Business support device, business support method, and business support program

Abstract

This will provide a "trigger" for customers to re-select their business partners when reordering commercial transactions. [Solution] The quotation response data generation unit generates quotation response data for each supplier to whom a quotation request was made, based on the quotation response received from the supplier, and includes a request status category which indicates whether or not the supplier has been selected to conduct business with the supplier. When a change in order details is registered, the request status determination unit determines whether the request status category in the quotation response data is "accepted," which indicates that the supplier has been selected to conduct business with the supplier, or "rejected," which indicates that the supplier will not conduct business with the supplier. If the message output control unit determines that the request status category is "rejected," it outputs a message to the supplier to whom the order details are being changed via the output device indicating that the request status category is "rejected."

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a business support device, a business support method, and a business support program.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-283053) discloses an order receiving and issuing system aimed at enabling a detailed estimate corresponding to a customer to be provided in a short time when the customer requests an estimate even when there are few salespersons.

[0003] In paragraph 0098 of this Patent Document 1, there is a description to the effect that when the re-estimate button is operated and estimate request data is generated again on the estimate request data creation screen. Further, in paragraph 0148 of Patent Document 1, a technique for displaying a message indicating that the validity period of the estimate has expired when an order is instructed after the estimate validity period has passed is disclosed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Here, at the time of a new order in a business transaction, a requestee that meets the conditions desired by the requester is selected from among a plurality of companies that have provided estimates, and a business transaction request is made. However, after selecting the requestee in this way, changes in the order details such as changes in the amount or delivery date may occur. In this case, originally, it is preferable to conduct estimates again for a plurality of companies, re-select the requestee for the business transaction, and place a reorder.

[0006] However, in the past, it was difficult to provide a "trigger" for re-selecting a business partner, resulting in the inconvenience that negotiations regarding price and delivery dates for changes in order details were only conducted between the selected companies.

[0007] This invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a business support device, a business support method, and a business support program that can provide a "trigger" for re-selecting a business partner when reordering business transactions. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the objective, the business support device according to the present invention includes: a quotation response data generation unit that generates quotation response data for each supplier to whom a quotation request has been made, based on the quotation response received from the supplier after requesting a quotation from the supplier; a request status determination unit that determines, when registering a change in order details, whether the request status category of the quotation response data is an "accepted" request status category indicating a supplier selected to conduct business transactions, or an "rejected" request status category indicating a supplier not to conduct business transactions; and a message output control unit that, if it is determined that the request status category is "rejected," outputs a message to the supplier to whom the order details are being changed via an output target device indicating that the request status category is "rejected."

[0009] Furthermore, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the objective, the business support device according to the present invention refers to a supplier master table, which is set for each business transaction requesting party, when registering a change in order details, and determines whether a re-quote request is necessary for each requesting party; a calculation unit that calculates the difference in order amount and difference in delivery date, which is the difference between the order amount and delivery date of the changed order details and the order amount and delivery date of the order details before the change; and based on the difference in order amount and difference in delivery date for the requesting party determined by the re-quote request determination unit to require a re-quote... The system includes: an output condition determination unit that refers to a re-quote request setting master table in which the difference order amount and difference delivery date are set as determination conditions for determining whether or not to output a message requiring a re-quote request, and determines whether the difference order amount and difference delivery date of a client determined by the re-quote request necessity determination unit to require a re-quote request satisfies the output conditions for a message requiring a re-quote request; and a message output control unit that controls the output of a message requiring a re-quote request to a client determined by the output condition determination unit to satisfy the output conditions for a message requiring a re-quote request, via an output target device.

[0010] Furthermore, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the objective, the business support method according to the present invention comprises: a quotation response data generation step in which a quotation response data generation unit generates quotation response data for each client to whom a quotation request has been made, based on the quotation response received from the client, including a request status classification which is information indicating whether or not the client has been selected as a client to conduct business transactions with; a request status determination step in which a request status determination unit determines, when a change in order details is registered, whether the request status classification of the quotation response data is an "accepted" request status classification indicating a client to conduct business transactions with, or an "rejected" request status classification indicating a client to which business transactions will not be conducted; and a message output control step in which, when it is determined that the request status classification is "rejected", the message output control unit outputs a message via an output target device to the client to whom the order details are being changed, indicating that the request status classification is "rejected".

[0011] Furthermore, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the objectives, the business support method according to the present invention includes a re-quote request necessity determination step in which a re-quote request necessity determination unit, when registering a change in order details, refers to a supplier master table in which a re-quote request necessity classification, which is information indicating whether a re-quote request is necessary when an order is changed, is set for each business transaction requesting party, and determines whether a re-quote request is necessary for each requesting party; a calculation step in which a calculation unit calculates the difference in order amount and delivery date, which is the difference between the order amount and delivery date of the changed order details and the order amount and delivery date of the order details before the change; and an output condition determination unit outputs the difference in order amount and for the requesting party that was determined to require a re-quote request in the re-quote request necessity determination step. The system includes: an output condition determination unit that refers to a re-quote request setting master table in which the difference order amount and difference delivery date are set as determination conditions for determining whether or not to output a message requiring a re-quote request based on the difference delivery date, and determines whether the difference order amount and difference delivery date of a client determined to require a re-quote request in the re-quote request determination step satisfy the output conditions for a message requiring a re-quote request; and a message output control step in which a message output control unit controls the output of a message requiring a re-quote request to a client determined to satisfy the output conditions for a message requiring a re-quote request in the output condition determination step, via an output target device.

[0012] Furthermore, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the objectives, the business support program according to the present invention functions as a computer that generates quotation response data for each supplier to whom a quotation request has been made, based on the quotation response received from the supplier after the computer has made a quotation request; a request status determination unit that determines, when a change in order details is registered, whether the request status of the quotation response data is an "accepted" request status, indicating a supplier selected to conduct business transactions, or an "rejected" request status, indicating a supplier not to conduct business transactions; and a message output control unit that, if it is determined that the request status is "rejected," outputs a message to the supplier to whom the order details are being changed via an output device.

[0013] Furthermore, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the objectives, the business support program according to the present invention includes a computer that, when an order is changed, refers to a supplier master table where a re-quote request necessity classification, which indicates whether a re-quote request is necessary or not, is set for each business transaction requesting party, when registering a change in the order details, and determines whether a re-quote request is necessary for each requesting party; a calculation unit that calculates the difference in order amount and difference in delivery date, which is the difference between the order amount and delivery date of the changed order details and the order amount and delivery date of the order details before the change; and the difference in order amount and difference in delivery date for the requesting party that the re-quote request necessity determination unit determines requires a re-quote request. Based on the period, the system refers to a re-quote request setting master table which contains the difference in order amount and difference in delivery date, which are set as criteria for determining whether or not to output a message requiring a re-quote request. The output condition determination unit determines whether the difference in order amount and difference in delivery date of a client that the re-quote request determination unit determines requires a re-quote request satisfies the output conditions for a message requiring a re-quote request. The system functions as a message output control unit which controls the output of a message requiring a re-quote request to a client that the output condition determination unit determines satisfies the output conditions for a message requiring a re-quote request, via the output target device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] This invention provides an opportunity for clients to re-select a supplier when reordering commercial transactions. Therefore, clients can request quotes from each supplier again and select a supplier that better meets their needs. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the business support device according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows an example of a supplier master table. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows an example of a master table for setting up re-quotes. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows an example of a contract information input screen for entering contract details. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows an example of contract data generated based on the input on the contract information input screen. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows an example of a quotation request input screen used to submit quotation requests to each supplier. [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows an example of quotation request data generated based on the input content on the quotation request input screen. [Figure 8] Figure 8 shows an example of a quotation response input screen, which is used to input information based on the quotation responses received from each company. [Figure 9] Figure 9 shows an example of estimate response data generated based on the input content on the estimate response input screen. [Figure 10] Figure 10 shows an example of an order entry screen for placing an order for construction work with a contractor selected based on the quotation response. [Figure 11] Figure 11 shows an example of order data generated based on the input on the order entry screen. [Figure 12]Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of the first pattern without a re - estimate request. [Figure 13] Figure 13 is a diagram showing an example of the order - injection input screen displayed in the revision mode. [Figure 14] Figure 14 is a diagram showing an example of the order - data in which the changed order - content is reflected, generated based on the input content of the order - injection input screen displayed in the revision mode. [Figure 15] Figure 15 is a schematic diagram of the second pattern in which the same requestee as the previous time is selected as the construction requestee by a re - estimate request. [Figure 16] Figure 16 is a schematic diagram of the third pattern in which a different requestee from the previous time is selected as the construction requestee by a re - estimate request. [Figure 17] Figure 17 is a diagram showing the order - injection input screen (revision mode) when inputting the change content in the second mode. [Figure 18] Figure 18 is a diagram showing an example of the order - data generated based on the input content of the order - injection input screen (revision mode). [Figure 19] Figure 19 is a diagram showing the estimate requests input to each requestee by displaying a message that serves as a "trigger" for the re - estimate request (second mode). [Figure 20] Figure 20 is a diagram showing the estimate - request data generated based on the input content of the estimate - request input screen. [Figure 21] Figure 21 is a diagram showing the estimate - reply input screen in which the same requestee as the previous estimate request is selected as the construction requestee. [Figure 22] Figure 22 is a diagram showing the estimate - reply data in which the same requestee as the previous estimate request is selected as the construction requestee. [Figure 23] Figure 23 is a diagram showing the order - injection input screen (revision mode) when inputting the change content in the third mode. [Figure 24] Figure 24 is a diagram showing the order - data generated based on the input content of the order - injection input screen (revision mode). [Figure 25]Figure 25 shows the estimate response input screen (third mode) in which, based on the estimate responses received after requesting re-estimates from each supplier following the display of a message that triggered a request for re-estimates, a different supplier has been selected as the contractor for the construction work (third mode). [Figure 26] Figure 26 shows the quotation response data indicating that a different contractor was selected as the contractor for the construction work than the previous time. [Figure 27] Figure 27 shows the order entry screen where the order details are entered for the contractor selected through the re-quote request. [Figure 28] Figure 28 shows the order data generated based on the order details for the contractors newly selected through the re-quote request process. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0016] The following describes in detail, with reference to the drawings, a business support device according to an embodiment of the present invention, which is an example of applying the present invention to a terminal device in the construction industry that places orders for construction work to subcontractors, etc. It should be noted that the present invention is applicable not only to terminal devices in the construction industry, but also to terminal devices in any industry where there is an ordering process for goods or services, and the same effects as described later can be obtained. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

[0017] (overview) In the construction industry, changes to the scope of work can occur. In such cases, the terms of the contract are reviewed between the client and the subcontractor, and additional contracts or contract revisions are made.

[0018] For example, when placing a new order for a commercial transaction, the client selects a supplier that meets their requirements from among several companies that have provided competitive quotes. However, after selecting a supplier in this way, changes may occur in the order details, such as changes in price or delivery date. In this case, it is preferable to obtain competitive quotes from multiple companies again, re-select a supplier, and place a new order.

[0019] However, in the past, it was difficult to provide a "trigger" for re-selecting a business partner, resulting in the inconvenience that negotiations regarding price and delivery dates for changes in order details were only conducted between the selected companies.

[0020] The business support device of this embodiment provides a "trigger" for requesting a new quote and obtaining a new quote response when an order is revised (when the order details are changed), making it possible to re-select a business partner and place a new order.

[0021] (Hardware configuration) As shown in Figure 1, the business support device 1 of this embodiment includes a storage unit 2, a control unit 3, a communication interface unit 4, and an input / output interface unit 5. An input device 6 and an output device 7 are connected to the input / output interface unit 5. The output device 7 may be a display unit such as a monitor device (including a home television), a printing device, or a speaker device. The input device 6 may be a keyboard device, a mouse device, a microphone device, or a monitor device that works in cooperation with a mouse device to realize a pointing device function.

[0022] The communication interface unit 4 is connected to a network 50, such as a wide-area network like the Internet or a private network like a LAN (Local Area Network). The client's (business partner's) terminal device 51 and the subcontractor's terminal device 52 to which the work is requested are connected.

[0023] In this embodiment, when the updater of the business support device 1 receives a construction order from a client via the client terminal device 51, they send a construction estimate to the subcontractor terminal device 52, select a subcontractor that meets the desired conditions based on the subcontractor's estimate response, and place a construction order with the selected subcontractor.

[0024] For memory unit 2, a storage device such as ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or SSD (Solid State Drive) can be used. Memory unit 2 stores a business support program that provides a "trigger" for re-selecting a business partner (outsourcing contractor) when reordering a business transaction (in this example, construction work).

[0025] Furthermore, this memory unit 2 is equipped with the following memory areas: contract information table 11, quotation request table 12, quotation response table 13, order table 14, supplier master table 15, and re-quote request setting master table 16.

[0026] As shown in Figure 2, the supplier master table 15 has a re-quote request requirement classification for each supplier, indicating whether a re-quote request is necessary when the order details are changed. In this example in Figure 2, XX Corporation and XX Corporation require a re-quote request, while □□ Corporation does not.

[0027] The Requote Request Settings Master Table 16 stores conditions for displaying an error message that triggers a requote request for suppliers identified in the Supplier Master Table 15 as needing a requote. Specifically, the Requote Request Settings Master Table 16 contains conditions for the difference in order amount, which is the difference between the ordered order amount and the changed order amount, and the extended construction period, which is the difference between the ordered construction period and the changed construction period.

[0028] In the example shown in Figure 3, the system is configured to display a predetermined error message that triggers a request for a new quote from a supplier if the difference in order amount for that supplier, determined in the supplier master table 15 to require a new quote, is "200,000 yen or more" and the extended construction period is "30 days or more".

[0029] Alternatively, the example in Figure 3 is configured to display a predetermined error message that triggers a request for a new quote from a supplier if the difference in order amount for that supplier, determined in the supplier master table 15 to require a new quote, is "1 million yen or more," or if the extended construction period is "120 days or more."

[0030] (Functional configuration of business support equipment) Next, the control unit 3 executes the business support program stored in the memory unit 2, and functions as a data generation unit 21, a discrimination unit 22, an output control unit 23, and a calculation unit 24, as shown in Figure 1. The data generation unit 21 includes a quotation response data generation unit 25.

[0031] Furthermore, the discrimination unit 22 includes a request status discrimination unit 26, a re-estimate request necessity discrimination unit 27, and an output condition discrimination unit 28. In addition, the output control unit 23 includes a message output control unit 29.

[0032] In this example, the data generation unit 21 to the message output control unit 29 are described as being implemented in software based on a business support program. However, all or part of the data generation unit 21 to the message output control unit 29 may be implemented in hardware. In either case, the same effects as described later can be obtained.

[0033] The quotation response data generation unit 25 generates quotation response data for each client to whom a quotation request was made. This data includes a request status classification, which indicates whether or not the client has been selected as a client for a business transaction (see the "Accepted / Rejected Request Status" in Figure 9), based on the quotation responses received from the client.

[0034] When a change in the order details is registered, the request status determination unit 26 determines whether the request status category (see Figure 9) of the quotation response data is an "accepted" request status category, which indicates that the requesting party has been selected as a party to conduct business transactions with, or an "rejected" request status category, which indicates that the requesting party will not conduct business transactions with.

[0035] If the message output control unit 29 determines that the request status is "rejected," it outputs a message to the recipient of the order change via the output device indicating that the request status is "rejected."

[0036] This provides an opportunity for customers to re-select their business partners when reordering commercial transactions.

[0037] The output target device corresponds to, for example, the output device 7, and can be a display device, a printing device, or a speaker device. The output control unit 23 converts the above-mentioned message into display information, print information, or audio information and supplies it to the corresponding device. This makes it possible to obtain a display output, print output, or audio output of the message. In addition, the output target device can be a storage unit 2, an external storage device, or a server device on a network, and the message may be output to or transmitted to these devices for storage.

[0038] Next, the re-quote request necessity determination unit 27, when registering changes to the order details, refers to the supplier master table 15 (see Figure 2), which has a re-quote request necessity classification set for each supplier, indicating whether a re-quote request is necessary when the order details are changed, and determines whether a re-quote request is necessary for each supplier.

[0039] Furthermore, the calculation unit 24 calculates the difference in order amount and delivery date, which is the difference between the order amount and delivery date of the changed order and the order amount and delivery date of the order before the change.

[0040] The output condition determination unit 28 refers to the re-quote request setting master table 16 (see Figure 3), which contains the difference in order amount and difference in delivery date that serve as determination conditions for whether or not to output a message requiring a re-quote request, based on the difference in order amount and difference in delivery date for the client (in the example of Figure 2, XX Corporation or YY Corporation) for which the re-quote request necessity determination unit 27 has determined that a re-quote request is necessary.

[0041] The output condition determination unit 28 then determines whether the difference in order amount and difference in delivery date for the client that the re-quote request necessity determination unit 27 determined to require a re-quote satisfy the output conditions for a message requiring a re-quote.

[0042] The message output control unit 29 outputs a message requiring a re-quote request to a client that the output condition for a message requiring a re-quote request has been determined by the output condition determination unit 28, via the output target device.

[0043] Here, the request status determination operation based on the request status classification of the estimate response data (see Figure 9) described above may be omitted. This allows the estimate response data generation unit 25 and the request status determination unit 26 described above to be omitted. By omitting the estimate response data generation unit 25 and the request status determination unit 26, the business support device 1 of this embodiment exhibits the following configuration and operation.

[0044] In other words, in this case, the re-quote request necessity determination unit 27, when registering the change in order details, refers to the supplier master table 15 (see Figure 2), which has a re-quote request necessity classification that indicates whether a re-quote request is necessary for each business transaction partner, and determines whether a re-quote request is necessary for each business transaction partner.

[0045] The calculation unit 24 calculates the difference in order amount and delivery date, which is the difference between the order amount and delivery date of the changed order and the order amount and delivery date of the order before the change.

[0046] The output condition determination unit 28 refers to the re-quote request setting master table 16, which contains the difference in order amount and difference in delivery date that serve as determination conditions for whether or not to output a message indicating that a re-quote request is necessary, based on the difference in order amount and difference in delivery date for the client for whom the re-quote request necessity determination unit 27 has determined that a re-quote request is necessary (see Figure 3).

[0047] The output condition determination unit 28 then determines whether the difference in order amount and difference in delivery date for the client that the re-quote request necessity determination unit 27 determined to require a re-quote satisfy the output conditions for a message requiring a re-quote.

[0048] The message output control unit 29 controls the output of messages requiring a re-quote request to clients that the output conditions for such messages have been determined by the output condition determination unit 28 to be met, via the output target device.

[0049] Even in this case, it can provide the person in charge of selecting the contractor with an "opportunity" to request quotes from each contractor again.

[0050] (Providing a "trigger" for requesting a revised quote when the order details are changed) Next, we will explain step by step the process of providing the "trigger" for requesting a revised quote when the order details are changed.

[0051] First, once a contract for construction work is concluded with the client, the data entry staff member enters the contract details, such as the construction number, order number, person in charge, department name, construction period, and contract amount, via the contract information input screen exemplified in Figure 4, and then operates the registration button.

[0052] When the registration button is pressed, the data generation unit 21 generates contract data, including the construction number, order number, subject, person in charge, department name, construction period, contract amount, etc., based on the input content of the contract information input screen, as shown in Figure 5, and stores it in the contract information table 11.

[0053] Next, the person in charge of data entry enters the quotation request processing number, project number, order number, person in charge name, department name, work details, desired price, desired delivery date, and recipient via the quotation request input screen shown in Figure 6, and then operates the registration button. Note that the example in Figure 6 is an example of requesting quotations from three companies: XX Corporation, YY Corporation, and □□ Corporation.

[0054] When the registration button is pressed, the data generation unit 21 generates quotation request data, including the quotation request processing number, project number, order number, person in charge name, department name, work details, desired price, desired delivery date, quotation request number, and recipient of the quotation request, based on the input content on the quotation request input screen, as shown in Figure 7, and stores it in the quotation request table 12. The example in Figure 7 shows a case where quotation request data has been generated for three companies: XX Corporation, YY Corporation, and □□ Corporation.

[0055] Next, by requesting quotes, responses will be received from various companies. The person in charge of selecting the contractor will then choose the contractor whose quote best matches their requirements from among those that have provided quotes.

[0056] The input person uses the quotation response input screen shown in Figure 8 to enter the quotation request processing number, project number, order number, contact person's name, department name, work details, desired price, desired delivery date, and request details from each company that made the quotation request, corresponding to the selected client, and then operates the registration button.

[0057] The details of the quotation request include the quotation request number, the name of the company to which the quotation was requested, the quoted amount, the delivery date of the response, the request status, and the reason for selection. The example in Figure 8 shows that among the companies that provided quotations (XX Corporation, YY Corporation, and □□ Corporation), XX Corporation was selected as the contractor because it had the shortest construction period (request status = accepted). YY Corporation and □□ Corporation were not selected this time (request status = rejected).

[0058] When the registration button on the estimate response input screen is operated, the estimate response data generation unit 25 generates estimate response data based on the input content on the estimate response input screen, including the estimate request processing number, project number, order number, person in charge name, department name, work details, desired amount, desired delivery date, estimate request number, recipient of the estimate request, response amount, response delivery date, request status, and reason for selection, as shown in Figure 9, and stores it in the estimate response table 13.

[0059] The "Request Status" indicates whether the requesting party was "accepted" or "rejected" as the contractor for the construction work. The example in Figure 9 shows that the request status of XX Corporation was "accepted," meaning they were selected as the contractor for the construction work. The example in Figure 9 also shows that the request status of ×× Corporation and □□ Corporation was "rejected," meaning they were not selected as the contractors for the construction work.

[0060] Once a contractor is selected in this manner, the person in charge of data entry enters the order number, number of changes, quotation request processing number, quotation request number, construction number, order number, person in charge name, department name, construction period, and order details for the selected contractor (XX Corporation) via the order entry screen illustrated in Figure 10, and then operates the registration button.

[0061] The "Number of Changes" column indicates the number of times the order details have been modified. At this stage, the order is placed with the supplier selected in the initial quote request, so the order details have not been changed. Therefore, "0" is entered for the number of changes.

[0062] When the registration button on the order input screen is pressed, the data generation unit 21 generates order data for XX Corporation, including the order number, number of changes, quotation request processing number, quotation request number, construction number, order number, person in charge, department name, construction period, work details, supplier, and order amount, based on the input content on the order input screen, as shown in Figure 11, and stores it in the order table 14.

[0063] Here, after a request for a quote has been made, changes may occur in the order details. For example, suppose that at the time of the quote request, the block to be configured was Block A, but after placing an order with the contractor, the scope of work changes, and work is now required for both Block A and Block B. When such changes occur in the order details, the business support device 1 of this embodiment displays a predetermined message when reordering, giving the person in charge of data entry a "trigger" to resubmit a quote request to each contractor.

[0064] In other words, when the input person makes a change to the order details, they display the order entry screen in "revision mode". Note that the order entry screen shown in Figure 10 is the order entry screen displayed in "new mode" for the initial order entry.

[0065] In this "revision mode," when the person in charge of data entry enters information that identifies previously entered order data, such as the order number, into the order entry screen, the output control unit 23 refers to the order table 14 based on this entered information. The output control unit 23 then reads the order data corresponding to the entered information and displays it on the order entry screen in "revision mode."

[0066] The data entry operator edits the order data on the order entry screen in "revision mode," inputting the changed order details and operating the registration button. The data generation unit 21 then generates order data reflecting the changed order details and stores it in the order table 14 along with past order data. At this time, the data entry operator increments the order change count from "0" to "1".

[0067] Next, the request status determination unit 26 refers to the estimate response table shown in Figure 9 and determines the request status attached to the estimate response data corresponding to the entered estimate request number, etc.

[0068] As shown in Figure 9 for XX Corporation and □□ Corporation, if the request status determination unit 26 determines that the request is "rejected," the message output control unit 29 displays a message such as "Your quotation request has not been accepted" via the output device 7. This gives the input person a "trigger" to resubmit quotation requests to each client.

[0069] In contrast, if the request status of the quotation response data is "accepted," the re-quote request necessity determination unit 27 refers to the supplier master table 15 shown in Figure 2 and determines whether the re-quote request necessity classification set for the customer whose request status is "accepted" (in this example, XX Corporation) is set to "necessary" or "unnecessary."

[0070] If the system determines that the "No" category for requesting a re-estimate is set, the message output control unit 29 will not control the display of a message that would "trigger" the aforementioned request for a re-estimate to each client.

[0071] In response to this, if it is determined that the "not required" re-estimate request category is set, the calculation unit 24 compares the order data generated in new mode and the order data generated in revised mode, and calculates the difference in order amount, which is the difference between the past order amount for the construction work to be re-ordered and the order amount desired for the current re-order. The calculation unit 24 also calculates the construction period (extended construction period), which is the difference between the past construction period for the construction work to be re-ordered and the construction period desired for the current re-order.

[0072] The output condition determination unit 28 refers to the re-quote request setting master table 16 shown in Figure 3 and calculates The system determines whether the requested difference in order amount and extended construction period satisfy the message output conditions set in the re-estimate request setting master table 16.

[0073] In other words, the output condition determination unit 28 refers to the re-estimate request setting master table 16 shown in Figure 3 and determines that the message output conditions are met if the calculated difference order amount and extended construction period are "200,000 yen or more" and the extended construction period is "30 days or more".

[0074] Furthermore, the output condition determination unit 28 refers to the re-estimate request setting master table 16 shown in Figure 3 and determines that the message output conditions are met if the calculated difference order amount and extended construction period are either "1 million yen or more" or "120 days or more".

[0075] If the output condition determination unit 28 determines that the above-mentioned output conditions are met, the message output control unit 29 displays a message prompting a re-request for a quote, such as "This is order data that requires re-acquisition of a quote request," via the output device 7. This provides the input person or other person with an "opportunity" to re-request a quote for the work from each supplier due to changes in the order details, and by requesting quotes from each supplier, it is possible to reduce construction costs and improve the quality of the work.

[0076] In contrast, if the output condition determination unit 28 determines that the calculated difference order amount and extended construction period are "less than 200,000 yen" and the extended construction period is "less than 30 days", the output conditions are not met. Therefore, the message output control unit 29 does not control the display of a message prompting a re-quote request.

[0077] Similarly, if the output condition determination unit 28 determines that the calculated difference order amount and extended construction period are "less than 1 million yen" or "less than 120 days", the output conditions are not met. For this reason, the message output control unit 29 does not control the display of a message prompting a re-quote request.

[0078] In the example described above, a determination operation was performed to determine whether the request status of the quotation response data shown in Figure 9 was "accepted" or "rejected." However, this determination operation may be omitted. This eliminates the need for the request status determination unit 26, and also omits the operation of the quotation response data generation unit 25 to generate the request status and add it to the quotation response data.

[0079] Below, we will illustrate the actions that provide the "trigger" for requesting a revised quote when the order details are changed, using several patterns as examples.

[0080] (Pattern 1) First, Figure 12 shows the first pattern in which no request for a revised estimate is made.

[0081] In this case, the request status determination unit 26 determines whether the request status of the quotation response data associated with the quotation request number specified by the input person via the screen when revising an order is "accepted". In the example in Figure 9, the quotation response data for "XX Corporation" with quotation request number "MII001" has a request status of "accepted". Therefore, the re-quote request necessity determination unit 27 refers to the supplier master table 15 shown in Figure 2 and determines whether a re-quote request is necessary.

[0082] Specifically, the re-quote request determination unit 27 refers to the supplier (XX Corporation) in the supplier master table 15 based on the supplier (XX Corporation) on the order input (revision mode) screen shown in Figure 13, and obtains the setting value for the re-quote request requirement set for the supplier (XX Corporation).

[0083] In this example, the setting for the "Requirement of Re-Quotation Request" category for XX Corporation is "Required". Therefore, the calculation unit 24 refers to the order table 14 shown in Figure 14 and compares order data with the same order number that has been changed "0 times" (order data entered in new mode) and order data that has been changed "1 time" (order data entered in revised mode). The calculation unit 24 then calculates the difference in order amount and the extended construction period.

[0084] Order number: H001, Number of changes: 0, Order amount: 500,000 yen Order number: H001, Number of changes: 1, Order amount: 600,000 yen Difference in order amount = 600,000 yen - 500,000 yen = 100,000 yen

[0085] Extended construction period = (November 10, 2024 - October 1, 2024) - (October 20, 2024 - October 1, 2024) = 41 days - 20 days = 21 days

[0086] The output condition determination unit 28 refers to the re-estimate request setting master table 16 based on the calculated difference in order amount of "100,000 yen" and the extended construction period of "21 days". In this case, the difference in order amount and the extended construction period are both less than the output conditions set in the re-estimate request setting master table 16. Therefore, the message output control unit 29 does not display a message that would "trigger" a re-estimate request (a re-estimate request is not necessary). As a result, the order revision is carried out without a re-estimate request.

[0087] (Pattern 2 and Pattern 3) Next, we will explain a second pattern, as shown in Figure 15, where the supplier to whom the requote request is made is the same as the previous time, and a third pattern, as shown in Figure 16, where the supplier to whom the requote request is made is different from the previous time.

[0088] Similarly, in this case as well, when an order is revised, the request status determination unit 26 refers to the estimate response data shown in Figure 9 based on the estimate request number specified on the order input screen as shown in Figure 17, and determines whether the request status is "accepted" or not.

[0089] In this example, the quotation response data for "○○ Corporation" with quotation request number "MII001" shows the request status as "Accepted". Therefore, the re-quote request necessity determination unit 27 refers to the supplier master table 15 shown in Figure 2 and determines whether the "Needed" re-quote request necessity category is set for "○○ Corporation".

[0090] In this example, the "Required" re-quote request category is set for "○○ Corporation". Therefore, the calculation unit 24 compares the order data with the same order number "H001" shown in Figure 18, where the number of changes is "0", with the order data where the number of changes is "1", and calculates the difference in order amount and extended construction period as follows.

[0091] Order number: H001, Number of changes: 0, Order amount: 500,000 yen Order number: H001, Number of changes: 1, Order amount: 750,000 yen Difference in order amount = 750,000 yen - 500,000 yen = 250,000 yen

[0092] Extended construction period = (November 30, 2024 - October 1, 2024) - (October 20, 2024 - October 1, 2024) = 61 days - 20 days = 41 days

[0093] The output condition determination unit 28, based on the calculated difference order amount of "250,000 yen" and the extended construction period of "41 days," refers to the re-estimate request setting master table 16 shown in Figure 3 and determines whether or not the output conditions for a message that "triggers" a re-estimate request are met.

[0094] In this example, since the difference in order amount and the extended construction period meet the output conditions of "200,000 yen or more" and "30 days or more," a request for a revised estimate is necessary, and the message output control unit 29 displays a message that "triggers" the request for a revised estimate via the output device 7.

[0095] Upon receiving this message, the input person will, as illustrated in Figure 19, enter a new quotation request processing number (MIS002) via the quotation request input screen to submit quotation requests to "〇〇 Corporation," "×× Corporation," and "□□ Corporation" for the modified order details.

[0096] As a result, as shown in Figure 20, the data generation unit 21 generates quotation request data for each of the requesting parties, "○○ Corporation", "×× Corporation", and "□□ Corporation", with a new quotation request processing number (MIS002), and stores it in the quotation request table 12.

[0097] Each of the requesting parties, "〇〇 Corporation," "×× Corporation," and "□□ Corporation," will submit a quotation response to this quotation request again. The person in charge of selecting the contractor for the construction will select a contractor based on the quotation responses received from each contractor. As shown in Figure 21, the person in charge of input will input the selected contractor and the reason for selection into the quotation response input screen. Based on the input content of this quotation response input screen, the quotation response data generation unit 25 will generate quotation response data for each of the requesting parties, "〇〇 Corporation," "×× Corporation," and "□□ Corporation," with a new quotation request processing number (MIS002), as shown in Figure 22.

[0098] The examples in Figures 21 and 22 show cases where "○○ Corporation" was selected as the contractor for the construction work in the previous request for estimates, and "○○ Corporation" was also selected as the contractor for the construction work in this request for estimates.

[0099] Next, Figure 23 shows the order entry screen (revised mode) in the third pattern, where the supplier to whom the revised quote request is made is different from the previous supplier. In this case as well, the person in charge of input enters the changed order details via the order entry screen (revised mode).

[0100] As a result, as shown in Figure 24, the data generation unit 21 generates order data with the same order number (H001) as the previous order, including a new quotation request processing number (MIS002), a new quotation request number (MII004), a changed construction period, and a changed order amount. Since this order data is order data due to a change in the order details, the person in charge of data entry has entered and added the number of changes, which is "1".

[0101] Figure 25 shows the quote response input screen after a message prompting a request for a revised quote was displayed, resulting in a different contractor being selected for the construction work based on the quote responses received from each contractor. In this example, "○○ Corporation" was selected as the contractor for the construction work in the previous quote request, but "×× Corporation" was selected as the contractor for the construction work after a revised quote request due to a change in the order details.

[0102] In this case, the quotation response data generation unit 25 generates quotation response data, as shown in Figure 26, with the request status of "○○ Corporation" set to "Rejected" and the request status of "×× Corporation" set to "Accepted".

[0103] As shown in Figure 27, the data entry person enters the order details for the newly designated contractor, "XX Corporation," into the order entry screen (new mode) and operates the registration button. As a result, the data generation unit 21 generates order data for the newly designated contractor, "XX Corporation," and stores it in the order table 14.

[0104] (Effects of the embodiment) As is clear from the above explanation, the business support device 1 of the embodiment can provide a "trigger" for requesting quotations again when the order contents are changed (revised), including from other subcontractors in addition to those already selected.

[0105] Therefore, it is possible to reduce construction costs and improve the quality of construction work.

[0106] [Contribution to the United Nations-led Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)] This invention can contribute to improving operational efficiency and promoting appropriate management decisions by companies, and therefore can contribute to SDGs Goals 8 and 9.

[0107] Furthermore, this invention can contribute to reducing waste and promoting paperless and digital processes, thereby contributing to SDGs Goals 12, 13, and 15.

[0108] Furthermore, this invention can contribute to strengthening control and governance, and therefore can contribute to achieving the 16 goals of the SDGs.

[0109] [Other embodiments] The present invention can be implemented in various different forms within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims, even in embodiments other than those described above.

[0110] For example, among the processes described in the embodiments, all or part of the processes described as being performed automatically may be performed manually. Alternatively, all or part of the processes described as being performed manually may be performed automatically by known methods or the like.

[0111] Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the processing procedures, control procedures, specific names, registration data for each process, information including search conditions and other parameters, screen examples, and database configuration shown in the specification or drawings can be changed at will.

[0112] Furthermore, with respect to the business support device 1, each component shown in the diagram is a functional concept and does not necessarily have to have the physical configuration shown. For example, the processing functions of the business support device 1, particularly the processing functions performed by the control unit 3, may be implemented in whole or in any part by a program interpreted and executed by the control unit 3 (CPU: Central Processing Unit), or by hardware using wired logic.

[0113] The program is recorded on a non-temporary, computer-readable recording medium containing programmed instructions for the information processing device to execute the processes described in the embodiment, and is mechanically read by the business support device 1 as needed. In other words, the storage unit 2, such as ROM or HDD, records a computer program that works in cooperation with the OS (Operating System) to give instructions to the control unit 3 (CPU) and perform various processes. This computer program is loaded into RAM, unpacked, and executed by the control unit 3 as appropriate.

[0114] Furthermore, the business support program for this business support device 1 may be stored on another server device connected to the business support device 1 via any network, and all or part of it may be downloaded and executed as needed.

[0115] Furthermore, the business support program for executing the processes described in the embodiment may be stored on a non-temporary computer-readable recording medium, or it may be configured as a program product.

[0116] Here, any "portable physical medium" can be used as the "recording medium," such as memory cards, USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, SD (Secure Digital) cards, flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, ROMs, EPROMs (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), EEPROMs (Registered Trademark) (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory), CD-ROMs (Compact Disk Read Only Memory), MOs (Magneto-Optical Disks), DVDs (Digital Versatile Disks), and Blu-ray (Registered Trademark) Discs.

[0117] Furthermore, "program" refers to a data processing method written in any language or writing method, regardless of whether it is source code or binary code.

[0118] Furthermore, the term "program" is not necessarily limited to a single, monolithic entity, but also includes those that are distributed as multiple modules or libraries, and those that work in cooperation with other programs, such as an operating system, to achieve their functions.

[0119] Furthermore, for the specific configuration, reading procedure, and post-reading installation procedure for the business support device 1 of the embodiment, well-known configurations or procedures can be used.

[0120] The storage unit 2 is a storage means such as memory devices like RAM and ROM, fixed disk devices like hard disks, flexible disks, and optical disks, and stores various programs, tables, databases, and web page files used for various processing or website provision.

[0121] Furthermore, the business support device 1 may be composed of a known personal computer device or an information processing device such as a workstation, or it may be composed of an information processing device to which any peripheral device is connected. In addition, the information processing device may be implemented by implementing software (including programs or data, etc.) that realizes the processing described in the embodiment.

[0122] Furthermore, the specific forms of distribution and integration of the devices are not limited to those shown in the figures, and all or part of them can be configured by functionally or physically distributing or integrating them in any unit according to various additions or functional loads. In other words, the embodiments described above can be selectively implemented by arbitrarily combining the embodiments described above. [Industrial applicability]

[0123] This invention is suitable for application to ordering operations for various goods or services, and in particular, it enables reconsideration of the supplier when reordering due to changes in order details, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0124] 1 Business support equipment 2 Storage section 3. Control Unit 4. Communication Interface Section 5 Input / Output Interface Section 6 Input devices 7 Output device 11 Contract Information Table 12. Quotation Request Table 13 Estimate Response Table 14 Order Table 15. Supplier Master Table 16. Re-quote request settings master table 21 Data Generation Unit 22 Discrimination part 23 Output Control Unit 24 Calculation Section 25. Estimate Response Data Generation Unit 26 Request Status Determination Unit 27. Unit for determining whether a re-estimate is necessary. 28 Output condition determination unit 29 Message Output Control Unit 50 Networks 51 Contract terminal equipment 52 Outsourced terminal equipment

Claims

1. A quotation response data generation unit generates quotation response data for each supplier to whom a quotation request was made, which includes a request status classification that indicates whether or not the supplier has been selected as a supplier for business transactions, based on the quotation response received from the supplier when a quotation request is made to the supplier. When registering a change in order details, the system includes a request status determination unit that determines whether the request status category of the aforementioned quotation response data is "accepted," indicating a requester selected for commercial transactions, or "rejected," indicating a requester for whom commercial transactions will not be conducted. If it is determined that the request status is "rejected," the message output control unit outputs a message to the recipient of the request indicating that the request status is "rejected" via the output device, and A business support device having the following features.

2. When an order is modified, a supplier master table, which contains information indicating whether a new quote request is necessary for each supplier, is referenced when registering the change in the order details. This table is used to determine whether a new quote request is necessary for each supplier. A calculation unit that calculates the difference in order amount and delivery date, which is the difference between the order amount and delivery date of the changed order and the order amount and delivery date of the order before the change, The system further comprises: an output condition determination unit that, based on the difference in order amount and the difference in delivery date for the client to whom the re-quote request necessity determination unit has determined that a re-quote request is necessary, refers to a re-quote request setting master table in which the difference in order amount and the difference in delivery date are set as determination conditions for determining whether or not to output a message requiring a re-quote request, and determines whether or not the difference in order amount and the difference in delivery date for the client to whom the re-quote request necessity determination unit has determined that a re-quote request is necessary satisfies the output conditions for a message requiring a re-quote request; The message output control unit outputs a message requiring a second quote to the requesting party, which the output condition determination unit has determined to satisfy, via the output target device. The business support device according to claim 1, characterized by the following:

3. When an order is modified, a supplier master table, which contains information indicating whether a new quote request is necessary for each business transaction, is referenced when registering the change in the order details. This supplier master table then determines whether a new quote request is necessary for each business transaction. A calculation unit that calculates the difference in order amount and delivery date, which is the difference between the order amount and delivery date of the changed order and the order amount and delivery date of the order before the change, Based on the difference in order amount and the difference in delivery date for the client to whom the re-quote request necessity determination unit has determined that a re-quote request is necessary, the output condition determination unit refers to the re-quote request setting master table in which the difference in order amount and the difference in delivery date are set as determination conditions for determining whether or not to output a message requiring a re-quote request, and determines whether or not the difference in order amount and the difference in delivery date for the client to whom the re-quote request necessity determination unit has determined that a re-quote request is necessary satisfies the output conditions for a message requiring a re-quote request. The message output control unit controls the output of messages requiring a second quote to the recipient that the output conditions for a second quote request have been determined by the output condition determination unit to be met, via the output target device. A business support device having the following features.

4. The estimate response data generation unit generates estimate response data for each client to whom an estimate request was made, based on the estimate response received from the client, including an estimate response status classification which indicates whether or not the client has been selected as a client to conduct business with. The request status determination unit, when registering a change in the order details, performs a request status determination step to determine whether the request status category of the estimate response data is an "accepted" request status category, indicating a requester selected to conduct business transactions, or an "rejected" request status category, indicating a requester not to conduct business transactions. If the message output control unit determines that the request status is "rejected," it outputs a message via the output device indicating that the request status is "rejected" to the recipient who is making the change to the order details. A business support method that has the following characteristics.

5. The re-quote request determination unit, when the order details are changed, refers to the supplier master table, which is set for each business transaction requesting party, when registering the change in the order details, and determines whether a re-quote request is necessary for each of the said requesting parties, in the re-quote request determination step. The calculation unit performs a calculation step to calculate the difference in order amount and delivery date, which is the difference between the order amount and delivery date of the changed order and the order amount and delivery date of the order before the change. The output condition determination unit refers to a re-quote request setting master table in which the difference order amount and the difference delivery date are set as determination conditions for determining whether or not to output a message requiring a re-quote request, based on the difference order amount and the difference delivery date for the requesting party for whom a re-quote request is determined to be necessary in the re-quote request necessity determination step, and determines whether or not the difference order amount and the difference delivery date for the requesting party for whom a re-quote request is determined to be necessary in the re-quote request necessity determination step satisfy the output conditions for a message requiring a re-quote request, The message output control step involves the message output control unit controlling the output of a message requiring a second quote to the recipient that the output conditions for a second quote have been determined to be met in the output condition determination step, via the output target device. A business support method that has the following characteristics.

6. Computers, A quotation response data generation unit generates quotation response data for each supplier to whom a quotation request was made, which includes a request status classification that indicates whether or not the supplier has been selected as a supplier for business transactions, based on the quotation response received from the supplier when a quotation request is made to the supplier. When registering a change in order details, the system includes a request status determination unit that determines whether the request status category of the aforementioned quotation response data is "accepted," indicating a requester selected for commercial transactions, or "rejected," indicating a requester for whom commercial transactions will not be conducted. If it is determined that the request status is "rejected," the message output control unit outputs a message to the recipient of the request for modification via the output device, indicating that the request status is "rejected." A business support program designed to function as such.

7. Computers, When an order is modified, a supplier master table, which contains information indicating whether a new quote request is necessary for each business transaction, is referenced when registering the change in the order details. This supplier master table then determines whether a new quote request is necessary for each business transaction. A calculation unit that calculates the difference in order amount and delivery date, which is the difference between the order amount and delivery date of the changed order and the order amount and delivery date of the order before the change, Based on the difference in order amount and the difference in delivery date for the client to whom the re-quote request necessity determination unit has determined that a re-quote request is necessary, the output condition determination unit refers to the re-quote request setting master table in which the difference in order amount and the difference in delivery date are set as determination conditions for determining whether or not to output a message requiring a re-quote request, and determines whether or not the difference in order amount and the difference in delivery date for the client to whom the re-quote request necessity determination unit has determined that a re-quote request is necessary satisfies the output conditions for a message requiring a re-quote request. The message output control unit controls the output of messages requiring a second quote to the recipient that the output condition determination unit has determined to satisfy, via the output target device. A business support program designed to function as such.

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