Method for proposing replacement of air conditioning equipment, device for proposing replacement of air conditioning equipment, and program

Abstract

To provide an air conditioning equipment replacement proposal method, an air conditioning equipment replacement proposal device, and a program that support air conditioning equipment replacement proposals utilizing customer data and customer air conditioning operation data. [Solution] An air conditioning equipment replacement proposal method executed by an air conditioning equipment replacement proposal device having a control unit, wherein the control unit selects air conditioning equipment based on customer data and customer air conditioning operation data, determines the recipient based on the customer data, customer air conditioning operation data and the selection result, and sends the proposal content created based on the customer data, customer air conditioning operation data and the selection result to the determined recipient.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method for proposing air conditioner equipment updates, an apparatus for proposing air conditioner equipment updates, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, from the perspectives of protecting the global environment and efficiently using energy, there has been an increasing need to evaluate energy costs and life cycle costs, including air conditioning equipment. Conventionally, in the selection of air conditioners installed in buildings and the like, selection methods, selection devices, and selection programs for minimizing energy consumption or life cycle costs while satisfying the required capacity are known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The information on the air conditioner equipment selected by the technology of Patent Document 1 can be used when making a proposal for updating the air conditioner equipment to the customer. However, the determination of whether to use the information on the air conditioner equipment selected by the technology of Patent Document 1 was left to the judgment of the person in charge of making a proposal for updating the air conditioner equipment to the customer. When using the information on the air conditioner equipment selected by the technology of Patent Document 1, the person in charge of making a proposal for updating the air conditioner equipment to the customer had to actively use it.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a method for proposing air conditioner equipment updates, an apparatus for proposing air conditioner equipment updates, and a program that support the proposal for updating air conditioner equipment by utilizing customer data and customer air conditioning operation data.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A first aspect of this disclosure is an air conditioning equipment replacement proposal method performed by an air conditioning equipment replacement proposal device having a control unit, wherein the control unit selects air conditioning equipment based on customer data and customer air conditioning operation data, determines a recipient based on the customer data, the customer air conditioning operation data and the selection result, and sends a proposal created based on the customer data, the customer air conditioning operation data and the selection result to the determined recipient.

[0007] According to the first aspect of this disclosure, a method for proposing the replacement of air conditioning equipment can be provided, which supports the proposal of replacing air conditioning equipment using customer data and customer air conditioning operation data.

[0008] A second aspect of this disclosure is the method for proposing the replacement of air conditioning equipment according to the first aspect, wherein the control unit determines the customer associated with the customer data or the organization responsible for the customer as the recipient.

[0009] According to a second aspect of this disclosure, the recipient can be determined to be the customer or the organization responsible for the customer, as associated with the customer data.

[0010] A third aspect of this disclosure is a method for proposing the replacement of air conditioning equipment according to the first or second aspect, wherein the control unit determines the recipient based on the likelihood of other companies entering the market derived from the customer data, whether or not there are proposals for operational improvements to the air conditioning equipment for the customer derived from the customer air conditioning operation data, or the results of the selection.

[0011] According to a third aspect of this disclosure, the recipient can be determined based on the likelihood of other companies entering the market derived from customer data, whether or not there are proposals for operational improvements to air conditioning equipment for customers derived from customer air conditioning operation data, or the results of the selection.

[0012] A fourth aspect of this disclosure is a method for proposing the replacement of air conditioning equipment according to the second aspect, wherein the control unit predicts the possibility of receiving an order for the replacement of the air conditioning equipment, and if the predicted possibility is greater than a first threshold or less than a second threshold which is less than the first threshold, it determines the customer associated with the customer data as the recipient, and if the predicted possibility is between the first threshold and the second threshold, it determines the organization in charge of the customer as the recipient.

[0013] According to a fourth aspect of this disclosure, the possibility of receiving an order for the replacement of air conditioning equipment can be predicted, and depending on that possibility, the customer or the organization responsible for that customer can be determined as the shipping destination.

[0014] A fifth aspect of this disclosure is a method for proposing an upgrade of air conditioning equipment according to the third aspect, wherein the control unit determines a first responsible organization capable of explaining the operational improvement proposal to the customer as the recipient when there is an operational improvement proposal for the air conditioning equipment derived from the customer air conditioning operation data, and determines a second responsible organization different from the first responsible organization as the recipient when there is no operational improvement proposal for the air conditioning equipment derived from the customer air conditioning operation data.

[0015] According to the fifth aspect of this disclosure, different organizations can be determined as recipients depending on whether or not there are proposals for operational improvements to the air conditioning equipment for the customer.

[0016] A sixth aspect of this disclosure is a method for proposing the replacement of air conditioning equipment according to the third or fifth aspect, wherein the operational improvement proposal includes the selection of the capacity of the air conditioning equipment or a change in the air conditioning equipment system.

[0017] According to the sixth aspect of this disclosure, it is possible to make operational improvement proposals, including the selection of the capacity of the air conditioning equipment or the modification of the air conditioning equipment system.

[0018] The seventh aspect of the present disclosure is an air conditioner renewal proposal device having a control unit, wherein the control unit selects an air conditioner based on customer data and customer air conditioner operation data, determines a destination based on the customer data, the customer air conditioner operation data, and the result of the selection, and sends the proposal content created based on the customer data, the customer air conditioner operation data, and the result of the selection to the determined destination.

[0019] According to the seventh aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an air conditioner renewal proposal device that supports the renewal proposal of an air conditioner by utilizing customer data and customer air conditioner operation data.

[0020] The eighth aspect of the present disclosure is a program that causes a control unit included in an air conditioner renewal proposal device to execute a process, wherein the control unit selects an air conditioner based on customer data and customer air conditioner operation data, determines a destination based on the customer data, the customer air conditioner operation data, and the result of the selection, and sends the proposal content created based on the customer data, the customer air conditioner operation data, and the result of the selection to the determined destination.

[0021] According to the eighth aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a program that supports the renewal proposal of an air conditioner by utilizing customer data and customer air conditioner operation data.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0022] [Figure 1] It is a configuration diagram of an example of the air conditioner renewal proposal system 1 according to the present embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a hardware configuration diagram of an example of the computer 500 according to the present embodiment. [Figure 3] It is a flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure of the air conditioner renewal proposal system 1 according to the present embodiment. [Figure 4] It is a flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure of step S16 of the air conditioner renewal proposal system 1 according to the present embodiment. [Figure 5]It is a flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure of step S38 of the air conditioner equipment update proposal system 1 according to the present embodiment. [Figure 6] It is a configuration diagram of an example of a table used for determining the destination of the proposal content.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0023] Next, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail.

[0024] <System Configuration> FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an example of the air conditioner equipment update proposal system 1 according to the present embodiment. The air conditioner equipment update proposal system 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes an outdoor unit 12, an indoor unit 14, an edge device 16, an air conditioner equipment update proposal device 30, a customer air conditioner operation data management device 40, and a customer data management device 50.

[0025] The edge device 16, the air conditioner equipment update proposal device 30, the customer air conditioner operation data management device 40, and the customer data management device 50 shown in FIG. 1 are communicably connected via a communication network N. The communication network N is the Internet or a LAN (Local Area Network) or the like.

[0026] The outdoor unit 12, the indoor unit 14, and the edge device 16 are installed in a building 10 which is a building such as a building. The building 10 is an example of a target space where the outdoor unit 12 and the indoor unit 14 perform air conditioning. The outdoor unit 12, the indoor unit 14, and the edge device 16 are communicably connected. The outdoor unit 12 and the indoor unit 14 are connected by piping. The outdoor unit 12 and the indoor unit 14 are an example of air conditioner equipment having a plurality of systems.

[0027] The edge device 16 transmits customer air conditioning operation data from the outdoor unit 12 and indoor unit 14 to the customer air conditioning operation data management device 40. The customer air conditioning operation data is information indicating the status of the air conditioning operation of the outdoor unit 12 and indoor unit 14. This information includes, for example, information indicating how the customer uses the air conditioning with the outdoor unit 12 and indoor unit 14. The customer air conditioning operation data may include, for example, information on the air conditioning load of the outdoor unit 12 and indoor unit 14, the temperature and humidity outside the building 10, the utilization rate, the annual peak, and the set temperature.

[0028] The customer air conditioning operation data management device 40 manages the customer air conditioning operation data of the outdoor unit 12 and indoor unit 14 of the building 10 and provides it to the air conditioning equipment replacement proposal device 30.

[0029] The customer data management device 50 manages customer data for customers corresponding to the outdoor unit 12 and indoor unit 14 and provides it to the air conditioning equipment replacement proposal device 30. The customer data is information about the customers corresponding to the outdoor unit 12 and indoor unit 14. The customer data may include, for example, information on the installed models of the outdoor unit 12 and indoor unit 14 installed in the building 10, the model's service life, failure history, deterioration index, past replacement record, and the number of years the company's measuring instruments have been connected. The model's service life information may be the number of years remaining until the replacement date. The number of years the company's measuring instruments have been connected may be information on the number of years of customer air conditioning operation data managed by the customer air conditioning operation data management device 40.

[0030] The air conditioning equipment replacement proposal device 30 acquires customer air conditioning operation data from the customer air conditioning operation data management device 40 and customer data from the customer data management device 50. The air conditioning equipment replacement proposal device 30 may also accept input from an operator of data necessary for the following processes: selecting air conditioning equipment based on customer data and customer air conditioning operation data, and determining the delivery destination based on customer data, customer air conditioning operation data, and the results of the air conditioning equipment selection.

[0031] The air conditioning equipment replacement proposal device 30 may output the results of the process of selecting air conditioning equipment based on customer data and customer air conditioning operation data, and the results of the process of determining the delivery destination based on customer data, customer air conditioning operation data, and the results of the air conditioning equipment selection, for example, by displaying them on a screen or by printing them on paper.

[0032] The air conditioning equipment replacement proposal device 30 has a control unit 32. The control unit 32 is a hardware configuration that executes programs. The control unit 32 can be a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), etc. For example, the air conditioning equipment replacement proposal device 30 can perform various processes described later by having a CPU, one example of the control unit 32, execute a program.

[0033] The configuration of the air conditioning equipment replacement proposal system 1 shown in Figure 1 is an example. For example, the air conditioning equipment replacement proposal device 30, the customer air conditioning operation data management device 40, and the customer data management device 50 may be implemented by one or more information processing devices. Alternatively, the air conditioning equipment replacement proposal device 30, the customer air conditioning operation data management device 40, and the customer data management device 50 may be implemented as a cloud computing service.

[0034] In Figure 1, the control unit 32 of the air conditioning equipment replacement proposal device 30 is shown as an example, but the edge device 16, the customer air conditioning operation data management device 40, and the customer data management device 50 may also have control units. The various processes described later, which are performed by the control unit 32 of the air conditioning equipment replacement proposal device 30, may also be performed by the control units of the edge device 16, the customer air conditioning operation data management device 40, and the customer data management device 50. The various processes performed by the control unit 32 of the air conditioning equipment replacement proposal device 30 may also be performed in cooperation with the control units of the edge device 16, the customer air conditioning operation data management device 40, and the customer data management device 50.

[0035] It goes without saying that the configuration of the proposed air conditioning equipment replacement system 1 shown in Figure 1 can vary depending on the application and purpose. The number of outdoor units 12 and indoor units 14 in building 10 shown in Figure 1 is just one example.

[0036] <Hardware Configuration> The air conditioning equipment replacement proposal device 30 in Figure 1 can be implemented, for example, by a computer 500 with the hardware configuration shown in Figure 2. Furthermore, the edge device 16, customer air conditioning operation data management device 40, and customer data management device 50 in Figure 1 may also be implemented, for example, by a computer 500 with the hardware configuration shown in Figure 2.

[0037] Figure 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of an example of a computer 500 according to this embodiment. The computer 500 includes an input device 501, a display device 502, an external interface 503, RAM (Random Access Memory) 504, ROM (Read Only Memory) 505, a CPU 506, a communication interface 507, and an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 508, and these are all interconnected via bus B. The input device 501 and the display device 502 may be connected and used only when necessary.

[0038] The input device 501 includes a touch panel, operation keys and buttons, a keyboard and mouse, etc., used by the user to input various signals. The display device 502 consists of a display such as a liquid crystal or organic EL that displays the screen, and a speaker that outputs sound data such as voice and music. The communication interface 507 is an interface for the computer 500 to perform data communication via the communication network N.

[0039] Furthermore, the HDD508 is an example of a non-volatile storage device that stores programs and data. The programs and data stored include the OS (Operating System), which is the basic software that controls the entire computer 500, and applications (hereinafter simply referred to as "apps") that provide various functions on the OS. Note that the computer 500 may use a drive device that uses flash memory as a storage medium (for example, a solid-state drive: SSD) instead of the HDD508.

[0040] External I / F 503 is an interface to external devices. External devices include recording media 503a. Computer 500 reads from and writes to recording media 503a via external I / F 503.

[0041] Recording media 503a include flexible disks, CDs (Compact Discs), DVDs (Digital Versatile Discs), SD (Secure Digital) memory cards, USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, etc.

[0042] ROM505 is an example of non-volatile semiconductor memory (storage device) that can retain programs and data even when the power is turned off. ROM505 stores programs and data such as the BIOS (Basic Input Output System), OS settings, and network settings that are executed when the computer 500 starts up. RAM504 is an example of volatile semiconductor memory (storage device) that temporarily holds programs and data.

[0043] The CPU 506 is an arithmetic unit that controls and implements the functions of the entire computer 500 by reading programs and data from a storage device such as the ROM 505 or HDD 508 onto the RAM 504 and executing processing, and is an example of a control unit 32.

[0044] <Processing> The following describes an example of processing performed by the control unit 32 of the air conditioning equipment replacement proposal device 30.

[0045] The air conditioning system change proposal system 1 shown in Figure 1 performs the following processes, for example as shown in Figures 3 to 5: selecting air conditioning equipment based on customer data and customer air conditioning operation data, and determining the delivery destination based on customer data, customer air conditioning operation data, and the results of the air conditioning equipment selection.

[0046] Figures 3 to 5 are flowcharts showing an example of the processing procedure of the air conditioning equipment replacement proposal system 1 according to this embodiment.

[0047] In step S10 of Figure 3, the control unit 32 of the air conditioning equipment replacement proposal device 30 determines the target of the proposal using customer air conditioning operation data acquired from the customer air conditioning operation data management device 40 and customer data acquired from the customer data management device 50. The target of the proposal determined in step S10 is, for example, air conditioning equipment that is due for replacement, air conditioning equipment with a high failure rate, air conditioning equipment with a high degradation detection value, air conditioning equipment with a high operating rate, or air conditioning equipment with a small annual peak relative to its equipment capacity. The target of the proposal may be arbitrarily selected by the operator.

[0048] Air conditioning equipment that is due for replacement can be determined from information on the model's service life or the number of years remaining until replacement. Air conditioning equipment that is due for replacement can also be determined from past replacement records. Air conditioning equipment with a high failure rate can be determined from failure history information. Air conditioning equipment with a high degradation detection value can be determined from degradation index information. Air conditioning equipment with a small annual peak relative to its equipment capacity can be determined by comparing the equipment capacity information of the installed models of the outdoor unit 12 and indoor unit 14 installed in building 10 with the annual peak information.

[0049] In step S12, the control unit 32 selects air conditioning equipment based on customer data and customer air conditioning operation data. The selection of air conditioning equipment in step S12 is a process that uses information indicating how the customer uses the air conditioning to select the optimal air conditioning equipment that matches the actual usage of the customer's air conditioning.

[0050] The process in step S12 can, for example, use the selection method described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2009-20640. The selection method described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2009-20640 calculates the life cycle cost of the air conditioning equipment based on initial costs and running costs, and selects the air conditioning equipment with the lowest life cycle cost. The process in step S12 includes selecting the capacity of the air conditioning equipment or changing the air conditioning equipment system. Changing the air conditioning equipment system may involve integrating or splitting the system.

[0051] In step S14, the control unit 32 creates a proposal based on customer data, customer air conditioning operation data, and the selection results. The proposal created in step S14 includes the selection results of the optimal air conditioning equipment in step S12. The proposal created in step S14 may also include information on the initial cost and running cost of the air conditioning equipment selected in step S12, and information on the energy-saving effect of upgrading to the air conditioning equipment selected in step S12. The proposal created in step S14 may also include information on whether the air conditioning equipment selected in step S12 is of the same capacity as the installed model or whether it is a downsize to a lower capacity than the installed model. The proposal created in step S14 may also include information on the analysis results of the customer air conditioning operation data. The information on the analysis results of the customer air conditioning operation data may include, for example, information used to propose operational improvements to the customer's air conditioning equipment.

[0052] In step S16, the control unit 32 determines the recipient of the proposal based on customer data, customer air conditioning operation data, and the selection results. The recipient is the customer associated with the customer data or the organization responsible for that customer. The process in step S16 determines the recipient of the proposal based on the likelihood of receiving an order for the replacement of the air conditioning equipment, as described later. The likelihood of receiving an order for the replacement of the air conditioning equipment is, for example, the order probability.

[0053] For example, the control unit 32 categorizes the likelihood of receiving an order for air conditioning equipment replacement into high, medium, and low levels, and associates the recipient of the proposal with each level. This allows the control unit 32 to determine the recipient of the proposal based on the likelihood of receiving an order for air conditioning equipment replacement, as described later. Details of the process in step S16 will be described later using Figures 4 and 5.

[0054] Furthermore, in step S18, the control unit 32 sends the proposal content created in step S14 to the recipient determined in step S16. The sending to the recipient may be data transmission for display on a screen, data transmission for printing on paper, or data transmission for email distribution. It is desirable that the process in step S18 automatically sends the proposal content to the determined recipient.

[0055] The process in step S16 is carried out as shown in Figure 4, for example. Figure 4 illustrates an example where the probability of receiving an order from a customer to replace air conditioning equipment is represented by the order probability.

[0056] In step S30, the control unit 32 predicts the probability of receiving an order from the customer for the replacement of air conditioning equipment. The order probability is predicted based, for example, on the likelihood of competitors entering the market, derived from customer data; whether or not there are proposals for operational improvements to the air conditioning equipment for the customer, derived from customer air conditioning operation data; or the results of the selection process.

[0057] For example, if the likelihood of competitors entering the market is low, the control unit 32 predicts that the probability of receiving an order will increase. Conversely, if the likelihood of competitors entering the market is high, the control unit 32 predicts that the probability of receiving an order will decrease. The likelihood of competitors entering the market is predicted based on past update records or the number of years the company's own measuring instruments have been connected.

[0058] If there are suggestions for operational improvements to the air conditioning equipment for the customer, the control unit 32 predicts that the probability of securing the order will increase because it can differentiate the company from competitors. Conversely, if there are no suggestions for operational improvements to the air conditioning equipment for the customer, the control unit 32 predicts that the probability of securing the order will not increase. The presence or absence of suggestions for operational improvements to the air conditioning equipment for the customer is predicted from the presence or absence of unusual air conditioning usage in the customer's air conditioning operation data. Unusual air conditioning usage includes, for example, abnormal temperature settings, insufficient capacity, or excessive capacity.

[0059] If the selection of air conditioning equipment results in a downsize to a lower capacity than the installed model, the control unit 32 predicts that the probability of securing the order will increase because it will differentiate the company from competitors. If the selection of air conditioning equipment results in an air conditioning unit of the same capacity as the installed model, the control unit 32 predicts that the probability of securing the order will not increase.

[0060] The control unit 32 may predict the probability of a customer placing an order by taking into account, for example, the likelihood of other companies entering the market, derived from customer data, whether or not there are any proposals for operational improvements to the air conditioning equipment for the customer, derived from customer air conditioning operation data, and the probability of placing an order predicted from each of the selection results.

[0061] The control unit 32 classifies the customer's order probability predicted in step S30 into levels such as high, medium, and low, using a first threshold and a second threshold. The first threshold is, for example, 70%. The second threshold is, for example, 30%.

[0062] In step S32, the control unit 32 determines whether the probability of receiving an order predicted in step S30 is greater than the first threshold. If the probability of receiving an order predicted in step S30 is greater than the first threshold, the control unit 32 determines that the probability of receiving an order is high and that there is a high possibility of receiving an order without allocating sales resources. If the probability of receiving an order predicted in step S30 is greater than the first threshold, the control unit 32 proceeds to the process in step S36. In step S36, the control unit 32 determines that the customer is the recipient.

[0063] In this way, if the control unit 32 determines that there is a high probability of securing an order without allocating sales resources, it sends the proposal directly to the customer, aiming to secure the order without allocating sales resources. If the probability of securing an order predicted in step S30 is not greater than the first threshold, the control unit 32 proceeds to the process in step S34.

[0064] In step S34, the control unit 32 determines whether the probability of securing an order predicted in step S30 is less than a second threshold. If the probability of securing an order predicted in step S30 is less than a second threshold, the control unit 32 determines that the probability of securing an order is low, and that there will be competition with other companies in terms of catalog specifications and cost, making it unlikely that an order can be secured even if sales resources are allocated. If the predicted probability of securing an order is less than a second threshold, the control unit 32 proceeds to step S36 and determines that the customer is the recipient. In this way, if the control unit 32 determines that the probability of securing an order is low even if sales resources are allocated, it can save sales resources by sending the proposal directly to the customer.

[0065] If the predicted probability of securing the order is not lower than the second threshold, the control unit 32 proceeds to step S38 and determines that the probability of securing the order is at a moderate level, and that by allocating sales resources, differentiation from competitors can be achieved and there is a high probability of securing the order. In this way, if the control unit 32 determines that the probability of securing the order is high if sales resources are allocated, it determines that the proposal should be sent to the organization responsible for that customer.

[0066] According to the flowchart in Figure 4, the control unit 32 can determine the recipients of the proposal so that sales resources can be used effectively. The organization responsible for the customer may include organizations with different technical or explanatory levels, such as the Engineering Department and the Sales Department. If there are multiple organizations with different technical or explanatory levels, the control unit 32 performs the process in step S38 as shown in Figure 5. The flowchart in Figure 5 illustrates an example where there are a first and second organization with different technical or explanatory levels, and the second organization has a higher technical or explanatory level than the first organization.

[0067] In step S50 of Figure 5, the control unit 32 acquires the proposal content created in step S14 of Figure 14. In step S52, the control unit 32 determines whether or not the proposal content includes operational improvement suggestions. If the proposal content includes operational improvement suggestions, it is expected that having a department with a high level of technical or explanatory ability explain them to the customer will differentiate the company from competitors and increase the probability of securing the order.

[0068] Therefore, if the proposal includes operational improvement suggestions, the control unit 32 proceeds to step S54 and determines the first responsible organization capable of effectively explaining the operational improvement suggestions as the recipient. If the proposal does not include operational improvement suggestions, the control unit 32 proceeds to step S56 and determines the second responsible department, which has a lower technical or explanatory level than the first responsible organization, as the recipient, thereby saving sales resources.

[0069] As described above, the air conditioning equipment replacement proposal system 1 according to this embodiment allows for the effective allocation of sales resources to customers who have a high probability of placing an order without allocating sales resources, to customers who have a low probability of placing an order even if sales resources are allocated, and to customers who can be expected to place an order by allocating sales resources without allocating sales resources.

[0070] In the above example, the probability of receiving an order from a customer to replace air conditioning equipment is described as the order probability, and the shipping destination is determined based on the order probability. However, the shipping destination may also be determined by taking into account other factors, such as the order amount. For example, the control unit 32 may change the first and second thresholds according to the order amount so that the proportion of determining the responsible organization as the shipping destination increases as the order amount increases, rather than determining the customer as the shipping destination.

[0071] Furthermore, while the above example described an example where the probability of receiving an order from a customer to replace air conditioning equipment is used to determine the recipient, it is also possible to determine the recipient of the proposal by using a table, for example, shown in Figure 6, which associates a combination of information such as the likelihood of competitors entering the market, whether or not there are proposals for operational improvements to the air conditioning equipment for the customer, or whether or not the selection result is a downsize, with the recipient. Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a table used to determine the recipient of the proposal.

[0072] [Effect] This embodiment is an air conditioning equipment replacement proposal method executed by an air conditioning equipment replacement proposal device having a control unit, wherein the control unit selects air conditioning equipment based on customer data and customer air conditioning operation data, determines the recipient based on the customer data, customer air conditioning operation data and the selection result, and sends the proposal content created based on the customer data, customer air conditioning operation data and the selection result to the determined recipient. The control unit is, for example, the control unit 32 of the air conditioning equipment replacement proposal device 30.

[0073] In this embodiment, the recipient is determined based on customer data, customer air conditioning operation data, and the selection results, and a proposal for air conditioning equipment replacement, created based on the customer data, customer air conditioning operation data, and the selection results, can be sent to that recipient. Thus, the air conditioning equipment replacement proposal method according to this embodiment can support air conditioning equipment replacement proposals that utilize customer data and customer air conditioning operation data.

[0074] Furthermore, the control unit determines the recipient to be the customer or the organization responsible for that customer, as associated with the customer data.

[0075] According to this embodiment, proposals for updating air conditioning equipment can be sent to customers or the organization responsible for those customers, as they are associated with customer data.

[0076] Furthermore, the control unit determines the recipient based on the likelihood of other companies entering the market, derived from customer data; whether or not there are proposals for operational improvements to the air conditioning equipment for the customer, derived from customer air conditioning operation data; or the results of the selection process.

[0077] According to this embodiment, the recipient can be determined based on the likelihood of competitors entering the market, derived from customer data that can be used to predict the possibility of receiving orders for air conditioning equipment replacement; whether or not there are proposals for operational improvements to the air conditioning equipment for the customer, derived from customer air conditioning operation data; or the results of the selection process.

[0078] Furthermore, the control unit predicts the likelihood of receiving an order for the replacement of air conditioning equipment. If the predicted likelihood is greater than a first threshold or less than a second threshold (which is less than the first threshold), it determines the customer associated with the customer data as the shipping destination. If the predicted likelihood is between the first and second thresholds, it determines the organization responsible for the customer as the shipping destination.

[0079] According to this embodiment, the likelihood of receiving an order for the replacement of predicted air conditioning equipment can be divided into multiple stages using a first threshold and a second threshold, and the customer or the organization responsible for that customer, which is associated with each stage, can be determined as the shipping destination.

[0080] Furthermore, if the control unit has suggestions for improving the operation of the air conditioning equipment to the customer derived from the customer's air conditioning operation data, it determines a first responsible organization capable of explaining the suggestions for improving the operation as the recipient. If there are no suggestions for improving the operation of the air conditioning equipment to the customer derived from the customer's air conditioning operation data, it determines a second responsible organization, different from the first responsible organization, as the recipient.

[0081] According to this embodiment, different departments can be designated as recipients depending on whether or not the proposal includes suggestions for operational improvements to the customer's air conditioning equipment. For example, if the proposal includes suggestions for operational improvements, the proposal can be sent to a department with a high level of technical expertise or explanatory ability, and by having this department explain the proposal to the customer, it is possible to differentiate the company from competitors and increase the probability of securing an order. If the proposal does not include suggestions for operational improvements, sales resources can be saved by designating a second department with a lower level of technical expertise or explanatory ability than the first department as the recipient.

[0082] Furthermore, suggestions for operational improvements include selecting the capacity of air conditioning equipment or changing the air conditioning system.

[0083] According to this embodiment, it is possible to propose operational improvements, including the selection of the capacity of the air conditioning equipment or the modification of the air conditioning equipment system, which can differentiate the company from competitors and is expected to increase the probability of securing orders.

[0084] Furthermore, this embodiment is an air conditioning equipment replacement proposal device having a control unit, the control unit selects air conditioning equipment based on customer data and customer air conditioning operation data, determines the recipient based on the customer data, customer air conditioning operation data and the selection result, and sends the proposal content created based on the customer data, customer air conditioning operation data and the selection result to the determined recipient.

[0085] In this embodiment, the recipient is determined based on customer data, customer air conditioning operation data, and the selection results, and a proposal for air conditioning equipment replacement, created based on the customer data, customer air conditioning operation data, and the selection results, can be sent to that recipient. In this way, the air conditioning equipment replacement proposal device according to this embodiment can support air conditioning equipment replacement proposals that utilize customer data and customer air conditioning operation data.

[0086] Furthermore, this embodiment is a program that causes a control unit of an air conditioning equipment replacement proposal device to execute processing, wherein the control unit selects air conditioning equipment based on customer data and customer air conditioning operation data, determines the recipient based on the customer data, customer air conditioning operation data and the selection result, and sends the proposal content created based on the customer data, customer air conditioning operation data and the selection result to the determined recipient.

[0087] In this embodiment, the recipient is determined based on customer data, customer air conditioning operation data, and the selection results, and a proposal for updating air conditioning equipment, created based on the customer data, customer air conditioning operation data, and the selection results, can be sent to that recipient. In this way, the program according to this embodiment can support the provision of an air conditioning equipment update proposal utilizing customer data and customer air conditioning operation data by having the control unit execute processing.

[0088] As described above, this embodiment can be understood to be capable of various modifications to its form and details without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0089] 1. Air Conditioning Equipment Replacement Proposal System 10 Buildings 12 Outdoor unit 14 Indoor unit 16 Edge device 30 Air conditioning equipment renewal proposal device 32 Control Unit N Communication Network

Claims

1. A method for proposing the replacement of air conditioning equipment, which is performed by an air conditioning equipment replacement proposal device having a control unit, The control unit, We select air conditioning equipment based on customer data and customer air conditioning operation data. Based on the aforementioned customer data, the aforementioned customer air conditioning operation data, and the results of the selection, the recipient is determined. The customer data, the customer air conditioning operation data, and the proposal created based on the selection results are sent to the designated recipient. How to propose air conditioning equipment renewal.

2. The control unit determines the customer associated with the customer data or the organization responsible for that customer as the recipient. A method for proposing the replacement of air conditioning equipment according to claim 1.

3. The control unit determines the recipient based on the likelihood of other companies entering the market derived from the customer data, whether or not there are proposals for operational improvements to the air conditioning equipment for the customer derived from the customer air conditioning operation data, or the results of the selection. The method for proposing the replacement of air conditioning equipment according to claim 2.

4. The control unit predicts the possibility of receiving an order for the replacement of the air conditioning equipment, and if the predicted possibility is greater than a first threshold or less than a second threshold which is less than the first threshold, it determines the customer associated with the customer data as the shipping destination, and if the predicted possibility is between the first threshold and the second threshold, it determines the organization in charge of the customer as the shipping destination. The method for proposing the replacement of air conditioning equipment according to claim 2.

5. The control unit determines, if there are any suggestions for operational improvements to the air conditioning equipment for the customer derived from the customer air conditioning operation data, to be the recipient of the first responsible organization capable of explaining the operational improvement suggestions, and if there are no suggestions for operational improvements to the air conditioning equipment for the customer derived from the customer air conditioning operation data, it determines, if there are no suggestions for operational improvements to the air conditioning equipment for the customer derived from the customer air conditioning operation data, to be the recipient of the second responsible organization, which is different from the first responsible organization. A method for proposing the replacement of air conditioning equipment according to claim 3.

6. The aforementioned operational improvement proposal includes selecting the capacity of the air conditioning equipment or changing the air conditioning equipment system, A method for proposing the replacement of air conditioning equipment according to claim 3.

7. An air conditioning equipment replacement proposal device having a control unit, The control unit, We select air conditioning equipment based on customer data and customer air conditioning operation data. Based on the aforementioned customer data, the aforementioned customer air conditioning operation data, and the results of the selection, the recipient is determined. The customer data, the customer air conditioning operation data, and the proposal created based on the selection results are sent to the designated recipient. Air conditioning equipment renewal proposal device.

8. A program that causes the control unit of an air conditioning equipment replacement proposal device to execute a process, The control unit, We select air conditioning equipment based on customer data and customer air conditioning operation data. Based on the aforementioned customer data, the aforementioned customer air conditioning operation data, and the results of the selection, the recipient is determined. The customer data, the customer air conditioning operation data, and the proposal created based on the selection results are sent to the designated recipient. program.

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