Parts provider search system and part providers search method

Abstract

To provide a retrieval system of a component provider enabling early restoration of a device.SOLUTION: A retrieval system 1 of a component provider includes: a stock management unit 2 that manages a stock of components; a device management unit 3 that manages information on a device used by a user and components included in the device; and a retrieval unit 4 that retrieves another user who uses a device having a component that can be replaces with a failed component when the component fails in a device of one user and there is no stock of the failed component. The retrieval unit determines a negotiation order when requesting to provide the component to a user extracted by the retrieval based on a predefined evaluation reference and outputs the extracted user and the negotiation order for the user.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a part provider search system and a part provider search method. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is a system for managing inventory of parts. Patent Document 1 discloses an inventory management system for managing inventory parts of a plant, the inventory management system including an inspection recommendation information determination unit configured to determine inspection recommendation information including the type and quantity of parts to be replaced at the next inspection of the target plant, and a replenishment recommendation information output unit configured to output replenishment recommendation information when the quantity of inventory parts is insufficient for the quantity of parts to be replaced in the inspection recommendation information. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-164268 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When replacing parts during inspection, it is possible to prepare the necessary parts in advance. On the other hand, when a part needs replacing due to a failure, the part may not be in stock. When parts are out of stock, it is desirable to be able to restore the equipment as soon as possible.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a parts provider search system and a parts provider search method that enable early recovery of equipment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The part provider search system of the present invention comprises an inventory management unit that manages parts inventory, an equipment management unit that manages information about equipment used by users and the parts that the equipment has, and a search unit that, when a part breaks down in one of the user's equipment and the broken part is not in stock, searches for other users who are using the equipment that has a part that can be replaced with the broken part, and is characterized in that the search unit determines a negotiation ranking for the users extracted by the search when requesting the provision of parts based on predetermined evaluation criteria, and outputs the extracted users and the negotiation ranking for the users.

[0007] The part provider search method of the present invention includes the steps of checking whether the faulty part is in stock, searching for users who are using devices having a part that can be replaced with the faulty part if the faulty part is not in stock, determining a negotiation ranking for the users extracted by the search when requesting the provision of the part based on a predetermined evaluation method, and outputting the extracted users and the negotiation ranking for the users. Effect of the Invention

[0008] The part provider search system and part provider search method of the present invention determine the negotiation order when requesting parts from users extracted by the search based on predetermined evaluation criteria. Therefore, the part provider search system and part provider search method of the present invention can negotiate with users in the optimal order based on the evaluation criteria and receive parts. Therefore, the part provider search system and part provider search method of the present invention have the effect of enabling early recovery of equipment. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a search system for a part provider according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a mechanism for early recovery according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a flowchart according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the evaluation criteria according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an evaluation result according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] A component provider search system and a component provider search method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. Also, the components in the following embodiment include those that a person skilled in the art can easily imagine or that are substantially the same.

[0011] [Embodiment] An embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 6. The embodiment relates to a part provider search system and a part provider search method. Fig. 1 is a block diagram of the part provider search system according to the embodiment, Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a mechanism for early recovery according to the embodiment, Fig. 3 is a flowchart according to the embodiment, Fig. 4 is a diagram showing evaluation criteria according to the embodiment, Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an evaluation result according to the embodiment, and Fig. 6 is a flowchart according to the embodiment.

[0012] As shown in Fig. 1, a parts provider search system 1 according to this embodiment includes an inventory management unit 2, an equipment management unit 3, a search unit 4, and an output unit 5. The inventory management unit 2, the equipment management unit 3, and the search unit 4 are functions executed by a computer 10 such as an office PC. The computer 10 is located, for example, in the office of a service provider that provides services to users. The service provider is a business entity that manages and maintains the equipment used by users, and is typically a maintenance service provider.

[0013] The computer 10 has a CPU, a memory, a communication unit, and an external input interface. The computer 10 executes processes as the inventory management unit 2, the device management unit 3, and the search unit 4 according to a program read from the memory into the CPU. The functions of the search system 1 may be distributed among multiple computers 10. For example, the computer 10 that executes the function of the search unit 4 and the computer 10 that executes the function of the inventory management unit 2 may be separate.

[0014] The output unit 5 is a device that outputs the processing results by the search unit 4. The output unit 5 is, for example, a display device of the computer 10, a printer, a storage device, a recording medium, etc. When the output unit 5 is a display device, the processing results by the search unit 4 are displayed on the screen of the display device. When the output unit 5 is a printer, the processing results by the search unit 4 are printed out. When the output unit 5 is a storage device or a recording medium, the data of the processing results by the search unit 4 is recorded in the output unit 5. The output unit 5 may be a server on a network such as the Internet.

[0015] The inventory management unit 2 manages the inventory of parts. More specifically, the inventory management unit 2 has a database that manages the inventory of parts for devices delivered to users. The database records the part code of each part, the current inventory quantity, storage location, delivery date, delivery quantity, delivery date, delivery quantity, etc. The database of the inventory management unit 2 may record information about compatibility between parts. The inventory management unit 2 may store, for each part, information about devices in which the part can be installed. In other words, the inventory management unit 2 has information about which part can be replaced with the failed part when a part of a device breaks down.

[0016] The device management unit 3 manages information about devices used by users. The device management unit 3 has a remote monitoring unit 31 and a user management unit 32. The remote monitoring unit 31 remotely monitors devices used by users. FIG. 1 shows a device 100 used by a user A and a device 200 used by a user B. The devices 100 and 200 are, for example, absorption water chillers and heaters for air conditioning. The devices 100 and 200 are installed, for example, in buildings, hospitals, health facilities, schools, public facilities, commercial facilities, and the like. The remote monitoring unit 31 remotely monitors a plurality of devices including the devices 100 and 200. The targets monitored by the remote monitoring unit 31 are, for example, devices of users who have signed a maintenance contract.

[0017] The remote monitoring unit 31 acquires information about the devices 100 and 200 via the monitoring device 20. The monitoring device 20 may be disposed inside the devices 100 and 200, or may be disposed outside the devices 100 and 200. The monitoring device 20 acquires information about the operating status of the devices 100 and 200 and the presence or absence of an abnormality. The operating status includes operating time, operating rate, load rate, etc. The presence or absence of an abnormality is, for example, the result of self-diagnosis in the devices 100 and 200.

[0018] The monitoring device 20 transmits the acquired information to the remote monitoring unit 31. The communication between the monitoring device 20 and the remote monitoring unit 31 may include wired communication or wireless communication. The monitoring device 20 may transmit information to a server on a network such as the Internet. In this case, the remote monitoring unit 31 can acquire information from the server.

[0019] The user management unit 32 manages information about users and information about devices used by users. Information about users includes, for example, the user name, the contents of a contract with the user, the name of a person in charge on the user's side, contact information for the person in charge, etc. Information about devices used by users includes, for example, the model of the device, part codes of each part of the device, the location where the device is installed, the installation status of the device, optional devices added to the device, the maintenance history of the device, the repair history of the device, etc.

[0020] Note that the device being used by the user is not limited to a device that is currently being operated by the user, but also includes a device that the user has temporarily stopped operating. For example, an air conditioner may be stopped operating during an interim period. In this embodiment, a device in such a state is also referred to as a "device being used by the user." In other words, a device being used by the user includes a device that is in a state that the user can use and a device that the user has the right to use.

[0021] In this embodiment, the contents of the contract with the user include at least one of a maintenance contract, an early restoration contract, and a parts supply contract. The maintenance contract includes, for example, the provision of a remote monitoring service for the devices 100 and 200. The early restoration contract is a contract that provides a user with a service for early restoration of a device component when the component breaks down, even if the component is not in stock. On the other hand, the parts supply contract is a contract that provides a service provider with a part for early restoration in response to a request from the service provider. With reference to FIG. 2, user B is a user who has concluded an early restoration contract with the service provider. User A is a user who has concluded a parts supply contract with the service provider.

[0022] In FIG. 2, part 210 of device 200 used by user B breaks down and needs to be replaced. Assume that the service provider does not have part 210 in stock, nor does it have any part compatible with part 210 in stock. Device 100 used by user A has part 110. Part 110 is the same part as part 210, or a part compatible with part 210. In this case, the service provider requests user A to provide part 110. User A provides part 110 to the service provider in response to the request. The service provider replaces part 110 removed from device 100 with part 210 of device 200.

[0023] As described above, the system for providing parts from one user to another allows the user who receives the parts to quickly restore the device. A user who needs early restoration is, for example, a user who will be greatly affected if the air conditioning stops for a long period of time. A user who needs early restoration is, for example, a facility that accepts physically weak people, such as a hospital, a welfare facility, or a nursing home.

[0024] The parts supply contract may stipulate that the service provider will supply new parts free of charge to the user who provided the parts. For example, when a new part 110 arrives, the part 110 is attached to the device 100 free of charge to user A. This allows user A to reduce the maintenance costs of the device 100. Note that the maintenance contract cost may be reduced for users who conclude a parts supply contract. The early recovery contract and the parts supply contract may be contracts independent of the maintenance contract, or may be part of the maintenance contract.

[0025] Here, a search method for a parts provider according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3. In step S10, a service provider is dispatched for service. The service dispatch may be in response to a request from a user, or may be based on an abnormality determination by the remote monitoring unit 31. The service provider inspects the device used by the user on-site and confirms the location of the abnormality.

[0026] In step S20, the service provider determines whether a part needs to be replaced. The service provider checks whether a part needs to be replaced and the part code of the part to be replaced. If the result of the determination is that a part needs to be replaced, the process proceeds to step S30, and if the result is that a part needs to be replaced, the process proceeds to step S70.

[0027] In step S30, the part provider search system 1 determines whether the broken part is in stock. In the following explanation, a case will be explained in which the broken part is part 210 shown in FIG. 2. The service provider instructs the search unit 4 to search for stock of the broken part 210. The search unit 4 inquires of the inventory management unit 2 as to whether or not the part 210 is in stock. When checking whether or not the part 210 is in stock, the inventory management unit 2 checks not only the inventory of the part 210, but also the inventory of parts that are compatible with the part 210. In the following explanation, parts that are compatible with the part 210 will be simply referred to as "compatible parts." The inventory management unit 2 returns the results of checking the inventory to the search unit 4.

[0028] When at least one of the part 210 and the compatible part is in stock, the search unit 4 makes a positive determination in step S30 that there is stock, and proceeds to step S70. In this case, the search unit 4 outputs information about the stocked part to the output unit 5. On the other hand, when neither the part 210 nor the compatible part is in stock, the search unit 4 makes a negative determination in step S30, and proceeds to step S40.

[0029] In step S40, the search unit 4 searches for candidates for part provision. The search unit 4 instructs the device management unit 3 to search for users who are candidates for part provision. The search conditions are, for example, that a parts provision contract is concluded and that the device being used has the part 210 or a compatible part. The device management unit 3 sends information about the users extracted by the search to the search unit 4. The search unit 4 requests the device management unit 3 to send data on the past operation history of the device of the extracted user. For example, when the user A shown in FIG. 2 is extracted, the search unit 4 requests data on the operation history of the device 100. The device management unit 3 sends the data on the operation history to the search unit 4 in response to the request. After step S40 is executed, the process proceeds to step S50.

[0030] In step S50, the search unit 4 determines a negotiation rank for the extracted users. A method for determining the negotiation rank in this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4 and Fig. 5. Fig. 4 shows an example of an evaluation criterion for determining the negotiation rank. Evaluation items included in the evaluation criterion include distance L, number of installed units N, number of years since installation Y, and operation rate R.

[0031] Distance L is the distance between the point where the device having the broken part is installed and the point where the extracted user's device is installed. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 2, point Pb where user B's device 200 is installed is the reference for distance calculation. If user A is included in the users extracted in step S40, the point of user A is determined based on distance L between point Pa where device 100 is installed and point Pb where device 200 is installed. Distance L may be the straight-line distance from point Pa to point Pb, or may be the transportation distance by vehicle or the like.

[0032] If the distance L is short, higher points are awarded than if the distance L is long. In FIG. 4, the distance L is divided into five classes, and different points are assigned to each class. The highest class is when the distance L is within 10 km. In this case, 5 points are awarded. The lowest class is when the distance L is over 100 km. In this case, 1 point is awarded. Note that the method of dividing the distances is one example.

[0033] The number of installed units N is the number of target parts that the user's device has. For example, the device 100 shown in FIG. 2 has two parts 110. Even if one part 110 is removed, the device 100 can still function as an air conditioner using the remaining part 110. If the number of installed units N is large, higher points are awarded than if the number of installed units N is small. If the number of installed units N is 3 or more, 5 points are awarded, if the number of installed units N is 2, 3 points are awarded, and if the number of installed units N is 1, 1 point is awarded. Note that the way in which the number of installed units N is classified is merely an example.

[0034] The number of years elapsed Y is the number of years that have passed since the part was installed in the device. If the number of years elapsed Y is short, a higher point is awarded than if the number of years elapsed Y is long. By replacing a broken part with a part with a short number of years elapsed Y, the period until the next part replacement can be extended. In FIG. 4, the number of years elapsed Y is classified into five grades, and different points are assigned to each grade. The highest grade is when the number of years elapsed Y is 2 to 3 years, and 5 points are awarded. The lowest grade is when the number of years elapsed Y is more than 10 years, and 1 point is awarded. If the number of years elapsed Y is less than 2 years, no points are awarded. Note that the way in which the number of years elapsed Y is classified is an example.

[0035] The availability rate R is the actual value of the availability rate of the device during the period. The period may be, for example, the same date as the search date in the past year, or may be a period including the same date as the search date in the past year. If the availability rate R is low, higher points are awarded than if the availability rate R is high. In FIG. 4, the availability rate is classified into five grades, and different points are set for each grade. The highest grade is an availability rate R of 20% or less. In this case, 5 points are awarded. The lowest grade is an availability rate R of more than 50%. In this case, 1 point is awarded. Note that the way in which the availability rate R is classified is just an example.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 5, the total value of the points given to each extracted user is calculated. The negotiation ranking for the user is determined according to the total points. The evaluation result in FIG. 5 shows the total points for each of the four extracted users. User A has a total of 14 points, which is the highest point given to the four users. In this case, the priority of negotiation for user A is set to be the first. Furthermore, the negotiation ranking for the second and subsequent users is determined according to their total points. Once the negotiation ranking is determined in step S50, the process proceeds to step S60.

[0037] In step S60, the search unit 4 outputs the determined negotiation ranking to the output unit 5. When step S60 is executed, the process based on the flowchart in FIG. 3 ends.

[0038] In step S70, the service provider repairs the device. If part replacement is required, the service provider replaces the broken part with a part that is in stock. When step S70 is executed, the process based on the flowchart in FIG. 3 ends.

[0039] Next, a process for receiving a part from a user will be described with reference to Fig. 6. In step S110, the service provider negotiates with the user who is ranked first in the negotiation order. The service provider requests the user to provide a replacement part.

[0040] If the negotiation is successful and the part can be provided, the determination in step S120 is affirmative, and the process proceeds to step S140. In the following description, the user who has agreed to the part provision is simply referred to as the "provider." If the negotiation is not successful and the user does not agree to the part provision, the process proceeds to step S130.

[0041] In step S130, the service provider negotiates with the next user in the negotiation order. For example, if the user with the first negotiation order refuses to provide the parts, the service provider negotiates with the user with the second negotiation order. While the service provider is unable to reach an agreement with a user, the service provider negotiates with each user according to the negotiation order.

[0042] In step S140, the service provider removes the part from the device of the provider. If the provider is user A shown in Fig. 2, part 110 is removed from device 100 of user A. After step S140 is executed, the process proceeds to step S150.

[0043] In step S150, the service provider replaces the broken part with the provided part. In the example shown in Fig. 2, the service provider removes part 210 from device 200 of user B and installs part 110 provided by user A in device 200 instead. This allows device 200 to be quickly restored. After step S150 is executed, the process proceeds to step S160.

[0044] In step S160, new parts arrive. If negotiations for the provision of parts are concluded, the service provider orders the parts to be installed in the provider's device. For example, when receiving part 110 from user A, the service provider orders part 110 to be installed in device 100. When the ordered parts arrive, the process proceeds to step S170.

[0045] In step S170, the service provider installs the new part in the provider's device. The service provider installs the part received in step S160 in the provider's device. When step S170 is executed, the process based on the flowchart in FIG. 6 ends.

[0046] As described above, the part provider search system 1 according to this embodiment has an inventory management unit 2, an equipment management unit 3, and a search unit 4. The inventory management unit 2 manages the inventory of parts. The equipment management unit 3 manages information about the equipment used by users and information about the parts the equipment has. The search unit 4 searches for other users when a part breaks down in one user's equipment and the broken part is not in stock. The search targets are users who use equipment that has a part that can be replaced with the broken part.

[0047] The search unit 4 determines the negotiation order when requesting parts provision from the users extracted by the search. The negotiation order at this time is determined based on a predetermined evaluation criterion. The search unit 4 outputs the extracted users and the negotiation order for the users. According to the part provider search system 1 of this embodiment, it is possible to negotiate with the users in an optimal order based on the evaluation criterion. Therefore, the part provider search system 1 of this embodiment enables early recovery of the device. The part provider search system 1 of this embodiment is useful as a means for business continuity in BCP (Business Continuity Plan). In addition, the part provider search system 1 of this embodiment can improve the customer satisfaction of the user by enabling early recovery.

[0048] The evaluation criteria are determined, for example, from the viewpoint of minimizing the time required to restore the equipment. For example, when the distance L is short, parts can be transported in a short time. For example, by prioritizing negotiations with users who have a large number of installed units N or users who have a low operating rate R, the time required to reach an agreement on negotiations can be minimized. For example, by prioritizing negotiations regarding parts with a small number of years elapsed Y, it becomes easier to secure parts with a small degree of deterioration. This increases the certainty that the equipment will be successfully restored using those parts.

[0049] In the present embodiment, when the distance L between the location where the extracted user's device is installed and the location where the device having the broken part is installed is short, the search unit 4 gives the user a higher negotiation ranking than when the distance is long. For example, the evaluation criteria shown in Fig. 4 are determined so that the shorter the distance L, the higher the negotiation ranking for the user is likely to be. By giving the user a higher negotiation ranking with respect to a user with a short distance L, early recovery of the device is made possible.

[0050] In the present embodiment, when the extracted user's device has a large number of replaceable parts, the search unit 4 places the user in a higher negotiation ranking than when the number is small. For example, the evaluation criteria shown in FIG. 4 are determined so that the negotiation ranking for a user is more likely to be higher as the number of installed units N increases. When the number of installed units N of a device used by a user is large, the user is considered to be more likely to accept a request for parts provision. By placing the user in a higher negotiation ranking with a user who has a large number of installed units N, the device can be restored quickly.

[0051] In the present embodiment, the search unit 4 gives a higher negotiation ranking to a user when the time elapsed since a replaceable part was installed in the extracted user's device is short, compared to when the time elapsed is long. For example, the evaluation criteria shown in FIG. 4 are determined so that the shorter the number of years Y, the higher the negotiation ranking is likely to be. This makes it easier to secure good quality parts, enabling early recovery of the device. In addition, the time until the next replacement of the provided parts can be extended.

[0052] Based on the past operation rates of the extracted user's equipment, the search unit 4 of this embodiment gives the user a higher negotiation ranking when the operation rate for the same period as the present is low compared to when the operation rate for the same period as the present is high. For example, the evaluation criteria shown in FIG. 4 are determined so that the lower the operation rate R, the higher the negotiation ranking for the user is likely to be. If the operation rate R of the equipment used by the user is low, the user is considered to be more likely to accept a request for the provision of parts. By giving the user a higher negotiation ranking with a user with a low operation rate R, the equipment can be restored quickly.

[0053] The users extracted by the search unit 4 in this embodiment are those who have signed a contract to remove parts from the equipment and provide them. By negotiating with users who have signed a contract in advance, it becomes possible to quickly restore the equipment.

[0054] The part provider search method according to this embodiment includes a checking step (S30), a searching step (S40), a determining step (S50), and an outputting step (S60). In the checking step, it is checked whether the broken part is in stock. The searching step is executed when the broken part is not in stock. In the searching step, a user who uses a device having a part that can be replaced with the broken part is searched for. In the determining step, a negotiation order is determined when requesting the provision of a part from the users extracted by the search. In this step, the negotiation order is determined based on a predetermined evaluation criterion. In the outputting step, the extracted users and the negotiation order for the users are output. The part provider search method according to this embodiment enables early recovery of the device.

[0055] The search unit 4 may extract users who have not concluded a parts supply contract as candidates for parts supply, in addition to users who have concluded a parts supply contract. In this case, the search unit 4 may give a higher negotiation ranking to a user who has concluded a parts supply contract, compared to a user who has not concluded a parts supply contract. In this case, the evaluation criteria include, as an evaluation item, whether or not a parts supply contract has been concluded. The item of whether or not a parts supply contract has been concluded may be weighted more heavily than other items. For example, the number of points C1 given to a user who has concluded a parts supply contract and the number of points C0 given to a user who has not concluded a parts supply contract may be determined to be as shown in the following formula (1). C1-C0≧5 (1)

[0056] The search unit 4 may have a first search mode for searching for candidates for part suppliers among users who have concluded a parts supply contract, and a second search mode for searching for candidates for part suppliers among users who have not concluded a parts supply contract. In this case, the service provider first searches for candidates for part suppliers in the first search mode.

[0057] If the number of users extracted in the first search mode is zero, the service provider searches for candidates to provide parts using the second search mode. Alternatively, if negotiations regarding the provision of parts have not been concluded with any of the users extracted in the first search mode, the service provider searches for candidates to provide parts using the second search mode. This type of operation can increase the possibility of early recovery of broken equipment.

[0058] The device used by the user is not limited to the illustrated absorption hot and cold water machine for air conditioning. The part provider search system 1 and the part provider search method according to the present embodiment can be applied to various devices.

[0059] [Modifications of the embodiment] A modified example of the embodiment will be described. The evaluation criteria may include the load rate of the device used by the user as an evaluation item. The load rate is, for example, a ratio of an actual load to a maximum load according to the capacity of the device. When the load rate at the same time as the current time is low, the search unit 4 gives the device a higher negotiation rank with the user than when the load rate at the same time as the current time is high.

[0060] The evaluation criteria may include, as an evaluation item, the work time for attaching and detaching parts to and from the device used by the user. For example, if the device is installed at a high place, the work time will be longer than if the device is installed at a low place. Also, if the work space around the device is narrow, the work time will be longer than if the work space is wide. If the work time for attaching and detaching parts to and from the device used by the user is short, the search unit 4 gives the device a higher negotiation priority with the user than if the work time is long.

[0061] The contents disclosed in the above-mentioned embodiments and modifications can be implemented in appropriate combinations. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 1: Provider search system 2: Inventory Management Department 3: device management unit, 31: remote monitoring unit, 32: user management unit 4: Search section, 5: Output section 10: Computer, 20: Monitoring device 100,200: Equipment, 110,210: Parts

Claims

1. An inventory control department that manages parts inventory; a device management unit that manages information about devices used by users and parts included in the devices; a search unit that searches for other users who use the device having a part that can be replaced with the broken part when a part breaks down in the device of one of the users and the broken part is not in stock; Equipped with The search unit determines a negotiation ranking for when requesting the provision of parts from the users extracted by the search based on a predetermined evaluation criterion, and outputs the extracted users and the negotiation ranking for the users. A part provider search system comprising:

2. The search unit ranks the extracted user higher in a negotiation ranking when the distance between the location where the device of the user is installed and the location where the device having the broken part is installed is short, compared to when the distance is long. The part provider search system according to claim 1.

3. The search unit ranks the extracted user's device higher in a negotiation ranking when the number of replaceable parts owned by the device is large, compared to when the number of replaceable parts is small.

3. A part provider search system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The search unit assigns a higher negotiation priority to a user when an elapsed time after the replaceable part is installed in the device of the extracted user is short, compared to a case where the elapsed time is long. The part provider search system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The search unit, based on a past operation rate of the extracted user's device, if the operation rate in the same period as the present is low, ranks the user higher in a negotiation ranking in comparison with a case where the operation rate in the same period as the present is high. The part provider search system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The users extracted by the search unit are users who have signed a contract to remove parts from the device and provide them, among all users. The part provider search system according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. A method for searching for a part provider implemented by a computer, comprising: A step of checking whether the defective part is in stock; When the defective part is not in stock, searching for a user who uses a device having a part that can be replaced with the defective part; determining a negotiation ranking for requesting parts provision from the users extracted by the search based on a predetermined evaluation method; outputting the extracted data of the users and the negotiation rankings for the users from the computer to an output unit; A part provider search method comprising:

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