Delivery method optimization system, delivery method optimization program, and delivery method optimization method

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide a novel technology for proposing a delivery method that optimizes delivery costs. [Solution] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a delivery method optimization system that optimizes delivery costs, the delivery method optimization system comprising a database, an acquisition unit, and a determination unit, the database stores delivery cost information relating to the costs involved in delivering goods, the acquisition unit acquires shipping information relating to shipments by shippers, and the determination unit determines a delivery method that optimizes delivery costs based on the shipping information and the delivery cost information.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a delivery method optimization system, a delivery method optimization program, and a delivery method optimization method. [Background technology]

[0002] The current situation surrounding the logistics environment is extremely unstable, and has been called a logistics crisis. In addition to the chronic shortage of drivers and loading and unloading workers due to the explosive increase in BtoC, the rise in crude oil prices due to decarbonization and the situation in Ukraine has directly affected transportation costs, dealing a huge blow to businesses in the transportation industry. One example of a system that solves such problems in the transportation industry is proposed in Patent Document 1, for example.

[0003] Patent document 1 discloses that the delivery planning server 112 of the delivery planning center 102 determines whether the geographical identifier included in the delivery request is included in one or more geographical identifiers to which the delivery company in the acquired delivery company information can deliver (first determination), determines whether the desired delivery time included in the delivery request is included in the vehicle schedule of the acquired delivery company (second determination), determines whether the parcel attributes included in the delivery request are included in the parcel attributes that the delivery company included in the delivery company information can deliver (third determination), and determines whether the ancillary services included in the delivery request are included in the ancillary services that the delivery company in the delivery company information can perform (fourth determination), and selects a delivery company for which each of the first determination to the fourth determination is positive as a candidate for delivering the parcel. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-201457 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The technology proposed in Patent Document 1 allows a delivery company to be selected based on whether the delivery company can handle the information included in the delivery request, but it does not allow the delivery company to be selected taking into account the delivery cost that the shipper requests the delivery company.

[0006] In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a novel technique for proposing a delivery method that optimizes delivery costs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides A delivery method optimization system for optimizing delivery costs, comprising: The delivery method optimization system includes a database, an acquisition unit, and a specification unit, The database stores delivery method information including a delivery cost for delivering the product; The acquisition unit acquires shipping information related to a shipment of a shipper, The specification unit specifies a delivery method that optimizes delivery costs based on the shipping information and the delivery method information.

[0008] With this configuration, the user can determine the delivery method that will optimize the delivery cost by using the delivery method information including the delivery cost and the shipper's shipping information.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, The delivery method information includes, for each delivery method, a product packing size of the product to be delivered and one or more delivery indicators corresponding to a delivery destination, The shipping information includes desired delivery terms for the delivery indicator, The specification unit specifies a delivery method that optimizes the delivery cost based on the desired delivery conditions, a product packing size of the product to be shipped, and the delivery index.

[0010] With this configuration, the user can use the desired delivery conditions of the delivery indicators in the delivery method and the delivery indicators in the shipping information to determine a delivery method that optimizes delivery costs in line with his or her wishes.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, The specification unit calculates a first evaluation value of the delivery method based on a first desired delivery condition for the delivery index, Calculating a second evaluation value of the delivery method for which the first evaluation value was calculated based on a second desired delivery condition for the delivery index; A delivery method that optimizes the delivery cost is identified based on the first evaluation value and the second evaluation value.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, The database further stores a proposal master in which one or more delivery groups to which the delivery method belongs are set, The identification unit calculates a first relative evaluation value of the delivery method using a relative evaluation of the delivery index based on a first desired delivery term with respect to the delivery index; Calculating a second relative evaluation value of the delivery method for which the first relative evaluation value was calculated, using a relative evaluation of the delivery index based on a second desired delivery term with respect to the delivery index; A delivery method that optimizes the delivery cost is identified based on the classification evaluation value for classifying the delivery methods, the first relative evaluation value, and the second relative evaluation value.

[0013] With this configuration, a delivery method that optimizes delivery costs can be identified using an evaluation value based on a first desired delivery condition for the delivery indicator and an evaluation value based on a second desired delivery condition for the delivery indicator, allowing the user to determine a delivery method that is more in line with the desired delivery conditions for their own delivery indicator.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, The delivery method optimization system further comprises a classification unit, The classification unit calculates the classification evaluation value based on the numerical value of the delivery index, The specification unit calculates the first relative evaluation value by using a relative magnitude relationship of the delivery index based on the first desired delivery terms among a plurality of delivery methods as a relative evaluation of the delivery index based on the first desired delivery terms; As a relative evaluation of the delivery index based on the second desired delivery term, the second relative evaluation value is calculated using a relative magnitude relationship of the delivery index based on the second desired delivery term among a plurality of delivery methods.

[0015] With this configuration, a classification evaluation value is calculated based on the numerical value of the delivery index, and then a relative evaluation value is calculated under conditions that meet the user's wishes, making it possible to identify a delivery method that meets the wishes of the administrator and the user.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, The shipping information includes, for each order management number, the product package size, the delivery destination, and the desired delivery conditions, The identification unit identifies, for multiple order management numbers that include the same combination of delivery destination, product packing size, and desired delivery conditions in the acquired shipping information, the optimal delivery method identified based on the delivery destination, product packing size, and desired delivery conditions for a certain order management number as the optimal delivery method for other order management numbers.

[0017] With this configuration, when multiple order management numbers included in one shipment information contain the same order management numbers, the optimal delivery method identified for one order management number can be identified as the optimal delivery method for another order management number, thereby reducing the processing load for identifying the optimal delivery method.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, The delivery method optimization system further comprises an update unit, The delivery method information includes a delivery availability flag indicating whether delivery is possible for each delivery destination, The update unit refers to information related to delivery acquired from a collection target, and identifies the delivery feasibility flag of each piece of the delivery method information to be updated that is stored in the database.

[0019] With this configuration, it is possible to update the information indicating whether delivery to the delivery destination is possible by reflecting the information acquired from the collection target.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, The delivery method optimization system further comprises an update unit, The database stores a proposal master in which one or more delivery groups to which the delivery method belongs are set for each of the desired delivery conditions and the delivery indicators, and a classification evaluation value for classifying the delivery methods and the delivery methods are associated with each other; The update unit identifies the delivery method information to be updated based on information on delivery acquired from a collection target, and updates the proposal master based on the delivery method information; The specification unit specifies a delivery method that optimizes the delivery cost based on the desired delivery conditions, the product packing size of the product to be shipped, and the proposal master.

[0021] With this configuration, the proposal master can be updated to reflect information acquired from the collection target, and the optimal delivery method can be identified using the updated proposal master. Effect of the Invention

[0022] The present invention has an effect of providing a novel technique for proposing a delivery method that optimizes delivery costs. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] 1 is a system configuration diagram according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a hardware configuration diagram according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3]FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is an example of a processing flowchart relating to identification of an optimal delivery method in the present invention. [Diagram 5] 1 is an example of a detailed process flowchart relating to identification of an optimal delivery method in the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0024] The present invention will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which there is shown a preferred embodiment, but which may be embodied in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

[0025] For example, the configuration, operation, etc. of the delivery method optimization system will be described in this embodiment, but methods, devices, computer programs, etc. with similar configurations can also achieve similar effects. The program may be stored in a recording medium. By using this recording medium, for example, the program can be installed in a computer, thereby configuring a delivery method optimization device and a delivery method optimization system. Here, the recording medium storing the program may be a non-transitory recording medium such as a CD-ROM.

[0026] The present invention relates to a system for optimizing the delivery method of goods requested to be shipped by a shipper (user). In the present invention, an evaluation value of each delivery method is calculated based on the delivery conditions desired by the user. Then, the delivery method with the highest evaluation value based on the delivery conditions is proposed as the optimal delivery method for the user. The delivery method in the present invention includes delivery companies that deliver domestically or internationally, and the transportation method of each delivery company (land, air, or sea).

[0027] <1. System configuration> FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a system according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the delivery method optimization system 0 includes a delivery method optimization device 1, a user terminal device 3, and an administrator terminal device 4, which are configured to be able to communicate with each other via a network NW. The delivery method optimization system 0 may be configured only with the delivery method optimization device 1, or may be configured only with the user terminal device 3 and the administrator terminal device 4. In addition, the delivery method optimization system 0 may appropriately share the processing described below between the delivery method optimization device 1, the user terminal device 3, and the administrator terminal device 4, and is not limited to the processing sharing described below.

[0028] A general-purpose server computer or a personal computer can be used as the delivery method optimization device 1, and may be configured with a plurality of computers that are capable of transmitting and receiving information via a network NW or another network. In addition, a personal computer, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a wearable device, etc. can be used as the user terminal device 3 and the administrator terminal device 4.

[0029] In this embodiment, the network NW is an IP (Internet Protocol) network, but there is no restriction on the type of communication protocol, and further, there is no restriction on the type and scale of the network.

[0030] <1.1. Hardware configuration> 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of the delivery method optimization device 1. As shown in FIG.

[0031] The processing unit 101 has a processor such as a CPU capable of executing an instruction set, and controls the overall operation and processing of the delivery method optimization device 1 by executing the delivery method optimization program according to the present invention, an OS, and other applications. The storage unit 102 includes a volatile memory such as a RAM capable of storing an instruction set, and a non-volatile recording medium such as an HDD or SSD capable of recording an OS, a travel information sharing program, and the like. The communication unit 103 has a communication interface device for connecting to a network, and controls communication with the network NW to input and output information.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 2( b ), the terminal device 90 (the user terminal device 3 and the administrator terminal device 4 ) includes a processing unit 901 , a storage unit 902 , a communication unit 903 , an input unit 904 , and an output unit 905 .

[0033] The processing unit 901 has a processor such as a CPU capable of executing an instruction set, and controls the overall operation and processing of the terminal device 90 by executing an OS and other applications. The storage unit 902 includes a volatile memory such as a RAM capable of storing an instruction set, and a non-volatile recording medium such as an HDD or SSD capable of recording an OS and the like. The communication unit 903 has a communication interface device for connecting to a network, and controls communication with the network NW to input and output information. The input unit 904 has an input device capable of input processing, such as a keyboard or a touch panel. The output unit 905 has a display device capable of performing display processing, such as a display.

[0034] <1.2. Functional configuration of the delivery method optimization device 1> Fig. 3 is a functional block diagram of the delivery method optimization device 1. As shown in Fig. 3, the delivery method optimization device 1 includes an acquisition unit 11, an error detection unit 12, a specification unit 13, a classification unit 14, an update unit 15, a display processing unit 16, and a database 2. This is information processing by software (stored in a storage unit 102) specifically realized by hardware (processing unit 101).

[0035] In this embodiment, the processing result performed by the delivery method optimization device 1 (server) is received by the user terminal device 3 (client) in response to a request from the client, which is a so-called web application. On the other hand, the delivery method optimization program may be started in the client terminal, which is a so-called standalone type. In this case, the user terminal device 3 may include some or all of the functional configurations (units) of the delivery method optimization device 1. For example, the user terminal device 3 may include an acquisition unit 11, an error detection unit 12, an identification unit 13, a classification unit 14, an update unit 15, and a display processing unit 16, and the delivery method optimization device 1 may be a cloud storage that records and manages delivery method information, which will be described later.

[0036] <1.3.Database 2> The database 2 stores delivery method information, delivery destination reference information, and a proposal master.

[0037] <1.3.1.Delivery method information> The delivery method information is information about delivery for each delivery method. The delivery method information includes a delivery ID for uniquely identifying the delivery method information, a delivery method name, a delivery company name, and delivery details. The delivery details information includes delivery indicators and delivery restrictions set for each combination of delivery destination and transportation method. The delivery index is information for specifying the delivery method to be requested for shipment, and includes an index of the cost of delivery and an index of the content of the delivery action. The index of the cost of delivery includes, for example, the product packaging size of the product to be delivered, and the delivery time corresponding to the delivery destination, the delivery cost, and the delivery environmental load, etc.; the index of the content of the delivery action includes, for example, the delivery quality, etc. Here, the shipping cost for each delivery method is set as a shipping fee (delivery cost master) for each combination of delivery destination and product packaging size. The delivery restrictions are information on restrictions set for the delivery method, and include delivery target areas, size restrictions, weight restrictions, customs duties, and a delivery availability flag.

[0038] The delivery indicators include any indicators related to delivery, but are not limited to these. In addition, the environmental load among the indicators of the cost related to delivery, the delivery quality among the indicators of the contents of the delivery act, and the delivery feasibility flag among the delivery restrictions may be linked to each delivery company.

[0039] <1.3.2. Shipping reference information> The delivery destination reference information is information for referencing the delivery destination included in the shipping information acquired from the user. The delivery destination reference information includes the delivery destination name and the delivery destination code.

[0040] <1.3.3.Product reference information> Product reference information is information for referencing products included in shipping information acquired from a user. Product reference information stores a product ID that uniquely identifies a product, a product name, product attributes, and product size. Product attributes include product classification, HS code, brand name, product site URL, packaged or not, which indicates whether the product can be packaged, and country of origin. Product size includes product weight, volumetric weight, and size (length, depth, and height).

[0041] <1.3.4. Proposal master> The proposal master is master information of groups in which delivery methods are classified according to conditions desired by the user for the delivery method. In the proposal master, one or more groups (hereinafter referred to as delivery method groups) to which each delivery method included in the delivery method information belongs are set for each condition desired by the user for the delivery method (hereinafter referred to as desired delivery conditions). In this embodiment, the desired delivery conditions are set by a combination of a delivery index and an index priority level indicating the degree of priority of the delivery index. Specifically, the desired delivery conditions are set as "cost priority" (delivery index is "delivery cost" and index priority level is "priority"); "time priority" (delivery index is "delivery time" and index priority level is "priority"); "cost top priority" (delivery index is "delivery cost" and index priority level is "highest priority"); and "time top priority" (delivery index is "delivery time" and index priority level is "highest priority"). In this embodiment, two types of index priority levels, "priority" and "highest priority", are set, but the number of types is not limited to this.

[0042] <1.4. Acquisition part 11> The acquisition unit 11 acquires at least shipping information related to the user's shipment. The acquisition unit 11 acquires shipping information including the product ID, customs duty-related information, shipping quantity, and delivery destination of the product requested to be shipped, as well as delivery method specification information, and acquires the product size based on the product ID and product reference information of the shipping information. The delivery method specification information is information for specifying the delivery method, and includes the desired delivery conditions for the delivery index or the delivery method. The customs duty-related information includes the customs duty payment method and the product sales price, etc. As the desired delivery conditions, a delivery index and an index priority level are set for each desired condition for delivery. In this embodiment, the acquisition unit 11 acquires shipping information including the product ID, but may also acquire shipping information including the product size.

[0043] <1.5. Error detection unit 12> The error detection unit 12 detects an error in the shipping information. The error detection unit 12 detects an error when information included in the shipping information does not satisfy a predetermined condition.

[0044] <1.6. Specific part 13> The specification unit 13 specifies a delivery method that optimizes delivery costs based on the shipping information and the delivery method information. The specification unit 13 calculates one or more evaluation values ​​for ranking the delivery methods for each delivery method based on the product packing size of the product to be shipped, the desired delivery conditions for the delivery indicators of the shipping information, the proposed master, and multiple delivery method information, and specifies candidates for delivery methods that optimize delivery costs based on the evaluation values.

[0045] In this embodiment, the specification unit 13 specifies the product packaging size of the product to be shipped based on the shipping information and the product reference information, and calculates an evaluation value based on the product packaging size, the desired delivery conditions, and a plurality of delivery method information. Specifically, the specification unit 13 specifies the product packaging size of the product to be shipped based on the shipping information acquired by the acquisition unit 11 and the presence or absence of packaging in the product reference information. More specifically, when the presence or absence of packaging in the product reference information indicates that the product to be shipped can be packaged, the specification unit 13 specifies the product packaging size based on the shipping quantity and product size of the product. On the other hand, when the presence or absence of packaging in the product reference information indicates that the product cannot be packaged, the specification unit 13 specifies the product size of the product as the product packaging size. Details of the evaluation value will be described later. Here, the product packaging size is set to the product weight, volume weight, and size (length, depth, and height) of the product obtained by multiplying the product size by the shipping quantity.

[0046] The classification unit 14 creates a proposal master based on the delivery method information. For each desired delivery condition and delivery index, the classification unit 14 creates one or more delivery groups to which one or more delivery methods belong based on the delivery index value of the delivery method, and creates a proposal master. In this embodiment, the classification unit 14 calculates a classification evaluation value for classifying the delivery method for each delivery method based on the delivery time among the delivery indexes, associates the classification evaluation value with the delivery method, and creates a proposal master including one or more delivery groups.

[0047] Specifically, one or more predetermined delivery time ranges are set for each desired delivery condition, and the classification unit 14 calculates a classification evaluation value for each delivery method based on the predetermined delivery time range and the delivery time of the delivery method.The classification unit 14 then creates a delivery group that associates the classification evaluation value and the delivery method for each desired delivery condition and delivery index, and creates a proposal master.The classification unit 14 may create a delivery group based on the predetermined delivery time range and the delivery time of the delivery method without calculating the classification evaluation value.

[0048] Here, the predetermined delivery time range for each desired delivery condition is set to within 3 to 4 days, within 7 days, within 21 days, within 22 days, etc., when the desired delivery condition is "time priority." The predetermined delivery time range can be set arbitrarily by the administrator of this system who has acquired information related to delivery from the collection target.

[0049] In addition, the desired delivery terms may include "environmentally conscious", "top priority on the environment", "quality conscious", and "top priority on quality". For example, when the desired delivery terms include "environmentally conscious", the classification unit 14 may create a proposal master based on CO2 emissions in addition to delivery time as a delivery index. Specifically, one or more predetermined CO2 emission ranges are set for each desired delivery term, and the classification unit 14 calculates a classification evaluation value for each delivery method based on the predetermined CO2 emission range, the predetermined delivery time range, and the CO2 emissions and delivery time of the delivery method.

[0050] <1.7. Update part 15> The update unit 15 updates the delivery method information to be updated that is stored in the database 2. The update unit 15 updates the delivery method information to be stored in the database 2 by referring to information related to delivery acquired from the collection target. Specifically, the update unit 15 updates the delivery feasibility flag of each piece of delivery method information to be updated that is stored in the database 2 by referring to local event information related to delivery acquired from the collection target. The collection target in this embodiment is a medium that contains information related to delivery, and includes Internet media such as websites, promotional media such as advertisements from delivery companies, and announcements from sales representatives of delivery companies.

[0051] In this embodiment, the update unit 15 identifies and updates the delivery method information to be updated by receiving an input related to the update from the administrator who has referred to the information on delivery acquired from the collection target. On the other hand, the update unit 15 may identify the update target by referring to the information collected from the website, and automatically update the delivery method information.

[0052] <1.8. Display Processing Unit 16> The display processing unit 16 performs display processing of candidates for delivery methods that optimize delivery costs, and causes the display processing results to be displayed on the user terminal device 3. Note that in this embodiment, the display processing refers to processing in which the display processing unit 16 executes processing to generate information required for display, and transmits the generated information to the terminal device 90, thereby causing the terminal device 90 to display the generated information. On the other hand, the display processing may also be processing in which the display processing unit 16 transmits a processing command to the terminal device 90 to generate information required for display, thereby causing the terminal device 90 to generate information required for display, and display the generated information.

[0053] <2. Delivery method optimization process> A delivery method optimization method by the delivery method optimization system 0 of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 4 and 5. Figure 4 is a process flow chart showing how shipping information is received from a user, a delivery method is specified based on the delivery conditions desired by the user, and a shipping request is approved.

[0054] <2.1. Obtaining shipping information> In step S1 (hereinafter, "step SXX" is simply referred to as "SXX"), the acquisition unit 11 acquires shipping information. In this embodiment, the acquisition unit 11 acquires the order management number, delivery method specification information, product ID, desired delivery date, product JAN code, number of items shipped, delivery destination postal code, delivery destination code, delivery destination address, delivery destination name, telephone number, email address, and customs-related information from the user terminal device 3 as shipping information, and acquires product size and whether or not it is packaged based on the product ID and product reference information in the shipping information. Specifically, the acquisition unit 11 acquires the size, weight, and volumetric weight of the product as product size. The acquisition unit 11 also acquires the desired delivery conditions or delivery method as delivery method specification information. The acquisition unit 11 also acquires customs duty payment information and product sales price as customs duty-related information.

[0055] In this embodiment, the acquisition unit 11 may acquire shipping information by accepting an upload of shipping information entered into a CSV file, or may acquire shipping information by accepting input of shipping information in a web form.

[0056] <2.2. Error Detection> In S2, the error detection unit 12 detects an error based on the shipping information. In this embodiment, a predetermined condition is set for the shipping information, and the error detection unit 12 detects an error based on the predetermined condition and the shipping information acquired in S1. Specifically, for example, the error detection unit 12 determines whether or not there is a missing part in the shipping information as the detection process.

[0057] If the error detection unit 12 detects an error in the shipping information (YES in S3), the process proceeds to S1 and waits for the input of shipping information with the corrected input data. On the other hand, if the error detection unit 12 does not detect an error in the shipping information (NO in S3), the process proceeds to S4.

[0058] <2.3. Specifying the delivery method> In S4, the identification unit 13 judges whether or not a delivery method is included in the delivery method identification information of the shipping information acquired in S1. If the delivery method is included in the delivery method identification information (YES in S4), the process proceeds to S6. On the other hand, if the delivery method is not included in the delivery method identification information (NO in S4), the process proceeds to S5, where the identification unit 13 identifies the optimal delivery method. The process of identifying the optimal delivery method will be described later.

[0059] <2.4. Error Detection> In S6, the error detection unit 12 detects an error in the shipping information based on the specified shipping method. In this embodiment, the error detection unit 12 determines whether the shipping indicator and shipping restrictions of the specified shipping method correspond to the shipping destination and desired shipping conditions of the shipping information.

[0060] If the error detection unit 12 detects an error in the shipping information (YES in S7), the process proceeds to S1 and waits for the input of shipping information with the corrected input data. On the other hand, if the error detection unit 12 does not detect an error in the shipping information (NO in S7), the process proceeds to S8.

[0061] <2.5. Shipping Processing> In S8, the display processing unit 16 performs display processing on the shipping information acquired in S1 and the delivery method identified in S5 side by side, and displays them on the user terminal device 3. Then, in S9, an approval receiving unit (not shown) receives an input related to approval / rejection as to whether or not there is a problem with the combination of the shipping information and the delivery method.

[0062] <3. Details of delivery method optimization process> Hereinafter, with reference to Fig. 5, a specific process for identifying the optimal delivery method in S5 of Fig. 4 will be described. In this embodiment, an evaluation value for ranking multiple delivery methods is calculated based on one desired delivery condition input by the user, and a list of delivery method candidates is displayed to the user based on the evaluation value. In addition, if the delivery method candidates cannot be narrowed down based on the desired delivery condition input by the user, another evaluation value is calculated based on multiple desired delivery conditions, and a list of delivery method candidates is displayed to the user based on the multiple evaluation values.

[0063] FIG. 5 is a process flow chart for identifying the optimal delivery method based on the desired delivery terms, product ID, product quantity, product reference information, and multiple delivery method information for the delivery indicator of the delivery method specification information included in the shipping information acquired in S1 of FIG. 4 in the case where there are two desired delivery terms (the evaluation values ​​calculated based on each desired delivery term are the first evaluation value and the second evaluation value, respectively). Note that the following explanation will be about the process of identifying the optimal delivery method for one order management number in the shipping information. Also, in the following explanation, the process will be described in separate steps, but the process of each step is executed simultaneously. <3.1. Creating an evaluation list> In S51, the specification unit 13 calculates a first relative evaluation value as an evaluation value based on the desired delivery terms, the shipping information, the product packing size based on the product reference information, and multiple delivery method information, and creates an evaluation list based on the classification evaluation value and the first relative evaluation value for each delivery group. In this embodiment, the specification unit 13 calculates a first relative evaluation value for each delivery method based on the delivery cost master of the delivery method information, the product packing size of the product to be shipped, and the weight / volume weight, the delivery time of the delivery method information, and the delivery index and index priority level of the desired delivery terms acquired in S1. Then, the specification unit 13 creates an evaluation list in which the delivery method and the evaluation value based on the classification evaluation value and the first relative evaluation value (hereinafter referred to as the first evaluation value) are associated. In the following, the desired delivery terms acquired in S1 are referred to as the first desired delivery terms.

[0064] Specifically, when the desired delivery conditions are "prioritize cost", "focus on cost" or "focus on time", the determination unit 13 calculates a first relative evaluation value for each delivery method based on the relative magnitude of the delivery costs for each delivery method. For example, the determination unit 13 calculates a higher first relative evaluation value for the delivery method with the lowest delivery cost. Also, when the desired delivery conditions are "prioritize speed", the determination unit 13 calculates a first relative evaluation value for each delivery method based on the relative magnitude of the delivery time for each delivery method. For example, the determination unit 13 calculates a higher first relative evaluation value for the delivery method with the shortest delivery time.

[0065] <3.2. Identifying the optimal delivery method> In S52, the identification unit 13 determines whether or not there are any delivery method candidates with the same first evaluation value based on the evaluation list created in S51. In this embodiment, the identification unit 13 determines whether or not there are any delivery method candidates with the same first evaluation value.

[0066] If there is no delivery method candidate with the highest first evaluation value (NO in S52), the process proceeds to S54, where the display processing unit 16 displays a delivery method candidate list in which the delivery method candidate with the highest first evaluation value is highlighted. On the other hand, if there is a delivery method candidate with the highest first evaluation value (YES in S52), the process proceeds to S53.

[0067] <3.3. Calculation of the second evaluation value> In S53, the specification unit 13 calculates a second evaluation value of the delivery method as an evaluation value based on the desired delivery terms different from the first desired delivery terms, the product packing size, and multiple delivery method information. In this embodiment, the specification unit 13 calculates the second evaluation value using the delivery index, the product packing size, and multiple delivery method information of the desired delivery terms (hereinafter referred to as the second desired delivery terms) different from the first desired delivery terms used in S51.

[0068] Specifically, the determination unit 13 calculates the second relative evaluation value according to the relative magnitude relationship of the delivery index of the second desired delivery condition of the delivery method based on the second desired delivery condition, the product packing size, and multiple delivery method information. The determination unit 13 then calculates the second evaluation value based on the classification evaluation value, the first relative evaluation value, and the second relative evaluation value. For example, when the shipping information is acquired in which the delivery index of the first desired delivery condition includes "delivery cost", the delivery index of the second desired delivery condition is "delivery time". In this case, the determination unit 13 calculates the second relative evaluation value according to the relative magnitude relationship of the delivery time of the delivery method for which the first evaluation value was calculated. For example, the determination unit 13 calculates the second relative evaluation value in the order of the delivery method having the shortest delivery time. In this embodiment, the determination unit 13 calculates the second evaluation value for all delivery methods, but may also calculate the second evaluation value for delivery methods having the same first evaluation value.

[0069] <3.4. Extraction of delivery method candidates> In S54, the identification unit 13 extracts a delivery method based on the shipping information and the delivery restrictions. In this embodiment, the identification unit 13 extracts delivery method candidates from all delivery methods based on the delivery destination of the shipping information, the customs-related information, the product package size, and the delivery restrictions of the delivery method information.

[0070] Then, in S55, the display processing unit 16 performs display processing of a delivery method candidate list in which the delivery method with the largest second evaluation value is highlighted among the delivery methods extracted in S54, and causes the display processing to be displayed on the user terminal device 3. In this embodiment, the display processing unit 16 performs display processing of the delivery time, delivery cost, first evaluation value, and second evaluation value of each delivery method identified in S51 to S54.

[0071] In S56, the identification unit 13 identifies the optimal delivery method. In this embodiment, the identification unit 13 accepts a designation of a delivery method from the displayed delivery method candidate list from the user, and identifies the designated delivery method as the optimal delivery method.

[0072] As described above, the processes of S51 to S56 are executed for one order management number, and the optimal delivery method is determined. On the other hand, if the shipping information includes multiple order management numbers, the processes of S51 to S54 are executed for each order management number in turn, the optimal delivery method for each order management number is displayed in S55, and the delivery methods for all order management numbers included in the shipping information are identified by receiving input from the user regarding the designation of the delivery method individually or collectively in S56. Then, by executing the processes of S1 to S9, the user, who is the shipper, can determine the optimal delivery method based on the delivery indicators (delivery cost, delivery time, delivery environmental impact, delivery quality, etc.) that he or she prioritizes.

[0073] In this way, by scoring the delivery method based on the classification evaluation value calculated based on the delivery time of the delivery method and the first relative evaluation value and the second relative evaluation value calculated based on the relative magnitude relationship of the delivery index desired by the user, a delivery method with optimized delivery costs can be proposed. In particular, the classification evaluation value ranks the delivery methods based on a threshold value set by the administrator of this system for the delivery index, and the first relative evaluation value ranks the delivery methods based on the delivery index prioritized by the user, the shipper, and a delivery method with optimal delivery costs that reflects the wishes of both the administrator of this system and the shipper is proposed. This allows even a shipper who does not know what delivery methods exist to appropriately and easily identify the delivery method he or she desires.

[0074] In this embodiment, the specification unit 13 calculates the first evaluation value based on the classification evaluation value and the first relative evaluation value, but may calculate the first evaluation value based only on the first relative evaluation value. Also, the specification unit 13 calculates the second evaluation value based on the classification evaluation value, the first relative evaluation value, and the second relative evaluation value, but may calculate the second evaluation value based on the classification evaluation value and the second relative evaluation value, based on the first relative evaluation value and the second relative evaluation value, or based only on the second relative evaluation value.

[0075] In this embodiment, the identification unit 13 identifies the optimal delivery method when the user specifies a delivery method from among the candidate delivery methods, but the identification unit 13 may also identify the delivery method with the largest first evaluation value (or the largest second evaluation value if there are first evaluation values ​​that are tied for first place) as the optimal delivery method.

[0076] In this embodiment, the evaluation value is calculated based on the desired delivery conditions, and the display processing unit 16 displays the delivery methods in descending order of evaluation value. On the other hand, the evaluation value may not be calculated by the specification unit 13, and the display processing unit 16 may display the delivery methods based on the relative magnitude relationship of the numerical values ​​of the delivery index.

[0077] In this embodiment, the first evaluation value and the second evaluation value are used to display a list of delivery method candidates that highlights the delivery method with the largest first evaluation value (the second evaluation value if there is a first evaluation value that is the same). On the other hand, if there are multiple delivery methods with the largest first evaluation value (the second evaluation value if there is a first evaluation value that is the same), the optimal delivery method may be specified based on an evaluation value that further uses different desired delivery conditions. Specifically, if there are multiple delivery methods with the largest first evaluation value (the second evaluation value if there is a first evaluation value that is the same), the specification unit 13 may calculate the nth evaluation value using the relative magnitude relationship of the delivery index of the nth desired delivery condition that is different from the first desired delivery condition, and repeat this until there is one delivery method with the largest nth evaluation value (n is an integer of 2 or more). Note that if the first evaluation value is the same, the optimal delivery method may be specified by using the sum of the 2nd to n+1st evaluation values ​​as the evaluation value. In addition, the weighting is performed in the order of the 2nd to n+1th evaluation values, and the sum of the multiplication values ​​of the evaluation values ​​and the weights may be used as the evaluation value to identify the optimal delivery method. In this case, the user may set the priority of the desired delivery conditions with respect to the delivery index, and the identification unit 13 may calculate the nth evaluation value using the relative magnitude relationship of the delivery index of the desired delivery conditions based on the priority.

[0078] In this embodiment, the processes of S51 to S56 are executed for each order management number, and the optimal delivery method is specified by the user, thereby identifying the optimal delivery method for all order management numbers included in the shipping information. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the database 2 stores delivery history information that associates a combination of delivery destination, product packing size, and desired delivery conditions with the optimal delivery method, and the identification unit 13 may identify the optimal delivery method for one order management number based on the combination of delivery destination and product packing size, and the delivery history information.

[0079] In a more preferred embodiment, the identifying unit 13 may identify the optimal delivery method based on the combination of the delivery destination and the product packing size, and the delivery history information, until the delivery method information is updated by the update unit 15. Specifically, in this embodiment, the update unit 15 refers to information related to delivery acquired from the collection target, identifies and updates the delivery feasibility flag of each of the delivery method information to be updated that is stored in the database. Then, the identifying unit 13 identifies the optimal delivery method based on the delivery history information whose delivery feasibility flag has not been updated, and the product packing size, delivery destination, and desired delivery conditions included in the shipping information.

[0080] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an optimal delivery method identified for a certain order management number in one shipment information acquired from a user can be applied as an optimal delivery method for other order management numbers. Specifically, the identification unit 13 identifies the optimal delivery method identified for one order management number as the optimal delivery method for the other order management numbers for multiple order management numbers that include the same combination of delivery destination, product packing size, and desired delivery conditions in one shipment information.

[0081] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the proposal master is updated in response to information on a plurality of deliveries made public in the collection target, and the updated proposal master is used to identify a delivery method that optimizes the delivery cost. In this embodiment, the update unit 15 acquires information on delivery from the website of the collection target, identifies delivery method information to be updated, and updates the proposal master based on the delivery method information. Specifically, the update unit 15 acquires information on delivery acquired from the website, identifies delivery method information to be updated by accepting an input related to the update from the administrator terminal device 4, and updates the proposal master stored in the database 2 based on the delivery time of the updated delivery method information and the delivery time width for each desired delivery condition. Then, the identification unit 13 identifies a delivery method that optimizes the delivery cost based on the updated proposal master, the desired delivery conditions included in the shipping information, and the product packing size of the product to be shipped. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 0: Delivery method optimization system 1: Delivery method optimization device 2: Database 3: User terminal device 10: Server 101: Processing section 102: Storage section 103: Communications Department 90: Terminal device 91: Processing section 92: Storage section 93: Communications Department 94: Input section 95: Output section 11: Acquisition part 12: Error detection section 13: Specific part 14: Classification section 15: Update section 16: Display processing section

Claims

1. A delivery method optimization system for optimizing delivery costs, comprising: The delivery method optimization system includes a database, an acquisition unit, and a specification unit, The database stores delivery method information including, for each delivery method, a delivery cost for delivering a product, a product package size of the product to be delivered, and one or more delivery cost-related indicators corresponding to a delivery destination, and one or more delivery groups into which the delivery methods are classified based on the numerical values ​​of the delivery indicators; The acquisition unit acquires shipping information, which is information related to the shipper's shipment and includes desired delivery terms for the delivery indicator, The specification unit calculates a relative evaluation value of the delivery method using a relative evaluation of the delivery index based on the desired delivery terms with respect to the delivery index, Identifying a delivery method that optimizes the delivery cost based on a classification evaluation value for classifying the delivery methods and the relative evaluation value. Delivery method optimization system.

2. The specification unit calculates a first relative evaluation value of the delivery method by using a relative evaluation of the delivery index based on a first desired delivery condition with respect to the delivery index, Calculating a second relative evaluation value of the delivery method for which the first relative evaluation value was calculated, using a relative evaluation of the delivery index based on a second desired delivery term with respect to the delivery index; The first relative evaluation value and the second relative evaluation value are used as the relative evaluation value to identify a delivery method that optimizes the delivery cost. The delivery method optimization system of claim 1 .

3. The delivery method optimization system further comprises a classification unit, The classification unit calculates the classification evaluation value based on the numerical value of the delivery index, The specification unit calculates the first relative evaluation value by using a relative magnitude relationship of the delivery index based on the first desired delivery terms among a plurality of delivery methods as a relative evaluation of the delivery index based on the first desired delivery terms; As a relative evaluation of the delivery index based on the second desired delivery terms, the second relative evaluation value is calculated using a relative magnitude relationship of the delivery index based on the second desired delivery terms among a plurality of delivery methods. The delivery method optimization system according to claim 2 .

4. The shipping information includes, for each order management number, the product package size, the delivery destination, and the desired delivery conditions, The identification unit identifies, for a plurality of order management numbers including the same combination of delivery destination, product packing size, and desired delivery conditions in the acquired shipping information, an optimal delivery method identified based on the delivery destination, the product packing size, and the desired delivery conditions for a certain order management number as an optimal delivery method for another order management number. The delivery method optimization system of claim 1 .

5. The delivery method optimization system further comprises an update unit, The delivery method information includes a delivery possibility flag indicating whether delivery is possible for each delivery destination, The update unit refers to information related to delivery acquired from a collection target and identifies the delivery feasibility flag of each of the delivery method information items that are stored in the database and are to be updated. The delivery method optimization system of claim 1 .

6. The delivery method optimization system further comprises an update unit, The database stores a proposal master in which one or more delivery groups to which the delivery method belongs are set for each of the desired delivery conditions and the delivery indicators, and a classification evaluation value for classifying the delivery methods and the delivery methods are associated with each other, The update unit identifies the delivery method information to be updated based on information on delivery acquired from a collection target, and updates the proposal master based on the delivery method information; The specification unit specifies a delivery method that optimizes the delivery cost based on the desired delivery conditions, the product packing size of the product to be shipped, and the proposal master. The delivery method optimization system of claim 1 .

7. A delivery method optimization program for optimizing delivery costs, comprising: The delivery method optimization program causes a computer to function as a database, an acquisition unit, and a specification unit, The database stores delivery method information including, for each delivery method, a delivery cost for delivering a product, a product package size of the product to be delivered, and one or more delivery cost-related indicators corresponding to a delivery destination, and one or more delivery groups into which the delivery methods are classified based on the numerical values ​​of the delivery indicators; The acquisition unit acquires shipping information, which is information related to the shipper's shipment and includes desired delivery terms for the delivery indicator, The specification unit calculates a relative evaluation value of the delivery method using a relative evaluation of the delivery index based on the desired delivery terms with respect to the delivery index, Identifying a delivery method that optimizes the delivery cost based on a classification evaluation value for classifying the delivery methods and the relative evaluation value. Identifying a delivery method that optimizes the delivery cost. Shipping method optimization program.

8. A method for optimizing a shipping method for optimizing a shipping cost, comprising the steps of: The computer A process of storing delivery method information including, for each delivery method, a delivery cost required for delivery of the product, a product package size of the product to be delivered, and one or more delivery cost-related indicators corresponding to the delivery destination, and one or more delivery groups into which the delivery methods are classified based on the numerical values ​​of the delivery indicators; A process of acquiring shipping information, which is information regarding the goods to be shipped by the shipper, including desired delivery terms for the delivery indicator; Calculating a relative evaluation value of the delivery method using a relative evaluation of the delivery index based on the desired delivery terms with respect to the delivery index; A process of identifying a delivery method that optimizes the delivery cost based on a classification evaluation value for classifying the delivery methods and the relative evaluation value; Implement the shipping method optimization method.

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