Shipping support device
The shipping support device aligns shipping timings and optimizes loading capacity by reducing folding containers and shipments, thereby improving product shipping efficiency in retail stores with diverse product types.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- D4ALL CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2024-11-19
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-29
Smart Images
Figure 2026088985000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] It relates to a technology for replenishing the inventory of products from warehouses, logistics centers, etc. to stores.
Background Art
[0002] In retail stores such as drugstores, the inventory of products sold is managed so that the products displayed and sold at the storefront do not run out of stock. When the inventory level drops below a certain amount, the manufacturer, wholesaler, or company's own warehouse ships the product, and the storefront products are replenished.
[0003] Under such circumstances, for example, in Patent Document 1, when placing an order for a product, an order determination device capable of presenting a quantitative standard for determining a reasonable order quantity and verifying the validity of the order quantity is proposed.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0004]
Patent Document 1
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0005] However, in the above prior art, the types of products handled in the store are very numerous. When sequentially shipping products with decreasing inventory levels, the number of folding containers and the number of shipping times increase, the loading capacity of the delivery vehicle is not optimized, and there is a problem that the efficiency of the product shipping operation decreases.
[0006] Therefore, in view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a shipping support device that aligns the shipping timings for each product as much as possible, reduces the number of folding containers and the number of shipping times, optimizes the folding container loading capacity and the delivery vehicle loading capacity, and thereby improves the efficiency of the product shipping operation.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0007] One form of the disclosed shipping support device is characterized by comprising: product information storage means for storing store inventory volume and store sales volume trends for each product sold in a store; shipping threshold storage means for storing a first threshold and a second threshold greater than the first threshold for each product regarding the store inventory volume; inventory volume forecasting means for calculating an estimated value of the store inventory volume 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 store inventory volume falls below the first threshold as first candidate shipping products; second candidate extraction means for extracting products whose estimated store inventory volume falls below the second threshold as second candidate shipping products; and shipping means for processing the shipping of the first candidate shipping products and the second candidate shipping products. [Effects of the Invention]
[0008] The disclosed shipping support device aims to streamline product shipping operations by standardizing the shipping timing for each product as much as possible, reducing the number of folded containers and shipments, and optimizing the load capacity of folded containers and delivery vehicles. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0009] [Figure 1] This diagram shows an overview of the shipping support device according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a functional block diagram of the shipping support device according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of the hardware configuration of the shipping support device according to this embodiment. [Figure 4] This flowchart shows a processing example that takes into account the in-store location relationship using the shipping support device according to this embodiment. [Figure 5] This flowchart shows a processing example that takes into account the positional relationships within the warehouse using the shipping 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 shipping support device according to this embodiment)
[0011] The operating principle of the shipping 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 store terminal 340 via a communication network 330. The communication network 330 can be either wired or wireless. The store terminal 340 is a device that informs the device 100 of the sales status and inventory status of products 220 sold at the store 210, and may be, for example, a POS (Point of Sales) system.
[0013] As shown in Figure 2, the device 100 includes a product information storage means 110, a shipping threshold storage means 120, a store location storage means 130, a warehouse location storage means 140, an inventory quantity prediction means 150, a first candidate extraction means 160, a second candidate extraction means 170, and a shipping means 180.
[0014] The product information storage means 110 stores the store inventory quantity 230 and the store sales volume trends 240 for each product 220 sold at the store 210. The store sales volume trends 240 include, for example, the recent sales performance, seasonal characteristics of sales volume, and weather-related characteristics of sales volume for each product 220, and are information necessary to predict the future store inventory quantity 270 of the product 220.
[0015] The shipping threshold storage means 120 stores, for each product 220 sold at the store 210, a first threshold 250 relating to the store inventory quantity 230, and a second threshold 260 that is greater than the first threshold 250.
[0016] The in-store location memory 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, XY coordinates when the interior of the store 210 is regarded as a plane, or the height of the display shelf.
[0017] The in-warehouse location memory means 140 stores the placement location 320 within the warehouse 310 for each product 220 sold in the store 210. The warehouse 310 is a warehouse where the inventory for replenishing the store 210 with products 220 is stored, and is a concept including a logistics center. The placement location 320 may be, for example, XY coordinates when the interior of the warehouse 310 is regarded as a plane, or the height of the shelf where the product 220 is stored.
[0018] The inventory quantity prediction means 150 calculates a predicted value 270 of the future (after a predetermined period) store inventory quantity 230 for each product 220 based on the information 230, 240 stored in the product information memory means 110. The predicted value 270 is, for example, the store inventory quantity 230 after 3 days or 1 week. Also, the predicted value 270 is calculated based on a general prediction method, and the prediction method is not particularly limited.
[0019] The first candidate extraction means 160 extracts a product 220 whose store inventory quantity 230 is below the first threshold value 250 as a first shipping candidate product 280. This is a general process for selecting shipped products.
[0020] The second candidate extraction means 170 extracts a product 220 whose predicted value 270 of the store inventory quantity is below the second threshold value 260 as a second shipping candidate product 290. Note that a product 220 extracted as a first shipping candidate product 280 by the first candidate extraction means 160 is excluded from the second shipping candidate products 290. This is a process for selecting products where there is still some margin in the store inventory quantity 230 compared to the first shipping candidate products 280, but the product replenishment time is near (will be shipped soon).
[0021] Thus, if the shipping timings for each product 220 are made as uniform as possible, the number of products 220 that can be placed in a single folding container (hereinafter referred to as a "folding container") increases, and as a result, the number of folding containers can be reduced. Also, if the number of products 220 packed in a single folding container increases, the number of shipping times can be reduced. By doing so, the loading capacity of the folding containers and the loading capacity of the delivery trucks can be optimized, and thus the efficiency of the product shipping operation can be improved.
[0022] The second candidate extraction means 170 may be configured to extract, based on the information 300 stored in the in-store position storage means 130, products that are in a predetermined positional relationship with the first shipping candidate products 280 within the store 210 and whose predicted store inventory quantity 270 is below the second threshold value 260 as the second shipping candidate products 290.
[0023] At this time, the phrase "being in a predetermined positional relationship with the first shipping candidate products 280 within the store 210" may mean that the first shipping candidate products 280 are within a predetermined distance within the store 210. Also, the phrase "being in a predetermined positional relationship with the first shipping candidate products 280 within the store 210" may mean that the height of the first shipping candidate products 280 and the display shelves within the store 210 are the same or within a predetermined difference. Further, the phrase "being in a predetermined positional relationship with the first shipping candidate products 280 within the store 210" may mean that the first shipping candidate products 280 are within a predetermined distance within the store 210 and the height of the first shipping candidate products 280 and the display shelves within the store 210 are the same or within a predetermined difference. Performing the display operation of the second shipping candidate products 290 as described above together with the display operation of the first shipping candidate products 280 is efficient.
[0024] The second candidate extraction means 170 may be configured to extract, based on the information 320 stored in the in-warehouse position storage means 140, products that are in a predetermined positional relationship with the first shipping candidate products 280 within the warehouse 310 and whose predicted store inventory quantity 270 is below the second threshold value 26 as the second shipping candidate products 290.
[0025] In this case, the first candidate product 280 being in a predetermined positional relationship with the warehouse 310 may also mean that the first candidate product 280 is within a predetermined distance from the warehouse 310. Furthermore, the first candidate product 280 being in a predetermined positional relationship with the warehouse 310 may also mean that the height of the storage shelf in the warehouse 310 is the same as or within a predetermined difference from the first candidate product 280. Furthermore, the first candidate product 280 being in a predetermined positional relationship with the warehouse 310 may also mean that the first candidate product 280 is within a predetermined distance from the warehouse 310, and that the height of the storage shelf in the warehouse 310 is the same as or within a predetermined difference from the first candidate product 280. The selection and pickup of the 290 items designated as the second shipping candidate, as described above, is most efficient when performed simultaneously with the same process for the 280 items designated as the first shipping candidate.
[0026] The shipping means 180 performs processing related to the shipping of the first candidate product 280 and the second candidate product 290. The shipping means 180 may also take the form of, for example, instructing employees to ship the first candidate product 280 and the second candidate product 290, or assisting with the shipping.
[0027] Shipping method 180 may also be configured to process shipments such that the first candidate product 280 and the second candidate product 290 are shipped in the same folding container. This increases the number of products 220 that can be placed in a single folding container, thus reducing the number of folding containers used. Furthermore, increasing the number of products 220 that can be packed into a single folding container also reduces the number of shipments.
[0028] Based on the operating principle described above, this device 100 aims to streamline product shipping operations by aligning the shipping timing of each product 220 as much as possible, reducing the number of folding containers and shipping cycles, and optimizing the capacity of folding containers and delivery vehicles. (Hardware configuration of the shipping support device according to this embodiment)
[0029] An example of the hardware configuration of the device 100 will be explained using Figure 3. Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the device 100. As shown in Figure 3, the device 100 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 510, ROM (Read-Only Memory) 520, RAM (Random Access Memory) 530, auxiliary storage device 540, communication I / F 550, input device 560, display device 570, and storage medium I / F 580.
[0030] 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.
[0031] 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.
[0032] The communication interface 550 is an interface for exchanging data with other devices (such as POS systems) 340 that provide communication functions, by connecting to a communication network 310 such as a wired or wireless LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet.
[0033] 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.
[0034] 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 shipping support device according to this embodiment) (1) Example of processing that takes into account the location of the store
[0035] Using Figure 4, we will explain an example of processing that takes into account the in-store location relationship using this device 100. Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of an example of processing that takes into account the in-store location relationship using this device 100.
[0036] In S10, the inventory quantity forecasting means 150 calculates a forecast value 270 for the future (after a predetermined period) store 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 store 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.
[0037] In S20, the first candidate extraction means 160 extracts products 220 whose store inventory quantity 230 is below the first threshold 250 as the first candidate products for shipment 280. This is a common process for selecting products to be shipped.
[0038] In S30, the second candidate extraction means 170 extracts products 220 whose estimated store inventory quantity 270 is below the second threshold 260 as second shipping candidate products 290. Products 220 that were extracted as first shipping candidate products 280 by the first candidate extraction means 160 are excluded from the second shipping candidate products 290. This is a process to select products that still have more leeway in store inventory quantity 230 than the first shipping candidate products 280, but whose replenishment time is approaching (will be shipped soon).
[0039] In S30, the second candidate extraction means 170 may also extract as the second candidate product 290 products that are in a predetermined positional relationship with the first candidate product 280 within the store 210 and whose estimated store inventory quantity 270 is below the second threshold 260, based on the information 300 stored in the store location storage means 130.
[0040] In this case, the first candidate product 280 being in a predetermined positional relationship with the store 210 may also mean that the first candidate product 280 is within a predetermined distance from the store 210. Furthermore, the first candidate product 280 being in a predetermined positional relationship with the store 210 may also mean that the height of the display shelf in the store 210 is the same as or within a predetermined difference from the first candidate product 280. Furthermore, the first candidate product 280 being in a predetermined positional relationship with the store 210 may also mean that the first candidate product 280 is within a predetermined distance from the store 210, and that the height of the display shelf in the store 210 is the same as or within a predetermined difference from the first candidate product 280.
[0041] In this way, by aligning the shipping timing for every 220 items as much as possible, the number of items that can be placed in a single folding container increases, resulting in a reduction in the number of folding containers. Furthermore, if the number of items that can be packed into a single folding container increases, the number of shipments can also be reduced. This allows for the optimization of the capacity of folding containers and delivery vehicles, thereby improving the efficiency of product shipping operations. Furthermore, the display work for the 290 second-choice shipping candidates, as described above, is more efficient when done together with the display work for the 280 first-choice shipping candidates.
[0042] In S40, the shipping means 180 processes the shipment of the first candidate product 280 and the second candidate product 290. The shipping means 180 may, for example, instruct employees to ship the first candidate product 280 and the second candidate product 290, or provide support for shipping.
[0043] In S40, the shipping method 180 may be configured to process shipments such that the first candidate product 280 and the second candidate product 290 are shipped in the same folding container. This increases the number of products 220 that can be placed in one folding container, thus reducing the number of folding containers used. Furthermore, increasing the number of products 220 that can be packed into one folding container also reduces the number of shipments.
[0044] By performing the above-described processing, the device 100 aims to synchronize the shipping timing of each product 220 as much as possible, reduce the number of folding containers and shipping cycles, optimize the capacity of folding containers and delivery vehicles, and thereby improve the efficiency of product shipping operations. (2) Example of processing that takes into account the spatial relationships within the warehouse
[0045] Using Figure 5, we will explain an example of processing that takes into account the spatial relationships within the warehouse using this device 100. Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of an example of processing that takes into account the spatial relationships within the warehouse using this device 100.
[0046] In S110, the inventory quantity forecasting means 150 calculates a forecast value 270 for the future (after a predetermined period) store 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 store 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.
[0047] In S120, the first candidate extraction means 160 extracts products 220 whose store inventory quantity 230 is below the first threshold 250 as the first candidate products 280 for shipment. This is a common process for selecting products to be shipped.
[0048] In S130, the second candidate extraction means 170 extracts products 220 whose estimated store inventory quantity 270 is below the second threshold 260 as second shipping candidate products 290. Products 220 that were extracted as first shipping candidate products 280 by the first candidate extraction means 160 are excluded from the second shipping candidate products 290. This is a process to select products that still have more leeway in store inventory quantity 230 than the first shipping candidate products 280, but whose replenishment time is approaching (will be shipped soon).
[0049] In S130, the second candidate extraction means 170 may also extract as the second candidate product 290 products that are in a predetermined positional relationship with the first candidate product 280 within the warehouse 310, and whose estimated store inventory quantity 270 is below the second threshold 260, based on the information 320 stored in the warehouse location storage means 140.
[0050] In this case, the first candidate product 280 being in a predetermined positional relationship with the warehouse 310 may also mean that the first candidate product 280 is within a predetermined distance from the warehouse 310. Furthermore, the first candidate product 280 being in a predetermined positional relationship with the warehouse 310 may also mean that the height of the storage shelf in the warehouse 310 is the same as or within a predetermined difference from the first candidate product 280. Furthermore, the first candidate product 280 being in a predetermined positional relationship with the warehouse 310 may also mean that the first candidate product 280 is within a predetermined distance from the warehouse 310, and that the height of the storage shelf in the warehouse 310 is the same as or within a predetermined difference from the first candidate product 280.
[0051] In this way, by aligning the shipping timing for every 220 items as much as possible, the number of items that can be placed in a single folding container (hereinafter referred to as "folding container") increases, and as a result, the number of folding containers can be reduced. Furthermore, if the number of items that can be packed into one folding container increases, the number of shipments can also be reduced. This allows for the optimization of the folding container load and the load on the delivery vehicle, thereby improving the efficiency of product shipping operations. The selection and pickup of the 290 items designated as the second shipping candidate, as described above, is most efficient when performed simultaneously with the same process for the 280 items designated as the first shipping candidate.
[0052] The shipping means 180 performs processing related to the shipping of the first candidate product 280 and the second candidate product 290. The shipping means 180 may also take the form of, for example, instructing employees to ship the first candidate product 280 and the second candidate product 290, or assisting with the shipping.
[0053] Shipping method 180 may also be configured to process shipments such that the first candidate product 280 and the second candidate product 290 are shipped in the same folding container. This increases the number of products 220 that can be placed in a single folding container, thus reducing the number of folding containers used. Furthermore, increasing the number of products 220 that can be packed into a single folding container also reduces the number of shipments.
[0054] By performing the above-described processing, the device 100 aims to synchronize the shipping timing of each product 220 as much as possible, reduce the number of folding containers and shipping cycles, optimize the capacity of folding containers and delivery vehicles, and thereby improve the efficiency of product shipping operations.
[0055] 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]
[0056] 100 Shipping support device 110 Product information storage means 120 Dispatch threshold storage means 130 In-store location storage means 140 Storage location memory means 150 Inventory forecasting methods 160 First candidate extraction means 170 Second candidate extraction means 180 Shipping methods 210 stores Products sold at 220 stores Inventory at 230 stores Trends in sales volume at 240 stores 250 First threshold 260 Second threshold 270 Estimated store inventory levels after a specified period 280 First shipment candidate item 290 Second shipping candidate item Display locations within 300 stores 310 Warehouse 320 Location within the warehouse 330 Communication Networks 340 store terminals (POS (Point of Sales) systems) 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 the store inventory volume and sales volume trends for each product sold in the store, For each of the aforementioned products, a shipping threshold storage means stores a first threshold related to the store inventory quantity and a second threshold greater than the first threshold, An inventory quantity forecasting means calculates an estimated value of the store inventory quantity after a predetermined period for each product based on the information stored in the product information storage means, A first candidate extraction means for extracting products whose store inventory quantity falls below the first threshold as first candidate products for shipment, A second candidate extraction means for extracting products as second candidate products for shipment if the predicted value of the store inventory falls below the second threshold, A shipping support device characterized by having a shipping means that performs processing related to the shipping of the first candidate product and the second candidate product.
2. Each of the aforementioned products has an in-store location storage means for storing its display location within the store. The shipping support device according to claim 1, characterized in that the second candidate extraction means extracts as a second shipping candidate product a product that is in a predetermined positional relationship with the first shipping candidate product within the store and whose estimated store inventory quantity is below the second threshold, based on information stored in the in-store location storage means.
3. The shipping support device according to claim 2, characterized in that the predetermined positional relationship is such that the first shipping candidate product is within a predetermined distance from the store.
4. The shipping support device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the predetermined positional relationship is such that the height of the first shipping candidate product and the height of the display shelf in the store are the same or within a predetermined difference.
5. Each of the aforementioned products has a warehouse location storage means for storing its location within the warehouse, The shipping support device according to claim 1, characterized in that the second candidate extraction means extracts as a second shipping candidate product a product that is in a predetermined positional relationship with the first shipping candidate product within the warehouse and whose estimated store inventory quantity is below the second threshold, based on information stored in the warehouse location storage means.
6. The shipping support device according to claim 5, characterized in that the predetermined positional relationship is such that the first candidate product for shipment is within a predetermined distance from the warehouse.
7. The shipping support device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the predetermined positional relationship is such that the height of the first shipping candidate product and the height of the shelf in the warehouse are the same or within a predetermined difference.
8. A shipping support device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the first candidate product for shipment and the second candidate product for shipment are shipped in the same folding container.
9. A shipping support method in a shipping support device having a product information storage means that stores the store inventory quantity and the trends in store sales for each product sold at the store, and a shipping threshold storage means that stores a first threshold and a second threshold greater than the first threshold for each product relating to the store inventory quantity, The inventory quantity forecasting means calculates an estimated value for the store 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 store inventory quantity falls below the first threshold as first candidate products for shipment, The second candidate extraction means includes the step of extracting products as second shipping candidate products for which the predicted value of the store inventory falls below the second threshold, A shipping support method comprising the step of processing the first candidate product for shipping and the second candidate product for shipping.
10. The shipping support device has in-store location storage means for storing the display location within the store for each product, The shipping support method according to claim 9, characterized in that the second candidate extraction means extracts as a second shipping candidate product a product that is in a predetermined positional relationship with the first shipping candidate product within the store and whose estimated store inventory quantity is below the second threshold, based on information stored in the in-store location storage means.
11. The shipping support method according to claim 10, characterized in that the predetermined positional relationship is such that the first shipping candidate product is within a predetermined distance from the store.
12. The shipping support method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the predetermined positional relationship is such that the height of the first shipping candidate product and the height of the display shelf in the store are the same or within a predetermined difference.
13. The aforementioned shipping support device has a warehouse location storage means that stores the placement location within the warehouse for each of the aforementioned products. The shipping support method according to claim 9, characterized in that the second candidate extraction means extracts as a second shipping candidate product a product that is in a predetermined positional relationship with the first shipping candidate product within the warehouse and whose estimated store inventory quantity is below the second threshold, based on information stored in the warehouse location storage means.
14. The shipping support method according to claim 13, characterized in that the predetermined positional relationship is such that the first shipping candidate product is within a predetermined distance from the warehouse.
15. The shipping support method according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the predetermined positional relationship is such that the height of the first shipping candidate product and the height of the shelf in the warehouse are the same or within a predetermined difference.
16. The shipping support method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the first candidate product for shipment and the second candidate product for shipment are shipped in the same collapsible container.
17. A computer with a shipping support program according to any one of claims 9 to 16.