Information processing systems, information processing methods, and programs

Abstract

To enable the identification of business entities that possess primary data. [Solution] An information processing system comprising: a storage unit that stores information identifying suppliers that provide goods or services to a first buyer and have primary data of emission intensity for calculating greenhouse gas emissions, information identifying the first buyer, and primary data of emission intensity; a supplier identification unit that, in response to a request from a second buyer, refers to the storage unit and identifies suppliers that have primary data of emission intensity corresponding to information identifying a first buyer different from the second buyer; and a supplier providing unit that provides the identified supplier identification information to the second buyer.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Estimation of greenhouse gas emissions has been carried out (see Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When calculating greenhouse gas emissions, a calculation formula of activity amount (amount related to the scale of an operator's activities) × emission factor (greenhouse gas emissions per activity amount) is used. Emission factors include primary data, which is data collected by an operator on its own responsibility, and secondary data, which is industrial average factor databases or data standardized by the industry. Not all entities calculate or collect primary data, and it is not known which entities have primary data.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such a background, and an object thereof is to provide a technology capable of grasping entities having primary data.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The main invention of the present invention for solving the above problems is an information processing system comprising: a storage unit that stores information identifying a supplier that provides goods or services to a first buyer and has primary data of emission intensity for calculating greenhouse gas emissions, information identifying the first buyer, and the primary data of emission intensity; a supplier identification unit that, in response to a request from a second buyer, refers to the storage unit and identifies a supplier that has primary data of emission intensity corresponding to information identifying a first buyer different from the second buyer; and a supplier providing unit that provides the identified supplier identification information to the second buyer.

[0007] Further issues and solutions disclosed in this application will be made clear in the section on embodiments of the invention and in the drawings. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to identify business entities that possess primary data. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example of the overall configuration of an information processing system. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of the hardware configuration of management server 2. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of the software configuration for management server 2. [Figure 4] This diagram illustrates the operation of management server 2. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] <System Overview> The following describes an information processing system according to one embodiment of the present invention. The information processing system of this embodiment manages whether a business entity that provides goods (including services; the same applies hereinafter) (hereinafter referred to as a supplier) calculates or collects primary data, and enables a business entity that purchases goods (hereinafter referred to as a buyer) to identify suppliers that possess primary data.

[0011] Figure 1 shows an example of the overall configuration of an information processing system. The information processing system in this embodiment includes a management server 2. The management server 2 is connected to the user terminal 1 via a communication network 3. The communication network 3 is, for example, the internet and is constructed using public telephone networks, mobile phone networks, wireless communication channels, Ethernet (registered trademark), etc.

[0012] User terminal 1 is a computer operated by the user (buyer). User terminal 1 can be, for example, a smartphone, a tablet computer, or a personal computer.

[0013] The management server 2 may be a general-purpose computer such as a workstation or personal computer, or it may be logically implemented through cloud computing.

[0014] <Management Server> Figure 2 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the management server 2. Note that the illustrated configuration is just one example, and other configurations are also possible. The management server 2 includes a CPU 201, memory 202, storage device 203, communication interface 204, input device 205, and output device 206. The storage device 203 stores various data and programs, such as a hard disk drive, solid-state drive, or flash memory. The communication interface 204 is an interface for connecting to the communication network 3, such as an adapter for connecting to Ethernet®, a modem for connecting to a public telephone network, a wireless communication device for wireless communication, or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) connector or RS232C connector for serial communication. The input device 205 is for inputting data, such as a keyboard, mouse, touch panel, button, or microphone. The output device 206 is for outputting data, such as a display, printer, or speaker. Furthermore, each functional unit of the management server device 2, described later, is realized by the CPU 201 reading programs stored in the storage device 203 into memory 202 and executing them, and each storage unit of the management server 2 is realized as part of the storage area provided by memory 202 and storage device 203.

[0015] Figure 3 shows an example of the software configuration of the management server 2. The management server 2 comprises a primary data storage unit 231, a supplier identification unit 211, a supplier provision unit 212, a reception unit 213, a search unit 214, and an emissions calculation unit 215.

[0016] The primary data storage unit 231 stores information relating to primary data (hereinafter referred to as primary data information). The primary data information includes information identifying suppliers that provide goods and have primary data of emission intensity for calculating greenhouse gas emissions, information identifying buyers to whom the suppliers provide primary data, information identifying the goods provided by the suppliers (for example, product number, model number, product name, etc.), and emission intensity (primary data) for the goods provided by the suppliers. A product can also be defined as a type of activity. The primary data information may also include product categories. Product categories can be Scope 3 categories in the GHG protocol. The primary data information may also include product types. Product types can be type of activity (information identifying the activity).

[0017] The supplier identification unit 211 identifies suppliers that possess primary data by referring to the primary data storage unit 231. In this embodiment, since only emission intensity information related to suppliers that possess primary data is registered in the primary data storage unit 231, the supplier identification unit 211 can obtain primary data information relating to suppliers that possess primary data by reading the primary data information stored in the primary data storage unit 231. The supplier identification unit 211 searches for suppliers that possess primary data in response to a request from a buyer (first buyer). The supplier identification unit 211 can search for primary data information that does not include information identifying the buyer (first buyer) that sent the request (i.e., information regarding primary data provided by the supplier to another buyer (second buyer)). This makes it possible to search for suppliers that have not provided goods to the buyer (first buyer) but have provided primary data to other buyers (second buyer) (i.e., suppliers that possess primary data).

[0018] The supplier provision unit 212 provides information identifying the identified supplier to the buyer purchasing the goods. The supplier provision unit 212 can provide information identifying the searched supplier (e.g., supplier name, contact information, etc.). The supplier provision unit 212 can, for example, transmit primary data information to the user terminal 1. For example, a supplier information storage unit may be provided to store information about the supplier (supplier name, person in charge for each product provided by the supplier, contact information, etc.), and the supplier provision unit 212 may read the supplier information corresponding to the primary data information and transmit the supplier information to the user terminal 1 together with the primary data information. Alternatively, a product information storage unit may be provided to store information about the product (e.g., product specifications, product description, product price, purchase lot size, transaction terms, etc.) in association with information identifying the product, and the supplier provision unit 212 may transmit the product information corresponding to the primary data information (including the information identifying the product) to the user terminal 1 together with the primary data information. Note that product information can be registered by the supplier for unspecified buyers. Furthermore, the conditions for the sales destination of the product may be included in the product information, and the supplier provision unit 212 may search for information on products that meet the conditions for the buyer's attributes. In this case, the buyer can search for suppliers from whom they have not yet received products but who have primary data, and can also refer to information on products provided by those suppliers, which can be used as a reference for new product procurement decisions. The supplier provision unit 212 can display the corresponding emission intensity along with information identifying the searched supplier, in order of magnitude of emission intensity.

[0019] The reception unit 213 can receive a designation of a product category (emission category) from the buyer. The reception unit 213 can also receive a designation of a product type (activity type) from the buyer. The reception unit 213 can also receive a designation of an emission unit from the buyer. The designated emission unit can be, for example, the emission unit related to the product that the buyer is currently purchasing (which may be primary data or secondary data).

[0020] The search unit 214 searches the primary data storage unit 231 for primary data information corresponding to the received product category. The search unit 214 can also search the primary data storage unit 231 for primary data information corresponding to the received product type. The search unit 214 can also narrow down the search to primary data information with an emission unit smaller than the emission unit designated by the buyer.

[0021] The supplier providing unit 212 can provide the primary data information (at least information providing the supplier and the emission unit) searched by the search unit 214 to the user terminal 1.

[0022] The emissions calculation unit 215 calculates greenhouse gas emissions. The emissions calculation unit 215 receives input of activity amount and activity type from a buyer, and can calculate emissions (first emissions) by multiplying the received activity amount by the emission intensity corresponding to the received activity type. The emission intensity corresponding to the activity type may be secondary data. In this case, the management server 2 may be equipped with a secondary data storage unit that stores standard values ​​(secondary data) of emission intensity associated with the activity type. If primary data corresponding to the activity type is registered in the primary data storage unit 231, the emissions calculation unit 215 can calculate emissions (second emissions) by multiplying the received activity amount by the emission intensity of the primary data. The emissions calculation unit 215 can output the second emissions along with information identifying the supplier corresponding to the primary data. For example, the emissions calculation unit 215 can send screen data to the user terminal 1 to display the supplier identification information and the second emissions, and output the screen data to the user terminal 1 to display a screen based on the screen data. The emissions calculation unit 215 may also output first and second emissions. This allows the buyer to simulate emissions when a new supplier is adopted or changed.

[0023] <Operation> Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the management server 2.

[0024] The management server 2 stores the emission intensity for suppliers that calculate primary data (S301). The management server 2 receives a category or product type specification from the buyer (S302). The management server 2 retrieves primary data information corresponding to the received category or product type specification from the primary data storage unit 231 (S303), sorts the search results in ascending order of emission intensity (S304), and transmits the sorted search results to the user terminal 1 so that information regarding suppliers and the emission intensity of the products they provide can be displayed on the user terminal 1 (S305).

[0025] As described above, according to the information processing system of this embodiment, the supplier calculating the primary data is provided to the buyer, so the buyer can find out which supplier is calculating the primary data. This allows the buyer to consider purchasing goods from suppliers who are calculating the primary data in order to improve the primary data ratio.

[0026] Furthermore, according to the information processing system of this embodiment, it is possible to search for suppliers that calculate primary data by category and type of product. Since the search results are displayed in order of emission intensity, buyers can, for example, consider purchasing from suppliers with low emission intensity as a measure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions related to Scope 3.

[0027] Although these embodiments have been described above, they are intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention and are not intended to limit its interpretation. The present invention can be modified and improved without departing from its spirit, and equivalents thereof are also included.

[0028] <Disclosure Items> Furthermore, this disclosure also includes the following configurations. [Item 1] A storage unit that stores information identifying a supplier that provides goods or services to a first buyer and has primary data of emission intensity for calculating greenhouse gas emissions, information identifying the first buyer, and the primary data of emission intensity. A supplier identification unit, in response to a request from a second buyer, refers to the storage unit to identify a supplier that has primary data of the emission intensity corresponding to information identifying the first buyer which is different from the second buyer, A supplier provision unit that provides the second buyer with information identifying the identified supplier, An information processing system characterized by comprising the following features. [Item 2] The information processing system described in item 1, The storage unit stores the category of the product or service, the information identifying the supplier, and the primary data of the emission intensity in association with each other. A receiving unit that receives the designation of the category from the second buyer, A search unit retrieves information from the storage unit to identify the supplier corresponding to the accepted category, Equipped with, The supplier provision unit provides information to identify the searched supplier. An information processing system characterized by the following. [Item 3] The information processing system described in item 1, The supplier provision unit displays information identifying the searched supplier in order of decreasing emission intensity. An information processing system characterized by the following. [Item 4] The steps include storing information identifying a supplier that provides goods or services to a first buyer and possesses primary data of emission intensity for calculating greenhouse gas emissions, information identifying the first buyer, and the primary data of emission intensity in a storage unit. In response to a request from a second buyer, the steps include: referring to the storage unit to identify a supplier that has primary data of the emission intensity corresponding to information identifying a first buyer different from the second buyer; The steps include providing the second buyer with information identifying the identified supplier, An information processing method characterized by a computer executing the following. [Item 5] The steps include storing information identifying a supplier that provides goods or services to a first buyer and possesses primary data of emission intensity for calculating greenhouse gas emissions, information identifying the first buyer, and the primary data of emission intensity in a storage unit. In response to a request from a second buyer, the steps include: referring to the storage unit to identify a supplier that has primary data of the emission intensity corresponding to information identifying a first buyer different from the second buyer; The steps include providing the second buyer with information identifying the identified supplier, A program that causes a computer to execute something. [Explanation of symbols]

[0029] 1 User terminal 2 Management Server

Claims

1. A storage unit that stores information identifying a supplier that provides goods or services to a first buyer and has primary data of emission intensity for calculating greenhouse gas emissions, information identifying the first buyer, and the primary data of emission intensity. A supplier identification unit, in response to a request from a second buyer, refers to the storage unit to identify a supplier that has primary data of the emission intensity corresponding to information identifying the first buyer which is different from the second buyer, and has primary data of the emission intensity. A supplier provision unit that provides the second buyer with information identifying the identified supplier, An information processing system characterized by comprising the following features.

2. The information processing system according to claim 1, The storage unit stores the category of the product or service, the information identifying the supplier, and the primary data of the emission intensity in association with each other. A receiving unit that receives the designation of the category from the second buyer, A search unit retrieves information from the storage unit to identify the supplier corresponding to the accepted category, Equipped with, The supplier provision unit provides information to identify the searched supplier. An information processing system characterized by the following.

3. The information processing system according to claim 1, The supplier provision unit displays information identifying the searched supplier in order of decreasing emission intensity. An information processing system characterized by the following.

4. The steps include storing information identifying a supplier that provides goods or services to a first buyer and possesses primary data of emission intensity for calculating greenhouse gas emissions, information identifying the first buyer, and the primary data of emission intensity in a storage unit. Steps include: In response to a request from a second buyer, referring to the storage unit to identify a supplier that has primary data of the emission intensity corresponding to information identifying a first buyer different from the second buyer; The steps include providing the second buyer with information identifying the identified supplier, An information processing method characterized by a computer executing the following.

5. The steps include storing information identifying a supplier that provides goods or services to a first buyer and possesses primary data of emission intensity for calculating greenhouse gas emissions, information identifying the first buyer, and the primary data of emission intensity in a storage unit. Steps include: In response to a request from a second buyer, referring to the storage unit to identify a supplier that has primary data of the emission intensity corresponding to information identifying a first buyer different from the second buyer; The steps include providing the second buyer with information identifying the identified supplier, A program that causes a computer to execute something.

Images