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

Abstract

By determining whether electronic documentation is required and checking for missing attachments, the burden on applicants and human error can be prevented. [Solution] The business support device according to this embodiment includes a customer master registered by associating a customer, a group classification specifying whether the customer is within or outside the group, and an electronic invoice attachment required flag specifying whether or not an electronic invoice attachment is required, and a purchase input means that, when a customer is entered in response to the operator's operation on the purchase input screen, refers to the customer master using the customer as a key, and if the group classification is "outside the group" and the electronic invoice attachment required flag is "required", sets the electronic invoice attachment required flag on the screen to ON, and displays an error indicating that an electronic invoice has not been attached when the purchase data is submitted.

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] In recent years, digitization of invoices has been progressing. Conventionally, as an electronic application system, for example, there is Patent Document 1.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Here, since the applicant needs to determine and process whether or not it is necessary to attach an electronic voucher at the time of application for each business partner, there is a problem that omission of attaching the electronic voucher occurs.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a business support device, a business support method, and a business support program that can reduce the burden on applicants and prevent human error by determining whether attachment of an electronic voucher is mandatory and performing a check for missing attachments.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the objective, the present invention provides a business support device equipped with a control unit, wherein the control unit is configured to access a customer master registered by associating a customer, a group classification specifying whether the customer is within or outside the group, and an electronic invoice attachment required flag specifying whether or not an electronic invoice attachment is required, and the device is equipped with a purchase input means that, when a customer is entered in response to the operator's operation on the purchase input screen, refers to the customer master using the customer as a key, and if the group classification is "outside the group" and the electronic invoice attachment required flag is "required", sets the electronic invoice attachment required flag on the screen to ON, and displays an error indicating that an electronic invoice has not been attached when the purchase data is submitted.

[0007] Furthermore, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the objectives, the present invention provides a business support method executed by an information processing device equipped with a control unit, wherein the control unit is configured to be able to access a customer master in which a customer, a group / external classification specifying whether the customer is within or outside the group, and an electronic invoice attachment required flag specifying whether or not an electronic invoice attachment is required are associated and registered, and the method includes a purchase input step in which, in response to the operation of the person in charge on the purchase input screen, when a customer is entered, the control unit refers to the customer master using the customer as a key, and if the group / external classification is "external" and the electronic invoice attachment required flag is "required", the electronic invoice attachment required flag on the screen is set to ON, and if an electronic invoice is not attached when the purchase data is submitted, an error indicating that the electronic invoice has not been attached is displayed.

[0008] Furthermore, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the objectives, the present invention is a business support program to be executed by an information processing device equipped with a control unit, wherein the control unit is configured to be able to access a customer master in which a customer, a group / external classification specifying whether the customer is within or outside the group, and an electronic invoice attachment required flag specifying whether or not an electronic invoice attachment is required are associated and registered, and the control unit is configured to, in response to the operation of the person in charge on the purchase input screen, when a customer is entered, refer to the customer master using the customer as a key, and if the group / external classification is "external" and the electronic invoice attachment required flag is "required", set the electronic invoice attachment required flag on the screen to ON, and if an electronic invoice is not attached when the purchase data is submitted, display an error indicating that an electronic invoice has not been attached, thereby executing a purchase input process. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, by determining whether electronic documents must be attached and checking for missing attachments, it is possible to reduce the burden on applicants and prevent human error. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a business support device according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows an example of the configuration of the customer master data. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating the application flow patterns. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating the application flow patterns. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of the processing performed by the control unit of the business support device according to this embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of the processing performed by the control unit of the business support device according to this embodiment. [Figure 7]Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of the processing performed by the control unit of the business support device according to this embodiment. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of the processing performed by the control unit of the business support device according to this embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] Embodiments of the business support device, business support method, and business support program according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

[0012] [1. Overview] The outline of this invention will be explained in the following order: [1-1. Background], [1-2. Problems], [1-3. Solution], and [1-4. Effects].

[0013] [1-1. Background] Although the digitization of invoices is progressing, electronic and paper invoices still coexist. Furthermore, in cases of intercompany transactions, to prevent discrepancies in amounts, applications are submitted before invoice receipt, and only the final approver reconciles the purchase / payment request slips with the invoices, thereby standardizing and streamlining the approval process. However, in this process, applicants must decide whether or not to attach electronic documentation to each business partner's application, which leads to instances of missing electronic documentation. This invention provides control to prevent the omission of electronic documentation attachments.

[0014] [1-2. Challenges] With multiple processing patterns available, it is difficult for applicants to distinguish whether attaching electronic documents is mandatory for each transaction, leading to omissions. Furthermore, for approvers, when an approval request is received without an attached invoice, it is unclear whether the invoice will arrive later or if the electronic invoice was simply missing. Even if the electronic invoice is missing, the approver initially has to wait for the invoice to arrive, and only after confirming the delay do they send a reminder, hindering the smooth approval process. Moreover, the overall delay in approval processing contributes to delays in monthly processing.

[0015] [1-3. Solution] In the present invention, it is determined for each business partner whether attachment of an invoice is mandatory at the time of application, and if it is mandatory, a check for missing attachment of an electronic voucher is performed, so as to prevent missing attachment of an electronic voucher when an electronic voucher is required.

[0016] [1-4. Effects] By performing the determination of whether an electronic voucher attachment is mandatory and the check for missing attachment, the burden on the applicant is reduced and human error is prevented. In addition, the burden on approvers can be reduced and delays in approval processing can be prevented, so that delays in subsequent processing, namely monthly processing, can be mitigated.

[0017] The present invention is applicable to all companies that receive invoices on an ad-hoc basis, such as IT companies, advertising production companies, and construction companies.

[0018] [2. Configuration] An example of the configuration of the business support apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 1. Figure 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the business support apparatus 100.

[0019] The business support apparatus 100 is a commercially available desktop personal computer. Note that the business support apparatus 100 is not limited to a stationary information processing apparatus such as a desktop personal computer, and may be a portable information processing apparatus such as a commercially available notebook personal computer, PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), smartphone, or tablet personal computer.

[0020] The business support apparatus 100 includes a control unit 102, a communication interface unit 104, a storage unit 106, and an input / output interface unit 108. The respective units included in the business support apparatus 100 are communicably connected via any arbitrary communication path.

[0021] The communication interface unit 104 connects the business support device 100 to the network 300 via communication devices such as routers and wired or wireless communication lines such as dedicated lines. The communication interface unit 104 has the function of communicating data with other devices via communication lines. Here, the network 300 has the function of connecting the business support device 100 with the server 200, terminals 400, etc., so that they can communicate with each other, and is, for example, the internet or a LAN (Local Area Network). Various masters and data, which will be described later, may be stored in the server 200, for example.

[0022] Terminal 400 is, for example, the terminal of a field staff member, a field supervisor, or the accounting department (final approver).

[0023] The input / output interface unit 108 is connected to an input device 112 and an output device 114. The output device 114 can be a monitor (including a home television), a speaker, or a printer. The input device 112 can be a keyboard, mouse, microphone, or a monitor that works in conjunction with a mouse to provide pointing device functionality. In the following, the output device 114 may be referred to as the monitor 114, and the input device 112 may be referred to as the keyboard 112 or mouse 112.

[0024] The memory unit 106 stores various databases, tables, and files. The memory unit 106 also stores computer programs that work in cooperation with the OS (Operating System) to give instructions to the CPU (Central Processing Unit) to perform various processes. As the memory unit 106, for example, memory devices such as RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read Only Memory), fixed disk devices such as hard disks, flexible disks, and optical disks can be used.

[0025] The storage unit 106 stores customer master data 106a, purchase header data, purchase detail data, attached file data, etc. Figure 2 shows an example of the configuration of customer master data 106a.

[0026] As shown in Figure 2, the customer master 106a can be composed of tables that register customer codes, customer names, group in / outside classifications (0: in / outside group, 1: outside group) that specify whether the customer is within or outside the group, and an electronic invoice attachment required flag (0: not required, 1: required) that specifies whether electronic invoice attachment is required or not.

[0027] The purchase header data may include the purchase number, purchase date, customer code, and supplier name.

[0028] Purchase details data may include purchase number, product code, and purchase amount.

[0029] Attached file data may include the attachment ID, attachment file name, and invoice number.

[0030] The control unit 102 is a CPU or similar component that comprehensively controls the business support device 100. The control unit 102 has internal memory for storing control programs such as the OS, programs that define various processing procedures, and required data, and executes various information processing based on these stored programs.

[0031] The control unit 102 is configured to access the customer master 106a, purchase header data, purchase detail data, attached file data, etc., which are stored in the storage unit 106. The customer master 106a, purchase header data, purchase detail data, attached file data, etc. may be stored in another location (for example, on the server 200), as long as the control unit 102 can access them.

[0032] Functionally, the control unit 102 comprises a master maintenance unit 102a, a purchase input unit (application unit) 102b, an approval processing unit 102c, and a screen display control unit 102d.

[0033] The master maintenance unit 102a performs editing such as data input, addition, modification, and updating on the customer master 106a in response to operator operations on a master maintenance screen (not shown) displayed on the monitor 114.

[0034] The purchase input unit 102b, in response to the operator's operation on the purchase input screen, refers to the customer master 106a using the entered customer as a key. If the group classification is "outside the group" and the electronic invoice attachment required flag is "required", it sets the electronic document attachment required flag on the screen to ON. If an electronic invoice is not attached when registering (applying) purchase data, it displays an error indicating that the electronic invoice has not been attached.

[0035] When the purchase input unit 102b registers (applies for) purchase data, the approval processing unit 102c executes the approval workflow of a predetermined approval route.

[0036] The screen display control unit 102d controls the display of various screens (for example, the master maintenance screen, the purchase input screen, etc.) displayed on the monitor 114 and the acceptance of input on the screen.

[0037] [3. Specific examples of processing] A specific example of the processing of the control unit 102 of the business support device 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 8. Figures 3 to 8 are diagrams illustrating a specific example of the processing of the control unit 102 of the business support device 100 according to this embodiment.

[0038] (Application flow patterns) The application flow can follow these patterns: Pattern 1: When electronic documentation is attached to the application; Pattern 2: When electronic documentation is not attached to the application.

[0039] Figure 3 illustrates Pattern 1: When electronic documents are attached to the application. In Figure 3, the field staff attaches an electronic invoice to the procurement data and submits it for approval to the field supervisor and the accounting department (final approver).

[0040] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating Pattern 2: Case where no electronic documents are attached at the time of application. Pattern 2 includes Pattern 2-1, Pattern 2-2, and Pattern 2-3.

[0041] Pattern 2-1 is a pattern where, if the trading partner is a company outside the group, only the purchase data is submitted, and the invoice is handed over to each approver.

[0042] Pattern 2-2 is a pattern where, if the trading partner is a company within the same group, the invoice is handed directly to the final approver.

[0043] Pattern 2-3 involves the failure to attach electronic documentation. A paper invoice is delayed, prompting a follow-up, only to discover that the electronic documentation was simply forgotten.

[0044] (Customer master data maintenance) The customer master maintenance will be explained with reference to Figure 5. The master maintenance unit 102a performs customer master maintenance. The master maintenance unit 102a sets data for the customer master 106a in response to the operator's operation on, for example, a master maintenance screen (not shown) displayed on the monitor 114.

[0045] Figure 5 shows an example of the settings for the customer master 106a. The customer master 106a has fields for customer code, customer name, group in / outside classification (0: in group, 1: outside group) to specify whether the customer is in or outside the group, and electronic invoice attachment required flag (0: not required, 1: required) to specify whether electronic invoice attachment is required or not. If the group in / outside classification is "0: in group", the electronic invoice attachment required flag cannot be selected.

[0046] In the example shown in the diagram, the first row has the customer code "A001", customer name "AA Corporation", group status "0: within group", and electronic invoice attachment required flag "-", the second row has the customer code "B001", customer name "BB Corporation", group status "1: outside group", and electronic invoice attachment required flag "0: not required", and the third row has the customer code "C001", customer name "CC Corporation", group status "1: outside group", and electronic invoice attachment required flag "1: required".

[0047] (Purchase entry) Refer to Figure 6 to explain the purchase input. The purchase input unit 102b executes the purchase input. In response to the operation by the person in charge on the purchase input screen, the purchase input unit 102b refers to the customer master 106a using the customer to be entered as the key, and if the group classification is "outside the group" and the electronic invoice attachment required flag is "required", it sets the electronic document attachment required flag on the screen to ON, and if an electronic invoice is not attached when registering (applying) the purchase data, it displays an error indicating that the electronic invoice has not been attached.

[0048] Figure 6(A) shows the correspondence between the screen controls for the "Electronic Invoice Attachment Required" flag on the purchase input screen 500.

[0049] Figure 6(B) shows an example of the display of the purchase entry screen 500. The purchase entry screen 500 includes a header 501 for entering the purchase number, purchase date, customer code, and customer name; a purchase details 502 for entering the purchase amount for each product; a file attachment button 503; a checkbox 504 for the electronic document attachment required flag (electronic invoice attachment required flag); and a registration button 505.

[0050] The purchase number is automatically assigned upon registration and is locked only during new registration. When a customer code is entered, the associated transaction name is automatically displayed. The "Electronic Invoice Attachment Required" flag is checked using the entered customer code as the key to reference customer master 106a. The checkbox 504 for the "Electronic Invoice Attachment Required" flag is set to ON only if the group classification is "Outside Group" or the "Electronic Invoice Attachment Required" flag is "Required". Operators cannot change the setting of the "Electronic Invoice Attachment Required" flag checkbox 504. Operators can determine whether or not electronic invoice attachment is required by looking at the setting of the "Electronic Invoice Attachment Required" flag checkbox 504. Press the file attachment button 503 to attach the electronic invoice file.

[0051] In this example, header 501 contains the purchase date "2025 / 2 / 10", customer code "C001", and purchase details 502 contains product codes "SHO001, SHO002, SHO003" and purchase amounts "10,000, 20,000, 30,000". Since the customer is "C001", the group classification in customer master 106a is "Outside Group" and the electronic invoice attachment required flag is "Required", so checkbox 504 for the electronic invoice attachment required flag is set to ON.

[0052] (Processing flow) The processing flow will be explained with reference to Figures 7 and 8.

[0053] (i) Enter the purchase slip in the purchase entry field. (ii) Press the "Register" button in the purchase entry. If no electronic evidence is attached, the processing flow will follow the pattern shown in Figure 7(A).

[0054] (ii-i) If the group classification in customer master 106a is "0: within group", and the group classification is "1: outside group" and the electronic invoice attachment required flag is "0: not required", the invoice will be handed to the approver in person, so registration and application are possible (no error message will be displayed) and registration and application will be completed.

[0055] In the example shown in Figure 7(B), the trading partner is "B001," so the group classification in trading partner master 106a is "Outside Group," and the electronic invoice attachment requirement flag is "0: Not required." Therefore, checkbox 504 for the electronic invoice attachment requirement flag is not set to ON. For this reason, there is no need to attach an electronic invoice.

[0056] (ii-ii) If the group classification in customer master 106a is "1: Outside Group" and the "Required to Attach Electronic Certificate Invoice" flag is "1: Required", an error will be displayed indicating that the electronic certificate has not been attached.

[0057] In the example shown in Figure 8(A), the trading partner is "C001," so the trading partner master 106a's group classification is "outside the group" and the electronic invoice attachment required flag is "required." Therefore, checkbox 504 for the electronic invoice attachment required flag is set to ON. As an error due to the failure to attach the electronic document, an error screen 600 "Electronic document not attached" is displayed as shown in Figure 8(B).

[0058] If an error message is displayed, press the "Attach File" button 503 to attach the electronic invoice, and then press the "Register" button 505 again to complete the registration / application.

[0059] Figures 8(C) to 8(E) show examples of registered purchase header data, purchase detail data, and attached file data.

[0060] The purchase header data may include the purchase number, purchase date, supplier code, and supplier name, as shown in Figure 8(C). The purchase number is automatically assigned. In this example, the purchase number is "SR00001", the purchase date is "2025 / 2 / 10", the supplier code is "C001", and the supplier name is "CC Corporation".

[0061] The purchase details data may include the purchase number, product code, and purchase amount, as shown in Figure 8(D). In this example, the first row contains the purchase number "SR00001", product code "SHO001", and purchase amount "10,000".

[0062] The attached file data may include an attachment ID, attachment file name, and invoice number, as shown in Figure 8(E). In this example, the attachment ID is "0000000001", the attachment file name is "Invoice_202502", and the invoice number is "SR00001".

[0063] As described above, according to this embodiment, a customer master 106a is registered by associating a customer, a group / external classification that specifies whether the customer is within or outside the group, and an electronic invoice attachment required flag that specifies whether or not an electronic invoice attachment is required. A purchase input unit 102b is provided that, in response to the operator's operation on the purchase input screen, when a customer is entered, the customer master is referenced using the customer as a key, and if the group / external classification is "external" and the electronic invoice attachment required flag is "required", the electronic invoice attachment required flag on the screen is set to ON, and if an electronic invoice is not attached when the purchase data is submitted, an error indicating that the electronic invoice has not been attached is displayed. By performing a determination of whether or not an electronic document must be attached and checking for missing attachments, it is possible to reduce the burden on the applicant and prevent human error.

[0064] [4. Contribution to the United Nations-led Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)] This embodiment can contribute to improving operational efficiency and promoting appropriate management decisions by companies, thereby contributing to SDGs Goals 8 and 9.

[0065] Furthermore, this embodiment can contribute to reducing waste and promoting paperless and digital processes, thereby contributing to SDGs Goals 12, 13, and 15.

[0066] Furthermore, this embodiment can contribute to strengthening control and governance, thereby enabling contributions to SDG Goal 16.

[0067] [5. Other Embodiments] In addition to the embodiments described above, the present invention may be implemented in various different embodiments within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims.

[0068] For example, among the processes described in the embodiments, all or part of the processes described as being performed automatically can be performed manually, or all or part of the processes described as being performed manually can be performed automatically by known methods.

[0069] Furthermore, the processing procedures, control procedures, specific names, information including parameters such as registration data and search conditions for each process, screen examples, and database configuration shown in this specification and in the drawings may be changed at will unless otherwise specified.

[0070] Furthermore, with respect to the business support device 100, each component shown in the diagram is a functional concept and does not necessarily need to be physically configured as shown.

[0071] For example, the processing functions of the business support device 100, particularly those performed by the control unit 102, may be implemented in whole or in part by a CPU and a program interpreted and executed by the CPU, or they may be implemented as wired logic hardware. The program is recorded on a non-temporary computer-readable recording medium containing programmed instructions for the information processing device to execute the processing described in this embodiment, and is mechanically read by the business support device 100 as needed. That is, a storage unit such as ROM or HDD (Hard Disk Drive) stores a computer program that works in cooperation with the OS to give instructions to the CPU and perform various processing tasks. This computer program is executed by being loaded into RAM and works in cooperation with the CPU to constitute the control unit.

[0072] Furthermore, this computer program may be stored on an application program server connected to the business support device 100 via any network, and it is possible to download all or part of it as needed.

[0073] Furthermore, the program for executing the processing described in this embodiment may be stored on a non-temporary computer-readable recording medium, or it may be configured as a program product. Here, "recording medium" includes any "portable physical 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.

[0074] Furthermore, "program" refers to a data processing method described in any language or writing method, regardless of its format, such as source code or binary code. Note that "program" is not necessarily limited to a single, monolithic structure; it also includes distributed structures consisting of multiple modules or libraries, and those that work in cooperation with other programs, such as an operating system, to achieve their functions. Regarding the specific configuration and reading procedures for reading the recording medium in each device shown in the embodiments, as well as the installation procedures after reading, well-known configurations and procedures can be used.

[0075] The various databases stored in the memory unit 106 include memory devices such as RAM and ROM, fixed disk devices such as hard disks, flexible disks, and optical disks, and store various programs, tables, databases, and web page files used for various processes and website provision.

[0076] Furthermore, the business support device 100 may be configured as a known personal computer or workstation or other information processing device, or as an information processing device to which any peripheral devices are connected. Alternatively, the business support device 100 may be implemented by installing software (including programs or data, etc.) that enables the processing described in this embodiment on the device.

[0077] 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 and integrating them in any unit according to various additions or functional loads. In other words, the embodiments described above may be implemented in any combination, or the embodiments may be implemented selectively. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0078] 100 Business support equipment 102 Control Unit 102a Master Maintenance Department 102b Purchase Input Section 102c Approval Processing Unit 102d Screen display control unit 104 Communication Interface Section 106 Storage section 106a Customer Master 108 Input / Output Interface Section 112 Input device 114 Output device 200 servers 300 Networks

Claims

1. A business support device equipped with a control unit, The control unit, The system is configured to allow access to a customer master database that has been registered with associated customer information, including whether the customer is within or outside the group, and a "required electronic invoice attachment" flag indicating whether or not an electronic invoice attachment is required. A business support device characterized by having a purchase input means that, in response to the operator's operation on the purchase input screen, when a business partner is entered, refers to the business partner master using the business partner as a key, and if the group classification is "outside the group" and the electronic invoice attachment required flag is "required", sets the electronic invoice attachment required flag on the screen to ON, and displays an error indicating that an electronic invoice has not been attached when the purchase data is submitted.

2. A business support method performed by an information processing device equipped with a control unit, The control unit, The system is configured to allow access to a customer master database that has been registered with associated customer information, including whether the customer is within or outside the group, and a "required electronic invoice attachment" flag indicating whether or not an electronic invoice attachment is required. The control unit executes: A business support method characterized by including a purchase input process in which, when a customer is entered in response to an operation by the person in charge on the purchase input screen, the customer master is referenced using the customer as a key, and if the group classification is "outside group" and the electronic invoice attachment required flag is "required", the electronic invoice attachment required flag on the screen is set to ON, and if an electronic invoice is not attached when the purchase data is submitted, an error indicating that the electronic invoice has not been attached is displayed.

3. A business support program to be executed by an information processing device equipped with a control unit, The control unit, The system is configured to allow access to a customer master database that has been registered with associated customer information, including whether the customer is within or outside the group, and a "required electronic invoice attachment" flag indicating whether or not an electronic invoice attachment is required. The control unit, A business support program that, in response to the operator's actions on the purchase input screen, when a business partner is entered, uses the business partner as a key to refer to the business partner master, and if the group classification is "outside the group" and the "required electronic invoice attachment" flag is "required", sets the "required electronic invoice attachment" flag on the screen to ON, and if an electronic invoice is not attached when the purchase data is submitted, displays an error indicating that the electronic invoice has not been attached.

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