Sales promotion support device and program

Abstract

This invention provides a sales promotion support device and program that enables efficient sales promotion activities using various promotional content. [Solution] The sales promotion support device of the embodiment includes: a storage means for storing setting items related to sales promotion using each of the sales promotion contents indicating the type of sales promotion, associated with the said sales promotion contents; a first receiving means for receiving the selection of the sales promotion contents to be used from a plurality of the said sales promotion contents from the user; a second receiving means for receiving input to the setting items from the user using the setting items corresponding to the selected sales promotion contents among the setting items stored in the storage means; and a transmitting means for transmitting the input content entered to the setting items to a sales promotion system capable of implementing sales promotion using the selected sales promotion contents.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a sales promotion support device and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, companies that sell or promote products have been conducting promotional activities using various promotional contents. For example, promotional activities are carried out using promotional contents of various promotional methods such as advertisements, coupons, questionnaires, etc., and promotional contents of various output methods such as printing, display, data transmission, etc.

[0003] By the way, when conducting promotion using the above-mentioned promotional contents, it is common that the items to be set are different for each type of promotional content. Also, promotion by promotional content is generally carried out in a promotional system corresponding to the type of that promotional content. Therefore, when conducting promotional activities using promotional contents, it has been difficult to manage the promotional contents in a unified manner.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a sales promotion support device and a program capable of efficiently conducting promotional activities using various promotional contents.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The sales promotion support device of the embodiment includes: a storage means for storing setting items related to sales promotion using a plurality of sales promotion contents indicating the type of sales promotion, associated with the said sales promotion contents; a first receiving means for receiving a selection of the sales promotion contents to be used from the plurality of sales promotion contents from the user; a second receiving means for receiving input to the setting items from the user using the setting items corresponding to the selected sales promotion contents among the setting items stored in the storage means; and a transmitting means for transmitting the input content entered to the setting items to a sales promotion system capable of implementing sales promotion using the selected sales promotion contents. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0006] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows an example of the system configuration of a sales promotion support system according to the embodiment of this system. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the sales promotion support device according to the present invention. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows an example of the data structure of the promotional settings table according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows an example of the data structure of a sales promotion management table according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows an example of the functional configuration of a sales promotion support device according to this embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows an example of a screen provided by the sales promotion support device of the embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows an example of a screen provided by the sales promotion support device of the embodiment. [Figure 8] Figure 8 shows an example of a screen provided by the sales promotion support device of the embodiment. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing performed by the sales promotion support device of the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0007] Figure 1 shows an example of the system configuration of a sales promotion support system according to an embodiment. The sales promotion support system 1 includes a sales promotion support device 10 and a sales promotion system 20. The sales promotion support device 10 and the sales promotion system 20 are connected to each other via a network N so as to be communicative. In Figure 1, there are two sales promotion systems 20, but the number of sales promotion systems 20 is not particularly limited and may be one or three or more.

[0008] Network N can use the Internet, VPN (virtual private network), LAN (local area network), public communication network, mobile communication network, etc., individually or in appropriate combinations.

[0009] The sales promotion support device 10 is an example of a sales promotion support device operated by a user who plans and manages sales promotions. The sales promotion support device 10 is implemented using an information processing device such as a PC (Personal Computer) and is installed, for example, in companies that sell products or companies that promote products.

[0010] The sales promotion support device 10 has functions to support sales promotion using sales promotion content implemented by the sales promotion system 20. Specifically, the sales promotion support device 10 provides the user with an operation screen (GUI) to support sales promotion activities using the sales promotion system 20. The operation screen provided by the sales promotion system 20 will be described later.

[0011] The sales promotion system 20 is a system for conducting sales promotions using sales promotion content. The sales promotion system 20 uses various sales promotion methods such as advertisements, coupons, and surveys, as well as various output methods such as printing, display, audio, and data transmission, to carry out sales promotions. Hereinafter, the differences in sales promotion methods and output methods will also be referred to as types of sales promotion content.

[0012] For example, the sales promotion system 20 has a server device that receives orders for sales promotion content from the sales promotion support device 10, etc., and stores and manages the details of the orders for the received sales promotion content. In addition, for example, the sales promotion system 20 has subsystems or organizations for conducting sales promotion using the sales promotion content based on the order details, and output devices for distributing and outputting the sales promotion content.

[0013] In this embodiment, each of the promotional systems 20 (21, 22) has a different type of promotional content it can implement. For example, promotional system 21 is a promotional system that electronically transmits (distributes) advertisements such as flyers and sales announcements, and coupons such as discounts, to a customer-operated terminal device (hereinafter also referred to as a customer terminal). For example, the other promotional system 22 is a promotional system that prints out coupons such as discounts according to the transaction amount, etc., using a store's POS (Point of Sale) terminal or the like. Each of the promotional systems 20 implements promotions using the type of promotional content that its own promotional system 20 is responsible for.

[0014] Next, the configuration of the sales promotion support device 10 described above will be explained. Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the sales promotion support device 10 according to the embodiment. As shown in Figure 2, the sales promotion support device 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, a storage unit 14, a display unit 15, an operation unit 16, and a communication unit 17.

[0015] The CPU 11 is an example of a processor that comprehensively controls each part of the sales promotion support device 10. The ROM 12 stores various programs. The RAM 13 is a workspace for displaying programs and various data.

[0016] The storage unit 14 has a storage medium such as a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or a flash memory, and maintains the stored content even when the power is turned off. The storage unit 14 stores a program 141 that can be executed by the CPU 11, various setting information, data related to the display of the GUI, etc. For example, the program 141 includes a program for realizing the functional configuration described later.

[0017] In addition, the storage unit 14 stores a promotion setting table 142 that defines the promotion setting items of the promotion system 20. The promotion setting table 142 is an example of storage means. The promotion setting table 142 holds setting items related to promotion contents that can be implemented in each of the promotion systems 20.

[0018] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of the promotion setting table 142 according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the promotion setting table 142 stores, for example, an access destination, a promotion type, setting items, etc. in association with the system identifier of the promotion system 20.

[0019] The system identifier is identification information that can identify each of the promotion systems 20. The system identifier can be set, for example, to the system name of the promotion system 20. The access destination means address information related to data exchange with the promotion system 20. For example, the access destination may be an IP address, a URI (Uniform Resource Identifier), an email address, etc. Note that the system identifier may also serve as the access destination.

[0020] The promotion type is information indicating the type of promotion content that can be implemented in the promotion system 20. For example, information representing the types of promotion contents such as advertisements, questionnaires, coupons, etc. is registered in the promotion type. Also, for example, when the promotion content is classified for each promotion method, information representing the promotion method may be registered. Also, for example, when the promotion content is classified for each output method, the output method may be registered.

[0021] The setting items are information that defines the setting items related to the promotion content when conducting promotion using the promotion content. Setting items are registered with setting items corresponding to the type and characteristics of the promotion content. Specifically, the setting items are provided for each type of promotion content, and items necessary for conducting promotion in the promotion system 20 are registered.

[0022] For example, the setting items include items for setting the period and timing of the promotion. The setting items also include items for setting the stores and customers targeted for the promotion. The setting items also include items for setting the conditions for implementing the promotion. The setting items also include items for setting the content of the promotion such as price cuts and discounts. Furthermore, the setting items include items for setting unique conditions according to the type of promotion content and the promotion system 20 conducting the promotion.

[0023] Note that the setting items may be provided in a form provided by the promotion system 20 periodically or at the time of access etc. rather than being statically held by the promotion support device 10. In this case, the CPU 11 of the promotion support device 10 acquires the setting items for each promotion content from the promotion system 20 and stores them in the promotion setting table 142 in association with the corresponding system identifier and promotion type.

[0024] The storage unit 14 stores a promotion management table 143 for storing and managing the promotion activities carried out via the promotion support device 10. Specifically, the promotion management table 143 stores and manages the order details of the promotion ordered to the promotion system 20 for each promotion plan.

[0025] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of the promotion management table 143 according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the promotion management table 143 stores, for example, the plan ID, plan name, order destination, order details, and order date and time etc. in association.

[0026] The project ID is identification information used to identify each promotional activity. The project name is information indicating the name of the promotional activity. The project ID may be automatically assigned, for example, as a number of a predetermined number of digits in ascending order, or it may be assigned manually. The project name can be any name that is chosen.

[0027] The supplier information indicates the supplier for promotional activities. For example, the system identifier of the supplier's promotional system 20 is registered under the supplier information. The order details indicate the content of the promotional activities ordered from the supplier's promotional system 20. The order details include, for example, various settings entered based on the above-mentioned settings. The order date and time indicates the date and time the order was placed. For example, the date and time the order details were sent to the promotional system 20 is registered under the order date and time.

[0028] Note that the data structure of the sales promotion management table 143 is not limited to that shown in Figure 4. For example, the sales promotion management table 143 may store information that identifies the products targeted for promotion in association with the project ID. Alternatively, for example, the sales promotion management table 143 may store information indicating the promotional results (sales, etc.) of promotions implemented by the sales promotion system 20, in association with the suppliers of the sales promotion system 20.

[0029] Furthermore, the sales promotion management table 143 may store multiple suppliers associated with the same project ID. For example, if multiple promotional contents are used in the same project, the suppliers corresponding to each promotional content may be registered, associated with a common project ID. Also, the sales promotion management table 143 may store multiple order contents associated with the same supplier. For example, if multiple types of promotional contents or the same promotional contents are ordered from the same supplier multiple times, the order contents for the promotional contents may be registered, associated with a common supplier.

[0030] Returning to Figure 2, the display unit 15 is composed of a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). The display unit 15 displays various information under the control of the CPU 11. For example, the display unit 15 displays various screens to support promotional activities using the promotional system 20.

[0031] The operation unit 16 has an input device such as a keyboard or a pointing device, and accepts user operations via the input device. The operation unit 16 outputs the operation content input by the user to the CPU 11. The operation unit 16 may also be an input device such as a touch panel provided on the display unit 23.

[0032] The communication unit 17 is a wireless communication interface that can connect to the network N. The communication unit 17 communicates with external devices such as the sales promotion system 20 via the network N.

[0033] The CPU 11, ROM 12, and RAM 13 are connected via a bus or the like to form a control unit 100 of the computer configuration. In the control unit 100, the CPU 11 operates according to a program stored in the ROM 12 or memory unit 14 and loaded into the RAM 13, thereby executing various processes.

[0034] Figure 5 shows an example of the functional configuration of the sales promotion support device 10 according to the embodiment. The control unit 100 of the sales promotion support device 10 functions as a sales promotion support unit 101 and a sales promotion management unit 102, with the CPU 11 operating according to a program 141 stored in the ROM 12 and storage unit 14. Some or all of these functions may be implemented by hardware such as dedicated circuits.

[0035] The sales promotion support unit 101 is an example of a first reception means, a second reception means, and a transmission means. Based on the sales promotion setting table 142, the sales promotion support unit 101 supports sales promotion activities using the sales promotion system 20. For example, the sales promotion support unit 101 provides the user with an operation screen for supporting sales promotion activities by displaying it on the display unit 15.

[0036] The following describes examples of operation screens provided by the sales promotion support unit 101, with reference to Figures 6 to 8. Figures 6 to 8 are examples of screens provided by the sales promotion support device 10 of the embodiment.

[0037] When the sales promotion support unit 101 receives an operation from the user to start a sales promotion activity, it provides the user with the operation screen shown in Figure 6. Here, screen 30 in Figure 6 is an example of a selection screen that assists in selecting sales promotion content.

[0038] As shown in Figure 6, screen 30 has input fields 31, 32, selection fields 33, 34, etc. Input field 31 is an area for entering the promotional activity plan ID. Input field 32 is an area for entering the promotional activity plan name. For example, a user of the promotional support device 10 can enter any plan ID and plan name into input fields 31 and 32.

[0039] In selection field 33, each of the promotional systems 20 is displayed as selectable. For example, in selection field 33, the system identifiers of each promotional system 20 (21, 22) are displayed as selectable. In selection field 34, the types of promotional content that can be implemented with the promotional system 20 are displayed as selectable.

[0040] For example, when the sales promotion support unit 101 receives an operation to select a sales promotion system 20 from the selection field 33, it reads the type of sales promotion content (sales promotion type) associated with the system identifier of the selected sales promotion system 20 from the sales promotion setting table 142. Then, the sales promotion support unit 101 displays the read sales promotion content types in a list in the selection field 34 in a selectable state.

[0041] Then, when a promotional content is selected from the selection field 34, the sales promotion support unit 101 reads the setting items corresponding to the combination of the promotional system 20 and promotional content selected in the selection fields 33 and 34 from the sales promotion setting table 142, and provides the user with an input screen to assist in entering these setting items.

[0042] The screen 40 in Figure 7 is an example of an input screen for assisting in the input of setting items. As shown in Figure 7, screen 40 has condition setting fields 41 to 43, etc. Condition setting fields 41 to 43 are displayed based on the setting items corresponding to the combination of the promotional system 20 and promotional content selected in the selection fields 33 and 34 in Figure 6, and have operators and input fields (hereinafter collectively referred to as operators) for setting various items defined in the setting items.

[0043] Figure 7 shows an example screen when the promotional system 20 that sends promotional content to the customer terminal is selected, and discount coupons or price reductions are selected as the promotional content.

[0044] In Figure 7, the condition setting field 41 is a field for setting the conditions related to the issuance of coupons. For example, the condition setting field 41 is provided with operators 411 and 412 for setting the period for issuing coupons and the timing of issuance (day of the week, date, time of day). The condition setting field 41 is also provided with operator 413 for specifying the stores that will be targeted for the promotion. Furthermore, the condition setting field 41 is provided with operators 414 and 415 for setting the maximum number of coupons to be issued and the maximum number of coupons to be issued per customer. Finally, the condition setting field 41 is provided with operator 416 for setting the attributes of the customers to whom coupons will be issued (all consumers, all members, specific members, non-members, etc.).

[0045] The condition setting field 42 is for setting conditions related to notification when a coupon is delivered to the customer terminal to which the coupon will be delivered. The condition setting field 42 is provided with operators 421 and 422 for setting whether or not to send a notification to the customer terminal, and the method of notification. As for the method of notification, for example, it is possible to set the notification to be limited to the screen saver screen of the customer terminal (e.g., a pop-up display), or to send a pop-up display regardless of the displayed screen.

[0046] The condition setting field 43 is a field for setting the conditions related to the use of the coupon. For example, the condition setting field 43 is provided with operators 431 for setting the type of coupon to be issued, the type of discount (discount, reduction, etc.), the value of the discount, etc.

[0047] Furthermore, the input screen for setting items changes depending on the combination of promotional system 20 and promotional content selected on screen 30 in Figure 6. For example, in Figure 6, if another promotional system 20 that performs promotions using a POS terminal during in-store transactions is selected, and coupon issuance is selected as the promotional content, the input screen will be screen 50 as shown in Figure 8.

[0048] Screen 50 in Figure 8 is another example of an input screen. As shown in Figure 8, screen 50 has multiple condition setting fields 51, 53, etc.

[0049] Condition setting field 51 is a field for setting the conditions related to the issuance of coupons. For example, condition setting field 51 is provided with operators 511 and 512 for setting the period during which coupons are issued and the period during which coupons can be used. Note that condition setting field 51 may also include operators for setting the timing of coupon issuance, similar to condition setting field 41.

[0050] Furthermore, the condition setting field 51 includes an operator 513 for specifying the target stores for the promotion. Additionally, the condition setting field 51 includes an operator 514 for specifying the probability of issuing a coupon (issuance probability). For example, if the issuance probability is 100%, a coupon will be issued from the POS terminal's printer every time a transaction is made at the POS terminal. For example, if the issuance probability is 50%, a coupon will be issued approximately every other transaction at the POS terminal.

[0051] Furthermore, the condition setting field 51 includes an operator 515 for specifying the ID of the registered user (store clerk, etc.) who will issue the coupon during the transaction. When the condition setting field 51 is set, the coupon will only be issued at the POS terminal operated by the store clerk with the ID specified in the condition setting field 51. Additionally, the condition setting field 51 includes an operator 516 for setting a coupon code that indicates the type of coupon. For example, the coupon code may be set to a different value for each store.

[0052] Furthermore, the condition setting field 51 is provided with an operator 517 for selecting whether the promotion using this promotional content is a plan unique to the retail store (store) or a plan by the manufacturer that produces the product.

[0053] Furthermore, the condition setting section 51 includes operators 518 and 519 for setting the maximum number of available coupons and the maximum number of coupons that can be used per customer.

[0054] Furthermore, the condition setting field 51 is provided with operators 521 for setting the subtotal amount of a transaction, the conditions related to the subtotal amount, whether or not to include consumption tax in the subtotal amount, and whether or not to issue a coupon if the subtotal amount conditions are met or not. For example, if the subtotal amount is set to "1000 yen", the condition related to the subtotal amount is "greater than or equal to", and the coupon is issued when these subtotal amount conditions are "met", then it means that if a purchase of 1000 yen or more is made in a single transaction, that transaction will be eligible for coupon issuance.

[0055] The condition setting field 53 is a field for setting the conditions related to the use of the coupon. For example, the condition setting field 53 is provided with operators 531 for setting the type of coupon to be issued, the type of discount (discount, reduction, etc.), the value of the discount, etc.

[0056] Comparing screen 40 and screen 50, for example, the condition setting field 42 on screen 40 contains settings specific to the promotional content that distributes coupons to customer terminals. Similarly, the conditions related to the issuance probability and subtotal amount in the condition setting field 51 on screen 50 contain settings specific to the promotional content that issues coupons during transactions at stores.

[0057] In this way, the sales promotion support unit 101 provides the user with an input screen for entering the necessary settings to implement the sales promotion, according to the type of sales promotion content the user desires. This allows the user to easily input the conditions and other information necessary for sales promotion using the sales promotion content.

[0058] Then, when the user confirms the input on the input screen in Figure 7 or Figure 8, the sales promotion support unit 101 takes the information entered on the input screen as the order details and sends the order information, including the order details, to the sales promotion system 20 selected on screen 30.

[0059] The sales promotion system 20, upon receiving the order information, then implements sales promotion by providing customers with promotional content such as coupons based on the order details specified in the order information. The sales promotion support device 10 may also include information about its own company and information about the user operating the sales promotion support device 10 in the order information before transmitting it.

[0060] Returning to Figure 5, the Sales Promotion Management Department 102 is an example of a management method. The Sales Promotion Management Department 102 works in cooperation with the Sales Promotion Support Department 101 to manage sales promotions using the sales promotion system 20 (sales promotion content). Specifically, when an order is confirmed via a screen provided by the Sales Promotion Support Department 101, the Sales Promotion Management Department 102 stores the order in the sales promotion management table 143, associating it with the project ID, project name, the sales promotion system 20 and sales promotion content type of the ordering party, the order date and time, etc.

[0061] Here, the project ID and project name are, for example, the project ID and project name entered in input fields 31 and 32 on screen 30. The sales promotion system 20 and sales promotion content type of the ordering party are, for example, the system identifier and sales promotion content type of the sales promotion system 20 selected in selection fields 33 and 34 on screen 30. The order date and time is the date and time when the confirmation operation was performed or the date and time when the order information was sent to the sales promotion system 20.

[0062] Furthermore, the sales promotion management unit 102 reads data stored in the sales promotion management table 143 in response to user operations and displays it on the display unit 15, thereby presenting the user with the details of past sales promotion orders. For example, when a project ID (or project name) is specified, the sales promotion management unit 102 reads data such as suppliers and order details stored in association with the specified project ID from the sales promotion management table 143 and displays it on the display unit 15.

[0063] In this way, the sales promotion management unit 102 stores and manages the order details placed with the sales promotion system 20 in the sales promotion management table 143, associating them with information representing the sales promotion plan. Furthermore, when a user specifies a plan ID, etc., the sales promotion management unit 102 reads the corresponding order details and other data from the sales promotion management table 143 and provides it to the user in a visually accessible format. This allows users of the sales promotion support device 10 to efficiently manage the sales promotions implemented in each of the sales promotion systems 20.

[0064] The following describes an example of the operation of the sales promotion support device 10. Figure 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing performed by the sales promotion support device 10 of this embodiment.

[0065] First, the sales promotion support unit 101 displays a selection screen (see Figure 6) on the display unit 15, indicating that the sales promotion system 20 is selectable (step S11). Next, the sales promotion support unit 101 waits until the sales promotion system 20 is selected (step S12; No), and once the sales promotion system 20 is selected (step S12; Yes), it proceeds to step S13.

[0066] In step S13, the sales promotion support unit 101 displays a list of sales promotion content that can be implemented with the selected sales promotion system 20, based on the sales promotion setting table 142 (step S13). Next, the sales promotion support unit 101 waits until a sales promotion content is selected (step S14; No), and once a sales promotion content is selected (step S14; Yes), it proceeds to step S15.

[0067] In step S15, the sales promotion support unit 101 reads the setting items corresponding to the selected sales promotion content from the sales promotion setting table 142 and displays an input screen (see Figures 7 and 8) on the display unit 15 to assist in entering the setting items (step S15). Next, the sales promotion support unit 101 waits until it is instructed to complete the input (step S16; No), and when it is instructed to complete the input (step S16; Yes), it proceeds to step S17.

[0068] In step S17, the sales promotion support unit 101 sends the order information, including the settings (order details) entered on the input screen, to the sales promotion system 20 selected in step S12 (step S17). Then, the sales promotion management unit 102 associates the project ID, project name, supplier (sales promotion system 20), order details, etc., entered on the selection screen and input screen with the order date and time and registers them in the sales promotion management table 143 (step S18), and ends this process.

[0069] As described above, the sales promotion support device 10 of this embodiment stores setting items related to sales promotion using each sales promotion content in the sales promotion setting table 142, and when it receives a selection of sales promotion content from the user, it uses the setting items corresponding to the selected sales promotion content and receives input from the user for those setting items. The sales promotion support device 10 then transmits the input content entered into the setting items to the sales promotion system 20, which is capable of implementing sales promotion using the selected sales promotion content.

[0070] As described above, the sales promotion support device 10 of this embodiment centrally manages setting items related to the implementation of multiple sales promotion contents. When a user specifies a desired sales promotion content, the device can provide the user with the setting items necessary to implement the specified sales promotion content. This allows the user of the sales promotion support device 10 to easily input the conditions necessary for implementing the sales promotion content, thereby improving convenience. Furthermore, the sales promotion support device 10 transmits the order details of the sales promotion content to the sales promotion system 20 that can implement the sales promotion content. This allows the user of the sales promotion support device 10 to centrally place orders for various sales promotion systems and sales promotion content using the sales promotion support device 10. Therefore, the sales promotion support device 10 of this embodiment can efficiently carry out sales promotion activities using various sales promotion contents.

[0071] Furthermore, the sales promotion support device 10 of this embodiment stores in a sales promotion setting table 142 the sales promotion content and setting items that can be implemented in each sales promotion system 20. When a user selects a sales promotion system 20 to use, the device presents the sales promotion content that can be implemented in that system 20 for the user to select. As a result, the user of the sales promotion support device 10 can easily check the types of sales promotion content that can be implemented in a given sales promotion system 20 by selecting that system 20. Therefore, the sales promotion support device 10 of this embodiment can efficiently carry out sales promotion activities using various types of sales promotion content.

[0072] Furthermore, the sales promotion support device 10 of this embodiment stores setting items for each sales promotion method and / or output format of the sales promotion content in a sales promotion setting table 142, and accepts the selection of desired sales promotion content from the user using the sales promotion setting table 142. As a result, the user of the sales promotion support device 10 can select the desired sales promotion content from among sales promotion content with different sales promotion methods and / or output formats. Therefore, the sales promotion support device 10 of this embodiment can efficiently carry out sales promotion activities using various sales promotion content.

[0073] The above-described embodiments can also be modified and implemented as appropriate by changing some of the configurations or functions of each of the above-described devices. Therefore, several modifications of the above-described embodiments will be described below as other embodiments. In the following, we will mainly describe the differences from the above-described embodiments, and will omit detailed explanations of points that are common with what has already been described. Furthermore, the modifications described below may be implemented individually or in combination as appropriate.

[0074] (Variation 1) In the above-described embodiment, the sales promotion support device 10 provided the user with various screens and information related to sales promotion activities via the display unit 15, but it is not limited to this. For example, the sales promotion support device 10 may provide various screens and information related to sales promotion activities to terminal devices that are connected to it via a network N or the like for communication.

[0075] In this case, the sales promotion support device 10 may, for example, function as a server to provide the selection screen and input screen described above to the terminal device as a web page or the like.

[0076] (Modification 2) In the above-described embodiment, the sales promotion support device 10 and the sales promotion system 20 were treated as separate entities. However, in practice, the sales promotion support device 10 may be included in one of the sales promotion systems 20. Alternatively, the sales promotion support device 10 and the sales promotion system 20 may be implemented using the same cloud system. In this case, the configuration of the above-described embodiment can be used by classifying the functions corresponding to the sales promotion support device 10 as the sales promotion support device (or sales promotion support function) and the functions corresponding to each of the sales promotion systems 20 as the sales promotion system (or sales promotion implementation function, etc.) within the cloud system.

[0077] While embodiments (and modifications) of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, combinations, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims of the invention and its equivalents.

[0078] Furthermore, the programs executed by each device in the above embodiments are provided pre-installed in the storage medium (ROM or storage unit) provided by the device, but are not limited to this. For example, the programs may be configured to be provided as installable or executable files recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, flexible disk (FD), CD-R, or DVD (Digital Versatile Disk). Moreover, the storage medium is not limited to a medium independent of the computer or embedded system, but also includes storage media that have downloaded and stored or temporarily stored programs transmitted via a LAN, the Internet, etc.

[0079] Furthermore, the programs executed by each device of the above embodiment may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by allowing users to download them via the network, or they may be configured to be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0080] 1. Sales promotion support system 10. Sales promotion support devices 20 Promotional Systems 101 Sales Promotion Support Department 102 Sales Promotion Management Department 141 Programs 142 Promotional Settings Table 143 Sales Promotion Management Table [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0081] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-170565

Claims

1. A storage means for storing setting items related to the promotion using the promotional content, associated with each promotional content that indicates the type of promotion, A first receiving means that receives a selection from the user of the promotional content to be used from among the multiple aforementioned promotional content, A second receiving means that receives input from the user for the setting item, using the setting item corresponding to the selected promotional content among the setting items stored in the storage means, A sales promotion system capable of implementing sales promotion using the selected sales promotion content includes a transmission means for transmitting the input content entered in the setting items, A sales promotion support device equipped with the following features.

2. The storage means stores, for each sales promotion system, the sales promotion content and the setting items that can be implemented in that sales promotion system in association with each other. When the user selects the promotional system to be used, the first reception means presents the promotional content that can be implemented with the promotional system in a selectable manner. The transmission means transmits the input content entered in the setting item to the selected promotional system. The sales promotion support device according to claim 1.

3. The system further includes a management means for managing the input content entered in the aforementioned setting item in association with information that can identify the promotional system to which the input content is to be sent. The sales promotion support device according to claim 1.

4. The storage means stores the setting items for each promotional method of the promotional content. The sales promotion support device according to claim 1.

5. The storage means stores the setting items for each output format of the promotional content. The sales promotion support device according to claim 1.

6. The computer for the sales promotion support device, A storage means for storing setting items related to the promotion using the promotional content, associated with each promotional content that indicates the type of promotion, A first receiving means that receives a selection from the user of the promotional content to be used from among the multiple aforementioned promotional content, A second receiving means that receives input from the user for the setting item, using the setting item corresponding to the selected promotional content among the setting items stored in the storage means, A sales promotion system capable of implementing sales promotion using the selected sales promotion content includes a transmission means for transmitting the input content entered in the setting items, A program to make it work.

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