Information processing device, information processing method, and information processing program

Abstract

To increase the convenience of product suppliers while improving the efficiency of logistics when purchasing products. [Solution] The information processing device includes an identification unit and a presentation unit. The identification unit identifies a shipping date pattern, which is a date on which the consolidated shipping is to be executed, based on master information related to consolidated shipping in which products are consolidated and shipped. When an order request for a product is received from a store, the presentation unit presents to the store a possible delivery date on which the products can be delivered to the store when the products are consolidated and shipped, based on the shipping date pattern corresponding to the store.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device, an information processing method, and an information processing program. [Background technology]

[0002] A technique has been proposed in which the earliest scheduled shipping date from a warehouse is identified based on product order data and various master information, and the identified earliest scheduled shipping date is notified to a customer. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-133582 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the above-mentioned conventional techniques do not necessarily make it possible to improve the efficiency of logistics when purchasing goods while also improving convenience for the goods supplier.

[0005] For example, the above-mentioned conventional technology does not include a configuration that allows operations to be performed so that products are consolidated and shipped together, or that allows suppliers to know the delivery date of consolidated products. There is therefore room for improvement in terms of increasing the efficiency of logistics when purchasing products while also increasing convenience for product suppliers.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention proposes an information processing device, an information processing method, and an information processing program that can improve the efficiency of logistics when purchasing goods and at the same time increase convenience for product suppliers. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One form of information processing device according to the present invention includes an identification unit that identifies a shipping date pattern, which is the day on which consolidated shipping will be carried out, based on master information regarding consolidated shipping, in which products are consolidated and shipped, and a presentation unit that, when a product order request is received from a store, presents to the store a delivery date on which the products can be delivered to the store when the products are consolidated and shipped, based on the shipping date pattern corresponding to the store.

[0008] One form of information processing method according to the present invention is an information processing method executed by an information processing device, and includes an identification step of identifying a shipping date pattern, which is the day on which consolidated shipping will be carried out, based on master information regarding consolidated shipping in which products are consolidated and shipped, and a presentation step of, when a product order request is received from a store, presenting to the store a delivery date on which the products can be delivered to the store when the products are consolidated and shipped, based on the shipping date pattern corresponding to the store.

[0009] One form of information processing program according to the present invention causes a computer to execute an identification procedure for identifying a shipping date pattern, which is the day on which consolidated shipping will be carried out, based on master information regarding consolidated shipping, in which products are consolidated and shipped, and a presentation procedure for, when a product order request is received from a store, presenting to the store a delivery date on which the products can be delivered to the store when the products are consolidated and shipped, based on the shipping date pattern corresponding to the store. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the efficiency of logistics when purchasing goods and to increase convenience for product suppliers. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram explaining countermeasures to logistics problems. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a service user suitable for receiving the aggregated service. [Diagram 3]FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an overview of the functions provided by the aggregation service. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an overview of the functions provided by the aggregation service. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an information processing system according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an overview of information processing according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the information processing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the procedure of information processing related to a request for consolidated shipping. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of the store hierarchy master. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a flowchart (1) showing the procedure of information processing related to the selection of a shipping date pattern. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the shipping date pattern candidate master. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the store-specific shipping date pattern master. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a flowchart (2) showing the procedure of information processing related to the selection of a shipping date pattern. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of the area-specific pattern master. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of the store-by-store area master. [Figure 16A] FIG. 16A is a flowchart (1) showing the procedure of information processing related to identifying a shipping date pattern. [Figure 16B] FIG. 16B is a flowchart (2) showing the procedure of information processing related to identification of a shipping date pattern. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a diagram (1) showing an example of a method for identifying a shipping date pattern. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a diagram (2) showing an example of a method for identifying a shipping date pattern. [Figure 19]FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of a UI that allows a desired delivery date to be selected from the available delivery date. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the procedure of information processing related to exception setting. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example of a computer that realizes the functions of the information processing device according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this specification and the drawings, components having substantially the same functional configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0013] One or more embodiments (including examples, modifications, and application examples) described below can be implemented independently. Meanwhile, at least a part of the embodiments described below may be implemented in appropriate combination with at least a part of another embodiment. These embodiments may include novel features different from each other. Thus, these embodiments may contribute to solving different purposes or problems and may provide different effects.

[0014] In the following embodiments, the expression "request consolidated shipping" may include the expression "perform consolidated shipping." For example, the expression "whether to request consolidated shipping" may be rephrased as "whether to perform consolidated shipping."

[0015] (Embodiment) 1. Introduction In recent years, the logistics industry has been facing various problems, such as a shortage of drivers and poor transportation efficiency due to small-lot deliveries. Therefore, using Figure 1, we will explain countermeasures to realize "measures to logistics problems" and "reduction of delivery costs." Figure 1 is a diagram explaining countermeasures to logistics problems. Figure 1 uses the example of a store (supplier) that purchases and sells products.

[0016] First, let us explain from the perspective of "delivery frequency." For example, when a store runs low on stock of a product (abbreviated as "product"), it may place an order and request the warehouse to ship it. As shown in the top part of Figure 1, currently an order is placed every day, the ordered products are individually processed for shipping, and are shipped individually from the warehouse the next day. With this method, shipping frequency increases (i.e. delivery frequency increases), resulting in higher delivery costs.

[0017] One solution is to restrict the timing of shipments. Specifically, as shown in the lower part of Figure 1, shipping days could be fixed to specific days of the week (for example, Tuesday and Thursday, or Wednesday and Friday) rather than every day. This method makes it possible to reduce the frequency of shipments (i.e., reduce the frequency of deliveries), which is expected to reduce delivery costs.

[0018] Next, we will explain from the perspective of "consolidation of shipping boxes." For example, as shown in the upper part of Figure 1, currently, a store uses a slip for each product to request shipping from the warehouse, but with this method, the products corresponding to each slip are packed separately before being shipped. For example, if there are three products to order, the store creates three slips and uses each slip to request shipping from the warehouse, and as a result, three shipping boxes in which the three products are packed separately are shipped from the warehouse. Since packing work and loading of the shipping boxes are done manually, the current method, which requires handling of products individually, is inefficient, and the increase in the number of shipping boxes increases delivery costs.

[0019] Therefore, as shown in the lower part of Figure 1, it is possible to consolidate multiple slips for each product into a single slip. With this method, for example, even if there are three products to order, one slip for the three products can be used, making it possible to realize consolidated shipping by packing the three products together in one shipping box and shipping them. Furthermore, consolidated shipping is expected to address labor shortages, improve delivery efficiency, and reduce delivery costs.

[0020] Combining the countermeasures explained from the perspective of "delivery frequency" (reducing shipping frequency) with the countermeasures explained from the perspective of "consolidating shipping boxes" (consolidated shipping) could potentially contribute greatly to resolving logistics issues. However, in light of the store's circumstances, there are cases where consolidated shipping with reduced shipping frequency is not appropriate and high-frequency shipping of only specific products (e.g., daily shipping) is required. For example, when demand for a specific product increases due to a disaster, or when a specific product is newly released, the store may have a need for the specific product to be shipped immediately, without waiting for a fixed day of the week.

[0021] Therefore, the inventor of the present invention has come up with an idea to ensure efficient logistics while also realizing convenience for the store by adopting the consolidated collection system described in Fig. 1. The idea is described in detail below as the proposed technology of the present invention. One embodiment of the proposed technology of the present invention is described below.

[0022] 2. Scope of the Invention Prior to describing the embodiment, a service user who can use the service realized by the present invention (hereinafter, may be referred to as an "aggregated service") will be described. Figure 2 is a diagram for explaining a service user suitable for receiving the aggregated service.

[0023] The aggregation service referred to here is a service that allows a user to request that multiple products ordered by the same user be shipped from a warehouse on a specific day of the week in an aggregated state (for example, packed into one shipping box). It is considered that those who can benefit from such an aggregation service are product sales businesses, i.e., stores, that request individual deliveries on the shortest possible date in response to individual daily orders. Therefore, the service users who use the aggregation service of the present invention are stores (shops).

[0024] For individual customers who visit a store to purchase goods or purchase goods from an online shop and then receive the goods shipped from a warehouse, there is no concept of placing an order and sending a shipping request to a warehouse when inventory is low, and it is considered that they would not benefit much from the aggregation service. Therefore, this invention does not target individual customers.

[0025] A specific example of a store will also be described. Although there are no limitations on the type, sales format, size, etc. of a store that can use the aggregation service, in this embodiment, the store will be described as a carrier shop (mobile phone shop). A carrier shop is made up of a directly managed shop that directly purchases and sells mobile terminals of a communication business operator called a carrier, and an agency (agency) that mediates sales. The agencies may form a hierarchical structure such as a primary agency that has the deepest relationship with the communication business operator, a secondary agency that purchases and sells mobile terminals from the primary agency, and a tertiary agency that purchases and sells mobile terminals from the secondary agency. Therefore, in this embodiment, the term "store SH" refers to any agency (i.e., an n-th agency) included in such a hierarchical structure.

[0026] On the other hand, the proposed technology according to the present invention can also be applied to directly managed shops, mass retailers of home electronics that handle mobile terminals, etc. Also, the proposed technology according to the present invention can be applied to any business that may need to place an order and send a shipping request to a warehouse when inventory is low.

[0027] [3. Functions of the proposed technology] 3 and 4 are diagrams for explaining an overview of functions provided by the consolidation service. These functions improve the convenience of stores in consolidating shipments.

[0028] First, Fig. 3 will be described. As shown in Fig. 3(a), the aggregation service includes a function that allows the user to set whether or not to request aggregated shipping on a store-by-store basis. Fig. 3(a) shows stores SH1 and SH2 as examples of stores SH. For example, suppose that store staff T at store SH1 wishes to request aggregated shipping. In this case, store staff T accesses a specific screen using the store terminal 10 at store SH1 and sets aggregated shipping to "ON" on that screen.

[0029] Also, suppose that the store clerk T of the store SH2 wants to request non-consolidation (individual shipping) without consolidating and shipping. In this case, the store clerk T accesses a specific screen using the store terminal 10 of the store SH and sets consolidated shipping to "OFF" on that screen.

[0030] FIG. 3(b) will now be described. For example, a communications carrier M may develop multiple carrier brands (e.g., one main brand and the other sub-brands), and may group the stores SH under its control by these brands. Specifically, depending on the products handled by each store SH, each store SH may be grouped into either group G1 corresponding to products of the main brand, or group G2 corresponding to products of the sub-brand. Depending on such grouping, as shown in FIG. 3(b), the aggregation service includes a function that allows the user to set whether or not to request aggregated shipping on a group basis.

[0031] The telecommunications carrier M may have the authority to set whether or not to request consolidated shipping on a group basis. For example, suppose that the telecommunications carrier M wishes to control so that consolidated shipping is requested for all stores SH belonging to group G1 on a group G1 basis. In such a case, the telecommunications carrier M can access a specific screen using the carrier terminal 20, specify group G1 on that screen, and set consolidated shipping to "ON." If the store SH cannot agree to consolidated shipping being "ON" by the telecommunications carrier M, it can make a final setting by resetting consolidated shipping to "OFF."

[0032] Also, suppose that the communications carrier M wishes to control the group G2 unit so that all stores SH belonging to the group G2 are not consolidated and shipped together (individual shipping). In such a case, the communications carrier M can access a specific screen using the carrier terminal 20, specify the group G2 on that screen, and set consolidated shipping to "OFF." If the store SH cannot agree to the communications carrier M setting consolidated shipping to "OFF," it can make a final setting by resetting consolidated shipping to "ON."

[0033] Furthermore, setting information for each store SH as to whether or not to request consolidated shipping, and setting information for each group as to whether or not to request consolidated shipping, are managed as master information. As a result, for example, even if there is a store SH that is set not to request consolidated shipping, if the setting to request consolidated shipping is set for the group to which the store SH belongs, a configuration may be adopted in which the store SH is controlled as if it has requested consolidated shipping. On the other hand, if there is a store SH (affiliated store) that belongs to a group to which a setting to request consolidated shipping is set, a configuration may be adopted in which the store SH is controlled as if it has requested consolidated shipping.

[0034] Next, we will explain Figure 4. As shown in Figure 4(a), the aggregation service includes a function that allows you to set a shipping date pattern (shipping date pattern) for each store. The shipping date pattern here is information that summarizes whether or not to execute consolidated shipping for each day of the week.

[0035] FIG. 4(a) shows stores SH1 and SH2 as examples of stores SH. For example, store clerk T of store SH1 wants to execute consolidated shipping on Tuesday / Thursday. In this case, store clerk T accesses a specific screen using the store terminal 10 of store SH1 and selects, from among the candidate shipping date patterns, one in which Tuesday / Thursday is set as the execution date of consolidated shipping as the desired shipping date pattern. Also, store clerk T of store SH2 wants to execute consolidated shipping on Wednesday / Friday. In this case, store clerk T accesses a specific screen using the store terminal 10 of store SH2 and selects, from among the candidate shipping date patterns, one in which Wednesday / Friday is set as the execution date of consolidated shipping as the desired shipping date pattern. This function can be said to be a function that realizes consolidated shipping on a store-by-store basis.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 4(a), the aggregation service also includes a function that allows the store SH to delegate to a shipping date pattern set on a regional basis (for example, on a prefecture-by-prefecture basis) rather than setting a shipping date pattern. For example, store staff T of store SH1, since the store belongs to the Hokkaido region, wants to include products of the store in deliveries to the Hokkaido region and execute aggregated shipping on the 2nd of Tuesday and Thursday. In this case, the store staff T accesses a specific screen using the store terminal 10 of store SH1 and selects a regional code indicating the Hokkaido region. In addition, store staff T of store SH2, since the store belongs to the Kanagawa region, wants to include products of the store in deliveries to the Kanagawa region and execute aggregated shipping on the 2nd of Wednesday and Friday. In this case, the store staff T accesses a specific screen using the store terminal 10 of store SH2 and selects a regional code indicating the Kanagawa region. This function can be said to be a function that realizes aggregated shipping on a regional basis.

[0037] The area code may not be selected by the store SH, but may be automatically set based on the location of the store SH, and as a result, master information in which the store SH information and the area code are associated may be prepared. By referring to such master, for example, for a store SH that has not selected a desired shipping date pattern, it becomes possible to use a shipping date pattern determined for the area to which the store SH belongs, based on the area code corresponding to the store SH.

[0038] FIG. 4(b) will now be described. The aggregation service includes a function of providing a UI that allows a desired delivery date to be selected from possible delivery dates of the ordered product. The UI may be, for example, a screen controlled to allow a desired delivery date to be selected from possible delivery dates that are displayed highlighted among the dates and days of the week on a calendar. For example, if store staff T of store SH wishes to have the product delivered on January 15th and January 25th out of possible delivery dates of January 15th, January 20th, and January 25th, he or she can simply select these dates from the calendar. In this way, since the desired delivery date is selected from possible delivery dates, the possible delivery dates can also be called candidate delivery dates.

[0039] FIG. 4(c) will be explained. The consolidation service includes a function that enables a special setting to temporarily cancel consolidated shipping and temporarily use normal shipping for a store SH that has requested consolidated shipping. For example, if a store employee T of store SH1 is concerned about a shortage of a product and wants the out-of-stock product to be shipped immediately without waiting for the day that consolidated shipping is to be performed, he or she can access a specific screen using the store terminal 10 of store SH1 and set the special setting to "ON." Note that normal shipping is a shipping form in which the target product is not included in the consolidation and is delivered individually so that it arrives at the earliest possible date.

[0040] [4. System Configuration] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an information processing system 1 according to an embodiment. FIG. 5 shows, as an example of the information processing system according to an embodiment, a system including an agency and a directly managed store formed in an n-th hierarchical structure as stores SH under a certain telecommunications carrier M. Information processing according to the embodiment (i.e., the proposed technology of the present invention) is realized in the information processing system 1. As shown in FIG. 5, the information processing system 1 may include a store terminal 10, a business operator terminal 20, a warehouse terminal 30, and an information processing device 100.

[0041] The store terminal 10 is an example of an information processing terminal used by a store staff member T of a store SH. In Fig. 5, as examples of stores SH, a primary agency SH1, secondary agencies SH21 and SH22 subordinate to the primary agency SH1, tertiary agencies SH31 and SH32 subordinate to the secondary agency SH21, tertiary agencies SH33 and SH34 subordinate to the secondary agency SH22, etc. are shown, and it is also shown that the store staff member T of each agency can operate the store terminal 10 of his / her own store SH.

[0042] FIG. 5 also shows directly managed stores SH10, SH11, SH12, etc. as examples of stores SH, and also shows how a store staff member T of each directly managed store can operate the store terminal 10 of his / her own store SH.

[0043] The store terminal 10 may be a smartphone, a wearable device, a tablet terminal, a notebook PC (Personal Computer), a desktop PC, a mobile phone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), or the like. A predetermined application for accessing the information processing device 100 may be installed in the store terminal 10. The predetermined application may be a dedicated application prepared in accordance with the proposed technology of the present invention, or may be a general-purpose application such as a browser.

[0044] The operator terminal 20 is an example of an information processing terminal used by the telecommunications operator M. The operator terminal 20 may be a smartphone, a wearable device, a tablet terminal, a notebook PC, a desktop PC, a mobile phone, a PDA, or the like. A predetermined application for accessing the information processing device 100 may be installed in the operator terminal 20. The predetermined application may be a dedicated application prepared in accordance with the proposed technology of the present invention, or may be a general-purpose application such as a browser.

[0045] The warehouse terminal 30 is an example of an information processing terminal used by workers of the warehouse W from which the goods are shipped. The warehouse terminal 30 may be a smartphone, a wearable device, a tablet terminal, a notebook PC, a desktop PC, a mobile phone, a PDA, or the like. A predetermined application for accessing the information processing device 100 may be installed in the warehouse terminal 30. The predetermined application may be a dedicated application prepared in accordance with the proposed technology of the present invention, or a general-purpose application such as a browser. The warehouse terminal 30 can transmit inventory data, etc. to the information processing device 100.

[0046] The information processing device 100 is a central device that performs information processing according to the embodiment, and may be implemented as a cloud server device. As will be described later, the information processing system 1 further includes an OMS (order management system) and a warehouse management system (WMS).

[0047] 5. Overview of proposed technology An overview of information processing according to the embodiment will be described with reference to a more specific example of the information processing system 1 in Fig. 6. As shown in Fig. 6, the information processing system 1 includes an OMS and a WMS, and an information processing device 100 corresponding to an aggregation system that provides an aggregation service may be implemented between the OMS and the WMS that are in a mutually linked relationship. As shown in Fig. 6, the OMS and the WMS may be used by a communications carrier M that is between a store SH and a warehouse W and issues a shipping instruction to the warehouse W in response to an order from the store SH.

[0048] The OMS is configured to enable "order management," "inventory management," "shipment management," "document management," "product management," "sales management," and the like.

[0049] The WMS is configured to be able to realize "inventory management," "allocation management," "document management," "inventory management," "warehouse entry management," "warehouse delivery management," etc. The WMS is linked to a database in which inventory information for each warehouse W is managed, and can obtain inventory information from there. Warehouses W1, W2, W3, etc. are shown in Figure 6, and the WMS can obtain inventory information for each of these warehouses W.

[0050] From here, the information processing when possible delivery dates are provided to store SH1 will be explained. For example, when the information processing device 100 receives a request for consolidated shipping (consolidated shipping set to "ON") from store SH1, it identifies a shipping date pattern (for example, Tuesday / Thursday) based on master information related to consolidated shipping. The master information related to consolidated shipping will be described later. Furthermore, the information processing device 100 presents to store SH1 possible delivery dates on which the target products subject to consolidated shipping can be delivered based on the shipping date pattern.

[0051] For example, if a store clerk T of store SH1 sends an order request for each product, the order request information is managed by the OMS. As a result, the communication carrier M can check the order and inventory of the product corresponding to the order request by accessing the OMS with the carrier terminal 20. For example, the communication carrier M can check information for each ordered product, such as when it will be shipped from which warehouse W and when it can be delivered.

[0052] In this way, based on information for each ordered item managed by cooperation between the OMS and the WMS and the shipping date pattern identified for the store SH1, the information processing device 100 estimates the possible delivery date for the ordered items (target items subject to consolidated shipping) to be delivered to the store SH1 if they are consolidated and shipped. Then, the information processing device 100 presents to the store SH1 a shipping destination warehouse W from among warehouses W1, W2, W3, etc., that can consolidate and ship the ordered items, and the possible delivery date. For example, the information processing device 100 may present the desired delivery date selectable from the possible delivery dates.

[0053] In this state, it is assumed that the store SH1 confirms the order for the product by selecting a desired delivery date. In this case, the information processing device 100 notifies the communication carrier M of information on the desired delivery date. For example, the information processing device 100 notifies the communication carrier M of information on the desired delivery date via the OMS.

[0054] When the communication carrier M confirms the information on the desired delivery date, it issues a consolidated shipment instruction to the shipping destination warehouse W. The consolidated collection instruction may be transmitted from the carrier terminal 20 to the warehouse terminal 30 via the WMS.

[0055] 6. Configuration of Information Processing Device The information processing device 100 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the information processing device 100 according to the embodiment. As shown in Fig. 7, the information processing device 100 has a communication unit 110, a storage unit 120, and a control unit 130.

[0056] (Communication unit 110) The communication unit 110 is realized by, for example, a network interface card (NIC), etc. For example, the communication unit 110 transmits and receives information to and from the store terminal 10, the business operator terminal 20, and the warehouse terminal 30.

[0057] (Storage unit 120) The storage unit 120 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory element such as a random access memory (RAM) or a flash memory, or a storage device such as a hard disk or an optical disk. The storage unit 120 may store, for example, data and programs related to the information processing according to the embodiment.

[0058] 7, the storage unit 120 has a store hierarchy master 121, a shipping date pattern candidate master 122, a store-specific shipping date pattern master 123, a region-specific pattern master 124, and a store-specific region master 125. Although not shown in FIG. 7, the storage unit 120 may further have a database that stores product information in response to product orders.

[0059] (Control unit 130) The control unit 130 is realized by a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), or the like, executing various programs (for example, the information processing program according to the embodiment) stored in a storage device inside the information processing device 100 using a RAM as a working area. The control unit 130 is also realized by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

[0060] As shown in Fig. 7, the control unit 130 has a reception unit 131, a request control unit 132, a determination unit 133, an identification unit 134, an estimation unit 135, a presentation unit 136, and a shipment control unit 137, and realizes or executes the functions and actions of information processing described below. Note that the internal configuration of the control unit 130 is not limited to the configuration shown in Fig. 7, and may be other configurations as long as they perform the information processing described below. Also, the connection relationship between the processing units of the control unit 130 is not limited to the connection relationship shown in Fig. 7, and may be other connection relationships.

[0061] (Reception Department 131) The reception unit 131 receives a setting for each store SH as to whether or not to request consolidated shipping. The reception unit 131 also receives a setting for identifying a shipping date pattern from a target store SHn, which is a store SH that has requested consolidated shipping.

[0062] For example, the reception unit 131 receives settings from the target store SHn to select a desired shipping date pattern from among candidate shipping date patterns based on the shipping date pattern candidate master 122. Then, the reception unit 131 registers information linking the desired shipping date pattern selected by the target store SHn for each target store SHn as the store-specific shipping date pattern master 123 among the master information.

[0063] The reception unit 131 may also receive other information. For example, the reception unit 131 may receive an order request for ordering a product from the store SH.

[0064] (Request control unit 132) The request control unit 132 collectively controls the setting of whether or not to request consolidated shipping for each predetermined group to which the stores SH belong. For example, the request control unit 132 collectively controls the setting of whether or not to request consolidated shipping for each predetermined group to which the stores SH belong, in response to an instruction from a predetermined business operator (e.g., communication business operator M) that manages the stores SH. Furthermore, the reception unit 131 may receive the final setting of whether or not to request consolidated shipping for each store SH, depending on the content of the control.

[0065] (Judgment unit 133) The determination unit 133 performs a determination process in the information processing according to the embodiment. For example, the determination unit 133 performs a selection determination to determine whether or not the target store SHn has set a desired shipping date pattern based on the store-specific shipping date pattern master 123.

[0066] (Specific Section 134) The identification unit 134 identifies a shipping date pattern, which is a pattern of days on which consolidated shipping is performed, based on master information related to consolidated shipping, in which products are consolidated and shipped. For example, the identification unit 134 identifies a shipping date pattern corresponding to each target store SHn based on the result of the selection determination. For example, if a shipping date set store SHnx that has been set to select a desired shipping date pattern is present among the target stores SHn, the identification unit 134 identifies the desired shipping date pattern selected by the shipping date set store SHnx as the shipping date pattern corresponding to the shipping date set store SHnx.

[0067] When there is a store SHny for which a desired shipping date pattern has not been selected, the identifying unit 134 identifies a shipping date pattern corresponding to the store SHny for which a shipping date has not been set, based on the region to which the store SHny for which a shipping date has not been set belongs among the predetermined regions, and the region-specific pattern master 124. For example, the determining unit 133 performs a registration determination for each store SHny for which a shipping date has not been set, in which the determining unit 133 determines whether or not the region to which the store SHny for which a shipping date has not been set belongs is registered in the region-specific pattern master 124. Then, the identifying unit 134 identifies a shipping date pattern corresponding to the store SHny for which a shipping date has not been set, based on the result of the registration determination and the region-specific pattern master 124.

[0068] Here, when a region-registered store SHnyz1, whose region is registered in the region-specific pattern master 124, is present among the stores SHny for which a shipping date has not been set, the identifying unit 134 identifies a shipping date pattern corresponding to the region-registered store SHnyz1 based on the region to which the region-registered store SHnyz1 belongs and the shipping date pattern registered in the region-specific pattern master 124. On the other hand, when a region-unregistered store SHnyz2, whose region is not registered in the region-specific pattern master 124, is present among the stores SHny for which a shipping date has not been set, the identifying unit 134 does not identify a shipping date pattern corresponding to the region-unregistered store SHnyz2, and excludes it from the stores SH for which consolidated shipping has been requested. In other words, the identifying unit 134 excludes the region-unregistered store SHnyz2 from the targets of consolidated shipping.

[0069] (Estimation part 135) The estimation unit 135 estimates, based on the shipping date pattern identified by the identification unit 134, a delivery date on which the product can be delivered to the target store SHn for which the shipping date pattern has been identified.

[0070] For example, assume that the receiving unit 131 receives an order request for ordering products from a target store SHn for which a shipping date pattern has been identified. In this case, the estimation unit 135 estimates a delivery date when the ordered products (target products subject to consolidated shipping) for each order request can be delivered to the target store SHn when they are consolidated and shipped, based on the shipping date pattern corresponding to the target store SHn for which the order request was made and information on the ordered products managed between the OMS and the WMS (e.g., inventory information for each warehouse W).

[0071] (Presentation part 136) The presentation unit 136 presents the possible delivery date on which the target products to be consolidated and shipped can be delivered to the store SH that handles the target products, based on the shipping date pattern. Specifically, the presentation unit 136 presents the possible delivery date estimated by the estimation unit 135 to the target store SHn. For example, the presentation unit 136 may present to the target store SHn a state in which a desired delivery date can be selected from the possible delivery dates. For example, the presentation unit 136 may present to the target store SHn a shipping destination warehouse W that can consolidated and ship the ordered products, and the possible delivery date. The estimation unit 135 can also estimate the shipping destination warehouse W based on information managed by the OMS and the WMS.

[0072] The reception unit 131 may receive a setting to cancel consolidated shipping from the target store SHn that has requested consolidated shipping as a special setting (a special setting to temporarily cancel consolidated shipping and temporarily switch to normal shipping). In this case, the estimation unit 135 estimates the earliest possible delivery date by which the ordered items can be delivered at the earliest for each ordered item corresponding to the order request received from the target store SHn for which the special setting has been made.

[0073] (Shipping Control Unit 137) When a product order is confirmed by receiving a setting from the target store SHn to select a desired delivery date from among available delivery dates, the shipping control unit 137 notifies the shipping destination warehouse W of information on the desired delivery date, and instructs the shipping destination warehouse W to start preparing for consolidated shipping. Note that a configuration may be adopted in which the instruction for consolidated collection is transmitted from the business operator terminal 20 to the warehouse terminal 30 via the WMS.

[0074] 7. Processing Procedure Each processing unit and the master information explained in Fig. 7 will be explained in more detail in a specific processing procedure. Below, a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the information processing device 100 and a drawing showing the contents of the master information will be used. In the following explanation, the store SH is assumed to be an agency (agency) included in a hierarchical structure as a sales form of a mobile terminal.

[0075] (7-1. Request for consolidated shipping) 8 is a flowchart showing the procedure of information processing related to a request for consolidated shipping. First, the reception unit 131 judges whether the request control unit 132 has executed a process of controlling the setting of whether to request consolidated shipping (consolidation / non-consolidation setting) in units of a predetermined group (for example, a group corresponding to a type of carrier brand) to which the store SH belongs (step S801).

[0076] In a state where the process of controlling the aggregated / non-aggregated settings by a predetermined group unit is not being performed (step S801; No), the reception unit 131 determines whether or not a setting for requesting aggregated shipping has been received from the store SH (step S802). Note that the information processing device 100 may have setting information for each group, as to whether or not to request aggregated shipping, as master information (not shown).

[0077] While the reception unit 131 has not received a setting of whether or not to request consolidated shipping from the store SH (step S802; No), it waits until it receives a setting of whether or not to request consolidated shipping from the store SH. On the other hand, when the reception unit 131 receives a setting of whether or not to request consolidated shipping from the store SH (step S802; Yes), it registers the setting content of whether or not to request consolidated shipping in the store hierarchy master 121 (step S805).

[0078] Furthermore, in a state where the process of controlling the consolidated / non-consolidated settings collectively in a predetermined group unit has been performed (step S801; Yes), the presentation unit 136 presents the control content to the store SH (step S803). Using the example of FIG. 3(b), the presentation unit 136 may notify each store SH belonging to group G1 that a setting to request consolidated shipping (a setting of consolidated shipping "ON") has been made by the telecommunications carrier M, and therefore the store SH should make a final setting as to whether or not to agree to the request for consolidated shipping. Furthermore, the presentation unit 136 may notify each store SH belonging to group G2 that a setting not to request consolidated shipping (a setting of consolidated shipping "OFF") has been made by the telecommunications carrier M, and therefore the store SH should make a final setting as to whether or not to agree to not request consolidated shipping (i.e., not consolidated).

[0079] Therefore, the reception unit 131 judges whether or not the final setting as to whether or not to request consolidated shipping has been received from the store SH (step S804).

[0080] While the reception unit 131 has not received the final setting of whether or not to request consolidated shipping from the store SH (step S804; No), it waits until the final setting of whether or not to request consolidated shipping is received from the store SH. On the other hand, when the reception unit 131 receives the final setting of whether or not to request consolidated shipping from the store SH (step S804; Yes), it registers the setting content, which indicates whether or not to request consolidated shipping, in the store hierarchy master 121 (step S805).

[0081] Fig. 9 shows an example of the store hierarchy master 121. In the example of Fig. 9, the store hierarchy master 121 has items such as "store code", "store name", "upper hierarchy store code", "hierarchy number", and "aggregated shipment flag".

[0082] "Store code" is information for identifying a store SH. "Store name" indicates the name of the store SH. "Upper level store code" is information for identifying a store SH that is directly above the store SH in the hierarchical structure. "Level number" indicates the level number of the store SH in the hierarchical structure.

[0083] The "consolidated shipping flag" is information that indicates whether store SH has set the setting to request consolidated shipping or not. For example, FIG. 9 shows an example in which store code "SH×2", store name "SH2", upper hierarchical store code "SH×1", hierarchical number "2", and consolidated shipping flag "ON" are associated. This example shows that secondary agent store SH2 has set the setting to request consolidated shipping (consolidated shipping "ON").

[0084] The combination of "store code", "store name", "upper hierarchical store code", and "hierarchical number" is information indicating a hierarchical structure, and the information indicating the hierarchical structure can be registered using an agency hierarchy details registration screen (not shown). For example, when a store SH wishes to newly enter a specific hierarchy (n-th hierarchy), the store SH can newly register "store code", "store name", "upper hierarchical store code", and "hierarchical number" using the agency hierarchy details registration screen.

[0085] The information displayed on the agency hierarchy detail registration screen may be controlled by the information processing device 100. For example, the information processing device 100 may refer to the store hierarchy master 121, and when there is no higher hierarchy than the store SH to be newly registered (for example, when the store SH to be newly registered is a primary agency SH1), display on the agency hierarchy detail registration screen that consolidated shipping is currently set to "OFF." In this state, the store SH can also be switched to consolidated shipping "ON" on the agency hierarchy detail registration screen. In response to the switch, the information on the consolidated shipping flag is updated.

[0086] On the other hand, the information processing device 100 may refer to the store hierarchy master 121, and if there is a higher hierarchy than the store SH to be newly registered, the information processing device 100 may display the consolidated shipping settings of the store SH in the directly higher hierarchy on the agency hierarchy detail registration screen.

[0087] For example, when the store SH to be newly registered is the secondary agent SH2, the information processing device 100 refers to the store hierarchy master 121 and determines whether the primary agent SH1, which is a higher level than the secondary agent SH2, has set consolidated shipping to "ON" or consolidated shipping to "OFF". When the primary agent SH1 has set consolidated shipping to "ON", the information processing device 100 may display on the agency hierarchy detail registration screen that consolidated shipping is currently set to "ON". In this state, the secondary agent SH2 may also switch consolidated shipping to "OFF" on the agency hierarchy detail registration screen. On the other hand, when the primary agent SH1 has set consolidated shipping to "OFF", the information processing device 100 may display on the agency hierarchy detail registration screen that consolidated shipping is currently set to "OFF". In this state, the secondary agent SH2 may also switch consolidated shipping to "ON" on the agency hierarchy detail registration screen. In response to the switch, the information on the consolidated shipping flag is updated.

[0088] Furthermore, the information processing device 100 can refer to the store hierarchy master 121 and distinguish between target stores that have requested consolidated shipping and non-target stores that have not requested consolidated shipping, among the registered stores SH.

[0089] The request control unit 132 refers to the store hierarchy master 121, and if there is a non-target store among the stores SH that is set as not consolidated and does not request consolidated shipping, then refers to setting information (master information) for each group as to whether consolidated shipping is requested. If a setting is set to request consolidated shipping for the group to which the non-target store belongs, the request control unit 132 may control the non-target store as having requested consolidated shipping. As a result, the identification unit 134 may recognize the non-target store as a target store SHn that has requested consolidated shipping, and identify the shipping date pattern using a method described later.

[0090] As another example, the request control unit 132 may refer to the setting information (master information) for each group on whether or not to request consolidated shipping, and if there is a store among the stores SH that belongs to a group that is set to perform consolidated shipping, the store may be controlled as having requested consolidated shipping. As a result, the identification unit 134 may recognize the store as a target store SHn that has requested consolidated shipping, and identify the shipping date pattern by a method described later.

[0091] (7-2. Selection of shipping date pattern (store selection)) Fig. 10 is a flowchart (1) showing the procedure of information processing related to the selection of a shipping date pattern. Fig. 10 shows the information processing procedure when a shipping date pattern is individually selected for a target store SHn, which is a store SH that has requested consolidated shipping.

[0092] First, the presentation unit 136 refers to the shipping date pattern candidate master 122 and presents information based on the shipping date pattern candidate master 122 to the target store SHn (step S1001).

[0093] 11 shows an example of the shipping date pattern candidate master 122. The shipping date pattern candidate master 122 may be generated in advance by, for example, the telecommunications carrier M. A "shipping date pattern" is information that summarizes whether consolidated shipping is to be performed for each day of the week, and each "shipping date pattern" is distinguished by a "shipping date pattern ID." Also, a "shipping date pattern" is defined by associating "TRUE" with the day of the week on which consolidated shipping is to be performed, and "FALSE" with the day of the week on which consolidated shipping is not to be performed.

[0094] Figure 11 shows an example in which the "shipping date pattern" (shipping date pattern PT1) identified by the shipping date pattern ID "PT1" is defined as the following combinations: Monday "FALSE", Tuesday "TRUE", Wednesday "FALSE", Thursday "TRUE", Friday "FALSE", Saturday "FALSE", and Sunday "FALSE".

[0095] In addition, in the example of Figure 11, the desired shipping date pattern is selected from shipping date pattern PT1, shipping date pattern PT2, shipping date pattern PT3, shipping date pattern PT4, or the default pattern, so these five shipping date patterns can be considered candidate shipping date patterns.

[0096] 10, in step S1001, the presentation unit 136 may present a list that visualizes the shipping date pattern candidate master 122 as information based on the shipping date pattern candidate master 122. As a result, the reception unit 131 may allow the target store SHn to select a shipping date pattern ID that identifies a desired shipping date pattern from among the shipping date pattern candidates.

[0097] Then, the reception unit 131 determines whether or not a setting to select a desired shipping date pattern from among the shipping date pattern candidates (select a shipping date pattern ID that identifies the desired shipping date pattern) has been received from the target store SHn (step S1002).

[0098] While the reception unit 131 has not received a setting to select a desired shipping date pattern from among the shipping date pattern candidates from the target store SHn (step S1002; No), it waits until it receives a setting to select a desired shipping date pattern from among the shipping date pattern candidates from the target store SHn.

[0099] On the other hand, when the reception unit 131 receives a setting from the target store SHn to select a desired shipping date pattern from among the candidate shipping date patterns (step S1002; Yes), the reception unit 131 registers information linking the store code of the target store SHn that selected the desired shipping date pattern with the selected shipping date pattern as the store-specific shipping date pattern master 123 (step S1003).

[0100] FIG. 12 shows an example of the store-specific shipping date pattern master 123. In the example of FIG. 12, the store-specific shipping date pattern master 123 has items such as "store code," "store name," and "shipping date pattern ID." "Store code" is information that identifies the target store SHn that has selected a desired shipping date pattern from among the shipping date pattern candidates. "Store name" indicates the name of the target store SHn that has selected a desired shipping date pattern from among the shipping date pattern candidates. "Shipping date pattern ID" is information that identifies the selected desired shipping date pattern.

[0101] FIG. 12 shows an example in which store code "SH×4", store name "SH4", and shipping date pattern ID "PT1" are associated. This example shows an example in which store SH4, one of the target stores SHn, has made a setting to select shipping date pattern PT1 as the desired shipping date pattern from among five candidate shipping date patterns: shipping date pattern PT1, shipping date pattern PT2, shipping date pattern PT3, shipping date pattern PT4, and the default pattern. Also, the example in FIG. 12 shows an example in which stores SH4 and SH5, one of the target stores SHn, have made a setting to select the desired shipping date pattern.

[0102] (7-3. Selecting a shipping date pattern (depending on the shipping date pattern set by region)) Fig. 13 is a flow chart (2) showing the procedure of information processing related to the selection of a shipping date pattern. The store SH can also delegate to a shipping date pattern that is preset on a regional basis (e.g., prefecture-by-prefecture basis) instead of selecting a desired shipping date pattern. Fig. 13 shows the information processing procedure when delegating to a shipping date pattern that is preselected on a regional basis.

[0103] First, the presentation unit 136 refers to the area-specific pattern master 124, and presents information corresponding to the area-specific pattern master 124 to the target store SHn (step S1301).

[0104] An example of the region-specific pattern master 124 is shown in Fig. 14. In the example of Fig. 14, the region-specific pattern master 124 has items such as "region", "region code", and "shipping date pattern ID". In the example of Fig. 14, the "region" indicates a prefecture, but it may be a region other than a prefecture. For example, the "region" may be a broader region such as "Hokkaido", "Tohoku", "Northern Kanto", "Kanto", "Hokuriku", "Tokai", "Kinki", etc.

[0105] The "area code" is information for identifying the "area." The "shipping date pattern ID" corresponds to the "shipping date pattern ID" in the shipping date pattern candidate master 122 (FIG. 11), and may be, for example, a preselection from the shipping date pattern candidate master 122 by the representative of the corresponding "area." For example, FIG. 14 shows an example in which the area "Tokyo," the area code "13," and the shipping date pattern ID "PT1" are associated. In this example, "Tokyo" identified by the area code "13" (the representative of Tokyo) has registered, for example, that consolidated shipments to the store SH located in Tokyo are to be made according to the shipping date pattern PT1 (fixed to Tuesday / Thursday). The area-specific pattern master 124 may be registered by the telecommunications carrier M, not by the representative of each area.

[0106] 13, in step S1301, the presentation unit 136 may present a list in which combinations of "area" and "area code" are visualized as information corresponding to the area-specific pattern master 124. As a result, the reception unit 131 may receive a setting as to which area is to be left to the set shipping date pattern by having the user select an area code from the list.

[0107] Then, the reception unit 131 determines whether or not a setting for selecting any one of the area codes has been received from the target store SHn (step S1302).

[0108] While the reception unit 131 has not received a setting for selecting any one of the area codes from the target store SHn (step S1302; No), the reception unit 131 waits until a setting for selecting any one of the area codes is received from the target store SHn.

[0109] On the other hand, when the reception unit 131 receives a setting to select one of the area codes from the target store SHn (step S1302; Yes), it registers information linking the store code of the target store SHn that selected the area code with the selected area code as the store-specific area master 125 (step S1303).

[0110] FIG. 15 shows an example of the store-specific area master 125. In the example of FIG. 15, the store-specific area master 125 has items such as "store code," "store name," and "area code." "Store code" is information that identifies a target store SHn that has selected one of the area codes among the target stores SHn. "Store name" indicates the name of a target store SHn that has selected one of the area codes. "Area code" is information that identifies the selected area code.

[0111] 15 shows an example in which a store code "SH×1", a store name "SH1", and a region code "13" are associated with each other. This example shows a case in which store SH1, one of target stores SHn, selects the region code "13" to include products from its own store in consolidated shipments to the Tokyo region.

[0112] The above explanations are given separately for the case where the reception unit 131 receives from the target store SHn a setting for selecting a desired shipping date pattern in accordance with the function for realizing consolidated shipping on a store basis, and the case where the reception unit 131 receives from the target store SHn a setting for selecting a regional code in accordance with the function for realizing consolidated shipping on a regional basis.

[0113] However, the presentation unit 136 may present both information based on the shipping date pattern candidate master 122 and information corresponding to the area-specific pattern master 124 to the target store SHn, and the reception unit 131 may receive settings from the target store SHn to select at least one of the desired shipping date pattern or a specific area. With this configuration, the store SH may select both the desired shipping date pattern and the area code, or may select only either the desired shipping date pattern or the area code. For example, in the examples of Figures 12 and 15, stores SH4 and SH5 select the desired shipping date pattern and also select the area code. However, when both the desired shipping date pattern and the area code are selected in this way, a process is executed in which the desired shipping date pattern is given priority.

[0114] 13, a process of accepting a setting to select one of the area codes from the target store SHn and registering the information in the store-specific area master 125 has been described. However, the process of accepting a setting to select one of the area codes from the target store SHn does not necessarily have to be executed. For example, the information processing device 100 may link the store code of the target store SHn with an area code indicating the area to which the target store SH belongs, and register this linking information in the store-specific area master 125. The information processing procedure described below corresponds to a pattern in which the linking between the target store SHn and the area code is dynamically performed on the information processing device 100 side.

[0115] (7-4. Identifying shipping date patterns based on selections) Fig. 16A is a flowchart (1) showing the procedure of information processing related to the specification of a shipping date pattern. Fig. 16(A) shows the information processing procedure when the final shipping date pattern is specified based on whether or not the desired shipping date pattern is selected.

[0116] First, the determination unit 133 determines whether or not the consolidated shipping function itself is set to ON (step S1601). The consolidated shipping function is a function that controls the original information on whether consolidated shipping is permitted or not, and the authority to switch the consolidated shipping function itself ON / OFF may be held by, for example, the communication carrier M. For example, even if the store SH has requested consolidated shipping, if the consolidated shipping function itself is set to OFF, consolidated shipping will not be performed.

[0117] Therefore, when the consolidated shipping function itself is not set to ON, that is, when the consolidated shipping function itself is set to OFF (step S1601; No), the determination unit 133 determines that all stores SH registered in the store hierarchy master 121 are not subject to consolidated shipping (step S1602). Then, the shipping control unit 137 sets the shipping mode of the stores SH determined to be not subject to consolidated shipping to normal shipping mode (step S1603).

[0118] If the consolidated shipping function itself is set to ON (step S1601; Yes), the judgment unit 133 refers to the store hierarchy master 121 and distinguishes between the target stores SHn that have requested consolidated shipping and the stores SH that have not requested consolidated shipping among the stores SH registered in the store hierarchy master 121 (step S1604), and proceeds to the next process A.

[0119] FIG. 16B is a flowchart (2) showing the procedure of information processing related to identification of a shipping date pattern.

[0120] The determining unit 133 determines whether or not a target store SHn exists based on the result of distinguishing between the target store SHn that has requested consolidated shipping and the stores SH that have not requested consolidated shipping (step S1605).

[0121] If there is no target store SHn (step S1605; No), the determination unit 133 determines that the stores SH that have not requested consolidated shipping are not targets for consolidated shipping (step S1606). Then, the shipping control unit 137 sets the shipping mode of the stores SH that have been determined to be not targets for consolidated shipping to normal shipping mode (step S1701). As described above, if a setting is made to request consolidated shipping for a group to which a store SH that has not requested consolidated shipping belongs, the request control unit 132 may control the stores SH that have not requested consolidated shipping (in other words, stores SH that have been set as not consolidated) as having requested consolidated shipping. Furthermore, the identification unit 134 may proceed to step S1607 to perform a process of identifying a shipping date pattern for the target store SHn controlled in this way.

[0122] As another example, the request control unit 132 may refer to the setting information (master information) for each group on whether or not to request consolidated shipping, and if there is a store in the store SH that belongs to a group that is set to perform consolidated shipping, control the store as having requested consolidated shipping. Also, the identification unit 134 may proceed to step S1607 to perform processing to identify a shipping date pattern for the target store SHn controlled in this way.

[0123] If the target store SHn exists (step S1605; Yes), the determination unit 133 refers to the store-specific shipping date pattern master 123 and determines whether or not a desired shipping date pattern has been selected for each target store SH (step S1607).

[0124] If the target store SHn has selected the desired shipping date pattern (step S1607; Yes), the identification unit 134 extracts the target store SH as a shipping date set store SHnx that has been set to select the desired shipping date pattern (step S1608).

[0125] Then, the identification unit 134 identifies the desired shipping date pattern selected by the shipping date set store SHnx as the target shipping date pattern to be used for estimating the possible delivery date (step S1609). Also, the shipping control unit 137 sets the shipping mode of the shipping date set store SHnx for which the shipping date pattern has been identified to the consolidated shipping mode (step S1702).

[0126] Here, a specific example of steps S1607 to S1609 will be described using an example of shipping date pattern candidate master 122 shown in Fig. 11 and an example of store-specific shipping date pattern master 123 shown in Fig. 12. Fig. 17 is a diagram (1) showing an example of a method for identifying a shipping date pattern.

[0127] In step S1607, the determination unit 133 can determine that, among the target stores SHn, stores SH4 and SH5, whose shipping date pattern IDs are registered, have set to select the desired shipping date pattern by referring to the store-specific shipping date pattern master 123. Specifically, store SH4 has set to select shipping date pattern PT1, and store SH5 has set to select shipping date pattern PT2.

[0128] Therefore, in step S1608, the identifying unit 134 extracts the store SH4 and the store SH5 as the stores SHnx for which a shipping date has been set.

[0129] In this state, in step S1609, the identification unit 134 uses the shipping date pattern ID as a key to identify the shipping date patterns corresponding to each of stores SH4 and SH5 depending on whether the store-specific shipping date pattern master 123 and the shipping date pattern candidate master 122 can be linked.

[0130] Specifically, the identification unit 134 can link the store-specific shipping date pattern master 123 with the shipping date pattern candidate master 122 using the shipping date pattern ID "PT1" as a key, and therefore identifies that when store SH4 orders products, the days on which consolidated shipping of the ordered products will be carried out are "Tuesday and Thursday."

[0131] In addition, the identification unit 134 can link the store-specific shipping date pattern master 123 with the shipping date pattern candidate master 122 using the shipping date pattern ID "PT2" as a key, and therefore identifies that when store SH5 orders products, the days on which consolidated shipping of the ordered products will be carried out are "Tuesday and Thursday."

[0132] Returning to FIG. 16, if the target store SHn has not selected the desired shipping date pattern (step S1607; No), the judgment unit 133 extracts, for each target store SHn that has not selected the desired shipping date pattern, i.e., for each store SHny for which a shipping date has not been set, a region code indicating the region to which the store SHny for which a shipping date has not been set belongs from the store-specific region master 125 (step S1610).

[0133] Then, the determining unit 133 determines whether or not the area code indicating the area to which the shipping date unset store SHny belongs is registered in the area-specific pattern master 124 (step S1611).

[0134] If the regional code indicating the region to which the store SHny for which a shipping date has not been set belongs is registered in the regional pattern master 124 (step S1611; Yes), the identification unit 134 extracts the store SHny for which a shipping date has not been set as a regional registration target store SHnyz1 for which the regional code is to be registered (step S1612).

[0135] The identifying unit 134 then identifies the shipping date pattern associated with the registered regional code as the target shipping date pattern to be used for estimating the possible delivery date (step S1613). The shipping control unit 137 also sets the shipping mode of the regionally registered store SHnyz1 for which the shipping date pattern has been identified to the consolidated shipping mode (step S1702).

[0136] Here, a specific example of steps S1610 to S1613 will be described using an example of shipping date pattern candidate master 122 shown in Fig. 11, an example of area pattern master 124 shown in Fig. 14, and an example of store area master 125 shown in Fig. 15. Fig. 18 is a diagram (2) showing an example of a method for identifying a shipping date pattern.

[0137] First, as a premise, according to the example of the store-specific shipping date pattern master 123 shown in FIG. 12, stores SH1, SH2, and SH3 for which no shipping date pattern ID is registered are target stores SHn that have not selected the desired shipping date pattern.

[0138] In this state, in step S1610, the determination unit 133 can extract area codes indicating the areas to which each of the stores SH1, SH2, and SH3 belongs by referring to the store-specific area master 125. Specifically, the determination unit 133 extracts area code "13" for store SH1, area code "14" for store SH2, and area code "15" for store SH3.

[0139] Therefore, in step S1611, the judgment unit 133 judges whether or not the regional codes indicating the regions to which each of the stores SH1, SH2, and SH3 belongs are registered in the regional pattern master 124, depending on whether or not the store-specific region master 125 and the regional pattern master 124 can be linked using the regional codes as a key.

[0140] Specifically, the judgment unit 133 can link the store-specific area master 125 and the area-specific pattern master 124 using the area code “13” as a key, and therefore determines that the area code indicating the area to which store SH1 belongs is registered in the area-specific pattern master 124.

[0141] In addition, since the judgment unit 133 can link the store-specific region master 125 and the region-specific pattern master 124 using the region code “14” as a key, it determines that the region code indicating the region to which store SH2 belongs is registered in the region-specific pattern master 124.

[0142] Therefore, in step S1612, the identification unit 134 extracts the store SH1 and the store SH2 as the regional registration target store SHnyz1. This example shows a state in which the store SH1 and the store SH2 do not select a desired shipping date pattern, and instead delegate the shipping date pattern to the consolidated shipping pattern for the region to which the store belongs.

[0143] Therefore, in step S1613, the identification unit 134 uses the shipping date pattern ID as a key to identify the shipping date patterns corresponding to each of stores SH1 and SH2 depending on whether the area-specific pattern master 124 and the shipping date pattern candidate master 122 can be linked.

[0144] Specifically, the identification unit 134 can link the regional pattern master 124 with the shipping date pattern candidate master 122 using the shipping date pattern ID "PT1" associated with the regional code "13" as a key, and therefore identifies that when store SH1 orders products, the days on which consolidated shipping of the ordered products will be carried out are "Tuesday and Thursday."

[0145] In addition, the identification unit 134 can link the regional pattern master 124 with the shipping date pattern candidate master 122 using the shipping date pattern ID "PT2" associated with the regional code "14" as a key, and therefore identifies that when store SH2 orders products, the days on which consolidated shipping of the ordered products will be carried out are "Wednesday and Thursday."

[0146] Returning to FIG. 16, if the regional code selected by the store SHny for which a shipping date has not been set is not registered in the regional pattern master 124 (step S1611; No), the identification unit 134 extracts the store SHny for which a shipping date has not been set as a regionally unregistered store SHnyz2 for which a regional code has not been registered (step S1614).

[0147] Then, the specification unit 134 determines that the unregistered store SHnyz2 is not a target for consolidated shipping (step S1615). Then, the shipping control unit 137 sets the shipping mode of the unregistered store SHnyz2 determined to be not a target for consolidated shipping to the normal shipping mode (step S1701).

[0148] A specific example of steps S1614 to S1615 will now be described with reference to Fig. 18. As described above, in step S1611, the determination unit 133 determines, using the area code as a key, whether or not area codes indicating the areas to which each of the store SH1, store SH2, and store SH3 belongs are registered in the area-specific pattern master 124. Since the area code indicating the area to which the store SH1 belongs and the area code indicating the area to which the store SH2 belongs are registered in the area-specific pattern master 124, the identification unit 134 extracts the store SH1 and the store SH2 as area registration target stores SHnyz1.

[0149] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 18, since it is not possible to link the store-specific area master 125 with the area-specific pattern master 124 using the area code “15” as a key, the determination unit 133 determines that the area code indicating the area to which store SH3 belongs is not registered in the area-specific pattern master 124.

[0150] Therefore, in step S1614, the identifying unit 134 extracts the store SH5 as a store SHnyz2 not registered in the area. Therefore, in step S1615, the identifying unit 134 determines that the store SH5 is not a target for consolidated shipping.

[0151] From here, the normal shipping mode and the consolidated shipping mode will be described. In the normal shipping mode, the reception unit 131 determines whether or not an order request for ordering each product has been received from a non-target store SH that is determined not to be subject to consolidated shipping. When an order request is received, the estimation unit 135 calculates, for each product, from which warehouse W and when the product will be shipped and delivered, based on information for each ordered product managed by cooperation between the OMS and the WMS. For example, the estimation unit 135 estimates the shortest possible delivery date, which is the date when the ordered product can be delivered in the shortest time by shipping from which warehouse W. Then, the presentation unit 136 presents the shortest possible delivery date for each ordered product to the non-target store SH. When the non-target store SH agrees to the shortest possible delivery date and confirms the order, the shipment control unit 137 notifies the shipping destination warehouse W of information on the shortest possible delivery date, thereby instructing the shipping destination warehouse W to prepare for consolidated shipping.

[0152] In the consolidated shipping mode, the reception unit 131 determines whether an order request for each product to order a product has been received from the consolidated shipping target store SHn. When an order request is received, the estimation unit 135 estimates a possible delivery date on which the ordered products can be delivered to the target store SHn and a shipping destination warehouse W when consolidated shipping is performed on a shipping date included in the shipping date pattern, based on information for each ordered product managed by cooperation between the OMS and the WMS and the shipping date pattern specified for the target store SHn. Then, the presentation unit 136 presents a desired delivery date from the possible delivery dates in a selectable state. When the target store SHn selects the desired delivery date and confirms the order, the shipping control unit 137 notifies the shipping destination warehouse W of the information on the desired delivery date, thereby instructing the shipping destination warehouse W to start preparations for consolidated shipping.

[0153] FIG. 19 shows an example of a UI that allows a desired delivery date to be selected from the possible delivery date. The presentation unit 136 can present a screen G as shown in FIG. 19 as a UI that allows a desired delivery date to be selected from the possible delivery date. The screen G is provided with a calendar function CL that is controlled so that a desired delivery date can be selected from the possible delivery dates that are displayed in highlight. According to the example of FIG. 19, for example, if a target store SHn desires delivery on January 15th and January 25th out of the possible delivery dates of January 15th, January 20th, and January 25th, then the target store SHn can select these dates using the calendar function CL.

[0154] Furthermore, a button BT1 is provided on the screen G. The button BT1 is activated when a desired delivery date is selected. When the button BT1 is pressed in this state, the reception unit 131 receives an instruction to confirm the order for the target product that is the target of consolidated shipping.

[0155] Furthermore, the screen G is provided with a button BT2 for requesting an exception setting, which cancels the consolidated shipping mode and switches to the normal shipping mode. That is, the button BT2 has a function of switching between the consolidated shipping mode and the normal shipping mode, and is set to "OFF" during the consolidated shipping mode, for example. For example, when the demand for a specific product increases due to the occurrence of a disaster, or when a specific product is newly released, the target store SHn may wish to be allowed to ship the product immediately before the desired delivery date as an exception. In such a case, the target store SHn can press the button BT2 to switch the normal shipping mode to "ON."

[0156] (7-5. Exceptional Measures) The information processing performed when the button BT2 is pressed and the normal shipping mode is set to "ON" as an exception will be described with reference to Fig. 20. Fig. 20 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the information processing performed in relation to the exception setting.

[0157] The reception unit 131 determines whether or not a special setting (button BT2 is ON) has been received from the target store SHn (step S2001). While the reception unit 131 has not received a special setting from the target store SHn (button BT2 is OFF) (step S2001; No), the reception unit 131 waits until the special setting is received from the target store SHn.

[0158] When the estimation unit 135 receives the special setting from the target store SHn (step S2001; Yes), the estimation unit 135 acquires product information of each order product ordered by the target store SHn that has made the special setting (step S2002).

[0159] Then, the estimation unit 135 calculates, for each ordered product, when the product will be shipped from which warehouse W and when it can be delivered (step S2003). For example, the estimation unit 135 estimates the earliest possible delivery date, ie, when the product will be shipped from which warehouse so that the ordered product can be delivered in the shortest time possible.

[0160] The presentation unit 136 presents the calculation result for each ordered item to the target store SHn for which the special setting has been made (step S2004). Specifically, the presentation unit 136 presents the shortest possible delivery date for each ordered item to the non-target store SH. The presentation unit 136 may present the desired delivery date in a state in which it is selectable from the shortest possible delivery dates. For example, the presentation unit 136 may present a screen G following the example of FIG. 19 even when presenting a desired delivery date in a state in which it is selectable from the shortest possible delivery dates. In this example, the screen G is provided with a calendar function CL controlled so that the desired delivery date can be selected from the shortest possible delivery dates that are highlighted.

[0161] When the target store SHn that has set the special exception agrees to the earliest possible delivery date and confirms the order, the shipping control unit 137 notifies the destination warehouse W of the information on the earliest possible delivery date, and instructs the destination warehouse W to begin preparations for consolidated shipping (step S2005).

[0162] 8. Other Embodiments The information processing device 100 may be implemented in a form different from the above embodiment. From here on, other embodiments that can be implemented in the information processing device 100 will be described.

[0163] In the above embodiment, the estimation unit 135 estimates the possible delivery date based on the shipping date pattern. However, it is not necessary to estimate the possible delivery date from the shipping date pattern. For example, the identification unit 134 may identify the day of the week indicated by the shipping date pattern as the possible delivery date and have the presentation unit 136 present this.

[0164] In the above embodiment, the information processing device 100 identifies a shipping date pattern at any timing, and when an order request for a product is received, presents a possible delivery date to the store that has made the order request based on the identified shipping date pattern. However, when an order request for a product is received, the information processing device 100 may identify a shipping date pattern corresponding to the store that has made the order request, and present a possible delivery date based on the identified shipping date pattern.

[0165] [9. Hardware Configuration] The information processing device 100 according to the embodiment may be realized, for example, by a computer 1000 having a configuration as shown in Fig. 21. Fig. 21 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example of a computer that realizes the functions of the information processing device 100 according to the embodiment. The computer 1000 has a CPU 1100, a RAM 1200, a ROM 1300, a HDD 1400, a communication interface (I / F) 1500, an input / output interface (I / F) 1600, and a media interface (I / F) 1700.

[0166] The CPU 1100 operates and controls each unit based on a program stored in the ROM 1300 or the HDD 1400. The ROM 1300 stores a boot program executed by the CPU 1100 when the computer 1000 is started up, programs that depend on the hardware of the computer 1000, and the like.

[0167] The HDD 1400 stores programs executed by the CPU 1100, data used by such programs, etc. The communication interface 1500 receives data from other devices via a predetermined communication network and sends it to the CPU 1100, and transmits data generated by the CPU 1100 to other devices via the predetermined communication network.

[0168] The CPU 1100 controls an output device such as a display and an input device such as a keyboard via the input / output interface 1600. The CPU 1100 acquires data from the input device via the input / output interface 1600. The CPU 1100 also outputs generated data to the output device via the input / output interface 1600.

[0169] The media interface 1700 reads a program or data stored in the recording medium 1800 and provides it to the CPU 1100 via the RAM 1200. The CPU 1100 loads the program from the recording medium 1800 onto the RAM 1200 via the media interface 1700 and executes the loaded program. The recording medium 1800 is, for example, an optical recording medium such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) or a PD (Phase change rewritable Disc), a magneto-optical recording medium such as an MO (Magneto-Optical disk), a tape medium, a magnetic recording medium, or a semiconductor memory.

[0170] For example, when the computer 1000 functions as the information processing device 100 according to the embodiment, the CPU 1100 of the computer 1000 executes programs loaded onto the RAM 1200 to realize the functions of the control unit 130. The CPU 1100 of the computer 1000 reads and executes these programs from the recording medium 1800, but as another example, the CPU 1100 may obtain these programs from another device via a predetermined communication network.

[0171] [10. Other] Furthermore, among the processes described in each of the above 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 a known method. In addition, the information including the processing procedures, specific names, various data and parameters shown in the above documents and drawings can be changed arbitrarily unless otherwise specified. For example, the various information shown in each drawing is not limited to the illustrated information.

[0172] In addition, each component of each device shown in the figure is a functional concept, and does not necessarily have to be physically configured as shown in the figure. In other words, the specific form of distribution and integration of each device is not limited to that shown in the figure, and all or part of them can be functionally or physically distributed and integrated in any unit according to various loads, usage conditions, etc.

[0173] Furthermore, the above-described embodiments can be appropriately combined as long as the processing contents are not contradictory.

[0174] Although some of the embodiments of the present application have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, these are merely examples, and the present invention can be implemented in other forms that incorporate various modifications and improvements based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art, including the aspects described in the present invention section.

[0175] The present technology can also be configured as follows. (1) an identification unit that identifies a pattern of a shipping date, which is a day on which consolidated shipping is performed, based on master information related to consolidated shipping in which products are consolidated and shipped; a presentation unit that, when receiving an order request for a product from a store, presents to the store a delivery date on which the product can be delivered to the store when the product is consolidated and shipped based on the shipping date pattern corresponding to the store; An information processing device comprising: (2) the identification unit refers to master information in which whether or not consolidated shipping is to be performed is set for each of the stores, and if there is a target store among the stores that is set to perform consolidated shipping, identifies the shipping date pattern corresponding to the target store based on the master information corresponding to the target store. The information processing device according to (1). (3) the identification unit refers to information set for each predetermined group to which the store belongs as to whether or not consolidated shipping will be performed, and if there is a store among the stores that belongs to a group set to perform consolidated shipping among the predetermined groups, the identification unit controls the store as a target store that is set to perform consolidated shipping, thereby identifying the shipping date pattern corresponding to the target store based on the master information corresponding to the target store. The information processing device according to (1) or (2). (4) the identification unit identifies the shipping date pattern based on a comparison result obtained by comparing master information, in which a shipping date pattern desired by each of the stores is defined for each of the stores, and master information, in which a shipping date pattern is defined for each of a predetermined region, with the information of the target store; The information processing device according to (2) or (3). (5) The identification unit, when the target store has set a desired shipping date pattern based on the collation result, identifies the shipping date pattern as the shipping date pattern corresponding to the target store; The presentation unit presents the available delivery date to the target store based on a pattern of desired shipping dates set by the target store. The information processing device according to (4). (6) The identification unit identifies a shipping date pattern corresponding to a region to which the target store belongs among the predetermined regions as the shipping date pattern corresponding to the target store based on the comparison result, The presentation unit presents the available delivery date to the target store based on a shipping date pattern corresponding to a region to which the target store belongs. The information processing device according to (4). (7) When the target store does not set a desired shipping date pattern based on the collation result, the identification unit identifies a shipping date pattern corresponding to a region to which the target store belongs as the shipping date pattern corresponding to the target store. The information processing device according to (6). (8) When the target store does not set a desired shipping date pattern and a shipping date pattern is not set for the region to which the target store belongs based on the collation result, the identification unit controls the target store as a non-target store that is set not to perform consolidated shipping. The information processing device according to (4). (9) The presentation unit presents a desired delivery date in a selectable state from the available delivery dates. The information processing device according to (1). (10) When a target store that is set to perform consolidated shipping performs a special setting to cancel consolidated shipping, the identification unit identifies the earliest possible delivery date by which the product can be delivered in the shortest time based on the inventory status of the product corresponding to the order request received from the target store, The presentation unit presents the shortest possible delivery date to the target store that has set the special exception. The information processing device according to (2) or (3). [Explanation of symbols]

[0176] 1. Information Processing Systems 10 Store terminal 20 Operator terminal 30 Warehouse Terminal 100 Information processing device 121 Store hierarchy master 122 Shipping Date Pattern Candidate Master 123 Store-specific shipping date pattern master 124 Regional Pattern Master 125 Store-specific regional master 130 Control section 131 Reception 132 Request Control Unit 133 Judgment section 134 Specific part 135 Estimation Department 136 Presentation section 137 Shipping Control Section

Claims

1. a specification unit which specifies a shipping date pattern, which is a day on which consolidated shipping will be performed, for each target store based on a result of comparing master information regarding consolidated shipping, which includes master information defining a shipping date pattern desired by each store and master information defining a shipping date pattern for each predetermined region, with information on a target store that is set to perform consolidated shipping among the stores; and a presentation unit that, when receiving an order request for a product from the target store, presents to the target store a delivery date on which the product can be delivered to the target store when the product is consolidated and shipped, based on the shipping date pattern corresponding to the target store; Equipped with The identification unit identifies the shipping date pattern corresponding to the target store based on a comparison result obtained by comparing master information, in which a shipping date pattern desired by each store is defined for each store, with information on the target store, and if the target store has set a desired shipping date pattern, identifies the shipping date pattern corresponding to the target store based on the shipping date pattern; the identification unit, based on a comparison result of comparing master information in which a shipping date pattern desired by each store is defined for that store with the information of the target store, compares the information of the target store with master information in which a shipping date pattern is defined for each of the specified regions, if the target store has not set a desired shipping date pattern, and, based on the comparison result, if a shipping date pattern is set for the region to which the target store belongs among the specified regions, identifies the shipping date pattern as the shipping date pattern corresponding to the target store; The presentation unit presents the possible delivery date to the target store based on the pattern of the shipping date identified for the target store. Information processing device.

2. the identification unit refers to master information in which whether or not consolidated shipping is to be performed is set for each of the stores, and determines, among the stores, a store that is set to perform consolidated shipping as the target store; The information processing device according to claim 1 .

3. the identification unit refers to information set for whether or not consolidated shipping is to be performed on a group basis to which the store belongs, and when a store that belongs to a group that is set to perform consolidated shipping among the predetermined group is present among the stores, the identification unit controls the store as the target store that is set to perform consolidated shipping. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

4. the identification unit, based on the result of comparing master information in which a shipping date pattern desired by each store is defined for each store with information on the target store, identifies the shipping date pattern as the shipping date pattern corresponding to the target store when the target store has set a desired shipping date pattern; The presentation unit presents the available delivery date to the target store based on a pattern of desired shipping dates set by the target store. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

5. When a shipping date pattern set for the region to which the target store belongs is identified as the shipping date pattern corresponding to the target store, the presentation unit presents the available delivery date to the target store based on the shipping date pattern set for the region to which the target store belongs. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

6. The identification unit, based on a comparison result between master information in which a shipping date pattern is defined for each of the predetermined regions and the information of the target store, controls the target store as a non-target store that is set not to perform consolidated shipping when a shipping date pattern is not set for the region to which the target store belongs. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

7. The presentation unit presents a desired delivery date in a selectable state from the possible delivery dates. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

8. When a target store that is set to perform consolidated shipping performs a special setting to cancel consolidated shipping, the identification unit identifies the earliest possible delivery date by which the product can be delivered in the shortest time based on the inventory status of the product corresponding to the order request received from the target store, The presentation unit presents the shortest possible delivery date to the target store that has set the special exception.

4. The information processing device according to claim 2 or 3.

9. An information processing method executed by an information processing device, a specifying step of specifying a shipping date pattern, which is a day on which consolidated shipping will be performed, for each target store based on a result of comparing master information regarding consolidated shipping, which defines a shipping date pattern desired by each store for each store and master information defining a shipping date pattern for each predetermined region, with information on a target store that is set to perform consolidated shipping among the stores; a presentation step of, when receiving an order request for a product from the target store, presenting to the target store a delivery date on which the product can be delivered to the target store when the product is consolidated and shipped based on the shipping date pattern corresponding to the target store; Including, The identifying step identifies the shipping date pattern corresponding to the target store based on a comparison result obtained by comparing master information, in which a shipping date pattern desired by each store is defined, with information on the target store, and if the target store has set a desired shipping date pattern, the shipping date pattern corresponding to the target store is identified based on the shipping date pattern; The identifying step includes: comparing master information, in which a shipping date pattern desired by each store is defined, with the information of the target store; if the target store has not set a desired shipping date pattern, comparing the information of the target store with master information, in which a shipping date pattern is defined for each of the specified regions; and, if a shipping date pattern is set for the region to which the target store belongs, identifying the shipping date pattern as the shipping date pattern corresponding to the target store, based on the comparison result; The presenting step presents the possible delivery date to the target store based on the pattern of the shipping date identified for the target store. Information processing methods.

10. a step of identifying a shipping date pattern, which is a day on which consolidated shipping will be performed, for each target store based on a result of comparing master information regarding consolidated shipping, which defines a shipping date pattern desired by each store and master information defining a shipping date pattern for each predetermined region, with information on a target store that is set to perform consolidated shipping among the stores; a presentation step of presenting to the target store, when an order request for a product is received from the target store, a delivery date on which the product can be delivered to the target store when the product is consolidated and shipped based on the shipping date pattern corresponding to the target store; on the computer, The identification step is based on a comparison result of master information in which a shipping date pattern desired by each store is defined, and information on the target store is compared, and if the target store has set a desired shipping date pattern, the shipping date pattern corresponding to the target store is identified based on the shipping date pattern; The identification step includes: comparing master information, in which a shipping date pattern desired by each store is defined, with information on the target store; if the target store has not set a desired shipping date pattern, comparing the information on the target store with master information, in which a shipping date pattern is defined for each of the specified regions; and, if a shipping date pattern is set for the region to which the target store belongs among the specified regions, identifying the shipping date pattern as the shipping date pattern corresponding to the target store; the presentation step presents the available delivery date to the target store based on the pattern of the shipping date identified for the target store; Information processing program.

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