Information management apparatus, information management method, and program

Abstract

To provide an information management apparatus, an information management method, and a program configured to eliminate the inconvenience of contracts between a business operator who provides a product and a receiver of the product, and offer options of the business operator to the receiver.SOLUTION: An information management apparatus 1 includes: a product provider information registration unit 31 which stores business operator information of a product provider on receipt of a request to register the business operator information from the product provider which is a business operator that provides a predetermined product regarding a predetermined purpose and does not directly sign a contract for transaction with a recipient of the predetermined purpose; and a product information output unit 32 which outputs, on receipt of a request from the recipient of the predetermined purpose to browse information related to the predetermined product, the information related to the predetermined product including those related to the product provider at least.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information management device, an information management method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a technique for selecting a service provider who provides appropriate services to users such as facilities has been known. For example, Patent Document 1 describes this type of technique.

[0003] In Patent Document 1, by managing the service area and the service method, the number of options is reduced, and a service suitable for customers is provided. Further, according to Patent Document 1, in the case of a facility included in a collective facility, by selecting a shared part or a proprietary part as a service-providing place, the service can be provided at an appropriate place. Furthermore, a function of specifying a plurality of service methods for the provided service is also provided, and customers are given the right to freely choose.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in many cases, different service providers are responsible for services (product provision) such as repairs and renovations in apartment buildings and single-family houses. Unlike developers who handle apartment buildings, the service providers responsible for the actual services are often small in scale, and the work for concluding contracts with the real estate owners (beneficiaries) of each room in the apartment building receiving the service is complicated. In addition, beneficiaries receiving the service may also want to select from among multiple service providers.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and aims to provide an information management device, an information management method, and a program that can eliminate the hassle of contracts between the product-providing business operators and the recipients of the product, and can also provide options for business operators to the recipients of the product.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0007] To achieve the above object, one aspect of the present invention is an information management device including: a first specific business operator information registration means for storing the business operator information of a first specific business operator who provides a predetermined product for a predetermined purpose and does not enter into a direct transaction contract with the beneficiary of the predetermined purpose, in response to receiving a request for registering the business operator information from the first specific business operator; and a product information output means for outputting information related to the predetermined product including at least information related to the first specific business operator, in response to receiving a request for viewing information related to the predetermined product from the beneficiary of the predetermined purpose.

[0008] Also, one aspect of the present invention is an information management method executed by a computer, including: a first specific business operator information registration step for storing the business operator information of a first specific business operator who provides a predetermined product for a predetermined purpose and does not enter into a direct transaction contract with the beneficiary of the predetermined purpose, in response to receiving a request for registering the business operator information from the first specific business operator; and a product information output step for outputting information related to the predetermined product including at least information related to the first specific business operator, in response to receiving a request for viewing information related to the predetermined product from the beneficiary of the predetermined purpose.

[0009] Also, one aspect of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to execute a first specific business operator information registration step of storing business operator information of a first specific business operator in response to receiving a registration request for business operator information from the first specific business operator, which is a business operator that provides a predetermined product for a predetermined purpose and does not enter into a direct transaction contract with the beneficiary of the predetermined purpose, and a product information output step of outputting information related to the predetermined product including at least that related to the first specific business operator in response to receiving a request for viewing information related to the predetermined product from the beneficiary of the predetermined purpose.

Effects of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an information management device, an information management method, and a program that eliminate the trouble of contracting between the business operator on the product providing side and the side receiving the product provision, and can also give the side receiving the product provision options for business operators.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

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Figure 8

Figure 9

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0013] <System Configuration> First, the overall system configuration will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a management system 100 to which an information management device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a usage example of the management system 100 to which the information management device 1 according to the present embodiment is applied.

[0014] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the management system 100 provides a platform connecting a management operator such as a housing business operator, a product provider providing a product, and a beneficiary such as a real estate owner receiving the product on a communication network such as the Internet. The product is provided in exchange for a consideration such as money to the beneficiary, and includes movable property, immovable property, services, etc.

[0015] The management system 100 is realized by an information management device 1 that transmits and receives various information to and from a beneficiary terminal 2, product provider terminals 3-1 to 3-n, and a management operator terminal 4 via a communication network.

[0016] The beneficiary terminal 2 is an information processing device used by a beneficiary such as a real estate owner. The beneficiary terminal 2 is composed of a smartphone, a tablet, a personal computer, etc. The beneficiary terminal 2 may exchange various information with the information management device 1 by a pre-installed program, or may exchange various information through a web browser. Beneficiaries other than the owner include, for example, a manager, a person who requests a legal procedure, etc. In addition, in FIGS. 1 and 2, although only one beneficiary terminal 2 is illustrated for the sake of convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the services of the management system 100 are provided to a plurality of beneficiary terminals 2.

[0017] The product provider terminals 3-1 to 3-n are information processing devices used by product providers who provide a predetermined product to beneficiaries. The product provider terminals 3-1 to 3-n are composed of tablets, personal computers, smartphones, etc. The product provider terminals 3-1 to 3-n may exchange various information with the information management device 1 through a pre-installed program, or may exchange various information through a web browser.

[0018] The product provider is a first specific business operator such as a small and medium-sized housing business operator who provides products to beneficiaries but does not directly enter into a transaction contract with the beneficiaries. As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of types of product provider terminals 3-1 to 3-n are registered on the platform provided by the management system 100. The product provider is, for example, a business operator who provides beneficiaries with housing equipment sales, housing equipment replacement / minor repairs, housing equipment repair, owners desk, new life lifeline, new construction option interior, housing loan, fire insurance, Internet, moving support, AI sales appraisal, house cleaning, etc. Among them, the new life lifeline is a product provider that provides, as a product, a service that collectively registers on behalf of life infrastructure services such as water supply and electricity that are required at the time of delivery of a newly constructed house. In addition, various professional businesses such as a judicial scrivener's office (not shown) are also included in the product provision. Thus, the product provider covers a wide range of industries for beneficiaries.

[0019] Each product provider provides a predetermined product to the beneficiary for a predetermined purpose. Here, the predetermined purpose is, for example, real estate such as apartment houses and detached houses, renovation contractors, real estate brokers, legal procedures by judicial scriveners, etc. The predetermined product is, for example, house cleaning, inspection, equipment replacement work, responses such as sales, preliminary examination of housing loans, creation of legal documents, legal procedures, etc.

[0020] An example of a combination of predetermined products for a predetermined purpose will be described. When the predetermined purpose is real estate such as apartment houses and detached houses, the predetermined products can be house cleaning, inspection, equipment replacement work, responses such as sales, preliminary examination of housing loans, etc. for the said house. When the predetermined purpose is a renovation contractor, the predetermined products can be inspection, equipment replacement work, etc. When the predetermined purpose is a real estate broker, the predetermined products can be responses such as sales, preliminary examination of housing loans, etc. When the predetermined purpose is a legal procedure by a judicial scrivener, etc., the predetermined products can be legal procedures, etc. Note that the combination of predetermined products for the predetermined purposes exemplified here is just an example and is not limited to these combinations.

[0021] In addition, in this specification, when explaining without distinguishing the product provider terminals 3-1 to 3-n, for the convenience of explanation, it will be explained as the product provider terminal 3.

[0022] The management operator terminal 4 is an information processing device used by management operators such as housing operators who provide large-scale or small-scale apartment houses and detached houses such as developers. The management operator terminal 4 is composed of a smartphone, a tablet, a personal computer, etc. The management operator terminal 4 may exchange various information with the information management device 1 through a pre-installed program, or may exchange various information through a web browser.

[0023] The management operator is a second specific operator capable of conducting a transaction contract that coordinates the contractual relationship between the beneficiary and the product provider. In FIGS. 1 and 2, for the sake of convenience of explanation, only one management operator terminal 4 is illustrated, but it is assumed that the services of the management system 100 are provided to a plurality of management operator terminals 4.

[0024] The information management device 1 is a server that provides a platform on a communication network capable of exchanging various information with the beneficiary terminal 2, the product provider terminals 3-1 to 3-n, and the management operator terminal 4.

[0025] Through the platform provided by the information management device 1, the provision record information regarding the products provided by the product provider can be shared by the management operator or other product providers other than the management operator. The management operator and other product providers other than the management operator can view the provision record information regarding the beneficiaries registered on the platform and use it for various operations related to the provision of products to the beneficiaries.

[0026] The provision record information is, for example, the progress of work related to a specific order, the information and materials exchanged, the information and materials related to a predetermined purpose, the information of the design company, interior coordinator, construction company that actually carried out the construction, the information of the sold business, the information regarding the responsible salesperson, etc., and the business information such as warranty conditions. The information and materials exchanged include information up to the model number information of the equipment. The information and materials related to a predetermined purpose specifically include information and materials such as operation manuals, fire insurance certificates, and information related to products with expiration dates.

[0027] In this embodiment, the information management device 1 provides various types of information regarding products to the beneficiary terminal 2 through an application (program) installed on the beneficiary terminal 2. This application also has an aspect of a service for providing aftercare to beneficiaries after contracting with the management operator. Beneficiaries can, by operating the application on the beneficiary terminal 2, make various requests and obtain information regarding products, such as requests for product provision, estimates, and progress confirmation, to the product provider. In this way, the information management device 1 provides services in the form of an all-in-one service application for owners. The service may be provided, for example, in the form of SaaS (Software as a Service).

[0028] <Hardware Configuration> Next, an example of the hardware that constitutes the information management device 1 will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the information management device 1 according to this embodiment. The information management device 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11 as a processor, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, a bus 14, an input / output interface 15, an output unit 16, an input unit 17, a storage unit 18, a communication unit 19, and a drive 20.

[0029] The CPU 11 executes various processes according to a program recorded in the ROM 12 or a program loaded from the storage unit 18 into the RAM 13. The RAM 13 also appropriately stores data and the like necessary for the CPU 11 to execute various processes. The CPU 11, ROM 12, and RAM 13 are interconnected via the bus 14. The input / output interface 15 is also connected to this bus 14.

[0030] An output / input interface 15 is connected to an output unit 16, an input unit 17, a storage unit 18, a communication unit 19, and a drive 20. The output unit 16 is composed of a display, a speaker, etc., and outputs various information as images and sounds. The input unit 17 is composed of a keyboard, a mouse, etc., and inputs various information. The storage unit 18 is composed of a hard disk, a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory), etc., and stores various data. The communication unit 19 communicates with other devices via a network including the Internet.

[0031] A removable medium 21 made of a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory, etc. is appropriately mounted on the drive 20. A program read from the removable medium 21 by the drive 20 is installed in the storage unit 18 as necessary. Also, the removable medium 21 can store various data stored in the storage unit 18 in the same manner as the storage unit 18.

[0032] The hardware configuration described here is merely an example. The computer described in this embodiment including the information management device 1 may have a configuration common to the configuration of FIG. 3, or may have a different configuration. Also, the computer may be composed of two or more computers. The beneficiary terminal 2, the product provider terminal 3, and the management operator terminal 4 in FIGS. 1 and 2 are, for example, smartphones, tablets, or personal computers having a configuration similar to the hardware configuration shown in FIG. 3.

[0033] <Functional Configuration> Next, the functional configuration realized by the hardware configuration of the information management device 1 will be described. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the information management device 1 according to this embodiment.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 4, the information management device 1 includes, as functional units realized on a processor (CPU 11), a product provider information registration unit 31, a product information output unit 32, a management operator information registration unit 33, and an order intermediation unit 34. Further, a database 90 is constructed in the information management device 1 as a storage unit for storing various information. Note that the database 90 may be arranged outside the information management device 1 and configured such that various information is read via a communication network.

[0035] The product provider information registration unit 31 is a first specific business operator information registration means that receives a registration request for business operator information from a product provider and stores the received business operator information of the product provider. The business operator information of the product provider also includes information regarding a predetermined product. For example, when the product provider information registration unit 31 receives a registration request from a product provider terminal 3 of a cleaning business operator (product provider) that provides house cleaning (predetermined product) for condominiums (predetermined purpose), it stores that information in the database 90 as business operator information.

[0036] The product provider information registration unit 31 can receive registration requests from a plurality of product providers in parallel. The business operator information of a plurality of product providers is registered in the database 90. The predetermined products provided by the product providers include a plurality of products provided to beneficiaries from the same or different product providers at different times. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a predetermined product provided at different times. FIG. 5 shows an example in which different products are provided depending on the time when the predetermined purpose is real estate such as condominiums or single-family houses.

[0037] In the example of Fig. 5, at the timing from construction to handover, responses such as buying and selling, preliminary examination of housing loans, and legal procedures by judicial scriveners, etc. are provided as predetermined products. Also, at the timing of considering renovation and inspection after a certain period has passed since the purchase of a house, renovation of the house, house inspection, equipment replacement, etc. are provided as predetermined products. Similarly, at the timing of considering purchases such as advance payment, housing transfer, and new introduction, etc., responses such as renovation, selling, etc., and real estate agency for introducing a new house are provided as predetermined products. These products may be provided by the same product provider regardless of the same timing or different timings, or may be provided by different product providers.

[0038] Note that in the example of Fig. 5, although it is illustrated from the timing after construction, the information management device 1 can also be applied at the timing before construction. That is, for example, responses such as buying and selling, housing loan examination procedures, etc. at the timing of "purchase consideration" or "contract" can be applied as predetermined products.

[0039] The scope of a general construction management system as conventionally known is from land purchase through construction to handover, but the management system 100 by the information management device 1 of the present embodiment can provide various products in a wide range including from handover to renovation and inspection, and consideration of purchase of a new house. The management system 100 enables a long-term relationship between the beneficiary and the management operator.

[0040] Next, the product information output unit 32 will be described. The product information output unit 32 is product information output means for outputting information related to a predetermined product including that related to the product provider to the beneficiary. For example, when the product information output unit 32 receives a request to view information related to house screening (a predetermined product) from the beneficiary terminal 2 via the communication network, it outputs information related to house screening to the beneficiary terminal 2.

[0041] In addition, the product information output unit 32 may select and output a predetermined product provided according to the timing of the beneficiary, or may output a list display of predetermined products provided to the beneficiary by dividing the timing as shown in FIG. 5. Further, the product information output unit 32 may output product information to the management operator. For example, the product information output unit 32 may output product information to the management operator in response to a viewing request from the management operator terminal 4.

[0042] The management operator information registration unit 33 is a second specific business operator information registration means that receives a registration request for business operator information from the management operator and stores the business operator information of the received management operator. For example, when the management operator information registration unit 33 receives a registration request from the management operator terminal 4 of a developer (management operator) that provides apartment houses (for a predetermined purpose), it stores that information in the database 90 as business operator information.

[0043] The management operator information registration unit 33 can receive registration requests from a plurality of management operators in parallel. In the database 90, business operator information of a plurality of management operators is registered. The business operator information includes, for example, whether or not the management operator intends to contract with some or all of a plurality of product providers. For example, the management operator can register that it has no intention of contracting with a product provider that provides the same predetermined product for a predetermined product carried out by the company itself, related companies, etc.

[0044] The order intermediation unit 34 is an order intermediation means that receives an order request for a predetermined product provided by a product provider from a beneficiary for a predetermined purpose and outputs that fact to the management operator. The order intermediation unit 34 of the present embodiment receives order information including the content of the order request input from the beneficiary terminal 2 via the communication network, and outputs the received order information to the management operator terminal 4.

[0045] The order information output to the management operator terminal 4 is stored in the storage unit 18 of the management operator terminal 4. The order information may be stored in a database used by the management operator terminal 4 or in a management system constructed on a communication network. By checking the stored order information, the management operator can confirm the order details from the beneficiary. Note that the order receiving relay unit 34 may store the received order information in the database 90 of the information management device 1, or may acquire correspondence information including whether the management operator has responded to the order information and store the correspondence information in the database 90.

[0046] In addition, when the order receiving relay unit 34 receives an order request from the beneficiary to the product provider, it notifies the management operator to that effect (that the orderer information has been received). The order receiving relay unit 34 transmits notification information indicating that the order request has been received to the management operator terminal 4. The format of the notification information is not particularly limited, such as an e-mail or a push notification at the time of application login.

[0047] <Example of the display of the beneficiary terminal application> The user interface of the screen displayed in the application of the beneficiary terminal 2 can be freely set by the management operator who concludes a contract with the beneficiary. If the management operator used is different, the display example displayed on the beneficiary terminal 2 will be different for each beneficiary.

[0048] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a first display example of the application displayed on the beneficiary terminal 2. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a second display example of the application displayed on the beneficiary terminal 2. The display example shown in FIG. 6 and the display example shown in FIG. 7 are screen examples of the beneficiary terminal 2 set by different management operators or product providers.

[0049] The display example shown in FIG. 6 includes a service selection unit 51 for selecting items related to products, and the display example shown in FIG. 7 also shows a service selection unit 52 for selecting items related to products. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, in addition to the different screen configurations, the items of the service selection unit 51 in the example of FIG. 6 are different from the items of the service selection unit 52 in the example of FIG. 7. The service selection unit 51 in the example of FIG. 6 includes AAA service facility repair, facility replacement, minor repairs, housework agency, house cleaning, shopping, etc. as selection items. "AAA service" is an example of the service name provided by the management operator. The service selection unit 52 in the example of FIG. 7 includes renovation, minor renovation, purchase of housing products, estimate / claim, notification, data documents, member information, etc. as selection items.

[0050] By selecting the items related to the products of the service selection unit 51 or the service selection unit 52, the beneficiary sends a viewing request for the product to the information management device 1, and the information related to the product is sent to the beneficiary terminal 2. For example, when the beneficiary operates the house cleaning of the service selection unit 51, the product provider is displayed. The beneficiary can select the desired product provider from the displayed product providers. The selected product provider performs house cleaning based on a request (contract) from the management operator. The beneficiary has the merit of being able to easily select the operator, and since the product provider contracts with the management operator rather than the beneficiary, the communication is easy.

[0051] In addition, the service selection unit 51 can include predetermined products that are carried out by the company itself or related companies, such as facility repair, as selection items. In this example, the AAA service facility management is a service (predetermined product) that the management operator who is the source of the application provides in related companies, etc. The management operator can arrange a selection item with the company name displayed, such as "AAA service facility repair", on the display screen of the application. When the beneficiary selects AAA facility repair, a menu related to the facility repair provided by the management operator or its related companies is displayed, and the company itself or related companies can undertake the provision of the predetermined product.

[0052] In this case, the management operator will register in advance that it has no intention of contracting with a product provider that provides facility repairs (predetermined products) carried out by itself or related companies, etc. in the database 90. Note that even when the management operator provides a predetermined product by itself or related companies, etc., it can register in the database 90 that it has the intention of contracting with other product providers. In this case, when the beneficiary presses the button of the predetermined product, a list of product providers that provide the predetermined product will also be displayed together with itself and related companies. That is, the beneficiary can select an operator from other operators that provide the same product in addition to the management operator and related companies of the management operator. In this way, the user interface of the application can reflect the circumstances of the management operator such as the existence of a product provider that the user wants to order, and the service content, etc.

[0053] Also, as described above, since the product provider can obtain information related to the apartment building from the provided record information stored in the management system 100, it can grasp the necessary information in advance and perform operations efficiently. Note that the provided record information such as information related to the apartment building is, for example, application forms, verified certificates, completion drawings, contracts, warranties, instruction manuals, reports, drawings, photos, regulations, pamphlets, design drawings, ground investigation reports, improvement reports, maintenance manuals, performance evaluation reports, warranties (SS value, ground warranty, termite warranty, waterproof warranty, defect warranty), etc. These information may be classified according to categories such as property data categories and document categories. Note that the provided record information such as information related to the apartment building can also be viewed by the beneficiary by operating an operation unit (button) (not shown) of the application.

[0054] <Flow of processing> Next, referring to FIG. 8, the registration process will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the registration process by the information management apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. The flow of the process shown in FIG. 8 is merely an example, and the order and content of the process are not limited to the content of this flowchart. The order of the process may be changed, or the processes may be performed in parallel.

[0055] In step S1, the product provider information registration unit 31 determines whether there is a registration request from the product provider. If there is a registration request from the product provider, the product provider information registration unit 31 proceeds to step S2 (step S1; Yes). If the registration request from the product provider cannot be confirmed, the product provider information registration unit 31 proceeds to step S3 (step S1; No).

[0056] In step S2, the product provider information registration unit 31 stores the business operator information of the product provider in the database 90 based on the registration request received from the product provider terminal 3 via the communication network. A plurality of business operator information of product providers is stored in the database 90.

[0057] In step S3, the management business operator information registration unit 33 determines whether there is a registration request from the management business operator. If there is a registration request from the management business operator, the management business operator information registration unit 33 proceeds to step S4 (step S3; Yes). If the registration request from the management business operator cannot be confirmed, the management business operator information registration unit 33 returns the process to step S1 and continues to monitor the registration request (step S3; No).

[0058] In step S4, the management business operator information registration unit 33 stores the business operator information of the management business operator obtained in the database 90 based on the registration request received from the management business operator terminal 4 via the communication network. As described above, the business operator information of the management business operator also includes information on available product providers. When the process of step S4 ends, the process returns to step S1 and the monitoring of the registration request continues.

[0059] Next, referring to FIG. 9, the flow of output processing performed in parallel with the above-described registration processing will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of output processing by the information management apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. The flow of processing shown in FIG. 9 is merely an example, and the order and content of the processing are not limited to the content of this flowchart. The order of processing may be changed, or the processing may be performed in parallel.

[0060] In step S11, the product information output unit 32 determines whether there is a desire to view information regarding a predetermined product from the beneficiary terminal 2. If the product information output unit 32 determines that there is no desire to view, it continues to monitor (step S11; No). If there is a desire to view, the process proceeds to step S12 (step S11; Yes).

[0061] In step S12, the product information output unit 32 acquires information including the product provider and the content of the product, etc. from the database 90 based on the information regarding the predetermined product specified on the beneficiary terminal 2 via the communication network, and outputs it to the beneficiary terminal 2.

[0062] In step S13, the order relay unit 34 determines whether it has received an order request regarding a predetermined product from the beneficiary terminal 2. If the order relay unit 34 has not received an order request, the process returns to step S11 (step S13; No). If it has received an order request, the process proceeds to step S14 (step S13; Yes).

[0063] In step S14, the order relay unit 34 outputs information regarding the order request from the beneficiary to the management operator terminal 4 of the management operator who has a contract with the beneficiary. As a result, the management operator can confirm that there has been an order for a predetermined product from the beneficiary in the contract relationship to the product provider through the management operator terminal 4 or the like.

[0064] In step S15, the order receiving relay unit 34 transmits notification information indicating that it has received the order details to the management operator terminal 4. The notification information is notified to the management operator terminal 4 by using, for example, e-mail, an application, a push notification on the system used by the management operator, or the like.

[0065] In step S16, the order receiving relay unit 34 registers the provided record information included in the order details in the database 90. As a result, various types of information regarding the product are shared in the management system 100 of the information management device 1. After the process of step S16, the process returns to step S11, and the monitor with the desire to view continues.

[0066] As described above, the information management device 1 of the present embodiment receives a request for registering business operator information from a product provider who is a business operator that provides a predetermined product for a predetermined purpose and does not enter into a direct transaction contract with the beneficiary of the predetermined purpose. In response thereto, the product provider information registration unit 31 that stores the business operator information of the product provider, and in response to receiving a request for viewing information regarding a predetermined product from a beneficiary of the predetermined purpose, outputs information regarding the predetermined product including at least that related to the product provider. It includes a product information output unit 32.

[0067] As a result, the beneficiary of a predetermined purpose can receive the provision of a product without directly entering into a transaction contract with the product provider (the first specified business operator) while being introduced to the product provider. In addition, the beneficiary of a predetermined purpose can browse, compare, and consider information related to products in one stop, including those provided by product providers (the first specified business operators) with whom no direct transaction contract is made. This makes it possible to maximize the range of product choices available to the beneficiary, such as the owner. Also, from the perspective of the product provider, it is possible to obtain an opportunity to provide products while avoiding a direct transaction contract with the beneficiary of a predetermined purpose. Thus, according to the information management device 1 of the present embodiment, a mechanism can be realized that presents information on product providers, which are business operators that do not enter into a direct transaction contract with the beneficiary, together with information on the management business operator that enters into a direct transaction contract with the beneficiary of a predetermined purpose, to the beneficiary of the purpose.

[0068] In addition, when the information management device 1 of the present embodiment receives a request to register business operator information from a management business operator (the second specified business operator), which is a business operator capable of coordinating the contractual relationship between the beneficiary of a predetermined purpose and the product provider for a predetermined product provided by the product provider, the information management device 1 further includes a management business operator information registration unit 33 that stores the business operator information of the management business operator, and an order relay unit 34 that outputs to the management business operator to that effect when it receives an order request for a predetermined product provided by the product provider from the beneficiary of a predetermined purpose.

[0069] As a result, an order relay function is realized that enables the beneficiary of a predetermined purpose to place an order for a product provided by a product provider with whom no direct transaction contract is made. The product provider can obtain an order opportunity through the management business operator while avoiding a direct transaction contract with the beneficiary. Also, the beneficiary of a predetermined purpose can use a product provider introduced by a management business operator (the second specified business operator), which is a business operator capable of coordinating the contractual relationship between the beneficiary of a predetermined purpose and the product provider. This enables the beneficiary of a predetermined purpose to use a reliable product provider.

[0070] Also, in the present embodiment, the order receiving relay unit 34 notifies the management operator to that effect (that it has received an order request).

[0071] As a result, a function of notifying the output content output by the order receiving relay unit 34 by mail or the like (push) is realized, so that the management operator can know that fact by the notification without checking the information himself / herself.

[0072] Also, in the present embodiment, the product information output unit 32 outputs information on a predetermined product different according to the predetermined product provided by the operator for each of a plurality of operators including at least the management operator.

[0073] As a result, a function of sorting out product menus for beneficiaries for each of a plurality of operators is realized. Different service menus can be presented to the beneficiaries according to the products provided by each product provider (operator).

[0074] Also, in the present embodiment, the predetermined product includes a plurality of products provided to the beneficiary from different operators at different times for a predetermined purpose.

[0075] As a result, a function of outputting product menus at different times of provision is realized. The beneficiary can comprehensively view and consider information on a plurality of products provided from different operators at different times for a predetermined purpose, and the operator can maintain the relationship with the beneficiary and expand his / her own order receiving opportunities only by providing a part of the plurality of products provided from different operators at different times.

[0076] As described above, an embodiment of the present invention has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and modifications, improvements, etc. within the scope capable of achieving the object of the present invention are included in the present invention.

[0077] In addition, the above-described series of processes can be executed by hardware or by software. In other words, the above-described functional configurations are merely examples and are not particularly limited. That is, it is sufficient that the information management apparatus is equipped with a function capable of executing the above-described series of processes as a whole, and the functional blocks used to realize this function are not particularly limited to the above examples. Also, the location of the functional blocks is not particularly limited and may be arbitrary. For example, the functional blocks of the information management apparatus may be transferred to other devices or the like. Conversely, the functional blocks of other devices may be transferred to a server or the like. Also, one functional block may be configured by hardware alone, by software alone, or by a combination thereof.

[0078] When the series of processes are executed by software, the program constituting the software is installed in a computer or the like from a network or a recording medium. The computer may be a computer incorporated in dedicated hardware. Also, the computer may be a computer capable of executing various functions by installing various programs, for example, a general-purpose smartphone or personal computer other than a server.

[0079] A recording medium containing such a program is not only constituted by a removable medium (not shown) distributed separately from the apparatus main body for providing the program, but also constituted by a recording medium or the like provided in a state pre-installed in the apparatus main body. Since the program can be distributed via a network, the recording medium may be mounted on or accessible to a computer connected to or connectable to the network.

[0080] In addition, in this specification, the step of describing a program recorded on a recording medium includes not only processes that are performed in chronological order according to that order, but also processes that are executed in parallel or individually, even if they are not necessarily processed in chronological order. Also, in this specification, the term "system" shall mean the entire apparatus composed of a plurality of devices, a plurality of means, etc.

Explanation of Signs

[0081] 1 Information management apparatus 2 Beneficiary terminal 3-1~3-n Product provider terminal 4 Management operator terminal 31 Product provider information registration section 32 Product information output section 33 Management operator information registration section 34 Order relay section

Claims

1. In response to receiving a registration request for business operator information from a first specific business operator who provides a predetermined product for a predetermined purpose and does not enter into a direct transaction contract with the beneficiary of the predetermined purpose, a first specific business operator information registration means for storing the business operator information of the first specific business operator; In response to receiving a request from the beneficiary of the predetermined purpose to view information about the predetermined product, a product information output means for outputting information about the predetermined product including at least that related to the first specific business operator; An information management device comprising the above.

2. In response to receiving a registration request for business operator information from a second specific business operator who is a business operator capable of coordinating a transaction contract between the beneficiary of the predetermined purpose and the first specific business operator regarding the predetermined product provided by the first specific business operator, a second specific business operator information registration means for storing the business operator information of the second specific business operator; An order receiving forwarding means for outputting the fact to the second specific business operator in response to receiving an order request from the beneficiary of the predetermined purpose regarding the predetermined product provided by the first specific business operator; The information management device according to claim 1, further comprising: The information management device according to claim 1.

3. The order receiving forwarding means notifies the second specific business operator that the order request has been received. The information management device according to claim 2.

4. The product information output means outputs information about the predetermined product that varies according to the predetermined product provided by each of a plurality of business operators including at least the second specific business operator. The information management device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The predetermined product includes a plurality of products provided to the beneficiary by different business operators at different times for the predetermined purpose. The information management device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. An information management method executed by a computer, comprising: A first specific business operator information registration step of storing the business operator information of the first specific business operator in response to receiving a registration request for business operator information from a first specific business operator who provides a predetermined product for a predetermined purpose and does not enter into a direct transaction contract with the beneficiary of the predetermined purpose; A product information output step of outputting information related to the predetermined product including at least that related to the first specific operator, in response to receiving a request to view information related to the predetermined product from the beneficiary of the predetermined purpose; An information management method including the above.

7. A first specific operator information registration step of storing the operator information of the first specific operator, in response to receiving a request to register operator information from the first specific operator which is an operator that provides a predetermined product for a predetermined purpose and does not have a direct transaction contract with the beneficiary of the predetermined purpose; A product information output step of outputting information related to the predetermined product including at least that related to the first specific operator, in response to receiving a request to view information related to the predetermined product from the beneficiary of the predetermined purpose; A program for causing a computer to execute the above.

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