Mobile sales management device and its program

Abstract

If a product runs out during a mobile sales trip, ensure that it is restocked promptly at the next sales location. [Solution] The mobile sales management device comprises a stockout identification means, a replenishment location determination means, and an output means. The stockout identification means identifies products that have run out of stock from the group of products loaded on the mobile sales vehicle during sales at a sales location. The replenishment location determination means determines a replenishment location along the route the mobile sales vehicle travels from the sales location where the stockout occurred to the next sales location, where the stockout will be replenished. The output means outputs information relating to the replenishment location determined by the replenishment location determination means.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a mobile sales management device and its program.

Background Art

[0002] One form of product sales is mobile sales. Mobile sales is a method in which a vehicle loaded with products such as foodstuffs and daily necessities tours a region, stops the vehicle at an appropriate location, and sells the products. Generally, the sales location and the sales date and time are well-known to the local residents, and the residents can purchase the products by going to the designated sales location at the known date and time. <元素 <元素

[0003] <元素 There is a limit to the number of products that can be loaded onto the vehicle in mobile sales. For this reason, out-of-stock situations may occur during the tour. However, it is not possible to immediately replenish the out-of-stock products. Although it is possible to return to the warehouse or store, etc., which is the starting point of the mobile sales, to replenish, it results in a loss of time and the arrival time at the sales location is delayed. If the arrival time is delayed, it will make the residents who use the mobile sales at that sales location wait, and the mobile sales system will not be able to function. <元素00000元素

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004] <元素 <元素

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] <元素 The problem to be solved by the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a mobile sales management device and its program that can surely replenish without delay when out-of-stock occurs during mobile sales. <元素

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] <元素 In one embodiment, the mobile sales management device comprises a stockout identification means, a replenishment location determination means, and an output means. The stockout identification means identifies products that have become out of stock during sales at a sales location from among the products loaded on the mobile sales vehicle. The replenishment location determination means determines a replenishment location along the route the mobile sales vehicle travels from the sales location where the stockout occurred to the next sales location, where the stockout will be replenished. The output means outputs information relating to the replenishment location determined by the replenishment location determination means. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is an explanatory diagram of a mobile sales system in one embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the general configuration of the mobile sales management system. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of an in-vehicle terminal. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the mobile sales support server. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing the main data structure of the sales location database. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing the main data structure of the replenishment location database. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram showing the main data structure of the loaded goods database. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a block diagram showing the main functional configuration of the mobile sales support server. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a sequence diagram of the main data signals exchanged between the mobile sales support server and the in-vehicle terminal. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a flowchart illustrating the procedure for determining a replenishment location, which the processor performs according to the mobile sales support program. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a flowchart illustrating the procedure for determining a replenishment location, which the processor performs according to the mobile sales support program. [Figure 12]Figure 12 shows an example of a screen displayed on the touch panel of an in-vehicle terminal. [Figure 13] Figure 13 shows an example of a screen displayed on the monitor terminal's display. [Figure 14] Figure 14 is a flowchart showing the procedure for determining the replenishment location performed by the processor in the second embodiment. [Figure 15] Figure 15 is a block diagram showing the main functional configuration of the mobile sales support server in the third embodiment. [Figure 16] Figure 16 is a flowchart illustrating the procedure for determining a replenishment location, which the processor performs according to a mobile sales support program, in a third embodiment. [Figure 17] Figure 17 is a flowchart illustrating the procedure for determining a replenishment location, which the processor performs according to a mobile sales support program, in a third embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] The following describes, with reference to drawings, an embodiment of a mobile sales management device and its program that can reliably replenish stocks at the next sales location without delay if a shortage occurs during mobile sales. First, we will explain the mobile sales system using Figure 1.

[0009] [Explanation of the mobile sales system] Figure 1 is an explanatory diagram of the mobile sales system in this embodiment. Figure 1 shows the layout of a regional service area (SA) where mobile sales are conducted. In this embodiment, the mobile sales system starts and ends at a warehouse S, and a mobile sales vehicle 1 loaded with goods such as food products and daily necessities circulates through the regional SA, selling goods to consumers at four sales locations: the first sales location Pa, the second sales location Pb, the third sales location Pc, and the fourth sales location Pd. The arrival and departure times of the mobile sales vehicle 1 for each sales location Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pd are set in advance, and the mobile sales system is conducted by the mobile sales vehicle 1 circulating through the regional SA according to this schedule. The warehouse S may be, for example, a physical store.

[0010] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, three replenishment locations, that is, a first replenishment location Ma, a second replenishment location Mb, and a third replenishment location Mc, are set within the local SA. Each of the replenishment locations Ma, Mb, and Mc is a space for replenishing the out-of-stock items when out-of-stock occurs during mobile sales. When an out-of-stock occurs, the salesperson driving the mobile sales vehicle 1 heads to the designated replenishment location Mz (z = a, b, or c). A replenishment vehicle 2 departing from the warehouse S is also heading to the replenishment location Mz, and at the replenishment location Mz, the out-of-stock items are transferred from the replenishment vehicle 2 to the mobile sales vehicle 1 for replenishment. Therefore, the replenishment vehicle 2 only needs to be a vehicle that can transport at least the out-of-stock items from the warehouse S to the replenishment location Mz. The replenishment vehicle 2 is not limited to a four-wheeled vehicle and may be a two-wheeled bicycle or the like.

[0011] The designation of the replenishment location Mz is performed by the mobile sales support server 10 having a function as a mobile sales support device. That is, when an out-of-stock occurs in the mobile sales vehicle 1 at any sales location Px (x = a, b, c, or d), the mobile sales support server 10 determines a replenishment location Mz that can surely replenish the out-of-stock items without causing the mobile sales vehicle 1 to be late for the next sales location Py (y = b, c, or d). The mobile sales support server 10 notifies the salesperson driving the mobile sales vehicle 1 and the replenishment person driving the replenishment vehicle 2 of the replenishment location Mz. Thus, when an out-of-stock occurs during mobile sales, the out-of-stock items in the mobile sales vehicle 1 can surely be replenished without being late for the next sales location.

[0012] Note that the location for replenishing the out-of-stock items is not limited to the first replenishment location Ma, the second replenishment location Mb, or the third replenishment location Mc. For example, when the next sales location Py that the mobile sales vehicle 1 is heading to is suitable as a replenishment location, the salesperson and the replenishment person may be notified that the sales location Py is the replenishment location.

[0013] Incidentally, it is needless to say that the number and arrangement of sales locations and replenishment locations are not limited to those shown in FIG. 1. Also, the route by which the mobile sales vehicle 1 circulates through each sales location is not limited to one route. For example, the route may be reversed depending on the day of the week, or the mobile sales vehicle 1 may pass through some of the sales locations. However, in any case, the arrival time when the mobile sales vehicle 1 arrives at the sales location and the departure time when it departs from the sales location are determined in advance, and consumers can utilize mobile sales by going to the sales location during the sales time from the arrival time to the departure time.

[0014] [Explanation of Mobile Sales Management System] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the schematic configuration of a mobile sales management system 100 including a mobile sales support server 10. The mobile sales management system 100 includes a mobile sales support server 10, an in-vehicle terminal 20, and a monitor terminal 30. The mobile sales management system 100 connects the mobile sales support server 10 to a communication network 41. Then, by connecting the in-vehicle terminal 20 and the monitor terminal 30 to this communication network 41 using wireless communication, the mobile sales management system 100 is configured. The communication network 41 is, for example, the Internet capable of mobile data communication. The mobile sales support server 10 may provide services related to mobile sales to the in-vehicle terminal 20 and the monitor terminal 30 in a cloud computing environment.

[0015] The in-vehicle terminal 20 is mounted on the mobile sales vehicle 1. The in-vehicle terminal 20 has a function of, for example, positioning the current position of the mobile sales vehicle 1 using GPS (Global Positioning System) and notifying the mobile sales support server 10. The in-vehicle terminal 20 also has a function of capturing information on the goods purchased by consumers at the sales location and outputting it to the mobile sales support server 10. Furthermore, when a stockout occurs, the in-vehicle terminal 20 also has a function of notifying the salesperson of the replenishment location determined by the mobile sales support server 10.

[0016] The monitor terminal 30 is equipped with a display device and has the function of displaying information regarding the replenishment of items that are out of stock during mobile sales. The monitor terminal 30 is placed, for example, at the waiting area of ​​the replenishment staff. The waiting area is prepared, for example, in or near warehouse S. The replenishment staff gather the out-of-stock items from warehouse S according to the information displayed on the monitor terminal 30, go to the replenishment location in replenishment vehicle 2, and replenish the mobile sales vehicle 1 with the out-of-stock items.

[0017] The monitoring terminal 30 may be mounted on the replenishment vehicle 2. In that case, the replenishment staff can wait inside the replenishment vehicle 2. The replenishment vehicle 2 should also be pre-loaded with at least the items that are most likely to run out of stock. This allows the replenishment staff to quickly depart for the replenishment location when a shortage occurs.

[0018] The mobile sales support server 10 works in conjunction with the map information server 50. The mobile sales support server 10 and the map information server 50 are connected by an inter-server network 42. The mobile sales support server 10 and the map information server 50 may also be connected via a communication network 41.

[0019] The map information server 50 uses an electronic map to determine the route of the mobile sales vehicle 1 from the starting point to the destination. The starting point is warehouse S or sales locations Pa, Pb, Pc, Pd. The destination is sales locations Pa, Pb, Pc, Pd, or replenishment locations Ma, Mb, Mc. The map information server 50 provides the mobile sales support server 10 with map information showing the route and the average time required for the mobile sales vehicle 1 to travel that route. Preferably, the map information server 50 can provide the route and time required for the mobile sales vehicle 1 while also considering road conditions, traffic conditions, etc.

[0020] [Description of the in-vehicle terminal configuration] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the in-vehicle terminal 20. The in-vehicle terminal 20 includes a processor 21, main memory 22, auxiliary storage device 23, wireless unit 24, GPS receiver 25, scanner 26, touch panel 27, printer 28, and system transmission line 29, etc. The system transmission line 29 includes an address bus, data bus, control signal lines, etc. The system transmission line 29 connects the processor 21 and the other parts directly or via signal input / output circuits and transmits data signals exchanged between them.

[0021] The in-vehicle terminal 20 constitutes a computer by connecting the processor 21, the main memory 22, and the auxiliary storage device 23 via a system transmission path 29. The in-vehicle terminal 20 then connects a wireless unit 24, a GPS receiver 25, a scanner 26, a touch panel 27, and a printer 28 to its computer via the system transmission path 29.

[0022] The processor 21 corresponds to the central part of the computer described above. The processor 21 controls various parts to realize various functions as an in-vehicle terminal 20 according to the operating system or application program. The processor 21 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

[0023] Main memory 22 corresponds to the main memory portion of the computer described above. Main memory 22 includes non-volatile memory areas and volatile memory areas. In the non-volatile memory area, main memory 22 stores the operating system or application programs. Main memory 22 may also store data necessary for the processor 21 to perform processing to control each part in non-volatile or volatile memory areas. Main memory 22 uses the volatile memory area as a work area where data is rewritten as needed by the processor 21. The non-volatile memory area is, for example, ROM (Read Only Memory). The volatile memory area is, for example, RAM (Random Access Memory).

[0024] The auxiliary storage device 23 corresponds to the auxiliary storage portion of the computer described above. For example, EEPROM (Electric Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or SSD (Solid State Drive) can be auxiliary storage devices 23. The auxiliary storage device 23 stores data used by the processor 21 in performing various processes, data created by the processing performed by the processor 21, etc. The auxiliary storage device 23 may also store the application programs described above.

[0025] The wireless unit 24 communicates wirelessly with an access point on the communication network 41 in accordance with a wireless communication protocol. Through this wireless communication, the in-vehicle terminal 20 can exchange data signals with the mobile sales support server 10, even when it is driving or stopped within a service area where mobile sales are conducted.

[0026] The GPS receiver 25 performs positioning to determine its own location by receiving GPS signals output from GPS satellites. The in-vehicle terminal 20 obtains the current location of the mobile sales vehicle 1 based on the positioning performed by the GPS receiver 25.

[0027] The scanner 26 is a device for reading barcodes attached to products. The in-vehicle terminal 20 can identify the products purchased by the consumer based on the barcodes read by the scanner 26. Alternatively, a camera could be provided instead of the scanner 26, allowing the product to be identified from images of the products captured by the camera.

[0028] The touch panel 27 includes a display as a display device and a touch sensor as an input device. The in-vehicle terminal 20 displays information to be shown to the salesperson on the display and detects input from the salesperson regarding the information based on the touch position detected by the touch sensor.

[0029] The printer 28 is a device for printing data on a predetermined type of paper, such as receipt paper. The in-vehicle terminal 20 can operate the printer 28 to issue receipts to consumers who are shoppers.

[0030] The in-vehicle terminal 20 may also be linked to a car navigation system installed in the mobile sales vehicle 1. In that case, the GPS receiver of the car navigation system may be used in conjunction with the in-vehicle terminal 20, and the GPS receiver 25 may be omitted from the in-vehicle terminal 20.

[0031] [Description of the mobile sales support server configuration] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the mobile sales support server 10. The mobile sales support server 10 includes a processor 11, main memory 12, auxiliary storage device 13, clock 14, network interface 15, server-to-server interface 16, and system transmission path 17, etc. The system transmission path 17 includes an address bus, data bus, control signal lines, etc. The system transmission path 17 connects the processor 11 to the other parts directly or via signal input / output circuits and transmits data signals exchanged between them.

[0032] The mobile sales support server 10 is configured as a computer by connecting the processor 11, the main memory 12, and the auxiliary storage device 13 via a system transmission path 17. The mobile sales support server 10 then connects a clock 14, a network interface 15, and an inter-server interface 16 to its computer via the system transmission path 17.

[0033] The processor 11 corresponds to the central part of the computer described above. The processor 11 controls each part in order to realize various functions as a mobile sales support server 10 according to the operating system or application program. The processor 11 is, for example, a CPU. The processor 11 may also be, for example, an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), SoC (System on a Chip), DSP (Digital Signal Processor), GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), PLD (Programmable Logic Device), or FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array). Alternatively, the processor 31 may be a combination of several of these.

[0034] Main memory 12 corresponds to the main memory portion of the computer described above. Main memory 12 includes a non-volatile memory area and a volatile memory area. In the non-volatile memory area, main memory 12 stores the operating system or application programs. Main memory 12 may also store data necessary for the processor 11 to perform processing to control each part in the non-volatile or volatile memory area. Main memory 12 uses the volatile memory area as a work area where data is rewritten as appropriate by the processor 11. The non-volatile memory area is, for example, ROM. The volatile memory area is, for example, RAM.

[0035] The auxiliary storage device 13 corresponds to the auxiliary storage portion of the computer described above. For example, an EEPROM, HDD, or SSD could be the auxiliary storage device 13. The auxiliary storage device 13 stores data used by the processor 11 in performing various processes, data created by the processing performed by the processor 11, etc. The auxiliary storage device 13 may also store the application program described above.

[0036] Clock 14 measures the date and time. Mobile sales support server 10 obtains the date and time measured by clock 14 as the current date and time.

[0037] The network interface 15 is a communication interface connected to the communication network 41. The mobile sales support server 10 can communicate data wirelessly with the in-vehicle terminal 20 and the monitor terminal 30 via the network interface 15.

[0038] The server-to-server interface 16 is a communication interface connected to the server-to-server network 42. The mobile sales support server 10 can communicate data with the map information server 50 via the server-to-server interface 16.

[0039] In this configuration, the mobile sales support server 10 uses a portion of the storage area of ​​the auxiliary storage device 13 as the area for the sales location database 131, the replenishment location database 132, and the loaded product database 133.

[0040] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing the main data structure of the sales location database 131. The sales location database 131 is a collection of sales location records created for each sales location, i.e., the first sales location Pa, the second sales location Pb, the third sales location Pc, and the fourth sales location Pd. Each sales location record includes the following data: record number, location ID, location name, latitude and longitude, arrival time AT, and departure time DT. The record number is a sequential number starting from "1".

[0041] The location ID is identification information set for each sales location Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pd in ​​order to identify each sales location. In this embodiment, the location ID for the first sales location Pa is set to "001", the location ID for the second sales location Pb is set to "002", the location ID for the third sales location Pc is set to "003", and the location ID for the fourth sales location Pd is set to "004".

[0042] The location name is the identifier name of the sales location identified by the corresponding location ID. In this embodiment, the location name of the first sales location Pa is "Pa", the location name of the second sales location Pb is "Pb", the location name of the third sales location Pc is "Pc", and the location name of the fourth sales location Pd is "Pd".

[0043] The latitude and longitude are the latitude and longitude of the central point of the sales location identified by the corresponding location ID. For reference, in Figure 5, "zz°N" indicates north latitude and "zz°E" indicates east longitude. The arrival time AT is the time when mobile sales vehicle 1 is scheduled to arrive at the sales location identified by the corresponding location ID. The departure time DT is the time when mobile sales vehicle 1 is scheduled to depart from the same sales location.

[0044] In this embodiment, the sales location database 131 stores a sales location record with record number "1" that describes the time when the mobile sales vehicle 1 arrives at the first sales location Pa (AT=09:20) and the time when it departs from the sales location Pa (DT=09:50). Additionally, a sales location record with record number "2" is stored that describes the time when the mobile sales vehicle 1 arrives at the second sales location Pb (AT=10:10) and the time when it departs from the sales location Pb (DT=10:30). Similarly, a record with record number "3" is saved, describing the time when mobile sales vehicle 1 arrives at the third sales location Pc (AT=11:00) and the time when it departs from the sales location Pc (DT=11:30). A record with record number "4" is saved, describing the time when mobile sales vehicle 1 arrives at the fourth sales location Pd (AT=11:50) and the time when it departs from the sales location Pd (DT=12:10).

[0045] Thus, the mobile sales vehicle 1, having departed from warehouse S, tours the regional SA in the order of the first sales location Pa, second sales location Pb, third sales location Pc, and fourth sales location Pd, according to the arrival time AT and departure time DT set in the sales location database 131, and conducts mobile sales at each location. Meanwhile, consumers can utilize the mobile sales by going to any of the sales locations Pa, Pb, Pc, or Pd within the sales hours set for that sales location, from the arrival time AT to the departure time DT.

[0046] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing the main data structure of the replenishment location database 132. The replenishment location database 132 is a collection of replenishment location records created for each location where out-of-stock items are replenished. The replenishment location record includes the record number, location ID, location name, latitude and longitude, and travel time Tt data. The record number is a sequential number starting from "1".

[0047] In this embodiment, replenishment is possible not only at each replenishment location shown in Figure 1, namely the first replenishment location Ma, the second replenishment location Mb, and the third replenishment location Mc, but also at each sales location, namely the first sales location Pa, the second sales location Pb, the third sales location Pc, and the fourth sales location Pd. For this reason, the replenishment location database 132 stores seven replenishment location records, with record numbers from "1" to "7", corresponding to the first replenishment location Ma, the second replenishment location Mb, the third replenishment location Mc, the first sales location Pa, the second sales location Pb, the third sales location Pc, and the fourth sales location Pd, respectively.

[0048] The location ID is the identification information for the location where the out-of-stock items are replenished, i.e., the replenishment locations Ma to Mc or the sales locations Pa to Pd. In this embodiment, the location ID for the first replenishment location Ma is set to "101", the location ID for the second replenishment location Mb is set to "102", and the location ID for the third replenishment location Mc is set to "013".

[0049] The location name is the identification name of the location identified by the corresponding location ID, i.e., the replenishment location Ma~Mc or sales location Pa~Pd. In this embodiment, the location name of the first replenishment location Ma is "Ma", the location name of the second replenishment location Mb is "Mb", and the location name of the third replenishment location Mc is "Mc".

[0050] The latitude and longitude are those of the central point of the location identified by the corresponding location ID, i.e., the replenishment location Ma~Mc or the sales location Pa~Pd. Incidentally, in Figure 6, "zz°N" indicates north latitude and "zz°E" indicates east longitude.

[0051] The required time Tt is the estimated time required for replenishment vehicle 2 to depart from warehouse S and arrive at the location identified by the corresponding location ID, i.e., replenishment location Ma~Mc or sales location Pa~Pd. The required time for replenishment vehicle 2 to travel the shortest route from warehouse S to replenishment location Ma~Mc or sales location Pa~Pd is recorded in each replenishment location record.

[0052] Incidentally, in this embodiment, the time required Tt from warehouse S to the first replenishment location Ma is set to 15 minutes, the time required Tt to the second replenishment location Mb is set to 30 minutes, and the time required Tt to the third replenishment location Mc is set to 20 minutes. Also, the time required Tt from warehouse S to the first sales location Pa is set to 20 minutes, the time required Tt to the second sales location Pb is set to 45 minutes, the time required Tt to the third sales location Pc is set to 45 minutes, and the time required Tt to the fourth sales location Pd is set to 20 minutes.

[0053] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram showing the main data structure of the loaded goods database 133. The loaded goods database 133 is a collection of loaded goods records created for each item loaded onto the mobile sales vehicle 1. Each loaded goods record includes data such as product code, product name, price, and quantity loaded.

[0054] The product code is a unique code assigned to identify each product item. The product name and price are the item name and price of the product identified by the corresponding product code. The quantity loaded is the number of products identified by the corresponding product code that are loaded onto the mobile sales vehicle 1. The loaded product database 133 stores the product code, product name, price, and quantity of each product loaded onto the mobile sales vehicle 1 when the mobile sales vehicle 1 departs from warehouse S.

[0055] [Description of Mobile Sales Support Server Functions] Figure 8 is a block diagram showing the main functional configuration of the mobile sales support server 10. Figure 9 is a sequence diagram of the main data signals exchanged between the mobile sales support server 10 and the in-vehicle terminal 20. The main functions of the mobile sales support server 10, namely its function as a mobile sales management device that can reliably replenish stock at the next sales location without delay if a shortage occurs during mobile sales, will be explained below using Figures 8 and 9.

[0056] As shown in Figure 8, the mobile sales support server 10 has the functions of a sales location identification means 51, a loading quantity calculation means 52, a stockout identification means 53, a route estimation means 54, a route extraction means 55, a route determination means 56, a replenishment base determination means 57, a first output means 58, and a second output means 59. These functions are realized by the processor 11 of the mobile sales support server 10 executing information processing according to the mobile sales support program.

[0057] The mobile sales support program is a type of application program stored in the main memory 12 or auxiliary storage device 13. The method of installing the mobile sales support program in the main memory 12 or auxiliary storage device 13 is not particularly limited. The mobile sales support program can be installed in the main memory 12 or auxiliary storage device 13 by recording it on a removable recording medium or by distributing it via network communication. The recording medium can be of any form, as long as it can store a program and is readable by the device, such as a CD-ROM or memory card.

[0058] The sales location identification means 51 is a function that identifies the sales location where the mobile sales vehicle 1 is conducting mobile sales. The sales location identification means 51 identifies the sales location based on information from the in-vehicle terminal 20 installed in the mobile sales vehicle 1.

[0059] As shown in Figure 9, when the mobile sales vehicle 1 starts moving, the in-vehicle terminal 20 outputs a start event EVa to the mobile sales support server 10. Upon receiving this start event EVa, the processor 11 of the mobile sales support server 10 starts tracking the mobile sales vehicle 1 as ACT1. Specifically, the processor 11 periodically requests location information from the in-vehicle terminal 20. Upon receiving this request, the in-vehicle terminal 20 transmits the location information of the mobile sales vehicle 1, which it has obtained by positioning using the GPS receiver 25, to the mobile sales support server 10. Based on the location information received from the in-vehicle terminal 20, the processor 11 tracks the mobile sales vehicle 1 that has started moving.

[0060] As shown in Figure 9, when the mobile sales vehicle 1 stops, a stop event EVb is output from the in-vehicle terminal 20 to the mobile sales support server 10. Upon receiving this stop event EVb, the processor 11 of the mobile sales support server 10 identifies the stopping location of the mobile sales vehicle 1 as ACT2. For example, the processor 11 obtains the latitude and longitude of the place where the mobile sales vehicle 1 has stopped based on the location information received from the in-vehicle terminal 20. Then, as ACT3, the processor 11 checks whether the place where the mobile sales vehicle 1 has stopped is one of the sales locations Pa, Pb, Pc, or Pd. That is, the processor 11 checks whether the latitude and longitude of the place where the mobile sales vehicle 1 has stopped matches the latitude and longitude of any sales location record stored in the sales location database 131. If the latitude and longitude do not match, the processor 11 continues tracking the mobile sales vehicle 1. If the latitude and longitude match, the processor 11 recognizes that the mobile sales vehicle 1 has stopped at the sales location Px identified by the location ID of the sales location record whose latitude and longitude match. At this point, the mobile sales support server 10 realizes its function as a sales location identification means 51 by having the processor 11 execute the processing of ACT1 to ACT3.

[0061] The loading quantity calculation means 52 is a function that calculates the number of items loaded on the mobile sales vehicle 1 in real time, item by item. The loading quantity calculation means 52 calculates the number of items loaded on the mobile sales vehicle 1 by subtracting the number of items sold to consumers at the sales location Px from the loading quantity managed in the loaded item database 133.

[0062] As shown in Figure 9, when the processor 11 of the mobile sales support server 10 recognizes that the mobile sales vehicle 1 has stopped at the sales location Px, it issues a sales start notification as ACT4. Specifically, the processor 11 outputs a sales start event EVc to the in-vehicle terminal 20. Upon receiving the sales start event EVc, the in-vehicle terminal 20 displays on the touch panel 27 that permission to start mobile sales has been granted. Upon confirming this display, the salesperson begins selling the goods. When a consumer purchases a product, the salesperson scans the barcode attached to the product with the scanner 26. As the barcode is scanned by the scanner 26, a product sales event EVd is output from the in-vehicle terminal 20 to the mobile sales support server 10, as shown in Figure 9. The product sales event EVd contains the data of the scanned barcode, i.e., the product code of the product purchased by the consumer.

[0063] The processor 11 of the mobile sales support server 10 executes a loading quantity subtraction process as ACT5 each time it receives a product sales event EVd. Specifically, the processor 11 obtains the product code from the barcode data included in the product sales event EVd and subtracts "1" from the loading quantity stored in the loading product database 133 associated with that product code. The loading quantity after the subtraction is the number of corresponding products actually loaded in the mobile sales vehicle 1. Here, the mobile sales support server 10 realizes its function as a loading quantity calculation means 52 by having the processor 11 execute the ACT5 process.

[0064] The stockout identification means 53 is a function that identifies products that have become out of stock during sales at a sales location from among the products loaded on the mobile sales vehicle 1. When the mobile sales at sales location Px are finished, the salesperson touches the sales end button displayed on the touch panel 27. When the sales end button is touched, a sales end event EVe is output from the in-vehicle terminal 20 to the mobile sales support server 10, as shown in Figure 9.

[0065] When the processor 11 of the mobile sales support server 10 receives a sales completion event EVe, it executes an out-of-stock search process as ACT6. That is, the processor 11 checks the number of each item stored in the loaded product database 133 one by one. The processor 11 then checks whether the number of items is below a predetermined out-of-stock threshold. The out-of-stock threshold is the maximum value at which an item is considered out of stock. For example, if an item is considered out of stock when all of it is gone, the out-of-stock threshold is "0". For example, if an item is considered out of stock when 3 items remain, the out-of-stock threshold is "3". The value of the out-of-stock threshold is arbitrary.

[0066] Processor 11 checks, as ACT7, whether there are any items whose stock quantity is below the stockout threshold. If there are no items whose stock quantity is below the stockout threshold, processor 11 determines that there are no stockouts. Processor 11 issues a departure permission notification as ACT8. Specifically, processor 11 outputs a departure permission event EVf to the in-vehicle terminal 20. Upon receiving the departure permission event EVf, the in-vehicle terminal 20 displays on the touch panel 27 that it is permitted to depart for the next sales location. Upon seeing this display, the salesperson departs the mobile sales vehicle 1 at the departure time DA of sales location Px and begins moving towards the next sales location Py or warehouse S.

[0067] On the other hand, if there is even one item whose stock quantity is below the stockout threshold, the processor 11 determines that there is a stockout. The processor 11 identifies the item whose stock quantity is below the stockout threshold as a stockout as ACT9. Here, the mobile sales support server 10 realizes the function of a stockout identification means 53 by having the processor 11 execute the processing of ACT6 to ACT9.

[0068] When a shortage is identified, the processor 11 executes a replenishment location determination process as ACT 10. The replenishment location determination process is realized by the functions of the route estimation means 54, route extraction means 55, route determination means 56, replenishment location determination means 57, first output means 58, and second output means 59.

[0069] The route estimation means 54 is a function that estimates the route that the mobile sales vehicle 1 will take from sales location Px where a shortage has occurred, via the replenishment location, to the next sales location Py, for each of the multiple replenishment locations identified by the location ID of each replenishment location record stored in the replenishment location database 132. For example, if the sales location Px where the shortage occurred was the second sales location Pb, the route estimation means 54 estimates the following routes: a first route from the second sales location Pb to the third sales location Pc via the first replenishment location Ma; a second route from the second sales location Pb to the third sales location Pc via the second replenishment location Mb; a third route from the second sales location Pb to the third sales location Pc via the third replenishment location Mc; a fourth route from the second sales location Pb to the third sales location Pc via the first sales location Pa; a fifth route from the second replenishment location Pb to the third sales location Pc, with the second sales location Pb being the replenishment location; a sixth route from the second replenishment location Pb to the third sales location Pc, with the third sales location Pc being the replenishment location; and a seventh route from the second sales location Pb to the third sales location Pc via the fourth sales location Pd.

[0070] The route extraction means 55 is a function that extracts routes that could be candidates for replenishment routes from among a plurality of routes estimated by the route estimation means 54. The route extraction means 55 calculates the time of arrival after replenishment RAT for each route estimated by the route estimation means 54. The time of arrival after replenishment RAT is the time when the mobile sales vehicle 1 is expected to arrive at the next sales location Py after traveling along the route and replenishing out-of-stock items at a replenishment location along that route. The route extraction means 55 extracts routes in which the time of arrival after replenishment RAT has not exceeded the time of arrival AT of the sales location Py set in the sales location database 131 as candidates for replenishment routes.

[0071] Specifically, the route extraction means 55 calculates a first arrival time Tm for the mobile sales vehicle 1 to arrive at a replenishment location on the route estimated by the route estimation means 54, and a second arrival time Tn for the replenishment vehicle 2 to arrive at the same replenishment location. The route extraction means 55 then selects the later of the first arrival time Tm and the second arrival time Tn, and adds a predetermined replenishment work time RWH to the selected time to determine the departure time from the replenishment location. The replenishment work time RWH is the time required to replenish the mobile sales vehicle 1 with the items that have run out from the replenishment vehicle 2, for example, 3 minutes. The route extraction means 55 then calculates the post-replenishment arrival time RAT by adding the time required from the replenishment location to the next sales location Py to the departure time from the replenishment location. The route extraction means 55 then extracts the route as a candidate for a replenishment route if the post-replenishment arrival time RAT is equal to the arrival time AT of sales location Py, or if the post-replenishment arrival time RAT is earlier than the arrival time AT.

[0072] The route determination means 56 has the function of selecting the route with the smallest difference ΔT (ΔT=|Tm-Tn|) between the first arrival time Tm and the second arrival time Tn from among the routes extracted as candidate supplementary routes by the route extraction means 55 as the supplementary route. In other words, for each route extracted as a candidate supplementary route, the route determination means 56 obtains the first arrival time Tm and the second arrival time Tn calculated by the route extraction means 55 and calculates the difference ΔT. Then, the route determination means 56 selects the route with the smallest difference ΔT as the supplementary route.

[0073] The replenishment base determination means 57 is a function that determines a replenishment base to replenish the goods that have run out on the route that the mobile sales vehicle 1 travels along from the sales location Px where the shortage occurred to the next sales location Py. In other words, the replenishment base determination means 57 determines the replenishment locations on the travel route determined as the replenishment travel route by the route determination means 56 as replenishment bases. For example, if the first travel route from sales location Px to sales location Py via the first replenishment base Ma is determined as the replenishment travel route, the replenishment base determination means 57 determines the first replenishment base Ma as the replenishment base. For example, if the fifth travel route from the current sales location Px directly to the next sales location Py is determined as the replenishment travel route, with the next sales location Py as the replenishment base, the replenishment base determination means 57 determines the next sales location Py as the replenishment base.

[0074] The first output means 58 has the function of outputting information related to the replenishment base determined by the replenishment base determination means 57 to the in-vehicle terminal 20. Specifically, as shown in Figure 9, the first output means 58 outputs a replenishment event EVg to the in-vehicle terminal 20. The replenishment event EVg includes information related to the replenishment base, such as information on the driving route determined as the replenishment driving route, the name of the location that is the replenishment base on that replenishment driving route, and the replenishment time. The replenishment time is the later of the first arrival time Tm and the second arrival time Tn of the driving route determined as the replenishment driving route. The first output means 58 may also output information related to the replenishment of out-of-stock items to the in-vehicle terminal 20, such as the name of the out-of-stock item and the number to be replenished. The number to be replenished is, for example, the number obtained by subtracting the current number of items loaded from the number of items loaded when the out-of-stock item left the warehouse. At least information related to the replenishment base is displayed on the touch panel 27 of the in-vehicle terminal 20 as replenishment information, so the salesperson only needs to start the mobile sales vehicle 1 from the sales location Px toward the replenishment base.

[0075] The second output means 59 has the function of outputting information related to the replenishment base determined by the replenishment base determination means 57 and information related to the replenishment of out-of-stock items to the monitor terminal 30. Specifically, as shown in Figure 9, the second output means 59 outputs a monitor event EVh to the monitor terminal 30. The monitor event EVh includes information related to the replenishment base, such as the travel route from warehouse S to the replenishment base, the name of the location that became the replenishment base, and the replenishment time. The monitor event EVh also includes information related to the replenishment of out-of-stock items, such as the name of the out-of-stock item and the number of items to be replenished. Since the information related to the replenishment base and the information related to the replenishment of out-of-stock items are displayed on the monitor terminal 30, the replenishment person only needs to gather the out-of-stock items and start the replenishment vehicle 2 to the replenishment base. The first output means 58 and the second output means 59 can be collectively referred to as the output means.

[0076] [Explanation of the process for determining the replenishment location] Here, we will explain the procedure for determining replenishment locations, which is realized by the functions of the route estimation means 54, route extraction means 55, route determination means 56, replenishment base determination means 57, first output means 58, and second output means 59.

[0077] Figures 10 and 11 are flowcharts showing the procedure for determining a replenishment location, which is performed by the processor 11 in accordance with the mobile sales support program. When a product that is out of stock is identified in ACT9 in Figure 9, the processor 11 starts the information processing procedure shown in the flowcharts of Figures 10 and 11. The processor 11 stores the location name Px (x=a,b,c or d) indicating the current sales location, which has been identified by the sales location identification means 51 as ACT21, in the current sales location memory. The current sales location memory is part of the volatile memory area in the main memory 12.

[0078] The processor 11, having stored the location name Px, proceeds to ACT22. As ACT22, the processor 11 checks whether the location name Px is the name of the fourth sales location Pd, which is the last sales location on the mobile sales route. If the location name Px is the name of the fourth sales location Pd, then the sales location where the shortage occurred is the sales location immediately before returning to warehouse S. Therefore, there is no need to replenish the out-of-stock items. The processor 11 then completes the information processing for the procedure shown in the flowcharts in Figures 10 and 11.

[0079] If location name Px is not the location name of the fourth sales location Pd, the processor 11 proceeds to ACT23. As ACT23, the processor 11 refers to the sales location database 131 and stores the location name Py of the next sales location where the mobile sales vehicle 1 will conduct mobile sales after the sales location identified by location name Px in the next sales location memory. For example, if location name Px was the location name of the third sales location Pc, the location name of the fourth sales location Pd is stored in the next sales location memory. The next sales location memory is also part of the volatile memory area in main memory 12.

[0080] The processor 11, having stored the location name Py, proceeds to ACT24. As ACT24, the processor 11 resets the number counter n to "0". Next, as ACT25, the processor 11 increments the number counter n by "1". Then, as ACT26, the processor 11 checks whether the number counter n has exceeded the maximum value N (7 in this embodiment) of the replenishment location records stored in the replenishment location database 132.

[0081] If the number counter n does not exceed the maximum value N, the processor 11 proceeds to ACT27. In ACT27, the processor 11 identifies a location identified by the location ID and location name of a replenishment location record whose record number matches the number counter n as a candidate replenishment location RP. Then, in ACT28, with the assistance of the map information server 50, the processor 11 estimates the shortest route from the current sales location Px where the shortage occurred, via the location of the candidate replenishment location RP, to the next sales location Py, as the nth travel route. For example, when the number counter n is "1", the first replenishment location Ma becomes the candidate replenishment location RP, so the processor 11 estimates the shortest route from the current sales location Px, via the first replenishment location Ma, to the next sales location Py, as the first travel route.

[0082] The processor 11, having estimated the nth travel route, proceeds to ACT29. The processor 11 calculates the time of arrival after replenishment, RAT, as ACT29. The time of arrival after replenishment, RAT, is the time it is predicted that the mobile sales vehicle 1 will depart from the current sales location Px, travel along the nth travel route, replenish the depleted items at the candidate replenishment location RP, and then arrive at the next sales location Py. The time of arrival after replenishment, RAT, is the time elapsed from the departure time DT from the current sales location Px, including the first travel time MHa from the current sales location Px to the candidate replenishment location RP, the replenishment work time RWH, and the second travel time MHb from the candidate replenishment location RP to the next sales location Py.

[0083] For example, if the sales location where the shortage occurred was the third sales location Pc, the first travel route is the shortest route from the third sales location Pc, via the first replenishment location Ma, to the fourth sales location Pd. Here, assuming the first travel time MHa is 7 minutes, the replenishment work time RWH is 3 minutes, and the second travel time MHb is 4 minutes, the departure time from the third sales location Pc is 11:30, so the arrival time RAT after replenishment will be 11:44, 14 minutes later.

[0084] After calculating the arrival time RAT after replenishment, processor 11 proceeds to ACT30. As ACT30, processor 11 refers to the sales location database 131 and obtains the arrival time AT set for the next sales location Py. Then, as ACT31, processor 11 checks whether the arrival time RAT after replenishment has exceeded the arrival time AT. If the arrival time RAT after replenishment has exceeded the arrival time AT, that is, if the inequality [RAT ≤ AT] does not hold, processor 11 proceeds to ACT32. As ACT32, processor 11 discards the nth travel route.

[0085] In contrast, if the arrival time RAT after replenishment has not exceeded the arrival time AT, i.e., if the inequality [RAT ≤ AT] holds, the processor 11 proceeds to ACT 33. The processor 11 calculates the first arrival time Tm, which is the time when the mobile sales vehicle 1 arrives at the candidate replenishment location RP, as ACT 33. The first arrival time Tm is the time when the first travel time MHa has elapsed from the departure time DT of the current sales location Px.

[0086] Having calculated the first arrival time Tm, the processor 11 proceeds to ACT34. As ACT34, the processor 11 refers to the replenishment location database 132 to obtain the time Tt required for the replenishment vehicle 2 to arrive at the candidate replenishment location RP. Then, as ACT35, the processor 11 calculates the second arrival time Tn, which is estimated to be the time when the replenishment vehicle 2 will arrive at the candidate replenishment location RP. The second arrival time Tn is the time after a predetermined replenishment preparation time RPT and the required time Tt have elapsed since the time the shortage was identified. The replenishment preparation time RPT is the time required for the replenishment worker who confirmed the shortage to gather the missing items and drive the replenishment vehicle 2, and is set to, for example, 4 minutes.

[0087] The processor 11, having calculated the second arrival time Tn, proceeds to ACT36. As ACT36, the processor 11 stores the first arrival time Tm, the second arrival time Tn, and the arrival time RAT after replenishment in the extracted root memory, associating them with the number counter n. The extracted root memory is part of the volatile memory area in the main memory 12.

[0088] If the processor 11 discards the nth travel route in ACT32, or if it stores the first arrival time Tm, the second arrival time Tn, and the arrival time RAT after replenishment in the extracted route memory associated with the number counter n in ACT36, it returns to ACT25. The processor 11 then executes the processing from ACT25 onward in the same manner as described above. That is, the processor 11 increments the number counter n by "1" each time, and repeatedly executes the processing from ACT27 to ACT36 until the number counter n exceeds the maximum value N of the replenishment location records.

[0089] Specifically, the processor 11 refers to the replenishment location database 132 based on the number counter n to identify candidate replenishment location RPs, and estimates the nth travel route from the current sales location Px, via the location of the candidate replenishment location RP, to the next sales location Py. For example, when the number counter n is "2", it estimates the second travel route from the current sales location Px, via the second replenishment location Mb, to the next sales location Py. When the number counter n is "3", it estimates the third travel route from the current sales location Px, via the third replenishment location Mc, to the next sales location Py. When the number counter n is "4", it estimates the fourth travel route from the current sales location Px, via the first sales location Pa, to the next sales location Py. When the number counter n is "5", it estimates the fifth travel route from the current sales location Px, via the second sales location Pb, to the next sales location Py. When the number counter n is "6", it estimates the sixth travel route from the current sales location Px, via the third sales location Pc, to the next sales location Py. When the number counter n is "7", the sixth travel route is estimated, starting from the current sales location Px, passing through the fourth sales location Pd, and ending at the next sales location Py.

[0090] Each time the nth travel route is estimated, the processor 11 calculates the post-replenishment arrival time RAT, which is the predicted arrival time of the mobile sales vehicle 1 that traveled along that route to the next sales location Py. The processor 11 then checks whether the post-replenishment arrival time RAT has passed the arrival time AT set for the next sales location Py. If the post-replenishment arrival time RAT has passed the arrival time AT, the processor 11 discards the nth travel route. If the post-replenishment arrival time RAT has not passed the arrival time AT, the processor 11 calculates the first arrival time Tm and the second arrival time Tn, and stores the first arrival time Tm, the second arrival time Tn, and the post-replenishment arrival time RAT in the extracted route memory, associated with the number counter n.

[0091] By repeatedly executing the processes described in ACT25 to ACT36, the extracted route memory stores the first arrival time Tm, the second arrival time Tn, and the arrival time RAT after replenishment for the nth travel route in which the arrival time RAT after replenishment has not exceeded the arrival time AT.

[0092] In ACT26, when the number counter n exceeds the maximum value N of the replenishment location records, the processor 11 proceeds to ACT41 in Figure 11. For each travel route data stored in the extracted route memory as ACT41, the processor 11 calculates the difference ΔT between the first arrival time Tm and the second arrival time Tn. Then, as ACT42, the processor 11 determines the travel route with the smallest difference ΔT as the replenishment travel route R.

[0093] Having determined the replenishment route R, the processor 11 proceeds to ACT43. As ACT43, the processor 11 identifies the replenishment location Mr on the replenishment route R as the replenishment base MT. Then, as ACT44, the processor 11 determines the replenishment time MTT at the replenishment base MT. The replenishment time MTT is the later of the first arrival time Tm, which is predicted to be when the mobile sales vehicle 1 arrives at the replenishment base MT via the replenishment route R, and the second arrival time Tn, which is predicted to be when the replenishment vehicle 2 arrives at the replenishment base MT via the shortest route from warehouse S.

[0094] After identifying a replenishment base MT and determining the replenishment time MTT at that replenishment base MT, the processor 11 proceeds to ACT 45. As ACT 45, the processor 11 controls the transmission of a replenishment event EVg. This control causes the replenishment event EVg to be transmitted from the network interface 15. The replenishment event EVg is transmitted to the in-vehicle terminal 20 via the communication network 41. The replenishment event EVg includes information related to the replenishment base, such as the travel route from the current sales location through the location of the replenishment base MT to the next sales location, the name of the location that is the replenishment base MT, and the replenishment time MTT. The replenishment event EVg may also include information related to the replenishment of out-of-stock items, such as the name of the out-of-stock item and the quantity to be replenished.

[0095] Furthermore, the processor 11 also controls the transmission of the monitor event EVh as ACT46. This control causes the monitor event to be transmitted from the network interface 15. The monitor event is transmitted to the monitor terminal 30 via the communication network 41. The monitor event includes information related to the replenishment base, such as the travel route from warehouse S to replenishment base MT, the name of the location of replenishment base MT, and the replenishment time MTT. The monitor event also includes information related to the replenishment of out-of-stock items, such as the name of the out-of-stock item and the quantity to be replenished.

[0096] Note that the timing of sending the supplement event EVg and the monitor event EVh may be reversed. That is, the monitor event EVh may be sent first, followed by the supplement event EVg. Alternatively, the supplement event EVg and the monitor event EVh may be sent simultaneously. The processor 11, which controls the sending of the supplement event EVg and the monitor event EVh, completes the information processing procedure shown in the flowcharts of Figures 10 and 11.

[0097] Here, the mobile sales support server 10 realizes the function of a route estimation means 54 by having the processor 11 execute the processing of ACT21 to ACT28. The mobile sales support server 10 realizes the function of a route extraction means 55 by having the processor 11 execute the processing of ACT29 to ACT36. The mobile sales support server 10 realizes the function of a route determination means 56 by having the processor 11 execute the processing of ACT41 and ACT42. The mobile sales support server 10 realizes the function of a replenishment base determination means 57 by having the processor 11 execute the processing of ACT57 and ACT58. The mobile sales support server 10 realizes the function of a first output means 58 by having the processor 11 execute the processing of ACT45. The mobile sales support server 10 realizes the function of a second output means 59 by having the processor 11 execute the processing of ACT46.

[0098] When the in-vehicle terminal 20 receives the replenishment event EVg, the replenishment information is displayed on the touch panel 27. Similarly, when the monitor terminal 30 receives the monitor event EVh, the replenishment information is also displayed on the display.

[0099] Figure 12 shows an example of screen SCa displayed on the touch panel 27 of the in-vehicle terminal 20 that has received a replenishment event EVg. As shown in the figure, screen SCa includes a location name area ARa, a time area ARb, a list area ARc, and a driving route area ARd. The location name area ARa displays the location name of the replenishment base MT. The time area ARb displays the replenishment time MTT. The list area ARc displays a replenishment product list showing the product name and replenishment quantity k of the out-of-stock items. The driving route area ARd displays the driving route from the current sales location Px, through the replenishment base MT, to the next sales location Py. Screen SCa also displays a replenishment completion button BTa. The replenishment completion button BTa is a software key used to declare that the replenishment of the out-of-stock items has been completed. The driving route may also be displayed on the car navigation system.

[0100] Figure 13 shows an example of screen SCb displayed on the monitor terminal 30 that receives the monitor event EVh. As shown in the figure, screen SCb includes a location name area ARe, a time area ARf, a list area ARg, and a travel route area ARh. The location name area ARe displays the location name of the replenishment base MT. The time area ARf displays the replenishment time MTT. The list area ARg displays a list of replenishment products, showing the product names and replenishment quantities k of the out-of-stock items. The travel route area ARh displays the travel route from warehouse S to replenishment base MT. The travel route from warehouse S to the next sales location Py via replenishment base MT may also be displayed. Note that the travel route may be displayed on a car navigation system.

[0101] After the salesperson confirms the SCa displayed on the touch panel 27, they depart the mobile sales vehicle 1 towards the replenishment base MT when it is time to depart from the sales location Px. When the mobile sales vehicle 1 departs, a departure event EVi is output from the in-vehicle terminal 20 to the mobile sales support server 10, as shown in Figure 9. Upon receiving this departure event EVi, the processor 11 of the mobile sales support server 10 resumes tracking the mobile sales vehicle 1 as ACT11.

[0102] Subsequently, when the mobile sales vehicle 1 stops, a stop event EVj is output from the in-vehicle terminal 20 to the mobile sales support server 10, as shown in Figure 9. Upon receiving this stop event EVj, the processor 11 of the mobile sales support server 10 identifies the stopping location of the mobile sales vehicle 1 as ACT12. Then, as ACT13, the processor 11 checks whether the location where the mobile sales vehicle 1 stopped is the location of the replenishment base MT. That is, the processor 11 checks whether the latitude and longitude of the location where the mobile sales vehicle 1 stopped match the latitude and longitude of the location identified as the replenishment base MT. If the latitude and longitude do not match, the processor 11 continues tracking the mobile sales vehicle 1. If the latitude and longitude match, the processor 11 recognizes that the mobile sales vehicle 1 has stopped at the replenishment base MT.

[0103] Meanwhile, the replenishment staff, after checking screen SCb displayed on the monitor terminal 30, collects the required number of items from warehouse S and loads them onto replenishment vehicle 2. The replenishment staff then starts replenishment vehicle 2 towards the location of replenishment base MT. Consequently, mobile sales vehicle 1 arrives at the designated location of replenishment base MT at approximately the first arrival time Tm, and replenishment vehicle 2 arrives at the second arrival time Tn. There, the salesperson and replenishment staff transfer the items loaded onto replenishment vehicle 2 to mobile sales vehicle 1 to replenish the out-of-stock items. Once replenishment is complete, the salesperson touches the replenishment completion button BTa on screen SCa displayed on touch panel 27.

[0104] When the replenishment completion button BTa is touched, a replenishment completion event EVk is output from the in-vehicle terminal 20 to the mobile sales support server 10, as shown in Figure 9. Upon receiving this replenishment completion event EVk, the processor 11 of the mobile sales support server 10 executes a loading count addition process as ACT14. That is, the processor 11 adds the number of items replenished in the replenishment product list to the loading count stored in the loading product database 133, which is associated with the product code of the items included in the replenishment product list. In other words, the loading count after the cumulative count addition process matches the number of items loaded in the mobile sales vehicle 1 after the out-of-stock items have been replenished.

[0105] After replenishing the stock of out-of-stock items, the vendor at mobile sales vehicle 1 sets off for the next sales location Py. Thus, mobile sales vehicle 1 arrives at the next sales location Py. The arrival time at this point is approximately the arrival time after replenishment, RAT. That is, it is either before or at approximately the same time as the arrival time AT set for sales location Py. Therefore, consumers using the mobile sales service at sales location Py are not kept waiting, and the mobile sales are completed.

[0106] Thus, according to this embodiment, even if a product runs out during a mobile sales trip, it is possible to construct a mobile sales system that can reliably replenish it without delay at the next sales location.

[0107] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the route determination means 56 selects the route with the smallest difference ΔT between the first arrival time Tm and the second arrival time Tn from among the routes extracted as candidate replenishment routes by the route extraction means 55 as the replenishment route. A minimum difference ΔT means that the waiting time from when the mobile sales vehicle 1 arrives at the replenishment base MT until the replenishment vehicle 2 arrives at the same replenishment base MT, or from when the replenishment vehicle 2 arrives at the replenishment base MT until the mobile sales vehicle 1 arrives at the same replenishment base MT, is the shortest. Therefore, since the waiting time before replenishment work begins at the replenishment base MT is short, the depleted products can be replenished to the mobile sales vehicle 1 without wasting time.

[0108] [Second Embodiment] In the first embodiment described above, the route determination means 56 exemplified a case where it selected the route with the smallest difference ΔT between the first arrival time Tm and the second arrival time Tn from among the routes extracted as candidate supplementary travel routes by the route extraction means 55 as the supplementary travel route. However, the method for determining the supplementary travel route is not limited to this. Next, a second embodiment in which a different method is employed for determining the supplementary travel route in the route determination means 56 will be described with reference to Figure 14.

[0109] Figure 14 is a flowchart showing the procedure for determining a replenishment location, which is performed by the processor 11 according to the mobile sales support program. Specifically, it shows the procedure for processing after the number counter n exceeds the maximum value N of the replenishment location records in ACT26 of Figure 10. The procedure for determining a replenishment location, which was explained using Figure 10 in the first embodiment, is the same in the second embodiment, so its explanation is omitted here.

[0110] In ACT26, when the number counter n exceeds the maximum value N of the replenishment location records, the processor 11 proceeds to ACT51 in Figure 14. As ACT51, the processor 11 compares the post-replenishment arrival time RAT of each travel route stored in the extracted route memory. As ACT52, the processor 11 determines the travel route with the earliest post-replenishment arrival time RAT as the replenishment travel route R. The post-replenishment arrival time RAT is an example of a third arrival time.

[0111] The processing procedure after determining the replenishment route R is the same as in the first embodiment. Specifically, the processor 11 identifies the replenishment location Mr on the replenishment route R as the replenishment base MT as ACT53. Furthermore, the processor 11 determines the replenishment time MTT at the replenishment base MT as ACT55. Then, the processor 11 controls the transmission of the replenishment event EVg as ACT56. The processor 11 also controls the transmission of the monitor event EVh as ACT57. With these steps, the processor 11 completes the information processing procedure shown in the flowchart of Figure 14.

[0112] Thus, in the second embodiment, the route extraction means 55 selects the route with the earliest arrival time after replenishment (RAT) from among the candidate routes for replenishment routes and determines it as the replenishment route R. Having the earliest arrival time after replenishment (RAT) means that even if replenishment work takes time or delays occur due to road congestion, for example, there is less risk that the arrival time at the next sales location Py will be later than the arrival time AT set for that sales location Py. Therefore, even if a shortage occurs during mobile sales, it is possible to construct a mobile sales system that can reliably replenish products at the next sales location without delay.

[0113] [Third Embodiment] In the first embodiment, multiple replenishment locations were set up within the regional service area (SA). However, it is not necessary to pre-set replenishment locations. For example, any location accessible to the replenishment vehicle 2 on the route of the mobile sales vehicle 1 may be designated as a replenishment base (MT), and items that have run out may be replenished at that replenishment base (MT). Next, a third embodiment in which any location accessible to the replenishment vehicle 2 on the route of the mobile sales vehicle 1 is designated as a replenishment base (MT) will be described using Figures 15 to 17.

[0114] Figure 15 is a block diagram showing the main functional configuration of the mobile sales support server 10 in the third embodiment. As shown in Figure 15, the mobile sales support server 10 has the functions of a sales location identification means 61, a loading quantity calculation means 62, a stockout identification means 63, a route selection means 64, a replenishment location identification means 65, a route determination means 66, a replenishment base determination means 67, a first output means 68, and a second output means 69. These functions are realized by the processor 11 of the mobile sales support server 10 executing information processing according to the mobile sales support program.

[0115] Here, the sales location identification means 61, the loading quantity calculation means 62, and the stock shortage identification means 63, as well as the replenishment base determination means 67, the first output means 68, and the second output means 69, are the same as the sales location identification means 51, the loading quantity calculation means 52, and the stock shortage identification means 53, as well as the replenishment base determination means 57, the first output means 58, and the second output means 59 of the first embodiment described with reference to Figure 8. Therefore, further explanation is omitted here.

[0116] The route selection means 64 is a function that selects one or more candidate routes that the mobile sales vehicle 1 can take from sales location Px where a shortage has occurred to the next sales location Py. The route from sales location Px to the next sales location Py is not limited to one route. Usually, multiple routes are possible. The route selection means 64 takes into account the road network of the regional service area and selects multiple candidate routes that the mobile sales vehicle 1 can take from sales location Px to sales location Py.

[0117] The replenishment location identification means 65 has the function of identifying an arbitrary location on the candidate route selected by the route selection means 64 for each candidate route to which the replenishment vehicle 2, which is carrying the goods that have run out, will enter. For example, the replenishment location identification means 65 finds the shortest route from warehouse S, which is the starting point of the replenishment vehicle 2, to the point on the candidate route, and identifies the point on the route selected by the route selection means 64 where the replenishment vehicle 2 travels along that route as the replenishment location AL.

[0118] Incidentally, at replenishment point AL, mobile sales vehicle 1 and replenishment vehicle 2 will park and replenish any items that have run out. Therefore, if replenishment point AL is a no-parking zone, it will be necessary to re-identify replenishment point AL. However, the service areas where mobile sales are introduced are often in sparsely populated areas with low traffic volume, so the possibility of the location identified as replenishment point AL being a no-parking zone is considered extremely small.

[0119] The route determination means 66 has the function of determining the candidate route R as the replenishment route, which is the route that minimizes the difference ΔT between the first arrival time Tm at the replenishment location AL identified by the replenishment location identification means 65 and the second arrival time Tn at the replenishment location AL, from among the candidate routes selected by the route selection means 64. The method for calculating the first arrival time Tm and the second arrival time Tn is the same as in the first embodiment.

[0120] Here, the functions of the route selection means 64, replenishment location identification means 65, route determination means 66, replenishment base determination means 67, first output means 68, and second output means 69 are the same as in the first embodiment, and are realized by the replenishment location determination process after the shortage is identified by the shortage identification means 63.

[0121] Figures 16 and 17 are flowcharts showing the procedure for determining a replenishment location, which is performed by the processor 11 in accordance with the mobile sales support program. When a product that is out of stock is identified, the processor 11 starts the information processing procedure shown in the flowcharts of Figures 16 and 17. The processor 11 stores the location name Px (x=a,b,c or d), which indicates the current sales location identified by the sales location identification means 61, in the current sales location memory as ACT61. Next, the processor 11 checks as ACT62 whether the location name Px is the location name of the fourth sales location Pd, which is the last sales location on the mobile sales roundup route. If the location name Px is the location name of the fourth sales location Pd, the processor 11 terminates the information processing procedure shown in the flowcharts of Figures 16 and 17.

[0122] If location name Px is not the location name of the fourth sales location Pd, the processor 11 proceeds to ACT63. As ACT63, the processor 11 stores the location name Py of the next sales location where the mobile sales vehicle 1 will conduct mobile sales after the sales location identified by location name Px in the next sales location memory.

[0123] The processor 11, having stored the location name Py, proceeds to ACT64. As ACT64, the processor 11 selects one or more candidate routes that the mobile sales vehicle 1 can take from sales location Px to sales location Py.

[0124] The processor 11, having selected candidate routes, proceeds to ACT65. In ACT65, the processor 11 resets the number counter n to "0". Next, in ACT66, the processor 11 increments the number counter n by "1". Then, in ACT67, the processor 11 checks whether the number counter n has exceeded the number of routes N. The number of routes N is the number of routes selected as candidate routes in ACT64.

[0125] If the number counter n does not exceed the number of routes N, the processor 11 proceeds to ACT68. The processor 11 selects the nth candidate route as ACT68. Each candidate route selected in ACT64 is assigned a sequential number starting from "1". In ACT68, the processor 11 selects the candidate route that is assigned a number equal to the number counter n.

[0126] The processor 11, having selected the nth candidate route, proceeds to ACT69. The processor 11 predicts the time of arrival after replenishment, RAT, as ACT69. The time of arrival after replenishment, RAT, is the predicted time when the mobile sales vehicle 1, which departed from sales location Px at the departure time DT of the sales location Px where the goods were out of stock, travels along the nth route, replenishes the out-of-stock items at any point along that route, and then arrives at the next sales location Py. Specifically, the processor 11 obtains the travel time TR of the nth route with the assistance of the map information server 50. Then, the processor 11 predicts the time of arrival after replenishment, RAT, by adding the travel time TR and the replenishment work time RWH to the departure time DT of sales location Px.

[0127] The processor 11, having predicted the arrival time RAT after replenishment, proceeds to ACT70. As ACT70, the processor 11 refers to the sales location database 131 and obtains the arrival time AT set for the next sales location Py. Then, as ACT71, the processor 11 checks whether the arrival time RAT after replenishment has passed the arrival time AT. If the arrival time RAT after replenishment has passed the arrival time AT, i.e., the inequality [RAT≦AT] does not hold, the processor 11 proceeds to ACT72. As ACT72, the processor 11 discards the nth travel route.

[0128] In contrast, if the arrival time RAT after replenishment is not past the arrival time AT, that is, if the inequality [RAT ≤ AT] holds, the processor 11 proceeds to ACT 73. The processor 11 identifies the replenishment location AL as ACT 73. That is, with the assistance of the map information server 50, the processor 11 finds the shortest route from warehouse S to the nth travel route, and identifies the point where the replenishment vehicle 2, traveling along that route, enters the nth travel route as the replenishment location AL.

[0129] Having identified the replenishment location AL, the processor 11 proceeds to ACT74. The processor 11 calculates the first arrival time Tm as ACT74. The first arrival time Tm is the estimated time when the mobile sales vehicle 1 will arrive at the replenishment location AL. With the assistance of the map information server 50, the processor 11 obtains the time Tx required for the mobile sales vehicle 1 to travel the nth route from the sales location Px to the replenishment location AL. The processor 11 then calculates the time Tx elapsed from the departure time DT of the sales location Px as the first arrival time Tm.

[0130] The processor 11 also calculates the second arrival time Tn as ACT75. The second arrival time Tn is the estimated time when the replenishment vehicle 2 arrives at the replenishment location AL. With the assistance of the map information server 50, the processor 11 obtains the time Ty required for the replenishment vehicle 2 to arrive at the replenishment location AL via the shortest route from warehouse S. Then, the processor 11 calculates the second arrival time Tn as the time when a predetermined replenishment preparation time RPT and time Ty have elapsed from the time the shortage was identified.

[0131] Having calculated the second arrival time Tn, processor 11 proceeds to ACT76. As ACT76, processor 11 stores the replenishment location AL, the first arrival time Tm, the second arrival time Tn, and the arrival time RAT after replenishment in the extracted root memory, associating them with the number counter n.

[0132] In ACT72, the nth travel route is discarded, or in ACT76, the processor 11 stores the replenishment location AL, the first arrival time Tm, the second arrival time Tn, and the arrival time RAT after replenishment in the extracted route memory, associated with the number counter n, and returns to ACT66. The processor 11 then executes the processing from ACT66 onward in the same manner as described above. That is, the processor 11 increments the number counter n by "1" each time, and repeatedly executes the processing from ACT68 to ACT76 until the number counter n exceeds the number of routes N.

[0133] Specifically, the processor 11 sequentially selects the nth candidate route. Each time a route candidate is selected, the processor 11 calculates the time of arrival after replenishment (RAT) and checks whether the RAT has passed the time of arrival AT set for the next sales location Py. If the RAT has passed the time of arrival AT, the processor 11 discards the nth candidate route. If the RAT has not passed the time of arrival AT, the processor 11 identifies an arbitrary location on the nth route as the replenishment location AL, calculates the first time of arrival Tm for the mobile sales vehicle 1 to arrive at the replenishment location AL and the second time of arrival Tn for the replenishment vehicle 2 to arrive at the replenishment location AL, and stores the replenishment location AL, the first time of arrival Tm, the second time of arrival Tn, and the time of arrival after replenishment (RAT) in the extracted route memory, associated with the number counter n.

[0134] By repeatedly executing the processes of ACT66 to ACT76 described above, the extracted route memory stores the replenishment location AL, first arrival time Tm, second arrival time Tn, and post-replenishment arrival time RAT for route candidates whose post-replenishment arrival time RAT does not exceed the arrival time AT, out of the N number of route candidates.

[0135] In ACT67, when the number counter n exceeds the number of routes N, the processor 11 proceeds to ACT81 in Figure 17. In ACT81, the processor 11 calculates the difference ΔT between the first arrival time Tm and the second arrival time Tn for each route stored in the extracted route memory. Then, in ACT82, the processor 11 determines the route with the smallest difference ΔT as the supplementary route R.

[0136] Having determined the replenishment route R, the processor 11 proceeds to ACT 84. In ACT 84, the processor 11 identifies the replenishment location AL on the replenishment route R as the replenishment base MT. Then, in ACT 85, the processor 11 determines the replenishment time MTT at the replenishment base MT. The replenishment time MTT is the later of the first arrival time Tm, which is predicted to be when the mobile sales vehicle 1 arrives at the replenishment base MT via the replenishment route R, and the second arrival time Tn, which is predicted to be when the replenishment vehicle 2 arrives at the replenishment base MT via the shortest route from warehouse S.

[0137] After identifying the replenishment base MT and determining the replenishment time MTT at that base MT, the processor 11 proceeds to ACT85. As ACT85, the processor 11 controls the transmission of the replenishment event EVg. The processor 11 also controls the transmission of the monitor event EVh as ACT86. Thus, when the in-vehicle terminal 20 receives the replenishment event EVg, the replenishment information is displayed on the touch panel 27. Similarly, when the monitor terminal 30 receives the monitor event EVh, the replenishment information is displayed on the display.

[0138] The processor 11, which controlled the transmission of the supplement event EVg and the monitor event EVh, completes the information processing procedure shown in the flowcharts of Figures 16 and 17.

[0139] Here, the mobile sales support server 10 functions as a route selection means 64 by having the processor 11 execute the processing of ACT61 to ACT64. The mobile sales support server 10 functions as a replenishment location identification means 65 by having the processor 11 execute the processing of ACT65 to ACT73. The mobile sales support server 10 functions as a route determination means 66 by having the processor 11 execute the processing of ACT81 and ACT82. The mobile sales support server 10 functions as a replenishment base determination means 67 by having the processor 11 execute the processing of ACT83. The mobile sales support server 10 functions as a first output means 68 by having the processor 11 execute the processing of ACT85. The mobile sales support server 10 functions as a second output means 69 by having the processor 11 execute the processing of ACT86.

[0140] As is clear from the above explanation, in the third embodiment as well, it is possible to construct a mobile sales system that can reliably replenish stock at the next sales location without delay if a shortage occurs during mobile sales. Moreover, in the third embodiment, there is no need to set up replenishment locations within the regional service area. Therefore, there is also the advantage of not needing the replenishment location database 132.

[0141] In the third embodiment, the route determination means 66 exemplified a case where it determines the supplementary route R from among the nth candidate route, selecting the route with the smallest difference ΔT between the first arrival time Tm and the second arrival time Tn. In this regard, similar to the second embodiment, the processor 11 compares the third arrival times of each candidate route, i.e., the post-supplement arrival time RAT. The processor 11 may then determine the supplementary route R as the route with the earliest post-supplement arrival time RAT.

[0142] In other words, for each candidate route selected by the route selection means 64, the route determination means 66 calculates a third arrival time for the mobile sales vehicle 1 to travel along the candidate route, receive replenishment of out-of-stock items from the replenishment vehicle 2 at an arbitrary location identified by the replenishment location identification means 65, and then arrive at the next sales location. The route determination means 66 then determines the candidate route with the earliest third arrival time as the replenishment route. The replenishment base determination means 67 then determines an arbitrary location on the replenishment route determined by the route determination means 66 as a replenishment base for replenishing out-of-stock items. Needless to say, even with this configuration, it is possible to construct a mobile sales system that can reliably replenish items at the next sales location without delay if a shortage occurs during mobile sales.

[0143] [Differentiation] In the above embodiment, an example was given in which the mobile sales support server 10 is equipped with a loading quantity calculation means 52. The loading product database 133 is provided in the auxiliary storage device 23 of the in-vehicle terminal 20, so that the processor 21 of the in-vehicle terminal 20 can function as the loading quantity calculation means 52. Furthermore, the processor 21 of the in-vehicle terminal 20 can also function as a stockout identification means 53. That is, when the processor 21 detects that the loading quantity managed in the loading product database 133 has fallen below a predetermined stockout threshold, it sends an event to the mobile sales support server 10 to notify the mobile sales support server 10 of the stockout item. The processor 11 of the mobile sales support server 10 identifies the stockout item from the event from the in-vehicle terminal 20 and executes a replenishment location determination process. Even with such a configuration, it is possible to construct a mobile sales system that can reliably replenish stockouts without delay at the next sales location if a stockout occurs during mobile sales.

[0144] In the above embodiment, the information related to replenishing out-of-stock items included the number of items to be replenished. However, the number of items to be replenished may be omitted. For example, when a replenishment officer receives notification of an out-of-stock item, they can prepare an appropriate number and start the replenishment vehicle 2. On the other hand, a salesperson can replenish the necessary number of out-of-stock items from the replenishment vehicle 2, taking into account the number of remaining sales locations, consumer trends, etc. By adopting this operation, the number of items to be replenished can be omitted from the information related to replenishing out-of-stock items.

[0145] In the first embodiment described above, if the arrival time RAT after replenishment in ACT31 of Figure 10 has passed the designated arrival time AT, the nth travel route is discarded. Similarly, in the third embodiment described above, if the arrival time RAT after replenishment in ACT71 of Figure 16 has passed the designated arrival time AT, the nth candidate travel route is discarded. Therefore, in some cases, all travel routes may be discarded. If all travel routes are discarded, for example, the next sales location Py can be used as the replenishment location. The replenishment vehicle 2 transports the items to be replenished to the next sales location Py, and while mobile sales are being conducted at sales location Py, the mobile sales vehicle 1 is replenished, thereby minimizing the risk of running out of stock.

[0146] In addition, several embodiments of the present invention have been described, but these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be carried out in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included within the scope of the invention, as well as within the scope of the invention and its equivalents as described in the claims. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0147] 1...Mobile sales vehicle, 2...Replenishment vehicle, 10...Mobile sales support server, 20...In-vehicle terminal, 30...Monitor terminal, 50...Map information server, 51...Sales location identification means, 52...Loading quantity calculation means, 53...Out-of-stock identification means, 54...Route estimation means, 55...Route extraction means, 56...Route determination means, 57...Replenishment base determination means, 58...First output means, 59...Second output means, 61...Sales location identification means, 62...Loading quantity calculation means, 63...Out-of-stock identification means, 64...Route selection means, 65...Replenishment location identification means, 66...Route determination means, 67...Replenishment base determination means, 68...First output means, 69...Second output means, 100...Mobile sales management system, 131...Sales location database, 132...Replenishment location database, 133...Loaded product database.

Claims

1. A method for identifying products that have become out of stock at a sales location from among the products loaded on a mobile sales vehicle, A means for determining a replenishment location to determine a replenishment location to replenish the out-of-stock items along the route the mobile sales vehicle travels from one sales location to the next sales location, An output means that outputs information relating to the replenishment base determined by the replenishment base determination means, A mobile sales management device equipped with the following features.

2. Route estimation means for estimating a route for the mobile sales vehicle to travel from a sales location where a shortage occurred, through that replenishment location, to the next sales location, for each of a set of pre-configured replenishment locations, Route determination means calculates, for each route estimated by the route estimation means, a first arrival time when the mobile sales vehicle arrives at a replenishment location along that route, and a second arrival time when a replenishment vehicle carrying the depleted items arrives at that replenishment location, and determines the route with the smallest difference between the first arrival time and the second arrival time as the replenishment route. It is equipped with, The mobile sales management device according to claim 1, wherein the replenishment base determination means determines a replenishment location on the replenishment travel route determined by the route determination means as a replenishment base for replenishing the out-of-stock product.

3. Route estimation means for estimating a route for the mobile sales vehicle to travel from a sales location where a shortage occurred, through that replenishment location, to the next sales location, for each of a set of pre-configured replenishment locations, Route determination means calculates a third arrival time for each route estimated by the route estimation means, after the mobile sales vehicle travels along the route, receives replenishment of the depleted items from a replenishment vehicle that carries the depleted items to a replenishment location along the route, and arrives at the next sales location, and determines the route with the earliest third arrival time as the replenishment route. It is equipped with, The mobile sales management device according to claim 1, wherein the replenishment base determination means determines a replenishment location on the replenishment travel route determined by the route determination means as a replenishment base for replenishing the out-of-stock product.

4. A route selection means for selecting multiple candidate routes that the mobile sales vehicle can travel from a sales location where a shortage has occurred to the next sales location, For each candidate route selected by the aforementioned route selection means, a replenishment location identification means identifies an arbitrary location on the candidate route where a replenishment vehicle carrying the depleted goods will enter; Route determination means calculates, for each candidate route selected by the route selection means, a first arrival time when the mobile sales vehicle arrives at an arbitrary location identified by the replenishment location identification means, and a second arrival time when the replenishment vehicle arrives at the arbitrary location, and determines the candidate route with the smallest difference between the first arrival time and the second arrival time as the replenishment route. It is equipped with, The mobile sales management device according to claim 1, wherein the replenishment base determination means determines any location on the replenishment travel route determined by the route determination means as a replenishment base for replenishing the out-of-stock products.

5. A route selection means for selecting multiple candidate routes that the mobile sales vehicle can travel from a sales location where a shortage has occurred to the next sales location, For each candidate route selected by the aforementioned route selection means, a replenishment location identification means identifies an arbitrary location on the candidate route where a replenishment vehicle carrying the depleted goods will enter; Route determination means calculates a third arrival time for each candidate route selected by the route selection means, after the mobile sales vehicle travels along the candidate route and receives replenishment of out-of-stock items from the replenishment vehicle at an arbitrary location identified by the replenishment location identification means, and then arrives at the next sales location, and determines the candidate route with the earliest third arrival time as the replenishment route. It is equipped with, The mobile sales management device according to claim 1, wherein the replenishment base determination means determines any location on the replenishment travel route determined by the route determination means as a replenishment base for replenishing the out-of-stock products.

6. The computer for the mobile sales management system A method for identifying products that have become out of stock at a sales location from among the products loaded on a mobile sales vehicle. A means for determining a replenishment point to determine a replenishment point for replenishing the out-of-stock product along the route the mobile sales vehicle travels from one sales location to the next, and Output means for outputting information relating to the replenishment base determined by the replenishment base determination means, A program designed to function as such.

Images