Planning device, planning method, and program

Abstract

We will create a supply plan that achieves both the optimization of the goods supplied from the supplier and the optimization of the raw materials supplied to the recipient. [Solution] The planning device 110 creates a supply plan based on the evaluation results of the supply plan using values ​​of evaluation indicators for evaluating the quality of the supply plan. In doing so, the planning device 110 uses evaluation indicators that include a supplier-side evaluation indicator and a recipient-side evaluation indicator. The supplier-side evaluation indicator is an evaluation indicator expressed using time-based supplier-side object information. The supplier-side object information is information about the quantity and quality of the object supplied from the supplier, at least one of these two pieces of information. The recipient-side evaluation indicator is an evaluation indicator expressed using time-based recipient-side object information. The recipient-side object information is information about the quantity and quality of the object at the recipient.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This disclosure relates to a planning device, a planning method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] In order to carry out production and logistics, supply plans are sometimes created to deliver goods from the supplier to the recipient. When creating a supply plan, it is sometimes necessary to ensure that the changes (temporal changes) in information regarding the quantity and quality of the goods to be supplied come as close as possible to the desired changes. Patent Document 1 describes a technology that aims to meet such requirements.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes determining the timing for dispatching unacquired vessels to the loading port in order to equalize the timing of ships' arrival at the loading port and to ensure that the total amount of goods taken for each brand during the planning period approaches a set amount. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-13238 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0005] However, the technology described in Patent Document 1 only needs to achieve the following: that the timing of dispatching unacquired vessels to the loading port is made equal, and that the total amount taken out for each type of material approaches the set amount. In other words, the technology described in Patent Document 1 determines the timing of dispatching unacquired vessels to the loading port by considering only the requirements of the loading port. Therefore, even if the requirement for temporal leveling of raw materials supplied from the loading port can be met, for example, there is a risk that the raw materials may not arrive at the unloading port as intended. For example, the transport time of raw materials from loading port to unloading port may vary greatly depending on the loading port. In this case, a vessel that departed later may arrive at the unloading port before a vessel that departed earlier, or vice versa. Therefore, even if raw materials are supplied appropriately from the loading port, there is a risk that the raw materials may not arrive at the unloading port appropriately. In this case, for example, there is a risk that the inventory of a particular type of raw material at the unloading port may be excessive or insufficient, or that the total inventory of raw materials may become so large that there is insufficient storage space for raw materials at the unloading port.

[0006] This disclosure is made in light of the above-mentioned problems and aims to create a supply plan that achieves both the optimization of the products supplied from the supplier and the optimization of the raw materials supplied to the recipient. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The planning device of this disclosure is a planning device for creating a supply plan for supplying an object from a supplier to a supplier, comprising: an evaluation index calculation unit that calculates a value of an evaluation index for evaluating the quality of the supply plan; and a planning device that creates the supply plan based on the evaluation result of the supply plan using the value of the evaluation index, wherein the evaluation index includes a supplier-side evaluation index and a supplier-side evaluation index, the supplier-side evaluation index is an evaluation index expressed using time-based supplier-side object information, the supplier-side object information is information of at least one of quantity-related information and quality-related information of the object supplied from the supplier, and the supplier-side object information is information of at least one of quantity-related information and quality-related information of the object at the supplier.

[0008] The planning method of this disclosure is a planning device for creating a supply plan for supplying an object from a supplier to a supplier, comprising: an evaluation index calculation step for calculating a value of an evaluation index for evaluating the quality of the supply plan; and a planning step for creating the supply plan based on the evaluation result of the supply plan using the value of the evaluation index, wherein the evaluation index includes a supplier-side evaluation index and a supplier-side evaluation index, the supplier-side evaluation index is an evaluation index expressed using time-based supplier-side object information, the supplier-side object information is information of at least one of quantity-related information and quality-related information of the object supplied from the supplier, and the supplier-side object information is information of at least one of quantity-related information and quality-related information of the object at the supplier.

[0009] The program of this disclosure is for causing a computer to function as a component of the planning device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to this disclosure, it is possible to create a supply plan that achieves both the optimization of the items supplied from the supplier and the optimization of the raw materials supplied to the recipient. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example of the functional configuration of a planning device. [Figure 2] This is a flowchart illustrating one example of a plan creation method. [Figure 3] This diagram illustrates an example of a loading port shipping plan. [Figure 4] This diagram illustrates an example of predetermined information for ships included in the loading port scheduling plan. [Figure 5] This diagram illustrates an example of an inventory quantity difference evaluation index. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of a loading port dispatch plan. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of the number of days inventory needs to be kept on the shelf. [Figure 8] This figure shows an example of the number of days a ship has been in berth. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment of this disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that when multiple values ​​to be compared, such as length, position, size, and spacing, are considered to be the same, this includes not only cases where they are strictly identical, but also cases where they differ to the extent that they do not depart from the spirit of the invention. For example, if multiple values ​​differ within the tolerance range determined at the time of design, those multiple values ​​may be considered the same. Also, for example, if each of the multiple values ​​is within the tolerance range, those multiple values ​​may be considered the same. Those multiple values ​​may also be estimated values ​​(calculated values). If those multiple values ​​are estimated values ​​(calculated values), the tolerance may be an error that arises from the calculation of those values ​​being performed by a computer. Also, the tolerance may be an error that arises from the modeling of the actual phenomenon with a mathematical formula.

[0013] (Planning device and planning method)

[0014] Figure 1 shows an example of the functional configuration of the planning device 110. Figure 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a planning method performed using the planning device 110.

[0015] The planning device 110 includes, for example, one or more hardware processors such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), one or more memories such as RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read Only Memory), and performs various calculations by executing one or more programs stored in the memories using one or more hardware processors. Furthermore, the planning device 110 includes an input device 120 and an output device 130. The user interface may include a GUI (Graphical Use Interface). The output device 130 is configured to include at least one of the following: a computer display such as a liquid crystal display, a communication interface such as a NIC, etc. The input device 120 and the output device 130 may be located outside the planning device 110, or they may be configured to be included inside the planning device 100. In addition, the planning device 110 may be implemented using dedicated hardware such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit).

[0016] The input device 120 is a device for inputting various types of information into the planning device 110. For example, the input device 120 may include a database. The input device 120 may also include a user interface for checking the content and status of the various data being input. In this case, the input device 120 is configured to include, for example, a keyboard and a mouse. The input device 120 may also include an information processing device (computer) separate from the planning device 110. The input device 120 may also include a communication interface such as a NIC (Network Interface Card). The number of input devices 120 may be one or two or more. At least one of the input devices 120 may be an internal device of the planning device 110.

[0017] The output device 130 is a device that presents information output from the planning device 110 to the operator and prompts processing based on the output information. For example, the output device 130 may be equipped with a computer display. Alternatively, the output device 130 may be equipped with an information processing device (computer) separate from the planning device 110. Furthermore, the output device 130 may be equipped with a database for storing information output from the planning device 110. The output device 130 may also be equipped with a communication interface such as a NIC (Network Interface Card). The number of output devices 130 may be one or two or more. Also, at least one of the output devices 130 may be an internal device of the planning device 110. Communication between the planning device 110 and the input device 120 and output device 130 may be via wired communication or wireless communication.

[0018] The planning device 110 is a device that creates a supply plan for supplying an object from the supplier to the recipient. The supplier is the starting point or location when supplying the goods. For example, in the case of shipping raw materials by ship, the loading port (port of loading, port of shipment), which is the port of call from which the raw materials are loaded onto the ship and shipped (supplied), would be the source. For example, in the case of supplying raw materials to a factory for manufacturing, the wholesaler of raw materials that sells the raw materials would be the source. The recipient is the destination where the goods supplied from the supplier arrive (either during the supply process or at the final stage of supply). For example, in the case of supplying raw materials by ship, the unloading port (port of unloading, port of receipt), which is the port of call to which the raw materials supplied from the loading port are delivered, would be the destination. For example, in the case of supplying raw materials to a factory for manufacturing, the factory that purchases the raw materials and uses them in manufacturing would be the recipient.

[0019] The supply plan includes, for example, the supply start timing. The supply start timing is the timing at which the supply of the target object from the supplier to the recipient begins. The supply of the target object may be carried out by supply means or by hand. In this embodiment, various timings, including the supply start timing, refer to a single time or period. When formulating a supply plan on a daily basis, the time unit for the supply start timing is one day. In this case, the supply start timing is simply the time at which the supply of the target object begins at some point on the specified day. The time unit for the supply start timing is not limited to one day. For example, the supply start timing may be expressed in seconds, minutes, months, or days of two or more days. Furthermore, while it is preferable for the supply plan to include the supply start timing, it is not necessarily required for the supply plan to include the supply start timing if, for example, the supply order of the target object is specified from the supply plan. For example, the supply plan may include information indicating the supply order (itself).

[0020] The scope of the supply plan created by the planning device 110 is not limited. For example, the supply plan may specify the quantity and date of supply of raw materials when supplying raw materials to a factory (e.g., a steel mill) during production, or it may specify the quantity and date of supply of products when supplying products to customers during logistics. The target object and means of supply are determined as appropriate according to the supply plan. The target object may be a product, a raw material, or a material. The product may be a finished product or an intermediate product. The means of supply may be a ship, a vehicle such as a truck or railway car, or an aircraft. The means of supply may also be a means of supply that does not move itself, such as a belt conveyor. Furthermore, as mentioned above, the supply plan may also be a plan to supply the target object without using any means of supply.

[0021] As described above, the supply plan created by the planning device 110 is not limited, but in this embodiment, we will illustrate the case in which the planning device 100 creates a loading port dispatch plan. The loading port dispatch plan includes, for example, the ship, the loading port where the ship will be dispatched, and the timing for dispatching the ship to the loading port. The loading port dispatch plan may also include information regarding the attributes of the goods to be transported loaded onto the ship. In this embodiment, we will illustrate the case in which the goods to be transported are raw materials for producing (manufacturing) products such as iron and steel products.

[0022] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an overview of a loading port scheduling plan. In this embodiment, the loading port scheduling plan is created assuming that the brands (A, B, C) of raw materials to be loaded onto each vessel i1 to i6, and the loading quantities of each brand of raw material, are predetermined. Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of predetermined information for vessels included in the loading port scheduling plan.

[0023] In Figure 4, the ship ID is the identification information assigned to each ship to identify it. Figure 4 shows the ship IDs (i1 to i6) of six ships. In the following explanation, ships with ship IDs i1, i2, i3, i4, i5, and i6 will be referred to as ships i1, i2, i3, i4, i5, and i6, respectively, as needed. Note that the number of ships is not limited to six. Also, in Figure 4, A to C are the brands of raw materials. Different brands usually differ in one or more of the following: place of origin, composition, properties (electrical, chemical, mechanical), and shape. In the following explanation, the information that identifies the type of raw material will be referred to as the brand, respectively, as needed. In the following explanation, raw materials with brands A, B, and C will be referred to as raw materials A, B, and C, respectively, as needed. In Figure 4, the height of the rectangle represents the loading capacity of each raw material A to C. For example, on ship i3, the loading capacity of raw material A is greater than that of raw material C. In this embodiment, the example shows the case where the load capacity is expressed in mass (tons). Also, the number of raw material brands is not limited to 3. Furthermore, Figure 4 illustrates the case where the maximum load capacity of each vessel i1 to i6 is the same. However, the maximum load capacity of each vessel i1 to i6 may be the same or different.

[0024] In this embodiment, the brand name and the loading capacity for each brand name are predetermined for each of the ships i1 to i6, and a loading port dispatch plan is created by calculating the timing for dispatching ships i1 to i6, which have predetermined brand names and loading capacities for each brand name, to the loading ports. The number of loading ports to which a single ship is dispatched may be one or two or more. When dispatching one ship (the same ship) to multiple loading ports, the timing for dispatching the ship to each of the multiple loading ports is calculated. The timing for dispatching a ship to a loading port corresponds, for example, to the timing when the ship departs from the loading port. Alternatively, the timing for dispatching a ship to a loading port may also correspond, for example, to the timing when the ship calls at the loading port. Furthermore, in this embodiment, for the sake of simplicity, the case where the number of ships that can be dispatched at the same time is one is given as an example. However, the number of ships that can be dispatched at the same time may be two or more. If there are two or more ships that can be deployed at the same time, these two or more ships may be deployed to the same loading port or to different loading ports. In the following description, the timing at which ships are deployed to a loading port will be referred to as the deployment timing, as necessary. As mentioned above, in this embodiment, the brands of raw materials to be loaded onto each ship i1 to i6, and the loading quantities of raw materials for each brand, are predetermined. Therefore, the order in which ships are deployed corresponds to the order in which the raw materials are transported.

[0025] In Figure 3, the loading port ID is the identification information assigned to each loading port to identify it. Figure 3 shows the loading port IDs (X1, X2) of two loading ports. In the following explanation, loading ports with loading port IDs X1 and X2 will be referred to as loading port X1 and X2 as needed. Also, Figure 3 illustrates a case where raw material A or B is loaded onto the ship at loading port X1, and raw material C is loaded onto the ship at loading port X2. Note that there are not limited to two loading ports. There may be one loading port, or three or more loading ports. Also, at least one of the loading ports and / or unloading ports may be multiple locations, or both loading ports and / or unloading ports may be multiple locations. Furthermore, in Figure 3, for the sake of simplicity, an example is shown where only one of the two raw material types A and B is loaded onto a single ship at loading port X1. However, both raw material types A and B may be loaded onto a single ship. In this embodiment, even if raw materials play the same role in producing the product, raw materials loaded at different ports are considered to be of different brands. In the loading port and vessel allocation plan shown in Figure 3, a single bar graph extending along the vertical axis represents the loading configuration of raw materials on a single vessel. The symbols A to C within the bar graph represent the brands of raw materials. In Figure 3, the loading volume of the brand of raw material represented by the symbol is represented by the height of the rectangle on which the symbol is written.

[0026] Below, we will illustrate an example of the planning device 110 and planning method of this embodiment, using the above-described example of creating a loading port dispatch plan. As shown in Figure 1, the plan creation device 110 of this embodiment includes an acquisition unit 111, an evaluation index calculation unit 112, a plan creation unit 113, and an output unit 114.

[0027] <Acquisition section 111, step S201> The acquisition unit 111 acquires pre-acquired information (step S201). Pre-acquired information is information that the planning device 110 needs to perform the processing for creating a supply plan, either before or during the processing. Specific examples of pre-acquired information will be explained later in the sections <Evaluation Index Calculation Unit 112, step S202> and <Plan Creation Unit 113, step S203>.

[0028] Furthermore, the input device 120 in this embodiment includes a user interface. In this case, the operator inputs pre-acquired information into the input device 120 by operating the input device 120.

[0029] <Evaluation index calculation unit 112, step S202> The evaluation index calculation unit 112 calculates the value of an evaluation index for evaluating the quality of the supply plan (step S202).

[0030] The evaluation metrics include supplier-side evaluation metrics and supplier-side evaluation metrics. The supplier-side evaluation index is an evaluation index expressed using time-based supplier-side object information and can change over time. If the supplier-side object information is quantitative, the content of the supplier-side evaluation index is the value of the supplier-side object information. The supplier-side object information is information about the quantity and quality of the object supplied by the supplier, at least one of these two.

[0031] In this embodiment, we illustrate a case where the supplier-side object information includes the brand name of the raw material and the quantity of the raw material loaded. The brand name of the raw material is an example of information regarding the quality of the object supplied by the supplier. The brand name of the raw material may be expressed as quantitative information represented by a numerical value (for example, a predetermined value for each brand) or as qualitative information not represented by a numerical value (for example, the brand name). The quantity of the raw material loaded is the amount of raw material loaded onto one ship. As mentioned above, in this embodiment, the quantity of the raw material loaded is expressed by mass. However, the quantity of the raw material loaded may be expressed by other quantities (for example, volume or number). The quantity of the raw material loaded is an example of information regarding the quantity of the object supplied by the supplier.

[0032] Furthermore, in this embodiment, we illustrate the case where the contents of the supplier-side object information are determined at the loading port. However, this is not necessarily required. For example, the contents of the supplier-side object information may be determined at the raw material extraction site. The point at which the contents of the supplier-side object information are determined may be designated as the starting point when supplying the aforementioned object. In this embodiment, the starting point when supplying the aforementioned object is determined in this manner. That is, in this embodiment, the supplier (more specifically, the transport source) is the loading port. However, the starting point when supplying the object is not limited to the point at which the contents of the supplier-side object information are determined, but may be a different point. For example, the starting point when supplying the aforementioned object may be the point at which the object is moved (from the point at which the contents of the supplier-side object information were determined) while the contents of the determined supplier-side object information remain unchanged.

[0033] The supplier-side evaluation index is an evaluation index expressed using time-based supplier-side object information, and like the supplier-side evaluation index, it can change over time. If the supplier-side object information is quantitative, the content of the supplier-side evaluation index is the value of the supplier-side object information. The supplier-side object information is information about the quantity and quality of the object at the supplier, at least one of these two.

[0034] In this embodiment, we illustrate a case where the supplier-side object information includes the inventory quantity of raw materials at the steel mill. In the following description, the inventory quantity of raw materials at the steel mill will be referred to as the raw material inventory quantity or simply the inventory quantity, as necessary. For example, the raw material inventory quantity is expressed in terms of mass. However, the raw material inventory quantity may also be expressed in terms of other quantities (e.g., volume or number). The raw material inventory quantity is an example of information regarding the quantity of the object at the supplier.

[0035] Information regarding the quantity of the object at the supply destination is not limited to inventory levels. For example, information regarding the quantity of the object at the supply destination may be the inventory retention period. The inventory retention period is expressed using the ratio of the inventory level of the object at the time of calculating the inventory retention period to the amount of the object used per unit time at the supply destination at the time of calculating the inventory retention period. The inventory retention period corresponds to the time until the inventory runs out and is an example of information regarding inventory levels. The amount of the object used is the amount of the object used at the supply destination and corresponds to the amount of the object that is depleted from inventory. For example, the amount of the object used is expressed in mass. However, the amount of the object used may also be expressed in other quantities (e.g., volume or number). For example, if the unit time is one day, the inventory level of the object on a given day is divided by the amount of the object used on that day to calculate the inventory retention period (such an inventory retention period is called the inventory retention days). When using the inventory retention period as information regarding the quantity of the object at the supply destination, the amount of the object used per unit time is included in the prior information.

[0036] Furthermore, information regarding the quantity of the object at the supply destination may also be the quantity of the object received. The quantity of the object received is the amount of the object received at the supply destination. The quantity of the object received is determined, for example, when the receiving work for all the objects to be received from the supply means (in this embodiment, a ship) is completed. Similar to the inventory quantity, the quantity of the object received may be expressed in terms of mass, volume, or number.

[0037] In this embodiment, we illustrate a case where the contents of the recipient's object information are determined at the steel mill. However, this is not necessarily required. For example, the contents of the recipient's object information may be determined at the unloading port where the raw materials are unloaded. The point at which the recipient's object information is determined may also be defined as the destination point where the object supplied from the aforementioned supplier arrives (either during or at the final stage of supply). In this embodiment, the destination point where the object supplied from the aforementioned supplier arrives (either during or at the final stage of supply) is defined in this manner. That is, in this embodiment, the recipient (more specifically, the destination of transport) is the steel mill. However, the destination point where the object supplied from the aforementioned supplier arrives (either during or at the final stage of supply) is not limited to the point at which the contents of the recipient's object information are determined, and may be a different point, etc. For example, the destination point where the object supplied by the aforementioned supplier arrives (either during or at the final stage of supply) may be the point to which the object is moved (from the point where the contents of the recipient's object information were finalized) while the contents of the finalized recipient's object information remain unchanged. Furthermore, the supplier-side object information may include information regarding the quality of the object at the supplier. For example, the brand name of the raw material may be included in addition to or instead of the raw material load as information regarding the quality of the object at the supplier. In this case, for example, the supplier-side object information may include information indicating whether or not the object was received (arrived) at the steel mill at different times, broken down by brand name.

[0038] <<Supplier-side evaluation indicators>> Here, we will explain specific examples of supplier-side evaluation indicators. In this embodiment, the supplier-side evaluation indicators include a brand difference evaluation indicator and a load volume difference evaluation indicator.

[0039] The brand difference evaluation index is an index expressed using the number of brands of raw materials common to both ships loaded on those ships. For example, in Figure 4, the brands of raw materials loaded on ships i1 and i2 are both B and C. Therefore, the value of the brand difference evaluation index for ships i1 and i2 is 2. Also, of the brands of raw materials loaded on ships i1 and i3, only brand C is common to both ships i1 and i3. Therefore, the brand difference evaluation index for ships i1 and i3 is 1. However, in this embodiment, as will be described later, we will illustrate a case where such a value is weighted to obtain the brand difference evaluation index ((2) w1, 1 / time(i,j,k) 2 +C, w in equation (6) load (See reference).

[0040] The brand difference evaluation index is an index used to prevent the loading of the same brand of raw material onto ships with similar shipping times. In this embodiment, an example is given in which the greater the number of common brands of raw material loaded onto two ships, the larger the value of the brand difference evaluation index for those two ships. The brand difference evaluation index evaluates the similarities and differences in the brands of raw materials at the two shipping times.

[0041] In this embodiment, we illustrate the case where the brand difference evaluation index is calculated for each of the two ships that can be selected from the ships included in the loading port dispatch plan. Therefore, it is possible to evaluate the degree of temporal leveling of raw material brands for each dispatch timing in the loading port dispatch plan. The brand difference evaluation index is calculated in time units (specifically, in daily units) of the dispatch timing. In this embodiment, the time unit for the calculation timing of the brand difference evaluation index is an example of a first time unit.

[0042] Furthermore, for example, the brand difference evaluation index for two ships may be defined such that the value of the brand difference evaluation index for the two ships decreases as the number of common brands of raw materials loaded on the two ships increases. For example, the brand difference evaluation index for the two ships may be expressed as the reciprocal of the number of common brands of raw materials loaded on the two ships.

[0043] Furthermore, the load capacity difference evaluation index is an index expressed using the reciprocal of the sum of the absolute values ​​of the differences in the load capacity of each type of raw material loaded on two ships. For example, in Figure 4, if the load capacity of types B and C loaded on ship i1 is 50,000 tons and 30,000 tons, respectively, and the load capacity of types B and C loaded on ship i2 is 30,000 tons and 50,000 tons, then the value of the load capacity difference evaluation index for ships i1 and i2 is, for example, 1 / 4 (=1 / {|5-3|+|3-5|}). Also, in Figure 3, if the load capacity of types A and C loaded on ship i3 is 60,000 tons and 20,000 tons, respectively, then the value of the load capacity difference evaluation index for ships i2 and i3 is, for example, 1 / 12 (=1 / {|0-6|+|3-0|+|5-2|}). However, in this embodiment, as will be described later, we will illustrate a case where the loading amount difference evaluation index is obtained by weighting the reciprocal of the sum of the absolute values ​​of the differences in loading amounts for each brand of raw material loaded on two ships ((2) Equation w2, 1 / time(i,j,k)). 2 +C, w in equation (6) load (See reference).

[0044] The load capacity difference evaluation index is an index used to increase the difference in load capacity between ships with similar shipping timings. In this embodiment, the load capacity difference evaluation index for two ships may be set such that it decreases as the difference in load capacity for each type of raw material loaded on the two ships increases. The load capacity difference evaluation index evaluates the difference in raw material load capacity between two shipping timings. In this embodiment, an example is given in which the load capacity difference evaluation index is calculated for each of the two ships that can be selected from the ships included in the loading port shipping plan. Therefore, the degree of temporal leveling of raw material load capacity for each shipping timing in the loading port shipping plan can be evaluated. The load capacity difference evaluation index is calculated in time units (specifically, in daily units) of the shipping timing. In this embodiment, the time unit for the calculation timing of the load capacity difference evaluation index is an example of a first time unit.

[0045] Furthermore, for example, a loading capacity difference evaluation index for two ships may be defined such that the index becomes smaller the smaller the difference in the loading volume of each type of raw material loaded onto the two ships. For example, the loading capacity difference evaluation index for two ships may be represented by the sum of the absolute values ​​of the differences in the loading volume of each type of raw material loaded onto the two ships.

[0046] In this embodiment, the pre-acquired information includes the ship ID of the ship to be included in the loading port scheduling plan, the loading port ID of the loading port to be included in the loading port scheduling plan, identification information of the brand of raw materials to be loaded on the ship to be included in the loading port scheduling plan, and the quantity (loading amount) of each brand of raw materials to be loaded on the ship to be included in the loading port scheduling plan. In this case, the pre-acquired information may also include information that links the ship ID, the identification information of the brand of raw materials, and the loading amount for each brand of raw materials. This makes it easy to identify the brand and loading amount of raw materials to be loaded on each ship.

[0047] In this embodiment, the evaluation index calculation unit 112 calculates the brand difference evaluation index and the load capacity difference evaluation index using the previously acquired information. The supplier-side evaluation index may include multiple types of evaluation indices (in this embodiment, the brand difference evaluation index and the load capacity difference evaluation index), as in this embodiment, or it may include only one type of evaluation index (for example, only either the brand difference evaluation index or the load capacity difference evaluation index).

[0048] <<Supplier-side evaluation indicators>> Next, we will explain specific examples of supplier-side evaluation indicators. In this embodiment, the supplier-side evaluation index includes an inventory quantity difference evaluation index. The inventory level difference evaluation index is an index that uses the difference between the hourly inventory level at a steel mill and the hourly target inventory level at the steel mill. Figure 5 illustrates an example of the inventory level difference evaluation index. In Figure 5, the inventory level evaluation index is shown using a graph that shows the relationship between inventory level and time.

[0049] In Figure 5, the target inventory quantity 510 is the hourly target value of the inventory quantity and is included in the pre-acquired information. The estimated inventory quantity 520 is the hourly inventory quantity calculated (estimated) during the process of creating the loading port dispatch plan. In this embodiment, the loading port dispatch plan is created so that the difference between the target inventory quantity 510 and the estimated inventory quantity 520 is as small as possible. In this embodiment, the target inventory quantity 510 is an example of the hourly target value of the target product information on the supply side.

[0050] As mentioned above, this embodiment exemplifies a case where the time unit for the shipping timing is one day. Therefore, the inventory difference evaluation index (the difference between the target inventory amount 510 and the estimated inventory amount 520) may be calculated on the same time unit (one day). However, doing so would increase the computational load. Furthermore, when creating a supply plan (in this embodiment, a loading port shipping plan), it is sufficient to estimate the time-specific information on the target goods on the receiving side (in this embodiment, the difference between the target inventory amount 510 and the estimated inventory amount 520) as a rough guideline. This is because the time-specific information on the target goods on the receiving side is not used (as is) in the plan created on the receiving side. Therefore, this embodiment exemplifies a case where the target inventory amount 510 is calculated on a time unit longer than the time unit for the shipping timing. In this case, the inventory difference evaluation index (the difference between the target inventory amount 510 and the estimated inventory amount 520) is also calculated on a time unit longer than the time unit for the shipping timing. Specifically, in this embodiment (Figure 5), an example is given in which the target inventory amount 510 and the inventory difference evaluation index are calculated every 10 days. In this embodiment, the time unit for calculating the inventory difference evaluation index is an example of a second time unit.

[0051] Furthermore, in this embodiment, there are multiple steel mills (discharge ports), which are examples of supply destinations. An inventory difference evaluation index may be calculated for each of these multiple steel mills. However, doing so would increase the computational load. Also, the time-based supply destination-side target information only needs to be estimated as a rough guideline. Therefore, in this embodiment, we illustrate a case where the inventory difference evaluation index is calculated assuming that multiple steel mills are one steel mill. More specifically, in this embodiment, we illustrate a case where the inventory difference evaluation index is calculated assuming that all steel mills considered in the loading port dispatch plan are one steel mill. In this case, the target inventory amount 510 and the estimated inventory amount 520 correspond to the sum of the inventory amounts at all steel mills considered in the loading port dispatch plan. Also, the transport time of raw materials from a certain loading port to the discharge port may be, for example, the arithmetic mean of the transport time of raw materials from that loading port to all steel mills considered in the loading port dispatch plan. Alternatively, instead of doing so, the transport time for raw materials from a certain loading port may be determined by assuming that there is one steelworks at a representative location for all the steelworks considered in the loading port shipping plan. In the following explanation, all steelworks considered in the loading port shipping plan will be abbreviated as "all steelworks" as needed.

[0052] Furthermore, two or more brands may be treated as a single brand. For example, two or more brands with similar quality may be treated as the same brand. In this case, brands may be represented by a brand group that combines two or more brands that each steel mill is required to maintain in stock. In this embodiment, the absolute value of the difference between the target stock quantity 510 and the estimated stock quantity 520 is calculated for each brand group, and the cumulative value of the absolute value of the difference between the target stock quantity 510 and the estimated stock quantity 520 in each brand group is calculated as the inventory quantity difference evaluation index. Alternatively, instead of the absolute value of the difference between the target stock quantity 510 and the estimated stock quantity 520 in each brand group, the squared value of the difference between the target stock quantity 510 and the estimated stock quantity 520 in each brand group may be used. In this embodiment, the inventory quantity difference evaluation index calculated for each brand group is an example of a supplier-side evaluation index for each attribute of the object.

[0053] As described above, in this embodiment, the target inventory level 510 and the estimated inventory level 520 shown in FIG. 5 are each represented by the sum of the inventory levels of the raw materials of the stocks belonging to a certain stock group at all steel mills. Further, the difference between the target inventory level 510 and the estimated inventory level 520 shown in FIG. 5 is calculated for each stock group. In this case, the target inventory level 510 and the estimated inventory level 520 are calculated for each stock group. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the target inventory level 510, the estimated inventory level 520, and the difference between the target inventory level 510 and the estimated inventory level 520 are all calculated for each stock group.

[0054] Also, as described above, in this embodiment (FIG. 5), the inventory difference evaluation index is calculated every 10 days. Therefore, the difference between the target inventory level 510 and the estimated inventory level 520 is calculated every 10 days. Specifically, in FIG. 5, the differences between the values 510a to 510j of the target inventory level 510 and the values 520a to 520j of the estimated inventory level 520 are calculated on each day (T s from the start timing T of formulating the yard shipping plan to the end timing T e of formulating within the formulating target period at once every 10 days (T s , T s +10, T s +20, ···, T e (=T s +90)). For example, the sum of the absolute values of these differences is calculated as the inventory difference evaluation index. Note that the target inventory level 510 and the estimated inventory level 520 may be calculated in time units of the shipping timing (in this embodiment, every day). In this embodiment, it is assumed that the target inventory level 510 and the estimated inventory level 520 are calculated every day. The start timing T s and the end timing T e of formulating are included in the pre-acquired information.

[0055] Here, the target inventory level 510 may be included in the pre-acquired information. However, in some cases, it may be preferable to set the target inventory level 510 according to the actual inventory situation at the start timing T s of formulating the yard shipping plan. Therefore, in this embodiment, the start timing T sActual inventory levels and the timing of the completion of the plan T e This example illustrates how to calculate a target inventory quantity of 510 based on the target inventory quantity in [location]. In this case, the planning start timing T s Actual inventory levels and the timing of the completion of the plan T e The target value for inventory levels in this location is included in the pre-acquired information.

[0056] For example, the timing of when the planning process begins T s If the inventory level (actual value) is high, it is preferable to reduce the inventory level as quickly as possible. On the other hand, planning start timing T s When the actual inventory level is low, it is preferable to quickly increase the inventory level. Therefore, in this embodiment, a function that satisfies the following conditions (A), (B), and (C) is used as the function representing the target inventory level of 510. An example of such a function is a logarithmic function.

[0057] (A) Planning start timing T s From the timing of the completion of the plan T e A smooth (time-differentiable) function of time over the period up to [a certain point]. (B) Timing of the start of planning T s A function whose absolute value of the time derivative increases the closer it is to a specific time point. (C) Planning start timing T s The value at the planning start timing T s This is the actual inventory level at the time of completion of the planning process T. e The value at the planning completion timing T e A function that represents the target value of the inventory level in a given context.

[0058] However, the function representing the target inventory level of 510 is not limited to a logarithmic function; it may be determined based on, for example, the requirements of the supplier. For instance, if it is required to level out the inventory level over time, the function representing the target inventory level of 510 may be a function that shows a constant inventory level regardless of time.

[0059] As mentioned above, inventory retention period may be used instead of inventory quantity. In this case, for example, an inventory retention period difference evaluation index, which is the difference between the hourly target value of inventory retention period and the hourly inventory retention period calculated (estimated) during the process of creating the loading port dispatch plan, may be included in the supplier-side evaluation index. In this case, the inventory retention period difference evaluation index may be calculated in time units longer than the time units of the dispatch timing (for example, every 10 days).

[0060] The estimated inventory quantity at a given shipping timing is calculated, for example, by using the inventory quantity, inflow quantity, usage quantity, and incoming quantity at the previous shipping timing. Here, the previous shipping timing is denoted as v, and the shipping timing one day later (the given shipping timing) is denoted as v+1. In addition, the identification information for the brand group is g. m We will use this notation. If the number of stock groups is M, then m is an integer from 1 to M (stock group g m ={g1,···,g M}).

[0061] In this case, the stock group g at the dispatch timing v+1 m Estimated stock quantity of raw materials gm,v+1 This refers to the stock group g at the dispatch timing v. m Inventory of raw materials gm,v And, the stock group g at the dispatch timing v m Flow rate of raw materials gm,v And, the stock group g at the dispatch timing v m The amount of raw materials received gm,v From the sum of and , the stock group g at the dispatch timing v m Amount of raw materials used gm,v It is represented by the value obtained by subtracting (estimated inventory quantity) gm,v+1 = Inventory gm,v + Flow rate gm,v +Quantity of stock gm,v - Usage amount gm,v ).

[0062] Inventory gm,vThis refers to brand group g, which is managed as inventory at all steel mills considered in the loading port shipping plan, at the shipping timing v. m This is the sum of the amounts of raw materials. In this embodiment, for the sake of simplicity, it is assumed that the steel mill's inventory is recorded at the time the ship arrives at the port of discharge. Flow rate gm,v The planning start timing T s Among the vessels that were scheduled at an earlier scheduling time, the brand group g loaded onto vessels that arrived at any of the discharge ports considered in the loading port scheduling plan at scheduling time v m This is the sum of the amounts (loading capacity) of the raw materials. The inflow volume is included in the pre-acquired information.

[0063] Usage amount gm,v This refers to the brand group g used in all steel mills considered in the loading port shipping plan at the dispatch timing v. m This is the amount of raw materials used. The amount used is included in the information obtained in advance. Inventory gm,v The planning start timing T s Of the ships dispatched at subsequent dispatch timings, the brand group g loaded onto ships that arrived at any of the discharge ports considered in the loading port dispatch plan at dispatch timing v m It is the sum of the amounts (loading capacity) of the raw materials.

[0064] Stock group g m When raw materials are loaded onto ships at multiple loading ports and transported from those loading ports to the unloading port, the transport time from each loading port may also differ due to the varying distances between the loading ports and the unloading port. In this case, the brand group g of the ship that was dispatched to the loading port at a timing calculated by counting back the transport time for each loading port from the dispatch timing v. m The amount of raw materials loaded, and the brand group g at each loading port at the dispatch timing v. m The amount of raw materials received gm,v This is also acceptable. In this case, the transportation time for each loading location is included in the pre-acquired information.

[0065] In this embodiment, the amount of incoming goods at each shipping timing vgm,v This is an example of the hourly receiving volume of the target goods at the receiving end. In this embodiment, the transport time is an example of the supply time, which is the time required to deliver the target goods from the supplier to the receiving end. In this case, the transport time for each loading port is an example of the supply time for each supplier. In this embodiment, the brand group g of the ships that were dispatched to the loading port at each dispatch timing v of the planning period. m The loading volume of raw materials is an example of the hourly supply volume of the target material at the supplier.

[0066] As mentioned above, the quantity (loading amount) of each type of raw material to be loaded onto the vessels included in the loading port dispatch plan is included in the pre-acquired information. Furthermore, in the loading port dispatch plan of this embodiment, it is determined (calculated) which vessel will be dispatched to which loading port and at what dispatch timing. Therefore, the incoming quantity gm,v This is a dependent variable whose (final) value is determined by the loading port dispatch plan (determining variable (independent variable)). In this embodiment, the evaluation index calculation unit 112 calculates the inventory quantity difference evaluation index using the pre-acquired information as described above.

[0067] <Planning section 113, step S203> The planning unit 113 creates a supply plan based on the evaluation results of the supply plan using the values ​​of the evaluation indicators calculated by the evaluation indicator calculation unit 112 (step S203).

[0068] In this embodiment, the planning unit 113 creates a supply plan based on the evaluation results of the supply plan using the values ​​of the supplier-side evaluation indicators (brand difference evaluation indicator and load capacity difference evaluation indicator) and the value of the recipient-side evaluation indicator (load capacity difference evaluation indicator). In addition, in this embodiment, the planning unit 113 creates a loading port dispatch plan by solving an optimization problem.

[0069] <<Evaluation based on supplier-side evaluation indicators>> First, we will explain an example of a method for evaluating supply plans (shipping port scheduling plans) using supplier-side evaluation indicators (brand difference evaluation indicators and load capacity difference evaluation indicators). For example, from the viewpoint of diversifying the objects (in this embodiment, the loading configuration of raw materials on each vessel), it may be more important to make the attributes of two objects non-identical and dissimilar when the difference in the supply start timing of two objects is small, than to make the attributes of two objects non-identical and dissimilar when the difference in the supply start timing of two objects is large. Therefore, in this embodiment, when creating a loading port dispatch plan, the supplier-side evaluation indicators (brand difference evaluation indicator and load volume difference evaluation indicator) are weighted based on the difference in dispatch timing so that the difference in dispatch timing of each vessel can be taken into account. In the following explanation, the difference in supply start timing will be referred to as the supply time difference, as needed.

[0070] For example, the weight (weighting coefficient) may change monotonically with respect to changes in the supply time difference, such that the smaller the supply time difference between two objects, the larger the weight (weighting coefficient). However, it is not always necessary to weight based on the supply time difference between two objects (in this embodiment, the difference in dispatch timing). For example, the supplier-side evaluation index (brand difference evaluation index and load capacity difference evaluation index) may be weighted to balance the evaluation with other evaluation indexes, either in lieu of or in addition to weighting based on the supply time difference between two objects (in this embodiment, the difference in dispatch timing) (see weighting coefficients w1 and w2 described later). Furthermore, it is not always necessary to evaluate the supply plan using the supply time difference between two objects. For example, a constraint may be imposed that the cumulative value of the supplier-side evaluation index (brand difference evaluation index and load capacity difference evaluation index) for P objects (P is an integer of 2 or more) whose supply order is consecutive must be less than or equal to a predetermined value. Furthermore, in this embodiment, if there are two or more supplier-side evaluation indicators (brand difference evaluation indicator and load capacity difference evaluation indicator), the sum of the supplier-side evaluation indicators (brand difference evaluation indicator and load capacity difference evaluation indicator) for P objects whose supply order is consecutive is calculated for each supplier-side evaluation indicator (brand difference evaluation indicator and load capacity difference evaluation indicator), and the sum of the respective summations is set to be less than or equal to a predetermined value. Alternatively, both such constraints and the weighting based on the supply time difference between the two objects described above may be performed.

[0071] As mentioned above, in this embodiment, we illustrate a case where the difference in supply time between two objects is represented by the difference in the dispatch timing of two ships. For example, if the dispatch timing of ship i1 is August 1, 2023, and the dispatch timing of ship i2 is August 3, 2023, the difference in dispatch timing between the two ships i1 and i2 is 2 days (=3-1).

[0072] From the above perspective, in this embodiment, the planning unit 113 evaluates the quality of the loading port dispatch plan using the supplier-side evaluation indicators (brand difference evaluation indicator and load capacity difference evaluation indicator) using the following equations (1) and (2). That is, in this embodiment, the planning unit 113 evaluates the quality of the loading port dispatch plan using the supplier-side evaluation indicators (brand difference evaluation indicator and load capacity difference evaluation indicator) using the supplier-side evaluation indicator J of equation (1). k_load This is done using the value of (however, in this embodiment, as will be described later, the supplier-side evaluation index J of equation (1) k_load An example is when a weighted version of the supplier-side evaluation index is used ((6) w load See also).

[0073]

number

[0074] Here, i and j represent ship IDs, respectively. In the following explanation, ships with ship IDs i and j will be referred to as ship i and j, respectively, as needed. s and u represent the ship scheduling timing. k represents the loading port ID. In the following explanation, a loading port (loading port) with loading port ID k will be referred to as loading port k, as needed. Equation (1) exists as many times as there are loading ports k considered in the loading port scheduling plan. If the number of loading ports k considered in the loading port scheduling plan is K, then k is an integer between 1 and K (k={1,···,K}).

[0075] Σ i,s,j,u This indicates that the integral is calculated over i, s, j, and u. δ i,s,k δ is a variable that is 1 when ship i is dispatched to loading port k at dispatch timing s, and 0 when ship i is not dispatched to loading port k at dispatch timing s. j,u,kThis variable is δ, which is 1 when ship j is dispatched to loading port k at dispatch timing u, and 0 when ship j is not dispatched to loading port k at dispatch timing s. i,s,k , δ j,u,k These are the decision variables (design variables) to be found in the optimization problem.

[0076] cost i,s,j,u,k This is the case where ship i is dispatched to loading port k at dispatch timing s, and ship j is dispatched to loading port k at dispatch timing u (i.e., the decision variable δ i,s,k , δ j,u,k This is the cost when both are 1. In this embodiment, we illustrate the case where the optimization problem is a minimization problem. Therefore, cost i,s,j,u,k A smaller value indicates that the loading port scheduling plan is considered better when ship i is scheduled to load port k at scheduling timing s, and ship j is scheduled to load port k at scheduling timing u.

[0077] w1·name(i,j,k) / {time(i,j,k) 2 +C} is an example of a stock difference evaluation index for ship i, which is dispatched to loading port k at dispatch timing s, and ship j, which is dispatched to loading port k at dispatch timing u. w2 / load(i,j,k) / {time(i,j,k) 2 +C} is an example of an index for evaluating the difference in cargo capacity between a ship i dispatched to loading port k at dispatch timing s and a ship j dispatched to loading port k at dispatch timing u.

[0078] name(i,j,k) is the number of common brands of raw materials loaded onto two ships i and j at loading port k. 1 / load(i,j,k) is the reciprocal of the sum of the absolute differences in the loading quantities of each type of raw material loaded onto two ships i and j at loading port k. Furthermore, w1 is a weighting coefficient multiplied by name(i,j,k) to assign weights to name(i,j,k). w2 is a weighting coefficient multiplied by 1 / load(i,j,k) to assign weights to 1 / load(i,j,k). In the example above, name(i,j,k) has no units (it is a dimensionless quantity). Also, the unit of 1 / load(i,j,k) is, for example, tons. Therefore, it is not possible to simply compare the values ​​of each evaluation metric. Thus, the weighting coefficients w1 and w2 can be used to balance the evaluations based on each evaluation metric.

[0079] Furthermore, the weight coefficients w1 and w2 have values ​​that reflect the influence of each evaluation metric. For example, if the weight coefficients w1 and w2 are positive values, a large value for weight coefficient w1 indicates that name(i,j,k) is given importance. On the other hand, a large value for weight coefficient w2 indicates that 1 / load(i,j,k) is given importance. Note that one of the weight coefficients w1 or w2 may be set to 1. It is also preferable to include the weight coefficients w1 and w2 in the objective function J, but the weight coefficients w1 and w2 are not included in the objective function J. k It is not necessary to include them (in other words, all weight coefficients w1 and w2 can be 1). The weight coefficients w1 and w2 are included in the pre-acquired information.

[0080] 1 / {time(i,j,k) 2 +C} is a weighting coefficient calculated based on the difference between the dispatch timings s and u of ship i dispatched to loading port k at dispatch timing s and ship j dispatched to loading port k at dispatch timing u. In this embodiment, for name(i,j,k) and 1 / load(i,j,k), 1 / {time(i,j,k) 2 Weighting is performed by +C (1 / {time(i,j,k)}). 2Let's take an example where {+C} is multiplied as a weighting coefficient. time(i,j,k) is the absolute difference between ship i, which is dispatched to loading port k at dispatch timing s, and ship j, which is dispatched to loading port k at dispatch timing u. In the following explanation, time(i,j,k) will be referred to as the dispatch timing difference time(i,j,k) as needed. C is the cost when the dispatch timing difference time(i,j,k) is 0. i,s,j,u,k This is a positive constant that prevents the value from becoming infinite, and it is included in the pre-acquired information.

[0081] In this embodiment, we illustrate the case where name(i,j,k), 1 / load(i,j,k), and time(i,j,k) are each squared, as shown in equation (2). Cost in equation (2) i,s,j,u,k When calculating this, these can be used as is. However, if this is done, the cost in equation (2) will differ depending on whether the difference between the supplier-side evaluation index (brand difference evaluation index and load capacity difference evaluation index) for two ships i and j and the supplier-side evaluation index (brand difference evaluation index and load capacity difference evaluation index) for two other ships i and j is large or small. i,s,j,u,k There is a risk that the value will not change (or will become similar).

[0082] Here, to simplify the explanation, the weight coefficients w1 and w2 in equation (2) are 1, the constant C is 0, and {name(i,j,k) / time(i,j,k)}+1 / {load(i,j,k)×time(i,j,k)} is used as one evaluation index. In this case, for example, if the evaluation index values ​​for two ships i and j are 1, and the evaluation index values ​​for other two ships i and j are 4, then the cost of those two ships cost i,s,j,u,k The absolute value of the difference is 3 (=4-1). Also, the cost of two ships i and j i,s,j,u,k The value is 2, and the cost in two other ships i and j i,s,j,u,k If the value is 3, then the cost of those two costs i,s,j,u,k The absolute value of the difference between them is 1 (=3-2). Therefore, the former two costs cost i,s,j,u,k When using the latter two costsi,s,j,u,k When using [specific item] and for two costs i,s,j,u,k The supplier-side evaluation index J in formula (1) calculated using [specific item] k_load It is preferable that the values are distinguishable. However, the sum (integrated value) of the former two evaluation indexes and the sum (integrated value) of the latter two evaluation indexes are both 5 (1 + 4 = 5, 2 + 3 = 5). Therefore, without squaring the evaluation index as in formula (2), when calculating the cost i,s,j,u,k and integrating each cost calculated without squaring the evaluation index i,s,j,u,k as in formula (1), the value of the supplier-side evaluation index J when using the former two evaluation indexes k_load and the value of the supplier-side evaluation index J when using the latter two evaluation indexes k_load do not change (or become close), and it becomes difficult to distinguish the value of the supplier-side evaluation index J k_load That is, even though the values of the evaluation indexes are different, it is likely to be evaluated that the two stowage and shipping plans are of the same level.

[0083] On the other hand, if the evaluation index is squared, the difference in the values of the supplier-side evaluation index J between the two can be increased. For example, in the example mentioned above, the sum of the squares of the former two evaluation indexes is 17 (= 4 k_load + 1 2 ) and the sum of the squares of the latter two evaluation indexes is 13 (= 3 2 ) + 2 2 ) and the sum of the squares of the latter two evaluation indexes is 13 (= 3 2 ). Therefore, compared to using the values of the evaluation indexes as they are, the difference between the value of the supplier-side evaluation index J when using the former two evaluation indexes k_load and the value of the supplier-side evaluation index J when using the latter two evaluation indexes k_load can be increased. Therefore, for example, when creating a stowage and shipping plan aiming to calculate an optimal solution where the difference between multiple evaluation indexes of the same type becomes small, it is preferable to square the evaluation index.

[0084] Furthermore, instead of squaring the values ​​of all types of supplier-side evaluation indicators (brand difference evaluation indicator and load volume difference evaluation indicator), it is acceptable to square the values ​​of some types of supplier-side evaluation indicators. In this case, the supply time difference may or may not be squared. Alternatively, only the supply time difference may be squared.

[0085] Furthermore, the squares of two values ​​with the same absolute value but different signs will be the same. Therefore, by squaring the values ​​of the supplier-side evaluation indicators (brand difference evaluation indicator and load capacity difference evaluation indicator), it becomes unnecessary to calculate the absolute value when calculating the difference.

[0086] In equation (2), the smaller the difference in the timing of the deployment of two ships i and j, time(i,j,k) (supply time difference), the lower the cost. i,s,j,u,k This value becomes large. Therefore, in equation (2), the smaller the difference in dispatch timing time(i,j,k) (supply time difference) between the two ships i and j, the lower the supplier-side evaluation index J. k_load The value of becomes larger. Therefore, in equation (2), the smaller the difference in the timing of the two ships i and j (the difference in supply time), the more likely it is that the evaluation result of the loading port dispatch plan will be judged as unsatisfactory (i.e., it will be less likely to be adopted as the optimal solution).

[0087] <<Evaluation based on supplier-side evaluation indicators>> Next, we will explain an example of a method for evaluating supply plans (shipping arrangement plans at loading ports) using supplier-side evaluation indicators (inventory difference evaluation indicators).

[0088] As described above, in this embodiment, the loading port dispatch plan is created so that the difference between the target inventory amount 510 and the estimated inventory amount 520 is as small as possible. Therefore, in this embodiment, the planning unit 113 evaluates the quality of the loading port dispatch plan using the supplier-side evaluation index (inventory quantity difference evaluation index) using the following equations (3) to (5). That is, in this embodiment, the planning unit 113 evaluates the quality of the loading port dispatch plan using the supplier-side evaluation index (inventory quantity difference evaluation index) using the supplier-side evaluation index J of equation (3) gm_lift This is done using the value of (however, in this embodiment, as will be described later, the supplier side evaluation index J of equation (3) gm_liftAn example is when a weighted version of the supplier evaluation index is used ((6) w lift (See reference) ).

[0089]

number

[0090] Here, the Σ shown in equation (3) v This indicates that the calculation will be performed over v. The scope of the calculation of v is the planning period (planning start time T). s From the timing of the completion of the plan T e ) Furthermore, as explained with reference to Figure 5, in this embodiment, the target inventory quantity 510 and the inventory quantity difference evaluation index are calculated in 10-day units, and the estimated inventory quantity is calculated in 1-day units. Therefore, the calculation in equation (3) is performed in 10-day units (once every 10 days), and the calculation in equation (4) is performed in 1-day units, which is the time unit of the shipping timing (once a day). The t shown in equation (5) k This is the transport time from loading point k to unloading point. k This is, for example, a representative value (e.g., arithmetic mean) of the transportation time from loading point k to all steel mills. The transportation time from loading point k to unloading point is, as needed, the transportation time t k It is called that. k This is calculated from the dispatch timing v to the transport time t. k This is the ship dispatch timing going back only a few steps. In equation (5), q is the ship ID. In equation (3), Σ q This indicates that the integral is calculated with respect to q. The variable δ shown in equation (5) q,v-tk,k is, δ i,s,k , δ j,u,k Similarly, these are the decision variables (design variables) to be found in the optimization problem. The other variables are as described above. Note that, as mentioned above, the right-hand side of equation (3) does not have to be an absolute value; for example, it can be the squared value (i.e., |Target Inventory Quantity). gm,v - Estimated inventory gm,v |not (target inventory quantity) gm,v - Estimated inventory gm,v ) 2 ) is also fine).

[0091] <<Overall evaluation based on supplier-side and supplier-side evaluation indicators>>

[0092] In this embodiment, the supplier-side evaluation index J of formula (1) is used. k_load And, the supplier-side evaluation index J of equation (3) k_lift The quality of the loading port scheduling plan is evaluated using the following formula. Specifically, in this embodiment, we will illustrate the case in which the quality of the loading port scheduling plan is evaluated using the following formula (6).

[0093]

number

[0094] Here, w load J k_load This is the weighting coefficient for w. lift J k_lift This is the weighting coefficient for . Weighting coefficient w load , w lift w, like the weight coefficients w1 and w2, is used to balance the evaluations based on each evaluation metric and is included in the pre-acquired information. load J k_load This is an example of a supplier-side evaluation indicator. Also, w lift J k_lift This is an example of a supplier-side evaluation indicator.

[0095] As mentioned above, this embodiment illustrates the case where the optimization problem is a minimization problem. Therefore, the planning unit 113 uses the objective function J in equation (6) k The loading port dispatch plan is created by solving the minimization problem that minimizes the value of (6). That is, the planning unit 113 solves the objective function J in equation (6). k The decision variable δ when its value is considered to be the minimum in the optimization problem algorithm. i,s,k , δ j,u,k , δ q,v-tk,k Determine the objective function J in equation (6). kThe value of is an example of the evaluation result of the supply plan (loading port dispatch plan in this embodiment). Note that the optimization problem is not limited to a minimization problem, but may also be a maximization problem. In this case, for example, the objective function may be the result of multiplying the entire right-hand side of equation (6) by (-1). Furthermore, the optimization problem may be, for example, a mathematical optimization problem or a combinatorial optimization problem. Also, the solution method for the optimization problem is not limited, and any known solution method may be used. For example, the solution method for the optimization problem may be an exact method using the branch and bound method, which is commonly used as a solution method for mathematical optimization problems, or it may be an empirical method such as a metaheuristic (e.g., a genetic algorithm).

[0096] As described above, this embodiment exemplifies a case where the supplier-side evaluation indicator includes an indicator that evaluates the degree of leveling of supplier-side object information over time (a brand difference evaluation indicator and a loading volume difference evaluation indicator) (see equations (1) and (6) specifically). However, the supplier-side evaluation indicator is not limited to such indicators, as it only needs to be an indicator that evaluates the quality of the supply plan. For example, a target transport order for each brand can be set, and an indicator that evaluates the difference from the target transport order of each brand can be used as the supplier-side evaluation indicator. The problem of determining the dispatch timing for each ship carrying specified brands of raw materials so that the transport order of each brand approaches the target can be formulated as an optimization problem. Furthermore, this embodiment exemplifies a case where the recipient-side evaluation indicator includes an indicator that evaluates the degree of deviation from the target of recipient-side object information over time (an inventory volume difference evaluation indicator) (see equations (3) and (6) specifically). However, like the supplier-side evaluation indicator, the recipient-side evaluation indicator is not limited to such indicators, as it only needs to be an indicator that evaluates the quality of the supply plan. For example, an indicator that evaluates the degree of time-dependent scaling of estimated inventory levels could be used as a supplier-side evaluation indicator, and the problem of determining the timing of dispatching each vessel, which has a predetermined raw material load, in order to reduce the degree of time-dependent variability in estimated inventory levels (increase the degree of time-dependent scaling), could be formulated as an optimization problem.

[0097] Furthermore, constraints may be imposed when solving the optimization problem. In this case, the optimization problem is defined by the objective function J.k The value of satisfies the constraints, and the objective function J in equation (6) k The decision variable δ when its value is considered to be the minimum in the optimization problem algorithm. i,s,k , δ j,u,k , δ q,v-tk,k This is a problem to determine.

[0098] The constraints only need to be defined in such a way that the port-of-loading ship scheduling plan can be calculated appropriately. For example, a constraint may be that all ships included in the port-of-loading ship scheduling plan are scheduled to be loaded at port k at least once, where the raw materials to be loaded on those ships are located. Alternatively, a constraint may be that a predetermined number or more of the ships i included in the port-of-loading ship scheduling plan are scheduled to be loaded at port k at least once, where the raw materials to be loaded on those ships are located. Another constraint may be that at least one of all the ships included in the port-of-loading ship scheduling plan cannot be loaded at a specific timing. At least one of the ships subject to the port-of-loading ship scheduling plan, the ports included in the port-of-loading ship scheduling plan as ports of loading for those ships, and the timing of the loading may be excluded from equations (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), and (6). In this case, the numbers i, j, s, u, v, and k that are excluded from equations (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), and (6) may be treated as missing numbers (as if they do not exist), and the calculations for equations (1) to (6) may be performed.

[0099] Furthermore, if there are ships that need to be deployed at a specific time, the constraint may include setting the deployment timing of those ships to that specific time. The constraint equation, which is a mathematical expression representing such constraints, should be formulated according to the method of solving the optimization problem.

[0100] The planning unit 113 uses equations (1) to (6) to determine the decision variable δ i,s,k , δ j,u,k , δ q,v-tk,k The optimal solution is calculated. This allows, for example, the timing of all ships that are scheduled to be loaded at one loading port k among the ships included in the loading port scheduling plan to be calculated. The planning unit 113 calculates such a decision variable δ. i,s,k , δj,u,k , δ q,v-tk,k The optimal solution is calculated for each loading port k. This allows the loading port dispatch plan for each loading port k to be calculated sequentially.

[0101] For example, the planning unit 113 determines the decision variable δ for each loading area k. i,s,k , δ j,u,k , δ q,v-tk,k Based on the optimal solution, information indicating the ship ID of each ship and the dispatch timing of the ship identified by that ship ID for each loading port k is calculated as supply plan information showing the loading port dispatch plan. When solving the optimization problem, for example, the search for a solution is repeated until the convergence condition is satisfied. In this case, the supply plan (whether it is good or bad) is evaluated by determining whether or not the convergence condition is satisfied.

[0102] Alternatively, the value of the brand difference evaluation index may be set such that it increases as the number of non-common brands of raw materials loaded onto the two ships increases. In this case, for example, the weight coefficient w1 may be multiplied by the reciprocal of the brand difference evaluation index (instead of the brand difference evaluation index itself). Alternatively, the value of the loading volume difference evaluation index between the two ships may be shown to be small as the difference in loading volume of each brand of raw material loaded onto the two ships decreases. In this case, for example, the weight coefficient w2 may be multiplied by the loading volume difference evaluation index (instead of the reciprocal of the loading volume difference evaluation index itself).

[0103] Furthermore, as mentioned above, it is not always necessary to weight based on the supply time difference (shipping timing difference time(i,j,k)). For example, a constraint may be imposed that the cumulative value of the supplier-side evaluation index (brand difference evaluation index and load difference evaluation index) for Z consecutive items (Z is an integer of 2 or more) in the supply order be less than or equal to a predetermined value. In this case, the denominator of the right-hand side of equation (2) (time(i,j,k) 2 +C) becomes 1. For example, for Z ships i,j assigned to consecutive loading times s, u at a certain loading port k (where Z is an integer greater than or equal to 2), "Σ i,s,j,u name(i,j,k) 2 +1 / load(i,j,k) 2The constraint may also include the condition that "≤TH" is satisfied. Thus, it is not always necessary to (explicitly) calculate the supply time difference. However, such a constraint may be imposed without changing equation (2).

[0104] Furthermore, calculating the optimal solution by solving the optimal solution problem is preferable because it allows for the creation of a better supply plan in a shorter time. However, it is not always necessary to solve the optimal solution problem. For example, the dispatch timings s, u, and v for each ship i and j that satisfy predetermined conditions may be explored through trial and error based on a brand difference evaluation index, a loading volume difference evaluation index, and an inventory volume difference evaluation index. This method may be used when the number of ships i and j and raw material brands is small. In this case, the supply plan (whether it is good or bad) is evaluated by determining whether or not the predetermined conditions are met.

[0105] For the sake of simplicity, the brand group of raw materials loaded at loading location k is {g1,···,g M} and the stock group {g1,···,g M We have provided an example of formulating the objective function under the condition that there is no loading site other than loading site k for loading the raw materials of}. However, the objective function may be formulated without imposing these conditions, or with other conditions imposed. The formulation of the objective function in these cases can be achieved by modifying (extending) equations (1) to (6) using general mathematical optimization techniques, so a detailed explanation is omitted here.

[0106] <Output section 114, step S204> The output unit 114 outputs supply plan information (step S204). In this embodiment, the output unit 114 outputs the supply plan information to the output device 130. If the output device 130 is equipped with a computer display, the supply plan information output from the output unit 114 is displayed on the computer display. As mentioned above, the output device 130 is not limited to a device equipped with a computer display.

[0107] <Calculation example> Next, we will show a calculation example (an example of numerical simulation). In this explanation of the calculation example, the method that uses both supplier-side evaluation indicators and supplier-side evaluation indicators as evaluation indicators for evaluating the quality of the supply plan, as in this embodiment, will be referred to as the inventive example. On the other hand, the method that uses only supplier-side evaluation indicators as evaluation indicators for evaluating the quality of the supply plan will be referred to as the comparative example. All conditions other than the presence or absence of supplier-side evaluation indicators are the same for the inventive example and the comparative example.

[0108] Figure 6 shows an example of a loading port vessel scheduling plan for a single loading port. In Figure 6, the horizontal axis n+15, n+30, ..., n+90 represent 15, 30, ..., 90 days after the first date (year, month, day) n of the planning period, respectively. The vertical axis represents the cargo volume, which is a normalized quantity (dimensionless quantity). The method of notation for the bar graph in Figure 6 is the same as the method of notation for the bar graph in Figure 3. Note that Figure 3 illustrates the case where only one type of raw material is loaded onto one ship. Figure 6 illustrates the case where multiple types of raw materials may be loaded onto one ship. Specifically, in this calculation example, it is assumed that a maximum of two types of raw materials (types a and b) can be loaded onto the same ship.

[0109] Figure 6(a) shows the loading port dispatch plan in the comparative example. Figure 6(b) shows the loading port dispatch plan in the inventive example. In Figure 6, it can be determined that loading ports are leveled when the monthly loading volume of each brand is approximately the same. Looking at it on a monthly basis, it can be seen that in both the loading port dispatch plan in the comparative example shown in Figure 6(a) and the loading port dispatch plan in the inventive example shown in Figure 6(b), a constant amount of raw materials for brands a and b can be transported each month. Furthermore, in the loading port dispatch plan in the inventive example shown in Figure 6(b), ships loaded with raw materials for brands a and b are dispatched at every dispatch timing, indicating that the loading volumes of raw materials for brands a and b are more leveled. On the other hand, the time interval between two temporally adjacent dispatch timings is leveled more in the loading port dispatch plan in the comparative example shown in Figure 6(a).

[0110] Figure 7 shows an example of inventory retention days. The inventory retention days on the vertical axis are a normalized quantity (dimensionless quantity). Figure 7(a) shows an inventory retention day of 710 in the comparative example. Figure 7(b) shows an inventory retention day of 720 in the inventive example. Figure 7(b) also shows a target inventory retention day of 730. Note that the inventory retention day of 720 and the target inventory retention day of 730 correspond to the estimated inventory quantity of 520 and the target inventory quantity of 510 shown in Figure 5, respectively.

[0111] Comparing Figures 7(a) and 7(b), in the comparative example shown in Figure 7(a), the inventory retention period increased or decreased rapidly. This resulted in a period where the risk of inventory shortages increased, followed by a period of rapid inventory growth. On the other hand, in the inventive example shown in Figure 7(b), compared to the comparative example shown in Figure 7(a), the inventory level was brought closer to the target without being excessive or insufficient.

[0112] Figure 8 shows an example of the number of days a ship is docked. The number of days a ship is docked near a port of discharge without calling at the port of discharge. As shown in Figure 7(a), in the comparative example, the period during which the inventory maintenance period (inventory quantity) increases rapidly becomes longer, resulting in an increase in the number of days a ship is docked. In contrast, as shown in Figure 7(b), in the inventive example, the inventory maintenance period (inventory quantity) stabilizes over time, so the number of days a ship is docked can be reduced compared to the comparative example.

[0113] As described above, in the comparative example, even if the loading volume for each brand can be leveled over time at the loading port, there is a risk of excessive or insufficient inventory at the unloading port. In contrast, in the inventive example, both optimization of the raw material supply at the loading port (leveling the loading volume for each brand as much as possible over time in this calculation example) and optimization of the raw material acceptance at the unloading port (bringing the time-dependent inventory level closer to the target in this calculation example) can be achieved at the loading port.

[0114] <Summary> For example, when creating a supply plan, it is sometimes necessary to level out the supply quantity of the target item as much as possible over time. However, as mentioned above in the section on the problems the invention aims to solve, if the target item is supplied based on a conventional supply plan, even if the supply quantity of the target item from the supplier is leveled out over time, there is a risk that the inventory of the target item at the recipient will be excessive or insufficient. This tendency becomes more pronounced as the number of suppliers, recipients, and supply means considered in the supply plan increases. The inventors of the present invention believe that one of the causes of this is that the target item at the recipient is not considered when creating the supply plan. Therefore, the inventors of the present invention believe that by using evaluation indicators not only on the supplier side but also on the recipient side as evaluation indicators to evaluate the quality of the supply plan, it is possible to create a supply plan that achieves both optimization of the target item supplied from the supplier and optimization of the target item supplied to the recipient.

[0115] From this perspective, in this embodiment, the planning device 110 creates a supply plan based on the evaluation results of the supply plan using the value of an evaluation index for evaluating the quality of the supply plan. In doing so, the planning device 110 uses an evaluation index that includes a supplier-side evaluation index and a destination-side evaluation index. The supplier-side evaluation index is an evaluation index expressed using time-based supplier-side object information. The supplier-side object information is information about the quantity and quality of the object supplied from the supplier. The destination-side evaluation index is an evaluation index expressed using time-based destination-side object information. The destination-side object information is information about the quantity and quality of the object at the destination. Therefore, it is possible to create a supply plan that achieves both optimization of the quantity and quality of the object supplied from the supplier and optimization of the quantity and quality of the raw materials supplied to the destination.

[0116] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the planning device 110 calculates the supplier-side evaluation index by treating multiple supplier destinations as a single supplier destination. Therefore, the processing load for creating the supply plan can be reduced.

[0117] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the planning device 110 uses the supply start timing, the supply time (the time required to supply the object from the supplier to the destination), and the hourly supply amount of the object at the supplier to calculate the hourly receipt amount of the object at the destination, and uses the hourly receipt amount of the object at the destination to calculate destination-side object information. Therefore, the amount of the object at the time it is supplied to the destination can be estimated with high accuracy. Thus, destination-side object information can be estimated with high accuracy. In this case, by using the supply time for each supplier, the amount of the object at the time it is supplied to the destination can be estimated with even higher accuracy.

[0118] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the planning device 110 calculates the inventory quantity of the target item at the supplier, or the inventory retention period at the supplier, as supplier-side target item information. Therefore, the inventory quantity at the supplier can be directly evaluated.

[0119] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the planning device 110 calculates a supplier evaluation index based on the difference between the time-dependent values ​​of the supplier-side object information and the time-dependent target values ​​of the supplier-side object information. Therefore, the time progression of the supplier-side object information can be brought closer to the target.

[0120] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the planning device 110 calculates time-dependent target values ​​for the target object information on the supply destination side using the actual value of the target object information on the supply destination side at the start timing of supply plan formulation and the target value of the target object information on the supply destination side at the end timing of supply plan formulation. Therefore, target values ​​that are close to the intention of the planner (preferably target values ​​that match the intention of the planner) can be automatically calculated as time-dependent target values ​​for the target object information on the supply destination side. For example, time-dependent target values ​​for the target object information on the supply destination side can be calculated from the actual value of the target object information on the supply destination side at the start timing of supply plan formulation so that they approach the target value as the timing approaches the end timing of supply plan formulation. In this case, if the planning device 110 calculates time-dependent target values ​​for the target object information on the supply destination side based on the value of a function in which the absolute value of the time derivative is larger the closer the timing is to the start timing of supply plan formulation, the target object information on the supply destination side can be brought closer to the target quickly.

[0121] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the planning device 110 represents the source-side target object information in terms of values ​​for each first hourly unit, and the destination-side target object information in terms of values ​​for each second hourly unit, which is longer than the first hourly unit. Therefore, the processing load for creating the supply plan can be reduced.

[0122] <Variation> In this embodiment, an example is given in which the planning unit 113 sequentially calculates a loading port dispatch plan for each loading port k as a loading port dispatch plan. When creating loading port dispatch plans for multiple loading ports k, it is sometimes necessary to optimize the dispatch timing as much as possible, not only for each loading port k but also when looking at the loading port dispatch plans for multiple loading ports k together (for example, creating a loading port dispatch plan so that ships with similar load configurations are not dispatched at close intervals). Therefore, the planning unit 113 may use the values ​​of the supplier-side evaluation index for multiple loading ports k together to create a loading port dispatch plan for multiple loading ports k at once.

[0123] In this case, for example, the objective function J in equation (6)k Alternatively, the objective function J in equation (7) below may be used.

[0124]

number

[0125] Here k This indicates that we are integrating with respect to k. ω k ω is the weighting coefficient for the area k. k By using this, the degree of temporal variation in the loading configuration of ships can be adjusted for each loading port k. In the examples shown in equations (1) to (5) and (7), when increasing the degree of temporal variation in the loading configuration of ships at a certain loading port k (increasing the degree of temporal equalization), the weighting coefficient ω for that loading port k is used. k The value of is increased. On the other hand, in another loading port k, if the degree of temporal variation in the loading configuration of the ships does not need to be increased so much, the weighting coefficient ω for that loading port k is increased. k The value of is reduced. k It is preferable to include the weight coefficient ω in the objective function J, but k It is not necessary to include all weight coefficients ω in the objective function J (in other words, all weight coefficients ω k (It can also be 1).

[0126] Supplier-side evaluation index J gm,k_lift This is the supplier-side evaluation index for each loading site k. That is, in equation (7), the supplier-side evaluation index J from equation (3) is used. gm_lift The value of "J" in equation (7) is calculated for each loading area k. gm,k_lift The ",k" in "" represents this). Also, the supplier-side evaluation index J in formula (6) gm_lift When calculating, the stock group g m Let M be the number of such numbers, and let m be an integer from 1 to M (i.e., the g in equations (3) and (4)). m to g m ={g1,···,g M}). In contrast, the supplier-side evaluation index J of formula (7) gm,k_lift When calculating g in equations (3) and (4), mThis includes information for each loading location k (identification information for brand group at loading location k g). mk Replace with ). Also, let Mk be the number of brand groups at loading site k, and let mk be an integer from 1 to Mk (i.e., the g in equations (3) and (4)). m to g mk ={g 1,k ,···,g Mk,k}) Note that g 1,k ,···,g Mk,k Each of these represents one of the Mk brand groups at the loading site k ("g 1,k ,···,g Mk,k The "1,k", "...", and "Mk,k" in the above indicate the "1st", "...", and "Mkth" group of brands at loading location k.

[0127] Furthermore, as explained in the section on "<<Comprehensive evaluation using supplier-side evaluation indicators and supplier-side evaluation indicators>>", for the sake of simplicity, the brand group of raw materials loaded at loading location k is {g 1,k ,···,g Mk,k} and also, the stock group {g 1,k ,···,g Mk,k We have provided an example of formulating the objective function under the condition that there is no loading site other than loading site k for loading the raw materials of}, but the objective function may be formulated without imposing these conditions, or it may be formulated with conditions other than these conditions.

[0128] As mentioned above, equation (6) exists as many times as there are loading sites k. On the other hand, the number of equations in equation (7) is 1 regardless of the number of loading sites k. The planning unit 113 uses equations (1) to (5) and (7) to determine the decision variable δ i,s,k , δ j,u,k , δ q,v-tk,k By calculating the optimal solution for the decision variable δ, i,s,k , δ j,u,k , δ q,v-tk,k When calculating the optimal solution (objective function J), the supplier-side evaluation index (w1·name(i,j,k / {time(i,j,k)) for multiple loading sites k is used. 2 +C}, w2 / load(i,j,k) / {time(i,j,k) 2The values ​​of (+C) are both used. Also, according to equation (7), the decision variable δ for multiple areas k is obtained. i,s,k , δ j,u,k , δ q,v-tk,k The optimal solution is calculated simultaneously. Therefore, the planning unit 113 can create loading ship scheduling plans for multiple loading ports k at once.

[0129] (Other embodiments) The embodiments of this disclosure described above can be implemented by a computer executing a program. Furthermore, a computer-readable recording medium on which the program is stored, and a computer program product such as the program itself, can also be applied as embodiments of this disclosure. Examples of recording media include flexible disks, hard disks, optical disks, magneto-optical disks, CD-ROMs, magnetic tapes, non-volatile memory cards, ROMs, etc. Moreover, the embodiments of this disclosure may be implemented by a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) or by dedicated hardware such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). Furthermore, the embodiments of this disclosure described above are merely examples of concrete implementations of this disclosure, and the technical scope of this disclosure should not be interpreted as being limited by them. In other words, this disclosure can be implemented in various ways without departing from its technical concept or its main features.

[0130] Furthermore, the disclosure of the above embodiments is as follows, for example. [Disclosure 1] A planning device for creating a supply plan for supplying an object from a supplier to a recipient, An evaluation index calculation unit that calculates the value of an evaluation index for evaluating the quality of the supply plan, A planning unit that creates the supply plan based on the evaluation results of the supply plan using the values ​​of the evaluation indicators, Equipped with, The aforementioned evaluation indicators include supplier-side evaluation indicators and supplier-side evaluation indicators. The aforementioned supplier-side evaluation index is an evaluation index expressed using supplier-side object information for each time period. The aforementioned supplier-side evaluation index is an evaluation index expressed using time-based supplier-side object information, The supplier-side object information is information about at least one of the following: information regarding the quantity and information regarding the quality of the object supplied by the supplier. A planning device in which the destination object information is at least one of the information regarding the quantity and the quality of the object at the destination. [Disclosure 2] The planning device according to Disclosure 1, wherein the evaluation index calculation unit calculates the supplier-side evaluation index assuming that the multiple suppliers are a single supplier. [Disclosure 3] The planning device according to disclosure 1 or 2, wherein the evaluation index calculation unit calculates the hourly receiving amount of the object at the supply destination using the timing of starting the supply of the object, the supply time which is the time required to supply the object from the supply source to the supply destination, and the hourly supply amount of the object at the supply source, and calculates the supply destination side object information using the hourly receiving amount of the object at the supply destination. [Disclosure 4] The supply time is the time for each supplier, as described in Disclosure 3, for the planning device. [Disclosure 5] The information on the supplier side of the target item is the inventory quantity of the target item at the supplier, or the inventory retention period at the supplier. The inventory retention period is information expressed using the ratio of the inventory amount of the object to the amount of the object used per unit time at the supply destination, according to the planning device described in any one of disclosures 1 to 4. [Disclosure 6] The planning device according to any one of disclosures 1 to 5, wherein the evaluation index calculation unit calculates the supplier evaluation index based on the difference between the time-dependent values ​​of the supplier-side object information and the time-dependent target values ​​of the supplier-side object information. [Disclosure 7] The planning device according to disclosure 6, wherein the evaluation index calculation unit calculates time-dependent target values ​​for the target object information on the supply side using the actual values ​​of the target object information on the supply side at the start timing of the planning of the supply plan and the target values ​​of the target object information on the supply side at the end timing of the planning of the supply plan. [Disclosure 8] The evaluation index calculation unit calculates time-dependent target values ​​for the supply destination object information based on the value of a function obtained by representing the supply destination object information for each time period as a smooth time function. The absolute value of the time derivative of the aforementioned function is larger the closer the timing is to the start of the supply plan formulation. The planning device according to Disclosure 7, wherein the value of the function includes the actual value of the target object information on the supply destination side at the start timing of the planning of the supply plan, and the target value of the target object information on the supply destination side at the end timing of the planning of the supply plan. [Disclosure 9] The aforementioned supplier-side object information is expressed as a value for each first hourly unit, The planning device according to any one of disclosures 1 to 8, wherein the information of the target object on the supply side is expressed as a value for each second time unit which is longer than the first time unit. [Disclosure 10] The aforementioned supplier-side evaluation index is an evaluation index that evaluates the degree of temporal leveling of supplier-side object information over time. The aforementioned supplier-side evaluation index is an evaluation index that evaluates the degree of deviation from the target of supplier-side object information over time, as described in any one of disclosures 1 to 9, for the planning device. [Disclosure 11] The planning device according to any one of disclosures 1 to 10, wherein the supplier-side evaluation index includes an evaluation index for each attribute of the object. [Disclosure 12] The supplier-side evaluation index includes the evaluation index for each supplier, A planning device according to any one of disclosures 1 to 11, which creates a supply plan for multiple suppliers at once by using the values ​​of the supplier-side evaluation indicators for multiple suppliers together. [Disclosure 13] The planning apparatus according to any one of disclosures 1 to 12, wherein the supply plan is a plan that includes the timing at which each of the multiple supply means begins supplying the object from the supply source to the supply destination. [Disclosure 14] The planning device according to any one of disclosures 1 to 13, wherein the supply plan is a plan that includes the timing at which the same supply means begins supplying the object to the supply destination from multiple sources. [Disclosure 15] The aforementioned supplier and the aforementioned recipient are each one of several planning devices described in any one of disclosures 1 to 14. [Disclosure 16] The aforementioned supplier is the source of transport, The aforementioned recipient is the destination of transport. The supply plan is a plan for a transport means to transport the object from the source to the destination, according to one of disclosures 1 to 15. [Disclosure 17] A method for creating a supply plan for supplying an object from a supplier to a recipient, A step of calculating an evaluation index to calculate the value of an evaluation index for evaluating the quality of the supply plan, A planning step of creating the supply plan based on the evaluation results of the supply plan using the values ​​of the evaluation indicators, Equipped with, The aforementioned evaluation indicators include supplier-side evaluation indicators and supplier-side evaluation indicators. The aforementioned supplier-side evaluation index is an evaluation index expressed using supplier-side object information for each time period. The aforementioned supplier-side evaluation index is an evaluation index expressed using time-based supplier-side object information, The supplier-side object information is information about at least one of the following: information regarding the quantity and information regarding the quality of the object supplied by the supplier. A planning method wherein the information on the target object at the supply destination is at least one of the information on the quantity and information on the quality of the target object at the supply destination. [Disclosure 18] A program for causing a computer to function as a component of a planning device described in any one of disclosures 1 to 16. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0131] 110 Planning device 111 Acquisition Department 112 Evaluation Metric Calculation Unit 113 Planning Department Output section of 114 120 Input devices 130 Output device 510 Target inventory quantity 520 Estimated Inventory 510a~510j Target inventory levels 520a~520j Estimated Inventory Values 710, 720 days of inventory retention 730 Target inventory retention days

Claims

1. A planning device for creating a supply plan for supplying an object from a supplier to a recipient, An evaluation index calculation unit that calculates the value of an evaluation index for evaluating the quality of the supply plan, A planning unit that creates the supply plan based on the evaluation results of the supply plan using the values ​​of the evaluation indicators, Equipped with, The aforementioned evaluation indicators include supplier-side evaluation indicators and supplier-side evaluation indicators. The aforementioned supplier-side evaluation index is an evaluation index expressed using supplier-side object information on a time-by-time basis. The aforementioned supplier-side evaluation index is an evaluation index expressed using time-based supplier-side object information, The supplier-side object information is information about at least one of the following: information regarding the quantity and information regarding the quality of the object supplied by the supplier. A planning device in which the destination object information is at least one of the information regarding the quantity and the quality of the object at the destination.

2. The planning device according to claim 1, wherein the evaluation index calculation unit calculates the supplier-side evaluation index assuming that the plurality of suppliers are a single supplier.

3. The planning device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the evaluation index calculation unit calculates the hourly receiving amount of the object at the supply destination using the timing of starting the supply of the object, the supply time which is the time required to supply the object from the supply source to the supply destination, and the hourly supply amount of the object at the supply source, and calculates the supply destination side object information using the hourly receiving amount of the object at the supply destination.

4. The planning device according to claim 3, wherein the supply time is the time for each of the supply sources.

5. The information on the supplier side of the target item is the inventory quantity of the target item at the supplier, or the inventory retention period at the supplier. The planning device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the inventory retention period is information expressed using the ratio of the inventory amount of the object to the amount of the object used per unit time at the supply destination.

6. The planning device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the evaluation index calculation unit calculates the supplier evaluation index based on the difference between the time-dependent values ​​of the supplier object information and the time-dependent target values ​​of the supplier object information.

7. The planning device according to claim 6, wherein the evaluation index calculation unit calculates time-dependent target values ​​for the target object information on the supply destination side using the actual value of the target object information on the supply destination side at the start timing of the planning of the supply plan and the target value of the target object information on the supply destination side at the end timing of the planning of the supply plan.

8. The evaluation index calculation unit calculates time-dependent target values ​​for the supply destination object information based on the value of a function obtained by representing the supply destination object information for each time period as a smooth function of time. The absolute value of the time derivative of the aforementioned function is larger the closer the timing is to the start of the supply plan formulation. The planning device according to claim 7, wherein the value of the function includes the actual value of the target object information on the supply destination side at the start timing of the planning of the supply plan, and the target value of the target object information on the supply destination side at the end timing of the planning of the supply plan.

9. The aforementioned supplier-side object information is expressed as a value for each first hourly unit, The planning device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the information of the target object on the supply side is expressed as values ​​for a second time unit that is longer than the first time unit.

10. The aforementioned supplier-side evaluation index is an evaluation index that evaluates the degree of temporal leveling of supplier-side object information over time. The planning device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the supplier-side evaluation index is an evaluation index that evaluates the degree of deviation from the target of the supplier-side object information over time.

11. The planning device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the supplier-side evaluation index includes an evaluation index for each attribute of the object.

12. The supplier-side evaluation index includes the evaluation index for each supplier, A planning device according to claim 1 or 2, which uses the values ​​of the supplier-side evaluation indicators for the multiple suppliers together to create the supply plan for the multiple suppliers at once.

13. The planning apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the supply plan is a plan that includes the timing at which each of the plurality of supply means begins supplying the object from the supply source to the supply destination.

14. The planning apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the supply plan is a plan that includes the timing at which the same supply means begins supplying the object to the supply destination from multiple supply sources.

15. The planning apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein there are multiple sources and destinations.

16. The aforementioned supplier is the source of transport, The aforementioned recipient is the destination of transport. The planning device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the supply plan is a plan for the transport means to transport the object from the transport source to the transport destination.

17. A method for creating a supply plan for supplying an object from a supplier to a recipient, A step of calculating an evaluation index to calculate the value of an evaluation index for evaluating the quality of the supply plan, A planning step of creating the supply plan based on the evaluation results of the supply plan using the values ​​of the evaluation indicators, Equipped with, The aforementioned evaluation indicators include supplier-side evaluation indicators and supplier-side evaluation indicators. The aforementioned supplier-side evaluation index is an evaluation index expressed using supplier-side object information on a time-by-time basis. The aforementioned supplier-side evaluation index is an evaluation index expressed using time-based supplier-side object information, The supplier-side object information is information about at least one of the following: information regarding the quantity and information regarding the quality of the object supplied by the supplier. A planning method wherein the information on the target object at the supply destination is at least one of the information on the quantity and information on the quality of the target object at the supply destination.

18. A program for causing a computer to function as each part of the planning device according to claim 1 or 2.

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