Application management device and approval method for application management device

Abstract

This reduces the amount of checking work required by the approver for applications from workers and allows for quick approval. [Solution] The application management device 100 is characterized by having an email receiving unit 101 that receives application contents sent from the applicant terminal 300, a work procedure manual management unit 105 that determines whether the application contents sent from the applicant terminal 300 can be automatically approved, a work terminal usage time management unit 103 and a work host usage time management unit 104 that determine whether there is time available to work on the application contents, an approval rejection processing unit 106 that determines whether to automatically approve based on the determination results of the work procedure manual management unit 105, the work terminal usage time management unit 103, and the work host usage time management unit 104, and an email sending unit 102 that sends the determination result of the approval rejection processing unit 106 to the applicant terminal 300.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an application management device and an approval method for the application management device. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, when a worker performs maintenance work on a system that is currently in operation to provide services, the worker first creates a work procedure manual.The worker then has the manual reviewed by an approver and is only able to request a work date and time once the manual has been approved.

[0003] As a result, a worker can apply for a work date and time to an approver and perform the work by obtaining the approver's approval. In this way, when a worker performs a specified task in the operation of a running system, it is necessary to create a work procedure manual, conduct a review, get approval for the work procedure manual, and apply for a work date and time, and the worker can obtain approval from the approver after going through these steps.

[0004] Here, a system operation automation device has been disclosed as something related to system operation (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The abstract of Patent Document 1 discloses that "application application and troubleshooting for multiple managed devices are quickly and reliably reflected by eliminating human error and the dependency of operational know-how on individuals, and the newly reflected information that has been executed can be shared in real time."

[0005] Furthermore, the abstract of Patent Document 1 discloses a solution that includes "an integrated process management device 10 that selectably displays, on the display unit of a terminal device 20, identification information of a plurality of managed devices 30, operation information operated in each managed device, application information operable in each managed device, and fault response information related to faults that may occur in each managed device, and when application information is selected in response to an input operation, reflects the application in the corresponding managed device, and when a fault occurs in a managed device, reflects the fault response related to the corresponding fault response information in the managed device, and updates, stores, and displays the application reflected by the application execution means and the information related to the fault response reflected by the fault response execution means as information on the corresponding managed device." [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-102870 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] For example, when a public cloud service is used to apply a function related to system operation, the cloud server can grant access rights based on the worker's user ID and privileged access rights to resources to the worker, limited to an approved time period. In addition, the public cloud service can set up an approval flow to approve the work performed by the worker.

[0008] By establishing an approval flow in a public cloud service, workers can begin work only if they receive approval for the work. In other words, if they cannot receive approval, they cannot begin work because they do not have access rights. Therefore, public cloud services can create a system in which workers can obtain access rights and begin work by obtaining approval for the work from an approver.

[0009] However, for example, when the system operations automation device described in Patent Document 1 is applied to a public cloud service, the approver is required to check and approve the application information submitted by the worker. The system operations automation device described in Patent Document 1 has a function of displaying application information in a selectable manner on the display unit of a terminal device and selecting application information in response to an input operation by the approver, so the approver is required to select application information and check its contents.

[0010] In this way, when an approval flow is applied to a public cloud service, workers cannot perform work without the approval of an approver, which means there is a waiting time until the approver's approval is obtained. The approver must check the application details, such as the work time and work procedures, based on the email received from the worker, and in particular, must check the validity of the application details, which means that the application confirmation process takes time.

[0011] Therefore, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and provides an application management device and an approval method for an application management device that reduce the confirmation work required by the approver for applications from workers and enable quick approval. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] In order to solve the above problem, an application management device according to one embodiment of the present invention is characterized by having a receiving unit that receives application content sent from a terminal, an approval / non-approval determination unit that determines whether the application content sent from the terminal can be automatically approved, a time determination unit that determines whether there is time available to work on the application content, an approval determination unit that determines whether to automatically approve based on the determination results of the approval / non-approval determination unit and the time determination unit, and a transmitting unit that transmits the determination result of the approval determination unit to the terminal.

[0013] In addition, an approval method of an application management device according to one aspect of the present invention is characterized in that it executes the following steps: a receiving unit receives application content sent from a terminal; an approval determination unit determines whether the application content sent from the terminal can be automatically approved; a time determination unit determines whether there is time available to work on the application content; an approval determination unit determines whether to automatically approve the application based on the determination results of the approval determination unit and the time determination unit; and a transmitting unit transmits the determination result of the approval determination unit to the terminal. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention, the work of checking an application from a worker by an approver can be reduced and approval can be given quickly. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an application management system including an application management device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an application management device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram embodying functions for a CPU to execute each process. [Figure 4] 2 is a functional block diagram showing functions of a work application management unit of the application management device according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a state transition diagram showing state transitions of application status. [Figure 6] 10 is a work application management table showing information on work applications input to a work application management unit. [Figure 7A] 10 is a work terminal use time table showing work terminal use information input to a work terminal use time management unit. [Figure 7B] 10 is a work terminal availability information table showing availability information of applicant terminals, which are user machines. [Figure 7C]10 is a work host use time table showing work host use information input to a work host use time management unit. [Figure 7D] 10 is a work host availability information table showing availability information of cloud servers, which are host machines. [Figure 8A] 10 is a work procedure manual management table showing the management of work procedure manuals input to a work procedure manual management unit. [Figure 8B] 10 is a work procedure manual determination table for determining whether a work procedure manual is appropriate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] The following describes in detail embodiments of the present invention. The embodiments described below are examples for realizing the present invention, and should be appropriately modified or changed depending on the configuration of the device to which the present invention is applied and various conditions. The present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. Furthermore, the present invention may be configured by appropriately combining parts of each embodiment described below.

[0017] <Overall configuration of application management system> FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an application management system 600 including an application management device 100 according to this embodiment.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, the application management system 600 includes a public cloud 200 , a plurality of applicant terminals 300 , an approver terminal 400 , an application management device 100 , and the Internet 500 .

[0019] The public cloud 200 is configured by a cloud computing system, and includes a cloud service 201 and a cloud server 202 .

[0020] The cloud service 201 is connected to a plurality of applicant terminals 300, approver terminals 400, and the application management device 100 via the Internet 500, and provides predetermined services to the plurality of applicant terminals 300 and approver terminals 400. The cloud service 201 in this embodiment provides functions related to system operation, and for example, provides an approval flow to a plurality of applicant terminals 300 or approver terminals 400 as a predetermined service.

[0021] The cloud server 202 corresponds to a work host in the cloud service 201. In other words, the cloud server 202 is a server that embodies the cloud service 201, and is a server that is subject to periodic maintenance in the operation of the application management system 600.

[0022] The applicant terminal 300 is a terminal that submits an approval application to the approval flow of the cloud service 201 via the Internet 500. Although multiple applicant terminals 300 are connected to the application management system 600, this is an example, and it is sufficient that at least one applicant terminal 300 is connected.

[0023] The approver terminal 400 is a terminal that originally approves the approval flow of the cloud service 201 via the Internet 500. In this embodiment, the request management device 100 automatically approves an approval request from the applicant terminal 300 by acting on behalf of the approver terminal 400. Therefore, when the request management device 100 automatically approves an application, the approver terminal 400 acquires a notification of the approval and the details of the approval. Furthermore, the approver terminal 400 acquires the details of the pending application for which the request management device 100 has held the application, and responds via the Internet 500 as to whether to approve or reject the application.

[0024] The request management device 100 is a device that automatically approves an approval request from an applicant terminal 300 in an approval flow provided by a cloud service 201, thereby reducing the checking work of the approver and providing prompt approval. As an example, the request management device 100 is connected to the cloud service 201 via the Internet 500, but this is not limiting. For example, only the functions of the request management device 100, which will be described later with reference to FIG. 3 , may be realized using the public cloud 200. In other words, it is sufficient for the request management device 100 to automatically realize processing related to approval / rejection for the approval flow of the cloud service 201.

[0025] <Outline of the application management device> 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the application management device 100 according to this embodiment. The application management device 100 is formed by an information processing device and a server.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 2, the application management device 100 is configured to include a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 110, a memory unit 120, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 130, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 140, an input unit 150, a display unit 160, a communication unit 180, and an internal bus 190.

[0027] The CPU 110 controls the entire application management device 100 and controls the transmission and reception of data with the cloud service 201. The CPU 110 reads out various programs, such as system programs and processing programs, stored in the storage unit 120 or the ROM 130, expands them in the RAM 140, and executes the expanded programs. In this way, the CPU 110 embodies functions for executing each process. The embodied functions will be described later with reference to FIG. 3.

[0028] The storage unit 120 is configured, for example, with a hard disk drive (HDD) or a nonvolatile semiconductor memory. The storage unit 120 stores information necessary for automatic approval that acts on behalf of the approver terminal 400, and stores, for example, approval items included in the application content of a work request.

[0029] The RAM 140 functions as a work area for temporarily storing various programs, input or output data, parameters, etc. that are read from the ROM 130 or the storage unit 120 and can be executed by the CPU 110 during various processes executed and controlled by the CPU 110.

[0030] The input unit 150 is configured with a keyboard equipped with cursor keys, numeric input keys, various function keys, etc., and a pointing device such as a mouse. The input unit 150 outputs press signals of keys pressed on the keyboard and operation signals of the mouse as input signals to the CPU 110. The CPU 110 executes various processes based on the operation signals from the input unit 150. For example, if the input unit 150 cannot automatically approve the application, the input unit 150 can directly edit the application contents.

[0031] The display unit 160 is configured to include a monitor display such as a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) or an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). The display unit 160 displays various screens in accordance with instructions of a display signal input from the CPU 110.

[0032] The communication unit 180 includes a communication interface, and communicates with the cloud service 201 to send and receive data.

[0033] The internal bus 190 interconnects the components that make up the application management device 100 .

[0034] <Function block of application management device> 3 is a functional block diagram embodying the functions for executing each process by CPU 110. CPU 110 functions as an email receiving unit 101, an email sending unit 102, a work terminal usage time management unit 103, a work host usage time management unit 104, a work procedure manual management unit 105, an approval / rejection processing unit 106, and a work application management unit 1100.

[0035] The email receiving unit 101 receives emails related to applications sent from the applicant terminal 300 or the approver terminal 400 to the cloud service 201 via the Internet 500. Here, the reception of emails includes the reception of emails addressed to destinations other than the application management device 100 (for example, collection of emails). The email receiving unit 101 acquires the application contents contained in the emails related to the application. Instead of receiving emails related to the application, the email receiving unit 101 may collect only the application contents contained in the emails. The email receiving unit 101 corresponds to the receiving unit.

[0036] Specifically, the email receiving unit 101 extracts the contents of emails sent to the cloud service 201 via the Internet 500. For example, based on information such as the sender address and subject of the email, the email receiving unit 101 extracts a work application email sent from the applicant terminal 300 or a work approval email sent from the approver terminal 400. The email receiving unit 101 extracts the contents written in the email based on the type of email.

[0037] In the case of a work application email, the email receiving unit 101 extracts the work applicant information, work start time information, work end time information, work terminal information, and work host information described in the email. On the other hand, in the case of a work approval email, the email receiving unit 101 also extracts the decision result (answer) of approval or rejection.

[0038] Here, the work terminal information refers to information about the terminals whose usage status is managed by the application management device 100. The application management device 100 can, for example, monitor access restrictions on terminals connected to the public cloud 200, and therefore, the applicant terminal 300 will be used as an example of the work terminal in the following description. Note that the work terminal is not limited to the applicant terminal 300, and therefore the use status can be managed regardless of the access restrictions.

[0039] The work terminal usage time management unit 103 determines whether or not the user has free time to work on the application content, using the applicant terminal 300. The work terminal usage time management unit 103 corresponds to a time determination unit.

[0040] The work terminal usage time management unit 103, for example, manages the usage schedule of the applicant terminal 300 as a work terminal, and determines whether the usage schedule for the time period for which a work application is received is permitted. That is, if the schedule of the applicant terminal 300 is free, the work terminal usage time management unit 103 reserves the use of the applicant terminal 300 as a work terminal and responds with permission. On the other hand, if the schedule of the applicant terminal 300 is not free, the work terminal usage time management unit 103 rejects the work application. Note that if the work application is rejected, the work terminal usage time management unit 103 cancels the reservation of the reserved time period.

[0041] The work host usage time management unit 104 determines, for example, whether or not there is time available to work on the requested content in the cloud server 202, which is the work host. The work host usage time management unit 104 also corresponds to a time determination unit. The work host usage time management unit 104 performs the same processing as the work terminal usage time management unit 103, except that the object of management is changed from the work terminal to the cloud server 202, which is the work host.

[0042] The work procedure manual management unit 105 determines whether to automatically approve the application based on the determination results of the work terminal usage time management unit 103 and the work host usage time management unit 104, and the application content sent from the applicant terminal 300. In this embodiment, the work procedure manual management unit 105 corresponds to the approval / non-approval determination unit and the approval determination unit.

[0043] The work procedure manual management unit 105 manages the work procedure manuals registered by the input unit 150. For example, whether a work procedure manual has been reviewed in advance and approved is managed by a work procedure manual number. The work procedure manual management unit 105 determines whether the work procedure manual specified at the time of work application has already been approved. For example, the time period during which work on the cloud server 202 can be performed may be limited depending on the work content. Therefore, the work procedure manual management unit 105 registers information such as the time periods and days of the week during which work can be performed for each work procedure manual, and also determines whether the time period in the work application is a time period during which work can be performed. The work procedure manual management unit 105 can also register a person authorized to work for each work procedure manual, and can further determine whether the person applying for work has permission to use the work procedure manual.

[0044] The approval / rejection processing unit 106 cooperates with the work application management unit 1100 and performs data communication with the cloud service 201 based on input from the work application management unit 1100. The approval / rejection processing unit 106 notifies the cloud service 201 of approval or rejection of the work application. If automatic approval is not possible, the approval / rejection processing unit 106 may wait for a predetermined time. In this case, the status becomes pending.

[0045] The email sending unit 102 sends the determination result of the approval / rejection processing unit 106 to the cloud service 201. In this case, the email sending unit 102 sends the result to the applicant terminal 300 that sent the work application via the Internet 500. The email sending unit 102 corresponds to the sending unit.

[0046] When the approval / rejection processing unit 106 automatically approves the request, the email sending unit 102 sends a message to the applicant terminal 300 and / or the approver terminal 400 that approval has been granted. On the other hand, when the approval / rejection processing unit 106 cannot automatically approve the request, the email sending unit 102 sends a message to the approver terminal 400 that automatic approval is not possible.

[0047] Furthermore, if the application includes an item for which the work procedure manual management unit 105, work terminal usage time management unit 103, or work host usage time management unit 104 cannot automatically approve the application, the email sending unit 102 sends a notification to the approver terminal 400 to check the item. In other words, if the work application content does not meet the conditions for approval, the email sending unit 102 sends a work application email to the approver terminal 400 registered in advance to request manual approval from the approver. This enables the application management device 100 to obtain appropriate approval.

[0048] The work application management unit 1100 cooperates with the email receiving unit 101, email sending unit 102, work terminal usage time management unit 103, work host usage time management unit 104, work procedure manual management unit 105, and approval / rejection processing unit 106 to manage the status of work applications.

[0049] <Function block of the work application management department> FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing the functions of the work application management unit 1100 of the application management device 100 according to this embodiment.

[0050] 4, the work application management unit 1100 includes n individual management units 1101 to 110n. The work application management unit 1100 assigns one individual management unit 110n to one work application.

[0051] For one work application, the individual management unit 1101 is configured to include an application content storage unit 1221, an application status management unit 1231, and a result waiting timer 1241. For the second work application, the individual management unit 1102 is configured to include an application content storage unit 1222, an application status management unit 1232, and a result waiting timer 1242. Similarly, for the nth work application, the individual management unit 110n is configured to include an application content storage unit 122n, an application status management unit 123n, and a result waiting timer 124n.

[0052] <Operation of the application management device> 3, when the email receiving unit 101 of the application management device 100 receives a work application email from the cloud service 201, it extracts the contents of the email. Specifically, the email receiving unit 101 extracts work applicant information, work start time information, work end time information, work terminal information, work host information, and work procedure manual information from the received email, and inputs them to the work application management unit 1100.

[0053] FIG. 6 shows a work application management table 10 showing information about work applications input to the work application management unit 1100.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 6, the work application management table 10 has columns for each received email, including email type, work applicant, work start time, work end time, work terminal information, work host information, and work procedure manual.

[0055] For example, from a received email, it is entered that the email type is "Work Application," the work applicant is "A," the work start time is "8:00," the work end time is "17:00," the work terminal information is "User Machine X1," the work host information is "Host Machine Y1," and the work procedure document is "Work Procedure Document Z1."

[0056] Also, for example, from another received email, it is input that the email type is "Work Application," the work applicant is "B," the work start time is "5:00," the work end time is "18:00," the work terminal information is "User Machine X2," the work host information is "Host Machine Y2," and the work procedure document is "Work Procedure Document Z2."

[0057] The user machines X1 and X2 correspond to, for example, the applicant terminal 300 as a work terminal, and the host machines Y1 and Y2 correspond to, for example, the cloud server 202 as a work host, but are not particularly limited to these.

[0058] The work application management unit 1100 manages each piece of information for the input work applications. The work application management unit 1100 can manage n work applications. In this embodiment, the same operation is performed for multiple work applications or one work application, so the explanation will be given using one work application.

[0059] The work application management unit 1100 registers information about one work application input from the mail receiving unit 101 in the application content storage unit 1221 of the individual management unit 1101 in Fig. 4. The application status management unit 1231 manages the status of the registered work application.

[0060] FIG. 5 is a state transition diagram showing state transitions of the application status.

[0061] The application status management unit 1231 indicates that the status of a work application before it is registered in the application content storage unit 1221 is awaiting work application registration (S1301), and indicates that the work application is unregistered before it is registered.

[0062] First, when the status of a work application changes from a status of waiting for application registration (S1301) and the work application content is registered in the application content storage unit 1221, the application status management unit 1231 inputs the work applicant information, work terminal information, work start time information, and work end time information to the work terminal usage time management unit 103 (FIG. 3). In this case, the status changes to a status of terminal reserved (S1302).

[0063] If the work terminal usage time management unit 103 has available work terminal usage time based on the input information, it reserves the requested time slot and returns permission to the work application management unit 1100. On the other hand, if the work terminal usage time is not available, the work terminal usage time management unit 103 returns a rejection to the work application management unit 1100.

[0064] Fig. 7A is work terminal use time table 11 showing the use information of the work terminal input to work terminal use time management unit 103. As shown in Fig. 7A, work terminal use time table 11 has columns for work applicant, work terminal information, work date, work start time, and work end time.

[0065] For example, the work terminal usage time table 11 contains entries that the work applicant is "A", the work terminal information is "user machine X1", the work date is "August 15, 2024", the work start time is "8:00", and the work end time is "17:00". In this way, the content of the work application email received by the email receiving unit 101 of the application management device 100 is entered into the work terminal usage time table 11.

[0066] 7B is a work terminal availability information table 12 showing availability information of the applicant terminal 300, which is the user machine X1. As shown in FIG. 7B, the work terminal availability information table 12 has columns for work terminal information, terminal availability date, availability start time, and end time.

[0067] The work terminal availability information table 12 indicates, for example, that the work terminal is "user machine X1" and that the terminal availability date "August 13, 2024" is available from midnight to midnight. It also indicates that the terminal availability date "August 14, 2024" is available from midnight to midnight. It also indicates that the terminal availability date "August 15, 2024" is available from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM. The work terminal availability information table 12 is stored, for example, in the memory unit 120 of the application management device 100, and manages the dates and times when no reservations are made for each work terminal.

[0068] The work terminal usage time management unit 103 determines whether the usage time of the work terminal input from the work application management unit 1100 (work terminal usage time table 11) is available in the availability information (work terminal availability information table 12) of the applicant terminal 300. In the above example, the applicant terminal 300, which is user machine X1, is available from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM on August 15, 2024 in the work terminal availability information table 12, so the work terminal usage time management unit 103 makes a reservation in the work terminal availability information table 12 for 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on August 15, 2024, and returns permission to the work application management unit 1100.

[0069] Furthermore, the work terminal usage time management unit 103 updates the terminal availability dates and availability times in the work terminal availability information table 12. In this way, the work terminal usage time management unit 103 manages availability information on whether or not the work terminal is available by comparing the work time of the work terminal described in the work application email (work terminal usage time table 11) with the work terminal availability information table 12 in the storage unit 120 of the application management device 100.

[0070] When the work application management unit 1100 receives a notification of permission from the work terminal usage time management unit 103, it inputs the work applicant information, work host information, work start time information, and work end time information to the work host usage time management unit 104. In this case, the status changes to a host reservation status (S1304).

[0071] On the other hand, if the work time in the work terminal use time table 11 does not correspond to the free time in the work terminal free information table 12, the work terminal use time management unit 103 returns a rejection to the work application management unit 1100, and the status changes to work rejected (S1303).

[0072] When the work application management unit 1100 inputs the application details and the application result that it is rejected to the approval / rejection processing unit 106, the status changes to "waiting for application registration" (S1301). In this case, the approval / rejection processing unit 106 notifies the cloud service 201 of the rejection.

[0073] During host reservation (S1304), the work host usage time management unit 104 performs the same processing as the work terminal usage time management unit 103. That is, if the work host usage time is available based on the input information, the work host usage time management unit 104 reserves the requested time slot and returns permission to the work application management unit 1100. On the other hand, if the work host usage time is not available, the work host usage time management unit 104 returns rejection to the work application management unit 1100.

[0074] 7C is a work host usage time table 13 showing the work host usage information input to the work host usage time management unit 104. As shown in FIG. 7C, the work host usage time table 13 has columns for the work applicant, work host information, work date, work start time, and work end time.

[0075] For example, the work host usage time table 13 contains entries that the work applicant is "A," the work host information is "host machine Y1," the work date is "August 15, 2024," the work start time is "8:00," and the work end time is "17:00." In this way, the work host usage time table 13 contains entries of the work application email received by the email receiving unit 101 of the application management device 100.

[0076] 7D is a work host availability information table 14 showing availability information of the cloud server 202, which is the host machine Y1. As shown in FIG. 7D, the work host availability information table 14 has columns for work host information, host availability date, availability start time, and availability end time.

[0077] The work host availability information table 14 indicates, for example, that the work host is "host machine Y1" and that the host availability date "August 14, 2024" is available from midnight to 6:00 AM. It also indicates that the host availability date "August 15, 2024" is available from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM. It also indicates that the host availability date "August 16, 2024" is available from 8:00 PM to midnight. The work host availability information table 14 is stored, for example, in the memory unit 120 of the request management device 100, and manages the dates and times when no reservations are made for each work host.

[0078] The work host usage time management unit 104 determines whether the work host usage time (work host usage time table 13) input from the work application management unit 1100 is available in the availability information (work host availability information table 14) of the applicant terminal 300. In the above example, the cloud server 202, which is host machine Y1, is available from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM on August 15, 2024 in the work host availability information table 14, so the work host usage time management unit 104 makes a reservation in the work host availability information table 14 for 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on August 15, 2024, and returns permission to the work application management unit 1100.

[0079] The work host usage time management unit 104 also updates the host availability dates and availability times in the work host availability information table 14. In this way, the work host usage time management unit 104 manages availability information on whether the work host is available by comparing the work time (work host usage time table 13) of the work host described in the work application email with the work host availability information table 14 in the memory unit 120 of the application management device 100.

[0080] When the work application management unit 1100 receives a notification of permission from the work host usage time management unit 104, it inputs the work applicant information, work start time information, work end time information, and work procedure manual information to the work procedure manual management unit 105. In this case, the status changes to a status indicating that the work procedure manual is being checked (S1305).

[0081] On the other hand, if the work time in the work host usage time table 13 does not correspond to the available time in the work host availability information table 14, the work host usage time management unit 104 returns a rejection to the work application management unit 1100, and the status changes to work rejected (S1303).

[0082] The work application management unit 1100 inputs the application content and the fact that the application result is rejection to the approval / rejection processing unit 106, and also inputs reservation cancellation information to cancel the reservation of work terminal use time in the work application content to the work terminal use time management unit 103, and moves to a state of waiting for application registration (S1301). In this case too, the approval / rejection processing unit 106 notifies the cloud service 201 of the rejection.

[0083] During the work procedure manual confirmation (S1305), the work procedure manual management unit 105 determines three things as an example: the first is whether a pre-approved work procedure manual is registered with the work procedure number; the second is whether the requested work time period is a time period during which work can be performed; and the third is whether the worker has permission to perform the work in accordance with this work procedure manual.

[0084] Fig. 8A shows a work procedure manual management table 15 indicating the management of work procedure manuals input to the work procedure manual management unit 105. Fig. 8B shows a work procedure manual determination table 16 for determining the suitability of a work procedure manual. The work procedure manual determination table 16 is stored in the storage unit 120 of the application management device 100, for example.

[0085] The work procedure manual management unit 105 generates the work procedure manual determination table 16 shown in FIG. 8B in the storage unit 120 of the application management device 100 based on the work procedure manual management table 15 shown in FIG. 8A, and determines the suitability of the three items.

[0086] As shown in FIG. 8A, the work procedure manual management table 15 has columns for the work applicant, work start time, work end time, and work procedure manual information.

[0087] For example, the work procedure manual management table 15 contains information that the work applicant is "A", the work start time is "8:00", the work end time is "17:00", and the work procedure manual information is "Work procedure document Z1".

[0088] The work procedure manual determination table 16 shown in FIG. 8B has columns for work procedure number, work procedure manual, work time zone check, and whether or not work is permitted.

[0089] In the work procedure manual determination table 16, for example, the work procedure number is "Procedure 1", the work procedure manual is "Work Procedure Document Z1", the work time zone check is "OK", and whether or not work permission is granted is "Yes".

[0090] The work procedure manual management unit 105 judges the work procedure manual judgment table 16 based on three criteria. In Fig. 8B, the work procedure manual management unit 105 has registered a pre-approved work procedure document Z1 with a work procedure number, the work application time period is a time period during which work can be performed, and the worker has permission to perform the work in accordance with this work procedure manual, so all three requirements are met. Therefore, the work procedure manual management unit 105 returns permission to the work application management unit 1100.

[0091] When the work application management unit 1100 receives permission from the work procedure manual management unit 105, the status changes to "Work Approval in Progress" (S1307). When the work application management unit 1100 inputs the content of the work application and permission to the approval / rejection processing unit 106, the status returns to "Waiting for application registration" (S1301).

[0092] On the other hand, while the work procedure manual is being checked (S1305), the work procedure manual judgment table 16 is judged, and if any one of the three suitability criteria is not met, the work procedure manual management unit 105 returns "hold." When the work application management unit 1100 receives "hold" from the work procedure manual management unit 105, it transitions the status to "work approval confirmation in progress" (S1306).

[0093] During work approval confirmation (S1306), the work application management unit 1100 inputs information about the contents of the work application to the mail transmission unit 102 and starts the result waiting timer 1241.

[0094] The email sending unit 102 sends information about the content of the work application to the email address of the approver registered in advance via the Internet 500. Then, the email receiving unit 101 of the application management device 100 waits for a response regarding the pending content from the approver terminal 400, who is the approver.

[0095] When the mail receiving unit 101 receives the approval result mail from the approver terminal 400 via the Internet 500, it inputs information about the contents of the work application and approval / non-approval information indicating approval or rejection to the work application management unit 1100. The approval / non-approval information indicates whether approval is permitted or not.

[0096] The work application management unit 1100 stops the corresponding result waiting timer 1241, and if the approval / non-approval information indicates approval, transitions the status to work approval in progress (S1307).Then, the work application management unit 1100 inputs the content of the work application and approval to the approval / rejection processing unit 106, and transitions the status to waiting for application registration (S1301).

[0097] On the other hand, if the approval / non-approval information indicates a rejection that does not permit approval, the work application management unit 1100 transitions the status to work rejected (S1303) and inputs the contents of the work application and the cancellation of the reservation to the work terminal usage time management unit 103 and the work host usage time management unit 104.

[0098] Then, when the work terminal use time management unit 103 and the work host use time management unit 104 input the contents of the work application and the cancellation of the reservation, the status changes to waiting for application registration (S1301).

[0099] Furthermore, when the work procedure manual management unit 105 reserves the request, if the approver terminal 400 responds late with approval / disapproval information and the result waiting timer 1241 times out, the same processing as rejection is performed. That is, the work application management unit 1100 inputs the content of the work application and the cancellation of the reservation to the work terminal usage time management unit 103 and the work host usage time management unit 104, and the status changes to waiting for application registration (S1301).

[0100] The approval / rejection processing unit 106 accesses the cloud service 201 and executes the process of approving or rejecting the target work application according to the content of the work application input from the work application management unit 1100 and the result of approval or rejection. Note that when the application status management unit 1231 transitions from a status other than waiting for application registration to waiting for application registration (S1301), it clears the target application content storage unit 1221.

[0101] As described above, the application management device 100 of this embodiment is configured to include an email receiving unit 101, a work terminal usage time management unit 103, a work host usage time management unit 104, a work procedure manual management unit 105, and an email sending unit 102.

[0102] The work terminal usage time management unit 103 and the work host usage time management unit 104 each determine whether there is free time to work on the application details of the target terminal. The work procedure manual management unit 105 determines whether to automatically approve the application based on the determination results of the work terminal usage time management unit 103 and the work host usage time management unit 104 and the application details sent from the applicant terminal 300.

[0103] As a result, the application management device 100 according to this embodiment can reduce the checking work by the approver for an application from a worker who has the applicant terminal 300, and can quickly approve the application.

[0104] In addition, in this embodiment, the work terminal usage time management unit 103 and the work host usage time management unit 104 make a judgment, and then the work procedure manual management unit 105 automatically makes a judgment, but this embodiment is an example and is not limited to the order of automatic judgment.

[0105] In addition, in this embodiment, the work procedure manual management unit 105 determines whether to automatically approve based on the judgment results of the work terminal usage time management unit 103 and the work host usage time management unit 104 and the application content sent from the applicant terminal 300, but this is just an example and is not limited to this.

[0106] For example, the application management device 100 may be provided with a separate approval / non-approval determination unit that has some of the functions of the work procedure manual management unit 105. In this case, the approval / non-approval determination unit can determine whether the application content transmitted from the applicant terminal 300 can be automatically approved.

[0107] As a result, the application management device 100 of this embodiment may have an email receiving unit 101 that receives the application content sent from the applicant terminal 300, an approval / non-approval determination unit that determines whether the application content sent from the applicant terminal 300 can be automatically approved, a work terminal usage time management unit 103 and a work host usage time management unit 104 that determine whether there is time available to work on the application content, a work procedure manual management unit 105 that determines whether automatic approval is appropriate based on the determination results of the approval / non-approval determination unit, the work terminal usage time management unit 103, and the work host usage time management unit 104, and an email sending unit 102 that sends the determination result of the work procedure manual management unit 105 to the applicant terminal 300.

[0108] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the cloud service 201 of the public cloud 200 has been used for explanation, but this is not limited to the cloud service 201, and for example, the application management device 100 can also be applied when a local area network is configured.

[0109] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the work procedure manual management unit 105 judges whether the work procedure manual is suitable or not for three conditions, and if any one of the conditions is not met, it sends a hold to the approver terminal 400 and obtains a response from the approver terminal 400, but this embodiment is an example and is not limited to this.

[0110] For example, when the email receiving unit 101 receives a work application email from work applicant "B" in Fig. 6, the work terminal usage time management unit 103 and the work host usage time management unit 104 may respond to the work application management unit 1100 to put the application on hold and obtain approval / non-approval information. Depending on the work, time restrictions or day restrictions on the work may be expected, so even if the work time does not match the available time, it is practically beneficial to put the application on hold and have the approver check it.

[0111] Furthermore, since work procedures are assumed to be approved in advance and are generally reviewed in advance, the work procedure management unit 105 flexibly applies reservations to appropriately process approvals, and can approve important applications with increased certainty.

[0112] For example, in the work procedure manual determination table 16 shown in FIG. 8B, the work procedure manual management unit 105 determines whether or not a worker has permission to perform work in this work procedure manual. A worker's permission can be reviewed as needed, and even if a worker initially has permission to perform work, the reliability of approval can be improved by updating the worker's permission as needed and applying a hold as appropriate. Specifically, an update to a worker includes, for example, adding a designated worker or obtaining permission from another approver. [Explanation of symbols]

[0113] 100 Application management device 101 Mail receiving unit (receiving unit) 102 Email sending unit (sending unit) 103 Work terminal usage time management unit (time determination unit) 104 Work host usage time management unit (time determination unit) 105 Work Procedure Manual Management Department (Approval Approval Determination Department, Approval Determination Department) 106 Approval / Rejection Processing Unit 110 CPU 120 Storage section 130 ROM 140 RAM 150 Input section 160 Display section 180 Communications Department 200 public clouds 201 Cloud Services 202 Cloud Server 300 Applicant terminal 400 Approver Terminal 500 Internet 600 Application Management System 1100 Work Application Management Department 1101,1102,110n Individual management department 1221,1222,122n Application content storage department 1231, 1232, 123n Application Status Management Department 1241,1242,124n Result waiting timer

Claims

1. a receiving unit that receives the application content transmitted from the terminal; an approval / non-approval determination unit that determines whether the application content transmitted from the terminal is automatically approved; a time determination unit that determines whether or not there is free time to work on the application content; an approval determination unit that determines whether to automatically approve the request based on the determination results of the approval determination unit and the time determination unit; a transmitting unit that transmits a determination result of the approval determination unit to the terminal; An application management device comprising:

2. a storage unit that stores approval items included in the application content, The application management device according to claim 1 further comprising:

3. The transmission unit If the approval determination unit automatically approves, it transmits a notice of approval to the terminal and / or the approver terminal. The application management device according to claim 1 .

4. The approval determination unit If automatic approval is not possible, the system will wait for a specified period of time. The transmission unit Sending a message to the approver terminal indicating that automatic approval is not possible; The application management device according to claim 3 .

5. When the determination result of either the approval determination unit or the time determination unit includes an item for which the application content cannot be automatically approved, The transmission unit Send a notification to the approver's terminal to confirm the item. The application management device according to claim 1 .

6. a receiving unit receiving the application content transmitted from the terminal; an approval / non-approval determination unit determining whether the application content transmitted from the terminal can be automatically approved; a step of a time determination unit determining whether or not there is time available to work on the application content; an approval determination unit determining whether to automatically approve the request based on the determination results of the approval / non-approval determination unit and the time determination unit; a transmitting unit transmitting a determination result of the approval determination unit to the terminal; An approval method for an application management device, comprising:

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