Information processing apparatus, information processing system, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To provide an information processing apparatus, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program for easily grasping a job that can be supported by a tool and a candidate tool to be used for the support.SOLUTION: In an information processing system 100, an information processing apparatus is provided with: an input reception unit for receiving input of business content information indicating the content of business; a specification unit for specifying whether or not the business can be supported by a tool on the basis of the business content information; and an output unit for outputting to a terminal device information in which the business specified by the specification unit is associated with a candidate tool to be used for supporting the business.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, various techniques for supporting business improvement have been known. As an example, for instance, a technique is known that extracts the difference between the current business process and a business process model corresponding to the current business process prepared in advance, and displays a plurality of improvement plans for reducing the extracted difference.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] As a method for supporting business improvement, it is possible to utilize tools for supporting business. However, in order to utilize tools for supporting business, specialized knowledge and experience are required for determining whether the business can be supported by the tool and for selecting the tool to be used, which is not easy.

[0004] The disclosed technology has been made in view of the above circumstances, and aims to easily grasp the business that can be supported by a tool and the candidates for the tool to be used for the support.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The disclosed technology is an information processing apparatus including: an input reception unit that receives an input of business content information indicating the content of a business; a specification unit that specifies, based on the business content information, whether the business is a business that can be supported by a tool; and an output unit that outputs, to a terminal device, information associating the business specified by the specification unit with candidates for the tool to be used for the support of the business.

Effects of the Invention

[0006] It is possible to easily grasp the operations that can be supported by tools and the candidates for tools to be used for the support.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the system configuration of an information processing system.

[0009] The information processing system 100 of the present embodiment includes an information processing apparatus 200 and a terminal apparatus 300, and the information processing apparatus 200 and the terminal apparatus 300 are connected via a network or the like.

[0010] In the information processing system 100 of the present embodiment, when the information processing apparatus 200 acquires information indicating the content of a task, it analyzes the information indicating the content of the task and outputs candidates for software for automating the task to the terminal apparatus 300. In the following description, the information indicating the content of a task is referred to as task content information.

[0011] The task content information may be task visualization information obtained by visualizing a task using an existing task visualization method, or may be any text data input by a user of the terminal apparatus 300. In other words, the task content information in the present embodiment may be either task visualization information or text data.

[0012] The information processing apparatus 200 of the present embodiment includes a tool information storage unit 230 and an improvement support processing unit 240.

[0013] The tool information storage unit 230 stores information on existing software for supporting tasks. In other words, the tool information storage unit 230 stores information on existing software used for supporting tasks. In the following description, existing software used for supporting tasks is referred to as a tool, and information on existing software used for supporting tasks is referred to as tool information. Specifically, the existing software for supporting tasks is existing software for automating tasks. Details of the tool information will be described later.

[0014] When the improvement support processing unit 240 acquires the task content information, it extracts words that serve as search keys for searching for tool information from the acquired task content information. Next, the improvement support processing unit 240 searches the tool information storage unit 230 with the extracted search keys to identify candidates for tools suitable for automating tasks.

[0015] Then, the tool information storage unit 230 associates the business content information with candidates for tools suitable for automating the business and causes the terminal device 300 to display them.

[0016] Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the user of the terminal device 300 can grasp candidates for tools for realizing business automation only by inputting the business content information, and there is no need for specialized knowledge, experience, etc. required for performing business automation.

[0017] As described above, according to the present embodiment, an outline of business automation can be easily grasped, and business improvement can be supported. Further, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to easily grasp the business that can be supported by a tool and the candidates for the tool used for the support.

[0018] In the example of FIG. 1, the information processing device 200 is a single information processing device, but it is not limited thereto. The information processing device 200 may be realized by a plurality of information processing devices. Further, in the example of FIG. 1, the tool information storage unit 230 is assumed to be included in the information processing device 200, but it is not limited thereto. The tool information storage unit 230 may be provided in an external device capable of communicating with the information processing device 200. Further, the improvement support processing unit 240 may be realized by a plurality of information processing devices.

[0019] Next, with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the hardware configurations of the information processing device 200 and the terminal device 300 of the present embodiment will be described.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an information processing apparatus. As shown in FIG. 2, the information processing apparatus 200 is constructed by a computer, and as shown in FIG. 2, it includes a CPU 201, a ROM 202, a RAM 203, an HD 204, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) controller 205, a display 206, an external device connection I / F (Interface) 208, a network I / F 209, a bus line 210, a keyboard 211, a pointing device 212, a DVD-RW (Digital Versatile Disk Rewritable) drive 214, and a media I / F 216.

[0021] Among these, the CPU 201 controls the operation of the entire information processing apparatus 200. The ROM 202 stores programs used for driving the CPU 201 such as the IPL. The RAM 203 is used as a work area for the CPU 201. The HD 204 stores various data such as programs. The HDD controller 205 controls the reading or writing of various data to and from the HD 204 according to the control of the CPU 201. The display 206 displays various information such as a cursor, menu, window, characters, or images. The external device connection I / F 208 is an interface for connecting various external devices. The external devices in this case are, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, a printer, etc. The network I / F 209 is an interface for performing data communication using a communication network. The bus line 210 is an address bus, a data bus, etc. for electrically connecting the components such as the CPU 201 shown in FIG. 2.

[0022] In addition, the keyboard 211 is a type of input means having a plurality of keys for inputting characters, numerical values, various instructions, and the like. The pointing device 212 is a type of input means for selecting and executing various instructions, selecting a processing target, moving a cursor, and the like. The DVD-RW drive 214 controls reading or writing of various data with respect to the DVD-RW 213 as an example of a removable recording medium. Note that it may be not limited to DVD-RW, but may be DVD-R or the like. The media I / F 216 controls reading or writing (storage) of data with respect to the recording medium 215 such as a flash memory.

[0023] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the terminal device. As shown in FIG. 3, the terminal device 300 includes a CPU 301, a ROM 302, a RAM 303, an EEPROM 304, a CMOS sensor 305, an imaging element I / F 306, an acceleration / azimuth sensor 307, a media I / F 309, and a GPS receiver 311. The terminal device 300 of the present embodiment may be, for example, a smartphone or the like.

[0024] Among these, the CPU 301 controls the operations of the entire terminal device 300. The ROM 302 stores programs used for driving the CPU 301 such as the CPU 301 and IPL. The RAM 303 is used as a work area for the CPU 301. The EEPROM 304 reads or writes (stores) various data such as terminal device programs according to the control of the CPU 301. The CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) sensor 305 is a type of built-in imaging means that captures a subject (mainly a self-image) according to the control of the CPU 301 to obtain image data. Note that an imaging means such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor may be used instead of the CMOS sensor. The imaging device I / F 306 is a circuit that controls the driving of the CMOS sensor 305. The acceleration / azimuth sensor 307 is various sensors such as an electronic magnetic compass that detects geomagnetism, a gyrocompass, and an acceleration sensor. The media I / F 309 controls the reading or writing (storage) of data to / from the recording medium 308 such as a flash memory. The GPS receiver 311 receives GPS signals from GPS satellites.

[0025] In addition, the terminal device 300 includes a long-distance communication circuit 312, a CMOS sensor 313, an imaging device I / F 314, a microphone 315, a speaker 316, an audio input / output I / F 317, a display 318, an external device connection I / F (Interface) 319, a short-distance communication circuit 420, an antenna 420a of the short-distance communication circuit 420, and a touch panel 421.

[0026] Among these, the long-distance communication circuit 312 is a circuit that communicates with other devices via a communication network. The CMOS sensor 313 is a type of built-in imaging means that captures a subject according to the control of the CPU 301 to obtain image data. The imaging device I / F 314 is a circuit that controls the driving of the CMOS sensor 313. The microphone 315 is a built-in circuit that converts sound into an electrical signal. The speaker 316 is a built-in circuit that converts an electrical signal into physical vibrations to produce sounds such as music and voices. The audio input / output I / F 317 is a circuit that processes the input and output of audio signals between the microphone 315 and the speaker 316 according to the control of the CPU 301. The display 318 is a type of display means such as a liquid crystal or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) that displays an image of a subject, various icons, etc. The external device connection I / F 319 is an interface for connecting various external devices. The short-distance communication circuit 420 is a communication circuit such as NFC (Near Field Communication) or Bluetooth (registered trademark). The touch panel 421 is a type of input means for operating the terminal device 300 when the user presses the display 318.

[0027] Also, the terminal device 300 includes a bus line 310. The bus line 310 is an address bus, a data bus, etc. for electrically connecting each component such as the CPU 301 shown in FIG. 3.

[0028] Next, with reference to FIG. 4, the tool information storage unit 230 of the present embodiment will be described.

[0029] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the tool information storage unit. The tool information stored in the tool information storage unit 230 of the present embodiment includes a table in which a tool name and a keyword associated with the tool are associated. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the tool information is stored in the tool information storage unit 230 in advance.

[0030] Specifically, the tool information storage unit 230 includes tables 230-1, 230-2, 230-3, etc.

[0031] Table 230-1 is information that associates a table name with a tool name. From Table 230-1, it can be seen that the tool name "Tool1" is associated with the table name "Tool1 Table", and the tool name "Tool2" is associated with the table name "Tool2 Table".

[0032] Table 230-2 is information that associates the tool name "Tool1" with keywords, and Table 230-3 is information that associates the tool name "Tool2" with keywords.

[0033] In Table 230-2, keywords such as "Robotic Process Automation" and "RPA23" are associated with the tool name "Tool1". Also, in Table 230-2, keywords such as "Low-Code" and "App Development" are associated with the tool name "Tool2".

[0034] Note that the tool indicated by the tool name "Tool1" may be software that creates an automatic workflow between an application and a service and performs operations such as file synchronization, receiving notifications, and data collection. Also, the tool indicated by the tool name "Tool2" may be software that creates an application that realizes the systematization and efficiency improvement of business without using code.

[0035] Also, the tool information storage unit 230 may include various types of tool information in addition to the tool information of the tools described above.

[0036] Next, with reference to FIG. 5, the functions of each device included in the information processing system 100 of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the functional configuration of each device included in the information processing system.

[0037] First, the function of the information processing device 200 will be described. The information processing device 200 of the present embodiment includes a tool information storage unit 230 and an improvement support processing unit 240.

[0038] The improvement support processing unit 240 includes an input reception unit 241, an output unit 242, a first analysis unit 250, and a second analysis unit 260.

[0039] The input reception unit 241 receives the input of various types of information to the information processing apparatus 200. Specifically, the input reception unit 241 receives the input of business content information. Further, the input reception unit 241 receives the input according to an operation on the screen displayed on the terminal device 300.

[0040] The output unit 242 outputs various types of information from the information processing apparatus 200. Specifically, the output unit 242 outputs to the terminal device 300 the analysis result by the first analysis unit 250, the analysis result of the second analysis unit 260, and the like.

[0041] When business visualization information is input as business content information, the first analysis unit 250 analyzes the business visualization information and associates, among the processes included in the business, the processes that can be targets of automation with candidates for tools to be used for the automation of these processes. The business visualization information is information in which the processes (steps) and loads included in the business are visualized by an existing method for visualizing the business. Details of the business visualization information will be described later.

[0042] The first analysis unit 250 includes a search key extraction unit 251, a search unit 252, an automation candidate identification unit 253, and a tool candidate extraction unit 254.

[0043] The search key extraction unit 251 extracts a search key from the business visualization information received by the input reception unit 241. Specifically, the search key extraction unit 251 may extract the name of the process of the business included in the business visualization information as the search key.

[0044] The search unit 252 searches the tool information storage unit 230 for each name of the process extracted by the search key extraction unit 251.

[0045] The automation candidate identification unit 253 identifies, by the search by the search unit 252, the process in which the keyword corresponding to the name is extracted as a candidate for a process that can be automated. In other words, the automation candidate identification unit 253 is an example of an identification unit that identifies, among the processes of the operations indicated by the operation visualization information, the processes that can be supported by a tool.

[0046] The tool candidate extraction unit 254 extracts, in the tool information storage unit 230, the tool associated with the keyword obtained by the search as a candidate for the tool that realizes the automation of this process.

[0047] When text data is input as operation content information, the second analysis unit 260 searches the tool information storage unit 230 with the words included in the text data, and sets the tool corresponding to the keyword of the search result as a candidate for the tool that realizes the automation of the operation indicated by the text data.

[0048] The second analysis unit 260 includes a text analysis unit 261, a search unit 262, and a tool candidate extraction unit 263.

[0049] The text analysis unit 261 performs morphological analysis or the like on the text data received by the input reception unit 241, and extracts words that become search keys from the text data. The search unit 262 searches the tool information storage unit 230 for each word obtained by the analysis of the text analysis unit 261. The tool candidate extraction unit 263 extracts the tool associated with the keyword obtained as the search result by the search unit 262 as a candidate for the tool that realizes the automation of the operation indicated by the text data.

[0050] In other words, the tool candidate extraction unit 263 identifies the operation indicated by the text data in which the keyword is obtained as the search result by the search unit 262 as an operation that can be supported by a tool, and extracts the candidate for the tool associated with the keyword. Therefore, the tool candidate extraction unit 263 is an example of an identification unit that identifies an operation that can be supported by a tool.

[0051] Next, the functional configuration of the terminal device 300 will be described. The terminal device 300 of the present embodiment includes a communication control unit 340 and a display control unit 350. The communication control unit 340 controls the transmission and reception of information between the terminal device 300 and the information processing device 200. The display control unit 350 controls various displays on the display 318 of the terminal device 300.

[0052] Next, with reference to FIG. 6, the operation of the information processing system 100 of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the information processing system.

[0053] In the information processing system 100 of the present embodiment, according to the user's operation, the terminal device 300 transmits a display request for the home screen to the information processing device 200 by the communication control unit 340 (step S601).

[0054] When the information processing device 200 receives the display request for the home screen, it transmits a display instruction for the home screen to the terminal device 300 (step S602). The terminal device 300 receives this display instruction and causes the display control unit 350 to display the home screen on the display 318 (step S603).

[0055] Note that the home screen of the present embodiment is an example of a screen displayed when starting to use the service provided by the information processing device 200. Also, in the present embodiment, on the home screen, a selection is made as to whether the business content information input to the information processing device 200 is to be business visualization information or text data. That is, it can be said that the home screen of the present embodiment is a screen for selecting the format of the business content information to be transmitted to the information processing device 200.

[0056] First, in step S604, the operation when business visualization information is selected as the format of the business content information will be described.

[0057] The terminal device 300 receives the selection of the format of the business content information on the home screen (step S604).

[0058] The processing from step S605 to step S612 in FIG. 6 shows the operations when business visualization information is selected as the format of the business content information in step S604. Also, the processing from step S613 to step S620 in FIG. 6 shows the operations when text data is selected as the format of the business content information in step S604.

[0059] In step S604, when business visualization information is selected, the terminal device 300 sends a display request for a file selection screen for selecting the input business visualization information to the information processing device 200 (step S605). The information processing device 200 receives this display request and sends a display instruction for the file selection screen to the terminal device 300 (step S606).

[0060] The terminal device 300 receives this display instruction and displays a file selection screen for business visualization information (step S607). A list of business visualization information acquired by the terminal device 300 may be displayed on the file selection screen displayed here.

[0061] When the terminal device 300 receives an operation of selecting business visualization information on the file selection screen (step S608), it sends the selected business visualization information to the information processing device 200 (step S609).

[0062] When the information processing device 200 receives the business visualization information, the first analysis unit 250 analyzes the business visualization information (step S610), and the output unit 242 sends information indicating the analysis result to the terminal device 300 (step S611). The terminal device 300 displays the information indicating the analysis result from the information processing device 200 (step S612). The details of the processing of the first analysis unit 250 will be described later.

[0063] Also, in this embodiment, the information indicating the analysis result by the first analysis unit 250 may be stored in the information processing device 200.

[0064] Next, in step S604, the operation when text data is selected as the format of the business content information will be described.

[0065] In step S604, when text data is selected, the terminal device 300 sends a display request for a screen (text input screen) including an input field for the text data to the information processing device 200 (step S613). The information processing device 200 receives this display request and sends a display instruction for the text input screen to the terminal device 300 (step S614).

[0066] The terminal device 300 receives this display instruction and displays the text input screen (step S615).

[0067] When the terminal device 300 receives an operation of inputting text data on the text input screen (step S616), it sends the input text data to the information processing device 200 (step S617).

[0068] When the information processing device 200 receives the text data, the second analysis unit 260 analyzes the text data (step S618), and the output unit 242 sends information indicating the analysis result to the terminal device 300 (step S619). The terminal device 300 displays the information indicating the analysis result from the information processing device 200 (step S620). The details of the processing of the second analysis unit 260 will be described later.

[0069] Here, the business visualization information of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the business visualization information. The business visualization information in the present embodiment is information obtained by classifying the processes included in the business for each business content and aggregating the load, cost, person in charge, etc. for each process.

[0070] The business visualization information 70 shown in FIG. 7 is an example of the business visualization information, and is the business visualization information that visualizes the load for each process included in the development business of the A system.

[0071] In the business visualization information 70, the values of the items "Category 1", "Category 2", "Category 3", and "Category 4" respectively indicate the processes when classifying the business content. Category 1 indicates the process when classifying the business content in the most detailed manner, and Category 4 indicates the process when classifying the business content in the most detailed manner.

[0072] In the business visualization information 70, it can be seen that the process "A system development" is classified into processes such as "System development", "Personal clerical work", "Maintenance", "Meeting", etc., and the process "System development" is further classified into processes such as "Comprehensive test", "Combined test", "Program development", etc.

[0073] The value of the item "Skill level" indicates the difficulty level for each process associated with the item "Category 4". In this embodiment, a process with the value of the item "Skill level" being "A" indicates a process that is the most difficult and can only be done by a limited number of people, and a process with the value of the item "Skill level" being "D" indicates a process that is the easiest and can be done by anyone.

[0074] The value of the item "Annual cumulative time total" indicates the total of the business hours for each process associated with the item "Category 4" in one year. In other words, the value of the item "Annual cumulative time total" indicates the magnitude of the load for each process associated with the item "Category 4".

[0075] Next, with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, the processing of the first analysis unit 250 and the processing of the second analysis unit 260 of the information processing apparatus 200 will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the processing of the first analysis unit. FIG. 8 shows the details of the processing of the first analysis unit 250 in step S610 of FIG. 6.

[0076] When the information processing apparatus 200 of the present embodiment receives the input of business visualization information by the input reception unit 241, the search key extraction unit 251 of the first analysis unit 250 extracts the business visualization information or a search key (step S801). Specifically, the search key extraction unit 251 extracts the name of the process of the business associated with the item "Category 4" in the business visualization information as the search key.

[0077] Subsequently, the first analysis unit 250 of the information processing apparatus 200 searches the tool information storage unit 230 for each search key extracted by the search key extraction unit 252 by the search unit 252 (step S802).

[0078] Subsequently, based on the search result, the first analysis unit 250 specifies candidates for the process to be automated by the automation candidate specification unit 253 (step S803). In other words, the automation candidate specification unit 253 specifies a process that can be supported by a tool based on the business content information.

[0079] Specifically, the automation candidate specification unit 253 searches the tool information storage unit 230 by the name of the process serving as the search key, and specifies, as candidates for the process to be automated, the processes for which the keywords stored in the tool information storage unit 230 are obtained as search results.

[0080] Note that the keyword obtained as the search result by the search unit 252 may be only a keyword that completely matches the name of the process of the business serving as the search key, or may include a keyword that partially matches the name of the process of the business serving as the search key.

[0081] Subsequently, the first analysis unit 250 identifies candidates for tools that realize the automation of the process identified by the automation candidate identification unit 253 by the tool candidate extraction unit 254, associates the name of the identified tool with the name of the process, and uses this as the analysis result (step S804). Specifically, the tool candidate extraction unit 254 identifies candidates for tools that realize the automation of the identified process by using the keywords extracted by searching using the name of the process identified in step S803 as a search key and the tools associated in the tool information storage unit 230.

[0082] For each of the search keys extracted in step S801, the first analysis unit 250 of the present embodiment may perform the processes of steps S802 to S805 and pass the results to the output unit 242 as information indicating the analysis result.

[0083] Next, with reference to FIG. 9, the processing of the second analysis unit 260 of the information processing apparatus 200 will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the processing of the second analysis unit. FIG. 9 shows the details of the processing of the second analysis unit 260 in step S618 of FIG. 6.

[0084] When the information processing apparatus 200 of the present embodiment receives the input of text data by the input reception unit 241, the text analysis unit 261 of the second analysis unit 260 extracts words from the text data (step S901). Specifically, the text analysis unit 261 may perform morphological analysis or the like on the input text data to extract words.

[0085] Subsequently, the second analysis unit 260 of the information processing apparatus 200 searches the tool information storage unit 230 for each word extracted by the text analysis unit 261 by the search unit 262 (step S902).

[0086] Subsequently, the second analysis unit 260 identifies candidates for tools that realize the automation of the business content indicated by the text data by the tool candidate extraction unit 263 and uses this as the analysis result (step S903).

[0087] Specifically, the tool candidate extraction unit 263 may use, as a candidate for a tool that realizes the automation of the business content indicated by the text data, the tool with the largest number of keywords extracted in the per-word search by the search unit 262.

[0088] Alternatively, the tool candidate extraction unit 263 may identify a plurality of tools in descending order of the number of keywords extracted in the per-word search by the search unit 262, and use the identified plurality of tools as candidates for tools that realize the automation of the business content indicated by the text data.

[0089] Furthermore, the tool candidate extraction unit 263 may extract a combination of tools that realizes the automation of the business content indicated by the text data based on the keywords extracted in the per-word search by the search unit 262. Specifically, for example, when the content of the business indicated by the input text data is "automation of the business of copying the contents of the progress report file and displaying the aggregation results", the tool associated with the keyword associated with the word "copy" and the tool associated with the word "aggregation results" may be extracted as a combination of tools that realizes the automation of the business content indicated by the text data.

[0090] Also, in this case, on the terminal device 300, the word and the tool name may be displayed in association with each other. Specifically, for example, assume that the tool name of the tool associated with the word "copy" is "Tool3" and the tool name of the tool associated with the word "aggregation results" is "Tool4". In this case, on the terminal device 300, the word and the tool name are displayed in association with each other, such as "copy": Tool3, "aggregation results": Tool4.

[0091] In this way, by displaying the word and the tool name in association with each other, the user of the terminal device 300 can recognize the associated tool name for each word extracted from the text data and grasp the function of each tool.

[0092] Next, with reference to FIGS. 10 to 13, a display example in the information processing system 100 of the present embodiment will be described.

[0093] Figure 10 is a first diagram showing a display example of the terminal device. The screen 101 shown in Figure 10 is an example of the home screen displayed on the terminal device 300 in step S603 of Figure 6.

[0094] The screen 101 includes operation members 101a and 101b. The operation member 101a is an operation member for selecting business visualization information as a form of business content information. The operation member 101b is an operation member for selecting text data as a form of business content information. In the information processing system 100 of the present embodiment, when the operation member 101a is selected on the screen 101, the process proceeds to step S605 of Figure 6, and when the operation member 101b is selected, the process proceeds to step S6137 of Figure 6.

[0095] Figure 11 is a second diagram showing a display example of the terminal device. The screen 111 shown in Figure 11 is an example of the file selection screen displayed on the terminal device 300 in step S607 of Figure 6.

[0096] The screen 111 includes display areas 112 and 113 and an operation member 114. In the display area 112, a list of business visualization information stored in the terminal device 300 is displayed. In the list of business visualization information displayed in the display area 112, a selection bar for selecting the business visualization information to be transmitted to the information processing device 200 is displayed in association with the business visualization information.

[0097] The display area 113 displays the business visualization information selected in the display area 112. The operation member 114 is an operation member for transmitting the business visualization information displayed in the display area 113 to the information processing device 200.

[0098] In the example of Figure 11, in the display area 112, "Cost Aggregation File", "Personal Business File", and "Load Aggregation File" are selected as business visualization information, and in the display area 113, the names of the three selected files are displayed.

[0099] Note that the business visualization information corresponding to the "load aggregation file" may be the business visualization information 70 shown in FIG. 7. Also, the business visualization information corresponding to the "cost aggregation file" may be, for example, information obtained by aggregating the costs for each process included in the development work of the A system. Further, the business visualization information corresponding to the "personnel business file" may be, for example, information obtained by aggregating the loads for each person in charge of the processes included in the development work of the A system. Note that the load may be the working hours, and the information obtained by aggregating the loads for each person in charge of the processes included in the development work of the A system may be the cumulative working hours for each person in charge of the process.

[0100] In the information processing system 100 of the present embodiment, when the operation member 114 is operated on the screen 111, three types of business visualization information with file names displayed in the display area 113 are transmitted to the information processing apparatus 200. When the information processing apparatus 200 receives the three types of business visualization information, the first analysis unit 250 executes processing for each of the three types of business visualization information, and the output unit 242 causes information indicating the analysis result to be displayed on the terminal device 300.

[0101] FIG. 12 is a third diagram showing a display example of the terminal device. The screen 121 shown in FIG. 12 is an example of an analysis result screen displayed on the terminal device 300 in step S612 of FIG. 6.

[0102] The screen 121 shown in FIG. 12 includes display areas 122, 122, 123, 124, 125, and operation members 126, 127.

[0103] The display area 122 displays an operation member for selecting the type of business visualization information for displaying information indicating the analysis result. The display area 123 displays an operation member for setting the display order of the processes of the business to be displayed in the display area 125. The display area 124 displays an operation member for selecting the skill level of the processes of the business to be displayed in the display area 125. The display area 125 displays information indicating the analysis result.

[0104] The operation member 126 is an operation member for causing an image forming apparatus or the like to print information indicating the analysis result displayed on the screen 121. The operation member 127 is an operation member for storing information indicating the analysis result displayed on the screen 121 in a storage device or the like of the information processing apparatus 200.

[0105] The display area 122 includes operation members 122a, 122b, and 122c. These operation members are operation members for selecting the type of business visualization information. When a plurality of types of business visualization information are input, the analysis result of the type of business visualization information corresponding to the selection of the operation member is displayed in the display area 123.

[0106] The operation member 122a is an operation member for displaying the analysis result of business visualization information that visualizes the processes included in a business for each load. More specifically, in the example of FIG. 12, when the operation member 122a is selected, the analysis result obtained by the first analysis unit 250 executing processing on the "load aggregation file" is displayed in the display area 123.

[0107] The operation member 122b is an operation member for displaying the analysis result of business visualization information that visualizes the processes included in a business for each person in charge. More specifically, in the example of FIG. 12, when the operation member 122b is selected, the analysis result obtained by the first analysis unit 250 executing processing on the "personnel business file" is displayed in the display area 123.

[0108] The operation member 122c is an operation member for displaying the analysis result of business visualization information that visualizes the processes included in a business for each cost. More specifically, in the example of FIG. 12, when the operation member 122c is selected, the analysis result obtained by the first analysis unit 250 executing processing on the "cost aggregation file" is displayed in the display area 123.

[0109] On the screen 121 shown in FIG. 12, the operation member 122a is selected, and information indicating the analysis result of the "load aggregation file" is displayed in the display area 123.

[0110] In this embodiment, by providing an operation member for selecting the type of business visualization information for which the analysis result is to be displayed on the screen 121 in this way, among the input business visualization information, the analysis result of any business visualization information can be displayed.

[0111] The display area 123 includes operation members 123a, 123b, 123c, and 123d. The operation members 123a, 123b, and 123c are operation members for setting the display order of the processes of the business to be displayed in the display area 125, and the operation member 123d is an operation member for canceling the setting by any of the operation members 123a, 123b, and 123c.

[0112] The operation member 123a is an operation member for displaying the processes of the business included in the business visualization information selected in the display area 122 in order from the top of the aggregation result. The operation member 123b is an operation member for displaying the processes of the business included in the business visualization information selected in the display area 122 in order from the bottom of the aggregation result. The operation member 123c is an operation member for displaying the processes of the business included in the business visualization information selected in the display area 122 up to a predetermined rank from the top of the aggregation result.

[0113] In FIG. 12, in the display area 122, the operation member 122a is selected, and in the display area 123, the operation member 123a is selected. In this case, in the display area 125, in the business visualization information in which the load is aggregated for each process included in the business, the analysis results are displayed in order from the process of the business with the largest load.

[0114] Also, the operation member 122a is selected, and in the display area 123, the operation member 123b is selected. In this case, in the display area 125, in the business visualization information in which the load is aggregated for each process included in the business, the analysis results are displayed in order from the process of the business with the smallest load.

[0115] In this embodiment, by focusing on a process with a low load in this way, it is possible to propose the automation of tasks that have had a low load until now. If tasks with a low load are automated, the personnel involved in those tasks can be reassigned to other tasks, increasing the likelihood of improving tasks with a high load.

[0116] When the operation member 122b is selected in the display area 122 and the operation member 123a is selected in the display area 123, in the display area 125, the analysis results are displayed in order from the processes of the tasks assigned to the person in charge with a high load in the task visualization information in which the loads are aggregated for each person in charge of the processes included in the task.

[0117] Also, when the operation member 122c is selected in the display area 122 and the operation member 123a is selected in the display area 123, in the display area 125, the analysis results are displayed in order from the processes of the tasks with a high cost in the task visualization information in which the costs for each process included in the task are aggregated.

[0118] In this embodiment, in this way, according to the type of task visualization information selected in the display area 122, the display order of the processes of the tasks in the display area 125 can be set, and the viewer of the screen 121 can be made to consider the automation of the processes of the tasks from various perspectives.

[0119] The display area 124 includes operation members 124a, 124b, and 124c. The operation members 124a, 124b, and 124c are operation members for selecting the skill level of the processes of the tasks to be displayed in the display area 125.

[0120] The operation member 124a is an operation member for selecting the processes of the tasks with a skill level of "A" in the task visualization information. The operation member 124b is an operation member for selecting the processes of the tasks with a skill level of "B" in the task visualization information. The operation member 124c is an operation member for selecting the processes of the tasks with a skill level of "C" in the task visualization information.

[0121] In this embodiment, when a skill level is selected in the display area 124, analysis results including the process of the operation corresponding to the selected skill level may be displayed in the display area 125.

[0122] In the example of FIG. 12, the display area 124 includes operation members 124a, 124b, and 124c. An operation of selecting all of the operation members 124a, 124b, and 124c has been performed. Therefore, analysis results including the processes of the operations corresponding to the skill levels "A", "B", and "C" are displayed in the display area 125.

[0123] In the display area 125, the analysis results by the first analysis unit 250 are displayed. In the example of FIG. 12, in the display area 125, the name of the operation process and the name of the candidate tool for realizing the automation of the operation process are displayed in association with each other. That is, in the display area 125, the operations specified as the operations that can be supported by the tool and the candidate tools for supporting the operations are displayed in association with each other.

[0124] In addition, in the display area 125, in addition to the name of the operation process and the name of the candidate tool for realizing the automation of the operation process, the cumulative operation time of the operation process is displayed.

[0125] Note that in the display area 125, when the operation visualization information obtained by aggregating the costs for each process included in the operation in the display area 122 is selected, the cost of the operation process may be displayed instead of the cumulative operation time of the operation process.

[0126] In addition, in the example of FIG. 12, the operation processes for which the candidates for the tools for realizing the automation of the operation processes have not been extracted are also displayed. Specifically, in the display area 125, the operation processes in which "not applicable" is displayed in the tool name corresponding to "automation tool" are the processes that have not been specified as the targets of automation.

[0127] In this embodiment, in this way, the name of the process of the task not specified as the object of automation may also be displayed in the display area 125 as part of the analysis result by the first analysis unit 250.

[0128] In this embodiment, in this way, by including the process of the task not specified as the object of automation in part of the analysis result, it is possible to let the viewer of the screen 121 grasp the presence or absence of tools that may achieve automation.

[0129] Note that in this embodiment, in the display area 125, it may be set to display only the process of the task specified as the object of automation.

[0130] Also, in this embodiment, for the process of the task not specified as the object of automation, it may not be displayed in the display area 125, or the tool name in the display area 125 may be displayed as a blank instead of "not applicable".

[0131] Also, in this embodiment, the information indicating the analysis result for displaying the screen 121 may be stored in the information processing apparatus 200. More specifically, in this embodiment, the information indicating the analysis result by the first analysis unit 250 for the "load aggregation file", "personal task file", and "cost aggregation file" may be stored in the information processing apparatus 200.

[0132] By doing so, for example, when an operation to return from the screen 121 to the screen 111 is performed and the operation member 114 is selected again on the screen 111, the information processing apparatus 200 can use the information indicating the stored analysis result and omit the processing by the first analysis unit 250. Therefore, in this embodiment, the screen 111 displayed on the terminal device 300 can be quickly transitioned to the screen 121.

[0133] FIG. 13 is a fourth diagram showing a display example of the terminal device. The screen 131 shown in FIG. 13 is an example of the analysis result screen displayed on the terminal device 300 in step S620 of FIG. 6.

[0134] The screen 131 shown in FIG. 13 includes an input area 132, an operation member 133, and a display area 134. The input area 132 is an input field for inputting text data indicating the content of a business. The operation member 133 is an operation member for transmitting the text data in the input area 132 to the information processing apparatus 200 and causing the second analysis unit 260 to execute processing.

[0135] In the present embodiment, on the screen 131, when the operation member 133 is operated after text data is input into the input area 132, the text data input into the input area 132 is transmitted to the information processing apparatus 200, and the processing by the second analysis unit 260 is executed.

[0136] The display area 134 displays the analysis result by the second analysis unit 260. That is, in the display area 134, candidates for tools for automating the content of the business indicated by the text data input into the input area 132 are displayed.

[0137] Note that in the example of FIG. 13, in the display area 134, as candidates for tools, the name of one tool may be displayed, or the names of a plurality of tools may be displayed as candidates, or information indicating a combination of a plurality of tools may be displayed as a candidate.

[0138] As described above, in the present embodiment, even when visualization of business content or the like is not performed, by simply inputting arbitrary text data, candidates for tools for automating the content of the business indicated by the text data can be presented.

[0139] Note that in the example of FIG. 13, it is assumed that one sentence is input into the input area 132 and one tool name is displayed in the display area 134, but the present invention is not limited to this. A plurality of businesses may be input as a plurality of sentences in the input area 132, and in that case, corresponding tool names may be displayed in the display area 134 for each of the plurality of sentences.

[0140] In the above-described embodiment, it is assumed that business visualization information or text data is input as the business content information, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present embodiment, for example, information input to an application installed in the terminal device 300 may be acquired as the business content information.

[0141] The application installed in the terminal device 300 may include, for example, an application that provides a function of a schedule table for managing an individual's schedule, an application for sending and receiving emails, an application for realizing a chat function, an application for realizing a remote conference via the Internet, and the like.

[0142] In the present embodiment, for example, the name of a meeting or the like input to such an application may be treated as the business content information.

[0143] Also, in the present embodiment, the candidates for the tools displayed in the display area 125 of the screen 121 and the display area 134 of the screen 131 are displayed as candidates for tools that automate the business process, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present embodiment, the candidates for the tools displayed in the display area 125 of the screen 121 and the display area 134 of the screen 131 may be information indicating the tools specified from the results of searching the tool information storage unit 230 based on the business content information. That is, in the present embodiment, when the business content information indicating the content of the business that has already been automated is input, for the business that has already been automated as well, similarly, the candidates for the tools specified from the results of searching the tool information storage unit 230 based on the business content information may be displayed on the terminal device 300.

[0144] By doing so, for example, it is possible to present to the user of the information processing system 100 the candidates for the tools that may further improve the business that has already been automated.

[0145] Note that each function of the embodiments described above can be realized by one or more processing circuits. Here, the "processing circuit" in this specification refers to a processor programmed to execute each function by software, such as a processor implemented by an electronic circuit, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) designed to execute each function described above, a DSP (digital signal processor), an FPGA (field programmable gate array), and devices such as conventional circuit modules.

[0146] Also, the device groups described in each embodiment merely represent one of a plurality of computing environments for executing the embodiments disclosed in this specification.

[0147] In one embodiment, the information processing apparatus 200 includes a plurality of computing devices such as a server cluster. The plurality of computing devices are configured to communicate with each other via an arbitrary type of communication link including a network, a shared memory, etc., and execute the processing disclosed in this specification. Similarly, the information processing apparatus 200 can include a plurality of computing devices configured to communicate with each other.

[0148] Furthermore, the information processing apparatus 200 can be configured to share the disclosed processing steps in various combinations. For example, a process executed by a predetermined unit can be executed by the information processing apparatus 200. Similarly, the functions of a predetermined unit can be executed by the information processing apparatus 200. Also, in the information processing apparatus 200, each element it has may be grouped into one server device or divided into a plurality of devices.

[0149] Note that the information processing apparatus 200 may be any apparatus having a communication function. The information processing apparatus 200 may be, for example, an output device such as a PJ (Projector), a digital signage, a HUD (Head Up Display) device, an industrial machine, an imaging device, a sound collection device, a medical device, a network home appliance, an automobile (Connected Car), a notebook PC (Personal Computer), a mobile phone, a terminal device, a tablet terminal, a game machine, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a digital camera, a wearable PC, or a desktop PC, etc.

[0150] Aspects of the present invention are as follows, for example. <1> An input reception unit that receives an input of business content information indicating the content of a business, A specifying unit that specifies whether or not the business is a business that can be supported by a tool based on the business content information, An information processing apparatus, comprising: an output unit that outputs, to a terminal device, information in which the business specified by the specifying unit is associated with candidates for tools to be used for supporting the business. <2> The candidates for tools to be used for supporting the business are Extracted from a storage unit in which tool information regarding tools for supporting a business is stored, based on the business content information, the information processing apparatus according to <1>. <3> The business content information is business visualization information in which the business is visualized, and includes processes included in the business, The tools to be used for supporting the business are existing software that automates the processes of the business, The output unit is The information processing apparatus according to <2>, which causes the terminal device to display a screen in which candidates for tools that automate the processes of the business, extracted from the storage unit based on the processes of the business, are associated with the processes of the business. <4> The screen is including an operation member for setting a display order of a process of the business to be displayed on the screen, The output unit, associates the process of the business and candidates for tools for automating the process of the business in an order corresponding to an operation of the operation member, and causes the same to be displayed on the screen, the information processing apparatus according to <3>. <5> The business visualization information includes at least any one of information obtained by aggregating loads for each process of the business, information obtained by aggregating loads for each person in charge of the process of the business, and information obtained by aggregating costs for each process of the business, The screen includes an operation member for selecting a type of the input business visualization information, The output unit, displays at least any one of a load for each process of the business, a load for each person in charge of the process of the business, and a cost for each process of the business on the screen according to the selected type of the business visualization information, the information processing apparatus according to <3> or <4>. <6> The tool information is information in which a name and a keyword of a tool for automating the process of the business are associated with each other, The specifying unit searches the storage unit by the name of the process of the business, and specifies, as a process of the business to be automated, a process of the business from which a keyword has been extracted as a search result, The information processing apparatus further includes, a tool candidate extraction unit that extracts, from the tool information, a tool associated with the keyword extracted as a result of the search as a candidate for a tool for automating the process of the business specified by the automation candidate specifying unit, The output unit, associates the name of the process of the business to be automated and candidates for tools for automating the process of the business, and causes the same to be displayed on the terminal device, the information processing apparatus according to any one of <3> to <5>. <7> The business content information is text data indicating the content of the business, The tool used to support the business is existing software that automates the process of the business, The output unit, The information processing apparatus according to any one of <1> to <6>, which causes the terminal device to display a screen in which the text data is associated with the name of a tool indicating a candidate for a tool that automates the content of the business indicated by the text data. <8> A word extraction unit that analyzes the text data and extracts words, For each of the extracted words, a storage unit storing tool information regarding a tool for supporting a business is searched, and a tool associated with a keyword extracted as a search result is extracted as a candidate for a tool that automates the content of the business indicated by the text data. The information processing apparatus according to <7>. <9> The tool candidate extraction unit, The information processing apparatus according to <8>, which extracts, as a candidate for a tool that automates the content of the business indicated by the text data, the tool having the most keywords extracted in the search for each word. <10> The business content information includes the content of a plurality of businesses, The output unit, The information processing apparatus according to any one of <1> to <9>, which outputs, to the terminal device, information in which the business and candidates for tools used to support the business are associated for each of the content of the plurality of businesses. <11> The output unit, The information processing apparatus according to any one of <1> to <10>, which does not output candidates for tools used to support the business to the terminal device when the business is not specified as a business that can be supported by a tool. <12> An information processing system in which an information processing apparatus and a terminal device are connected via a network, The information processing apparatus, An input reception unit that receives an input of business content information indicating the content of a business, A specifying unit that specifies whether the business is a business that can be supported by a tool based on the business content information; an output unit that outputs to a terminal device information associating the business specified by the specifying unit with candidates for tools to be used for supporting the business; The terminal device has a display control unit that causes a display device of the terminal device to display a screen including the information associating the business specified by the specifying unit with candidates for tools to be used for supporting the business, the information being output from the output unit. An information processing system. <13> An information processing method by an information processing system in which an information processing device and a terminal device are connected via a network, wherein the information processing device receives an input of business content information indicating the content of a business, specifies whether the business is a business that can be supported by a tool based on the business content information, outputs to the terminal device information associating the specified business with candidates for tools to be used for supporting the business, and the terminal device causes a display device of the terminal device to display a screen including the information associating the specified business with candidates for tools to be used for supporting the business. An information processing method. <14> receives an input of business content information indicating the content of a business, specifies whether the business is a business that can be supported by a tool based on the business content information, A program that causes an information processing device to execute a process of outputting to a terminal device information associating the specified business with candidates for tools to be used for supporting the business.

[0151] Although the present invention has been described based on each embodiment above, the present invention is not limited to the requirements shown in the above embodiments. In this regard, it can be changed within a range that does not deviate from the gist of the present invention, and can be appropriately determined according to the application form.

Explanation of Signs

[0152] 100 Information processing system 200 Information processing device 230 Tool information storage unit 240 Improvement support processing unit 241 Input reception unit 242 Output unit 250 First analysis unit 251 Search key extraction unit 252, 262 Search unit 253 Automation candidate identification unit 254, 263 Tool candidate extraction unit 260 Second analysis unit 300 Terminal device

Prior art documents

Patent documents

[0153]

Patent Document 1

Claims

1. An input reception unit that receives an input of business content information indicating the content of a business; A specifying unit that specifies, based on the business content information, whether the business is a business that can be supported by a tool; An output unit that outputs, to a terminal device, information associating the business specified by the specifying unit with candidates for tools to be used for supporting the business. An information processing apparatus comprising:

2. The candidates for tools to be used for supporting the business are extracted from a storage unit storing tool information regarding tools for supporting a business, based on the business content information. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The business content information is business visualization information that visualizes the business and includes processes included in the business, the tools to be used for supporting the business are existing software that automates the processes of the business, the output unit is configured to cause the terminal device to display a screen associating candidates for tools that automate the processes of the business, extracted from the storage unit based on the processes of the business, with the processes of the business. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2.

4. The screen includes an operation member for setting a display order of the processes of the business to be displayed on the screen, the output unit is configured to associate the processes of the business and candidates for tools that automate the processes of the business in an order according to an operation of the operation member, and display them on the screen. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3.

5. The business visualization information includes at least any one of information obtained by aggregating loads for each process of the business, information obtained by aggregating loads for each person in charge of the processes of the business, and information obtained by aggregating costs for each process of the business, the screen includes an operation member for selecting the type of the input business visualization information, the output unit is configured to cause the screen to display at least any one of the load for each process of the business, the load for each person in charge of the processes of the business, and the cost for each process of the business, according to the selected type of the business visualization information. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3 or 4.

6. The tool information is information in which the name and keyword of a tool that automates the processes of the business are associated with each other, the specifying unit searches the storage unit by the name of the process of the business, and specifies, as the process of the business to be automated, the process of the business for which a keyword is extracted as a search result, the information processing apparatus further comprises In the tool information, there is a tool candidate extraction unit that extracts, as candidates for tools that automate the process of the operation identified by the identification unit, tools associated with keywords extracted as a result of the search. The output unit The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the output unit causes the terminal device to display, in association with each other, the name of the process of the operation to be automated and candidates for tools that automate the process of the operation.

7. The operation content information is text data indicating the content of the operation, The tool used to support the operation is existing software that automates the process of the operation, The output unit The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output unit causes the terminal device to display a screen in which the text data is associated with the name of a tool that is a candidate for a tool that automates the content of the operation indicated by the text data.

8. A word extraction unit that analyzes the text data to extract words, and For each extracted word, a storage unit storing tool information related to tools for supporting operations is searched, and a tool associated with a keyword extracted as a search result is extracted as a candidate for a tool that automates the content of the operation indicated by the text data. The information processing apparatus according to claim 7, comprising a tool candidate extraction unit.

9. The tool candidate extraction unit The information processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the tool having the largest number of keywords extracted in the search for each word is extracted as a candidate for a tool that automates the content of the operation indicated by the text data.

10. The operation content information includes the content of a plurality of operations, The output unit The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output unit outputs, to the terminal device, information in which, for each of the plurality of operations, the operation is associated with a candidate for a tool used to support the operation.

11. The output unit The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the operation is not identified as an operation that can be supported by a tool, the output unit does not output a candidate for a tool used to support the operation to the terminal device.

12. An information processing system in which an information processing apparatus and a terminal device are connected via a network, The information processing apparatus An input reception unit that receives an input of operation content information indicating the content of an operation, and An identification unit that identifies, based on the operation content information, whether or not the operation is an operation that can be supported by a tool. An output unit that outputs information associating the operation specified by the specific unit with candidates for tools to be used for supporting the operation to a terminal device, The terminal device An information processing system having a display control unit that causes a display device of the terminal device to display a screen including information associating the operation specified by the specific unit with candidates for tools to be used for supporting the operation, which is output from the output unit.

13. An information processing method by an information processing system in which an information processing device and a terminal device are connected via a network, The information processing device Receives an input of operation content information indicating the content of an operation, Based on the operation content information, determines whether the operation is an operation that can be supported by a tool, Outputs information associating the determined operation with candidates for tools to be used for supporting the operation to a terminal device, The terminal device An information processing method in which a screen including information associating the determined operation with candidates for tools to be used for supporting the operation is caused to be displayed on a display device of the terminal device.

14. Receives an input of operation content information indicating the content of an operation, Based on the operation content information, determines whether the operation is an operation that can be supported by a tool, A program that causes an information processing device to execute a process of outputting information associating the determined operation with candidates for tools to be used for supporting the operation to a terminal device.

Images