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

Abstract

The system manages the necessary export application processes for each product and destination by linking them to a status, and checks whether the product is ready for export at the time of shipment entry, thereby preventing the export of unauthorized goods. [Solution] The business support device according to this embodiment includes a status master 106a which registers a status order, status, and exportable flag that specifies whether exportable or not for export for each product and destination; an order input unit 102b which, when an operator updates the exportable status and date on the order input screen, refers to the status master and updates the product destination-specific status data including product, destination, status order, status, date, and exportable flag; and a shipment input unit 102c which, when registering a shipment, uses the product and destination as keys, refers to the product destination-specific status data, and displays an error if the exportable flag is "export not possible".

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] For example, when exporting goods, regulatory requirements and application counters differ depending on the combination of the goods and the destination, which places a burden on management. Conventionally, as a system related to goods export, 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, there is a problem that exporting goods without permission would constitute a violation of the law, which could potentially damage the credibility of the company.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a business support apparatus, a business support program, and a business support method capable of preventing unauthorized export of goods by associating and managing application processes required for export for each product and each destination as statuses, and checking whether an export-ready state is achieved at the timing of shipping input.

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 status master in which an exportable flag specifying the status order, status, exportable or exportable status is associated and registered for each product and destination, and the order input means updates the product destination-specific status data, including product, destination, status order, status, date, and exportable flag, by referring to the status master when an operator updates the exportable status and date on the order input screen, and the shipment input means, when registering a shipment, refers to the product destination-specific status data using the product and destination as keys, and displays an error if the exportable flag is "exportable".

[0007] Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, the error display may also show the current status and the next status.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment, the error display may also show the name of the person responsible for inquiries.

[0009] 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 access a status master in which an exportable flag specifying the status order, status, exportable or exportable status is associated and registered for each product and destination, and the method includes: an order entry step executed by the control unit, in which, when an operator updates the exportable status and date on the order entry screen, the control unit refers to the status master and updates the product destination-specific status data, including the product, destination, status order, status, date, and exportable flag; and a shipment entry step, when registering a shipment, using the product and destination as keys, referring to the product destination-specific status data, and displaying an error if the exportable flag is "exportable".

[0010] Furthermore, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the objective, the present invention provides a business support program to be executed by an information processing device equipped with a control unit, wherein the control unit is configured to access a status master in which the status order, status, and exportable flag specifying whether export is not permitted or permitted are associated and registered for each product and destination, and the control unit is configured to, The business support program is characterized by its ability to perform the following steps: an order entry process on the order entry screen, where, when an operator updates the exportable status and date, the program refers to the status master and updates the product destination-specific status data, including product, destination, status order, status, date, and exportable flag; and a shipment entry process, when registering a shipment, uses the product and destination as keys, refers to the product destination-specific status data, and displays an error if the exportable flag is "not exportable". [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, by linking the application process required for export to a status for each product and destination, and by checking whether the product is in an export-ready state at the time of shipment entry, it becomes possible to prevent the export of goods without permission. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows an example of the configuration of a business support device related to this embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 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 3] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of the processing performed by the control unit of the business support device related to this embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 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 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 for explaining a specific example of processing of a control unit of the business support apparatus according to the present embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a diagram for explaining a specific example of processing of a control unit of the business support apparatus according to the present embodiment. [Mode for Carrying Out the Invention]

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the business support apparatus, business support program, and business support method according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited by the present embodiment.

[0014] [1. Overview] The overview of the present invention will be described in the order of [1-1. Background and Issues], [1-2. Solution Method], [1-3. Effects], and [1-4. Processing Overview].

[0015] [1-1. Background and Issues] In trade transactions, various laws and conventions are involved before export becomes possible. Managing the procedures required for each transaction unit and the scheduled receipt of certificates through various media is time-consuming and labor-intensive, and has the problem of being prone to human error. Examples of procedures required at the time of export are described below.

[0016] (1) Eligibility Determination The Japanese government regulates exports that could lead to the development of weapons through the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act (Export Trade Control Order). If a product falls under the target list, it becomes subject to eligibility determination. Products subject to eligibility determination require permission from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

[0017] (2) Quality Standards and Specifications Products destined for EU countries may require CE marking (certification of safety standards for the EU market), and products destined for the United States may require UL certification (safety standards).

[0018] (3) Acquisition of Certificate of Origin When the product to be exported is manufactured in a specific country, a certificate of origin is required. It is used to receive preferential tariff measures.

[0019] [1-2. Solution] The regulatory details and application windows differ depending on the combination of products and destinations, which imposes a burden on management. If a product is exported without permission, it will result in a violation of laws, which may lead to the loss of the company's reputation.

[0020] In order to prevent the export of unpermitted products, the present invention is equipped with a function that associates and manages statuses for each product and destination, and checks whether the product is in an exportable state at the timing of shipping input.

[0021] [1-3. Effects] It is possible to prevent the export of unpermitted products. In addition, for unpermitted products, the current status and contact information can be checked, thereby reducing the operational burden.

[0022] [1-4. Outline of Processing] In the present invention, the processes required before export for each product and destination are taken into account and associated as a status, and it is managed up to which status the process must proceed to enable export. When the status is to be switched, the status is switched on the screen (order receipt input). In addition, at the timing of shipping input, it is checked whether the product is an export-permitted product. If the product is not an export-permitted product, an error is generated and registration is not permitted. The present invention can be widely provided to trading companies that engage in export (for example, chemical trading companies) and the like.

[0023] [2. Configuration] An example of the configuration of the business support apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1 and the like. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the business support apparatus.

[0024] The business support device 100 is a commercially available desktop personal computer. However, the business support device 100 is not limited to stationary information processing devices such as desktop personal computers, but may also be portable information processing devices such as commercially available notebook personal computers, PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants), smartphones, or tablet personal computers.

[0025] The business support device 100 comprises a control unit 102, a communication interface unit 104, a storage unit 106, and an input / output interface unit 108. Each part of the business support device 100 is connected to communicate via any communication path.

[0026] 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 and the server 200 so that they can communicate with each other, and is, for example, the Internet or a LAN (Local Area Network). The data stored in the storage unit 106 may be stored in, for example, the server device 200.

[0027] 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.

[0028] 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.

[0029] The memory unit 106 stores status master 106a, customer master 106b, order data (order header, order details), product-specific status data, shipping data, etc.

[0030] Status Master 106a can consist of tables that associate and register product code, product name, destination code, destination name, status order, status name, responsible department, responsible department name, exportable flag (0: not allowed, 1: allowed), and maintenance target date (1: planned application date, 2: planned completion date, 3: completion date).

[0031] The customer master 106b can consist of tables that register customer codes, customer names, destination codes, and destination names in association with each other.

[0032] Order data consists of an order header and order details. The order header may include order number, transaction type, order date, shipping date, order due date, expected sales date, customer code, customer name, billing code, and billing name. The order details may include order number, order line number, product code, product name, item code, and item name.

[0033] Product destination status data may include product code, destination code, status order, status name, date, and exportable flag.

[0034] Shipping data may include shipping number, order number, product code, product name, destination, shipping quantity, unit price, total amount, and customer information.

[0035] 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.

[0036] The control unit 102 is configured to access the status master 106a, customer master 106b, order data (order header, order details), product-specific status data, shipping data, etc., which are stored in the storage unit 106. The status master 106a, customer master 106b, order data (order header, order details), product-specific status data, shipping data, etc. may be stored in another location (for example, server 200), as long as the control unit 102 can access them.

[0037] Functionally, the control unit 102 comprises a master maintenance unit 102a, an order input unit 102b, a shipping input unit 102c, and a screen display control unit 102d.

[0038] The master maintenance unit 102a performs editing such as data input, addition, modification, and updating on the status master 106a and customer master 106b in response to operator operations on a master maintenance screen (not shown) displayed on the monitor 114.

[0039] The order entry unit 102b inputs order data and registers it in the storage unit 106 in response to the operator's operations on the order entry screen (main screen, order detail entry screen) displayed on the monitor 114, for example. The main screen has input fields for order number, transaction type, order date, shipping date, order delivery date, planned sales date, customer code, customer name, billing code, billing name, etc. The order detail entry screen has input fields for order number, order line number, product code, product name, destination, order quantity, unit price, amount, exportable status, date (planned application date, planned completion date, completion date), etc.

[0040] When the operator updates the export-ready status and its date on the order details input screen as the status progresses, the order input unit 102b refers to the status master 106a and updates the destination status data for the product.

[0041] The shipping input unit 102c inputs shipping data and registers it in the storage unit 106, for example, in response to the operator's operation on the shipping input screen displayed on the monitor 114. The shipping input screen includes input fields for, for example, shipping number, order number, product code, product name, destination, shipping quantity, unit price, amount, customer, etc.

[0042] The shipping input unit 102c, when registering shipping data on the shipping input screen, uses the product and destination as keys to refer to the status data for each product and destination, and displays an error if the exportable flag is "Export Not Possible". The error display may also show the current status and the next status. In addition, the error display may also show the contact person for inquiries.

[0043] The screen display control unit 102d controls the display of various screens (for example, master maintenance screen, order entry screen, shipping entry screen, etc.) on the monitor 114 and the acceptance of input on the screen.

[0044] [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 7. Figures 2 to 7 are diagrams illustrating a specific example of the processing of the control unit 102 of the business support device 100 according to this embodiment.

[0045] (1. Status Master Maintenance) Refer to Figure 2 to explain the status master maintenance. The master maintenance unit 102a sets data for the status master 106a and customer master 106b in response to operator operations on a master maintenance screen (not shown) displayed on the monitor 114, for example.

[0046] Figure 2 shows an example of the configuration of the status master 106a. The status master 106a is a master that sets the status order, status, responsible department, exportable flag, and maintenance target date for each product and destination. The status can be freely set.

[0047] Status Master 106a can consist of tables that associate and register product code, product name, destination code, destination name, status order, status name, responsible department, responsible department name, exportable flag (0: not allowed, 1: allowed), and maintenance target date (1: planned application date, 2: planned completion date, 3: completion date).

[0048] In the example shown in the diagram, the first row contains the product code "A100", product name "Product A", destination code "US", destination name "America", status order "1", status name "Application for classification determination to be submitted", department in charge "YK", department in charge name "Export Control Department", exportable flag "0: Not permitted", and maintenance target date "1: Application scheduled date". The ninth row contains the product code "A100", product name "Product A", destination code "US", destination name "America", status order "9", status name "Customs clearance procedures approved", department in charge "YK", department in charge name "Trade Control Department", exportable flag "1: Permitted", and maintenance target date "3: Completion date".

[0049] (2. Order entry) Refer to Figures 3 to 6 to explain order entry. When the operator updates the export-ready status and its date on the order details entry screen as the status progresses, the order entry unit 102b refers to the status master 106a and updates the status data for each destination of the product.

[0050] Figure 3(A) shows an example of order header data. The order header may include order number, transaction type, order date, shipping date, order due date, expected sales date, customer code, customer name, billing code, and billing name.

[0051] Figure 3(B) shows an example of the configuration of customer master 106b. Customer master 106b can be composed of tables that register customer codes, customer names, destination codes, and destination names in association with each other.

[0052] Figure 3(C) shows an example of order details data. The order details may include order number, order line number, product code, product name, item code, product name, etc.

[0053] Figure 3(D) shows an example of data for the status master 106a. It is also possible to manage statuses that do not require date updates by setting the maintenance target date to "0: No maintenance required".

[0054] Figure 4 shows an example of the display of the order details input screen 400. The order details input screen 400 has input fields for product code, quantity, unit price, amount, exportable status, planned application date, planned completion date, and completion date. The product and destination are linked to the status master 106a as keys. For "Exportable Status," a list of status names from the status master 106a is displayed as selection candidates. Furthermore, the input of "Planned Application Date," "Planned Completion Date," and "Completion Date" is controlled by the "Maintenance Target Date" of the status master 106a linked to the selected status.

[0055] In this example, the following are displayed as candidates for the exportable status: "Application for classification determination pending, Application for classification determination submitted, Application for classification determination received / Application for UL certification pending, Application for UL certification submitted, UL certification obtained / Application for certificate of origin pending, Application for certificate of origin submitted, Certificate of origin obtained / Application for customs clearance procedures pending, Application for customs clearance procedures submitted, Customs clearance procedures approved."

[0056] For example, if an application for classification determination is planned, the "Planned Application Date" must be entered; if the application for classification determination has already been submitted, the "Planned Completion Date" must be entered; and if customs clearance has been approved, the "Completion Date" must be entered. Dates other than those subject to maintenance will be locked and cannot be entered.

[0057] On the order details input screen 400, the operator sets a date for each status as the status progresses, and updates the destination status data for the product accordingly. The destination status data for the product includes the fields for product code, destination code, status order, status name, date, and exportable flag. The "exportable flag" is obtained from the status master 106a.

[0058] Figure 5 shows an image illustrating the input of the "Exportable Status," "Scheduled Application Date," "Scheduled Completion Date," and "Completion Date" fields on the order details input screen 400, and the updating of the status data for each destination product. The "Exportable Flag" for the status data for each destination product is obtained from the status master 106a. As mentioned above, the "Scheduled Application Date," "Scheduled Completion Date," and "Completion Date" fields are locked and cannot be entered for dates other than the maintenance target dates. The status is updated in order as shown in (1), (2), and (3).

[0059] (4) The export-ready status after input will be displayed as shown in the image below.

[0060] Figure 6(A) shows an example of status data by destination for the product, Figure 6(B) shows an example of data for the status master 106a, and Figure 6(C) shows an example of the display of selectable export status options on the order details input screen 400.

[0061] The status master 106a is linked to the product code, destination code, and status data for each destination. The linked entries are considered updated records and are excluded from the display of candidates for exportable status, with only unentered statuses being displayed. In this example, as shown in Figure 6(C), the statuses of "Applicability Determination Application Scheduled," "Applicability Determination Application Submitted," and "Applicability Determination Document Received / UL Certification Application Scheduled" are hidden.

[0062] (Shipping entry) Refer to Figure 7 to explain the shipping input. When registering a shipment, the shipping input unit 102c uses the product and destination as keys to refer to the status data for each product and destination. If the exportable flag is "0: Export not permitted", it displays an error indicating that registration is not possible.

[0063] Figure 7(A) shows an example of data from the status master 106a, and Figure 7(B) shows an example of data from the status data for each product destination.

[0064] In this operation, when attempting to register shipping data (product code "A100", destination code "US") as shown in Figure 7(C) on the shipping input screen, the error message shown in Figure 6(D) is displayed. In this example, the error message reads: "This is an unlicensed export product. Current status: Applicability determination documents received / UL certification application planned. Next status: UL certification application submitted, contact person: Export Control Department."

[0065] The conditions for displaying error messages are as follows: Current status: Product code = Product code on screen, Destination code = Destination code on screen. Based on the above conditions, the status data for each product destination is linked, and the status name with the highest status rank is obtained. Next status: The status name with the status rank obtained in the current status + 1 is obtained from status master 106a. Inquiry person: The name of the department in charge corresponding to the record of the next status is obtained from status master 106a. This reduces the burden on the inquiry person in order to track the progress of the status.

[0066] If the current status record obtained under these conditions has an exportable flag of 1: Possible, then shipment registration can be completed without errors.

[0067] As described above, according to this embodiment, a status master 106a is registered for each product and destination, associating it with the status order, status, and exportable flag that specifies whether export is not possible or possible. An order entry unit 102b is provided on the order entry screen that, when an operator updates the exportable status and date, refers to the status master and updates the product destination-specific status data, including the product, destination, status order, status, date, and exportable flag. A shipment entry unit 102c is provided that, when registering a shipment, uses the product and destination as keys, refers to the product destination-specific status data, and displays an error if the exportable flag is "export not possible". Therefore, by linking the application process required for export as a status for each product and destination, and checking whether it is in an exportable state at the time of shipment entry, it is possible to prevent the export of unauthorized products.

[0068] [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.

[0069] Furthermore, this embodiment can contribute to reducing waste and promoting paperless and digital processes, thereby contributing to SDGs Goals 12, 13, and 15.

[0070] Furthermore, this embodiment can contribute to strengthening control and governance, thereby enabling contributions to SDG Goal 16.

[0071] [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.

[0072] 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.

[0073] 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.

[0074] Furthermore, with respect to the business support device 100, each component shown in the diagram is a functional concept and does not necessarily have to be physically configured as shown.

[0075] 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) contains 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.

[0076] 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.

[0077] 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.

[0078] 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.

[0079] 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.

[0080] 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.

[0081] 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]

[0082] 100 Business support equipment 102 Control Unit 102a Master Maintenance Department 102b Order Entry Section 102c Shipping Input Section 102d Screen display control unit 104 Communication Interface Section 106 Storage section 106a Status Master 106b 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 status master that associates status order, status, and an exportable flag indicating whether export is prohibited or permitted for each product and destination. The order entry screen includes an order entry means that, when an operator updates the exportable status and date, refers to the status master and updates the product destination-specific status data, including product, destination, status order, status, date, and exportable flag. A shipping input means that, when registering a shipment, uses the product and destination as keys, refers to the status data for each destination of the product, and displays an error if the exportable flag is "not exportable". A business support device characterized by being equipped with the following features.

2. The business support device according to claim 1, characterized in that the error display shows the current status and the next status.

3. The business support device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the error display shows the person in charge of inquiries.

4. 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 status master that associates status order, status, and an exportable flag indicating whether export is prohibited or permitted for each product and destination. The control unit executes: The order entry process includes updating the status data for each product destination, including product, destination, status order, status, date, and exportable flag, by referring to the status master when the operator updates the exportable status and date on the order entry screen. During the shipping registration process, the product and destination are used as keys to refer to the status data for each destination of the product, and an error message is displayed if the exportable flag is "not exportable". A business support method characterized by including the following.

5. 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 status master that associates status order, status, and an exportable flag indicating whether export is prohibited or permitted for each product and destination. The control unit, The order entry process includes updating the status data for each product destination, including product, destination, status order, status, date, and exportable flag, by referring to the status master when the operator updates the exportable status and date on the order entry screen. During the shipping registration process, the product and destination are used as keys to refer to the status data for each destination of the product, and an error message is displayed if the exportable flag is "not exportable". A business support program to enable the execution of tasks.

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