Work support system, work support method, and program

Abstract

To improve the convenience for a user.SOLUTION: A work support system (1) includes: a posted data acquisition unit (101) configured to acquire posted data indicating a post in the work support system (1); a determination unit (102) configured to determine, based on the posted data, whether a group mention with respect to a group has been made; and a group notification unit (103) configured to issue, when it is determined that the group mention has been made, a group notification to a user belonging to the group, the group notification being distinguished from a personal notification of a personal mention with respect to a person.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] A mention function that allows a user to post a message by designating a specific person has been known. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a chat service that, in a chat with a mention function, when a user posts a message by designating another user to be mentioned, notifies the other user. A user can also use such a chat service to contact other users for business purposes. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-047417 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, with the technology of Patent Document 1, a user must specify an individual as the mention recipient, and cannot specify a group (e.g., a team or a project). For example, if a user individually specifies all other users belonging to a group as mention recipients, it is possible to notify all users. However, the other users cannot distinguish whether the notification is for them personally or for the group. For this reason, the technology of Patent Document 1 does not sufficiently improve user convenience.

[0005] One of the purposes of the present disclosure is to improve user convenience. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A business support system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a post data acquisition unit that acquires post data indicating posts in the business support system, a determination unit that determines whether a group mention has been made to a group based on the post data, and a group notification unit that, when it is determined that the group mention has been made, issues a group notification to users belonging to the group that is distinct from an individual notification of an individual mention to an individual. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to improve convenience for users. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of a business support system. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on a user terminal. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on a user terminal. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on a user terminal. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on a user terminal. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of functions realized by the business support system. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user database. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a group database. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a posting database. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a notification database. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a posting process. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a notification process. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of functions realized by a modified example of a business support system. [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a group mention screen according to Modification Example 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] [1. Hardware configuration] An example of an embodiment of a business support system, a business support method, and a program according to the present disclosure will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of a business support system. For example, the business support system 1 includes a server 10 and a user terminal 20. Each of the server 10 and the user terminal 20 is connected to a network N such as the Internet or a LAN. Although FIG. 1 illustrates one server 10 and one user terminal 20, multiple servers 10 and multiple user terminals 20 may exist.

[0010] The server 10 is a server computer. For example, the server 10 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a communication unit 13. The control unit 11 includes at least one processor. The storage unit 12 includes at least one of a volatile memory such as RAM and a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory. The communication unit 13 includes at least one of a communication interface for wired communication and a communication interface for wireless communication.

[0011] The user terminal 20 is a user's computer. For example, the user terminal 20 is a personal computer, a tablet terminal, a smartphone, or a wearable terminal. For example, the user terminal 20 includes a control unit 21, a memory unit 22, a communication unit 23, an operation unit 24, and a display unit 25. The hardware configurations of the control unit 21, the memory unit 22, and the communication unit 23 may be similar to those of the control unit 11, the memory unit 12, and the communication unit 13, respectively. The operation unit 24 is an input device such as a mouse or a touch panel. The display unit 25 is a liquid crystal or organic EL display.

[0012] The programs stored in the storage units 12, 22 may be supplied via the network N. The hardware configurations of the server 10 and the user terminal 20 are not limited to the example in FIG. 1. For example, at least one of the server 10 and the user terminal 20 may include at least one of a reading unit (e.g., a memory card slot) that reads a computer-readable information storage medium and an input / output unit (e.g., a USB terminal) for direct connection to an external device. The programs stored in the information storage medium may be supplied to at least one of the server 10 and the user terminal 20 via at least one of the reading unit and the input / output unit.

[0013] Furthermore, the business support system 1 may include at least one computer. The computers included in the business support system 1 are not limited to the example in FIG. 1. For example, the business support system 1 may include only the server 10. In this case, the user terminal 20 exists outside the business support system 1. The business support system 1 may include the server 10 and other server computers.

[0014] [2. Overview of the business support system] In this embodiment, the business support system 1 has various functions for supporting the user's business. For example, the business support system 1 may provide the user with cloud-based or on-premise groupware. The business support system 1 may also provide the user with a service that supports the user's business, although it is not classified as groupware. For example, the user terminal 20 communicates with the server 10 and displays various screens in the business support system 1 on the display unit 25.

[0015] 2 to 5 are diagrams showing examples of screens displayed on the user terminal 20. For example, when a user logs in to the business support system 1, the user terminal 20 displays a portal screen SC1, which corresponds to the entrance to the business support system 1, on the display unit 25, as shown in the upper part of FIG. 2. The user can use various functions of the business support system 1 from the portal screen SC1. For example, the user can select any thread from the portal screen SC1 to communicate with other users or register data related to the user's own business in an app, which is a type of database.

[0016] In this embodiment, the mention function of the business support system 1 will be mainly described. The mention function is a function that allows a user who has posted on the business support system 1 to mention a specific person. A post is the content of communication between users. A post can also be called a message or a comment. In this embodiment, an example is taken of a case where a post is made to a thread, which is a type of bulletin board. A post may be made anywhere in the business support system 1. For example, a post may be made in an app, shared email, a schedule, a chat, a bulletin board not classified as a thread, or any other location.

[0017] A mention is when a user designates a specific person as the recipient of a post. A user can mention anyone. The mentioned user is notified that a post has been made. For example, when a user is mentioned, the server 10 notifies the user using the notification function of the business support system 1. The notification may be made by any method. For example, the server 10 may notify the user by email, SMS, push notification, banner notification, badge notification, messaging app, SNS, or other method. These notification methods may be combined.

[0018] For example, when a user selects icon I10 on portal screen SC1, as shown in the lower part of Fig. 2, the user terminal 20 displays a dashboard screen SC2 on the display unit 25, allowing the user to check notifications. The dashboard screen SC2 is also one of the entrances to the business support system 1. When a user logs in to the business support system 1, the dashboard screen SC2 may be displayed first, instead of the portal screen SC1. In the example shown in the lower part of Fig. 2, the dashboard screen SC2 not only displays notifications, but also other information such as the user's tasks or timeline.

[0019] For example, the dashboard screen SC2 includes a display area A20 for displaying notifications received by the user. In the display area A20, an icon I200 is displayed for displaying personal notifications received by the user when a personal mention is made. A personal mention is a mention of an individual. A personal mention may be made by a known method. For example, a personal mention is made by inputting a specific symbol such as "@" followed by a user name. A personal mention may also be made by selecting an image such as a button, rather than inputting a symbol or the like.

[0020] A personal notification is a notification to an individual. In other words, a personal notification is a notification that a user receives when a personal mention is made. In the example at the bottom of FIG. 2, the dashboard screen SC2 includes a display area A21 in which at least some of the personal notifications are displayed. Of the personal notifications received by the user, those that do not fit in the display area A21 are displayed on a personal mention screen SC5 shown at the bottom of FIG. 4, which will be described later. For example, when the user selects icon I200, the user terminal 20 displays the personal mention screen SC5, which will be described later, on the display unit 25. The personal notification may be similar to a known notification.

[0021] In this embodiment, users can not only mention individuals but also make group mentions of groups. A group is a collection of at least one user. A group may be any unit. When users of an organization such as a company use the business support system 1, the group may be the organization or a department within the organization. Other examples of groups include teams or projects. A group may be a collection of users gathered for social gatherings, fellow employees, club activities, or other purposes. The number of users belonging to a group may be any number. A group may include users from the same organization, or users from different organizations.

[0022] In this embodiment, an example will be given in which a group mention is made in a manner generally similar to that of an individual mention. For example, a group mention is made by inputting a specific symbol such as "@" followed by a group ID for identifying the group. Like individual mentions, a group mention may be made by selecting an image such as a button rather than inputting a symbol or the like. A group mention may be made in a manner completely different from that of an individual mention. Hereinafter, a notification when a group mention is made will be referred to as a group notification. Furthermore, when there is no particular distinction between individual notifications and group notifications, they will simply be referred to as notifications.

[0023] In the example at the bottom of FIG. 2, it is assumed that no group has been created yet. The user performs an operation to add a new group. For example, when the user selects icon I201, the user terminal 20 causes the display unit 25 to display an addition screen SC3 for adding a group, as shown at the top of FIG. 3. The user inputs a group ID, which is an ID for identifying the group, a group name, and users who belong to the group, into input form F30. The user specifies a group ID that does not overlap with other groups. The group ID may be automatically generated. When the user inputs the necessary information into input form F30 and selects button B31, the server 10 adds a new group.

[0024] In the example at the top of Figure 3, a group called "Team Bravo" has been added, which includes four users U1 to U4. Hereinafter, when distinguishing between these four users, one of the symbols U1 to U4 will be used. When not distinguishing between these four users, the symbol will not be used. Furthermore, users who belong to a group will be referred to as "affiliated users." Users who do not belong to a group will be referred to as "external users." When not distinguishing between affiliated users and external users, they will simply be referred to as "users."

[0025] For example, when posting in the business support system 1, the belonging user U1 can make a group mention by specifying a group ID. For example, when the belonging user U1 selects a thread for a new post, the user terminal 20 displays a thread screen SC4 showing the contents of the thread on the display unit 25, as shown in the lower part of Figure 3. The belonging user U1 inputs a new post into the input form F40. Here, the belonging user U1 makes a group mention by entering the string "@bravo", which indicates that this is a group mention for the group "Team Bravo".

[0026] For example, the belonging user U1 can input the body of the post anywhere before or after the string "@bravo." When the belonging user U1 inputs the post in the input form F40 and selects the button B41, the input of the post is completed. The server 10 can determine that the belonging user U1 has made a group mention based on the string "@bravo" portion of the post made by the belonging user U1. When the server 10 determines that the belonging user U1 has made a group mention, it sends a group notification to the belonging users U2 to U4.

[0027] For example, the members U2 to U4 receive a group notification indicating that a group mention has been made in a post by the member U1. The member U1, who is the person who posted the post, may also receive the group notification, but in this embodiment, the person who posted the post does not receive the group notification. The members U1 to U4 each communicate with each other by mentioning the group as needed. For example, a group notification is sent every time the members U1 to U4 posts a post specifying the string "@bravo."

[0028] For example, when a certain number of group mentions have been made, when the member user U1 opens the dashboard screen SC2, the number of unread group notifications is displayed on the notification badge of the icon I202 for the group "Team Bravo," as shown at the top of each of FIGS. 4 and 5. A similar icon I202 is also displayed on the dashboard screen SC2 for each of the member users U2 to U4. The notification badge of the icon I202 indicates the number of unread group notifications for each of the member users U2 to U4. The number of unread group notifications may be linked among the member users U1 to U4 in the group. For example, when the member user U2 views a group notification, the other member users U1, U3, and U4 may also view the group notification. For example, even if one of the member users U1 to U4 views a group notification, the group notification may not be marked as read unless one of the member users U1 to U4 takes a predetermined reaction (e.g., a reply, a change in status to "processed," etc.). For example, unless a specific person among the users U1 to U4 reads the group notification, the group notification may not be marked as read.

[0029] For example, when the belonging user U1 selects the icon I200 on the dashboard screen SC2 at the top of FIG. 4, the user terminal 20 displays on the display unit 25 a personal mention screen SC5 indicating the personal notifications N50 received by the belonging user U1, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 4. In the example at the bottom of FIG. 4, four personal notifications N50 are displayed on the personal mention screen SC5. When the belonging user U1 selects a personal notification N50, the user terminal 20 may display details of the post indicated by the personal notification N50 on the display unit 25. For example, the details of the post may be displayed on the personal mention screen SC5, or may be displayed on a screen such as the thread screen SC4.

[0030] For example, when the belonging user U1 selects the icon I202 on the dashboard screen SC2 in the upper part of Fig. 5, the user terminal 20 causes the display unit 25 to display a group mention screen SC6 showing the group notifications N60 received by the belonging user U1, as shown in the lower part of Fig. 5. In the example in the lower part of Fig. 5, three group notifications N60 are displayed on the group mention screen SC6. Furthermore, as in the example in the lower part of Fig. 5, the group mention screen SC6 may include a display area A61 that chronologically displays posts in which group mentions have been made. In the example of the display area A61 in Fig. 5, posts in which group mentions have been made are displayed using images of speech bubbles.

[0031] Note that the group mention screen SC6 may display only the group notification N60 without displaying a speech bubble like the example at the bottom of Fig. 5. For example, when the belonging user U1 selects the group notification N60, the user terminal 20 may display details of the post indicated by the group notification N60 on the display unit 25. The details of the post may be displayed on a screen such as the thread screen SC4. As shown at the top of each of Figs. 4 and 5, at least a portion of the content equivalent to the group notification N60 may be displayed in the display area A22 of the dashboard screen SC2.

[0032] As described above, the business support system 1 of this embodiment displays the individual notification N50 on the individual mention screen SC5 and the group notification N60 on the group mention screen SC6. Since the individual mention screen SC5 and the group mention screen SC6 are separate screens, each of the belonging users U1 to U4 can distinguish between the individual notification N50 and the group notification N60. In this way, the business support system 1 can improve the convenience of each of the belonging users U1 to U4 by sending the group notification N60, which is distinguished from the individual notification N50, to each of the belonging users U1 to U4. The business support system 1 will be described in detail below.

[0033] [3. Functions realized by the business support system] 6 is a diagram showing an example of functions realized by the business support system 1. In this embodiment, of the functions of the business support system, a mention function for group mention will be mainly described.

[0034] [3-1. Functions realized by the server] For example, server 10 includes a data storage unit 100, a posting data acquisition unit 101, a determination unit 102, and a group notification unit 103. Data storage unit 100 is realized by memory unit 12. Posting data acquisition unit 101, determination unit 102, and group notification unit 103 are each realized by control unit 11.

[0035] [Data storage section] The data storage unit 100 stores data necessary for business support. For example, the data storage unit 100 stores a user database DB1 in which various data of users is stored, a group database DB2 in which group data indicating groups created in the business support system 1 is stored, a posting database DB3 in which various data of posts made in the business support system 1 is stored, and a notification database DB4 in which various data of notifications made to users is stored.

[0036] 7 is a diagram showing an example of user database DB1. For example, user database DB1 stores data such as a user ID for identifying each user, a password, a user name, a group ID of a group to which the user belongs, and an organization to which the user belongs. User database DB1 may store any data related to a user. For example, user database DB1 may store data indicating a user's job title, department, year of joining the company, years of service, or other information.

[0037] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the group database DB2. For example, the group database DB2 stores group data for each of a plurality of groups. The group data indicates the group ID, the group name, and the user ID of the user who belongs to the group. When a user performs a group addition operation to add a new group to the business support system 1, the server 10 generates group data for the group and stores it in the group database DB2. The group addition operation may be any operation. In the example of the addition screen SC3 in FIG. 3, input to the input form F30 and selection of the button B31 each correspond to a group addition operation.

[0038] Any data may be stored in the group database DB2. The data stored in the group database DB2 is not limited to the example in Fig. 8. For example, the group database DB2 may store the user ID of the user who added the group, the organization to which the group was added, the date and time the group was added, various settings for the group, or other data.

[0039] 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of the posting database DB3. In this embodiment, a post to a thread is taken as an example, and therefore the posting database DB3 stores a thread ID that is an ID for identifying a thread, a posting ID that is an ID for identifying a post, and posting data indicating a post to a thread. Any data may be stored in the posting database DB3. The data stored in the posting database DB3 is not limited to the example of FIG. 9. For example, the posting database DB3 may store the user ID of the user who posted, the posting date and time, information about the person who was mentioned, and data on reactions to the post.

[0040] For example, when a user creates a new thread, the server 10 issues a thread ID for the thread. When a new post is made to the thread, the post data acquisition unit 101, which will be described later, issues a post ID for the post. The post data acquisition unit 101 associates post data indicating the new post with the thread ID and the post ID, and stores the data in the post database DB3. The post data may include not only text indicating the content of the post, but also other data such as files included in the post. The post database DB3 may also store data on notifications made by posts.

[0041] 10 is a diagram showing an example of the notification database DB4. For example, the notification database DB4 stores a notification ID for identifying a notification, a post ID of a post that caused the notification, and notification data indicating the specific content of the notification. For example, when a new post is made and a new notification is required, the server 10 issues a notification ID for the new notification. The server 10 stores the notification ID, post ID, and notification data of the new notification in the notification database DB4 in association with each other.

[0042] The notification data indicates information necessary for notification. For example, the notification data indicates the type of notification, the notification recipient, and information related to the display of the notification. The type of notification indicates whether it is a personal notification N50 or a group notification N60. In this embodiment, these two types of notification are used as an example, but three or more types may exist. For example, there may be types such as whether the notification is addressed to oneself or to others. This type may exist only in personal notifications or may also exist in group notifications.

[0043] The notification destination is the user ID of the user who is individually mentioned, or the group ID of the group who is group mentioned (or the user ID of a user who belongs to the group who is group mentioned). The specific content of the notification may be all or part of the character string of the post, the user ID or user name of the user who posted the post, the date and time of posting, unread / read information by the notification destination user, or a combination of these. The notification data may also include other information necessary for notification. The format of the notification data is not limited to the example in this embodiment.

[0044] The data stored in the data storage unit 100 is not limited to the above examples. The data storage unit 100 can store any data. For example, the data storage unit 100 may store data (e.g., HTML data) necessary for displaying each of the portal screen SC1, dashboard screen SC2, additional screen SC3, thread screen SC4, personal mention screen SC5, and group mention screen SC6. As another example, the data storage unit 100 may store data indicating a specific symbol (e.g., "@") that serves as a criterion for determining whether a mention has been made.

[0045] [Posted Data Acquisition Department] The post data acquisition unit 101 acquires post data indicating posts in the business support system 1. For example, the post data acquisition unit 101 acquires post data from the user terminal 20. The post data indicates a character string entered by the user. The post data may indicate information other than a character string. For example, the post data may indicate an emoticon, file, image, video, link, or other information specified by the user. In the example of the thread screen SC4 in FIG. 3, the post data indicates a post entered by the user in the input form F40. The post data acquisition unit 101 may not store the post data acquired from the user terminal 20 directly in the post database DB3, but may add information to the post data, or delete or change some of the information in the post data, and then store the post data in the post database DB3.

[0046] For example, when a user makes a new post in a thread, the user terminal 20 transmits to the server 10 the thread ID of the thread in which the new post was made and post data indicating the new post. The post data acquisition unit 101 acquires the thread ID and post data from the user terminal 20. The post data acquisition unit 101 associates the thread ID and post data acquired from the user terminal 20 with each other and stores them in the post database DB3. The post data acquisition unit 101 can acquire the post data stored in the post database DB3 at any timing. The post data acquisition unit 101 may generate post data based on the data acquired from the user terminal 20, rather than acquiring the post data itself from the user terminal 20.

[0047] [Judgment section] The determination unit 102 determines whether a group mention has been made for a group based on the posting data. In this embodiment, the determination unit 102 determines whether a group mention has been made based on the posting data using a method generally similar to that for an individual mention. The method for determining an individual mention may be a known method. The method for determining a group mention may be a method that uses a known method for determining an individual mention.

[0048] In this embodiment, an example is given of a case where an individual mention is made by inputting a character string indicating a user name after a specific symbol (for example, "@"). Therefore, an example is given of a case where a group mention is made by inputting a character string indicating a group ID after a specific symbol. Furthermore, in this embodiment, an example is given of a case where a character string not including a specific symbol corresponds to a group ID, but a character string including a specific symbol may also correspond to a group ID. In the example of FIGS. 3 to 5, the character string "@bravo", which includes "@" as well as "bravo", may also correspond to a group ID. Symbols other than "@" may be used for mentions, and an image such as a button may be used instead of inputting a symbol.

[0049] For example, the determination unit 102 determines, based on the group database DB2, whether a specific character string indicating a group ID (e.g., "bravo") has been input after a specific symbol in the post indicated by the posting data. If the determination unit 102 determines that the specific character string indicating the group ID has not been input after the specific symbol, it does not determine that a group mention has been made. If the determination unit 102 determines that the specific character string indicating the group ID has been input after the specific symbol, it determines that a group mention has been made. If the group ID includes a specific symbol (e.g., if the group ID is "@bravo"), the determination unit 102 may determine whether a group mention has been made by determining whether the post includes a group ID.

[0050] The determination unit 102 may make a determination according to the mention method defined in the business support system 1. For example, if a group mention is made by selecting a specific image or text displayed on the thread screen SC4, the determination unit 102 may determine whether a group mention has been made by determining whether the specific image or text has been selected. The determination unit 102 may determine whether a group mention has been made by determining whether information in a specific format indicating a group mention is included in the posted data. The information in the specific format may be data separate from the posted data. For example, the determination unit 102 may determine whether data attached to the posted data indicates that it is a group mention.

[0051] [Group Notifications] When it is determined that a group mention has been made, the group notification unit 103 sends a group notification N60 to users belonging to the group, which is distinguished from the individual notification N50 of an individual mention made to an individual. The group notification N60 distinguished from the individual notification N50 is a group notification N60 that the user can recognize as a notification different from the individual notification N50. For example, a group notification N60 displayed in a display area or screen different from the display area or screen on which the individual notification N50 is displayed corresponds to the group notification N60 distinguished from the individual notification N50. A group notification N60 that is filtered and displayed separately from the individual notification N50 corresponds to the group notification N60 distinguished from the individual notification N50.

[0052] For example, the group notification unit 103 performs the group notification N60 that is distinguished from the individual notification N50 by displaying the group notification N60 on a group mention screen SC6 that is different from the individual mention screen SC5 on which the individual notification N50 is displayed. The generation of data for displaying the group notification N60 by the group notification unit 103 may correspond to the group notification N60 being performed by the group notification unit 103. When other means such as e-mail is used instead of displaying on a screen such as the group mention screen SC6, the group notification unit 103 performs the group notification N60 using the other means so as to distinguish it from the individual notification N50. In the case of e-mail, the subject or body of the e-mail indicates that it is a group notification N60.

[0053] The method by which the group notification unit 103 distinguishes between the individual notification N50 and the group notification N60 is not limited to the above example. For example, the group notification unit 103 may distinguish between the individual notification N50 and the group notification N60 by notifying them in a first notification mode and a second notification mode. The notification mode is a notification mode. The notification mode can also be referred to as a notification method. For example, the notification mode may be the color, size, shape, display position, character string, or a combination thereof of the notification. The second notification mode is a notification mode different from the first notification mode. If the notification mode is color, the group notification unit 103 distinguishes between the individual notification N50 and the group notification N60 by notifying them in a first color and a second color. If the notification mode is a notification mode other than color, the group notification unit 103 may distinguish between the individual notification N50 and the group notification N60 by using another notification mode.

[0054] Furthermore, the group notification unit 103 performing the group notification N60 may mean that the group notification unit 103 generates display data for the group mention screen SC6, or that the group notification unit 103 generates data necessary for displaying the group notification N60 and stores it in the notification database DB4. In this embodiment, an example is given in which both of these correspond to the group notification unit 103 performing the group notification N60, but only one of these may also correspond to the group notification unit 103 performing the group notification N60. This also applies to cases in which group notification is performed by a method other than the group mention screen SC6.

[0055] For example, when it is determined that a group mention has been made, the group notification unit 103 issues a notification ID for the group notification N60. The group notification unit 103 associates the post ID of the post in which the group mention has been made, the notification ID of the notification, and the notification data for the group notification N60 and stores them in the notification database DB4. When a certain belonging user logs in to the business support system 1, the group notification unit 103 issues a group notification N60 to the belonging user based on the user ID of the belonging user and these data.

[0056] In this embodiment, the group notification unit 103 displays a group mention screen SC6 showing a group notification N60 including at least a portion of a post in which a group mention has been made, on the user terminal 20 of the belonging user. For example, the group notification unit 103 displays a group mention screen SC6 showing a group notification N60 of a group selected by the belonging user, on the user terminal 20. As described above, the group notification unit 103 may send the group notification N60 by other methods, such as email. When a certain belonging user instructs the display of the group mention screen SC6, the group notification unit 103 displays a group mention screen SC6 showing a group notification N60 for the certain belonging user, on the user terminal 20 of the certain belonging user, based on the notification database DB4.

[0057] In the example of FIG. 5, the group notification unit 103 generates display data for a group mention screen SC6 showing a group notification N60 for the group "Team Bravo" based on the notification data of the group "Team Bravo" indicated by the icon I202 selected by the user in the notification database DB4. The display data may be in any format. The display data may be in any data format required for displaying a screen. For example, if a browser is used on the user terminal 20, the display data may be in HTML format. If an application dedicated to the business support system 1 is used on the user terminal 20, the display data may be in another format, such as an image format.

[0058] 4 and 5, at least a portion of the group notifications N60 is also displayed in the display area A22. Therefore, the group notification unit 103 may perform group notifications by displaying at least a portion of the group notifications N60 in the display area A22. Alternatively, for example, the user can recognize that a group notification N60 has been performed by using a badge notification of the icon I202 and a badge notification of the display area A22, so the group notification unit 103 may perform these badge notifications. The badge notification indicates the number of group notifications N60 that the user has not read, so the group notification unit 103 may identify the number of unread group notifications N60 based on the notification data stored in the notification database DB4 and perform a badge notification that indicates the number.

[0059] [3-2. Functions implemented on user devices] For example, the user terminal 20 includes a data storage unit 200, a display control unit 201, and an operation reception unit 202. The data storage unit 200 is realized by the storage unit 22. The display control unit 201 and the operation reception unit 202 are each realized by the control unit 21.

[0060] [Data storage section] The data storage unit 200 stores data for business support. For example, the data storage unit 200 stores a browser for displaying various screens of the business support system 1. For example, the data storage unit 200 stores an application dedicated to the business support system 1.

[0061] [Display control section] The display control unit 201 causes the display unit 25 to display various screens in the business support system 1. For example, based on data received from the server 10, the display control unit 201 causes the display unit 25 to display each of a portal screen SC1, a dashboard screen SC2, an addition screen SC3, a thread screen SC4, a personal mention screen SC5, and a group mention screen SC6.

[0062] [Operation reception section] The operation reception unit 202 receives various operations in the business support system 1. For example, the operation reception unit 202 receives operations on each of the portal screen SC1, the dashboard screen SC2, the addition screen SC3, the thread screen SC4, the personal mention screen SC5, and the group mention screen SC6. Data indicating the operation content received by the operation reception unit 202 is transmitted to the server 10 as appropriate.

[0063] [4. Processing performed by the business support system] This section describes an example of processing executed in the business support system 1. In this embodiment, a posting process that is executed when a user posts, and a notification process that is executed when the user requests display of a notification, are described. The control units 11 and 21 execute programs stored in the storage units 12 and 22, respectively, to execute the posting process and the notification process.

[0064] [4-1. Posting process] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the posting process. In this embodiment, an example is taken of a case where a user posts to a thread, and the posting process is executed when the user selects any thread. The server 10 executes a process for displaying a thread screen SC4 indicating the thread selected by the user with the user terminal 20 based on the posting database DB3 (S10). In S10, the server 10 generates display data (e.g., HTML data) for the thread screen SC4 based on the posting data of existing posts in the thread and transmits the generated data to the user terminal 20. The user terminal 20 displays the thread screen SC4 shown in the lower part of FIG. 3 on the display unit 25 based on the display data.

[0065] The user terminal 20 accepts input of a post into the input form F40 (S11). In S11, the user can post a post that includes a character string for an individual mention or a group mention, or can post a post that does not include the character string. When the user selects the button B41, the user terminal 20 transmits to the server 10 the thread ID of the currently displayed thread and post data indicating the post entered by the user (S12). The server 10 acquires the thread ID and post data from the user terminal 20 (S13). In S13, the server 10 issues a post ID and stores the thread ID, post ID, and post data in association with each other in the post database DB3.

[0066] The server 10 determines whether at least one of an individual mention and a group mention has been made based on the user database DB1, the group database DB2, and the posting data (S14). In S14, the server 10 determines whether at least one of a character string for an individual mention and a character string for a group mention is indicated in the posting data. If it is determined in S14 that neither an individual mention nor a group mention has been made (S14: N), the posting process ends. In this case, no notification is made.

[0067] If it is determined in S14 that a personal mention has been made (S14: personal mention), the server 10 generates a notification ID and stores it in the notification database DB4 together with notification data indicating the personal mention, thereby making the personal mention (S15), and the posting process ends. In S15, the server 10 generates notification data indicating personal notification N50 as the notification type, the user ID of the user who has been personally mentioned as the notification recipient, and information related to the display of the notification, such as at least a portion of the post and the user ID of the user who posted it. The server 10 issues a new notification ID and stores it in the notification database DB4 together with the notification data.

[0068] If it is determined in S14 that a group mention has been made (S14: Group Mention), the server 10 generates a notification ID and stores it in the notification database DB4 together with notification data indicating the group mention, thereby making the group mention (S16), and the posting process ends. In S16, the server 10 generates notification data indicating group notification N60 as the type of notification, the group ID of the group mentioned as the notification destination, and information related to the display of the notification, such as at least a portion of the post and the user ID of the user who posted it. The server 10 issues a new notification ID and stores it in the notification database DB4 together with the notification data.

[0069] [4-2. Notification Processing] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the notification process. For example, when a user selects icon I10, the notification process is executed. The user terminal 20 executes a process to display a dashboard screen SC2 with the server 10 (S20). In S20, the user terminal 20 transmits a display request for the dashboard screen SC2 to the server 10. Upon receiving the display request from the user terminal 20, the server 10 acquires data necessary for displaying the dashboard screen SC2. For example, the server 10 acquires notification data related to the user ID of the user who made the display request from the notification data stored in the notification database DB4. Based on the acquired notification data, the server 10 generates display data for the dashboard screen SC2 and transmits it to the user terminal 20.

[0070] The user terminal 20 identifies the user's operation based on the signal detected by the operation unit 24 (S21). Here, it is assumed that the user selects the icon I200, the icon I202, or another operation. If the user performs another operation in S21 (S21: Other), the user terminal 20 executes processing corresponding to the other operation with the server 10 (S22), and the notification processing ends.

[0071] In S21, when the user selects the icon I200 (S21: personal notification), the user terminal 20 executes processing with the server 10 to display the personal mention screen SC5 (S23), and the notification processing ends. In S23, the user terminal 20 transmits a display request for the personal mention screen SC5 to the server 10. When the server 10 receives the display request from the user terminal 20, it acquires data necessary for displaying the personal mention screen SC5. For example, the server 10 acquires, from the notification data stored in the notification database DB4, notification data for the personal notification N50 related to the user ID of the user who made the display request. Based on the acquired notification data, the server 10 generates display data for the personal mention screen SC5 and transmits it to the user terminal 20.

[0072] In S21, when the user selects the icon I202 (S21: group notification), the user terminal 20 executes processing with the server 10 to display the group mention screen SC6 (S24), and the notification processing ends. In S24, the user terminal 20 transmits a display request for the group mention screen SC6 to the server 10. When the server 10 receives the display request from the user terminal 20, it acquires data necessary for displaying the group mention screen SC6. For example, the server 10 acquires, from the notification data stored in the notification database DB4, notification data for the group notification N60 related to the user ID of the user who made the display request. Based on the acquired notification data, the server 10 generates display data for the group mention screen SC6 and transmits it to the user terminal 20.

[0073] [5. Summary of embodiments] The business support system 1 of this embodiment acquires post data. Based on the post data, it determines whether a group mention has been made. If it determines that a group mention has been made, the business support system 1 sends a group notification N60, which is distinct from the individual notification N50, to users belonging to the group where the group mention was made. This allows the user to distinguish between the individual notification N50 and the group notification N60, thereby improving user convenience. For example, if the individual notification N50 and the group notification N60 were not distinguished, the user would not be able to understand whether an action is being requested for the individual or the entire group without reading the body of the post. In this regard, the business support system 1 distinguishes between the individual notification N50 and the group notification N60, so the user can easily understand whether an action is being requested for the individual or the entire group without reading the body of the post. If an action is being requested for the individual, the user can decide to reply to the post themselves. If an action is required for the entire group, the user can decide not to reply if someone in the group has replied.

[0074] Furthermore, the business support system 1 displays a group mention screen SC6 showing a group notification N60 including at least a part of the post in which the group mention was made on the user terminal 20. This allows the user to check the group notification N60, which is distinguished from the personal notification N50, on the group mention screen SC6, so that the business support system 1 can improve user convenience.

[0075] [6. Modifications] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and may be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure.

[0076] 13 is a diagram showing an example of functions realized in a modified business support system 1. As shown in FIG. 13, in the modified example described below, a restriction unit 104, a viewing unit 105, a group reply unit 106, a setting unit 107, and a forwarding unit 108 are realized. Each of the restriction unit 104, the viewing unit 105, the group reply unit 106, the setting unit 107, and the forwarding unit 108 is realized by the control unit 11.

[0077] [6-1. Variation 1] For example, when a reply is made from the group mention screen SC6, the group notification unit 103 may display the reply on the group mention screen SC6. In the first modification, an example is given in which a group member user makes a reply from the input form F610 in the display area A61 on the group mention screen SC6 at the bottom of FIG. 5. For example, the group member user inputs the content of a reply to the post displayed in the display area A61 into the input form F610. The post displayed in the display area A61 is a post in which a group mention has been made.

[0078] In the first modification, an example is given in which, when a member user replies to a post that has included a group mention, the group is automatically mentioned in response to the reply. For example, the member user selects any post from the posts displayed in the display area A61 and replies. In the example of the group mention screen SC6 at the bottom of FIG. 5, the character string "@bravo" is automatically inserted into the reply. The insertion of the character string may be performed by the group notification unit 103 or may be performed under control on the user terminal 20 side.

[0079] For example, when a member user selects button B611, the user terminal 20 transmits posting data indicating a reply to the server 10. The posting data acquisition unit 101 acquires posting data indicating the reply content from the user terminal 20. The determination unit 102 determines whether a group mention was made in the reply based on the posting data indicating the reply. If it is determined that a group mention was made in the reply, the group notification unit 103 sends a group notification N60 to the member user. This series of steps is the same as in the embodiment. The group notification unit 103 displays the reply on the group mention screen SC6 on which the post that is the source of the reply is displayed.

[0080] Note that a reply to a post in which a group has been mentioned does not have to be automatically mentioned in the group. Even if a group mention is not automatically made, the group notification unit 103 may display the reply on the group mention screen SC6. In this case, the group notification unit 103 references the user ID of the user who made the reply indicated by the post data, and determines, based on the group database DB2, whether the user belongs to a group to be displayed on the group mention screen SC6. If the group notification unit 103 determines that the reply is from a user who belongs to the group, it may display the reply on the group mention screen SC6.

[0081] When a reply is made from the group mention screen SC6, the business support system 1 of the first modification displays the reply on the group mention screen SC6. This allows the affiliated users to check replies to posts in which the group was mentioned on the group mention screen SC6. For example, the affiliated users can easily understand how they or other affiliated users responded to a post requesting some kind of action on the group, so the business support system 1 can further improve the convenience of the affiliated users.

[0082] [6-2. Variation 2] For example, the group notification unit 103 may cause the user terminal 20 to display a group mention screen SC6 in which the posting user who inputted the post in which the group mention was made is associated with the group notification N60 of the post. The posting user is the user who inputted the post in which the group mention was made. The posting user may be a member user, or an external user. Associating the posting user with the group notification N60 means making it possible to identify who inputted the post notified by the group notification N60.

[0083] 14 is a diagram showing an example of a group mention screen SC6 of Modification Example 2. For example, the group notification unit 103 displays, for each posting user, a group notification N60 of a post that the posting user has entered by making a group mention on the group mention screen SC6. The group notification N60 filters multiple group notifications N60 by posting user, and then displays, for each posting user, posts that the posting user has made a group mention on the group mention screen SC6. The group notification unit 103 may identify the posting user based on the notification database DB4.

[0084] In the example of FIG. 14, the group notification unit 103 displays, on the group mention screen SC6 of the belonging user U1, group notifications N60 of posts in which each of the other belonging users U2 to U4 who belong to the same group as the belonging user U1 has made a group mention. For example, the group notification unit 103 arranges the group notifications N60 of posts in which each of the belonging users U2 to U4 has made a group mention under the user name. In the example of FIG. 14, the arrangement of the group notification N60 under the user name corresponds to associating the posting user with the group notification N60. As shown in FIG. 14, for a posting user for whom multiple group notifications N60 exist (users U3 and U4 in the example of FIG. 14), the group notifications N60 may overlap.

[0085] Note that the method by which the group notification unit 103 associates the posting user with the group notification N60 is not limited to the example in Fig. 14. For example, the group notification unit 103 may display the posting user and the group notification N60 in association with each other by placing the group notification N60 above, to the left, or to the right of the posting user's username. When a member user selects a posting user, the group notification unit 103 may filter the group notifications N60 for posts made by the posting user and display them on the group mention screen SC6, thereby displaying the posting user and the group notification N60 in association with each other.

[0086] The business support system 1 of the second modification causes the user terminal 20 to display a group mention screen SC6 in which the posting user and the group notification N60 are associated with each other. This allows the user to easily understand who posted the message indicated by the group notification N60, and therefore the business support system 1 can further improve user convenience.

[0087] [6-3. Variation 3] For example, when a user belongs to multiple groups, the group notification unit 103 may display a group mention screen SC6 of a group selected by the user from the multiple groups on the user terminal 20. In Modification 3, an icon 1202 of each of the multiple groups is displayed on the dashboard screen SC2 of the user who belongs to multiple groups. The display data of the dashboard screen SC2 includes the group ID of each of the multiple groups.

[0088] For example, when the server 10 receives a request to display a dashboard screen SC2 from the user terminal 20 of the assigned user, the server 10 identifies the group to which the assigned user belongs based on the group database DB2. If the assigned user belongs to multiple groups, the server 10 causes the user terminal 20 to display the dashboard screen SC2 showing icons I202 for each of the multiple groups. The assigned user can select any icon I202. Image data of the icon I202 is assumed to be stored in the group database DB2.

[0089] For example, the server 10 acquires from the user terminal 20 the group ID of the group indicated by the icon I202 selected by the user. The group notification unit 103 of the third modification example identifies the group notification N60 of the group indicated by the group ID based on the notification database DB4. The group notification unit 103 causes the user terminal 20 to display a group mention screen SC6 indicating the identified group notification N60. This modification example differs from the embodiment in that the group notification N60 of the group selected by the user from among multiple groups is displayed on the group mention screen SC6, but the processing for displaying the group mention screen SC6 may be the same as that of the embodiment. The group notification unit 103 may identify the group notification N60 of the group to be displayed on the group mention screen SC6 based on the notification data stored in the notification database DB4, and display it on the group mention screen SC6.

[0090] When a user belongs to multiple groups, the business support system 1 of the third modification displays a group mention screen SC6 of a group selected by the user from among the multiple groups on the user terminal 20. This allows a user who belongs to multiple groups to check the group notification N60 of any group, so the business support system 1 can further improve user convenience.

[0091] [6-4. Variation 4] For example, when an external user who does not belong to a group makes a group mention, the group notification unit 103 may send a group notification N60 to the group-member users. That is, in the embodiment, an example was given of a case where a group-member user makes a group mention to the group, but in Modification Example 4, an external user makes a group mention to the group. In the example of the group "Team Bravo" described in the embodiment, the external user makes a post including the character string "@bravo."

[0092] The post data acquisition unit 101 of the fourth modification acquires post data of a post entered by an external user. The determination unit 102 determines whether a group mention has been made in the post entered by the external user based on the post data. The group notification unit 103 performs a group notification N60 to the affiliated users when it is determined that a group mention has been made in the post entered by the external user. Although this series of steps is different from the embodiment in that the post indicated by the post data is entered by an external user, the series of steps are the same as the embodiment.

[0093] The business support system 1 of the fourth modification example performs a group notification N60 to the belonging users when an external user makes a group mention. This allows the external user to make a group mention for a group to which the external user does not belong, so the business support system 1 can further improve the convenience of the external user and the belonging users. For example, when an external user requests a task from a group to which the external user does not belong, the external user can make a group mention so that the belonging users of the group can easily notice the post. The belonging users can easily notice requests from external users, so they are less likely to overlook requests from external users to the group.

[0094] [6-5. Variation 5] For example, in Modification 4, the group notification unit 103 may distinguish between a group notification N60 of a group mention made by another user belonging to the group and a group notification N60 of a group mention made by an external user. Hereinafter, a group notification N60 made by another user belonging to the group is referred to as a belonging group notification N60. A group notification N60 of a group mention made by an external user is referred to as an external group notification N60. Whether a certain group notification N60 is a belonging group notification N60 or an external group notification N60 may be indicated by the type of notification, or may be determined based on the user who made the post that was the origin of the notification. The group notification unit 103 may determine, based on the group database DB2, whether a poster who made a group mention of a certain group is a user belonging to the group or an external user.

[0095] The group notification unit 103 may distinguish between the belonging group notification N60 and the external group notification N60 in any manner. For example, the group notification unit 103 distinguishes between the belonging group notification N60 and the external group notification N60 by notifying them in a third notification manner and a fourth notification manner. The fourth notification manner is a notification manner different from the third notification manner. The meaning of the notification manner is as described in the embodiment. If the notification manner is color, the group notification unit 103 distinguishes between the belonging group notification N60 and the external group notification N60 by notifying them in a third color and a fourth color. If the notification manner is a notification manner other than color, the group notification unit 103 may distinguish between the belonging group notification N60 and the external group notification N60 by using another notification manner.

[0096] The group notification unit 103 may distinguish between the belonging group notification N60 and the external group notification N60 by a method other than the notification mode. For example, the group notification unit 103 may distinguish between the belonging group notification N60 and the external group notification N60 by filtering the group notification N60 by either the belonging group notification N60 or the external group notification N60, whichever is selected by the belonging user, and displaying the group notification N60 on the group mention screen SC6. The group notification unit 103 may distinguish between the belonging group notification N60 and the external group notification N60 by displaying them on separate group mention screens SC6.

[0097] The business support system 1 of the fifth modification distinguishes between the belonging group notification N60 and the external group notification N60. This makes it easier for the belonging users to understand which group notification N60 is the belonging group notification N60 or the external group notification N60, so the business support system 1 can further improve the convenience for the external users and the belonging users.

[0098] [6-6. Variation 6] For example, in Variation 4 or Variation 5, external users may be prevented from viewing posts made in a group. A post made in a group may be a post made by a user belonging to the group who has made a group mention of the group, or may be a place (e.g., a thread) created exclusively for the group. In Variation 6, external users are generally prevented from viewing posts made in a group, but may be allowed to view the post as an exception if they are personally mentioned.

[0099] The business support system 1 of the sixth modified example includes a restriction unit 104. The restriction unit 104 restricts external users from viewing posts made in groups. Restricting viewing means prohibiting viewing. The restriction unit 104 restricts the content of posts made in groups from being sent to the user terminal 20 of the external user. For example, when an external user requests the display of a post, the restriction unit 104 sends to the user terminal 20 of the external user the content of posts made in groups to which the external user belongs, but does not send the content of posts made in groups to which the external user does not belong.

[0100] The restriction unit 104 may identify groups to which the external user belongs based on the group database DB2, thereby identifying groups whose posts the external user is allowed to view. The restriction unit 104 may identify to which group each individual post belongs based on the posting database DB3. Information indicating to which group each individual post belongs may be included in the posting data, or may be data separate from the posting data. Based on these identification results, the restriction unit 104 distinguishes between posts that are permitted for viewing by external users and posts that are not permitted for viewing by external users. The restriction unit 104 restricts data of posts that are not permitted for viewing by external users from being transmitted to the external user's user terminal 20, and permits data of posts that are permitted for viewing by external users to be transmitted to the external user's user terminal 20.

[0101] The business support system 1 of the sixth modification restricts external users from viewing posts made in a group. This allows a member user to communicate with other members of the same group without external users knowing, so the business support system 1 can further improve convenience for the member users. For example, a member user may decide how to respond to an inquiry from an external user in consultation with other members of the same group. It may be undesirable for such consultation to be seen by external users. In such cases, the business support system 1 can prevent external users from viewing posts in the group.

[0102] [6-7. Variation 7] For example, contrary to the sixth modification, external users may be allowed to view posts made in groups. The business support system 1 of the seventh modification includes a viewing unit 105. The viewing unit 105 allows external users to view posts made in groups. The viewing unit 105 transmits the content of the post made in the group to the user terminal 20 of the external user. For example, when an external user requests the display of a post, the viewing unit 105 transmits the content of the post made in the group to which the external user belongs to the user terminal 20 of the external user, and also transmits the content of the post made in the group to which the external user does not belong. The viewing unit 105 may execute processing to allow external users to view posts based on the post database DB3. In the seventh modification, the processing of the restriction unit 104 as in the sixth modification is not executed.

[0103] The business support system 1 of the seventh modification allows external users to view posts made in groups. This allows external users to know the content of communications between users who belong to groups to which they do not belong, so the business support system 1 can further improve convenience for external users. For example, an external user can know whether a request made to a certain group is being considered by users who belong to the group (whether their request has been overlooked).

[0104] [6-8. Variation 8] For example, in any of the fourth to seventh variations, when a member user replies to a post from an external user, the reply may be treated as a group reply. A group reply means that the posting user becomes the group name, rather than the individual member user who actually entered the reply. On the user terminal 20 of the external user, the posting user who posted the reply becomes the group name. The user name of the individual member user who actually entered the reply may be displayed together with the group name.

[0105] The business support system 1 of the eighth modification includes a group reply unit 106. When a member user replies to a post made by an external user, the group reply unit 106 replies to the external user as a group. For example, the group reply unit 106 sets the person who sent the reply (the user who posted the reply) to the group name instead of the member user. The group reply unit 106 stores posting data indicating that the person who sent the reply is a group (for example, posting data in which the posting user is a group ID or group name) in the posting database DB3. By displaying the reply based on the posting data, the person who sent the reply is displayed as the group name instead of the individual name of the member user on the external user's thread screen SC4 or personal mention screen SC5, etc.

[0106] In the business support system 1 of the eighth modification, when a member user replies to a post made by an external user, the reply is sent to the external user as a group. This allows the external user to easily understand which group the reply is from, so the business support system 1 can further improve convenience for the external user.

[0107] [6-9. Variation 9] For example, since a manager in an organization has various tasks to perform, other people who support the manager may take some action on the manager's behalf. Therefore, Variation 9 illustrates an example in which an individual mention of a specific individual is treated as a group mention. The specific individual may be any user and is not limited to a manager. For example, the specific individual may be a user who accepts inquiries, a user on long vacation, a user on leave of absence, or other users.

[0108] In the ninth modification, an example is taken in which the president of a company that has signed a service contract for the business support system 1 corresponds to a specific person. Data that can identify a specific person is stored in the data storage unit 100. For example, the user ID of a certain user and specific person data indicating whether the user is a specific person may be associated with the user database DB1. In the ninth modification, the user ID of a user who is the president is associated with specific person data indicating that the user is a specific person.

[0109] The determination unit 102 of the ninth modification determines whether or not an individual mention has been made based on the posting data. This determination method is as described in the embodiment. When an individual mention has been made of a specific individual, the determination unit 102 determines that a group mention has been made of a specific individual group, which is a group related to the specific individual. The specific individual group is a group that supports the work of the specific individual. Data such as the group ID of the specific individual group is stored in the group database DB2. Therefore, the users belonging to the specific individual group are shown in the group database DB2. For example, if the specific user is the president, the secretary belonging to the secretary's office is registered as a belonging user. The president himself, who is a specific individual, may also be registered as a belonging user.

[0110] For example, suppose the username of the company president is "Saibo Taro." Suppose a certain user posts a message containing the string "@Saibo Taro." Since the string after "@" is an individual name, not a group name, the mention in this message would normally be treated as an individual mention. However, since "Saibo Taro" is registered as a specific user, the determination unit 102 determines that a group mention of a specific group has been made. For example, the determination unit 102 determines that a group mention of a specific group, which is the secretarial office that supports the work of "Saibo Taro," has been made.

[0111] When it is determined that a group mention of a specific individual group has been made, the group notification unit 103 of Variation 9 performs group notification N60 to the users who belong to the specific individual group. The group notification unit 103 identifies the users who belong to the specific individual group based on the group database DB2. The group notification unit 103 generates notification data and stores it in the notification database DB4 so that the users are notified. Although this differs from the embodiment in that group notification N60 is sent to users who belong to the specific individual group, the notification method of group notification N60 itself is as described in the embodiment.

[0112] The business support system 1 of the ninth modification example determines that a group mention of a specific individual group has been made when a personal mention has been made of a specific individual. When it is determined that a group mention of a specific individual group has been made, the business support system 1 sends a group notification N60 to the users belonging to the specific individual group. This allows other people to notice the post even if the specific individual misses the post in which they are mentioned. For example, if the specific individual is a company president, the busy president may overlook the personal notification N50. In this regard, since a group notification N60 is sent to the users belonging to a specific individual group such as the secretary's office, the users can notice the post addressed to the president.

[0113] [6-10. Variation 10] For example, in Variation 9, if a user is promoted and becomes busy or goes on a long business trip, the user may be less likely to notice personal notifications, so it may be better for the user to be treated as a specific individual. Therefore, the user may be treated as a specific individual based on predetermined conditions. The predetermined conditions are conditions that serve as criteria for determining whether a user is treated as a specific individual. The predetermined conditions may be any conditions that can be determined based on some data about the user. For example, the predetermined conditions may be the user's job title, schedule, years of service, department, or other conditions.

[0114] The business support system 1 of the tenth modification includes a setting unit 107. The setting unit 107 sets a user who satisfies a predetermined condition as a specific individual. For example, the setting unit 107 determines whether the predetermined condition is satisfied based on the user data stored in the user database DB1. If the setting unit 107 determines that the predetermined condition is not satisfied, it does not set the user as a specific individual, and if it determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied, it sets the user as a specific individual. The setting unit 107 updates the specific personal data associated with the user's user ID so that the specific personal data indicates that the user is a specific individual.

[0115] For example, if the predetermined condition corresponds to a user having a predetermined position, the setting unit 107 determines whether the predetermined condition is met by determining whether the user's position stored in the user database DB1 has become the predetermined position. If it is determined that the user's position has become the predetermined position, the setting unit 107 sets the user as a specific individual. If the predetermined condition corresponds to a user being on a business trip, the setting unit 107 obtains the user's schedule from the user database DB1 or another database and determines whether the user has a business trip planned, thereby determining whether the predetermined condition is met. If it is determined that the user has a business trip planned, the setting unit 107 sets the user as a specific individual.

[0116] When a user is set as a specific individual, the users belonging to the specific group for which group notification N60 is sent may be manually specified by the user or another user, or people in the same department may be automatically registered by the setting unit 107. The group ID and group name of the specific group may be automatically generated based on a format prepared by the business support system 1, or may be manually specified by the user set as a specific individual or another user. When a user is set as a specific individual, the setting unit 107 stores the group ID, group name, and users belonging to the specific group of the user in the group database DB2.

[0117] The business support system 1 of the tenth modification sets a user who satisfies a predetermined condition as a specific individual. This allows the business support system 1 to effectively support the business of the user who satisfies the predetermined condition. For example, if a certain user is promoted and becomes busy or goes on a long business trip, and the user is less likely to notice personal notifications, the business support system 1 can set the user as a specific individual and enable group notifications N60, thereby making it possible for users belonging to a specific group to notice the post.

[0118] [6-11. Variation 11] For example, even if a group mentions a group in a post of an inquiry to a certain group, it may be better for another group to respond to the inquiry. Therefore, when such a post is forwarded, it may be replaced with a group mention of another group before forwarding. In Variation 11, an example is given in which an inquiry post to the group "Development Department" is replaced with a group mention of the group "Intellectual Property Department" before forwarding. The group IDs, group names, and user data of these groups are assumed to be stored in the group database DB2.

[0119] The business support system 1 of the eleventh modification includes a forwarding unit 108. When a member user forwards a post to another group, the forwarding unit 108 replaces a group mention of a certain group with a group mention of another group and forwards the post. Replacing a group mention means changing data or a portion of data indicating a group mention of a certain group with data or a portion of data indicating a group mention of another group. For example, the forwarding unit 108 replaces a group mention of a certain group with data or a portion of data indicating a group mention of another group and then forwards the post. The forwarding unit 108 forwards the post by storing post data indicating the post to be forwarded in the post database DB3. When the post is forwarded, it is determined that a group mention of another group has been made, in the same manner as in the embodiment, and a group notification N60 is sent to users belonging to the other group.

[0120] For example, suppose a post to the group "Development Department" contains the character string "@development," which indicates that it is a group mention of the group "Development Department." If the content of the post is related to intellectual property, a user belonging to the group "Development Department" performs a forwarding operation by specifying the group "Intellectual Property Department." The forwarding unit 108 replaces the character string with the character string "@ip," which indicates that it is a group mention of the group "Intellectual Property Department" specified by the user, and then forwards the post. As a result, a group notification N60 is performed for the users belonging to the group "Intellectual Property Department."

[0121] The group to be replaced with may be specified by the user each time a message is transferred, or may be predetermined. The transfer unit 108 may transfer the message by replacing it with a group mention of another predetermined group. In this case, data indicating the other predetermined group is stored in advance in the data storage unit 100. The transfer unit 108 may identify the group to be replaced with based on the data.

[0122] In the business support system 1 of the modification 11, when a user belonging to a group transfers a post to another group, the group mention of the group is replaced with a group mention of the other group, and the post is transferred. This eliminates the need for the user to post to the other group from scratch, and the business support system 1 can reduce the operational burden on the user during transfer.

[0123] [6-12. Other variations] For example, two or more of the modifications 1 to 11 may be combined.

[0124] For example, the functions described as being realized by the server 10 may be realized by the user terminal 20. In this case, the functions may be realized by a browser script or an application installed on the user terminal 20. For example, each function may be shared among multiple computers or may be realized by a single computer. [Explanation of symbols]

[0125] 1 Business support system, 10 Server, 11, 21 Control unit, 12, 22 Memory unit, 13, 23 Communication unit, 20 User terminal, 24 Operation unit, 25 Display unit, N Network, A20, A21, A22, A61 Display area, B31, B41, B611 Button, DB1 User database, DB2 Group database, DB3 Post database, DB4 Notification database, F30, F40, F600 Input form, I10, I200, I201, I202 Icon, SC1 Portal screen, SC2 Dashboard screen, SC3 Add screen, SC4 Thread screen, SC5 Personal mention screen, SC6 Group mention screen, N50 Personal notification, N60 Group notification, 100, 200 Data storage unit, 101 Post data acquisition unit, 102 Judgment unit, 103 Group notification unit, 104 Restriction unit, 105 A viewing unit, a group reply unit, a setting unit, a forwarding unit, a display control unit, and an operation receiving unit.

Claims

1. a post data acquisition unit that acquires post data indicating posts in the business support system; a determination unit that determines whether a group mention has been made to a group based on the posting data; a group notification unit that, when it is determined that the group mention has been made, sends a group notification to users belonging to the group, the group notification being distinguished from an individual notification of an individual mention to an individual; Business support system including.

2. the group notification unit displays, on the user terminal of the user who belongs to the group, a group mention screen showing the group notification including at least a part of the post in which the group mention was made; The business support system according to claim 1 .

3. When a reply is made from the group mention screen, the group notification unit displays the reply on the group mention screen. The business support system according to claim 2 .

4. the group notification unit causes the user terminal to display the group mention screen, in which the posting user who input the post in which the group mention was made and the group notification of the post are associated with each other; The business support system according to claim 2 or 3.

5. When the belonging user belongs to a plurality of groups, the group notification unit displays, on the user terminal, the group mention screen for the group selected by the belonging user from among the plurality of groups. The business support system according to claim 2 or 3.

6. the group notification unit notifies the group members of the group when an external user who does not belong to the group mentions the group; The business support system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

7. The group notification unit distinguishes between the group notification of the group mention made by another user belonging to the group and the group notification of the group mention made by the external user. The business support system according to claim 6.

8. The business support system further includes a restriction unit that restricts the external users from viewing the posts made in the group. The business support system according to claim 6.

9. The business support system further includes a viewing unit that allows the external user to view the posts made in the group. The business support system according to claim 6.

10. the business support system further includes a group reply unit that, when the affiliated user replies to the post of the external user, replies to the external user as the group; The business support system according to claim 6.

11. the determination unit determines, when the individual mention is made to a specific individual, that the group mention is made to a specific individual group that is the group related to the specific individual; the group notification unit, when it is determined that the group mention of the specific individual group has been made, sends the group notification to the users who belong to the specific individual group; The business support system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

12. the business support system further includes a setting unit that sets a user who satisfies a predetermined condition as the specific individual; The business support system according to claim 11.

13. The business support system further includes a forwarding unit that, when the member user forwards the post to another group, replaces the group mention of the group with the group mention of the other group and forwards the post. The business support system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

14. Acquire posting data indicating posts in the business support system; determining whether a group mention has been made to the group based on the posting data; When it is determined that the group mention has been made, a group notification is sent to the users belonging to the group, which is different from an individual notification of an individual mention made to an individual. Business support methods.

15. a posting data acquisition unit that acquires posting data indicating posts in the business support system; a determination unit that determines whether a group mention has been made to a group based on the posting data; a group notification unit that, when it is determined that the group mention has been made, sends a group notification to users belonging to the group, the group notification being distinguished from an individual notification of an individual mention made to an individual; A program that allows a computer to function as a

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