Subscription product management system, subscription product management method, and computer program

Abstract

To provide a subscription product management system capable of appropriately managing a subscription product according to usage status of a user.SOLUTION: A subscription product management system for managing a subscription product includes allocation information management means 3, 11 for managing allocation information that associates a validity period (contract period) of the subscription product with a user of the subscription product, and allocation information update means 13 for updating the allocation information according to a change in status of the user.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a subscription product management system, a subscription product management method, and a computer program for managing subscription products, for managing subscription products according to the usage status of the users. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a form of commodity trading is a lease / rental transaction in which the commodity is directly delivered in response to payment for the commodity, but the ownership of the commodity is not transferred, and the commodity can be borrowed until the expiration of a specified contract period. For this type of lease / rental transaction, a method has already been proposed that can collectively manage and provide the necessary transaction information (for example, see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-181511 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the above-mentioned proposed methods are intended for leasing / renting goods for a specified period of time, and have the drawback that, even if they are applied as is to product trading formats based on so-called subscription contracts, in which users can use computer programs such as applications for a certain valid period by paying a fixed monthly or annual fee and the contract is automatically renewed after the valid period has elapsed, it is not possible to manage transaction information appropriately and in a timely manner according to the user's usage status.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and aims to provide a subscription product management system, a subscription product management method, and a computer program for subscription product management that can appropriately manage subscription products according to the user's usage status. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A first aspect of the present invention is A subscription product management system for managing subscription products with validity periods, an allocation information management means for managing allocation information that associates the validity period of the subscription product with the user of the subscription product; an allocation information updating means for updating the allocation information in response to a change in the user's situation; The present invention is characterized by comprising:

[0007] This allows allocation information that associates the validity period of a subscription product with the user of the subscription product to be stored, and the allocation information is updated as appropriate in response to changes in the user's situation, so that subscription products can be managed appropriately and as appropriate in response to the user's usage situation.

[0008] A preferred embodiment of the present invention is The system is characterized by comprising an inventory product extraction means for extracting, from the allocation information, the subscription products to which the user has not been allocated as inventory products.

[0009] According to this, if there is a subscription product that is available but has not been assigned to a user, the subscription product is appropriately extracted as an inventory product, so that the subscription product can be managed appropriately according to the inventory status.

[0010] Another preferred embodiment of the present invention is The system is characterized by comprising a subscription product ordering means for ordering the subscription products in response to an increase in the number of users.

[0011] This means that if there is a need to add subscription products due to an increase in users, it will be possible to order new subscription products. Therefore, even if there are no products in stock, it will be possible to appropriately manage subscription products as needed while also responding to an increase in users.

[0012] Another preferred embodiment of the present invention is The system is characterized by comprising a subscription product cancellation means for canceling the contract for the subscription product in response to a decrease in the number of users.

[0013] This means that if a subscription product goes unused due to a decrease in the number of users, the contract for that subscription product can be canceled, making it possible to appropriately manage subscription products while also responding to a decrease in users.

[0014] A second aspect of the present invention is A subscription product management method for managing subscription products with validity periods, comprising: managing allocation information that associates the validity period of the subscription product with the user of the subscription product; updating the allocation information in response to changes in the user's status; The present invention is characterized by comprising:

[0015] This makes it possible to achieve the same effects as the system according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0016] A third aspect of the present invention is A subscription product management system for managing subscription products with validity periods. allocation information management means for managing allocation information that associates the validity period of the subscription product with the user of the subscription product; an allocation information updating means for updating the allocation information in response to a change in the user's situation; The present invention is characterized in that it functions as a

[0017] This makes it possible to achieve the same effects as the system according to the first aspect of the present invention. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] According to the present invention, subscription products can be managed appropriately and in a timely manner in accordance with the usage status of the user. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overview of a subscription product management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a subscription product management system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 3] 1 is a diagram illustrating a contract information DB in a subscription product management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a diagram illustrating an allocation information DB in a subscription product management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 5] 1 is a flowchart showing the flow of information processing in a subscription product management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] Below, with reference to the attached drawings, we will explain in detail a subscription product management system according to one embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter, ``subscription product'' will be abbreviated to ``subscription product'' and ``subscription product management system'' will be abbreviated to ``subscription product management system'').

[0021] [Subscription Product Management System Overview] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overview of a subscription product management system according to one embodiment of the present invention. The subscription product management system of this embodiment is designed to appropriately manage subscription products that users can use for a certain validity period (one year in this embodiment, as an example) by paying an annual contract fee, for example.

[0022] Specifically, as shown in Figure 1, when software subscription product A is provided by vendor X to a contracted business, the subscription product management system is built on a server operated by the contracted business (which may be a business different from the contracted business), and enables the exchange of various information via a network with vendor X and user terminals operated by users of the software at the contracted business (for example, employees of the contracted business), thereby managing the subscription product.

[0023] Here, subscription product A can be contracted as multiple licenses, and can be installed and used on multiple user devices within the number of contracted licenses for one year from the date of application. Furthermore, if one year has passed since the date of application, the contract will be automatically renewed unless the contracting business terminates the contract with vendor X. Even if subscription product A is in use after multiple license contracts, it is possible to add a license contract by ordering a new subscription product A. If the number of users allocated by the contracting business is less than the number of contracted licenses for subscription product A, there will be unused licenses of subscription product A.

[0024] The subscription product management system manages the correspondence between licenses for subscription product A and the account IDs of users who have been assigned to use the subscription product A, and manages the number of unused licenses (not assigned to a user) as inventory (surplus).

[0025] Specifically, if a user who has been assigned a license for subscription product A does not use subscription product A from a predetermined date, for example due to retirement or a transfer to another department, the subscription product management system cancels the correspondence between the license for subscription product A and the account ID of that user. On the other hand, if a new employee is added to a department that uses subscription product A, the subscription product management system associates the account ID of that employee with the license for subscription product A.

[0026] [Subscription product management system functional configuration] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a subscription product management system according to one embodiment of the present invention. The subscription product management system 1 is constructed, for example, on a server operated by a contracted business operator (which may be a business operator different from the contracted business operator) that has entered into a contract for the use of the subscription product with a vendor that provides the subscription product, and is connected via a network to a vendor server 100 operated by the vendor and a user terminal 200 operated by a user who uses the subscription product (for example, an employee of the contracted business operator), and is a computer equipped with a communication function with the vendor server 100 and the user terminal 200. The subscription product management system 1 has installed in a storage device that serves as storage means programs and data that mainly cause the CPU to function as each of the means described below. Specifically, the subscription product management system has a program installed as an application, and transmits and receives various information to and from the vendor server 100 and the user terminal 200 via this application.

[0027] The subscription product management system 1 has, as functions realized by a computer, a subscription contract information management means 10, an allocation information management means 11, a usage status management means 12, an allocation information update means 13, an inventory product extraction means 14, a subscription product ordering means 15, a subscription product cancellation means 16, and a memory means 20.

[0028] The subscription contract information management means 10 manages contract information for subscription products for which a contracting business has already signed a contract, such as the contract period from the application date, the number of contracted licenses, the automatic renewal date, etc., in association with the subscription product. Specifically, the subscription contract information management means 10 generates a contract information database (hereinafter also referred to as "contract information DB") in which contract information is associated with the subscription product for which a contract has already been signed, and stores this contract information DB in the storage means 20.

[0029] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the contract information DB in the subscription product management system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] As shown in Figure 3, the contract information DB of this embodiment associates information indicating multiple types of subscription products (e.g., software name, vendor name, identification information, etc.) with contract information for each subscription product (in the example shown in Figure 3, contract period, number of contracted licenses, automatic renewal date (contract cancellation deadline)).

[0031] Specifically, in the example shown in Fig. 3, the contract information DB has registered, as contract information for subscription product A, information indicating that the number of contracted licenses corresponding to the contract period, which is currently running for the fourth year due to automatic renewal from the application date of April 1, 2020, is 10, and that the next automatic renewal date (contract cancellation deadline) is April 1, 2024. Also, as additional contract information for subscription product A, information has been registered indicating that the number of contracted licenses corresponding to the contract period, which is currently running for the third year due to automatic renewal from the application date (addition date) of September 3, 2021, is 3, and that the next automatic renewal date (contract cancellation deadline) is September 3, 2024.

[0032] 2, the allocation information management means 11 manages allocation information that associates the validity period (contract period) of a subscription product with the user of the subscription product (for example, an employee of a contracted business, etc.). Specifically, the allocation information management means 11 generates an allocation information database (hereinafter also referred to as "allocation information DB") that associates contract information with a subscription product that has already been contracted and user information that is information about the user of the subscription product, and stores this allocation information DB in the storage means 20.

[0033] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the allocation information DB in the subscription product management system according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 4, in the allocation information DB of this embodiment, each contract information of a subscription product in the contract information DB shown in Figure 3 described above is associated with allocation status information indicating the status of allocation of the license of the subscription product, and user information which is information about the user to whom the license of the subscription product has been allocated.

[0034] The allocation status information includes a user allocation number indicating the number of users to whom licenses have been allocated, and an inventory number indicating the number of licenses not allocated to users, relative to the number of contracted licenses included in the contract information.

[0035] The user information includes a user account ID, which is identification information for identifying the user, and information indicating the user's schedule, which indicates the user's schedule for a predetermined period (for example, one month in the future).

[0036] Specifically, in the example shown in Figure 4, the allocation information DB associates allocation status information with user information for each contract information for subscription product A in the contract information DB shown in Figure 3 above. User account IDs: A to J are associated with licenses with an application date of April 1, 2020, and the planned users indicate that there is no reason to suspend license allocation (for example, the user's retirement or transfer). On the other hand, although user account ID: KL is associated with a license with an application date (addition date) of September 3, 2021, the planned users indicate that license allocation will be suspended due to no use from July in the future. Furthermore, the planned users for subscription product A exceeding the number of contracted licenses indicate that two users (user account ID: MN) are scheduled to be added in August in the future.

[0037] Returning to Figure 2, the usage status management means 12 acquires user status information indicating the status of the user, for example, from the user terminal 200 or a terminal managed by the department to which the user belongs, and updates the user information in the allocation information DB (see Figure 4) based on this user status information. In this embodiment, the user status information includes personnel information related to the user's personnel affairs (transfers and resignations), usage status information related to the usage status of subscription products (whether or not the subscription products are being used, etc.), etc.

[0038] The allocation information update means 13 updates the allocation information DB (see FIG. 4) in response to changes in the user's status. In detail, the allocation information update means 13 updates the allocation status information and user information in the allocation information DB based on the user status information acquired by the usage status management means 12.

[0039] Specifically, when the user status information of a user of a certain subscription product indicates that the user will no longer need the subscription product (for example, due to a transfer from a department that uses the subscription product or retirement), the allocation information update means 13 deletes the user's user account ID in the allocation information DB at a predetermined time (for example, the time when the subscription product will no longer be needed), subtracts 1 from the user allocation number, and adds 1 to the inventory number.

[0040] In addition, if the user status information of a user who has not been assigned a license for a certain subscription product indicates that the user will be in a state where they need the subscription product (for example, being transferred to a department that uses the subscription product, or participating in a project that requires the subscription product), the allocation information update means 13 adds the user's user account ID to the user information for the subscription product in the allocation information DB at a predetermined time (for example, the time when the subscription product is required), adds 1 to the user allocation number, and subtracts 1 from the inventory number.

[0041] The inventory product extraction means 14 extracts subscription products that are not assigned to users in the allocation information DB (see FIG. 4) as inventory products. The inventory product extraction means 14 calculates the inventory quantity by subtracting the number of user allocations from the total number of contracted licenses included in the allocation information DB, and if the inventory quantity is one or more, extracts unused licenses of the subscription product as inventory products. In detail, the inventory product extraction means 14 registers, as the inventory quantity, a value calculated by subtracting the number of user account IDs registered in the user information from the number of contracted licenses for a contract with a subscription product in the allocation information DB.

[0042] The subscription product ordering means 15 orders the subscription product in accordance with an increase in the number of users. In detail, when the increase in the number of users who have not been assigned a license for a certain subscription product in the user schedule in the allocation information DB (see FIG. 4) is greater than the number of stock, the subscription product ordering means 15 transmits to the vendor server 100 order information for ordering the issuance of a license for the subscription product.

[0043] The subscription product cancellation means 16 cancels a contract for a certain subscription product in response to a decrease in the number of users of that subscription product. In particular, when, for example, the inventory quantity in the allocation information DB (see FIG. 4) exceeds a predetermined value set in advance, the subscription product cancellation means 16 transmits contract cancellation information to the vendor server 100 indicating that the contract for the amount exceeding the predetermined value will not be automatically renewed. Note that the subscription product cancellation means 16 may transmit the contract cancellation information to the vendor server 100 not only when the inventory quantity exceeds a predetermined value set in advance, but also when a predetermined condition (for example, a condition set by an administrator of the subscription product management system) is satisfied.

[0044] [Subscription product management processing in a subscription product management system] Next, a subscription product management process executed in the subscription product management system will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of information in the subscription product management system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] In step S1, the usage status management means 12 acquires user status information indicating the user's status, for example, from the user terminal 200 or a terminal managed by the department to which the user belongs, and updates the user information in the allocation information DB (see Figure 4) based on this user status information.

[0046] In step S2, the allocation information update means 13 determines whether the user status information of a user of a certain subscription product in the allocation information DB (see FIG. 4) indicates that the user will no longer need the subscription product. If there is a user who will no longer need the subscription product (step S2: YES), the next step S3 is executed. On the other hand, if there is no user who will no longer need the subscription product (step S2: NO), step S3 is not executed and step S4 is executed.

[0047] In step S3, the allocation information update means 13 deletes the user account ID of the user who no longer needs the subscription product determined in step S2 from the allocation information DB (see FIG. 4).

[0048] In step S4, the inventory product extraction means 14 calculates the inventory quantity in the allocation information DB (see FIG. 4) by subtracting the number of user allocations from the number of contracted licenses, and identifies license contracts for subscription products corresponding to contract periods for which the inventory quantity is 1 or more. For example, if step S4 is executed without executing step S3, as shown in FIG. 4, the inventory quantity for contract licenses for subscription products corresponding to contract application dates from 2020 / 4 / 1 onwards will be 0, and the inventory quantity for contract licenses for subscription products corresponding to additional application dates from 2021 / 9 / 3 onwards will be 1. On the other hand, if step S4 is executed after step S3 is executed, the inventory quantity for contract licenses for subscription products corresponding to additional application dates from 2021 / 9 / 3 onwards will be 2.

[0049] In this step, if the inventory quantity in the allocation information DB (see Figure 4) exceeds a predetermined value set in advance, the subscription product cancellation means 16 may send contract cancellation information to the vendor server 100 indicating that the contracts exceeding the predetermined value will not be automatically renewed.

[0050] In step S5, the allocation information update means 13 determines whether the user status information of a user who has not been assigned a license for a certain subscription product in the allocation information DB (see FIG. 4) indicates that the user will be in a state where the subscription product is required. If there is a user who will be in a state where the subscription product is required (step S5: YES), the next step S6 is executed. On the other hand, if there is no user who will be in a state where the subscription product is required (step S5: NO), the subscription product management process is terminated.

[0051] In step S6, the subscription product ordering means 15 determines whether the number of users to whom licenses for a certain subscription product are not assigned in the user schedule of the allocation information DB (see FIG. 4) is greater than the inventory quantity. If the number of users is greater than the inventory quantity (step S6: YES), the next step S7 is executed. On the other hand, if the number of users is less than the inventory quantity (step S6: NO), step S7 is not executed and step S8 is executed.

[0052] In step S7, the subscription product ordering means 15 transmits to the vendor server 100 order information for ordering the issuance of licenses for the subscription product for which it has been determined in step S6 that the increase in the number of users is greater than the number of stocks.

[0053] In step S8, the allocation information update means 13 adds the user account ID of the user who was determined to need the subscription product in step S5 to the user information of the subscription product in question in the allocation information DB (see FIG. 4).

[0054] Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, if the license of user account ID "L" is suspended and user account IDs "M" and "N" are added, the user allocation number "2" in the allocation information shown in FIG. 4 becomes "3", and user account IDs "M" and "N" are added and registered. At this time, the number of contracted licenses "3" matches the user allocation number "3", so the inventory quantity becomes 0. Note that in step S7, when an order process for a subscription product is executed, the usage status information is updated by associating the user account ID with new contract information including the inventory quantity.

[0055] In step S9, the inventory product extraction means 14 calculates the inventory quantity in the allocation information DB (see FIG. 4) by subtracting the number of user allocations from the number of contracted licenses, and identifies license contracts for subscription products corresponding to contract periods for which the inventory quantity is 1 or more. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 4, if step S8 is executed without step S7 being executed, the inventory quantity for contracted licenses for subscription products corresponding to the additional application date from 2021 / 9 / 3 onwards will be 0. On the other hand, if step S8 is executed after step S7 is executed, the inventory quantity for contracted licenses for subscription products corresponding to the new additional application date will be recalculated. After step S9 is executed, the subscription product management process ends.

[0056] The subscription product management system of this embodiment provides the following advantageous effects.

[0057] According to the subscription product management system of this embodiment, allocation information that associates the actual allocation number and inventory number of the corresponding user for each contract license with a different start date for the contract period (validity period) of the subscription product is always stored, and the allocation information is updated appropriately in response to an increase or decrease in the number of users, so that the party contracting for the subscription product can manage the subscription product appropriately in response to an increase or decrease in the usage status of the user.

[0058] Furthermore, based on the relationship between the number of contracted licenses for a subscription product and the number allocated to users, if there are any extra contracted licenses for a subscription product that are available but not allocated to users, such extra contracted licenses are appropriately extracted as inventory, so that subscription products can be managed appropriately according to the inventory situation.

[0059] Furthermore, for example, if the allocation information shows that the inventory quantity is 0 and it becomes necessary to add a license agreement for a subscription product due to an increase in users, a new subscription product can be ordered and a license agreement can be concluded, allowing subscription products to be managed appropriately and as needed while also responding to an increase in users.

[0060] Furthermore, if a subscription product goes unused due to a decrease in the number of users, the contract for that subscription product will be terminated, so that the subscription product can be managed appropriately and in a timely manner while also responding to a decrease in users.

[0061] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it goes without saying that the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the contents of the above embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and improvements can be made to the above embodiments. Furthermore, it is clear from the claims that forms incorporating such modifications and improvements are also included within the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 1 Subscription Product Management System (Subscription Product Management System) 10 Subscription contract information management method 11 Allocation information management means 12. Usage management methods 13 Allocation information update means 14. Inventory Item Extraction Method 15 Subscription product ordering methods 16 Subscription product cancellation method 100 vendor servers 200 User terminals

Claims

1. A subscription product management system for managing subscription products with validity periods, an allocation information management means for managing allocation information that associates the validity period of the subscription product with the user of the subscription product; an allocation information updating means for updating the allocation information in response to a change in the user's situation; A subscription product management system comprising:

2. The subscription product management system according to claim 1 , further comprising an inventory product extraction unit that extracts, as inventory products, the subscription products that are not allocated to the user in the allocation information.

3. 3. The subscription product management system according to claim 1, further comprising a subscription product ordering unit that orders the subscription products in response to an increase in the number of users.

4. 3. The subscription product management system according to claim 1, further comprising a subscription product cancellation unit that cancels the contract for the subscription product in response to the decrease in the number of users.

5. A subscription product management method for managing subscription products with validity periods, comprising: managing allocation information that associates the validity period of the subscription product with the user of the subscription product; updating the allocation information in response to changes in the user's status; A subscription product management method comprising:

6. A subscription product management system for managing subscription products with validity periods. allocation information management means for managing allocation information that associates the validity period of the subscription product with the user of the subscription product; an allocation information updating means for updating the allocation information in response to a change in the user's situation; A computer program characterized by causing the computer to function as follows.

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