Order support device

Abstract

This invention provides an ordering support device, method, and program that streamlines store operations by standardizing the ordering timing for each product as much as possible, thereby reducing the labor involved in receiving and displaying products in stores. [Solution] The ordering support device includes: product information storage means for storing inventory levels and sales trends for each product sold in a store; ordering threshold storage means for storing a first threshold and a second threshold greater than the first threshold for each product regarding the inventory level; inventory level forecasting means for calculating an estimated value of the inventory level after a predetermined period for each product based on the information stored in the product information storage means; first candidate extraction means for extracting products whose inventory level is below the first threshold as first order candidate products; second candidate extraction means for extracting products whose estimated inventory level is below the second threshold as second order candidate products; and ordering means for processing orders for the first order candidate products and the second order candidate products.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] It relates to a technology for replenishing products sold in stores.

Background Art

[0002] In retail stores such as drugstores, the inventory levels of products sold are managed so that the products displayed and sold at the storefront do not run out of stock. When the inventory level reaches a certain amount, an order is placed with the manufacturer, wholesaler, or the company's own warehouse, etc., and the storefront products are replenished.

[0003] Under such circumstances, for example, in Patent Document 1, an order determination device has been proposed that can present a quantitative standard for determining a reasonable order quantity when placing an order for a product, so as to verify the validity of the order quantity.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the prior art as described above, the types of products handled in the store are very numerous. When order processing is sequentially performed starting from the products with low inventory levels, the number of times of arrival of the ordered products at the store or the number of times of display work increases, and there is a problem that the corresponding labor cost increases.

[0006] Therefore, in view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an order support device that aligns the order timing for each product as much as possible, simplifies the delivery response and display work in the store, and improves the efficiency of store operations.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] One form of the order support device disclosed is characterized by comprising: product information storage means for storing inventory levels and sales trends for each product sold in a store; order threshold storage means for storing a first threshold and a second threshold greater than the first threshold for each product regarding the inventory level; inventory level forecasting means for calculating an estimated value of the inventory level after a predetermined period for each product based on the information stored in the product information storage means; first candidate extraction means for extracting products whose inventory level is below the first threshold as first order candidate products; second candidate extraction means for extracting products whose estimated inventory level is below the second threshold as second order candidate products; and order means for processing orders for the first order candidate products and the second order candidate products. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The ordering support system being disclosed aims to streamline store operations by standardizing the ordering timing for each product as much as possible, thereby reducing the labor involved in delivery and display work at stores. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This figure shows an overview of the ordering support device according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a functional block diagram of the order support device according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of the hardware configuration of the order support device according to this embodiment. [Figure 4] This flowchart shows the processing flow by the order support device according to this embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. (Operating principle of the order support device according to this embodiment)

[0011] The operating principle of the order support device (hereinafter simply referred to as "this device") 100 according to this embodiment will be explained using Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is a diagram showing the connection relationship between this device 100 and other devices, and Figure 2 is a functional block diagram of this device 100.

[0012] As shown in Figure 1, the device 100 is connected to the ordering terminal 320 via a communication network 310. The communication network 310 can be either wired or wireless. The ordering terminal 320 is a terminal managed by a company, such as a manufacturer, wholesaler, company warehouse, or logistics center, to which the store 210 places orders for goods 220 to replenish the goods 220 sold at the store 210.

[0013] As shown in Figure 2, the device 100 includes a product information storage means 110, an order threshold storage means 120, a product location storage means 130, an inventory quantity forecasting means 140, a first candidate extraction means 150, a second candidate extraction means 160, and an order placement means 170.

[0014] The product information storage means 110 stores the inventory quantity 230 and sales volume trends 240 for each product 220 sold at the store 210. Sales volume trends 240 include, for example, recent sales, seasonal characteristics of sales volume, and weather-related characteristics of sales volume for each product 220, and are information necessary to predict the future inventory quantity 270 of product 220.

[0015] The order threshold storage means 120 stores a first threshold 250 related to the inventory quantity 230 and a second threshold 260 greater than the first threshold 250 for each product 220 sold at the store 210.

[0016] The product location storage means 130 stores the display location 300 within the store 210 for each product 220 sold in the store 210. The display location 300 may be, for example, the XY coordinates when the store 210 is considered as a plane, or the height of the display shelf.

[0017] The inventory quantity prediction means 140 calculates, for each product 220, a predicted value 270 of the future (after a predetermined period) inventory quantity 230 based on the information 230 and 240 stored in the product information storage means 110. The predicted value 270 is, for example, the inventory quantity 230 three days later or one week later. Also, the predicted value 270 is calculated based on a general prediction method, and the prediction method is not particularly limited.

[0018] The first candidate extraction means 150 extracts, as the first order candidate products 280, the products 220 whose inventory quantity 230 is below the first threshold value 250. This is a general process for selecting ordered items.

[0019] The second candidate extraction means 160 extracts, as the second order candidate products 290, the products 220 whose predicted value 270 of the inventory quantity is below the second threshold value 260. Note that the products 220 extracted as the first order candidate products 280 by the first candidate extraction means 150 are excluded from the second order candidate products 290. This is a process for selecting products that still have some margin in the inventory quantity 230 compared to the first order candidate products 280 but whose order timing is near (will be ordered soon).

[0020] In this way, if the order timing for each product 220 is made as uniform as possible, the receiving response and display work in the store 210 can be streamlined, and the efficiency of store operations can be improved.

[0021] The second candidate extraction means 160 may also be configured to extract, as the second order candidate products 290, products that have a predetermined positional relationship with the first order candidate products 280 and whose predicted value 270 of the inventory quantity is below the second threshold value 260, based on the information 300 stored in the product position storage means 130.

[0022] At this time, the first order candidate product 280 being in a predetermined positional relationship may mean that it is within a predetermined distance from the first order candidate product 280. Also, the first order candidate product 280 being in a predetermined positional relationship may mean that the height of the first order candidate product 280 is the same as or within a predetermined difference from the height of the display shelf in the store 210. Further, the first order candidate product 280 being in a predetermined positional relationship may mean that it is within a predetermined distance from the first order candidate product 280 and the height of the first order candidate product 280 is the same as or within a predetermined difference from the height of the display shelf in the store 210. Performing the display operation of the second order candidate product 290 as described above together with the display operation of the first order candidate product 280 is efficient.

[0023] The ordering means 170 performs processing related to the ordering of the first order candidate product 280 and the second order candidate product 290. The ordering means 170 may perform the process of actually placing an order for the first order candidate product 280 and the second order candidate product 290 to the order destination terminal 320, or may be a process of assisting the process of placing an order rather than the process of actually placing an order.

[0024] Based on the above operation principle, the present device 100 makes the ordering timings for each product 220 as uniform as possible, simplifies the receiving response and display operations in the store 210, and aims to improve the efficiency of store operations. (Hardware Configuration of the Ordering Support Device According to the Present Embodiment)

[0025] Using FIG. 3, a hardware configuration example of the present device 100 will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the present device 100. As shown in FIG. 3, the present device 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 510, a ROM (Read-Only Memory) 520, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 530, an auxiliary storage device 540, a communication I / F 550, an input device 560, a display device 570, and a storage medium I / F 580.

[0026] The CPU 510 is a device that executes programs stored in the ROM 520. It processes data loaded into the RAM 530 according to program instructions and controls the entire device 100. The ROM 520 stores the programs and data that the CPU 510 will execute. When the CPU 510 executes a program stored in the ROM 520, the RAM 530 loads the programs and data to be executed and temporarily holds the calculation data during the calculation.

[0027] The auxiliary storage device 540 is a device that stores the operating system (OS), which is the basic software, and application programs related to this embodiment, along with related data. The auxiliary storage device 540 is, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or flash memory.

[0028] The communication interface 550 is an interface for exchanging data with other devices 320 that provide communication functions, by connecting to a communication network 310 such as a wired or wireless LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet.

[0029] The input device 560 is a device for inputting data into the main device 100, such as a keyboard. The display device (output device) 570 is a device consisting of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like, and functions as a user interface for the user to use the functions of the main device 100 and to make various settings. The storage medium I / F 580 is an interface for sending and receiving data with storage media 590 such as CD-ROMs, DVD-ROMs, and USB memory.

[0030] Each of the means of this device 100 may be realized by the CPU 510 executing a program corresponding to each means stored in the ROM 520 or auxiliary storage device 540. Alternatively, each of the means of this device 100 may be realized by the processing related to each means being implemented as hardware. Furthermore, the program according to the present invention may be read from an external server device via a communication I / F 550, or read from a storage medium 590 via a storage medium I / F 580, and the device 100 may execute the program. (Example of processing by the ordering support device according to this embodiment) The processing flow of this device 100 will be explained using Figure 4. Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the processing flow of this device 100.

[0031] In S10, the inventory quantity forecasting means 140 calculates a forecast value 270 for the future (after a predetermined period) inventory quantity 230 for each product 220, based on the information 230 and 240 stored in the product information storage means 110. The forecast value 270 is, for example, the inventory quantity 230 three days or one week later. The forecast value 270 is calculated based on a general forecasting method, and the forecasting method is not particularly limited.

[0032] In S20, the first candidate extraction means 150 extracts products 220 whose inventory quantity 230 is below the first threshold 250 as the first order candidate products 280. This is a common process for selecting items to be ordered.

[0033] In S30, the second candidate extraction means 160 extracts products 220 whose estimated inventory quantity 270 is below the second threshold 260 as second order candidate products 290. Products 220, which were extracted as first order candidate products 280 by the first candidate extraction means 150, are excluded from the second order candidate products 290. This process selects products that still have more inventory 230 than the first order candidate products 280, but whose ordering date is approaching (will be ordered soon).

[0034] In this way, by aligning the ordering timing for each of the 220 products as much as possible, it is possible to reduce the labor involved in receiving and displaying products at the stores 210, thereby improving the efficiency of store operations.

[0035] The second candidate extraction means 160 may also be configured to extract as the second order candidate product 290 products that are in a predetermined positional relationship with the first order candidate product 280 and whose estimated inventory quantity 270 is below the second threshold 260, based on the information 300 stored in the product location storage means 130.

[0036] In this case, being in a predetermined positional relationship with the first candidate product 280 may also mean being within a predetermined distance from the first candidate product 280. Furthermore, being in a predetermined positional relationship with the first candidate product 280 may also mean being at the same height as or within a predetermined difference in height from the first candidate product 280 on the display shelf in the store 210. Furthermore, being in a predetermined positional relationship with the first candidate product 280 may also mean being at a predetermined distance from the first candidate product 280 and being at the same height as or within a predetermined difference in height from the first candidate product 280 on the display shelf in the store 210. Displaying the 290 items that are candidates for the second order, as described above, is more efficient when done together with the displaying of the 280 items that are candidates for the first order.

[0037] In S40, the ordering means 170 processes the ordering of the first candidate product 280 and the second candidate product 290. The ordering means 170 may actually place an order for the first candidate product 280 and the second candidate product 290 with the ordering terminal 320, or it may be a process that supports the ordering process rather than actually placing an order.

[0038] By performing the above-described processing, the device 100 aims to synchronize the ordering timing for each product 220 as much as possible, thereby reducing the labor required for delivery and display work at the store 210 and improving the efficiency of store operations.

[0039] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention as described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] 100 Ordering support device 110 Product information storage means 120 Order threshold storage means 130 Product position storage means 140 Inventory level forecasting methods 150 First candidate extraction means 160 Second candidate extraction means 170 Ordering Methods 210 stores Products sold at 220 stores 230 items in stock Trends in sales volume of 240 products 250 First threshold 260 Second threshold 270 Estimated value of product inventory after a specified period 280 First Order Candidate Products 290 Second Order Candidate Products Display locations within 300 stores 310 Communication Network 320 Ordering terminal 510 CPU 520 ROM 530 RAM 540 Auxiliary storage 550 Communication Interfaces 560 Input Device 570 Output device 580 Storage Media Interface 590 Storage medium

Claims

1. A product information storage means that stores inventory levels and sales trends for each product sold in a store, For each of the aforementioned products, an order threshold storage means is provided that stores a first threshold related to the inventory quantity and a second threshold greater than the first threshold. An inventory quantity forecasting means calculates an estimated value of the inventory quantity for each product after a predetermined period based on the information stored in the product information storage means, A first candidate extraction means for extracting products whose inventory quantity falls below the first threshold as first order candidate products, A second candidate extraction means for extracting products as second order candidate products whose estimated inventory quantity falls below the second threshold, An ordering support device characterized by having an ordering means for processing orders for the first candidate product and the second candidate product.

2. Each of the aforementioned products has a product location storage means for storing its display location within the store. The ordering support device according to claim 1, characterized in that the second candidate extraction means extracts as a second candidate product a product that is in a predetermined positional relationship with the first candidate product and whose estimated inventory quantity is below the second threshold, based on information stored in the product position storage means.

3. The ordering support device according to claim 2, characterized in that the predetermined positional relationship is within a predetermined distance from the first candidate product to be ordered.

4. The ordering support device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the predetermined positional relationship is such that the height of the first candidate product to be ordered is the same as or within a predetermined difference from the height of the display shelf in the store.

5. An ordering support method in an ordering support device comprising: product information storage means for storing inventory levels and sales trends for each product sold in a store; and ordering threshold storage means for storing a first threshold and a second threshold greater than the first threshold for each product relating to the inventory level, The inventory quantity forecasting means calculates an estimated value for the inventory quantity after a predetermined period for each product based on the information stored in the product information storage means. The first candidate extraction means includes the step of extracting products whose inventory quantity falls below the first threshold as first order candidate products, The second candidate extraction means includes the step of extracting products as second order candidate products for which the predicted value of the inventory quantity falls below the second threshold, An ordering support method comprising the step of processing orders for the first candidate product and the second candidate product.

6. The ordering support device has a product location storage means for storing the display location within the store for each product. The ordering support method according to claim 5, characterized in that the second candidate extraction means extracts as a second order candidate product a product that is in a predetermined positional relationship with the first order candidate product and whose estimated inventory quantity is below the second threshold, based on information stored in the product position storage means.

7. The ordering support method according to claim 6, characterized in that the predetermined positional relationship is within a predetermined distance from the first candidate product to be ordered.

8. The ordering support device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the predetermined positional relationship is such that the height of the first candidate product to be ordered is the same as or within a predetermined difference from the height of the display shelf in the store.

9. An ordering support program for causing a computer to perform the method according to any one of claims 5 to 8.

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