Information processing device, information processing method, and program

Abstract

Notify users of products that are selling well. [Solution] The CPU (setting unit) of the client terminal (information processing device) sets multiple classification items for each of the multiple products. The CPU (reception unit) receives input of a specified product from the user (step S42). The CPU (extraction unit) extracts products as similar products that match the received specified product in at least some of the multiple classification items and that satisfy predetermined conditions, including that the product has been sold to a predetermined number of customers or more (step S44). The CPU (control unit) displays information about the extracted similar products on the display unit (steps S45, S46).

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] In the distribution of goods, cooperation between the selling side and the purchasing side is important. For example, in response to an inquiry from a customer terminal, a delivery date of a quotation target product is calculated, and when the calculated delivery date does not satisfy the desired delivery date, a list of alternative products is created and transmitted to the customer terminal (see Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Wholesalers purchase goods from suppliers and sell the goods to retailers, which are their customers. It is important for wholesalers not only to sell the goods ordered by retailers but also to present popular goods to retailers. However, the above conventional technology only presents alternative products, and it was unclear whether there was a chance of selling those alternative products.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the problems in the above conventional technology, and an object thereof is to notify a user of popular goods.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, the information processing device according to the present invention comprises: a setting unit for setting multiple classification items for each of multiple products; a receiving unit for receiving input of specified products by a user; an extraction unit for extracting similar products that match the specified products received by the receiving unit with at least some of the multiple classification items and that satisfy predetermined conditions including being sold to a predetermined number of customers; and a control unit for displaying information about the similar products extracted by the extraction unit on a display unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, users can be notified of products that are selling well. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of a sales management system in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the server. [Figure 3] This block diagram shows the functional configuration of the client terminal. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of the contents of a product master file. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of the contents of a product-specific rank management table. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of the contents of a customer-specific rank management table. [Figure 7] This is the flowchart for the product registration process. [Figure 8] This figure shows an example of a product registration screen. [Figure 9] This is a flowchart showing the sales planning process. [Figure 10] This figure shows an example of a system settings screen. [Figure 11] This diagram shows an example of the notification settings screen. [Figure 12] This figure shows an example of the performance rank aggregation screen. [Figure 13]It is a flowchart showing the process of determining popular products. [Figure 14] It is a diagram showing an example of a support panel on which a POP creation button and a DM issuance button are displayed. [Figure 15] It is a diagram showing an example of a POP editing screen. [Figure 16] It is a diagram showing an example of a DM editing screen. [Figure 17] It is a flowchart showing the process of presenting similar products. [Figure 18] It is a diagram showing an example of an estimate input screen on which a dialog indicating that there are similar products is displayed. [Figure 19] It is a diagram showing an example of a support panel on which a similar product button is displayed. [Figure 20] It is a diagram showing an example of a support panel on which product information of similar products is displayed.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program according to the present invention will be described based on the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the sales management system 1 includes a server 2 and a plurality (for example, three) of client terminals 3. The server 2 and the client terminals 3 are connected to be able to communicate information via a communication network N.

[0010] Server 2 is, for example, a server on the cloud, and provides support for sales management operations such as procurement, order taking, inventory management, shipping, delivery, billing, and sales planning for each company that has implemented the sales management system 1. Server 2 stores and manages various information uploaded from each client terminal 3 and provides various information in response to requests from each client terminal 3. Client terminal 3 (information processing device) is, for example, a terminal device used by employees of each company that has implemented the sales management system 1. In this embodiment, client terminal 3 is used by wholesalers. Client terminal 3 has a function to support the wholesaler's procurement proposals to retailers. Examples of client terminal 3 include notebook PCs (Personal Computers) and desktop PCs. However, client terminal 3 is not limited to these and may also be a smartphone, tablet PC, mobile phone, or PDA (Personal Digital Assistant). The communication network N is, for example, the internet, but may also be other networks such as a LAN (Local Area Network).

[0011] As shown in Figure 2, Server 2 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 21, RAM (Random Access Memory) 22, a storage unit 23, an operation unit 24, a display unit 25, a communication unit 26, a bus 27, and the like. Each part of Server 2 is connected via the bus 27. The CPU 21 is a processor that controls each part of Server 2. The CPU 21 reads a specified program from the system programs and application programs stored in the storage unit 23, loads it into the RAM 22, and executes various processes according to that program. The RAM 22 is, for example, a volatile memory and has a work area that temporarily stores various programs and data read by the CPU 21. The storage unit 23 includes a storage device that allows data to be written to and read, such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive), and stores files containing various programs and data.

[0012] The operation unit 24 has a key input unit such as a keyboard and a pointing device such as a mouse, accepts key operation inputs and position operation inputs from the user, and outputs the operation information to the CPU 21. The CPU 21 accepts the input operations of the user based on the information transmitted from the operation unit 24. The display unit 25 is composed of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an EL (Electro Luminescence) display, etc., and performs various displays according to the display information instructed by the CPU 21. The communication unit 26 is composed of a network card or the like. The communication unit 26 is communicatively connected to the communication network N and communicates with devices on the communication network N.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 3, the client terminal 3 includes a CPU 31, a RAM 32, a storage unit 33, an operation unit 34, a display unit 35, a communication unit 36, a printing device 37, a bus 38 (including an external bus), and the like. Each part of the client terminal 3 is connected via the bus 38. The CPU 31 (setting unit, reception unit, extraction unit, control unit) is a processor that controls each part of the client terminal 3. The CPU 31 reads out a specified program from the system program and application programs stored in the storage unit 33, expands it in the RAM 32, and executes various processes according to the program. The RAM 32 is, for example, a volatile memory and has a work area for temporarily storing various programs and data read by the CPU 31.

[0014] The storage unit 33 includes a storage device capable of writing and reading data, such as an HDD and an SSD, and stores files including various programs and data. Data stored in the storage unit 33 includes a product master file 331, a customer master file 332, an ABC rank standard table 333, a notification control table 334, a rank management table 335 by product, a rank management table 336 by customer, and the like. Although not shown in the figure, the storage unit 33 stores transaction data such as voucher details and inventory ledgers in addition to the above data.

[0015] As shown in Figure 4, the product master file 331 is a product database in which each registered product is associated with and stored data such as product code, product name, major category, medium category, minor category, supplier code, supplier name, unit price excluding tax, image file name, product description, and catchphrase. The image file name, product description, catchphrase, and other data included in the product master file 331 are used when creating POP (point of purchase) displays or issuing direct mail. The unit price excluding tax for each product included in the product master file 331 is the retail price. The retail price is the price set by wholesalers and manufacturers for retailers, and is the price at which general consumers purchase products at retail stores. The data included in the product master file 331 is added to the product master file 331 when the user inputs information using the operation unit 34 while the product registration screen 41 (see Figure 8) is displayed on the display unit 35.

[0016] The customer master file 332 is a customer database in which, for each registered customer, the customer code, customer name, recipient name, postal code, upper part of the address, and lower part of the address are associated and stored. A customer is the person (destination) to whom the user (wholesaler) sells goods. The data contained in the customer master file 332 is used when issuing direct mail, etc. Data to be included in the customer master file 332 is added to the customer master file 332 when the user inputs information using the operation unit 34 while a predetermined customer registration screen (not shown) is displayed on the display unit 35.

[0017] The ABC Rank Criteria Table 333 stores data that serves as the basis for the A-rank percentage, B-rank percentage, and C-rank percentage for each target category (customer, product). In other words, the ABC Rank Criteria Table 333 contains the criteria for ranking products registered in the product master file 331, and the criteria for ranking customers registered in the customer master file 332. For example, if the A-rank percentage for a product is set to "80", the B-rank percentage to "90", and the C-rank percentage to "100", then the product group that accounts for the top 80% of total sales (including 80%) will be A-rank products, the product group that accounts for the top 80% to 90% of total sales (excluding 80% but including 90%) will be B-rank products, and the product group that accounts for the top 90% to 100% of total sales (excluding 90% but including 100%) will be C-rank products. Furthermore, if the percentage of A-rank customers is set to "80", the percentage of B-rank customers to "90", and the percentage of C-rank customers to "100", then the customer group accounting for the top 80% of total sales (including 80%) will be designated as A-rank customers, the customer group accounting for the top 80% to 90% of total sales (excluding 80% but including 90%) will be designated as B-rank customers, and the customer group accounting for the top 90% to 100% of total sales (excluding 90% but including 100%) will be designated as C-rank customers. Here, sales refer to the sales of wholesalers using the sales management system 1. Note that the data for the percentages of A-rank, B-rank, and C-rank customers can be set by the user inputting information using the operation unit 34 while the system setting screen 42 (see Figure 10) is displayed on the display unit 35. Also, the ranking of products or customers is not limited to this, and may be based on sales volume, profit margin, etc.

[0018] The notification control table 334 is a setting table for the conditions for issuing a predetermined notification, and stores data such as the system code, the number of customer records for a product, and the product notification classification. The system code is a code assigned to a record in the notification control table 334. The number of customer records for a product indicates how many customers a product must have transactions with to be considered a successful product. The product notification classification indicates, in the quotation process, to what extent a product must match a designated product within a group of successful products to be considered a similar product. For example, if the product notification classification is "1", products that match in all major, medium, and minor categories are considered similar. If the product notification classification is "2", products that match in major and medium categories are considered similar. If the product notification classification is "3", products that match only in major category are considered similar. In the notification control table 334, if the number of product customers is set to "20 (items)", then among the A-rank products, those with 20 or more customers will be treated as successful products. Also, in the notification control table 334, if the product notification classification is set to "1", then products that match in all three categories (major, medium, and minor) will be treated as similar. The data for the number of product customers and the product notification classification can be set by the user using the operation unit 34 while the notification setting screen 43 (see Figure 11) is displayed on the display unit 35.

[0019] As shown in Figure 5, the product-specific rank management table 335 is a table that manages the results of the product-specific rank aggregation process (step S16 in Figure 9), which will be described later, and is updated each time the product-specific rank aggregation process is executed. The product-specific rank management table 335 stores the following data for each product registered in the product master file 331, with the product code, year and month, total sales amount, sales composition ratio, cumulative sales composition ratio, ABC rank, number of customers for the product, DM recipient code, and previous unit price associated with each product, and is stored in descending order of total sales amount. Here, year and month refers to the year and month (period) that was the subject of the product-specific rank aggregation process. Total sales amount refers to the sum of the net sales amounts for the corresponding products in the year and month that was the subject of the product-specific rank aggregation process. Sales composition ratio is the percentage of the total sales amount of each product relative to the total sales amount of all products. Cumulative sales composition ratio is the sum of the sales composition ratios in descending order of total sales amount. The ABC rank indicates the result of product ranking based on the criteria set in the ABC rank criteria table 333. The ABC rank corresponds to the cumulative sales share, with products whose cumulative sales share is 80% or less (product codes "000001" and "000002" in Figure 5) being A-rank products. Products whose cumulative sales share is greater than 80% but 90% or less (product code "000004" in Figure 5) are B-rank products. Furthermore, products whose cumulative sales share is greater than 90% but 100% or less (product codes "000005" and "000003" in Figure 5) are C-rank products. The number of customers for a product is the number of customers with whom a transaction has occurred for the corresponding product. The DM recipient code is the customer code of the customer with the highest sales ranking among customers with no transaction history for the corresponding product. The previous unit price is the retail price of the corresponding product when it was last traded. Note that the product code "[00000000000]" shown in the bottom row of product-specific rank management table 335 represents the total code for all products.

[0020] As shown in Figure 6, the customer-specific rank management table 336 is a table that manages the results of the customer-specific rank aggregation process (step S15 in Figure 9), which will be described later, and is updated each time the customer-specific rank aggregation process is executed. The customer-specific rank management table 336 stores data for each customer registered in the customer master file 332, with the customer code, year and month, total sales amount, sales composition ratio, cumulative sales composition ratio, ABC rank, and sales rank associated with each customer, in descending order of total sales amount. Here, year and month refers to the year and month (period) that was the subject of the customer-specific rank aggregation process. Total sales amount refers to the sum of net sales amounts to the corresponding customer in the year and month that was the subject of the customer-specific rank aggregation process. Sales composition ratio is the percentage of the total sales amount to each customer relative to the total sales amount to all customers. Cumulative sales composition ratio is the sum of the sales composition ratios in descending order of total sales amount. The ABC rank indicates the result of customer ranking based on the criteria set in the ABC rank criteria table 333. The sales ranking is the customer's sales ranking for the period (year and month) covered by the customer-specific rank aggregation process. The customer code "[00000000000]" shown in the bottom row of the customer-specific rank management table 336 represents the total code for all customers.

[0021] The operation unit 34 has a key input unit such as a keyboard and a pointing device such as a mouse, and receives key operation input and position operation input from the user and outputs the operation information to the CPU 31. The CPU 31 accepts user input operations based on the information transmitted from the operation unit 34. The display unit 35 is composed of an LCD, EL display, etc., and displays various information according to the display information instructed by the CPU 31. The communication unit 36 ​​is composed of a network card, etc. The communication unit 36 ​​is connected to the communication network N and communicates with devices on the communication network N.

[0022] The printing device 37 prints image data and other information onto paper in response to print instructions input from the CPU 31 to create POP (Point of Purchase advertising) and DM (Direct Mail). POP refers to advertisements and displays placed in stores. In this embodiment, it is assumed that wholesalers provide POP along with goods when delivering them to retailers, so that retailers will use the POP. DM refers to printed materials such as postcards containing advertisements to encourage the purchase of goods. In this embodiment, wholesalers send DM to retailers.

[0023] Next, we will explain the operation on client terminal 3. First, we will explain the product registration process with reference to Figure 7. The product registration process is performed when the sales management system 1 starts up. The CPU 31 of client terminal 3 accepts input such as the product name (step S1). Here, the CPU 31 displays the product registration screen 41 shown in Figure 8 on the display unit 35. The product registration screen 41 is the screen used when registering a product. The user inputs the product code, product name, supplier code, supplier name, unit price excluding tax, etc. via the operation unit 34. Specifically, the user enters the product code in the "product code" input field 411 and the product name in the "product name" input field 412. The user also selects the "supplier" tab 413 and enters the supplier code and supplier name in the "supplier" input field (not shown). The user selects the "unit price" tab 414 and enters the unit price excluding tax in the "unit price" input field (not shown).

[0024] Next, the CPU 31 accepts input for the classification of the target product (step S2). The user selects the "Classification" tab 415 on the product registration screen 41 via the operation unit 34 and enters the major, medium, and minor classifications of the target product in the "Classification" input field 416. In Figure 8, "Agricultural Products" is entered as the major classification, "Fruits and Vegetables" as the medium classification, and "Pumpkin" as the minor classification. Next, the CPU 31 accepts the selection of an image for POP for the target product (step S3). The user selects the "Image" tab 417 on the product registration screen 41 via the operation unit 34 and selects the image to be used for POP (photo, illustration, etc.) on the image selection screen (not shown).

[0025] Next, the CPU 31 accepts input for the product description and catchphrase for the target product (step S4). The user selects the "Product Description" tab 418 on the product registration screen 41 via the operation unit 34 and enters the product description and catchphrase in the "Product Description" input field (not shown). The product description and catchphrase are used in creating the POP. Next, the CPU 31 adds a record to the product master file 331 and updates the product master file 331 based on the information entered or selected in steps S1 to S4 (step S5). For images for POP, the CPU 31 stores the file name of the POP image in the "Image File Name" field of the product master file 331 and saves the POP image file to the storage unit 33. This completes the product registration process.

[0026] Next, the sales planning process will be explained with reference to Figure 9. First, the CPU 31 of the client terminal 3 accepts the setting of criteria for determining customer rank and product rank (step S11). Here, the CPU 31 displays the system setting screen 42 shown in Figure 10 on the display unit 35. The system setting screen 42 is a screen for setting criteria for classifying customers and products into A / B / C ranks. The system setting screen 42 includes threshold input areas 421 to 424. The user, via the operation unit 34, inputs the first threshold, which is the criterion for determining an A-rank customer, into the threshold input area 421, and the second threshold, which is the criterion for determining a B-rank customer, into the threshold input area 422. Customers included in the customer group that accounts for the top 1 threshold (%) of total sales are A-rank customers. Customers included in the customer group that accounts for the top 1 threshold (%) to the 2nd threshold (%) of total sales are B-rank customers. Customers excluding A-rank and B-rank customers are C-rank customers.

[0027] Similarly, the user inputs a third threshold, which is the criterion for determining an A-rank product, into the threshold input area 423 via the operation unit 34, and a fourth threshold, which is the criterion for determining a B-rank product, into the threshold input area 424. Products included in the group of products that account for the top 3 thresholds (%) of total sales are A-rank products. Products included in the group of products that account for the top 3 to 4 thresholds (%) of total sales are B-rank products. Products excluding A-rank and B-rank products are C-rank products. The CPU 31 updates the ABC rank criterion table 333 based on the input information (1st to 4th thresholds).

[0028] Next, the CPU 31 accepts the setting of criteria for determining a successful product (step S12). Here, the CPU 31 displays the notification setting screen 43 shown in Figure 11 on the display unit 35. The notification setting screen 43 includes a setting value input area 431 and a classification category input area 432. The user inputs the setting value (number of customers for the product) that will be used as the criterion for determining a successful product into the setting value input area 431 via the operation unit 34. A product is considered a successful product if it is an A-rank product and the number of customers to whom the product has been sold is equal to or greater than the setting value. Next, the CPU 31 accepts the setting of criteria for determining a similar product (step S13). The user inputs the classification category that will be used as the criterion for determining a similar product into the classification category input area 432 of the notification setting screen 43 via the operation unit 34. The classification category is a value that indicates which level of classification (major, medium, or minor) will be used when determining the similarity between products. Based on the information entered in steps S12 and S13, the CPU 31 updates the "Number of Product Customers" and "Product Notification Classification" in the notification control table 334.

[0029] Next, the CPU 31 accepts the specification of the period for performance rank aggregation (step S14). Here, the CPU 31 displays the performance rank aggregation screen 44 shown in Figure 12 on the display unit 35. The performance rank aggregation screen 44 includes a year and month specification area 441. The user enters the year and month to be used as the aggregation period in the year and month specification area 441 via the operation unit 34. Next, the CPU 31 executes customer-specific rank aggregation processing based on transaction data such as invoice details stored in the storage unit 33 (step S15). Specifically, the CPU 31 calculates the total sales amount for each customer during the aggregation period. The CPU 31 sorts each customer in descending order of total sales amount, and this rank is called the "sales rank". For each customer with sales, the CPU 31 calculates the sales composition ratio and the cumulative sales composition ratio. The CPU 31 refers to the ABC rank criteria table 333 and determines the customer rank (ABC rank) for each customer with whom a sale has been made, based on the cumulative sales composition ratio of that customer. Then, the CPU 31 updates the customer rank management table 336 based on the results of the customer rank aggregation process.

[0030] Next, the CPU 31 performs product-specific rank aggregation processing based on transaction data such as invoice details stored in the memory unit 33 (step S16). Specifically, the CPU 31 calculates the total sales amount for each product by summing the sales amounts for the aggregation period. The CPU 31 sorts each product in descending order of total sales amount. The CPU 31 calculates the sales composition ratio and the cumulative sales composition ratio for each product that has been sold. The CPU 31 refers to the ABC rank criteria table 333 and determines the product rank (ABC rank) for each product that has been sold based on the cumulative sales composition ratio of that product. The CPU 31 also finds the number of customers with whom a transaction occurred (number of customers for each product) for each product that has been sold. For each product, the CPU 31 identifies the customer with the highest sales ranking among customers who have not had a transaction history for that product, and sets the customer code corresponding to that customer as the "DM issuer code". Here, CPU31 refers to transaction data to determine whether or not there is a transaction history, and to customer-specific rank management table 336 to determine the sales ranking of customers. CPU31 also retrieves the previous unit price (list price) from the transaction data for each product that has been sold. Then, CPU31 updates product-specific rank management table 335 based on the results of the product-specific rank aggregation process.

[0031] Next, the CPU 31 performs a performance product determination process (step S17). In the performance product determination process, as shown in Figure 13, the CPU 31 refers to the product-specific rank management table 335 updated in step S16 and determines whether or not there are any performance products (step S21). Specifically, the CPU 31 determines whether or not there are any products in the product-specific rank management table 335 that are A-rank products and whose "number of product customers" is equal to or greater than the setting value set in step S12. For example, if the "number of product customers (setting value)" in the notification control table 334 is "20 (items)", then, using the product-specific rank management table 335 in Figure 5 as an example, the product with product code "000001", "Miyako Pumpkin" (see Figure 4), would be considered a performance product. If it is determined that there are performance products in the product-specific rank management table 335 (step S21; YES), the CPU 31 extracts the data for the performance products (step S22). Specifically, the product code, product name, direct mail recipient code, and previous unit price of the best-selling products are extracted and stored in the storage unit 33 as CSV data. Here, the CPU 31 obtains the product code, direct mail recipient code, and previous unit price of the best-selling products from the product-specific rank management table 335. The CPU 31 also obtains the product name corresponding to the product code of the best-selling products from the product master file 331.

[0032] Next, the CPU 31 displays the POP creation button and DM issuance button for the best-selling product on the display unit 35 (step S23). For example, as shown in Figure 14, the CPU 31 displays the POP creation button B1 and DM issuance button B2 for the best-selling product on the support panel SP1. If "Miyako Pumpkin" is a best-selling product, the support panel SP1 will display the POP creation button B1 and DM issuance button B2 related to "Miyako Pumpkin". The support panel is a screen on the client terminal 3 that supports the execution of main sales management tasks while using sales management applications.

[0033] The CPU 31 determines whether the POP creation button B1 has been pressed based on the operation from the operation unit 34 (step S24). If it is determined that the POP creation button B1 has been pressed (step S24; YES), the CPU 31 displays the POP editing screen 45 shown in Figure 15 on the display unit 35 (step S25). The POP editing screen 45 includes a "product name" display field 451, a "product description" display field 452, a "catchphrase" display field 453, an "image" display field 454, a "unit price" display field 455, etc. The CPU 31 automatically creates POP images (data for POP printing) for popular products by referring to the CSV data extracted for popular products and the product master file 331. The CPU 31 refers to the product master file 331 and displays the product name (e.g., "Miyako Pumpkin"), product description (e.g., "Produced in Hokkaido"), catchphrase (e.g., "Directly from the Producer"), and image file name (e.g., "pumpkin1.jpg") of the target product in the "Product Name" display field 451, "Product Description" display field 452, "Catchphrase" display field 453, and "Image" display field 454, respectively. For the product price, the CPU 31 defaults to the price calculated from the previous unit price of the target product included in the CSV data (e.g., "210 (yen)") and displays it in the "Unit Price" display field 455. If the user wants to change the product name, product description, catchphrase, image, unit price, etc., they correct or modify each item on the POP editing screen 45. The CPU 31 stores the edited POP image in the storage unit 33. The CPU 31, in response to a print command from the user via the control unit 34, issues a print command to the printing device 37, causing the POP displayed on the display unit 35 to be printed on the designated paper (step S26). The user can easily create and print POPs for popular products and immediately use them for sales promotion activities.

[0034] If it is determined in step S24 that the POP creation button B1 was not pressed (step S24; NO), the CPU 31 determines whether or not the DM issuance button B2 was pressed by an operation from the operation unit 34 (step S27). If it is determined that the DM issuance button B2 was pressed (step S27; YES), the CPU 31 sets the customer with the highest sales ranking among customers who have no transaction history for the popular product as the recipient (step S28). Specifically, the CPU 31 sets the recipient based on the "DM recipient code" contained in the CSV data extracted for the popular product.

[0035] Next, the CPU 31 displays the DM editing screen 46 shown in Figure 16 on the display unit 35 (step S29). The DM editing screen 46 includes a "Recipient" display field 461, etc. The CPU 31 refers to the customer master file 332 to obtain various information corresponding to the DM recipient code (customer code) and automatically creates a DM image (data for DM printing) for the DM recipient. For DM recipients of the target product (for example, "Miyako Pumpkin"), the CPU 31 creates a default DM image (front) based on the customer name (for example, "Tanaka Trading Co., Ltd."), recipient name (for example, "Hanako Tanaka"), postal code, upper address, and lower address, which correspond to the customer code (for example, "000012") registered in the customer master file 332. The product information for the default DM image (back) can be created in the same way as for the POP image. If the user wants to change the address, recipient name, etc., they can correct or modify each item on the DM editing screen 46 each time. The CPU 31 stores the edited DM image in the storage unit 33.

[0036] The CPU 31, in response to a print command from the user via the control unit 34, issues a print command to the printing device 37, causing the DM displayed on the display unit 35 to be printed on a postcard (step S30). Since DMs for customers with no prior transaction history are automatically created, the user can easily print them. The user can easily conduct effective promotional activities without missing the opportune time to sell popular products.

[0037] If it is determined in step S27 that the DM issuance button B2 was not pressed (step S27; NO), then after step S26 or after step S30, the CPU 31 determines whether or not the operation to confirm successful products has been completed based on the operation from the operation unit 34 (step S31). If it is determined that there has been no operation to confirm successful products (step S31; NO), the CPU 31 returns to step S24. If it is determined in step S21 that there are no successful products in the product-specific rank management table 335 (step S21; NO), or if it is determined in step S31 that the operation to confirm successful products has been completed (step S31; YES), then the successful product determination process ends. Then, the process returns to Figure 9 and the sales planning business process ends.

[0038] Next, the process of suggesting similar products will be explained with reference to Figure 17. First, the CPU 31 of the client terminal 3 displays the quotation slip input screen on the display unit 35 (step S41). The quotation slip input screen is used when creating a quotation slip, and allows input of data such as quotation number, quotation date, customer, recipient name, product name, quantity, number of items per package, and unit price via the operation unit 34. Next, the CPU 31 accepts input of the products to be quoted on the quotation slip input screen (step S42). The user inputs the products to be quoted via the operation unit 34.

[0039] Here, the CPU 31 determines whether the entered product (specified product) is a popular product (step S43). Specifically, the CPU 31 determines whether the specified product is an A-rank product and whether it is sold to more than the "number of customers for the product (set value)" in the notification control table 334. For example, if "Ebisu Pumpkin," whose product code is "000004," is entered as the item to be quoted, referring to the record corresponding to "Ebisu Pumpkin" in the product-specific rank management table 335, it will be determined that it is a B-rank product and the number of customers for the product is less than the set value in the notification control table 334, so "Ebisu Pumpkin" does not qualify as a popular product.

[0040] If the specified product is determined not to be a good selling product (step S43; NO), the CPU 31 refers to the product master file 331, the product-specific rank management table 335, and the notification control table 334 to determine whether there are any similar good selling products (similar products) to the specified product (step S44). Specifically, the CPU 31 refers to the "product notification classification category" in the notification control table 334 to determine which level of major / medium / minor classification to use to determine the similarity between products. The CPU 31 extracts products from the product master file 331 that have the same classification items as the specified product within the range indicated by the "product notification classification category". The CPU 31 refers to the product-specific rank management table 335 and identifies products that are A-ranked and have a customer count equal to or greater than the value set in the notification control table 334 as "similar products". For example, if the number of product customers in the notification control table 334 is "20" and the product notification classification is "1", then when "Ebisu Pumpkin" is entered as a product to be quoted, "Miyako Pumpkin" will be considered a similar product because its major, medium, and minor product classifications are the same ("Agricultural Products," "Fruits and Vegetables," and "Pumpkin"), it is ranked A, and it has 20 or more product customers.

[0041] If it is determined that there is a similar product that is selling well (step S44; YES), the CPU 31 notifies the user of the existence of a similar product (step S45). Specifically, as shown in Figure 18, the CPU 31 displays a dialog box 471 on the quotation slip input screen 47 indicating that there is a similar product. Here, it is shown that there is a similar product that is selling well for "Ebisu Pumpkin" entered in the product name input field 472 of the quotation slip input screen 47. In this way, the CPU 31 can show the user that there is a product similar to the specified product among the selling products. Note that the dialog box 471 may also display product information of the similar product, such as the product name. Furthermore, the CPU 31 displays a similar product button on the display unit 35 (step S46). For example, if "Miyako Pumpkin" is a similar product, the CPU 31 displays a similar product button B3 for "Miyako Pumpkin" on the support panel SP2, as shown in Figure 19.

[0042] Next, the CPU 31 determines whether the similar product button B3 has been pressed based on the operation from the operation unit 34 (step S47). If it is determined that the similar product button B3 has been pressed (step S47; YES), the CPU 31 refers to the product master file 331, inventory ledger, etc., stored in the storage unit 33 and displays the product information (detailed information) of similar products on the display unit 35 (step S48). For example, if the similar product button B3 for "Miyako Pumpkin" is pressed, the CPU 31 displays the product information (inventory information, etc.) for "Miyako Pumpkin" on the support panel SP3, as shown in Figure 20. When the close button B4 is pressed on the support panel SP3, it returns to the state of the support panel SP2 shown in Figure 19.

[0043] In step S43, if it is determined that the specified product is a good-selling product (step S43; YES), in step S44, if it is determined that there are no good-selling products similar to the specified product (step S44; NO), in step S47, if it is determined that the similar product button B3 is not pressed (step S47; NO), or after step S48, the similar product suggestion process ends. The user may, in the quotation process, submit quotations for similar products in addition to the specified product, and create multiple patterns of quotations.

[0044] As explained above, the CPU 31 of the client terminal 3 sets multiple classification items (major category / medium category / minor category) for each of the multiple products. The CPU 31 accepts input of a specified product from the user. The CPU 31 extracts products as similar products that match the accepted specified product in at least some of the multiple classification items, and that meet predetermined conditions, including being sold to a predetermined number of customers (the number of product customers set in the notification control table 334). The CPU 31 displays information about the extracted similar products (similar product button B3, dialog 471) on the display unit 35. Therefore, the client terminal 3 extracts products that are similar to the specified product and have been sold to a predetermined number of customers, so it can notify the user of products that are selling well. For example, the sale of products from wholesalers to retailers is partly routine work, so there was a risk of missing the opportunity to present retailers with popular products (similar products) that are similar to the specified product. In contrast, the client terminal 3 can alert the user to products that are interchangeable with the specified product during periods when popular products are selling well. Users (wholesalers) can propose the procurement of similar products to their customers (retailers). Furthermore, customers can gain opportunities to procure more popular products, thereby optimizing supply and demand.

[0045] Furthermore, the specified conditions include the product being part of a product group that accounts for a predetermined percentage (a standard set in the ABC rank criteria table 333) of the top-selling products overall. Therefore, according to the client terminal 3, products with a relatively high sales ratio relative to total sales are extracted as similar products, allowing the user to be notified of products that are selling well. In addition, the CPU 31 of the client terminal 3 extracts similar products if the number of customers to whom the specified product is sold is less than a predetermined number, or if the specified product is not part of a product group that accounts for a predetermined percentage or more of total sales. In other words, the CPU 31 extracts similar products when the specified product does not qualify as a best-selling product. On the other hand, if the specified product qualifies as a best-selling product, there is no need to recommend the purchase of another product. Therefore, according to the client terminal 3, similar products can be extracted according to the expected improvement in the sales of the product.

[0046] Furthermore, the CPU 31 of the client terminal 3 sets multiple classification items, namely major, medium, and minor classifications. The CPU 31 extracts products that match the specified product up to a predetermined level in the major, medium, and minor classifications and that meet predetermined conditions as similar products. Therefore, the client terminal 3 can pre-determine to what level of matching in classification items in relation to the specified product constitutes a similar product. Thus, the scope of similarity can be changed according to the user's wishes.

[0047] Furthermore, the CPU 31 of the client terminal 3 displays information about similar products as a button (similar product button B3) on the display unit 35, and when the button is pressed, it displays detailed information about the similar product on the display unit 35. Therefore, the client terminal 3 can provide the user with detailed information about similar products. In addition, the CPU 31 of the client terminal 3 extracts similar products when a specified product is entered during the quotation process. For example, when a wholesaler issues a quotation to a retailer, it extracts products that are similar to the specified product desired by the retailer and have been sold to a predetermined number of customers or more, so that the user can be notified of products that are selling well.

[0048] Furthermore, the CPU 31 of the client terminal 3 displays either a POP creation button B1 for creating POP materials or a DM issuance button B2 for issuing direct mail for products that meet predetermined conditions (high-performing products) on the display unit 35. According to the client terminal 3, by operating the POP creation button B1 or the DM issuance button B2, POP creation and DM issuance tasks for products that should be promoted can be carried out smoothly. Automating POP creation and DM issuance reduces the workload. In addition, users can become aware of high-performing products early on, allowing them to conduct effective promotional activities without missing the optimal selling opportunity.

[0049] Furthermore, the CPU 31 of the client terminal 3 displays the DM issuance button B2 on the display unit 35. When the DM issuance button B2 is pressed, the CPU 31 selects the customer with the highest sales ranking among customers who do not have a transaction history for a product that meets the predetermined conditions (a best-selling product) as the recipient of the DM. The CPU 31 may also select multiple customers who do not have a transaction history for a product that meets the predetermined conditions, and whose sales are within a predetermined ranking, as recipients of the DM. According to the client terminal 3, by selecting customers who are likely to purchase a best-selling product as the recipients of the DM, sales promotion activities can be carried out efficiently. In addition, the user can save time and effort searching for customers who do not have a transaction history for best-selling products.

[0050] Although the present invention has been described in detail based on embodiments above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be modified without departing from its essence. The scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but includes the scope of the invention as described in the claims and its equivalents. For example, in the above embodiments, products that are A-rank products and have been sold to a predetermined number of customers or more were treated as good-performing products. Alternatively, all A-rank products may be treated as good-performing products, or all products that have been sold to a predetermined number of customers or more may be treated as good-performing products.

[0051] Furthermore, the CPU 31 of the client terminal 3 may send the processing result data to the server 2 for management within the server 2. For example, if the CPU 31 of the client terminal 3 extracts successful products, it may send it to the server 2 and display the successful products on the portal site provided by the server 2. Users of the client terminal 3 may, for example, view the screen introducing successful products via a browser. In addition, in the above embodiment, multiple classification items such as major category, medium category, and minor category are set for each product, but the number of classification items is not limited to three levels. When classifying products, they may be classified into two or fewer classification items, or into four or more classification items.

[0052] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, when the DM issuance button B2 is operated, the postcard (DM) issuance operation is performed. Alternatively, when the DM issuance button B2 is operated, email sending operations such as creating an email containing advertisements for popular products and sending the email to the customer's email address corresponding to the "DM issuance destination code" may be performed. Also, in the above embodiment, in step S42 of the similar product suggestion process (see Figure 17), the product to be quoted (specified product) is entered manually. Alternatively, the CPU 31 of the client terminal 3 may automatically reflect the product to be quoted on the quotation slip input screen based on the order data from the customer.

[0053] Furthermore, while the above-described embodiment discloses an example in which the HDD or SSD of the storage unit 33 is used as a computer-readable medium for the program according to the present invention, the invention is not limited to this example. Other computer-readable mediums that can be used include flash memory and portable recording media such as CD-ROMs. In addition, a carrier wave can also be applied to the present invention as a medium for providing the program data according to the present invention via a communication line. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0054] 3…Client terminal (information processing device), 31…CPU (setting unit, reception unit, extraction unit, control unit)

Claims

1. A setting unit for setting multiple classification items for each of multiple products, A reception desk that accepts user input for specified products, An extraction unit extracts similar products that meet predetermined conditions, including that the designated product received by the reception unit matches at least some of the classification items among the multiple classification items, and that the product is sold to a predetermined number of customers or more. A control unit that displays information about similar products extracted by the extraction unit on a display unit, An information processing device equipped with the following features.

2. The aforementioned predetermined conditions include the product being included in a group of products that account for a predetermined percentage or more of the top-selling products in total sales. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The extraction unit extracts similar products if the number of customers selling the designated product is less than the predetermined number, or if the designated product is not included in the product group. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2.

4. The setting unit sets major classifications, medium classifications, and minor classifications as the multiple classification items. The extraction unit extracts products that match the designated product up to a predetermined level in the major, medium, and minor categories, and that satisfy the predetermined conditions, as similar products. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The control unit causes the display unit to display information about the similar product as a button, and when the button is pressed, it causes the display unit to display detailed information about the similar product. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The control unit, in the estimation process, extracts similar products when the input of the specified product is received by the reception unit. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

7. The control unit causes the display unit to display a POP creation button for performing POP creation work, or a DM issuance button for performing DM issuance work, for products that meet the predetermined conditions. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

8. The control unit displays the DM issuance button on the display unit, and when the DM issuance button is pressed, it designates customers who do not have a transaction history for products that meet the predetermined conditions, and whose sales are within a predetermined rank, as recipients of the DM. The information processing apparatus according to claim 7.

9. The process of setting multiple classification items for each of multiple products, The process of receiving input from the user for the specified product, A step of extracting similar products that match the designated product received and at least some of the classification items among the multiple classification items, and that satisfy predetermined conditions including being sold to a predetermined number of customers or more; The process of displaying information about the extracted similar products on the display unit, Information processing methods including

10. Computers, A setting section for setting multiple classification items for each of multiple products. A reception desk that accepts user input for specified products. An extraction unit extracts similar products that meet predetermined conditions, including that the designated product received by the reception unit matches at least some of the classification items among the multiple classification items, and that the product is sold to a predetermined number of customers or more. A control unit that displays information about similar products extracted by the extraction unit on the display unit. A program designed to function as such.

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