so that the reference name can be searched and specified from within a wider range. The example in Fig. 7D shows the state in which the user 111 modifies the search item name from "clean pipe HIVP 50A" to "HIVP" and inputs it into the field 741 for inputting the name to be searched for.

[0086] As shown in FIG. 7D, search screen 730 includes a search button 733, and when user 111 corrects the search item name to "HIVP" and then presses search button 733, display control unit 303 notifies item name manual conversion unit 403 of the corrected search item name.

[0087] As a result, the item name manual conversion unit 403 calculates the match rate between the corrected search item name and each base name included in the "base name" of the base name list, and notifies the display control unit 303 of base name candidates.

[0088] When the display control unit 303 is notified of the reference name candidates for the corrected search item name from the item name manual conversion unit 403, the display control unit 303 generates a search result display screen 740 and displays it to the user 111.

[0089] As shown in Fig. 7D, the search result display screen 740 displays the reference name candidates 742 for the corrected search item name in descending order of match rate. This allows the user 111 to select a reference name candidate corresponding to the search item name and specify the reference name corresponding to that item name. Although not shown in Fig. 7D, when displaying the reference name candidates 732 and 742, the match rate may also be displayed.

[0090] FIG. 7E is the fifth figure showing a specific example of manual item name conversion processing by the conversion unit of the business support device, and shows the display of a manual conversion confirmation screen 750 for confirming the reference name that has been manually converted as a result of the manual item name conversion processing being executed.

[0091] As shown in FIG. 7E, on the manual conversion confirmation screen 750, the user 111 can specify whether or not to register in the reference name list the correspondence between the item names that were not automatically converted and the reference names identified in the manual item name conversion process.

[0092] Furthermore, the manual conversion confirmation screen 750 includes a reference name list reflect button 751 (an example of a second instruction button) and a quote reflect button 752 (an example of a third instruction button).

[0093] When the user 111 presses the reference name list reflection button 751, the item name manual conversion unit 403 registers the correspondence between the item names that were not automatically converted and the base names identified by the item name manual conversion process in the base name list stored in the base name list storage unit 311. However, the correspondence that the user 111 specified not to register in the base name list is not registered.

[0094] In addition, when the user 111 presses the quotation reflection button 752, the item name manual conversion unit 403 converts the item names in the A company quotation 611 (Figure 6A) after automatic conversion to the reference names that were not automatically converted to the reference names into the reference names identified by the item name manual conversion process.

[0095] (4) Specific example of manual conversion result reflection process by the conversion unit 304 Next, a specific example of the manual conversion result reflection process by the conversion unit 304 will be described. In the manual conversion result reflection process, the item name manual conversion unit 403 operates in cooperation with the display control unit 303. Note that the manual conversion result reflection process is started when the reference name list reflection button 751 or the estimate reflection button 752 is pressed on the manual conversion confirmation screen 750 shown in FIG. 7E.

[0096] FIG. 8A is the first diagram showing a specific example of manual conversion result reflection processing by the conversion unit of the task support device, and shows a specific example of manual conversion result reflection processing that is started when the reference name list reflection button 751 is pressed.

[0097] As shown in FIG. 8A, when the user 111 presses the reference name list reflect button 751, the display control unit 303 notifies the item name manual conversion unit 403 of the item names that were not automatically converted and the reference names identified in the manual item name conversion process.

[0098] The manual item name conversion unit 403 stores the correspondence between the item names that were not automatically converted, which were notified by the display control unit 303, and the reference names identified in the manual item name conversion process, as a conversion history in the reference name list 810 of the reference name list storage unit 311.

[0099] FIG. 8B is a second diagram showing a specific example of the manual conversion result reflection process by the conversion unit of the business support device, and shows a specific example of the manual conversion result reflection process that is started when the quotation reflection button 752 is pressed.

[0100] As shown in FIG. 8B, when the user 111 presses the estimate reflection button 752, the display control unit 303 converts the item names that were not automatically converted in the company A quotation 611 (FIG. 6A) after automatic conversion to the base name to the base name identified in the item name manual conversion process. As a result, the display control unit 303 generates company A quotation 611' after automatic and manual conversion to the base name. In addition, the display control unit 303 generates a converted quotation screen 610' which is a display screen including company A quotation 611' after automatic and manual conversion to the base name, and displays it to the user 111.

[0101] Among the item names included in Company A's quotation 611' after automatic and manual conversion to the base names on the converted quotation screen 610' in Figure 8B, the underlined item names represent item names that have been manually converted to base names in the manual conversion result reflection process.

[0102] (5) Specific Example of Estimate Comparison Table Generation Process by Generation Unit 305 Next, a specific example of the estimate comparison table generation process by the generation unit 305 will be described. FIG. 9A is a diagram showing a specific example of the estimate comparison table generation process by the generation unit of the business support device. As shown in FIG. 9A, the generation unit 305 has a converted item name acquisition unit 901, an estimate acquisition unit 902, and an arrangement unit 903. In the estimate comparison table generation process, the converted item name acquisition unit 901, the estimate acquisition unit 902, and the arrangement unit 903 operate in cooperation with the display control unit 303.

[0103] The converted item name acquisition unit 901 acquires each base name from the quotation after automatic conversion and manual conversion to the base name, and notifies each acquired base name to the array unit 903. It is assumed that the quotation after automatic conversion and manual conversion to the base name is generated for quotations of multiple vendors, and in this embodiment, the multiple vendors are "Company A" and "Company B".

[0104] Therefore, the converted item name acquisition unit 901 acquires each reference name from the company A quotation after automatic conversion and manual conversion to the reference names (for example, the company A quotation 611' in FIG. 8B), and notifies the arrangement unit 903 of each acquired reference name. In addition, the converted item name acquisition unit 901 acquires each reference name from the company B quotation after automatic conversion and manual conversion to the reference names (not shown), and notifies the arrangement unit 903 of each acquired reference name.

[0105] The estimate acquisition unit 902 acquires each estimate for each item name included in the estimate after automatic conversion and manual conversion to the base name, and notifies each acquired estimate for each item name to the array unit 903. As described above, the estimates after automatic conversion and manual conversion to the base name are generated for "Company A" and "Company B".

[0106] Therefore, the estimate acquisition unit 902 acquires each estimate for each item name included in the company A quotation after automatic conversion and manual conversion to the base name (for example, the company A quotation 611' in FIG. 8B), and notifies the arrangement unit 903 of each acquired estimate for each item name. The estimate acquisition unit 902 also acquires each estimate for each item name included in the company B quotation (not shown) after automatic conversion and manual conversion to the base name, and notifies the arrangement unit 903 of each acquired estimate for each item name.

[0107] The arrangement unit 903 arranges each standard name notified from the converted item name acquisition unit 901 in a vertical row in the quotation comparison table. To prevent the same standard name from being arranged in different rows, the arrangement unit 903 compares each standard name acquired from the quotation of company A with each standard name acquired from the quotation of company B and judges whether they are the same standard name.

[0108] For example, the arrangement unit 903 first arranges each standard name acquired from the quotation of company A in a vertical row. Next, the arrangement unit 903 compares each standard name acquired from the quotation of company B with each standard name already arranged, and determines whether there are identical standard names. If there are identical standard names, the arrangement unit 903 does not arrange the standard name in the quotation comparison table, and arranges only standard names that differ from the standard names already arranged in the quotation comparison table. Note that when arranging the standard names acquired from the quotation of company B, the arrangement unit 903 arranges them in a position where standard names of the same classification are arranged.

[0109] The arranging unit 903 arranges each estimate notified by the estimate acquisition unit 902 in a position corresponding to each criterion name in the estimate comparison table. For example, if the criterion name corresponding to the estimate acquired from company A's estimate and the criterion name corresponding to the estimate acquired from company B's estimate are the same, the arranging unit 903 arranges the estimates of both companies side by side in the positions corresponding to the same criterion name. In this way, the arranging unit 903 generates the estimate comparison table.

[0110] In FIG. 9A, estimate comparison table 910 shows an example of an estimate comparison table generated based on quotations from "Company A" and "Company B". As shown in FIG. 9A, estimate comparison table 910 includes headings such as "Classification", "Item Name", "Unit", "Quantity", "Unit Price", "Price", and "Labor". Details of each estimate arranged at a position corresponding to each heading of estimate comparison table 910 shown in FIG. 9A will be described using FIG. 9B. FIG. 9B shows a specific example of an estimate comparison table generated by the generation unit.

[0111] As shown in FIG. 9B, information indicating the classification of the item name is placed in "Classification." Each standard name is placed in "Item Name." In "Unit," the unit for each item name is placed among the estimates for each item name.

[0112] "Quantity" further includes "Company A" and "Company B", where "Company A" places the quantity for each item name from among the quotes for each item name. Also, "Company B" places the quantity for each item name from among the quotes for each item name.

[0113] "Unit Price" further includes "Company A" and "Company B", where "Company A" places Company A's unit price for each item name among the quotations for each item name. Also, "Company B" places Company B's unit price for each item name among the quotations for each item name.

[0114] "Price" further includes "Company A" and "Company B", where "Company A" places Company A's price (unit price x quantity) for each item name in each quote for each item name. Additionally, "Company B" places Company B's price (unit price x quantity) for each item name in each quote for each item name. Furthermore, the totals of Company A's prices and Company B's prices, calculated by adding up Company A's prices and Company B's prices for each item name for all items, are placed in the corresponding positions.

[0115] "Manpower" further includes "work manpower", "Company A manpower number", and "Company B manpower number". In "work manpower", the manpower number for each item name is placed. In "Company A manpower number", the manpower number for Company A, which is derived from the quantity and work manpower of Company A for each item name, is placed. In "Company B manpower number", the manpower number for Company B, which is derived from the quantity and work manpower of Company B for each item name, is placed. Furthermore, the total manpower number for Company A and the total manpower number for Company B, which are calculated by adding up the manpower number for Company A and the manpower number for Company B for each item name, respectively, for all item names, are placed in the corresponding positions.

[0116] In this way, the estimate comparison table generated by the generating unit 305 includes estimates from Company A and Company B, and the contents (manpower) derived from the estimates from Company A and Company B. Furthermore, in the estimate comparison table generated by the generating unit 305, each estimate for each item name included in Company A's estimate and the contents derived from each estimate, and each estimate for each item name included in Company B's estimate and the contents derived from each estimate are arranged side by side.

[0117] The arrangement unit 903 of the generation unit 305 notifies the addition unit 306 of the generated estimate comparison table 910.

[0118] (6) Specific example of reference information addition process by the addition unit 306 Next, a specific example of the reference information addition process by the addition unit 306 will be described. Fig. 10 is a diagram showing a specific example of the reference information addition process by the addition unit of the business support device. As shown in Fig. 10, the addition unit 306 has a reference information addition unit 1001, a comparison information addition unit 1002, a recording unit 1003, a counting unit 1004, and an update unit 1005. In the reference information addition process, the reference information addition unit 1001 operates in cooperation with the display control unit 303.

[0119] When the reference information adding unit 1001 is notified of the estimate comparison table 910 from the generating unit 305, it acquires the reference information to be arranged for each item name. In addition, the reference information adding unit 1001 notifies the comparison information adding unit 1002 of the estimate comparison table 1000 to which the acquired reference information has been added.

[0120] As shown in FIG. 10, the reference information of the estimate comparison table 1000 includes "market price", "past price", and "overall lowest price".

[0121] The reference information adding unit 1001 acquires each market unit price for each item name, and places each acquired market unit price in the position of the “market unit price” in the estimate comparison table 1000 corresponding to each item name.

[0122] The reference information adding unit 1001 also reads out the lowest unit price (lowest price in history) extracted for each item name from the unit prices for each item name included in each past estimate, which are unit prices stored in the pivot table storage unit 313. The reference information adding unit 1001 places the lowest price in history for each item name that it has read out in positions corresponding to each item name in the "lowest price in history" of the "past unit price" in the estimate comparison table 1000.

[0123] The reference information adding unit 1001 also reads out the average unit price (past average) for each item name, which is calculated based on the unit price for each item name included in each past estimate and is stored in the pivot table storage unit 313. The reference information adding unit 1001 places the read-out past average value for each item name in the positions corresponding to each item name in the "past average value" of the "past unit price" in the estimate comparison table 1000.

[0124] It is assumed that the unit price for each item name included in each past estimate is stored in the past unit price table storage unit 312. Also, it is assumed that the pivot table storage unit 313 stores the lowest and average prices in the past, which are extracted or calculated based on the unit price for each item name included in each past estimate stored in the past unit price table storage unit 312.

[0125] 10, the reference information includes an "overall lowest price." The reference information adding unit 1001 extracts the market unit price for each item name and the lowest unit price (overall lowest price) among the lowest prices in the past for each item name, and places them in the "overall lowest price" in the quotation comparison table 1000 at positions corresponding to each item name.

[0126] Furthermore, the reference information adding unit 1001 calculates the total lowest price by adding up the overall lowest price for each item name for all item names (not shown in FIG. 10).

[0127] (7) Specific example of comparison information addition process by the addition unit 306 Next, a specific example of the comparison information addition process by the addition unit 306 will be described. Fig. 11A is a diagram showing a specific example of the comparison information addition process by the addition unit of the business support device. In the comparison information addition process, the comparison information addition unit 1002 operates in cooperation with the display control unit 303.

[0128] When the comparison information adding unit 1002 is notified of the estimate comparison table 1000 from the reference information adding unit 1001, the comparison information adding unit 1002 generates an estimate comparison table 1100 to which the reference information and comparison information have been added by adding the comparison information, and notifies the display control unit 303.

[0129] As shown in FIG. 11A, the comparison information in the estimate comparison table 1100 includes "cost reduction potential" and "comments."

[0130] The comparison information addition unit 1002 calculates the difference between the price calculated by multiplying the overall lowest price for each item name by Company A's quantity for each item name and Company A's price for each item name, and places the difference in the position corresponding to "Company A" in "Cost Reduction Potential" in the estimate comparison table 1100.

[0131] Furthermore, the comparison information adding unit 1002 calculates a total value of the cost reduction potential of company A by adding up the cost reduction potential of company A calculated for each item name for all item names (not shown in FIG. 11A).

[0132] In addition, the comparison information addition unit 1002 calculates the difference between the price calculated by multiplying the overall lowest price for each item name by the Company B quantity for each item name and the Company B price, and places this in the position corresponding to "Company B" in "Cost Reduction Potential" in the estimate comparison table 1100.

[0133] Furthermore, the comparison information adding unit 1002 calculates the total value of company B's cost reduction potential by adding up the cost reduction potential of company B calculated for each item name for all item names (not shown in FIG. 11A).

[0134] Furthermore, the comparison information adding unit 1002 generates a comment derived from the cost reduction potential calculated for a specific item name, and adds it to the estimate comparison table 1100. The comparison information adding unit 1002 generates a comment describing a point that the user 111 should pay attention to when performing appraisal work or comparing estimates, such as an item name that has a large effect on cost reduction.

[0135] 11B and 11C are first and second diagrams showing a specific example of an estimate comparison table to which the reference information and comparison information are added by the adding unit. Although the estimate comparison table 1100 is shown in two separate diagrams due to space limitations, the dashed line in FIG. 11B and the dashed line in FIG. 11C are connected to each other and are continuous in the horizontal direction.

[0136] Returning to the explanation of Fig. 11A, when the display control unit 303 is notified of the estimate comparison table 1100 to which the reference information and comparison information have been added from the comparison information adding unit 1002, the display control unit 303 generates an estimate comparison table display screen 1110 (data for displaying the estimate comparison table) and displays it to the user 111. As shown in Fig. 11A, the estimate comparison table display screen 1110 includes the estimate comparison table 1100, a unit price record button 1111, and a data update button 1112.

[0137] (8) Specific example of data recording process by the addition unit 306 Next, a specific example of the data recording process by the adding unit 306 will be described. The data recording process is started by pressing a unit price record button 1111 included in the estimate comparison table display screen 1110 in Fig. 11A.

[0138] In the data recording process that is started when the unit price record button 1111 is pressed, the recording unit 1003 and the tallying unit 1004 operate in cooperation with the display control unit 303 .

[0139] FIG. 12A is a first diagram showing a specific example of a data recording process by the addition unit of the task support device.

[0140] When the unit price record button 1111 is pressed, the display control unit 303 notifies the recording unit 1003 of the unit price for each item name among the estimates for each item name included in the estimate comparison table 1100.

[0141] When the recording unit 1003 is notified of the unit price for each item name from the display control unit 303, it additionally records the unit price for each item name in the past unit price table in the past unit price table storage unit 312. In Fig. 12A, past unit price table 1200 is an example of a past unit price table in which company A's unit price and company B's unit price in estimate comparison table 1100 have been additionally recorded as a result of unit price record button 1111 being pressed on estimate comparison table display screen 1110 in Fig. 11A.

[0142] FIG. 12B is a second diagram showing a specific example of the data recording process by the addition unit of the task support device.

[0143] When the past unit price table stored in the past unit price table storage unit 312 is updated by the recording unit 1003 , the tabulation unit 1004 updates the pivot table stored in the pivot table storage unit 313 based on the updated past unit price table 1200 .

[0144] 12B, the lowest unit price (past lowest price) and the average unit price (past average price) for each item name of past quotations are stored in pivot table 1210. The aggregation unit 1004 updates pivot table 1210 based on the updated past unit price table 1200.

[0145] (9) Specific example of data update process by the addition unit 306 Next, a specific example of the data update process by the adding unit 306 will be described. The data update process is started by pressing a data update button 1112 included in the estimate comparison table display screen 1110 in FIG.

[0146] In the data update process that is started when the data update button 1112 is pressed, the update unit 1005 and the comparison information adding unit 1002 operate in cooperation with the display control unit 303 .

[0147] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a specific example of a data update process performed by the addition unit of the task support device.

[0148] When the data update button 1112 is pressed, the display control unit 303 notifies the update unit 1005 of an update instruction. In response to notifying the update unit 1005 of the update instruction, the display control unit 303 obtains the lowest price and the average price in the past for each item name, and the lowest price overall, from the update unit 1005, and updates the estimate comparison table 1310 (reference numbers 1311, 1321, 1322). Furthermore, the display control unit 303 obtains the cost reduction potential (Company A and Company B) recalculated by the comparison information adding unit 1002, and updates the estimate comparison table 1310 (reference numbers 1323, 1324).

[0149] When the update unit 1005 is notified of an update instruction from the display control unit 303, it refers to the pivot table storage unit 313, acquires the all-time lowest price and all-time average price for each item name, and notifies the display control unit 303. The update unit 1005 also acquires the overall lowest price for each item name, and notifies the display control unit 303.

[0150] In response to the display control unit 303 updating the overall lowest price for each item name included in the estimate comparison table, the comparison information addition unit 1002 recalculates the cost reduction potential (Company A and Company B) and notifies the display control unit 303.

[0151] An estimate comparison table 1310 included in the estimate comparison table display screen 1110 of FIG. 13 is an example of an estimate comparison table that has been updated by pressing the data update button 1112.

[0152] <Summary> As is clear from the above description, the task support device 110 according to the first embodiment has the following features: Accepts input of a quotation including item names and quotations associated with the item names. The first item name included in the first quotation (Company A's quotation) whose input has been accepted is converted to a first standard name that corresponds to the first item name. Also, the second item name included in the second quotation (Company B's quotation) whose input has been accepted is converted to a second standard name that corresponds to the second item name. An estimate comparison table display screen is generated that displays an estimate comparison table including a first estimate associated with the converted first standard name and a second estimate associated with the converted second standard name. -Display the estimate comparison table on the generated estimate comparison table display screen. When the first standard name and the second standard name are the same standard name, an estimate comparison table display screen is generated that displays an estimate comparison table in which the first estimate and the second estimate are arranged in positions corresponding to the same standard name.

[0153] In this way, in the first embodiment, the item names of the estimate are standardized to the standard names, and estimates submitted by multiple companies are arranged side by side by item name to generate an estimate comparison table and display it to the user. As a result, according to the first embodiment, even if the item names of the estimates differ from company to company, the user can easily compare each item name. In other words, according to the first embodiment, it is possible to support the user's assessment work and comparison of estimates.

[0154] [Second embodiment] In the above first embodiment, various display screens displayed to the user 111 are exemplified, but the various display screens generated by the display control unit 303 are not limited to the display screens exemplified in the above first embodiment.

[0155] For example, in the above first embodiment, a specific example of an estimate comparison table 1100 to which reference information and comparison information have been added by the addition unit 306 is shown in Figures 11B and 11C, but the specific example of the estimate comparison table is not limited to those shown in Figures 11B and 11C.

[0156] Figures 14A and 14B are first and second diagrams showing another specific example of an estimate comparison table to which reference information and comparison information have been added by the adding unit 306. In the estimate comparison table shown in Figures 11B and 11C, the estimates of Company A and Company B, the reference information and comparison information are arranged in a mixed manner in the horizontal direction. In contrast, in the estimate comparison table shown in Figures 14A and 14B, the estimates of Company A and Company B, the reference information and comparison information are arranged separately in the horizontal direction. In this way, in the estimate comparison table to which reference information and comparison information have been added by the adding unit 306, the layout method of the headers can be set arbitrarily.

[0157] In the first embodiment, a specific example of the manual conversion screen 720 is shown in FIG. 7C, but the specific example of the manual conversion screen is not limited to this.

[0158] Fig. 15 is a diagram showing another example of a manual conversion screen. In the manual conversion screen 720 shown in Fig. 7C, the reference name candidates are displayed in a pull-down menu 722. In contrast, in the case of the manual conversion screen 1500 shown in Fig. 15, the reference name candidates are arranged side by side (see reference numeral 1501). In this way, the method of displaying the reference name candidates on the manual conversion screen can be changed arbitrarily.

[0159] [Other embodiments] In each of the above embodiments, the estimate comparison table is configured to arrange the estimates of company A and company B side by side. However, the arrangement direction of the estimates in the estimate comparison table is not limited to side by side, and it is sufficient that the estimates of company A and company B are associated with the same reference name.

[0160] Furthermore, the functional configuration of the task assistance device 110 described in the first embodiment is merely an example, and for example, some of the functions of the task assistance device 110 may be realized in a device other than the task assistance device 110.

[0161] In the above-described first embodiment, the man-hours are given as an example of the content derived from the estimate, but the content derived from the estimate is not limited to the man-hours.

[0162] In the first embodiment, the market unit price, the lowest price and average price in the past, the overall lowest price, and the like are acquired as the reference information, but the information acquired as the reference information is not limited to these.

[0163] In the first embodiment, the reduction amount or difference (cost reduction potential) of each business is calculated as the comparative information, but the information calculated as the comparative information is not limited to this.

[0164] In the above first embodiment, the case was described where the standard name (first standard name) obtained by converting the item name included in the quotation of company A and the standard name (second standard name) obtained by converting the item name included in the quotation of company B are all the same standard name. However, the first standard name and the second standard name are not necessarily all the same standard name, and may be different standard names. In that case, the first standard name and the second standard name may be arranged in different rows in the quotation comparison table. In addition, when calculating the total value of the overall lowest price, the total value may be calculated separately for the first standard name and the second standard name. Similarly, when calculating the total value of the reduction range or difference of the quotation, the total value may be calculated separately for the first standard name and the second standard name.

[0165] In the above first embodiment, the case where the business assistance device 110 executes the business assistance program by itself has been described. However, the business assistance device 110 may be configured with, for example, a plurality of computers, and the business assistance program may be installed in each of the computers, so that the business assistance program is executed in a distributed computing mode.

[0166] In addition, the disclosed technology may take the following additional features. (Appendix 1) a reception unit that receives an input of a quotation including item names and quotations associated with the item names; a conversion unit that converts a first item name included in a first quotation input received by the reception unit into a first standard name corresponding to the first item name, and converts a second item name included in a second quotation input received by the reception unit into a second standard name corresponding to the second item name; a generating unit that generates data displaying an estimate comparison table including a first estimate associated with the first standard name converted by the converting unit and a second estimate associated with the second standard name converted by the converting unit; A display control unit that displays the estimate comparison table on a display unit based on the data generated by the generation unit, The generation unit generates data displaying the estimate comparison table in which the first estimate and the second estimate are associated with the same reference name when the first reference name and the second reference name are the same reference name, in a business support device. (Appendix 2) The conversion unit is Refer to a list of reference names stored in a storage unit in which a plurality of item names are associated with a plurality of reference names; If the first item name does not match the reference name, converting the first item name to a reference name that is associated with an item name that matches the first item name among the plurality of item names; If the second item name does not match the reference name, converting the second item name to a reference name that is associated with an item name that matches the second item name among the plurality of item names. 2. A business support device as described in appendix 1. (Appendix 3) The conversion unit is When the first item name does not match the reference name and there is no item name that matches the first item name, converting the first item name to a reference name selected by a user from candidates of the reference name; When the second item name does not match the reference name and there is no item name that matches the second item name, converting the second item name to a reference name selected by a user from candidates of the reference name. 3. A business support device as described in appendix 2. (Appendix 4) The conversion unit is If the first item name matches the reference name, the first item name is not converted, and if the second item name matches the reference name, the second item name is not converted. 4. The business support device according to claim 2 or 3. (Appendix 5) The conversion unit is If the first item name does not match the reference name and there is no item name that matches the first item name, a character match rate between the first item name and the multiple reference names is calculated, and a predetermined number of reference names having a character match rate equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold are extracted as candidates for the reference name; If the second item name does not match the reference name and there is no item name that matches the second item name, a character match rate between the second item name and the multiple reference names is calculated, and a predetermined number of reference names having a character match rate equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold are extracted as candidates for the reference name; The display control unit is displaying on the display unit the candidates for the reference name extracted based on the first item name in order of highest character match rate or together with the character match rate; displaying on the display unit the candidates for the reference name extracted based on the second item name in order of high character match rate or together with the character match rate; 4. A business support device as described in appendix 3. (Appendix 6) The conversion unit is If the first item name does not match the reference name and there is no item name that matches the first item name, a character match rate between the corrected first item name and the multiple reference names is calculated, and a predetermined number of reference names having a character match rate equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold are extracted as candidates for the reference name; If the second item name does not match the reference name and there is no item name that matches the second item name, a character match rate between the corrected second item name and the multiple reference names is calculated, and a predetermined number of reference names having a character match rate equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold are extracted as candidates for the reference name; The display control unit is displaying on the display unit the candidates for the reference name extracted based on the corrected first item name in order of highest character match rate or together with the character match rate; displaying on the display unit the candidates for the reference name extracted based on the corrected second item name in order of highest character match rate or together with the character match rate; 4. A business support device as described in appendix 3. (Appendix 7) The conversion unit is when the display control unit displays the candidates for the reference name extracted based on the first item name in order of high character match rate or together with the character match rate, the display unit accepts a user's selection; When the display control unit displays the candidates for the reference name extracted based on the second item name in order of high character match rate or together with the character match rate, the display unit accepts a user's selection. 7. The business support device according to claim 5 or 6. (Appendix 8) The conversion unit is the candidate for the reference name selected by the user is stored in the reference name list as a first reference name in association with a first item name; the candidate for the reference name selected by the user is stored in the reference name list as a second reference name in association with a second item name; 8. The business support device according to claim 7. (Appendix 9) An addition unit that acquires standard information for each standard name that is a standard when a user judges the first estimate and the second estimate in the estimate comparison table, and adds the standard information to the estimate comparison table in association with the first standard name and the second standard name. A business support device according to any one of supplementary notes 1 to 8. (Appendix 10) The reference information includes: Market price for each of the above-mentioned standard names, The lowest and average unit prices for each of the above-mentioned standard names in past quotations, The lowest overall price for each of the base names, extracted from the market price for each of the base names and the unit price for each of the base names in past estimates; At least one of the following is included: 10. The business support device according to claim 9. (Appendix 11) The addition unit is The total value of the overall lowest price is calculated by summing the overall lowest price for each standard name for all of the first standard names or all of the second standard names included in the quotation comparison table, Add the calculated total lowest price to the quotation comparison table; 11. The business support device according to claim 10. (Appendix 12) The addition unit is When the unit price for the first standard name in the first quotation and the unit price for the second standard name in the second quotation are added to the unit price for the standard name in the past quotation, The lowest and average historical unit prices for each of the base names in the past quotations after the unit prices for each of the first base names in the first quotation and the unit prices for each of the second base names in the second quotation are added, and the overall lowest price for each of the base names extracted from the market price for each of the base names and the unit prices for each of the base names in the past quotations after the unit prices for each of the first base names in the first quotation and the unit prices for each of the second base names in the second quotation are added; Newly acquired, The quotation comparison table is updated using the newly acquired lowest price, lowest price in the past, and lowest price overall. 11. The business support device according to claim 10. (Appendix 13) The addition unit is A first estimate for each of the first standard names is compared with standard information for each of the first standard names, and a reduction amount or difference of the first estimate for each of the first standard names is calculated; A second estimate for each of the second standard names is compared with standard information for each of the second standard names, and a reduction or difference in the second estimate for each of the second standard names is calculated; In the estimate comparison table, the calculated reduction range or difference of the first estimate for each first standard name and the calculated reduction range or difference of the second estimate for each second standard name are added as comparison information in association with the first standard name or the second standard name. A business support device according to any one of supplementary claims 9 to 12. (Appendix 14) The addition unit is The reduction or difference of the first estimate for each of the first standard names is summed up for all of the first standard names in the estimate comparison table to calculate a total reduction or difference of the first estimate; The reduction or difference of the second estimate for each of the second standard names is summed up for all of the second standard names in the estimate comparison table to calculate a total reduction or difference of the second estimate; Adding the calculated total value of the reduction or difference of the first estimate and the calculated total value of the reduction or difference of the second estimate to the estimate comparison table; 14. The business support device according to claim 13. (Appendix 15) The addition unit is Generate a comment including information on a first reduction or difference calculated for a specific first standard name, information on a second reduction or difference calculated for a specific second standard name, or an explanation of key points when comparing the first estimate with the second estimate; Adding the generated comments to the quotation comparison table; 14. The business support device according to claim 13. (Appendix 16) The display control unit is when the conversion unit converts the first item name into a reference name associated with an item name matching the first item name, or when the conversion unit converts the second item name into a reference name associated with an item name matching the second item name, displaying the converted first quotation or the converted second quotation on the display unit together with a first instruction button; The conversion unit is When the first instruction button is pressed, A process of converting the first item name using a candidate for the base name selected by the user as a first base name; or a process of converting the second item name using the candidate for the reference name selected by the user as a second reference name; To start, 4. A business support device as described in appendix 3. (Appendix 17) The display control unit is displaying a second instruction button on the display unit when the conversion unit converts the first item name into a reference name selected by the user, or when the conversion unit converts the second item name into a reference name selected by the user; The conversion unit is when the second instruction button is pressed, a process of storing the reference name in the list is started. 9. The business support device according to claim 8. (Appendix 18) The display control unit is When the conversion unit converts the first item name into a reference name selected by the user, or When the conversion unit converts the second item name into a reference name selected by the user, displaying the first quotation after conversion into the base name or the second quotation after conversion into the base name on the display unit together with a third instruction button; The generation unit starts a process of generating data for displaying the estimate comparison table when the third instruction button is pressed. 4. A business support device as described in appendix 3. (Appendix 19) A business support system having an image forming apparatus and a business support apparatus that processes an estimate scanned by the image forming apparatus, The business support device includes: a reception unit that receives an input of a quotation including item names and quotations associated with the item names; a conversion unit that converts a first item name included in a first quotation input received by the reception unit into a first standard name corresponding to the first item name, and converts a second item name included in a second quotation input received by the reception unit into a second standard name corresponding to the second item name; a generating unit that generates data displaying an estimate comparison table including a first estimate associated with the first standard name converted by the converting unit and a second estimate associated with the second standard name converted by the converting unit; A display control unit that displays the estimate comparison table on a display unit based on the data generated by the generation unit, The generation unit generates data displaying the estimate comparison table in which the first estimate and the second estimate are associated with the same reference name when the first reference name and the second reference name are the same reference name. (Appendix 20) a receiving step of receiving an input of a quotation including item names and a quotation associated with the item names; a conversion step of converting a first item name included in a first quotation input received in the receiving step into a first standard name corresponding to the first item name, and converting a second item name included in a second quotation input received in the receiving step into a second standard name corresponding to the second item name; a generating step of generating data displaying an estimate comparison table including a first estimate associated with the first standard name converted in the converting step, and a second estimate associated with the second standard name converted in the converting step; a display control step of displaying the estimate comparison table on a display unit based on the data generated in the generating step; The generating step generates data displaying the estimate comparison table in which the first estimate and the second estimate are associated with the same standard name when the first standard name and the second standard name are the same standard name, the business support program.

[0167] The present invention is not limited to the configurations shown in the above embodiments, combinations with other elements, etc. These points can be changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and can be appropriately determined according to the application form. [Explanation of symbols]

[0168] 100: Business support system 110: Business support equipment 301: Reception 302:AIOCR Department 303: Display control unit 304: Conversion section 305 :Generation part 306: Additional section 401: Data Cleansing Department 402: Automatic item name conversion unit 403: Manual item name conversion section 410: Before cleansing 510: After cleansing screen 610: Post-conversion quotation screen 612: Manual conversion button 613: Reflect in estimate comparison table button 620: Standard name list screen 710: Match rate list screen 720: Manual conversion screen 723: Search screen display button 730: Search screen 740: Search result display screen 750: Manual conversion confirmation screen 901: Converted item name acquisition section 902: Estimate Acquisition Department 903: Array section 1001: Reference information addition section 1002: Comparison information addition section 1003: Recording department 1004: Counting section 1005:Update section 1110: Estimate comparison table display screen 1200: Past price list 1210: Pivot table 1500: Manual conversion screen [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0169] [Patent Document 1] JP 2004-021898 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2008-204255 A [Patent Document 3] JP 2020-061111 A

Claims

1. a reception unit that receives an input of a quotation including item names and quotations associated with the item names; a conversion unit that converts a first item name included in a first quotation input received by the reception unit into a first reference name corresponding to the first item name, and converts a second item name included in a second quotation input received by the reception unit into a second reference name corresponding to the second item name; a generating unit that generates data displaying an estimate comparison table including a first estimate associated with the first standard name converted by the converting unit and a second estimate associated with the second standard name converted by the converting unit; A display control unit that displays the estimate comparison table on a display unit based on the data generated by the generation unit, The generation unit generates data displaying the estimate comparison table in which the first estimate and the second estimate are associated with the same reference name when the first reference name and the second reference name are the same reference name, in a business support device.

2. The conversion unit is Refer to a list of reference names stored in a storage unit in which a plurality of item names are associated with a plurality of reference names; If the first item name does not match the reference name, converting the first item name to a reference name that is associated with an item name that matches the first item name among the plurality of item names; If the second item name does not match the reference name, converting the second item name to a reference name that is associated with an item name that matches the second item name among the plurality of item names. The business support device according to claim 1 .

3. The conversion unit is When the first item name does not match the reference name and there is no item name that matches the first item name, converting the first item name to a reference name selected by a user from candidates of the reference name; When the second item name does not match the reference name and there is no item name that matches the second item name, converting the second item name to a reference name selected by a user from candidates of the reference name. The business support device according to claim 2.

4. The conversion unit is If the first item name matches the reference name, the first item name is not converted, and if the second item name matches the reference name, the second item name is not converted. The business support device according to claim 2.

5. The conversion unit is If the first item name does not match the reference name and there is no item name that matches the first item name, a character matching rate between the first item name and the plurality of reference names is calculated, and a predetermined number of reference names having a character matching rate equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold are extracted as candidates for the reference name; If the second item name does not match the reference name and there is no item name that matches the second item name, a character matching rate between the second item name and the multiple reference names is calculated, and a predetermined number of reference names having a character matching rate equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold are extracted as candidates for the reference name; The display control unit is displaying on the display unit the candidates for the reference name extracted based on the first item name in order of high character match rate or together with the character match rate; displaying on the display unit the candidates for the reference name extracted based on the second item name in order of high character match rate or together with the character match rate; The business support device according to claim 3.

6. The conversion unit is If the first item name does not match the reference name and there is no item name that matches the first item name, a character match rate between the corrected first item name and the multiple reference names is calculated, and a predetermined number of reference names having a character match rate equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold are extracted as candidates for the reference name; If the second item name does not match the reference name and there is no item name that matches the second item name, a character match rate between the corrected second item name and the multiple reference names is calculated, and a predetermined number of reference names having a character match rate equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold are extracted as candidates for the reference name; The display control unit is displaying on the display unit the candidates for the reference name extracted based on the corrected first item name in order of highest character match rate or together with the character match rate; displaying on the display unit the candidates for the reference name extracted based on the corrected second item name in order of highest character match rate or together with the character match rate; The business support device according to claim 3.

7. The conversion unit is when the display control unit displays the candidates for the reference name extracted based on the first item name in order of high character match rate or together with the character match rate, the display unit accepts a user's selection; and accepting a user's selection when the display control unit displays the candidates for the reference name extracted based on the second item name in order of high character match rate or together with the character match rate on the display unit.

7. The business support device according to claim 5 or 6.

8. The conversion unit is the candidate for the reference name selected by the user is stored in the reference name list as a first reference name in association with a first item name; the candidate for the reference name selected by the user is stored in the reference name list as a second reference name in association with a second item name; The business support device according to claim 7.

9. and an adding unit that acquires standard information for each standard name that is a standard when a user judges the first estimate and the second estimate in the estimate comparison table, and adds the standard information to the estimate comparison table in association with the first standard name and the second standard name. The business support device according to claim 1 .

10. The reference information includes: Market price for each of the above-mentioned standard names, The lowest and average unit prices for each of the above-mentioned standard names in past quotations, The lowest overall price for each of the base names, extracted from the market price for each of the base names and the unit price for each of the base names in past estimates; At least one of the following is included: The business support device according to claim 9.

11. The addition unit is The total value of the overall lowest price is calculated by summing the overall lowest price for each standard name for all of the first standard names or all of the second standard names included in the quotation comparison table, Add the calculated total lowest price to the quotation comparison table. The business support device according to claim 10.

12. The addition unit is When the unit price for the first standard name of the first quotation and the unit price for the second standard name of the second quotation are added to the unit price for the standard name of the past quotation, The lowest and average historical unit prices for each of the base names in the past quotations after the unit prices for each of the first base names in the first quotation and the unit prices for each of the second base names in the second quotation are added, and the overall lowest price for each of the base names extracted from the market price for each of the base names and the unit prices for each of the base names in the past quotations after the unit prices for each of the first base names in the first quotation and the unit prices for each of the second base names in the second quotation are added; Newly acquired The quotation comparison table is updated using the newly acquired lowest price, lowest price in the past, and the lowest price overall. The business support device according to claim 10.

13. The addition unit is comparing the first estimate for each of the first standard names with standard information for each of the first standard names, and calculating a reduction or difference in the first estimate for each of the first standard names; comparing the second estimate for each of the second standard names with standard information for each of the second standard names, and calculating a reduction or difference in the second estimate for each of the second standard names; In the estimate comparison table, the calculated reduction range or difference of the first estimate for each first standard name and the calculated reduction range or difference of the second estimate for each second standard name are added as comparison information in association with the first standard name or the second standard name. The business support device according to claim 9.

14. The addition unit is Calculate a total value of the reduction range or difference of the first estimate by summing up the reduction range or difference of the first estimate for each first standard name for all first standard names in the estimate comparison table; The reduction or difference of the second estimate for each of the second standard names is summed up for all of the second standard names in the estimate comparison table to calculate a total reduction or difference of the second estimate; Adding the calculated total value of the reduction or difference of the first estimate and the calculated total value of the reduction or difference of the second estimate to the estimate comparison table; The business support device according to claim 13.

15. The addition unit is Generate a comment including information on a first reduction or difference calculated for a specific first standard name, information on a second reduction or difference calculated for a specific second standard name, or an explanation of key points when comparing the first estimate with the second estimate; Adding the generated comments to the quotation comparison table; The business support device according to claim 13.

16. The display control unit is when the conversion unit converts the first item name into a reference name associated with an item name matching the first item name, or when the conversion unit converts the second item name into a reference name associated with an item name matching the second item name, displaying the converted first quotation or the converted second quotation on the display unit together with a first instruction button; The conversion unit is When the first instruction button is pressed, A process of converting the first item name using a candidate reference name selected by the user as a first reference name, or a process of converting the second item name using the candidate reference name selected by the user as a second reference name; To start, The business support device according to claim 3.

17. The display control unit is displaying a second instruction button on the display unit when the conversion unit converts the first item name into a reference name selected by the user, or when the conversion unit converts the second item name into a reference name selected by the user; The conversion unit is when the second instruction button is pressed, a process of storing the reference name in the list is started; The business support device according to claim 8.

18. The display control unit is When the conversion unit converts the first item name into a reference name selected by the user, or When the conversion unit converts the second item name into a reference name selected by the user, displaying the first quotation after conversion into the base name or the second quotation after conversion into the base name on the display unit together with a third instruction button; the generation unit starts a process of generating data for displaying the estimate comparison table when the third instruction button is pressed. The business support device according to claim 3.

19. A business support system having an image forming apparatus and a business support apparatus that processes an estimate scanned by the image forming apparatus, The business support device includes: a reception unit that receives an input of a quotation including item names and quotations associated with the item names; a conversion unit that converts a first item name included in a first quotation input received by the reception unit into a first reference name corresponding to the first item name, and converts a second item name included in a second quotation input received by the reception unit into a second reference name corresponding to the second item name; a generating unit that generates data displaying an estimate comparison table including a first estimate associated with the first standard name converted by the converting unit and a second estimate associated with the second standard name converted by the converting unit; A display control unit that displays the estimate comparison table on a display unit based on the data generated by the generation unit, The generation unit generates data displaying the estimate comparison table in which the first estimate and the second estimate are associated with the same standard name when the first standard name and the second standard name are the same standard name.

20. a receiving step of receiving an input of a quotation including item names and a quotation associated with the item names; a conversion step of converting a first item name included in a first quotation input received in the receiving step into a first reference name corresponding to the first item name, and converting a second item name included in a second quotation input received in the receiving step into a second reference name corresponding to the second item name; a generating step of generating data for displaying an estimate comparison table including a first estimate associated with the first standard name converted in the converting step, and a second estimate associated with the second standard name converted in the converting step; a display control step of displaying the estimate comparison table on a display unit based on the data generated in the generating step; The generating step generates data displaying the estimate comparison table in which the first estimate and the second estimate are associated with the same reference name when the first reference name and the second reference name are the same reference name, in a business support program.

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