Point management system and point management method

Abstract

To provide a point management system and a point management method for increasing the number of point system users and point system affiliated stores.SOLUTION: In a point management system in which a system administrator manages information of affiliated stores and information of point system users, a management server comprises: a store sales promotion cost setting unit that records information for determining a sales promotion cost according to sales when a product of a second affiliated store is purchased by the point system user; a soliciting store information storage unit that records the information of point system users together with a first affiliated store ID; and a sales promotion cost distribution information storage unit that records the ratios of the sales promotion cost to be distributed to the first affiliated store, the point system users, and the system administrator, wherein the ratios are determined based on the information in the soliciting store information storage unit. The information in the store sales promotion cost setting unit is set by the second affiliated store. The ratios of the sales promotion cost to be distributed to the first affiliated store, the point system users, and the system administrator in the sales promotion cost distribution information storage unit are set by the system administrator.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a points management system and a points management method. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, in physical stores and mail-order sales via the Internet (hereinafter referred to as "stores"), monetary value called points is given according to the purchase price.

[0003] Since monetary value can be used to discount the price of a product on subsequent purchases, it is necessary to manage customer information including points. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a points management system that can be shared by multiple stores, since operating a points system at each store would require costs for managing customer information. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-190927 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The system described in Patent Document 1 is highly convenient because customers who use the point system can use the points common to multiple local stores, but in many cases, users become users of the point system because of the advantage that the points can be used at both the regional flagship store and local stores, and in order to increase the number of users of the point system, a certain amount of active solicitation activity is required.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a points management system that not only increases the number of users of the points system but also increases the number of affiliated stores of the points system. The system provides stores affiliated with the point management system with monetary value for inviting point system users, thereby promoting an increase in the number of new point system users. Furthermore, by becoming an affiliated store, even if the invited point system users use other affiliated stores, the affiliated store receives monetary value, which also promotes an increase in new affiliated stores to the point system. In other words, the system aims to provide a point management system and point management method that not only increases the number of point system users, but also promotes an increase in the number of affiliated stores to the point system. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] As a result of thorough research into the above-mentioned problems, the inventors have found that by providing a point management system with a soliciting store information storage unit that records that a point system user has registered with the point management system through the solicitation activities of a first member store, a portion of a preset sales promotion fee for a product purchased by the point system user at a second member store other than the first member store is awarded as monetary value to the first member store based on the information in the soliciting store information storage unit. This motivates the first member store to solicit non-users of the point system to register with the point management system, thereby increasing the number of point system users, and has completed the present invention. That is, the present invention is the following point management system.

[0008] The point management system of the present invention, which solves the above-mentioned problems, is a point management system for distributing sales promotion expenses incurred when a point system user purchases a product, and includes information on a first affiliated store that registers the point system user in the point management system, information on a second affiliated store from which the point system user purchases products, and information on a system administrator that manages the point system user information, information on the first affiliated store, and information on the second affiliated store; a solicitation store information storage unit that records information on the first affiliated store and information on the point system user in association with each other; a store sales promotion expense setting unit that records information on sales promotion expenses based on sales when the point system user purchases a product from the second affiliated store; and a sales promotion expense distribution information storage unit that records the rates at which sales promotion expenses are distributed to the first affiliated store, the point system user, and the system administrator; the sales promotion expense information in the store sales promotion expense setting unit is set by the second affiliated store, and the rate at which sales promotion expenses are distributed in the sales promotion expense distribution information storage unit is set by the system administrator.

[0009] According to the point management system of the present invention, when a point system user purchases a product at another affiliated store (second affiliated store), a portion of the sales promotion expenses is distributed as monetary value to a member store (first affiliated store) that has engaged in solicitation activities for a point system user, thereby having the effect of promoting member stores' solicitation activities for point system users.

[0010] Furthermore, one embodiment of the point management system of the present invention is characterized in that it comprises a support store memory unit that records information about second affiliated stores supported by point system users, a support reward distribution information setting unit that records the proportion of sales promotion expenses to be distributed as supporter distributions, a store supporter distribution management unit that accumulates and records supporter distributions over a predetermined period of time, and a store supporter distribution distribution unit that records the proportion of supporter distributions to be distributed, and that the supporter distributions are distributed after a predetermined period has elapsed.

[0011] According to this feature, when point system users register a supporting store and become a supporter, they will receive additional monetary value (supporter distributions) after a specified period of time has passed, which will attract point system users to the system and also have the effect of increasing sales for the supporting stores that receive support.

[0012] The point management method of the present invention for solving the above problems is a point management method for distributing sales promotion expenses incurred when a point system user purchases a product, and includes information on a first affiliated store that registers the point system user in the point management system, information on a second affiliated store from which the point system user purchases products, and information on a system administrator that manages the point system user information, information on the first affiliated store, and information on the second affiliated store, and includes a solicitation store information storage step that links and records the information on the first affiliated store and the information on the point system user, a store sales promotion expense setting step that records information on sales promotion expenses based on sales when the point system user purchases a product from the second affiliated store, and a sales promotion expense distribution information storage step that records the rates at which sales promotion expenses are distributed to the first affiliated store, the point system user, and the system administrator, and is characterized in that the sales promotion expense information in the store sales promotion expense setting step is set by the second affiliated store, and the rate at which sales promotion expenses are distributed in the sales promotion expense distribution information storage step is set by the system administrator.

[0013] According to the point management method of the present invention, when a point system user purchases a product at another affiliated store (second affiliated store), a portion of the sales promotion expenses is distributed as monetary value to an affiliated store (first affiliated store) that has engaged in solicitation activities for a point system user, which has the effect of promoting affiliated stores' solicitation activities for point system users.

[0014] Furthermore, one embodiment of the point management method of the present invention comprises a supporting store storage step for recording information about the second affiliated store supported by the point system user, a supporting reward distribution information setting step for recording the proportion of the sales promotion expenses to be distributed as supporter distributions, a store supporter distribution management step for accumulating and recording supporter distributions over a predetermined period, and a store supporter distribution distribution step for recording the proportion of the supporter distributions to be distributed, characterized in that the supporter distributions are distributed after the predetermined period has elapsed.

[0015] According to this feature, when point system users register a supporting store and become a supporter, they will receive additional monetary value (supporter distributions) after a specified period of time has passed, which will attract point system users to the system and also have the effect of increasing sales for the supporting stores that receive support. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present invention, it is possible to promote an increase in the number of new point system users at participating stores. Furthermore, by becoming a participating store, even if the invited point system users use other participating stores, the participating store will receive monetary value, which will promote an increase in the number of new participating stores in the point system. In other words, it is possible to provide a point management system and point management method that promotes an increase in the number of point system users as well as an increase in the number of participating stores in the point system. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] Fig. 1A is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a points management system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 1B is a schematic diagram illustrating the flow of information processing in the points management system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing a management server of a point management system in a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing an affiliated store information storage unit of a points management system in a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing a point system user information storage unit of the point management system in the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing a sales promotion expense distribution information storage unit of a points management system in a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing the flow of information processing in a points management system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing the flow of information processing in a points management system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing the flow of information processing in a points management system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing a sales promotion expense management section of a points management system in a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing the flow of information processing in a points management system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing a point system user information storage unit of a point management system in a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing a management server of a point management system in a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing a point system user information storage unit of a point management system in a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing a sales promotion expense distribution information storage unit of a points management system in a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing the flow of information processing in a points management system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing the flow of information processing in a points management system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17]FIG. 10 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing a sales promotion expense management section of a points management system in a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing a store supporter distribution management section of a point management system in a second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the point management system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The point management system described in the embodiment is merely an example for explaining the point management system according to the present invention, and is not limited to this. In an embodiment of the present invention, points refer to measurable value information having monetary value, and may refer to currency that can be used in accordance with the number of points when purchasing goods, or may refer to the currency itself. The explanation of the point management method in the embodiment of the present invention shall be replaced with the explanation of the configuration and operation of the point management system in the embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] [First embodiment] [Point Management System 1A] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a point management system 1A according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1(A) is a schematic diagram showing the system configuration of the point management system 1A, and Figure 1(B) is a schematic diagram showing the flow of information processing in the point management system 1A. 1(A), the point management system 1A in this embodiment includes communication terminals (first member store terminal 23 and second member store terminal 24) managed by the affiliated store 2, a communication terminal (point system user terminal 31) managed by the point system user 3, and a communication terminal (management server 41) managed by the system administrator 4. The communication terminals (first member store terminal 23 and second member store terminal 24) managed by the affiliated store 2, the communication terminal (point system user terminal) managed by the point system user 3, and the communication terminal (management server 41) managed by the system administrator 4 are communicably connected via an internet line 5.

[0020] <Member store> The member store 2 is a business that provides products or services using the point management system 1A, and corresponds to two or more businesses. In this embodiment, the case where there are two businesses will be explained, and the explanation will be given as a first member store 21 and a second member store 22. A first franchisee 21 is one or more franchisees among a plurality of businesses. If there are multiple first franchisees 21, the description of the first franchisee 21 is common to the multiple first franchisees. A second franchisee 22 is one franchisee other than the first franchisee 21 among a plurality of businesses. The first member store 21 and the second member store 22 are businesses that provide products and services using the Internet line 5. In addition, the first member store 21 and the second member store 22 may be businesses that have physical stores and provide products and services and receive payment therefor in-store. The first franchisee 21 has a first franchisee terminal 23 operated by the first franchisee 21. The second franchisee 22 has a second franchisee terminal 24 operated by the second franchisee 22.

[0021] <First affiliated store terminal> The first franchisee terminal 23 is a computer comprising a CPU, ROM, RAM, hard disk and other control devices, arithmetic units, storage devices, output devices, input devices, a communication unit for transmitting and receiving information to and from other information terminals (management server 41), etc. The first franchisee terminal 23 operates under the control of a control device centered around the CPU, ROM and RAM in accordance with a program stored in the storage device, and information about the first franchisee 21 is transmitted from the communication unit to the management server 41 via the internet line 5. The transmitted information about the first franchisee is recorded in the franchisee information unit 421 of the franchisee information storage unit 42 of the management server 41, as shown in Figure 3. The first franchisee terminal 23 is operated by the first franchisee 21, communicates with the management server 41, and registers the information of the first franchisee 21 in accordance with an input form for inputting the information of the first franchisee 21, and is assigned a first franchisee ID 25. The first franchisee ID 25 is identification information for identifying the first franchisee 21. It also enables input and setting of the mail order webpage section information (mail order webpage section 422) and sales promotion expense setting (store sales promotion expense setting section 423) of the first franchisee 21, and these together constitute the information of the first franchisee. In other words, the information of the first franchisee refers to the information about the first franchisee stored in the franchisee information storage section 42.

[0022] <<Second affiliated store terminal>> The second affiliated store terminal 24 is a computer comprising a CPU, ROM, RAM, hard disk and other control devices, arithmetic units, storage devices, output devices, input devices, a communication unit for sending and receiving information to and from other information terminals (management server 41), etc. The second affiliated store terminal 24 operates under the control of a control device centered around the CPU, ROM and RAM in accordance with a program stored in the storage device, and information about the second affiliated store is sent from the communication unit to the management server 41 via the Internet line 5. The sent second affiliated store information is recorded in the affiliated store information unit 421 of the affiliated store information storage unit 42 of the management server 41, as shown in Figure 3. The second franchisee terminal 24 is operated by the second franchisee 22, communicates with the management server 41, and the information is registered according to an input form for inputting the second franchisee's information, and a second franchisee ID 26 is assigned. Furthermore, it becomes possible to input and set the mail order webpage section information (mail order webpage section 422) and sales promotion cost setting (store sales promotion cost setting section 423) of the second franchisee 22, and these together constitute the second franchisee information. In other words, the second franchisee information refers to information about the second franchisee stored in the franchisee information storage section 42.

[0023] <Points system users> The point system users 3 are users of the member stores 2 and are customers who purchase products or receive services at the first member store 21 or the second member store 22. A point system user 3 can use a point system user terminal 31 that he or she manages to purchase products, etc. from an affiliated store 2 using the point management system 1A, and thereby obtain a predetermined monetary benefit on products, etc. related to the sales of the affiliated store 2. <Points system user terminal> The point system user terminal 31 corresponds to a smartphone or computer that is composed of a CPU, ROM, RAM, a read / write control device, an arithmetic unit, a storage device, an output device, an input device, a communication unit for sending and receiving information to and from other information terminals (management server 41), etc. The point system user terminal 31 operates under the control of a control unit centered around the CPU, ROM, and RAM in accordance with a program stored in the storage device, and as shown in Figure 4, information on the customer (point system user 3) is stored in a point system user information storage unit 43 recorded in the management server 41, which will be described later, and is sent to the management server 41 via the communication unit.

[0024] The point system user terminal 31 is operated by the point system user 3, communicates with the management server 41, and information is registered according to an input form for inputting the point system user's information, and a point system user ID 32 is assigned. The point system user ID 32 is identification information for identifying the point system user 3.

[0025] <System Administrator> The system administrator 4 is an administrator who manages the management server 41 that realizes the point management system 1A. The system administrator 4 receives revenue generated when the affiliated store 2 uses the point management system 1A. <Management Server> 2, the management server 41 is a computer that includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, a control device such as a hard disk, an arithmetic unit, a storage device, an output device, an input device, a communication unit for transmitting and receiving information to and from other information terminals (first affiliated store terminal 23, second affiliated store terminal 24, point system user terminal 31), etc. The management server 41 is controlled and operates by a control unit centered around the CPU, ROM, and RAM in accordance with a program stored in the storage device. The storage device of the management server 41 stores information sent from the first affiliated store terminal 23, the second affiliated store terminal 24, and the point system user terminal 31, and the point management system 1A is operated based on the stored information. The storage device of the management server 41 includes an affiliated store information storage unit 42, a point system user information storage unit 43, and an administrator information recording unit 44.

[0026] 〈〈〈Member store information storage section〉〉 The member store information storage unit 42 stores and manages information received from the first member store terminal 23 of the member store 2. As shown in Figure 3, the affiliated store information memory unit 42 includes an affiliated store information unit 421, a mail order web page unit 422, a store sales promotion expense setting unit 423, and an affiliated store monetary value memory unit 424. This information is provided to the system administrator 4 by businesses that provide products and services in order to become affiliated stores 2 when using the point management system 1A.

[0027] The affiliated store information section 421 contains information that identifies the business, such as the store name, address, telephone number, email address, store manager's name, bank account information, and other payment information (some information is not shown in FIG. 3 ) of the business that provides the product or service (hereinafter referred to as "product, etc."). By the business providing this information to the management server 41, the business can use the points management system 1A as an affiliated store 2. In addition, each business that becomes an affiliated store 2 is assigned a unique affiliated store identification ID (specifically, the first affiliated store ID 25 and the second affiliated store ID 26), and this information is also stored. The affiliated store identification ID is information used to identify that a point system user 3 has become a point system user 3 through the business operator to which the affiliated store identification ID has been assigned, by having the business operator register information on the management server 41 together with the affiliated store identification ID when the person is recruited to become a point system user 3 and becomes a point system user 3.

[0028] Solicitation refers to the act of a business that has become an affiliated store 2 inducing a person who is not a point system user 3 to become a point system user 3. For example, this refers to the act of an affiliated store 2 inducing a person to a registration form when recruiting email newsletter subscribers, inducing a person to a registration form when recruiting coupon users, inducing a person to a registration form when recruiting app users, inducing a person to a registration form from a product page, etc. In addition, examples of solicitation in a broad sense also include the act of becoming a point system user 3 by inducing a person who is not a point system user 3 to a registration form, such as making a gourmet salon reservation, joining a fan club, posting a review, or making an inquiry to an affiliated store.

[0029] The mail order web page section 422 is information that can be accessed via the Internet by point system users 3 and others, including those who are not point system users 3 (hereinafter referred to as store users, etc.), and contains information about the products and services sold by affiliated store 2. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the mail order web page section 422 stores product names (corresponding to Product A1, Product A2, Product A3, Product B1, Product B2, and Product B3), product images, and product price information (corresponding to the selling price), which is information that is useful for store users to decide whether or not to purchase a product, and based on this information, store users purchase products and services. Specific examples of information on product and service content include mail-order products and services, online tickets, beauty salons, restaurant services, direct sales of agricultural, forestry, and fishery products, etc. Product and service content information also includes the act of making reservations for the products and services listed above.

[0030] The store sales promotion fee setting unit 423 sets and records information for determining the amount of money (sales promotion fee) to be paid to the system administrator 4 when a product or the like sold by the member store 2 is purchased. As shown in FIG. 3, the store sales promotion expense setting unit 423 may set the promotion expense for each product as a percentage of sales (sales price), or may set a specific amount for each product. Furthermore, the sales promotion fee may be set as a percentage of the sales price for one type of product and a specific amount for another type of product among different types of products of the same affiliated store 2. Specifically, in Figure 3, for example, the promotion fee for product A1 may be set at 20% of the sales price (sales price 10,000 yen), and for product A3, it may be set at a fixed amount of 1,000 yen. The amount required for operating the point management system 1A may be set, and the minimum promotional expense information may be set so as to satisfy the minimum amount of remuneration received by the system administrator 4 (corresponding to the remuneration paid to the administrator monetary value holding information 445, which will be described later). In this case, when an amount that does not satisfy the minimum amount of the minimum promotional expense information is set by the member store 2, a warning to the effect that the amount cannot be set may be displayed on the information terminal (first member store terminal 23 or second member store terminal 24).

[0031] The affiliated store monetary value storage unit 424 records and manages the rewards that the affiliated store 2 receives from the point management system 1A. Specifically, when a point system user 3 who has joined the point management system 1A at the invitation of a first affiliated store 21, which is also an affiliated store 2, uses the point management system 1A to purchase goods or the like at a second affiliated store 22, which is also an affiliated store 2, a portion of the sales promotion expenses paid by the second affiliated store 22 to the system administrator 4 is allocated to him / her as monetary value, and the allocated information is stored and managed in the affiliated store monetary value memory unit 424. The monetary value stored in the member store monetary value memory unit 424 can be deducted as part of the payment amount when the second member store 22 makes any payment to the system administrator 4, or can be deducted as part of the payment amount when the second member store 22 purchases goods, etc. from the first member store 21.

[0032] <<<Point system user information storage unit>>> The point system user information storage unit 43 manages and stores information on the point system users 3 . As shown in FIG. 4, the point system user information storage unit 43 includes a personal information unit 431, a soliciting store information storage unit 432, and a user monetary value information storage unit 433.

[0033] The personal information section 431 includes an individual's name, address, telephone number, email address, credit card information, and other electronic payment information (some information is not shown in FIG. 4), and is information that identifies a person who purchases products, etc. from the affiliated store 2. By providing this information to the management server 41, a person who intends to become a point system user 3 can become a point system user 3 and use the point management system 1A.

[0034] The soliciting store information storage unit 432 is a storage unit in which the affiliated store identification ID is recorded when information is registered in the management server 41 together with the affiliated store identification ID when the information is registered in the personal information unit 431 of the point system user information recording unit 43 of the management server 41. By recording the affiliated store identification ID in the soliciting store information storage unit 432, it becomes possible to identify that the point system user 3 has become a point system user 3 through the affiliated store to which the affiliated store identification ID has been assigned. This provides information for identifying the payee (the affiliated store 2 that solicited the user) to whom a portion of the sales promotion expenses will be paid when the point system user 3 linked to the solicited store information storage unit 432 uses the point management system 1A to purchase goods, etc. at the affiliated store 2.

[0035] The user monetary value information storage unit 433 records and manages the monetary value that the point system user 3 receives from the point management system 1A. Specifically, for example, when a point system user 3 uses the point management system 1A to purchase goods or the like at a second affiliated store 22, a portion of the sales promotion expenses paid by the second affiliated store 22 to the system administrator 4 is distributed as monetary value, and the distributed information is recorded and managed in the user monetary value information storage unit 433. The monetary value recorded in the user monetary value information storage unit 433 can be deducted as part of the payment amount when the point system user 3 purchases a product from the affiliated store 2.

[0036] <<<Administrator Information Recording Department>>> The administrator information recording section 44 records and manages information required by the server administrator 3 to operate the point management system 1A. As shown in FIG. 2, the administrator information recording unit 44 includes an accounting management memory unit 441, a sales promotion expense management unit 442, a store sales proceeds management unit 443, a sales promotion expense distribution management unit 444, and administrator monetary value holding information 445.

[0037] When a point system user 3 uses the point management system 1A to purchase goods or the like from an affiliated store 2, the payment management memory unit 441 records and manages information about the affiliated store 2, information about the purchased goods or the like, the sales amount, and information about the point system user ID 32. Specifically, when the point system user 3 pays for goods to the affiliated store 2 using a credit card, electronic money, or other electronic payment service, information about the payment amount is sent to and recorded in the payment management memory unit 441. Note that the point system user 3 may also pay the affiliated store 2 in cash, in which case the sales amount may be recorded and used as information when the system administrator 4 later bills the affiliated store 2 for money equivalent to sales promotion expenses.

[0038] The sales promotion expense management unit 442 determines the sales promotion expense based on the information in the payment management storage unit 441 and the store sales promotion expense setting unit 423, and temporarily stores and manages the amount. The sales promotion expense management unit 442 determines the distribution destinations, distribution amounts, etc. in accordance with the sales promotion expense distribution management unit 444, which will be described later.

[0039] The store sales amount management unit 443 records and manages the amount obtained by deducting sales promotion expenses from the information (transaction amount) in the transaction amount management memory unit 441 as store sales amount. The amount (store sales amount) in the store sales amount management unit 443 is paid to the affiliated store 2 that made the sales as payment for goods, etc., based on the information in the transaction amount management memory unit 441. This payment may be recorded in the affiliated store monetary value memory unit 424 and paid as monetary value that can be used within the points management system 1A, or may be made in the form of a cash deposit into a bank transaction account, etc., recorded in the affiliated store information unit 421.

[0040] The sales promotion expense distribution management unit 444 performs information processing to record how the sales promotion expenses of the sales promotion expense management unit 442 are distributed. Specifically, the sales promotion expense distribution management unit 444 records the distribution destinations and distribution amounts of monetary value information by referring to the information in the sales promotion expense distribution information storage unit 446 and the information in the solicitation store information storage unit 432, which will be described later. In the present invention, the distribution destinations are the system administrator 4, the affiliated store 2 specified from the soliciting store information storage unit 432, and the point system user 3.

[0041] The administrator monetary value holding information 445 records and manages the rewards that the system administrator 4 receives from the point management system 1A. Specifically, for example, the sales promotion expenses paid by the affiliated store 2 are used as the source of funds, and a portion of the sales promotion expenses, which are information in the sales promotion expenses management unit 442, is recorded and managed as monetary value. Note that the system administrator 4 may be compensated by depositing cash into a bank account or the like held by the system administrator 4 based on the administrator monetary value holding information 445.

[0042] As shown in Figure 5, the sales promotion expense distribution information memory unit 446 stores information on the ratio at which sales promotion expenses are to be distributed among the system administrator 4, affiliated stores 2 identified from the soliciting store information memory unit 432, and point system users 3, and the sales promotion expenses to be distributed are determined according to this information. The information in the sales promotion expense distribution information storage unit 446 is determined by the system administrator 4, and in particular, by having the system administrator 4 determine the distribution rate (or specific amount) of sales promotion expenses to the system administrator 4 and the distribution rate (or specific amount) of sales promotion expenses to the affiliated store 2 identified from the solicitation store information storage unit 432, adjustments can be made, such as increasing the distribution rate, for affiliated stores that carry out a lot of solicitation activities, and a point management system 1A can be provided that makes it easier to increase the number of point system users 3. The sales promotion expense distribution information storage unit 446 is determined and recorded by the system administrator 4 before the distribution of the sales promotion expense. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, the distribution rate of the sales promotion expense when paid by the first franchisee 21 may be different from the distribution rate of the sales promotion expense when paid by the second franchisee 22.

[0043] [About the operation of the point management system 1A] Next, the operation of the points management system 1A according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. First, with reference to FIG. 6, an information processing procedure will be described in which a business operator 2 who wishes to use the point management system 1A becomes an affiliated store 2 and is able to use the point management system 1A.

[0044] 6, a business operator 2 who wishes to use the point management system 1A uses its own information terminal to transmit necessary information (information in the affiliated store information section 421) to the affiliated store information storage section 42 of the management server 41. The information is recorded in the management server 41, and the business operator 2 becomes an affiliated store 2. Specifically, a business operator intending to become the first affiliated store 21 uses its own information terminal (first affiliated store terminal 23) to send information about the business operator who will become the first affiliated store 21 to the affiliated store information unit 421, and is assigned a first affiliated store ID 25 and becomes affiliated store 2 (first affiliated store 21). Similarly, when a business operator that will become the second affiliated store 22 uses its own information terminal (second affiliated store terminal 24) to send information about the business operator that will become the second affiliated store 22 to the affiliated store information unit 421, the business operator is assigned a second affiliated store ID 26 and becomes affiliated store 2 (second affiliated store 22). The first franchisee 21 and the second franchisee 22 can then use the mail order web page section 422, the store sales promotion cost setting section 423, and the franchisee monetary value storage section 424.

[0045] Next, in S102, the first franchisee 21 and the second franchisee 22, which have become franchisees 2, transmit their own store information to the mail order web page unit 422 and create a store site. Next, in S103, for each product registered in the mail order web page section 422, information for determining the sales promotion cost (proportion to sales of the product or a specific amount for each product) is set in the store sales promotion cost setting section 423. Through the above steps S101 to S103, businesses can use the point management system 1A.

[0046] Next, referring to Figures 7 and 8, we will explain the flow of information processing related to payment and distribution of sales promotion expenses when a person who wishes to use the point management system 1A becomes a point system user 3 through solicitation by a first affiliated store 22, and as a point system user 3, uses the point management system 1A to purchase a product at a second affiliated store 22.

[0047] In S201, a person who is solicited by the first affiliated store 21 and wishes to use the point management system 1A uses his / her own information terminal (point system user terminal 31) to send the necessary information (personal information section 431 and soliciting store information storage section 432) to the point system user information storage section 43 of the management server 41. This information is stored in the management server 41, and the person becomes a point system user 3.

[0048] Specifically, a person who intends to become a point system user 3 installs application software on his / her own information terminal (point system user terminal 31) and inputs information stored in personal information section 431 according to the program. Then, the person obtains information on first affiliated store ID 25 stored in soliciting store information storage section 432 from first affiliated store 21, inputs it, and sends it to management server 41, thereby being assigned a point system user ID 32. As a result, the user monetary value information storage section 433 becomes available, along with information that the person has become a point system user 3 in response to solicitation by the first affiliated store 21. This series of information processing may be performed from first affiliated store terminal 23, which is the soliciting store.

[0049] Next, from S202 onwards, we will explain the flow of information processing related to payment and distribution of sales promotion expenses when a point system user 3 uses the point management system 1A to purchase a product at a second affiliated store 22. In this example, we will explain the case where product B1 (selling price 8,000 yen) shown in Figure 3 is purchased.

[0050] In S202, the point system user 3 uses the point system user terminal 31 to view information on the mail order web page section 422 of the second affiliated store 22 and decides on the product B1 to purchase. Next, in S203, the point system user 3 makes payment (selling price 8,000 yen) while providing his / her point system user ID 32 to the second affiliated store 22 and the system administrator 3 before paying for the product B1 to be purchased, and the payment information for the price of the product B1 (accounting amount: 8,000 yen) and the point system user ID 32 are recorded in the accounting management memory unit 441 of the management server 41. After the payment is completed, the product B1 purchased at the second affiliated store 22 is delivered to the point system user 3. The delivery of the product B1 to the point system user 3 includes delivery at the store or delivery.

[0051] Next, in S204, the payment management storage unit 441 performs information processing to journalize the payment (8,000 yen) for the product B1 purchased at the second franchise store 22 into sales promotion expenses and store sales. The sales promotion expense management unit 442 determines the sales promotion expense in accordance with the information from the store sales promotion expense setting unit 423. As shown in Fig. 9, since the sales promotion expense setting in Fig. 3 is 20%, the sales promotion expense is determined to be 1,600 yen. In addition, the difference in the accounting amount, 6,400 yen (80% of the sales price of 8,000 yen), is recorded as store sales.

[0052] Next, in S205, the recorded store sales amount of 6,400 yen is managed by the store sales amount management unit 443 and paid to the second affiliated store 22 as the price of the merchandise, etc.

[0053] Next, the flow of information processing related to the determined sales promotion expenses will be described. In S206, the sales promotion expense distribution management unit 444 refers to the information in the soliciting store information storage unit 432 and determines to which member store the sales promotion expense should be paid. In this embodiment, the soliciting store information storage unit 432 of the point system user 3 records the first member store ID 25 (ID: A111) indicating that the first member store 21 has solicited the user, and therefore the first member store 21 is recorded as the payee of the sales promotion expense.

[0054] Next, in S207, the sales promotion expense distribution management unit 444 further records the distribution destinations and distribution amounts of the sales promotion expenses by referring to the information in the sales promotion expense distribution information storage unit 446 in Fig. 5, as shown in Fig. 9. In the example of this embodiment, since the sales promotion expenses were paid by the second affiliated store 22 (the information on the transaction amount recorded in the transaction amount management storage unit 441 is information from the second affiliated store), the "proportion of the sales promotion expenses paid by the second affiliated store" is applied in accordance with the sales promotion expense distribution information storage unit 446, and the following distribution rates are recorded: 30% to the system administrator 4 (corresponding to 480 yen of the 1600 yen sales promotion expenses), 20% to the first affiliated store 21 identified from the soliciting store information storage unit 432 (corresponding to 320 yen of the 1600 yen sales promotion expenses), and 50% to the point system user 3.

[0055] Next, in S208, the sales promotion expense distribution management unit 444 determines the distribution destination and distribution amount of the sales promotion expense, and then performs distribution processing. Specifically, it performs information processing to pay part of the sales promotion expense, equivalent to 480 yen, to the administrator monetary value holding information 445 of the system administrator 4. In addition, the information processing unit 424 performs information processing to pay part of the sales promotion expenses, equivalent to 320 yen, to the member store monetary value storage unit 424 of the first member store 21 that has been determined as the member store to which the sales promotion expenses will be distributed. Furthermore, information processing is performed to pay part of the sales promotion expenses, equivalent to 800 yen, to the user monetary value information storage unit 433 of the point system user 3 who has been determined as the distribution recipient of the sales promotion expenses. The distribution information processing may be performed immediately after the point system user 3 completes payment, or after a certain period of time has passed (for example, one week or one month). Furthermore, the distribution information processing for the system administrator 4, the distribution information processing for the affiliated store 2 identified from the soliciting store information storage unit 432, and the distribution information processing for the point system user 3 may be performed simultaneously or at different times.

[0056] When the above payment information processing is completed, the information processing of the points management system 1A for the sale and purchase of one product B1 is completed. In the point management system 1A of this embodiment, a part of the sales promotion expenses is paid as monetary value to the member store 2 (first member store 21) that has conducted the solicitation activities, thereby promoting the solicitation activities. Furthermore, if the member store 2 promotes a product of another member store 2 and the product is purchased as a result of that promotion, the member store 2 can receive a part of the sales promotion expenses, which provides an incentive to further solicitation activities and promote the products of other member stores. Furthermore, since a portion of the sales promotion expenses is paid as monetary value to point system users 3, this motivates them to purchase products, etc. at affiliated stores 2, making it possible to create a point management system 1A that is likely to increase the number of point system users 3.

[0057] [Second embodiment] 10 and 11 are schematic explanatory diagrams showing a points management system 1B according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The same functions and configurations as those of the point management system 1A in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. The point management system 1B in this embodiment allows a point system user 3 to select a member store 2 (hereinafter referred to as a supported store) that the member store 2 supports (favorites) and record it in the management server 41. In addition, the point system has a feature that a portion of the sales promotion expenses paid by the member store 2 is distributed as monetary value (supporter distribution) to the point system user 3 (supporter) who has registered the store as a supported store after a certain period of time has passed. By becoming a supporter, point system user 3 will receive additional monetary value (supporter distribution) after a certain period of time has passed, which will have the effect of increasing sales at the supporting store. 12 is a schematic diagram showing the management server of the point management system in the second embodiment of the present invention. The difference from the first embodiment is that the affiliated store information storage unit 42 of the management server 41 is provided with a supporter database unit 425, the point system user information storage unit 43 is provided with a supporting store storage unit 434, and the administrator information recording unit 44 is provided with a support reward distribution information setting unit 447, a store supporter distribution management unit 448, and a store supporter distribution distribution unit 449.

[0058] <<<Supporter Database Department>>> As shown in FIG. 12, the supporter database unit 425 is recorded in the affiliated store information storage unit 42, and stores information for identifying point system users 3 (hereinafter referred to as supporters) who support the affiliated store 2. This information is used to determine who will receive the supporter distribution, which is part of the sales promotion expenses described below. Specifically, this information corresponds to the point system user ID 32. It may also be recorded together with the group of products purchased by the supporter. In addition, the supporter database unit 425 may record information such as contact details with the consent of the point system user 3 when registering a supporting store, so that the supported store can confirm the information. Based on the contact information and other information, the affiliated store 2 can use the information to advertise the products it handles to supporters, thereby enabling efficient sales activities.

[0059] <<<Support Store Memory Department>>> The supporting store storage unit 434 is stored in the point system user information storage unit 43. The supporting store memory unit 434 is used to confirm which affiliated store 2 the point system user 3 has supported as a supporting store, and may be configured to be able to check this on the point system user terminal 31, for example. Note that the supporting store registration may be such that only one of the member stores 2 of the point management system 1B can be registered as a supporting store, or multiple member stores 2 can be registered as a supporting store. Note that if only one member store 2 can be registered as a supporting store, the point system user 3 will have to select one from multiple member stores 2, which is most preferable because it will increase the effectiveness of advertising for each member store 2 since they will likely check the information of many member stores 2 before registering as a supporting store. Therefore, even if multiple member stores can be registered as supporting stores, it is better to keep the number of registered stores that can be registered small, preferably five stores or less, and more preferably three stores or less.

[0060] 〈〈〈Support reward distribution information setting department〉〉〉 The support reward distribution information setting unit 447 is stored in the manager information recording unit 44. As shown in Figure 14, the support reward distribution information setting unit 447 further stores in the sales promotion expense distribution information storage unit 446 of the first embodiment of the present invention a ratio set so that a portion of the sales promotion expense to be distributed to supporters is treated as supporter distribution money. The support reward distribution information setting unit 447 can be set for each affiliated store 2 or for each product purchased at one affiliated store 2. For example, when it is set for each franchisee 2, it is set so that a supporter's distribution is generated as a part of the sales promotion expenses for all products of one franchisee 2. Also, when it is set for each product purchased at one franchisee 2, it is set so that a part of the sales promotion expenses (1,600 yen) when one supporter purchases a product (specifically, "product B1") from a supported store (specifically, franchisee 22) is generated as a supporter's distribution. The proportion of sales promotion expenses in the supporter distribution may be set by the system administrator 3 and the supporting store (affiliated store 2).

[0061] <<<Store Supporter Distribution Management Department>>> The store supporter distribution management unit 448 is stored in the manager information recording unit 44. The store supporter distribution management unit 448 temporarily stores the supporter distribution determined based on the support reward distribution information setting unit 447. In addition, the store supporter distribution management unit 448 accumulates the supporter distribution for a certain period of time and manages it for each affiliated store 2 or each product. The period for which the supporter distribution money is accumulated and stored may be set independently without being associated with the distribution period of the sales promotion expense distribution management unit 444.

[0062] <<<Store Supporter Distribution Department>>> The store supporter dividend distribution unit 449 is stored in the manager information recording unit 44. The store supporter dividend distribution unit 449 determines which supporter to distribute the dividend to based on the supporter database unit 425 after a certain period of time has passed during which the store supporter dividend management unit 448 has stored the dividend. The distribution recipients may be determined, for example, in the support reward distribution information setting unit 447, by determining recipients to be those who have used the support store at least once within a certain period of time, or by determining recipients only to supporters who have purchased a specific product. In particular, if a supporter distribution is set for a specific product and only supporters who have purchased that product are determined to receive the distribution, the supporting store (affiliated store 2) can attract supporters' attention to the product that the supporting store (affiliated store 2) wants to promote, which is expected to have the effect of increasing sales of the product that the supporting store (affiliated store 2) wants to promote. Also, since sales promotion expenses will be incurred according to the number of sales of a specific product, it has the effect of making it easier for the supporting store (affiliated store 2) to manage sales (predict sales promotion expenses, which are expenses).

[0063] [About the operation of the point management system 1B] Next, the operation of the points management system 1B according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the examples of this embodiment, an example will be described in which a point system user 3 registers the second affiliated store 22 as a supporting store. Also, as shown in FIG. 13 , three point system users 3, namely, point system user A, point system user B, and point system user C, purchase product B1 at the second affiliated store 22. Then, the supporter distribution amount is set for the product B1, and the distribution destination is set to be the supporter who purchased the product B1. 15 and 16 are schematic explanatory diagrams showing the flow of information processing in the point management system in the second embodiment of the present invention. The flow of information processing procedures performed by point system user A in S101 to S103 in Fig. 6 and S201 to S206 in Fig. 7 is the same, so the explanation will be omitted.

[0064] In S301, as shown in FIG. 17, the distribution destination and distribution amount of the sales promotion expenses are determined by referring to the information in the sales promotion expenses distribution information storage unit 446 shown in FIG. In this embodiment, since the support reward distribution information setting unit 447 is set in the sales promotion expense distribution information storage unit 446, this ratio is recorded as the supporter distribution amount. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 17, in this embodiment, the sales promotion expenses were paid by the second affiliated store 22 (the information on the billing amount stored in the billing amount management memory unit 441 is information from the second affiliated store), so the "proportion of the sales promotion expenses paid by the second affiliated store" is applied in accordance with the sales promotion expense distribution information memory unit 446, and the following distribution rates are recorded: 25% to the system administrator 4 (corresponding to 400 yen of the 1,600 yen sales promotion expenses), 20% to the affiliated store 2 identified from the solicitation store information memory unit 432 (corresponding to 320 yen of the 1,600 yen sales promotion expenses), 50% to the point system user A, and 5% as the supporter distribution based on the information in the support reward distribution information setting unit 447.

[0065] Next, in S302, the same information processing as in S208 in the first embodiment is performed, specifically, information processing is performed to pay 480 yen, a part of the sales promotion expenses, to the administrator monetary value holding information 445 of the system administrator 4. In addition, the information processing unit 424 performs information processing to pay part of the sales promotion expenses, equivalent to 320 yen, to the member store monetary value memory unit 424 of the first member store 21, which is recorded as the member store to which the sales promotion expenses will be distributed. Furthermore, information processing is performed to pay part of the sales promotion expenses, equivalent to 400 yen, to the user monetary value information storage unit 433 of point system user A, who is recorded as the distribution recipient of the sales promotion expenses.

[0066] Next, in S303, the store supporter distribution management unit 448 processes information, and the supporter distribution (a portion of the sales promotion expenses equivalent to 400 yen) is stored and accumulated for a predetermined fixed period. In this embodiment, the fixed period is explained as being until the end of each month.

[0067] Next, in S304, as shown in FIG. 18, if point system users B and C also follow the same steps as S101 to S103, S201 to S206, and S301 to S303 before the accumulation period has elapsed, the supporter distribution money for three people will be accumulated (equivalent to 1,200 yen).

[0068] Also, as shown in FIG. 13, in S305, point system users A and B carry out procedures to register the second affiliated store 22 as a supporting store. For example, application software installed on the point system user terminal 31 may display a registration screen such as "Register second affiliated store 22 as a support store" based on shopping history, and have the point system user 3 select (accept) the option, or may have the second affiliated store ID 26 of the second affiliated store 22 entered on the support store registration screen, thereby registering point system users A and B as supporters of the second affiliated store 22. When this registration procedure is completed, the information of the supporting store is stored in the supporting store storage unit 434 of the point system user information storage unit 43. It is also registered in the supporter database unit 425 of the affiliated store information storage unit 42. This registration procedure only needs to be completed before the information processing of the store supporter dividend distribution unit 449, which will be described later, is performed, and may be completed before the product is purchased or at the same time as payment when the product is purchased. Also, the registration information processing procedure may be configured to be completed only before the product is purchased or at the same time as payment when the product is purchased.

[0069] Next, in S306, the store supporter distribution unit 449 processes information. In the information processing of the store supporter distribution unit 449, the supporter database unit 425 is referenced to determine the distribution destination of the supporter distribution. As shown in FIG. 13, point system users A and B who have registered the second affiliated store 22 as a supporting store are determined as the distribution recipients, and point system user C is excluded from the distribution recipients. Then, an information processing procedure is carried out to distribute the accumulated supporter distribution money to the determined distribution destinations. Specifically, as shown in Figure 11, the accumulated supporter distribution (equivalent to 1,200 yen) is distributed equally (in equivalent amounts) to the user monetary value information storage unit 433 of each of the distribution recipient point system users A and B and recorded. [Industrial Applicability]

[0070] The point management system of the present invention is not limited to affiliated stores that conduct mail order sales via the Internet, but can also be applied to businesses that have physical stores. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 1A, 1B points management system 2 Member stores 21 First member store 22 Second member store 23 First affiliated store terminal 24 Secondary merchant terminal 25 First member store ID 26 Second member store ID 3. Points system users 31 Point system user terminal 32 Point system user ID 4 System Administrator 41 Management Server 42 Member store information storage section 421 Affiliated store information department 422 Mail Order Webpage Department 423 Store Sales Promotion Expense Setting Department 424 Merchant Monetary Value Memory Unit 425 Supporter Database Department 43 Point system user information storage unit 431 Personal Information Department 432 Solicitation store information storage unit 433 User monetary value information storage unit 434 Support Store Memory Department 44 Administrator Information Record Section 441 Accounting Management and Memory Department 442 Sales Promotion Expenses Management Department 443 Store Sales Management Department 444 Sales Promotion Expense Allocation Management Department 445 Administrator Monetary Value Holding Information 446 Sales promotion expense distribution information storage unit 447 Support reward distribution information setting department 448 Store Supporter Distribution Management Department 449 Store Supporter Distribution Department 5. Internet

Claims

1. A points management system for distributing sales promotion costs incurred when a points system user purchases a product, information on a first affiliated store that registers the point system user in the point management system; Information on a second affiliated store where the point system user purchases products; a system administrator who manages the information of the point system users, the information of the first affiliated store, and the information of the second affiliated store; a solicitation store information storage unit that links and records information about the first affiliated store and information about the point system users; a store sales promotion cost setting unit that records information on sales promotion costs according to sales when the point system user purchases a product from the second affiliated store; a sales promotion expense distribution information storage unit for recording the ratio of the sales promotion expense to be distributed to the first affiliated store, the point system users, and the system administrator; The sales promotion expense information of the store sales promotion expense setting unit is set by the second affiliated store, A points management system, characterized in that the ratio of distribution of the sales promotion expenses in the sales promotion expenses distribution information storage unit is set by the system administrator.

2. a support store storage unit that records information about the second affiliated store supported by the point system user; A support reward distribution information setting unit that records the ratio of the sales promotion expenses to be distributed as supporter distributions; A store supporter distribution management unit that accumulates and records the supporter distribution for a predetermined period of time; A store supporter distribution unit that records the ratio of the supporter distribution, 2. The point management system according to claim 1, wherein the supporter distribution is made after the predetermined period has elapsed.

3. A point management method for distributing sales promotion costs incurred when a point system user purchases a product, comprising: information on a first affiliated store that registers the point system user in the point management system; Information on a second affiliated store where the point system user purchases products; a system administrator who manages the information of the point system users, the information of the first affiliated store, and the information of the second affiliated store; a solicitation store information storage step for recording information on the first affiliated store and information on the point system users in association with each other; a store sales promotion cost setting step for recording information on sales promotion costs according to sales when the point system user purchases a product from the second affiliated store; a sales promotion expense distribution information storage step for recording the ratio of the sales promotion expense to be distributed to the first affiliated store, the point system users, and the system administrator; The sales promotion expense information in the store sales promotion expense setting step is set by the second affiliated store, A point management method, characterized in that the ratio of distributing the sales promotion expenses in the sales promotion expense distribution information storage step is set by the system administrator.

4. a support store storage step of recording information of the second affiliated store supported by the point system user; A support reward distribution information setting step for recording the ratio of the sales promotion expenses to be distributed as supporter distributions; A store supporter distribution management step of accumulating and recording the supporter distribution for a predetermined period of time; A store supporter distribution step of recording the ratio of the supporter distribution, 2. The point management method according to claim 1, wherein the supporter distribution amount is distributed after the predetermined period has elapsed.

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