Planning device, planning method, and program

Abstract

To provide a plan creating device allowing for accurate management by an activity target.SOLUTION: A plan creating device 1B comprises a processing unit 12B. The processing unit 12B acquires an actual performance value of each man-hour of a plurality of works over a first period, calculates a difference between an actual performance value of each man-hour and a preliminarily set standard man-hour in the first period, and updates a standard man-hour used in a second period so that the difference is reduced in the second period after the first period. The processing unit 12B also acquires a man-hour prediction value on the basis of period identification information, period attribute information, and quantity information on the number of work objects in a period about the same work item as the man-hour acquired in the first period about the second period. In addition, the processing unit 12B creates a work plan corresponding to the second period on the basis of the updated standard man-hour, the man-hour prediction value, and personnel information containing workers who perform work during the second period.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a planning device, a planning method, and a program, and more particularly to a planning device, a planning method, and a program for managing an organization's activities using targets such as man-hours and profitability. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a shelf inventory management system that calculates the number of remaining products in each product row based on the distance measured by a measurement module using ultrasonic waves emitted from an ultrasonic sensor installed behind the product row. In this system, the calculated number of remaining products is compared with a predetermined threshold to determine whether or not the product needs to be stocked. When it is determined that there is a product row that needs to be stocked, a store clerk is notified to that effect. In addition, the inside of the store is imaged by an imaging means, a person is detected from the captured image, and the movement trajectory of the person within the store is determined. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-19588 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the above background technology, the difference between the value calculated for a target, such as the number of remaining products, based on the distance measured by the measurement module and a standard value, such as a predetermined threshold, increases, making it difficult to accurately manage activities such as stocking (such as determining whether or not stocking is necessary).

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a planning device, a planning method, and a program that enable accurate management of activities by targets. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A plan creation device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a processor. The processor acquires actual man-hours for each of a plurality of tasks over a first period, calculates a difference between the actual man-hours for each task during the first period and a preset standard man-hour, and updates the standard man-hours used in a second period after the first period so as to reduce the difference. The processor also acquires a man-hour forecast value for the second period for the same task items as the man-hours acquired during the first period, based on period identification information, period attribute information, and quantity information related to the quantity of tasks within the period. The processor then creates a work plan for the second period based on the updated standard man-hours, the man-hour forecast value, and personnel information including workers who will perform tasks during the second period.

[0007] A planning method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: The processor: The method obtains actual man-hours for each of a plurality of tasks over a first period, calculates the difference between the actual man-hours for each task in the first period and a preset standard man-hour, and updates the standard man-hours used in a second period after the first period so as to reduce the difference. The method also obtains a predicted man-hour value for the second period for the same task items as the man-hours obtained in the first period, based on period identification information, period attribute information, and quantity information related to the number of tasks within the period. The method then creates a work plan for the second period based on the updated standard man-hours, the predicted man-hour value, and personnel information including workers who will perform tasks in the second period.

[0008] A program according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a program for causing a processor to execute a process of acquiring actual values ​​of man-hours for each of a plurality of tasks over a first period, calculating a difference between the actual values ​​of the man-hours for each of the tasks in the first period and a predetermined standard man-hour, updating the standard man-hours to be used in a second period after the first period so as to reduce the difference, acquiring a man-hour forecast value for the second period for work items that are the same as the man-hours acquired in the first period, based on period identification information, period attribute information, and quantity information related to the number of work objects within the period, and creating a work plan corresponding to the second period based on the updated standard man-hours, the man-hour forecast value, and personnel information including workers who will be performing work in the second period. Effect of the Invention

[0009] The planning device, planning method, and program disclosed herein have the effect of enabling accurate management of activities by target. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a target management system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the target management system. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining a reduction process by the target management system. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a product delivery management system according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of output of item-related information by the item-related management device (a screen displaying various items-related information in a plurality of stores: a headquarters top screen). [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of output of product-related information by the product-supply management device (a screen displaying the actual stock days for each store). [Figure 7]FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of output of item-related information by the item-out management device (a screen displaying the work efficiency for each store). [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a plan optimization system according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a block diagram for explaining prediction by a generating unit and a predicting unit that configure the plan optimization system according to the above embodiment. [Figure 10] Fig. 10A is a data structure diagram of actual work record information used for prediction by the generating unit and the predicting unit of the embodiment. Fig. 10B is a data structure diagram of work schedule information constituting a work plan created based on the result of the prediction of the embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram for explaining an example of application of the target management system or the like to logistics. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a conceptual diagram for explaining an example of application of the above target management system to sales. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] The configurations described in the following embodiments are merely examples of the present disclosure. The present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments, and various modifications are possible depending on the design, etc., as long as the effects of the present disclosure can be achieved.

[0012] (1) Common features of the three embodiments 1 to 3 The main feature of the target management system of the present disclosure is that it enables accurate management of activity targets by performing or repeating the following steps: "visualization" by obtaining recognizable target values, "standardization" by setting standard values, and "gap reduction" by a reduction process to reduce the difference between the visualized values ​​and the standard values.

[0013] In this disclosure, the larger the difference between the acquired value and the standard value, the higher the possibility that at least one of the activity and the standard value is inappropriate. Therefore, the acquisition of the value, the setting of the standard value, and the process for reducing the difference are performed or repeated. As a result, the difference is reduced or reduced, and at least one of the inappropriate activity and the inappropriate standard value is optimized or optimized. As a result, it becomes possible to accurately manage the activity by targeting.

[0014] The target management system according to the present disclosure includes an acquisition unit, a setting unit, and a reduction processing unit.

[0015] Each of the target management system 100 according to the first embodiment, the inventory management system 100A according to the second embodiment, and the plan optimization system 100B according to the third embodiment is one form of a target management system.

[0016] (1-1) Getting the target value The acquisition unit acquires a value of the target for each of one or more first periods.

[0017] A target is a management target of the target management system, and is information about the activities of a person or an organization to which the person belongs.

[0018] A personnel is someone who performs an activity. An organization to which personnel belong is, for example, a company, an organization, etc. An activity is usually performed by personnel who belong to an organization. However, an activity may also be performed by personnel who do not belong to an organization. Also, the number of personnel who belong to an organization is usually two or more, but may be one.

[0019] The activities are, for example, each of work, management, and management, or a combination of these. In the present disclosure, the activities are commercial activities by a business, and typically include work, management, and management. However, the activities may also be non-profit activities by a non-profit organization. Non-profit activities typically include work and management, but do not include management.

[0020] An organization may be hierarchically structured into two or more layers. For example, the two or more layers may be a lower layer and an upper layer. The lower layer may be a field layer, and the upper layer may be a management layer.

[0021] Alternatively, the two or more layers may be three layers consisting of a lower layer, a middle layer, and an upper layer. The middle layer may be a field management layer (management layer).

[0022] Furthermore, the field layer may be composed of, for example, a store layer, a department layer below the store layer, a team layer below the department layer, etc. However, the presence or absence of a hierarchy and the number of layers that make up the hierarchy (the depth of the hierarchy) are not important.

[0023] Furthermore, an organization is usually composed of two or more departments, each of which belongs to one of two or more layers. For example, the two or more departments are a logistics department, a sales department, an administrative department, a management department, etc. The logistics department and the sales department belong to the field layer, the administrative department belongs to the field management layer, and the management department belongs to the management layer.

[0024] A target in the present disclosure is information that indicates the status of an activity in a recognizable manner. Recognition is usually recognition by a person, but may also include recognition by a computer that realizes human intellectual activity through mechanical processing.

[0025] The target is, for example, work information. Work information is information related to work. Work information is, for example, man-hours, inventory quantity, work efficiency, etc. Note that man-hours, inventory quantity, and work efficiency will be described later.

[0026] Alternatively, the target may be management information. Management information is information related to management. The management information is, for example, management indicators such as profits and growth rates.

[0027] Alternatively, the target may be site management information. Site management information is information related to site management. Site management is, for example, work management, cost management, and the like.

[0028] The target may be associated with hierarchical information. Hierarchical information is information that identifies a hierarchical level. The hierarchical information may be, for example, a hierarchical level name such as "management level" or "field level", or may be an ID associated with the hierarchical level name.

[0029] The target may also be associated with department identification information. Department identification information is information that identifies a department. The department identification information is, for example, a department name such as "sales department" or "logistics department", but may also be an ID associated with the department name.

[0030] Furthermore, the target may be associated with personnel identification information. The personnel identification information is information that identifies a person. The personnel identification information is, for example, a name, an address, a mobile phone number, etc., but may also be an ID associated with the name, address, etc.

[0031] The acquisition unit acquires the target value based on one or more types of information, for example, information from a sensor (observation result), information input (manually) via an input device such as a keyboard or a touch panel, and information stored in a memory. Note that the value acquired by the acquisition unit via the sensor is an actual value. However, the acquisition unit may receive a predicted value from a prediction unit described later.

[0032] The sensor is, for example, each of the camera 3 and the LPS 4, or an observation system including these. The camera 3 is installed at the place where the work is performed (hereinafter, the site) and captures the object of the work (hereinafter, the work object) and the personnel performing the work (store clerk, worker, etc.). The LPS 4 is installed at the site and detects the position of the personnel (or items) at the site. The LPS 4 will be described in embodiment 3. Alternatively, the sensor may be, for example, a reader that reads a barcode attached to a product.

[0033] The memory is usually a memory within the target management system, but may be an external memory. The memory may be located anywhere as long as it is accessible by the computer of the target management system.

[0034] The acquisition unit corresponds to the acquisition unit 121 in the first embodiment. Moreover, the acquisition unit corresponds to the information generation unit 121A in the second embodiment. Moreover, the acquisition unit corresponds to the observation unit 221 in the third embodiment.

[0035] (1-2) Setting the standard value The setting unit sets a standard value of the target.

[0036] A standard value is a standard value related to a target. A standard value is a value that serves as a criterion for judging whether a value obtained for a target is good or bad, high or low (e.g., efficient or inefficient, profitable or low), etc. A standard value may be, for example, a threshold value, an ideal value, an evaluation index, etc. For example, when a target is labor hours, the standard value is a standard labor hour.

[0037] The setting unit corresponds to the setting unit 122 in the first embodiment. Moreover, the setting unit corresponds to the processing unit 12A in the second embodiment. Moreover, the setting unit corresponds to the setting unit 123B in the third embodiment.

[0038] (1-3) Reducing the gap The reduction processing unit performs reduction processing.

[0039] The reduction process is a process for reducing or gradually reducing the difference between a value acquired in one or more second time periods following the one or more first time periods and a standard value. The one or more first time periods are usually one or more time periods in the past. The one or more second time periods are usually one or more second time periods in the future.

[0040] However, the one or more first periods do not necessarily have to be past periods with respect to the present time, so long as they are periods prior to the one or more second periods. Also, the one or more second periods do not necessarily have to be future periods with respect to the present time, so long as they are periods subsequent to the one or more second periods.

[0041] The difference is, for example, the difference between a value acquired by an acquisition unit (acquisition unit 121, information generation unit 121A, observation unit 221) and a standard value. However, the difference may also be the difference between a predicted value acquired by a prediction unit (described later) and the standard value.

[0042] The reduction processing unit corresponds to the reduction processing unit 124 in the first embodiment. Also, the reduction processing unit corresponds to the processing unit 12A in the second embodiment. Moreover, the reduction processing unit corresponds to the processing unit 12B in the third embodiment.

[0043] (1-4) Details of the reduction process The reduction process includes either one or both of output control and optimization, although at least a part of the output control may be a means for achieving optimization through human intervention.

[0044] In the first embodiment, both output control and optimization are performed as the reduction process. In the second embodiment, output control is performed as the reduction process. In the third embodiment, optimization is performed as the reduction process.

[0045] (1-4-1) Output control The output control is a control for outputting the difference in a recognizable manner.

[0046] By having personnel recognize the outputted differences and change their activities, the differences are reduced or reduced, and inappropriate activities are improved or improved. This enables precise management of activities.

[0047] (1-4-2) Optimization Optimization in the present disclosure refers to either or both of updating a standard value (eg, standard labor hours) and updating a forecast value (eg, labor hour forecast value).

[0048] (1-4-2a) Optimization 1: Update of standard values By updating or updating the standard value so that the difference between the acquired value and the standard value for the target is reduced or reduced, the inappropriate standard value is corrected or corrected. This enables accurate management of the activity by the target.

[0049] Note that updating the standard values ​​also contributes to optimizing information (eg, work plans) created using the standard values.

[0050] It is preferable that the standard value be updated together with the output control described above or the update of the predicted value described below. This makes it possible to optimize both the inappropriate activity and the inappropriate standard value. Furthermore, compared to the case where only the standard value is updated, the possibility that the inappropriate activity becomes the standard activity can be reduced.

[0051] (1-4-2b) Optimization 2: Update of forecast values When a predicted value is obtained as a target value, the predicted value is updated or updated so that the difference between the obtained value and the standard value is reduced or reduced, so that the obtained value approaches or approaches the standard value. This enables accurate management of the activity by the target.

[0052] Note that updating the forecast values ​​also contributes to optimizing information (e.g., work plans) created using the forecast values.

[0053] (1-4-2c) Optimization 3: Change in plan By modifying the plan of the activity (eg work plan) in such a way that the difference between the obtained value and the standard value with respect to the target is reduced or is reduced, an accurate management of the activity with respect to the target is possible.

[0054] (1-4-2d) Optimization 4: Changing the sequence of processes Modifying a sequence of steps (eg a sequence of work steps) in such a way that the difference between the obtained value and the standard value with respect to the target is or becomes smaller allows an accurate management of the activity with the target.

[0055] (2) Common features of the first and second embodiments (2-1) Output control The reduction processing unit (reduction processing unit 124, processing unit 12A) includes an output control unit. The output control unit outputs the difference in a recognizable manner.

[0056] The output control unit corresponds to the output control unit 1241 in the first embodiment. Also, the output control unit corresponds to the first output control unit 122A and the second output control unit 123A in the second embodiment.

[0057] In this embodiment, by having personnel recognize the outputted difference and change their activities, the difference is reduced or reduced, and inappropriate activities are improved or improved. This enables accurate management of activities.

[0058] The output control unit (output control unit 1241, first output control unit 122A, second output control unit 123A) includes a first output control unit and a second output control unit.

[0059] (2-1-1) First output control The first output control unit outputs an acquired value that is a value acquired by the acquisition unit (acquisition unit 121, information generation unit 121A). The first output control unit usually also outputs target identification information.

[0060] The target identification information is information for identifying a target. The target identification information is, for example, a character string indicating a target name such as "manpower" or "profitability" or an ID associated with the target name.

[0061] The first output control unit corresponds to the first output control unit 1241a in the first embodiment. Also, the first output control unit corresponds to the first output control unit 122A in the second embodiment.

[0062] This makes it possible to easily recognize the acquired value.

[0063] (2-1-2) Second output control The second output control unit outputs the comparison result between the acquired value and the standard value in a recognizable form.

[0064] The second output control unit corresponds to the second output control unit 1241b in the first embodiment. Also, the second output control unit corresponds to the second output control unit 123A in the second embodiment.

[0065] This makes it possible to easily compare the obtained value with the standard value.

[0066] As a result of the first output control and the second output control, accurate and easy management by the target of the activity becomes possible.

[0067] (3) Matters specific to embodiment 2 In the second embodiment, the organization has a store 200. In the store 200, products are sold.

[0068] The target is information relating to stocking in the store 200. The standard value is an evaluation index for the information relating to stocking.

[0069] The first output control unit 122A outputs product placement related information. The product placement related information is information related to product placement, and is information generated by the information generating unit 121A.

[0070] The second output control unit 123A outputs the comparison result between the product-distribution related information and the evaluation index in a recognizable form.

[0071] This makes it possible to easily evaluate stocking, and as a result, accurate and easy management of stocking using stocking-related information becomes possible.

[0072] (4) Common features of the first and third embodiments (4-1) Difference detection The target management system (100, plan optimization system 100B) further includes a detection unit. The detection unit detects a difference between an acquired value, which is a value acquired by the acquisition unit (121, observation unit 221), and a standard value for each of one or more first periods.

[0073] The detector calculates, for example, a difference between the acquired value and the standard value. The difference is, for example, a subtraction result obtained by subtracting the standard value from the acquired value, and includes a positive or negative sign. Note that the difference may be a difference whose absolute value exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

[0074] The detection unit corresponds to the detection unit 123 in the first embodiment. The detection unit corresponds to the detection unit 222 in the third embodiment.

[0075] (4-2) Update of standard values The reduction processing unit (124, processing unit 12B) may include an update unit.

[0076] The update unit updates the standard value based on the difference detected by the detection unit (123, 222), which is one or more differences corresponding to one or more first periods, so that the difference is reduced or is being reduced in one or more second periods.

[0077] The update unit corresponds to the update unit 1242 in the first embodiment. The update unit corresponds to the update unit 125 in the third embodiment.

[0078] That is, in the first embodiment, the reduction processing unit 124 includes an update unit 1242. The update unit 1242 updates the standard value based on the difference detected by the detection unit 123 and the one or more differences corresponding to the one or more first periods so that the difference is reduced or is reduced during the one or more second periods. Also, in the second embodiment, the processing unit 12B includes an update unit 125. The update unit 125 updates the standard value based on the difference detected by the detection unit 222 and the one or more differences corresponding to the one or more first periods so that the difference is reduced or is reduced during the one or more second periods.

[0079] In this way, by updating or gradually updating the standard values, the difference is reduced or narrowed, and the inappropriate standard values ​​are corrected or made appropriate.

[0080] This allows precise targeting and management of activities.

[0081] (4-3) Management by work hours In the first and third embodiments, for example, the activity is work and the target is man-hours.

[0082] The acquisition unit (121, 221) acquires a value of the man-hour for each of one or more second periods. The setting unit (122, 123B) sets a standard man-hour that is a standard value of the man-hour. The detection unit (123, 222) acquires a difference between the acquired value and the standard man-hour for each of one or more second periods. The update unit (1242, 125) updates the standard man-hour so that the difference is reduced or is being reduced for one or more second periods.

[0083] In the first embodiment, the acquisition unit 121 acquires the value of the man-hour for each of one or more second periods. The man-hour value acquired by the acquisition unit 121 is preferably a predicted value, but may be an actual value. The setting unit 122 sets a standard man-hour that is a standard value of the man-hour. The detection unit 123 acquires the difference between the acquired value and the standard man-hour for each of one or more second periods. The update unit 1242 updates the standard man-hour so that the difference is reduced or is being reduced for one or more second periods.

[0084] In the third embodiment, the observation unit 221 acquires the value of the man-hour for each of one or more second periods. The man-hour value acquired by the observation unit 221 is an actual value. The setting unit 123B sets a standard man-hour that is a standard value of the man-hour. The detection unit 222 acquires the difference between the acquired value and the standard man-hour for each of one or more second periods. The update unit 125 updates the standard man-hour so that the difference is reduced or is being reduced for one or more second periods.

[0085] In this way, by updating or gradually updating the standard man-hours, the difference is reduced or narrowed, and the inappropriate standard man-hours are made appropriate or are made suitable.

[0086] This enables accurate management based on the man-hours of work.

[0087] (4-4) Target value prediction In the first and third embodiments, the reduction processing unit (124, 12B) further includes a prediction unit (1243, 122B). The prediction unit (1243, 122B) predicts a target value and obtains a predicted value. The reduction processing unit (124, 12B) may perform a reduction process to reduce or gradually reduce a difference between the predicted value obtained by the prediction unit (1243, 122B) and the standard value.

[0088] In the first embodiment, the reduction processing unit 124 further includes a prediction unit 1243 .

[0089] The prediction unit 1243 predicts the value of the target for each of one or more second periods based at least on two or more acquired values ​​that are values ​​acquired by the acquisition unit in one or more first periods, and acquires a predicted value.

[0090] The prediction unit 1243 predicts the target value using information stored in memory in addition to two or more acquired values. The memory is usually a memory within the system (for example, the memory of the server 2), but may be a memory of an external device. The information stored in the memory is, for example, calendar information, weather information, sales information, etc., but is not limited to these.

[0091] The acquisition unit (121, 221) acquires the predicted value from the prediction unit (1243, 122B).

[0092] In the third embodiment, the reduction processing unit (processing unit 12B) further includes a prediction unit 122B. The prediction unit 122B obtains a predicted value based on the observation result of the observation unit 221.

[0093] In this way, the predicted value is obtained and the difference between the predicted value and the standard value is reduced, thereby improving the accuracy of management.

[0094] (5) Matters specific to embodiment 3 In the third embodiment, the one or more second periods are one or more second periods in the future.

[0095] The processing unit 12B corresponding to the reduction processing unit includes a prediction unit 122B and a creation unit 124B. The prediction unit 122B executes a prediction algorithm (manufacturing effort prediction algorithm PA) using a model (manufacturing effort prediction model PM) to obtain one or more man-hour predicted values ​​(time-zone / department-specific man-hour predicted value PV2) corresponding to one or more future second periods. The model (manufacturing effort prediction model PM) is a model that inputs a prediction data set DP and outputs a man-hour predicted value (time-zone / department-specific man-hour predicted value PV2). The prediction data set DP includes a set of period identification information (time-zone identification information TI), period attribute information (day attribute information AI), and quantity information (visitor number predicted value PV1) for each of one or more future second periods. The period identification information (time-zone identification information TI) is information that identifies a period. The period attribute information (day attribute information AI) is information related to the attributes of the period. The quantity information (visitor number predicted value PV1) is information related to the quantity of the work target in the period. The setting unit 123B sets the standard man-hours for the work.

[0096] The creation unit 124B creates a work plan (FIG. 12B) based on, for example, the standard man-hours set by the setting unit 123B, one or more man-hours predicted values ​​(time period / department-specific man-hours predicted value PV2) acquired by the prediction unit 122B, and one or more pieces of personnel information (see FIG. 12A) corresponding to one or more personnel who will perform the work. The work plan (FIG. 12B) is a plan for work to be performed by one or more personnel in one or more second periods in the future.

[0097] By obtaining a predicted man-hour value in this way, the discrepancy can be reduced and the accuracy of planning can be improved.

[0098] Matters specific to the first embodiment will be described later.

[0099] (6) Embodiment 1 Hereinafter, the first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. Note that the description that overlaps with the previous description will be simplified or omitted.

[0100] (6-1) Target Management System 1, a target management system 100 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure includes a target management device 1, a server 2, a camera 3, and an LPS (Local Positioning System) 4. The target management device 1 is communicatively connected to each of the server 2, the camera 3, and the LPS 4 via a network 400. The network 400 is, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network), the Internet, a communication line network, or the like.

[0101] The target management device 1 manages the activities of an organization by using targets. In this embodiment, the organization is a profit-making company, but may be a non-profit organization. The activities are, for example, work, management, etc. The targets are, for example, man-hours, profitability, etc.

[0102] In this embodiment, the organization is hierarchically divided into two layers: a field layer and a management layer. The field layer is a layer to which workers who perform work on the field belong, and is a layer below the management layer. The management layer is a layer to which managers who manage the company belong, and is a layer above the field layer.

[0103] The activities include work corresponding to the field layer and management corresponding to the management layer.

[0104] The server 2 stores various types of information, such as calendar information, weather information, and sales information.

[0105] The camera 3 is installed at the site and captures images of the objects of work being performed at the site (visitors, goods, etc.) and the personnel performing the work.

[0106] The LPS 4 is installed at the site and detects the position of personnel (or objects) at the site.

[0107] (6-2) Target management device As shown in FIG. 1, the target management device 1 includes a receiving unit 11, a processing unit 12, and an output unit 13.

[0108] The receiving unit 11 receives various types of information, such as standard values.

[0109] The processing unit 12 performs various types of processing, such as processing by an acquisition unit 121, a setting unit 122, a detection unit 123, and a reduction processing unit 124.

[0110] The output unit 13 outputs various information such as target values ​​(obtained values) and difference information.

[0111] The processing unit 12 includes an acquisition unit 121, a setting unit 122, a detection unit 123, and a reduction processing unit .

[0112] The acquiring unit 121 acquires the value of the target. For example, the acquiring unit 121 acquires the actual measured value of the target for each of one or more first periods.

[0113] Alternatively, the acquisition unit 121 may acquire the predicted value of the target for each of one or more second periods following one or more first periods. In detail, the acquisition unit 121 acquires the predicted value from, for example, a prediction unit 1243 described later.

[0114] The targets in this embodiment include a first target and a second target. The first target is a target related to work. For example, the first target is man-hours, inventory quantity, work efficiency, etc. The second target is a target related to management. For example, the second target is a management index. For example, the management index is profitability, growth rate, etc., but is not limited to these.

[0115] The acquisition unit 121 acquires a first value, which is a value of a first target, for each of one or more first periods based on image information from the camera 3 and position information from the LPS 4. The acquisition unit 121 may also acquire the first value by using information such as sales information stored in the memory.

[0116] Furthermore, the acquiring unit 121 acquires a second value, which is a value of a second target, for each of one or more first periods based on at least the value of the first target. Note that the acquiring unit 121 may also acquire the second value by using information such as sales information stored in the memory.

[0117] The setting unit 122 sets a standard value of the target. For example, the setting unit 122 sets a standard man-hour, which is a standard value of the man-hour.

[0118] The setting unit 122 sets, for example, a first standard value. The first standard value is a standard value of the first target.

[0119] The setting unit 122 sets a first standard value for each of, for example, two or more departments.

[0120] The setting unit 122 sets a second standard value based on at least the first standard value. The second standard value is a standard value of a second target.

[0121] The setting unit 122 sets the second standard value by using information such as sales information stored in a memory within the system or in a memory of an external device, for example.

[0122] The detection unit 123 detects a second difference for each of the one or more first periods. The second difference is the difference between a second acquired value, which is the second value acquired by the acquisition unit 121, and a second standard value.

[0123] The detection unit 123 detects the difference between the acquired value, which is the value acquired by the acquisition unit 121, and the standard value.

[0124] For example, the detection unit 123 detects the difference between an acquired value, which is a value acquired by the acquisition unit 121, and a standard value for each of one or more first periods.

[0125] The detection unit 123 detects a first difference between a first acquired value, which is a first value acquired by the acquisition unit 121, and a first standard value for each of the one or more first periods.

[0126] (6-3) Reduction processing The reduction processing unit 124 performs the reduction processing described above.

[0127] The reduction processing unit 124 includes, for example, an output control unit 1241, an update unit 1242, and a prediction unit 1243, as shown in FIG.

[0128] The reduction processing unit 124 may perform a first reduction process based on, for example, the first difference detected by the detection unit 123, which is one or more first differences corresponding to one or more first periods. The first reduction process is a process for reducing or gradually reducing a first difference between a first value and a first standard value acquired by the acquisition unit 121 in one or more second periods following the one or more first periods.

[0129] This enables on-site staff to accurately manage work based on the first target (such as man-hours).

[0130] Furthermore, the reduction processing unit 124 may perform a second reduction process based on, for example, the second difference detected by the detection unit 123, which is one or more second differences corresponding to one or more first periods. The second reduction process is a process for reducing or gradually reducing the second difference between the second value acquired by the acquisition unit 121 in one or more second periods following the one or more first periods and the second standard value.

[0131] This enables management to accurately manage the business based on a secondary management target (profitability, etc.).

[0132] The reduction processing unit 124 may further perform a third reduction process. The third reduction process is a process for reducing or gradually reducing the first difference detected by the detection unit 123 and one or more first differences corresponding to one or more second periods, based on the second difference detected by the detection unit 123 and one or more second differences corresponding to one or more first periods.

[0133] The third reduction process may be, for example, a process for outputting one or more first differences corresponding to one or more first periods in a recognizable manner when the second difference exceeds a threshold value. In this case, the reduction processing unit 124 may output one or more second differences corresponding to one or more second periods in a recognizable manner in addition to one or more first differences corresponding to one or more first periods.

[0134] This allows management to, in response to an increase in the second variance (e.g., a deterioration in profitability), take steps to reduce the first variance, which is the main cause of the increase (e.g., outputting the first variance in a recognizable manner), thereby preventing the increase in the second variance.

[0135] The organization in this embodiment includes two or more departments that belong to the field layer, for example, a logistics department and a sales department.

[0136] In this case, the acquisition unit 121 acquires a first value and a second value for each combination of two or more departments, one or more first periods, and one or more second periods. The setting unit 122 sets a first standard value and a second standard value for each of the two or more departments. The detection unit 123 detects a first difference and a second difference for each combination of two or more departments, one or more first periods, and one or more second periods. The reduction processing unit 124 performs a first reduction process and a second reduction process for each of the two or more departments.

[0137] The reduction processing unit 124 may, for example, perform the third reduction process for each of the two or more departments.

[0138] For example, when the second difference in a certain department exceeds the threshold, the reduction processing unit 124 outputs two or more first differences corresponding to the department in a recognizable manner. The reduction processing unit 124 may also output two or more second differences in a recognizable manner.

[0139] This allows for coordination between management and each of the two or more departments that share the work.

[0140] (6-3-1) Output control As shown in FIG. 1, the output control unit 1241 includes a first output control unit 1241a and a second output control unit 1241b.

[0141] The first output control unit 1241a outputs an acquired value, which is a value acquired by the acquisition unit 121. The second output control unit 1241b outputs a comparison result between the acquired value and a standard value in a recognizable form.

[0142] The output control unit 1241 may output information within a range specified by one or more types of specific information selected from personnel specific information, hierarchical specific information, department specific information, and period specific information.

[0143] In detail, the reception unit 11 receives an operation to select one or more types of specific information, and the output control unit 1241 outputs information within a range specified by the received one or more types of specific information. For example, when personnel specifying information and period specifying information are selected, information within a range linked to the personnel specifying information and period specifying information is output.

[0144] Furthermore, the reception unit 11 may receive a value of the specific information for each of the one or more types of specific information received as described above, and the output control unit 1241 may output information corresponding to the one or more received values ​​from within the range of information specified by the one or more types of specific information. For example, when the values ​​of the personnel specifying information and the period specifying information are received, information such as work schedule information for the personnel corresponding to the value of the personnel specifying information during the period corresponding to the value of the period specifying information is output.

[0145] (6-3-2) Updating standard values The update unit 1242 updates the standard value based on the difference detected by the detection unit 123, which is one or more differences corresponding to one or more first periods, so that the difference is reduced or is being reduced in one or more second periods.

[0146] The update unit 1242 may update the standard man-hours set by the setting unit 122 so that the target value (eg, actual result value) acquired by the acquisition unit 121 approaches the standard man-hours.

[0147] In detail, the update unit 1242 changes (increments) the target standard value (standard value stored in memory) set by the setting unit 122 by a predetermined amount in an increasing or decreasing direction (e.g., in the increasing direction), and determines whether the difference increases or decreases depending on the change.

[0148] If the difference detected by the detection unit 123 increases in response to the change, the update unit 1242 reverses the direction of the change and performs the same operation as described above. That is, the update unit 1242 changes (decrements) the standard value of the target by a predetermined amount in the direction opposite to the change (e.g., decreasing direction), and determines whether the difference increases or decreases in response to the change.

[0149] If the difference decreases in response to the change, the update unit 1242 continues the same operation until the difference starts to increase (i.e., reaches a minimum value). This updates the standard value of the target to a value that minimizes the difference.

[0150] By updating the standard value in this manner, the difference between the actual value and the standard value is reduced or is gradually reduced.

[0151] (6-3-3) Prediction (6-3-3a) Obtaining predicted values The prediction unit 1243 predicts the value of the target for each of one or more second periods based at least on two or more acquired values ​​that are values ​​acquired by the acquisition unit 121 in one or more first periods, and acquires a predicted value.

[0152] The prediction unit 1243 predicts the value of the target, for example, by using information stored in the memory, and obtains the predicted value.

[0153] (6-3-3b) Updating forecast values The update unit 1242 updates the predicted value acquired by the prediction unit 1243 so that the difference detected by the detection unit 123 is reduced.

[0154] The update unit 1242 may update the predicted value so that the result value acquired by the acquisition unit 121 approaches the standard value, for example.

[0155] In detail, the update unit 1242 changes the predicted value acquired by the prediction unit 1243 (the predicted value stored in the memory) in an increasing or decreasing direction (for example, in the increasing direction) by a predetermined amount at a time, and determines whether the difference increases or decreases depending on the change.

[0156] If the difference increases in response to the change, the update unit 1242 reverses the direction of the change and performs the same operation as described above. That is, the update unit 1242 changes the predicted value by a predetermined amount in the opposite direction to the change (for example, in the decreasing direction), and determines whether the difference increases or decreases in response to the change.

[0157] If the difference decreases in response to the change, the update unit 1242 continues the same operation until the difference starts to increase (i.e., takes a minimum value). This updates the predicted value to a value that makes the difference a minimum value.

[0158] By updating the forecast values ​​in this manner, the difference between the actual values ​​and the standard values ​​is reduced or is becoming smaller.

[0159] This will help reduce discrepancies and ultimately optimize work plans.

[0160] It is preferable that the update unit 1242 updates both the predicted value and the standard value. That is, for example, the update unit 1242 updates the predicted value so that the difference becomes a minimum value, and then updates the standard value so that the difference becomes a minimum value (a second minimum value) smaller than the minimum value (a first minimum value).

[0161] However, the order of updating the predicted value and updating the standard value may be reversed from that described above. That is, the update unit 1242 may update the standard value so that the difference becomes a minimum value, and then update the predicted value so that the difference becomes a minimum value (second minimum value) smaller than the minimum value (first minimum value).

[0162] Furthermore, the update unit 1242 may alternately repeat updating of the predicted value and updating of the standard value, thereby making it possible to further reduce the difference.

[0163] Alternatively, the update unit 1242 may update only the predicted value and not the standard value. Alternatively, the update unit 1242 may update only the standard value and not the predicted value. In either case, the difference can be reduced.

[0164] (6-3-4) Other updates For example, the processing unit 12 may create a work plan based on information such as standard values ​​for the target, and the update unit 1242 may modify the work plan so that the difference between the obtained value and the standard value for the target is reduced or is being reduced.

[0165] Alternatively, the update unit 1242 may update a series of work steps constituting a work so that the difference between the acquired value and the standard value relating to the target is reduced or is being reduced.

[0166] (6-3-5) Operation of the target management device The target management device 1 executes processing according to the flowchart of Fig. 2. Note that the processing of Fig. 2 is started in response to the power-on of the target management device 1, and is ended in response to the power-off of the target management device 1.

[0167] The processing unit 12 judges whether the receiving unit 11 has received the standard value of the target (step S1). If it is judged that the receiving unit 11 has received the standard value of the target, the process proceeds to step S2. If it is judged that the standard value has not been received, the process proceeds to step S3.

[0168] The setting unit sets the value received in step S1 as the standard value of the target (step S2). The set standard value is stored in the memory. After that, the process returns to step S1.

[0169] The processing unit 12 judges whether or not information has been received from a sensor (such as the camera 3) (step S3). If it is judged that information has not been received from the sensor, the process proceeds to step S8.

[0170] The acquisition unit 121 acquires the target value based on the information received in step S3 (step S4). The target value acquired here is at least one of a predicted value and an actual value. In this embodiment, both a predicted value and an actual value are acquired. The acquired target value is held in a memory.

[0171] The processing unit 12 judges whether or not a standard value has been set (step S5). If it is judged that a standard value has been set, the process proceeds to step S6. If it is judged that a standard value has not been set, the process proceeds to step S8.

[0172] The detection unit 123 detects the difference between the value acquired in step S2 and the standard value set in step S4 (step S6).

[0173] The reduction processing unit 124 executes a reduction process for reducing the difference detected in step S6 (step S7). The reduction process will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 3. After that, the process returns to step S1.

[0174] The processing unit 12 judges whether the standard value has been updated (step S8). When the update unit 1242 executes step S12 described later, the processing unit 12 judges that the standard value has been updated. If it is judged that the standard value has been updated, the processing returns to step S2. If it is judged that the standard value has not been updated, the processing returns to step S1.

[0175] The reduction process in step S7 is executed, for example, according to the flowchart in FIG.

[0176] The processing unit 12 judges whether the difference detected in step S6 is greater than a predetermined threshold value (step S11). If it is judged that the difference is greater than the threshold value, the process proceeds to step S12. If it is judged that the difference is equal to or smaller than the threshold value, the process returns to the upper flowchart (FIG. 2).

[0177] The update unit 1242 updates the standard value in the memory so that the difference detected in step S6 is reduced (step S12). The update unit 1242 also updates the predicted value in the memory so that the difference detected in step S6 is reduced (step S13). That is, the standard value and the predicted value are each updated so that the difference is reduced.

[0178] Next, the output control unit 1241 outputs the difference detected in step S6 in a recognizable manner (step S14), after which the process returns to the upper-level flowchart (FIG. 2).

[0179] Although not shown in FIG. 3, in the reduction process, the plan and the series of steps described above may be changed.

[0180] (6-4) Modified target management system The target management system 100 may further include a generation unit (not shown) that generates a model used by the prediction unit 1243 for prediction.

[0181] The generation unit generates a model by executing a machine learning algorithm using a combination of various information (image information, location information, etc.) from sensors (camera 3, LPS 4, etc.) and target actual values ​​(actual labor hours, etc.: teacher data) as input.

[0182] The generating unit corresponds to the generating unit 121B in the third embodiment. Moreover, the machine learning algorithm corresponds to the learning algorithm LA in the third embodiment. Moreover, the model corresponds to the effort prediction model PM in the third embodiment.

[0183] (7) Embodiment 2 (7-1) Product Delivery Management System 4, an item pick-up management system 100A according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure includes an item pick-up management device 1A, one or more selling-floor terminals 20, and one or more storage terminals 30. The item pick-up management device 1A is communicatively connected to each of the one or more selling-floor terminals 20 and the one or more storage terminals 30 via a network 400 such as a wireless or wired LAN, the Internet, or a telephone line network.

[0184] The product output management device 1A in this embodiment is, for example, a server, and has a processor, a memory, a communication module, etc. (none of which are shown in the figures). The product output management device 1A also typically has an input device and an output device (none of which are shown in the figures). The input device is a keyboard, a touch panel, etc., and the output device is a display, a speaker, a printer, etc. Furthermore, the product output management device 1A may also have a photographing device (not shown in the figures). The photographing device is a camera, a scanner, etc.

[0185] In the product placement management device 1A, various information and programs are stored in the memory, and the processor realizes various processes performed by the processing unit 12A, etc., described later, based on the various information and programs in the memory. Such a processor and memory may be called a "computer."

[0186] The selling-floor terminal 20 and the storage terminal 30 are mobile terminals. The mobile terminals are, for example, smartphones or tablet terminals, and include a processor, memory, a communication module, an input device, an output device, and a photographing device. In each of the selling-floor terminal 20 and the storage terminal 30, various information and programs are stored in the memory, and the processor can realize various processes.

[0187] The communication modules possessed by each of the product display management device 1A, the sales-floor terminal 20, and the storage terminal 30 enable communication via the network 400 (transmission and reception of various information between the product display management device 1A, the sales-floor terminal 20, and the storage terminal 30).

[0188] The inventory management system 100A of this embodiment is used by a retail business such as a supermarket or a home improvement center. The retail business in this embodiment has a headquarters 300 and one or more stores 200. The store 200 has a sales floor 201 and a storage warehouse 202, and the sales floor 201 has one or more display shelves (not shown) for displaying products. The storage warehouse 202 is divided into a plurality of sections (not shown), and each section has one or more car trucks (not shown) for movably storing products.

[0189] In this embodiment, the store 200 is configured in one building, and the sales floor 201 and the storage unit 202 are provided in the one building, but the sales floor 201 and the storage unit 202 may be located in different buildings. Also, the storage unit 202 may be shared by multiple stores 200.

[0190] (7-2) Product listing management device As shown in Fig. 4, an item pick-up management device 1A according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure includes a processing unit 12A, a receiving unit 11A, and an output unit 13A. The processing unit 12A includes an information generating unit 121A, a first output control unit 122A, and a second output control unit 123A.

[0191] In this embodiment, the information generating unit 121A is provided in the product output management device 1A, but it may be provided in any one of the selling-floor terminal 20, the storage terminal 30, and the store terminal 4, regardless of its location.

[0192] The processing unit 12A performs various processes. The various processes are, for example, processes (described later) of the information generating unit 121A, the first output control unit 122A, and the second output control unit 123A. The processing unit 12A also performs comparison of the product-distribution-related information with an evaluation index (both of which are described later), and various judgments described in the flowchart. Other processes will be described as appropriate.

[0193] The reception unit 11A receives various types of information, such as information on whether or not there is a shortage, information on the number of items in stock, and various instructions (all of which will be described later).

[0194] The reception by the reception unit 11A is usually reception of information received via a communication module. However, the reception may be various receptions within the product management device 1A (for example, reception of information input via an input device, reception of information read by a reading device, reception of information read from a recording medium such as a memory or a disk, etc.), and the mode is not important.

[0195] The reception unit 11A receives out-of-stock information received from the selling-floor terminal 20 via the communication module. Out-of-stock information is information that indicates whether or not the product is out of stock in the selling floor 201 of the store 200. The out-of-stock information includes, for example, a store identifier that identifies the store 200, a product identifier that identifies the product, and a flag that indicates whether or not the product is out of stock.

[0196] However, if the number of stores is one (the retailer has only one store 200), the out-of-stock information does not need to have a store identifier. Also, if the number of products handled in the store 200 is one, the information does not need to have a product identifier. The same applies to inventory quantity information, which will be described later.

[0197] The reception unit 11A also receives inventory quantity information received from the storage terminal 30 via the communication module. However, at least one of the information on the presence or absence of a shortage and the inventory quantity information may be received via an input device included in the inventory management device 1A.

[0198] The output unit 13A outputs various types of information, such as product-related information, a first stock-out list, and a second stock-out list (all of which will be described later).

[0199] The output by the output unit 13A is usually displayed on a display. The display to which the output is sent is usually a display of the product placement management device 1A, but may be an external display (not shown) in the headquarters 300, or a display of the selling floor terminal 20 or the storage terminal 30.

[0200] However, the output may be, for example, audio output from a speaker, printout by a printer, recording on a recording medium, transmission to an external device, etc. The above items are also common to the output units (22, 32) of the selling-floor terminal 20 and the storage terminal 30.

[0201] (7-3) Product information The information generating unit 121A constituting the processing unit 12A generates product placement related information. The product placement related information is information related to product placement in the store 200.

[0202] Putting out merchandise means bringing in and displaying merchandise in the sales floor 201. The brought-in merchandise may be newly delivered merchandise from a supplier such as a factory or wholesaler, or may be merchandise that was delivered in the past and stored in the storage 202.

[0203] In this embodiment, newly delivered goods are usually stored in the storage 202, and then are brought into the sales floor 201 at an appropriate time and displayed on display shelves, etc. However, some goods may be brought directly into the sales floor 201 without going through the storage 202.

[0204] Also, the products stored in the storage 202 of the store 200 are assumed to be picked up into a small cart for delivery or carried into the sales floor 201 by a cart truck, for example, and then displayed. Furthermore, the products that are carried in but are not displayed are assumed to be stored in the storage 202 or returned to the supplier.

[0205] Examples of product-related information include inventory quantity information (actual inventory days), out-of-stock quantity information (first out-of-stock quantity information, second out-of-stock quantity information), work efficiency information, occupancy rate information, progress information, returned quantity information, and backlog inventory information.

[0206] Stock quantity information is information regarding the number or amount of products stored in the storehouse 202 of the store 200.

[0207] The stock quantity information may be, for example, information regarding the total quantity of all products, or information regarding the quantity of each product or group. The stock quantity information includes, for example, a store identifier that identifies the store 200, a product identifier that identifies the product, and a stock quantity.

[0208] In the present embodiment, the inventory quantity information is the actual inventory days. The actual inventory days is information indicating how many days' worth of inventory equivalent to the sales quantity is stored (actually exists) in the warehouse 202.

[0209] However, the inventory quantity information may be the actual inventory quantity. The actual inventory quantity is information indicating the quantity of the product stored in the warehouse 202 (e.g., 10 pieces, 1 box, 3 kg, etc.). The actual inventory days is the value obtained by dividing the actual inventory quantity by the sales quantity per day.

[0210] Alternatively, the inventory quantity information may be information regarding the total quantity of all products, or information regarding the quantity of each product or each type of product. Note that the types of products may be hierarchically organized into groups, categories, subcategories, etc.

[0211] The out-of-stock quantity information is information regarding the number of out-of-stock items. Out-of-stock items are items that are out of stock in the sales floor 201 of the store 200. Out-of-stock means that the item is not present in the sales floor 201. The out-of-stock quantity information includes first out-of-stock quantity information and second out-of-stock quantity information.

[0212] The first number of out-of-stock items information is information about a first out-of-stock item. A first out-of-stock item is an out-of-stock item that is in stock in the storage 202 and may be referred to as "out of stock but out of stock." The second number of out-of-stock items information is information about a second out-of-stock item. A second out-of-stock item is an out-of-stock item that is not in stock in the storage 202 and may be referred to as "out of stock but out of stock."

[0213] The first out-of-stock quantity information is linked to a first out-of-stock list (not shown, described later). The first out-of-stock list is a list related to one or more first out-of-stock products. Details of the first out-of-stock list will be described later.

[0214] The first out-of-stock list may be associated with product stock recommendation information. The product stock recommendation information is information that recommends stocking the product from the product storage 202 to the sales floor 201. The product stock recommendation information is, for example, a character string such as "Please stock the products registered in the list," but it may also be a mark or the like that indicates stocking.

[0215] The second out-of-stock quantity information is linked to a second out-of-stock list (not shown). The second out-of-stock list is a list related to one or more second out-of-stock items. Details of the second out-of-stock list will be described later.

[0216] The second out-of-stock list may be associated with ordering recommendation information. The ordering recommendation information is information that recommends placing an order with a supplier of the product. The ordering recommendation information is, for example, a character string such as "Please place an order for the product registered in the list." However, it may also be a mark indicating an order.

[0217] The work efficiency information is information related to the efficiency of stocking work. Stocking work is the work of stocking products from the storage 202 to the sales floor 201 in the store 200. The work efficiency information is, for example, information indicating "how many products one person can stock in one hour", but it may also be information indicating "the time required for one person to stock one product".

[0218] The work efficiency information may be, for example, information indicating a progress speed. The progress speed is information indicating how much work has progressed per unit time (for example, one hour). The progress speed is, for example, the amount of work done by one worker per hour (for example, the number of products worked on). Note that the work efficiency information may be generated, for example, based on progress information described below.

[0219] The occupancy rate information is information relating to an occupancy rate. The occupancy rate is information indicating the extent to which the products (stock products) present in the storehouse 202 of the store 200 occupy the storehouse 202.

[0220] The occupancy rate may be the occupancy rate of the product itself in the storage cabinet 202, or may be the occupancy rate of the storage member for storing the product in the storage cabinet 202. The storage member is preferably the car truck described above, but may be a small cart for carrying in, or may be a member that is difficult to move, such as a pallet or a storage shelf.

[0221] The occupancy rate in this embodiment is the occupancy rate of car trucks in the storage facility 202 (e.g., BR (Back Room)) (BR car truck occupancy rate). As described above, the storage facility 202 is divided into a plurality of sections, and one or more car trucks are placed in each section. The BR car truck occupancy rate is the value obtained by dividing the number of car trucks (registered car trucks) loaded with goods by the total number of sections.

[0222] Generally, it is calculated as "occupancy rate = {number of stored materials (registered stored materials)} / total number of sections." However, the denominator here can be any number that corresponds to the area of ​​the storage facility 202. The denominator can be, for example, the area of ​​the storage facility 202 or the total number of stored materials in the storage facility 202.

[0223] The progress information is information related to the progress of the stocking work for out-of-stock products. The progress information includes execution count information. The execution count information is information related to the number of times the stocking work has been performed.

[0224] The stocking work includes one or more of the following work: requesting work, picking work, displaying work, returning work, and simultaneous stocking work.

[0225] A request operation is an operation for making a request to put out an out-of-stock item. A picking operation is an operation for picking an item corresponding to an out-of-stock item from the storage 202 in response to a request for putting out an item. A display operation is an operation for displaying the items picked in the picking operation in the sales floor 201. A return operation is an operation for returning to the storage 202 the items picked in the picking operation that were not displayed in the sales floor 201 during the display operation. A simultaneous store retrieval operation is an operation in simultaneous store retrieval that does not involve a request operation or a picking operation.

[0226] The progress information includes, for each of one or more types of work among the above, information on the number of times the work has been performed. The progress information may be, for example, the ratio of the number of times the picking work and / or the display work has been performed to the number of times the requested work has been performed.

[0227] Return quantity information is information related to the return quantity. The return quantity is the quantity of products (hereinafter referred to as "returned products") that were brought into the sales floor 201 and returned to the place of origin without being displayed in the sales floor 201. The return quantity is, for example, the quantity of products that were picked in a picking operation and returned to the storage warehouse 202 without being displayed in the sales floor 201 in a display operation.

[0228] In this embodiment, there are two types of products: standard products and MD (merchandising) products. Standard products are products that are always in stock at the store 200, and are products that are the subject of automatic ordering, which will be described later. Standard products delivered from the supplier are usually stored in the storage warehouse 202, and are stocked out of the sales floor 201 from the storage warehouse 202 to the sales floor 201 whenever they run out of stock there. However, some of the delivered standard products may be carried directly into the sales floor 201 without going through the storage warehouse 202.

[0229] MD products are products that are sold for a limited period or quantity, and are not subject to automatic ordering. MD products delivered from the supplier are normally all stored in the storage warehouse 202 and brought into the sales floor 201 by cart truck. However, it is not necessary to distinguish between standard products and MD products.

[0230] The retained inventory information is information related to the retained inventory quantity. The retained inventory quantity is the number of stock items that have been stored in the storehouse 202 for a period (storage period) exceeding a threshold value (e.g., 10 days, 1 month, etc.).

[0231] In this embodiment, the product-offtake-related information includes inventory quantity information, stockout number information, work efficiency information, occupancy rate information, progress information, backlog inventory information, and return quantity information. However, the product-offtake-related information may include at least one type of information among inventory quantity information, stockout number information, work efficiency information, occupancy rate information, progress information, backlog inventory information, and return quantity information.

[0232] (7-4) Creation of product-related information The information generating unit 121A generates the first out-of-stock quantity information and the second out-of-stock quantity information based on the out-of-stock status information received by the out-of-stock status receiving unit 211 and the stock quantity information received by the stock quantity receiving unit 311, for example.

[0233] In addition, the information generation unit 121A generates work efficiency information, occupancy rate information, progress information, backlog inventory information, and return quantity information using the first out-of-stock quantity information and the second out-of-stock quantity information generated as described above and various information stored in the memory.

[0234] The various information stored in the memory is, for example, first out-of-stock quantity information and second out-of-stock quantity information generated in the past. The first out-of-stock quantity information and second out-of-stock quantity information generated in the past are the first out-of-stock quantity information and second out-of-stock quantity information generated the previous time, the first out-of-stock quantity information and second out-of-stock quantity information generated two times ago, etc. Note that the memory may store more than three times of first out-of-stock quantity information and second out-of-stock quantity information.

[0235] The memory also stores execution history information relating to the execution history of the various tasks described above. The execution history information is a collection of one or more pieces of execution information. The execution information includes information that identifies the type of task, the performer, the time of execution, the number of times it was performed, etc.

[0236] Each time a store clerk performs an operation, execution information is input to the selling-floor terminal 20 or the storage terminal 30, in which the reception unit (21 or 31) receives the execution information and the output unit (22 or 32) transmits the execution information to the product placement management device 1A. In the product placement management device 1A, the reception unit 11A receives the execution information, and the processing unit 12A stores the execution information in memory. This updates the execution history information in the memory.

[0237] The information generation unit 121A uses the generated first out-of-stock quantity information and second out-of-stock quantity information and the execution history information stored in the memory to generate work efficiency information, progress information, backlog inventory information, and returned quantity information through a predetermined algorithm.

[0238] Furthermore, the memory stores a plurality of pieces of car truck information in association with a car truck identifier for identifying each car truck. The car truck information is information about car trucks arranged in the storage facility 202. The car truck information includes a section identifier for identifying the section in which the car truck is arranged, and cargo information for specifying the presence or absence of cargo and the type of cargo (group, category, product name, etc.).

[0239] Each time goods are loaded onto or unloaded from a car truck, the store clerk inputs car truck information together with a car truck identifier, and in the selling-floor terminal 20 or the storage terminal 30, the reception unit (21 or 31) receives the car truck information, etc., and the output unit (22 or 32) transmits the car truck information, etc. to the product placement management device 1A. In the product placement management device 1A, the reception unit 11A receives the car truck information together with the car truck identifier, and the processing unit 12A updates the car truck information in the memory corresponding to the received car truck identifier with the received car truck information.

[0240] The information generating unit 121A generates occupancy rate information by a predetermined algorithm using the generated first stock-out number information and second stock-out number information and a plurality of pieces of car track information stored in the memory.

[0241] (7-5) Output control of product-related information The first output control unit 122A outputs the product-related information generated by the information generating unit 121A. In this embodiment, the first output control unit 122A usually outputs the product-related information generated by the information generating unit 121A from the output unit 13A of the product-related information management device 1A.

[0242] However, the first output control unit 122A may cause the output unit (22 or 32) of the selling-floor terminal 20 or the storage terminal 30 to output the product-picking related information.

[0243] The first output control unit 122A in this embodiment outputs a plurality of pieces of product-related information corresponding to a plurality of stores 200 so as to be comparable to each other. Outputting the pieces of product-related information so as to be comparable to each other means, for example, displaying the plurality of pieces of product-related information on one screen as shown in FIG. 5 (described later).

[0244] However, outputting the items in a manner that allows them to be compared with one another may mean, for example, outputting a plurality of pieces of product-related information corresponding to a plurality of stores 200 in sequence at a predetermined time interval (for example, at five-second intervals).

[0245] The first output control unit 122A may also output a first out-of-stock list, which is a list of first out-of-stock items in a number corresponding to the first out-of-stock item information, in association with the first out-of-stock item number information. The first out-of-stock list registers information such as the item name, group, and number to be put out (the number to be put out to the sales floor 201) for each of one or more out-of-stock items (first out-of-stock items) in stock in the storage 202. The first output control unit 122A may display such a first out-of-stock list together with the above-mentioned item putting out recommendation information.

[0246] This facilitates the process of requesting the removal of out-of-stock products that are in stock.

[0247] Furthermore, the first output control unit 122A may output a second out-of-stock list, which is a list of second out-of-stock items in a number corresponding to the second out-of-stock item information, in association with the second out-of-stock item number information. The second out-of-stock list registers one or more pairs of item name and order quantity (number to be ordered from the supplier) for each of one or more out-of-stock items (second out-of-stock items) that are not in stock in the storehouse 202. The first output control unit 122A may display such a second out-of-stock list together with the ordering recommendation information described above.

[0248] This facilitates the ordering process for out-of-stock items.

[0249] For example, when information on the presence or absence of out-of-stock items and inventory quantity information are input, the information generation unit 121A generates first out-of-stock quantity information and second out-of-stock quantity information, and the first output control unit 122A may store the generated first out-of-stock quantity information and second out-of-stock quantity information in an internal memory, and output the stored first out-of-stock quantity information and second out-of-stock quantity information periodically or irregularly.

[0250] Note that, for example, outputting periodically may be outputting at a predetermined cycle (for example, once every 10 minutes). Also, outputting irregularly may be outputting the generated information in response to the generation of the first out-of-stock quantity information or the second out-of-stock quantity information, for example.

[0251] This enables real-time output of in-stock / out-of-stock quantity information and out-of-stock quantity information.

[0252] (7-6) Output control of the comparison results between product-related information and evaluation indexes The second output control unit 123A outputs the comparison result between the product-distribution related information and the evaluation index in a recognizable form.

[0253] The evaluation index is information that serves as a standard for evaluating stocking. The evaluation targets are, for example, inventory quantity, stockout quantity, work efficiency, occupancy rate, progress, etc. In this embodiment, the second output control unit 123A outputs stocking-related information on such targets and the comparison results with the evaluation index in a recognizable manner, thereby facilitating evaluation of stocking.

[0254] The evaluation index includes a reference value related to the product-related information. The reference value may be, for example, a target value, a threshold value, etc. The evaluation index may be composed of a plurality of reference values, for example, a first reference value, a second reference value, etc. (however, the first reference value<the second reference value, etc., or the first reference value>the second reference value>, etc.).

[0255] In this embodiment, outputting the comparison result in a recognizable manner means changing the display manner of the product-related information according to the comparison result. The display manner is, for example, color, but it may also be shading, brightness, size, font, etc.

[0256] Specifically, when the stocking-related information is work efficiency information, the evaluation index is a target value of work efficiency. The second output control unit 123A compares the work efficiency information with the target value, and displays the work efficiency information in blue if the comparison result is "work efficiency ≧ target value," and in red if the comparison result is "work efficiency < target value." This allows the efficiency of stocking work in the store 200 to be evaluated.

[0257] Alternatively, outputting the comparison result in a recognizable manner may involve, for example, adding a marker to the product display related information according to the comparison result. The marker may be added, for example, by underlining or attaching an icon. The second output control unit 123A may add an OK mark to the work efficiency information if the comparison result is "work efficiency≧target value", and may add an NG mark to the work efficiency information if the comparison result is "work efficiency<target value".

[0258] The second output control unit 123A in this embodiment outputs the comparison result between the product related information and the evaluation index for each of the multiple product related information in a recognizable manner. Displaying the comparison result in a recognizable manner means, for example, displaying the multiple product related information in different manners depending on the comparison result with the evaluation index, as shown in FIG.

[0259] In Figure 5, for example, the evaluation index for actual inventory days includes two reference values, "5 days" and "10 days," and the actual inventory days of "4.7 days," which is less than the first reference value of "5," is displayed in green (light), the actual inventory days of "10.6 days," which is greater than the second reference value of "10 days," is displayed in red (dark), and the actual inventory days of "5.3 days," "6.5 days," and "7.2 days," which are equal to or greater than the first reference value of "5" and less than the second reference value of "10 days," are displayed in orange (a shade between light and dark).

[0260] Similarly, for occupancy rates, the evaluation index includes two first and second reference values, "75%" and "100%," with an occupancy rate of "72%" that is smaller than the first reference value of "75" being displayed in green (light), an occupancy rate of "105%" that is larger than the second reference value of "100%" being displayed in red (dark), and occupancy rates of "80%, "80%," and "93%" that are equal to or greater than the first reference value of "75%" and smaller than the second reference value of "100%" being displayed in orange (a halfway between light and dark).

[0261] (7-7) Determination of evaluation indicators based on standard labor hours The evaluation index is determined for each of the one or more types of work described above from the standard man-hours of the work. The standard man-hours are the standard man-hours constituting one work. The standard man-hours are determined, for example, based on sales and the amount of goods handled in a certain period (e.g., one year). In this embodiment, the processing unit 12A determines the standard man-hours of various works using a predetermined algorithm based on the annual sales and the amount of goods handled, and further determines the evaluation indexes of the various works using the predetermined algorithm based on the determined standard man-hours.

[0262] In detail, the reception unit 11A receives the annual sales amount and the handling amount of the store 200, and the processing unit 12A determines the workload per day based on the received sales amount and the handling amount in accordance with a predetermined algorithm. Next, the processing unit 12A determines the standard man-hours for various tasks such as requesting tasks, picking tasks, and display tasks in accordance with a predetermined algorithm based on the determined workload, and converts the determined standard man-hours into target values ​​per unit time (1 hour).

[0263] In this embodiment, the target value is the time required per unit execution count (one execution) of the task. For example, the target value for a required task is determined as "24 minutes / execution." Alternatively, the target value may be the time required per unit execution amount of the task (one box, one cart, etc.). For example, the target value for a picking task is determined as "0.6 minutes / box." However, the target value may also be the number of executions / amount of execution per unit time of the task.

[0264] However, for example, the standard man-hours may be determined in advance in a server (not shown) or the like, and the determined standard man-hours may be stored in the memory of the product output management device, and the processing unit 12A or the like may determine the evaluation index based on the stored standard man-hours. Alternatively, the evaluation index determined in advance based on the standard man-hours may be stored in the memory, and the processing unit 12A or the like may perform processing such as comparison using the stored evaluation index.

[0265] This makes it possible to evaluate using evaluation indices based on standard labor hours.

[0266] When the first output control unit 122A outputs the first and second out-of-stock quantity information, the second output control unit 123A may output the results of comparison of the first and second out-of-stock quantity information with the evaluation indexes in a recognizable manner, which makes it possible to easily analyze and evaluate the stocking work.

[0267] (7-8) Operation of the product delivery management device The product placement management device 1A operates as follows. For example, in the selling-floor terminal 20, when the out-of-stock status reception unit 211 receives out-of-stock status information, the output unit 22 transmits the out-of-stock status information to the product placement management device 1A. Or, in the storage terminal 30, when the stock quantity reception unit 311 receives stock quantity information, the output unit 32 transmits the stock quantity information to the product placement management device 1A.

[0268] In the product output management device 1A, when the reception unit 11A receives the stock-out information or the inventory quantity information, the processing unit 12A holds the received information. The processing unit 12A also executes information processing using the held information and holds the results of the executed information processing in an internal memory or the like.

[0269] Timing information regarding the timing of outputting information is stored in a memory (not shown) of the inventory management device 1A, and when the current time coincides with the timing indicated by the timing information, the processing unit 12A outputs the processing result it is holding via the output unit 13A.

[0270] (7-9) Sales floor terminal The selling-floor terminal 20 includes a reception unit 21 and an output unit 22. The reception unit 21 includes a stockout status reception unit 211. Note that, although the selling-floor terminal 20 includes the stockout status reception unit 211 in this embodiment, the selling-floor terminal 20 may include the product output management device 1A.

[0271] The reception unit 21 of the selling-floor terminal 20 receives various types of information. For example, the various types of information include information on whether or not an item is out of stock. The reception unit 21 also receives the current number of items, which will be described later.

[0272] Out-of-stock information reception unit 211 constituting reception unit 21 receives out-of-stock information. For example, in sales floor 201, the product identifier of each product is attached in the form of a barcode or the like to the display location of the product, and when a product is out of stock in sales floor 201, a store clerk may read the product identifier of the product with a camera of sales-floor terminal 20. A store identifier of store 200 is stored in a memory (not shown) of sales-floor terminal 20, and in response to reading the product identifier, out-of-stock information reception unit 211 receives a set of the stored store identifier, the read product identifier, and a flag indicating "out of stock" as out-of-stock information.

[0273] (7-10) Storage terminal The storage terminal 30 includes a reception unit 31 and an output unit 32. The reception unit 31 includes an inventory quantity reception unit 311. Note that, although the inventory quantity reception unit 311 is provided in the storage terminal 30 in this embodiment, it may be provided in the product output management device 1A.

[0274] The reception unit 31 included in the storage terminal 30 receives various types of information, such as inventory quantity information.

[0275] Stock quantity receiving unit 311 constituting receiving unit 31 receives stock quantity information. For example, in storage 202, a product identifier of each product is attached in the form of a barcode or the like to the storage location of the product, and a store clerk may read the product identifier of the product with a camera of storage terminal 30 and then input the stock quantity via an input device such as a touch panel.

[0276] The store identifier of the store 200 is stored in a memory (not shown) of the storage terminal 30, and in response to reading the product identifier, the stock quantity reception unit 311 accepts the stored store identifier, the read product identifier, and the input quantity information as stock quantity information.

[0277] (7-11) Example of use of inventory management system For example, the stock quantity receiving unit 311 of the storage terminal 30 receives stock quantity information related to the quantity of each product or group, and the information generating unit 121A of the product output management device 1A generates stock quantity information related to the total quantity of all products based on the received stock quantity information. The first output control unit 122A of the product output management device 1A may control the output units (13, 22, 32) of the product output management device 1A, the selling-floor terminal 20, and the storage terminal 30 so that the headquarters 300 can output only the total quantity, and the store 200 can output both the total quantity and the quantity of each product or group.

[0278] The stock quantity information regarding the total amount of all products is, for example, the average quantity for each product or group. In this case, the information generating unit 121A obtains stock quantity information for each product or group that has a sales record during a certain period in the past (for example, the most recent month). The information generating unit 121A then adds up the obtained multiple pieces of stock quantity information and divides the result by the number of products or groups to calculate the average value.

[0279] Specifically, in the storage room 202, a store clerk reads the product identifier of the storage location of the product with the camera of the store terminal 4, and inputs the stock quantity using a touch panel or the like. In the sales-floor terminal 20, the out-of-stock status reception unit 211 receives the store identifier stored in memory, the read product identifier, and the input stock quantity as stock quantity information for the product. The multiple pieces of stock quantity information thus received are transmitted to the product output management device 1A via the output unit 22.

[0280] In the inventory management device 1A, the daily sales quantity of each product at the store 200 is stored in a memory (not shown). The reception unit 11A receives the above-mentioned multiple pieces of inventory quantity information from the selling-floor terminal 20. The information generation unit 121A obtains the actual inventory days for each of the multiple pieces of inventory quantity information received by dividing the inventory quantity included in the inventory quantity information by the daily sales quantity of the product identified by the product identifier included in the inventory quantity information.

[0281] The information generating unit 121A calculates the average value of the actual inventory days of each product in the store 200 by adding up the multiple actual inventory days thus acquired and dividing the total by the number of items (that is, the number of products) in the received inventory quantity information.

[0282] For example, the product stock-related information may include information on the number of out-of-stock items and the ratio. The ratio here is the ratio of the number of items currently in the sales floor 201 to the number of items that should be in the sales floor 201. The evaluation index includes a criterion (hereinafter simply referred to as the "criterion") that requires the product to be stocked in the sales floor 201. The criterion is a criterion related to the ratio, such as "50%."

[0283] The first output control unit 122A outputs the number of products whose ratio is equal to or less than the standard, other than the first out-of-stock product corresponding to the first out-of-stock number information, in association with the first out-of-stock number information. The first output control unit 122A also outputs the number of products whose ratio is equal to or less than the standard, other than the second out-of-stock product corresponding to the second out-of-stock number information, in association with the second out-of-stock number information.

[0284] The second output control unit 123A may display the first out-of-stock quantity information and the second out-of-stock quantity information, and the numbers of products output in association with each of the first out-of-stock quantity information and the second out-of-stock quantity information, in different formats.

[0285] In this way, by outputting the number of products whose ratio is below the standard in different formats in association with each of the in-stock out-of-stock quantity information and out-of-stock quantity information, it is possible to easily recognize the difference in urgency of responding to out-of-stock products and products that are about to become out of stock.

[0286] In detail, screen generation information for generating screens (see Figs. 5 to 7) is stored in the memory of the product output management device 1A. The screen generation information includes a plurality of display elements and arrangement information. The display elements are elements that are displayed on the screen. The arrangement information is information that indicates the arrangement of the plurality of display elements on the screen.

[0287] The first output control unit 122A and the second output control unit 123A generate a screen based on the screen generation information stored in the memory and the product-related information generated by the information generation unit 121A, and output the screen via the output unit 13A. As a result, for example, the screen in FIG. 5 is displayed on the display of the product-distribution management device 1A (or an external display in the headquarters 300).

[0288] In this embodiment, the screen in FIG. 5 is a screen that is first displayed on the display of the product selection management device 1A disposed at the headquarters 300 (or an external display within the headquarters 300), and may be referred to as a "headquarters top screen."

[0289] The screen in Figure 5 includes a "Store" item corresponding to a store identifier, a "Actual inventory days" item corresponding to inventory quantity information, a "Occupancy rate" item corresponding to occupancy rate information, a "Number of out-of-stock items" item corresponding to out-of-stock number information, an "Work efficiency" item corresponding to work efficiency information, and an "Overall evaluation" item corresponding to an overall evaluation result based on the inventory quantity information, occupancy rate information, number of out-of-stock items information, and work efficiency information.

[0290] The above six items are arranged on the first line of the screen in the following order from left to right: "Store," "Overall rating," "Actual inventory days," "Occupancy rate," "Number of out-of-stock items," and "Work efficiency."

[0291] In the column for the first item from the left, "Store," store names such as "Store A" and "Store B" are arranged from top to bottom in order of lowest rating in the "Overall Rating" item (here, the order is Store B, Store A, Store D, Store C, Store E).

[0292] In the second column, “Overall Rating”, the overall ratings of each store (here, five numerical values ​​ranging from the lowest rating of “1” to the highest rating of “5”) are arranged from top to bottom. The second output control unit 123A colors each overall rating in a color according to the result of comparison with the rating index related to the overall rating.

[0293] Specifically, the evaluation index for the overall evaluation is a first reference value of "2" and a second reference value of "4." Specifically, the colors according to the comparison results with the evaluation index are red for the two overall evaluations "1" and "2" that are less than the first reference value of "3," green for the evaluation result "5" that exceeds the second reference value "4," and orange for the two evaluation results "3" and "4" that are equal to or greater than the first reference value "3" and equal to or less than the second reference value "4."

[0294] In FIG. 5, red is represented by dark hatching, green by light hatching, and orange by medium shades of hatching.

[0295] The third item, "Actual inventory days," lists the actual inventory days for each store. Each actual inventory day is colored in a color according to the comparison result with the evaluation index for actual inventory days. Specifically, the evaluation index for actual inventory days is the first reference value "5 days" and the second reference value "10 days." Specifically, the colors according to the comparison result here are red for actual inventory days "10.6 days" that exceed the second reference value "5 days," green for actual inventory days "4.7" that are less than the second reference value "5 days," and orange for three actual inventory days "6.5 days," "5.3 days," and "7.2 days" that are equal to or greater than the first reference value "5 days" and equal to or less than the second reference value "10 days."

[0296] The fourth item, "Share Rate," lists the share rates of each store. Each share rate is colored in a color according to the result of comparison with the evaluation index for the share rate. Specifically, the evaluation index for the share rate is a first reference value of "75%" and a second reference value of "100%." ​​Specifically, the colors according to the result of comparison with the evaluation index are red for a share rate of "105%" that exceeds the second reference value of "100%," green for a share rate of "72" that does not meet the first reference value of "75%," and orange for the three share rates of "80%, "93%, and "80%" that are equal to or greater than the first reference value of "75" and equal to or less than the second reference value of "100%."

[0297] The fifth item, “Number of out-of-stock items”, lists the number of out-of-stock items at each store. Each number of out-of-stock items is colored in a color according to the result of comparison with the evaluation index for the number of out-of-stock items. Specifically, the evaluation index for the number of out-of-stock items is the first reference value “15 SKU” and the second reference value “30 SKU”. Specifically, the colors according to the result of comparison with the evaluation index are red for the three numbers of out-of-stock items “40 SKU”, “37 SKU”, and “155 SKU” that exceed the second reference value “30 SKU”, green for the number of out-of-stock items “13 SKU” that does not meet the first reference value “15 SKU”, and orange for the number of out-of-stock items “26 SKU” that is between the first reference value “15 SKU” and the second reference value “30 SKU”. The SKU is the smallest unit of handling a product (1 dozen, 10 boxes, 5 kg, etc.).

[0298] The sixth item, "Work efficiency," lists the work efficiency of each store. Each work efficiency is colored in a color according to the comparison result with the evaluation index for work efficiency. Specifically, the evaluation index for work efficiency is the first reference value "7" and the second reference value "10." Specifically, the colors according to the comparison result with the evaluation index are red for the two work efficiencies "6" and "5" that are below the first reference value "7," green for the two work efficiencies "11" and "14" that exceed the second reference value "10," and orange for the work efficiency "8" that is equal to or greater than the first reference value "7" and equal to or less than the second reference value "10."

[0299] 5, two arrows, one pointing up and one pointing down, are associated with each of the second to sixth items, and when one of the two arrows associated with an item is pressed, an arrangement change instruction for that item is input to the product display management device 1A. In the product display management device 1A, the reception unit 11A receives the input arrangement change instruction, and the first output control unit 122A controls the output unit 13A in response to the received arrangement change instruction, so that the order of the numerical values ​​arranged in that item is switched between descending and ascending order.

[0300] 5, each numerical value of each item is associated with increase / decrease information (a combination of an increase / decrease rate and an upward arrow indicating an increase or a downward arrow indicating a decrease) regarding the increase / decrease of the current numerical value relative to the previous numerical value. In detail, the previous numerical value of each item is stored in a memory (not shown) of the product output management device 1A, and the first output control unit 122A calculates the increase / decrease rate of the current numerical value relative to the previous numerical value for each item, and controls the output unit 13A according to the calculation result, thereby displaying the increase / decrease information in association with each numerical value of each item.

[0301] When the item "Actual Stock Days" is selected on the screen of FIG. 5, the display changes to a screen as shown in FIG. 6. On the screen of FIG. 6, the actual stock days for each store 200 are displayed in the form of a bar graph with the actual stock days on the vertical axis. Each bar in the bar graph represents the actual stock days by its height, and the result of comparing the actual stock days with the evaluation index by its color. Note that the numerical value of the actual stock days on the screen of FIG. 6 is different from that on the screen of FIG. 5. Furthermore, the evaluation index on the screen of FIG. 6 is also different from that on the screen of FIG. 5, specifically, the first reference value is "4 days" and the second reference value is "12 days."

[0302] The heights of the two bars corresponding to stores E and D exceed the second reference value, and the second output control unit 123A commands the output unit 13 to color the two bars red, indicating "excess stock." The heights of the two bars corresponding to stores C and B are equal to or greater than the first reference value and equal to or less than the second reference value, and are colored green, indicating "no abnormalities." The height of the bar corresponding to store A does not meet the first reference value, and is colored blue, indicating "shortage of stock."

[0303] In FIG. 6, red is represented by dark hatching, blue by light hatching, and green by medium shades of hatching.

[0304] On the screen of Fig. 5, when a numerical value (e.g., "14") corresponding to one store 200 is selected from among a plurality of numerical values ​​("6", "5", ...) arranged in the column of the item "Work efficiency", the display changes to a screen as shown in Fig. 7. On the screen of Fig. 7, a bar graph is displayed with work efficiency on the vertical axis and store 200 on the horizontal axis. Note that work efficiency is the number of man-hours (pieces) per unit time.

[0305] This bar graph displays two bars corresponding to two stores 200: the store 200 (Store E) that corresponds to the selected numerical value, and one or more stores 200 (Store C) that are colored the same color (green) as the store 200, along with two dashed lines indicating two target values ​​for work efficiency ("5" and "3").

[0306] This makes it easy to intuitively understand the relationship between the work efficiency and the target value in one store 200, and also makes it easy to compare the work efficiency of the one store 200 with other stores 200 that are close to the one store 200.

[0307] As described above, instead of accepting the selection of one numerical value and displaying a bar graph for two or more stores 200, that is, the store 200 corresponding to the selected numerical value and one or more stores 200 corresponding to numerical values ​​colored the same color as the selected numerical value, the selection of two or more numerical values ​​may be accepted and a bar graph for the two or more selected stores 200 may be displayed.

[0308] (8) Embodiment 3 (8-1) Planning optimization system A plan optimization system 100B according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure includes a plan creation device 1B, a difference detection device 2B, a camera 3, and an LPS 4, as shown in FIG.

[0309] The plan creation device 1B is communicatively connected to each of the difference detection device 2B, the camera 3, and the LPS 4 via a network 400. The network 400 is, for example, a LAN, the Internet, a telephone line network, etc. Each of the plan creation device 1B, the difference detection device 2B, the camera 3, and the LPS 4 has a communication module (not shown) that enables communication via the network 400.

[0310] The plan creation device 1B creates a work plan (described later). The plan creation device 1B has a processor (CPU, MPU, GPU, etc.) and a memory (semiconductor memory, disk, etc.). Various data and programs are stored in the memory, and the functions of the plan creation device 1B are realized by the processor executing the programs using the various data. In the following, the processor and memory that realize the various functions may be referred to as a "computer."

[0311] The difference detection device 2B observes, via the camera 3 and the LPS 4, the work performed based on the work plan created by the plan creation device 1B, and detects differences between the work planned in the work plan and the work actually performed based on the observation results. The difference detection device 2B has a processor and a memory. Various data and programs are stored in the memory, and the function of the difference detection device 2B is realized by the processor executing the program using the data.

[0312] The camera 3 is installed at the location where the work is performed, and captures the subject of the work (hereinafter, the work subject) and the personnel performing the work (store clerks, workers, etc.).

[0313] The LPS 4 is installed at the location where work is performed, and detects the location of personnel (or items) at that location. The LPS 4 is composed of, for example, multiple beacons and multiple scanners (neither of which are shown). The beacons are carried by personnel (or attached to items) and emit signals including personnel identification information that identifies the personnel (or item identification information that identifies the item). The scanner receives signals from the beacons, and detects the location of the personnel (or item) based on the reception strength of the signals and the personnel identification information contained therein, as well as the location information of the scanner itself, etc.

[0314] The work is, for example, work related to sales. Sales is, for example, the sale (sales of goods) of goods (food, daily necessities, etc.), but may also be the sale of services (food and drink services, accommodation services, etc.). Work related to sales is, for example, shared among multiple departments such as cashiers, stocking, processing, etc., but the work does not have to be shared.

[0315] Alternatively, the work may be a work related to logistics. The work related to logistics is shared among a plurality of departments, such as collection, sorting, etc., but the work does not necessarily have to be shared.

[0316] Alternatively, the work may be, for example, work related to the manufacture of an article, and the type of work is not important. Note that the work related to the manufacture of an article is, for example, decomposed into two or more steps, and the two or more steps are performed sequentially. However, some of the two or more steps may be performed in parallel.

[0317] Furthermore, the work decomposed into two or more steps is not limited to manufacturing, but may be, for example, logistics, sales, etc. Below, each of the two or more steps constituting one work may be referred to as a work step. For example, logistics shown in FIG. 11 (described later) is composed of a series of four work steps corresponding to storage department 500A, picking department 500B, sorting department 500C, and shipping department 500D. Furthermore, sales shown in FIG. 12 (described later) is composed of a series of two work steps corresponding to backroom department 200A and storefront department 200B.

[0318] The place where the work is carried out is, for example, a store that serves as a sales base, but it may also be a warehouse that serves as a logistics base.

[0319] The work target may be, for example, a customer visiting the store or an item to be sold to the customer (item arriving at the store), but it may also be an item handled in logistics, or a manufactured item or part thereof.

[0320] A store may be, for example, a retailer that sells goods (such as a supermarket that sells food or a home improvement store that sells daily necessities), but it may also be a retailer that sells services (such as a restaurant that provides food and beverage services or a lodging facility that provides lodging services) or a factory that manufactures goods.

[0321] The personnel performing the work are, for example, store clerks, but may also be warehouse workers or production staff in a factory. The personnel belong to, for example, one of the multiple departments mentioned above and perform work in that department. The personnel's affiliation can be variable, for example, the cash register department during one period and the stocking department during another period, but it may also be fixed.

[0322] (8-2) Planning device (8-2-1) Overview 8, the plan creation device 1B according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure includes a reception unit 11B, a processing unit 12B, and an output unit 13B. However, the plan creation device 1B may include only the processing unit 12B, and the reception unit 11B and the output unit 13B may be included in a terminal device (e.g., a tablet terminal, a smartphone, etc.) separate from the plan creation device 1B. Also, the reception unit 11B may be separate from the output unit 13B.

[0323] The processing unit 12B includes a generating unit 121B, a predicting unit 122B, a setting unit 123B, a creating unit 124B, and an updating unit 125. However, the plan creation device 1B (processing unit 12B) does not necessarily have to include the generating unit 121B.

[0324] The accepting unit 11B accepts various types of information, such as standard man-hours (to be described later) and difference information (to be described later).

[0325] The reception by the reception unit 11B includes, for example, reception of information (e.g., standard labor hours) input via an input device such as a touch panel or a keyboard, and reception of information (e.g., difference information) handed over from other elements (e.g., difference detection device 2B) constituting the plan optimization system 100B.

[0326] Furthermore, acceptance in this embodiment may also include receiving information transmitted from an external device, and accepting information read from a recording medium.

[0327] The processing unit 12B performs various processes. The various processes are, for example, the processes of the generating unit 121B, the predicting unit 122B, the setting unit 123B, the creating unit 124B, and the updating unit 125. The processing unit 12B also performs various judgments, which will be described later. Other processes will be described as appropriate.

[0328] The output unit 13B outputs various information, such as a work plan (work plan by time period and department) described later, a labor-hour forecast value (a labor-hour forecast value by time period and department, and a total labor-hour forecast value) described later, and a stock amount forecast value described later.

[0329] The output of the output unit 13B is, for example, a display on a display, but may also be audio output from a speaker, printout by a printer, transmission to another device, recording on a recording medium, or the like.

[0330] The output unit 13B may convert information processed by a computer, such as a man-hour forecast value, into information that can be visually recognized by a person, and output the information (eg, display on a display or print out on a printer).

[0331] (8-2-2) Man-hours forecast The prediction unit 122B constituting the processing unit 12B executes a prediction algorithm (PA: described later) using a model (PM: described later) to obtain one or more labor-hour prediction values ​​(PV2: described later) corresponding to one or more future periods.

[0332] A period in this embodiment is, for example, one day, or multiple time periods constituting one day (midnight, 1 a.m. to 11 p.m., etc.). However, the time period is not limited to one hour, and may be, for example, 15-minute units, 30-minute units, two-hour units, etc. Furthermore, a period may be, for example, one week, one month, etc., and the length (period length) is not important. Furthermore, the period may be divided into, for example, morning / afternoon, early morning / daytime / nighttime, etc.

[0333] When the one or more periods are two or more periods, the two or more periods are usually continuous but may be discontinuous. Also, the two or more periods are usually the same length but may be different lengths.

[0334] The model in this embodiment is a model that receives a prediction dataset (DP: described later) as input and outputs a labor-hour prediction value.

[0335] (8-2-2a) Prediction Data Set The prediction dataset includes a set of period identification information (time period identification information TI: described below), period attribute information (day attribute information AI: described below), and quantity information (predicted number of visitors PV1: described below).

[0336] The period specifying information is information that specifies a period. The period may be a future period or a past period. The future period corresponds to the second period in the first embodiment, and the past period corresponds to the first period in the first embodiment. The period specifying information is, for example, a date or time period specifying information. The time period specifying information is a set of a start time and an end time, but may also be a set of a start time and a duration. In addition, when the duration is a fixed value, the time period specifying information may be only a start time. Note that the time is usually expressed in terms of year, month, day, and hour, minute, but the hour, minute, or minute may be omitted. For example, each of the start time and end time may be "year, month, day" if the period is one day, or "year, month, day, hour" if the period is one hour.

[0337] Period attribute information is information relating to the attributes of a period. When the period is a day, the period attribute information is day attribute information. Day attribute information is, for example, the day of the week (Monday to Sunday), the day category (weekday / Saturday, Sunday, and holiday), sale day flag, etc., but it may also be a holiday flag, a non-business day flag, etc. The sale day flag is a flag indicating whether the day in question is a sale day or not. The holiday flag is a flag indicating whether the day in question is a holiday or not. The non-business day flag is a flag indicating whether the day in question is a non-business day or not.

[0338] When the period is a time period, the period attribute information is time period attribute information. The time period attribute information is, for example, a sale time period flag, a time-shortened flag, etc. The sale time period flag is a flag indicating whether the time period is a sale time period or not. The time-shortened flag is a flag indicating whether the time period is a time period during which the store is closed as a result of shortening business hours.

[0339] Quantity information is information regarding the quantity of work objects during a period. As mentioned above, work objects are, for example, visitors or goods. In the case of sales, quantity information is, for example, visitor number information regarding the number of visitors to the store during a period, or information regarding the amount of goods arriving at the store during a period (incoming quantity information). Note that quantity information in the case of logistics is, for example, information regarding the amount of goods handled during a period (handling quantity information). Furthermore, quantity information in the case of manufacturing may be, for example, information regarding the amount of goods shipped during a period (shipment quantity information).

[0340] In the case of sales, the quantity information is, for example, information on the number of visitors. The information on the number of visitors is preferably a predicted number of visitors, but may also be an actual number of visitors (actual number of visitors: automatically measured or manually input). The predicted number of visitors is the value of the predicted number of visitors, and the actual number of visitors is the value of the actual number of visitors.

[0341] The visitor number prediction value is, for example, a value of the number of visitors predicted by a person or a machine, and is obtained, for example, from an external device (such as a store server). However, the visitor number prediction value may be a value obtained using a visitor number prediction model. For example, the prediction unit 122B may predict the number of visitors using a visitor number prediction model and obtain the visitor number prediction value.

[0342] The actual number of visitors is, for example, a value automatically measured using a sensor (not shown) installed at the entrance of the store, or the camera 3 and the LPS 4. However, the actual number of visitors may also be a value input by a person (manual input). The actual number of visitors is, for example, acquired from an external device.

[0343] In particular, when the sale is of goods (merchandise), the quantity information may be information on the amount of stock received. The information on the amount of stock received is preferably a predicted amount of stock received, but may also be an actual amount of stock received. The predicted amount of stock received is the value of a predicted amount of stock received, and the actual amount of stock received is the value of an actual amount of stock received.

[0344] In the case of logistics, the quantity information is, for example, handling volume information. The handling volume information is usually a past value of the handling volume, but may be a predicted value of the handling volume.

[0345] The labor-hour forecast value is the result of predicting the amount of work required for the period described above. Work hours are the amount of work required to complete a task. Man-hours are a numerical value that indicates the amount of work, and are expressed as the product of time and the number of people. The unit of labor is, for example, "man-hours," but units of time (days, hours, minutes, etc.) may also be used as is.

[0346] In this embodiment, the amount of work (work volume) is expressed in man-hours. That is, the work volumes of the various tasks as described above are all converted into man-hours. In addition, the total man-hours is obtained by adding up the man-hours corresponding to the multiple tasks. This makes it possible to compare the work volumes between different types of tasks and to calculate the total work volume. The conversion from the work volume to man-hours may be performed manually or using a predetermined algorithm.

[0347] (8-2-2b) Prediction Algorithm The prediction algorithm is a prediction algorithm corresponding to a learning algorithm of machine learning executed by the generation unit 121B described later, and is an algorithm for acquiring a man-hour prediction value using a model generated by the generation unit 121B through machine learning.

[0348] However, the prediction algorithm may be an algorithm that obtains a labor-hour prediction value using a model generated by a method other than machine learning (for example, a linear prediction model based on statistical data).

[0349] Note that the machine learning suitable for generating the effort prediction model is supervised learning, but may be unsupervised learning, reinforcement learning, etc. The machine learning in the embodiment is a LightGBM (Gradient boosting machine), but may be a decision tree or other algorithms.

[0350] (8-2-3) Setting standard labor hours The setting unit 123B sets the standard man-hours for the work. The set standard man-hours are stored in, for example, the memory of the plan creation device 1B, but the storage location is not important.

[0351] Standard man-hours are the standard man-hours for a task, and are calculated by adding leeway time such as break time to the man-hours required to complete the task (net work hours).

[0352] The standard man-hours are set, for example, manually. In detail, a person inputs a numerical value indicating the standard man-hours via an input device such as a touch panel. In the plan creation device 1B, the receiving unit 11B receives the input numerical value, and the setting unit 123B sets the received numerical value as the standard man-hours.

[0353] However, the standard man-hours may be set automatically. In detail, the setting unit 123B sets the standard man-hours by executing an algorithm that inputs the above-mentioned quantity information and personnel information, and outputs the standard man-hours.

[0354] Personnel information is information about personnel. Personnel information includes personnel identification information. Personnel identification information is information that identifies personnel. Personnel identification information is, for example, name and address, mobile phone number, email address, etc., but it may also be an ID associated with name and address, etc. Note that personnel information is obtained, for example, from an external device (such as a store server), but part of it (such as vacation information described below) may be manually entered by personnel.

[0355] Furthermore, personnel information usually includes work performance information and vacation information. Work performance information is information related to the work performance of personnel. Work performance information is a collection of period specific information, or a collection of sets of period specific information and department specific information.

[0356] Vacation information is information about the vacation plans of the relevant personnel. Vacation information is, for example, a collection of period-specific information. The period-specific information constituting vacation information is usually a date, but it may also be morning / afternoon, time period, etc.

[0357] Specifically, the vacation information is, for example, a set of planned vacation dates. Alternatively, the vacation information may be a set of planned vacation dates among multiple dates in the calendar information, to which a vacation flag indicating the planned vacation date has been added (i.e., a part of the work schedule information described later).

[0358] The skill information is information about the work skills of the personnel. The skill information is, for example, a collection of department-specific information that specifies the departments that the personnel can be in charge of. The skill information may also include, for example, information about the number of years of work experience, position, qualifications, etc.

[0359] The personnel information may also include work schedule information. The work schedule information is information related to the work schedule of the personnel. The work schedule information is, for example, a set of period specific information and department specific information (see FIG. 12B). However, in the case of a single department, the work schedule information may also be a set of period specific information (not shown).

[0360] Specifically, the work schedule information is, for example, a set of the scheduled work date, start time, and department name. However, in the case of regular work hours, the start time may not be necessary. Also, in the case of a single department, the department name may not be necessary. Alternatively, the work schedule information may be a set of the start time and department name, or a start time and a work flag indicating the work day, attached to the scheduled work date among the multiple dates that make up the calendar information.

[0361] The work schedule information is a part of a work plan, which will be described later, that corresponds to one piece of personnel identification information. In other words, the work schedule information is acquired from a work plan that has been created by the creation unit 124B, which will be described later. However, the initial value of the work schedule information is information based on manual input by personnel, and the initial value may be updated later by a work plan created by the creation unit 124B.

[0362] The setting unit 123B in this embodiment also uses department information to set standard man-hours for each department. Department information is information about multiple departments that share work. Department information is, for example, a collection of pairs of department identification information and priority information. Department identification information is information that identifies a department. Department identification information is, for example, a department name such as "cash register" or "stocking," but may also be an ID associated with a department name. Priority information is information regarding the priority between departments. Priority information is, for example, a number indicating the priority ("1," "2," etc.).

[0363] An example of a set of pairs of department-specific information and priority information is "(cash register, 1), (stock, 2), ...." Alternatively, the department information may be a set of multiple department-specific information arranged in order of priority (for example, "cash register, stock, ...").

[0364] However, the priority information is not essential, and the department information may be, for example, a collection of multiple department-specific information corresponding to multiple departments.

[0365] Furthermore, multiple department specification information may be hierarchical (store, department within store, team within department, etc.). For example, the top department may be a "store", the lower department may be a "department" within the store, and the lower department may be a "team" within the department, etc.

[0366] The setting unit 123B may set the standard man-hours taking into consideration the cost, for example, by using sales information related to sales obtained by the work.

[0367] In addition, in the case of manufacturing an article, the standard man-hours may be set for each process.

[0368] (8-2-4) Planning The creation unit 124B creates a work plan based at least on the standard man-hours set by the setting unit 123B, one or more predicted man-hours values ​​acquired by the prediction unit 122B, and one or more pieces of personnel information corresponding to one or more personnel who will perform the work. The number of personnel who perform the work is usually two or more, but may be one. Therefore, the number of pieces of personnel information for creating a work plan is usually two or more, but may be one. In the following, the number of personnel is described as two or more, and the number of pieces of personnel information is two or more. The created work plan is stored, for example, in the memory of the plan creation device 1B, but the storage location is not important.

[0369] The work plan is a plan for work to be performed by two or more personnel in one or more second periods in the future. The work plan in this embodiment is, for example, a set of two or more pieces of work schedule information corresponding to two or more pieces of personnel identification information, as shown in Fig. 12B. As described above, the work schedule information is a set of pairs of period identification information and department identification information.

[0370] For example, the work schedule information corresponding to the personnel identification information “aa” is “{(2021,2,21,8),AA},{(2021,2,21,9),AA},···{(2021,2,21,14),AA},{(2021,2,22,9),BB}···”.

[0371] The work plan may be composed of, for example, a shift plan and a personnel plan. A shift plan is a plan regarding the work schedules (shifts) of multiple personnel. A shift plan is information indicating which personnel will work during which period (for example, on which day), and is composed of, for example, a set of personnel specific information and period specific information (for example, day specific information). A personnel plan is a plan regarding the allocation of personnel scheduled to work to each department. A personnel plan is, for example, a set of personnel specific information, department specific information, and period specific information (for example, time period specific information).

[0372] However, the above is merely an example, and the data structure of the work plan is not important.

[0373] The creation unit 124B in this embodiment creates a work plan for each time period and department by using department information as well. Note that the work plan may be created taking into consideration constraints other than personnel (skills) and departments (priority order).

[0374] The creation unit 124B in this embodiment creates a work plan using a creation algorithm that takes as input a creation dataset including, for example, a standard man-hour, one or more man-hour prediction values, and two or more pieces of personnel information, and outputs a work plan.

[0375] (8-2-5) Update of standard labor hours The update section 125 updates the standard man-hours set by the setting section 123B based on the difference information from the difference detection device 2B.

[0376] In detail, for example, the standard man-hours set by the setting unit 123B are stored in the memory of the plan creation device 1B. The receiving unit 11B receives the difference information output from the difference detection device 2B, and the updating unit 125 updates the standard man-hours in the memory so as to reduce the difference indicated by the received difference information.

[0377] Specifically, for example, difference information for the current period is stored in the memory of the difference detection device 2B. When transitioning from the current period to the next period, the update unit 125 increments or decrements the current standard man-hours in the memory. Then, when transitioning from the next period to the period after that, the update unit 125 acquires difference information from the difference detection device 2B and compares the acquired difference information with the difference information in the memory. If the result of the comparison shows that the difference has been reduced, the update unit 125 retains the standard man-hours after the increment or decrement. On the other hand, when the difference has been increased, the update unit 125 returns the standard man-hours after the increment or decrement to the original standard man-hours.

[0378] By repeating the above process, the standard man-hours are updated so as to reduce the difference between the planned man-hours and the actual man-hours.

[0379] (8-2-6) Model generation The generation unit 121B generates a model by executing a machine learning learning algorithm (LA: described later) using two or more learning data sets (DT: described later). Note that the generated model is stored in, for example, the memory of the plan creation device 1B, but the storage location is not important.

[0380] In detail, for each of two or more training data sets, the generation unit 121B executes a machine learning learning algorithm using a part (first part) of the training data set as input data and another part (second part) of the training data set as teacher data.

[0381] The first part is a part common to the prediction data set, for example, a set of period identification information, period attribute information, and quantity information. The second part is a part corresponding to the output of the prediction model, for example, a labor-hour performance value.

[0382] This allows the relationship between the first and second parts to be learned, and a prediction model is generated that outputs a predicted value of the second part for the unknown first part.

[0383] In addition, executing a machine learning learning algorithm using two or more training datasets may involve, for example, generating a predictive model by inputting input values ​​(teacher data) of the training datasets into an input layer of the predictive model and inputting output values ​​of the training datasets into an output layer of the predictive model.

[0384] The learning dataset includes a set of period identification information, period attribute information, and quantity information, as well as an actual effort value (AV: described below).

[0385] The man-hour performance value is the actual man-hours of a task during a period. The man-hour performance value is obtained from two or more pieces of work performance information (see FIG. 12A: described later) corresponding to two or more personnel.

[0386] In this embodiment, the work is work related to sales. The sales may be sales of goods or sales of services.

[0387] The target is visitors to the place where the sale is conducted. The quantity information includes visitor number information. The visitor number information is information regarding the number of visitors during a period.

[0388] The visitor number information includes a visitor number prediction value (PV1: described later). The visitor number prediction value is the result of predicting the number of visitors during a period.

[0389] The period attribute information includes a sale period flag. The sale period flag is a flag that indicates whether or not a period belongs to a sale period. The sale period is, for example, a sale day, a sale time period, etc. The sale period flag is, for example, a sale day flag, a sale time period flag, etc.

[0390] The period attribute information further includes weather information. The weather information is information about the weather in the location where the work is performed during the period. The weather information is, for example, an actual measurement value, but may also be a predicted value. The weather information is obtained, for example, from a server of the Japan Meteorological Agency.

[0391] The period may be, for example, each of two or more time periods belonging to one day. In this case, the setting unit 123B sets the standard man-hours for each time period of the work. The predicted number of visitors is a predicted number of visitors on a day that includes two or more time periods. The predicted man-hours include a predicted man-hours for each time period.

[0392] The work may be shared among two or more departments, such as a plurality of stores belonging to one company, a plurality of departments belonging to one store, or a plurality of teams belonging to one department.

[0393] In this case, each of the two or more departments has one or more personnel who perform work. The work of each department is usually performed in parallel, but may be performed sequentially. The setting unit 123B sets standard man-hours for each time period and department. The man-hour prediction value includes a man-hour prediction value for each time period and department.

[0394] The processing unit 12B, for example, judges whether the input data set is for prediction or learning, and passes the data set to an algorithm corresponding to the judgment result. Note that the judgment is based on, for example, a comparison between the date (year, month, and day) included in the current time information and the date in the data set.

[0395] That is, the processing unit 12B acquires current time information from, for example, a built-in clock of the processor or an NTP (Network Time Protocol) server, and calculates the date and time included in the acquired current time information. The processing unit 12B compares the date in the dataset with the date in the dataset. If the comparison result shows that the date in the dataset is earlier than the date included in the current time information, the processing unit 12B determines that the dataset is for learning and passes the dataset to the learning algorithm. On the other hand, if the date in the dataset is after the date included in the current time information, the processing unit 12B determines that the dataset is for prediction and passes the dataset to the prediction algorithm.

[0396] When handing over a dataset, the processing unit 12B determines whether or not there is work to be done on the day specified by the date in the dataset, and executes the handover only if it determines that there is work to be done, and does not have to execute the handover if it determines that there is no work to be done.

[0397] The judgment here is based on, for example, a holiday flag or a reduced working hours flag in the data set. However, processing unit 12B may make the judgment using a work presence / absence prediction model without relying on holiday flags or the like. The work presence / absence prediction model is a model that takes a prediction data set as input and outputs a flag indicating the presence or absence of work. The work presence / absence prediction model is generated, for example, by generation unit 121B executing a machine learning learning algorithm using a first portion of the learning data set as input data and a second portion as teacher data.

[0398] (8-2-7) Model details The model in this embodiment is a man-hour prediction model PM that receives a prediction data set DP as an input and outputs a man-hour prediction value PV2 by time period and department, as shown in FIG.

[0399] The prediction dataset DP includes a set of time slot identification information TI, day attribute information AI, and visitor number prediction value PV1 for each of two or more future time slots. Time slot identification information TI is information that identifies the time slot. Day attribute information AI is information about the attributes of a day to which the time slot belongs. Visitor number prediction value PV1 is a prediction value of the number of visitors on a day to which the time slot belongs.

[0400] The prediction data set DP corresponds to department specification information. Department specification information is information that specifies a department.

[0401] The prediction unit 122B executes a labor-hour prediction algorithm PA using a labor-hour prediction model PM with a prediction data set DP corresponding to each of two or more department-specific information as input, thereby obtaining two or more labor-hour prediction values ​​for each department corresponding to two or more time periods in the future.

[0402] In this manner, in this embodiment, one-stage prediction is performed to predict man-hours by time period and by department directly from the prediction data set DP.

[0403] According to this embodiment, the one-stage prediction using the man-hour prediction model PM can further improve the accuracy of man-hour prediction by time period and department.

[0404] In this embodiment, the learning data set is a learning data set DT. The learning data set DT includes, for each of two or more past time periods, a set of time period identification information TI, day attribute information AI, and a predicted number of visitors PV1, and time period and department-specific man-hours actual values ​​AV.

[0405] The time period and department-specific man-hour performance value AV is the actual man-hours for each department for the work in the time period. The learning dataset DT corresponds to the department-specific information.

[0406] The generation unit 121B generates a labor-hour prediction model PM for each of two or more department-specific information by executing a machine learning learning algorithm LA using a first part of the learning data set DT corresponding to the department-specific information as input data and a second part as teacher data.

[0407] In this manner, in this embodiment, the plan creation device 1B itself can generate the effort prediction model PM by machine learning targeting the first learning data set (input data and teacher data: the same applies below).

[0408] (8-2-8) Update standard labor hours based on variance The receiving unit 11B receives difference information from the difference detection device 2B. As described later, the difference detection device 2B observes, by a camera 3 or the like, an actual work performed based on a work plan created by a plan creation device (creation unit 124B), detects a difference in man-hours between the planned work and the actual work from the work plan and the results of the observation, and acquires difference information.

[0409] The update section 125 updates the standard man-hours set by the setting section 123B based on the difference information from the difference detection device 2B so as to reduce the above difference.

[0410] The update unit 125 may update the set standard man-hours so that the man-hour results value acquired by the observation unit 221 approaches the standard man-hours, for example.

[0411] In detail, the update unit 125 changes the standard labor hours set by the setting unit 123B (the standard labor hours stored in memory) in an increasing or decreasing direction (for example, in the increasing direction) by a predetermined amount at a time, and determines whether the difference information increases or decreases in response to the change.

[0412] If the difference indicated by the difference information from difference detection device 2B increases in response to the change, update unit 125 reverses the direction of the change and performs the same operation as described above. That is, update unit 125 changes the standard man-hours by a predetermined amount in the direction opposite to the change (for example, the decreasing direction), and determines whether the difference information increases or decreases in response to the change.

[0413] If the difference indicated by the difference information decreases in response to the change, the update unit 125 continues the same operation until the difference starts to increase (i.e., takes a minimum value). As a result, the standard value is updated to a value that makes the difference indicated by the difference information take a minimum value.

[0414] By updating the standard man-hours in this manner, the difference between the actual man-hour value and the standard man-hours is reduced or is gradually reduced.

[0415] This will help reduce discrepancies and ultimately optimize work plans.

[0416] (8-2-9) Update of estimated man-hours based on variance The update section 125 updates the man-hour predicted value acquired by the prediction section 122B so as to reduce the difference indicated by the difference information from the difference detection device 2B.

[0417] The update unit 125 may update the man-hour predicted value so that the man-hour actual value acquired by the observation unit 221 approaches the standard man-hour, for example.

[0418] In detail, the update unit 125 changes the labor-hour prediction value acquired by the prediction unit 122B (the labor-hour prediction value stored in memory) in an increasing or decreasing direction (for example, in the increasing direction) by a predetermined amount at a time, and determines whether the difference indicated by the difference information increases or decreases in accordance with the change.

[0419] If the difference indicated by the difference information from difference detection device 2B increases in response to the change, update unit 125 reverses the direction of the change and performs the same operation as described above. That is, update unit 125 changes the labor-hour prediction value in the opposite direction to the change (for example, the decreasing direction) by a predetermined amount at a time, and determines whether the difference indicated by the difference information increases or decreases in response to the change.

[0420] In response to the change, if the difference indicated by the difference information decreases, the update unit 125 continues the same operation until the difference turns to increase (i.e., takes a minimum value). As a result, the effort forecast value is updated to a value that makes the difference a minimum value.

[0421] By updating the estimated man-hours in this manner, the difference between the actual man-hours and the standard man-hours is reduced or is gradually reduced.

[0422] This will help reduce discrepancies and ultimately optimize work plans.

[0423] It is preferable that the update unit 125 updates both the estimated man-hours and the standard man-hours. That is, the update unit 125 updates the estimated man-hours so that the difference becomes a minimum value, and then updates the standard man-hours so that the difference becomes a minimum value (a second minimum value) smaller than the minimum value (a first minimum value).

[0424] However, the order of updating the estimated man-hours and updating the standard man-hours may be reversed from that described above. That is, the update unit 125 may update the estimated man-hours so that the difference becomes a minimum value, and then update the estimated man-hours so that the difference becomes a minimum value (second minimum value) smaller than the minimum value (first minimum value).

[0425] Alternatively, the update unit 125 may alternately repeat updating of the estimated man-hours value and updating of the standard man-hours, thereby making it possible to further reduce the difference.

[0426] Alternatively, the update unit 125 may update only the estimated man-hours, without updating the standard man-hours. Alternatively, the update unit 1242 may update only the standard man-hours, without updating the estimated man-hours. In either case, it is possible to reduce the difference.

[0427] (8-2-10) Other updates The update unit 125 may update the work plan created by the creation unit 124B so that the difference between the predicted man-hour value or actual man-hour value and the standard man-hour is reduced or is gradually reduced.

[0428] Alternatively, the update unit 125 may update a series of work steps constituting a task so that the difference between the estimated man-hour value or actual man-hour value and the standard value is reduced or is gradually reduced.

[0429] Regarding updating the work plan and the series of work processes that make up the work, this will be explained in "(9-3) Collaboration between departments."

[0430] (8-3) Difference detection device 8, the difference detection device 2B includes a receiving unit 21B, a processing unit 22B, and an output unit 23. However, the difference detection device 2B may include only the processing unit 22B, and the receiving unit 21B and the output unit 23 may be included in a terminal device (such as a tablet terminal) separate from the difference detection device 2B.

[0431] The processing unit 22B includes an observation unit 221 and a detection unit 222.

[0432] The receiving unit 21B receives various types of information, such as a work plan, countermeasure information, and the like.

[0433] The receiving unit 21B receives, for example, a work plan from the plan creation device 1B via the network 400. The receiving unit 21B also receives countermeasure information input by an administrator.

[0434] The processing unit 22B executes various types of processing, such as the processing of the observation unit 221 and the detection unit 222.

[0435] The observation unit 221 observes the actual work performed based on the work plan created by the plan creation device 1 B. Observation includes, for example, photographing by the camera 3, position detection by the LPS 4, and the like.

[0436] The observation unit 221 captures actual work with the camera 3 and acquires image information on the personnel performing the work and the work target (visitors, goods, etc.). The observation unit 221 also performs position detection with the LPS 4 and acquires position information on the positions of the personnel and targets in the place where the work is performed (store, warehouse, etc.).

[0437] The detection unit 222 detects a difference in labor hours between the planned work and the actual work based on the work plan from the plan creation device 1B and the observation results (image information and position information) of the observation unit 221, and acquires difference information regarding the detected difference.

[0438] The difference in man-hours may be the difference in man-hours itself, or various gaps that occur in relation to the difference in man-hours, such as the presence of a number of vacant staff exceeding a threshold, the presence of a queue at a cash register that exceeds a threshold, the presence of a number of out-of-stock items at a display location that exceeds a threshold, the presence of a number of items waiting to be processed at a processing location that exceeds a threshold, etc.

[0439] The detection unit 222 may detect various types of gaps as described above based on, for example, the image information and position information acquired by the observation unit 221, and acquire difference information indicating the difference in man-hours based on the various gaps detected. The difference information indicating the difference in man-hours is, for example, the difference (usually including a positive or negative sign) between the actual man-hours and the man-hours included in the work plan, but may also be a flag indicating a surplus or shortage (only information corresponding to a positive or negative sign).

[0440] In detail, the detection unit 222 acquires gap information using, for example, a gap detection model that receives image information and position information as input and outputs gap information related to various gaps. Next, the detection unit 222 acquires difference information using a difference detection model that receives gap information as input and outputs difference information.

[0441] The gap detection model is generated, for example, by executing a machine learning learning algorithm (LA) using a first part (a set of image information and position information) of a learning dataset including a set of image information and position information and manually input gap information as input data and a second part (gap information) as teacher data. The difference detection model is generated, for example, by executing a machine learning learning algorithm (LA) using a first part (gap information) of a learning dataset including gap information and manually input difference information as input data and a second part (difference information) as teacher data.

[0442] Moreover, the difference detection device 2B (processing unit 22B) may further include a generating unit (not shown) that generates the gap detection model and the difference detection model as described above.

[0443] However, as described below, difference detection device 2B (output unit 23) may visualize and output the observation results of observation unit 221. A person who views the visualized observation results may recognize a difference and input difference information related to the recognized difference via an input device, and difference detection device 2B may accept the input difference information.

[0444] The output unit 23 outputs various types of information, such as the difference information described above, countermeasure information described below, and observation results described below.

[0445] The output unit 23 transfers the difference information acquired by the detection unit 222 to the plan creation device 1B by transmitting the difference information via, for example, the network 400. Note that the transfer of information between the devices is not limited to a communication medium such as the network 400, and may be performed via a portable recording medium such as a memory card.

[0446] Furthermore, the output section 23 may visualize the observation results of the observation section 221 and output them (for example, display them on a display).

[0447] A person who sees the observation results (for example, a manager who manages the work) recognizes the above-mentioned gaps and inputs countermeasure information related to measures to reduce the gaps via an input device such as a keyboard. The countermeasure information is, for example, information on the work plans and operation methods of departments with fewer gaps, instructions on increasing or decreasing personnel and changing their placement, etc.

[0448] In the difference detection device 2B, the receiving unit 21B receives the input countermeasure information, and the output unit 23 outputs the received countermeasure information together with the difference information to the plan creation device 1B. Note that the countermeasure information may be output together with the difference information.

[0449] In the plan creation device 1B, the reception unit 11B receives the difference information and the countermeasure information, the update unit 125 updates the standard man-hours based on the difference information, and the output unit 13B visualizes and outputs the received countermeasure information. Note that the countermeasure information may be directly transmitted from the manager to the personnel who will perform the work.

[0450] This allows for optimization of work plans.

[0451] The difference information may be information regarding the total man-hours, or information regarding man-hours by time period and by department.

[0452] (8-4) Operation of the planning optimization system The operation of the plan optimization system 100B will be described below. Note that in the following description, detailed explanations of the operations of each unit will be omitted.

[0453] The plan creation device 1B constituting the plan optimization system 100B operates, for example, as follows.

[0454] When the reception unit 11B constituting the plan creation device 1B receives a dataset via an input device, the processing unit 12B determines whether the received dataset is for prediction based on a comparison between the date included in the current time information obtained from the processor's built-in clock or the like and the date included in the dataset.

[0455] The data set determined to be for learning is stored in a learning data set area (not shown) in the memory. When a predetermined number of learning data sets are stored in the memory, the generating unit 121B executes a machine learning learning algorithm (LA) using a first part of the stored learning data set (DT) as input data and a second part as teacher data to generate a model (PM) using a prediction data set (DP) as input and a labor-hour prediction value (PV2) as output.

[0456] The data set determined to be for prediction is stored in a prediction data set area (not shown) in the memory. When a predetermined number of prediction data sets (DP) are stored in the memory, the prediction unit 122B executes a prediction algorithm (PA) using the generated model (PM) with the stored learning data set (DT) as input, thereby acquiring one or more effort prediction values ​​(PV2) corresponding to one or more second periods in the future.

[0457] When the reception unit 11B receives a plan creation instruction via an input device, the setting unit 123B sets a standard man-hour. The creation unit 124B creates a work plan for two or more personnel to perform the above work in one or more second periods in the future based on the set standard man-hour, one or more acquired man-hour forecast values ​​(PV2), and two or more pieces of personnel information stored in the memory.

[0458] The output unit 13B outputs the created work plan. Based on the work plan output here, the work is carried out by two or more people. In addition, the output work plan is handed over to the difference detection device 2B.

[0459] When the receiving unit 11B receives difference information from the difference detection device 2B, the updating unit 125 updates the standard man-hours set based on the received difference information so as to reduce the difference between the planned work and the actual work.

[0460] The difference detection device 2B operates, for example, as follows.

[0461] An observation unit 221 constituting the difference detection device 2B observes, via the camera 3 and the LPS 4, the work that is actually performed based on the work plan created by the plan creation device 1B.

[0462] The detection unit 222 detects a difference in man-hours between the work planned by the work plan and the actual work from the plan information and the observation result, and acquires difference information on the detected difference. The output unit 23 outputs the acquired difference information. The output difference information is delivered to the plan creation device 1B.

[0463] Based on the outputted difference information, a manager or the like who manages the work may input countermeasure information for reducing the difference, and the reception unit 21B may receive the input countermeasure information, and the output unit 23 may pass the received countermeasure information to the plan creation device 1B.

[0464] (9) Specific application examples The target management system 100 described in the first embodiment is applied to the management of activities by targets, including, for example, the logistics shown in Fig. 13, the sales shown in Fig. 14, and management (not shown). Note that the inventory management system 100A described in the second embodiment and the plan optimization system 100B described in the third embodiment are mainly applicable to sales.

[0465] The targets in this example are progress information, arrival amount information, shipment amount information, inventory quantity information, product release-related information, profitability, and the like.

[0466] (9-1) Application to logistics Packages 502 shipped from a factory 501 are delivered to a store 200 through the logistics of Fig. 13, and are delivered to customers of the store 200 through the sales of Fig. 14. Packages 502 are delivered by trucks 503 between the factory 501 and the warehouse 500, and between the warehouse 500 and the store. A barcode (not shown) that identifies the package 502 itself is attached to the package 502. Standard values ​​for various targets are stored in the memory of the target management system 100.

[0467] As shown in FIG. 13, physical distribution is realized by a storage department 500A, a picking department 500B, a sorting department 500C, and a shipping department 500D.

[0468] (9-1-1) Storage department In the storage department 500A, the acquisition unit 121 acquires the value of the inventory quantity information via a barcode reader (not shown), and the first output control unit 1241a outputs the acquired value. This allows the manager who manages the logistics or the personnel who perform the work to grasp the inventory status in the warehouse in a timely manner.

[0469] In the storage department 500A, the detector 123 detects the difference between the standard value and the acquired value for the inventory quantity information, and the second output controller 1241b outputs the detected difference. This allows personnel to properly grasp the quantity to be ordered.

[0470] Furthermore, in the storage department 500A, the update unit 1242 updates the standard value for the inventory quantity information so as to reduce the difference between the standard value and the acquired value. As a result, even if the standard value for the inventory quantity information is inappropriate, the inappropriate standard value is or will be made appropriate.

[0471] This allows an appropriate inventory state to be maintained at all times within the warehouse 500. In other words, the target management system 100 can support the maintenance of an appropriate inventory state in the storage department 500A.

[0472] (9-1-2) Picking Department In the picking department 500B, the acquisition unit 121 acquires the value of the progress information via the camera 3, and the first output control unit 1241a outputs the acquired value. This makes it possible to visualize the work progress of each of the multiple personnel performing picking in real time.

[0473] In the picking department 500B, the detection unit 123 detects the difference between the standard value and the acquired value for the progress information, and the second output control unit 1241b outputs the detected difference. This allows the manager to recognize the difference between the standard value and the acquired value for each of the multiple personnel.

[0474] Furthermore, in the picking department 500B, the update unit 1242 updates the standard value for the progress information so as to reduce the difference between the standard value and the acquired value. As a result, even if the standard value for the progress information is inappropriate, the inappropriate standard value is or will be made appropriate.

[0475] This allows the manager to grasp the progress of work for each of the multiple personnel and accurately allocate tasks to minimize delays. In other words, the target management system 100 can support optimal task allocation in the picking department 500B.

[0476] (9-1-3) Sorting Department In the sorting department 500C, sorting is performed by machine and by hand. The acquisition unit 121 acquires the values ​​of progress information for each of the sorting by machine and the sorting by hand via the camera 3, and the first output control unit 1241a outputs these two types of acquired values. This allows the manager of the sorting department 500C to grasp the progress of the work for each of the sorting by machine and the sorting by hand.

[0477] In addition, in the sorting department 500C, the detection unit 123 detects the difference between the standard value and the acquired value for each of the sorting by machine and the sorting by hand, and the second output control unit 1241b outputs the detected difference. This allows the manager to extract bottlenecks in the sorting department 500C and redesign the process. In addition, the two types of sorting can be synchronized to improve the throughput of the entire sorting department 500C.

[0478] Furthermore, in the sorting department 500C, the update unit 1242 updates the standard values ​​for the progress information of each of the machine sorting and the manual sorting so as to reduce the difference between the standard values ​​and the acquired values. As a result, even if the standard value for the progress information of at least one of the machine sorting and the manual sorting is inappropriate, that or those inappropriate standard values ​​are or will be made appropriate.

[0479] This allows the throughput of the entire sorting department 500C to be maintained at an appropriate level. In other words, the target management system 100 can support the maintenance of an appropriate throughput in the entire sorting department 500C.

[0480] (9-1-4) Shipping Department In the shipping department 500D, the acquisition unit 121 acquires the value of the shipping amount information via the camera 3, and the first output control unit 1241a outputs the acquired value. This allows the manager of the shipping department 500D to grasp the shipping amount.

[0481] In the shipping department 500D, the standard value for the shipping volume information is set based on the operational status (e.g., the number of trucks per unit time, the load per truck, etc.) of the trucks 503 that deliver the shipped packages 502 to the stores 200. The detection unit 123 detects the difference between the standard value and the acquired value for the shipping volume information, and the second output control unit 1241b outputs the detected difference. This allows the manager to realize optimal shipping for the operational status of the trucks 503.

[0482] Furthermore, in the shipping department 500D, the update unit 1242 updates the standard value for the shipping volume information so as to reduce the difference between the standard value and the acquired value. As a result, even if the standard value for the shipping volume information is inappropriate, the inappropriate standard value is or will be made appropriate.

[0483] As a result, the shipping volume from the shipping department 500D is maintained appropriately according to the operational status of the truck 503. In other words, the target management system 100 can support the maintenance of an appropriate shipping volume.

[0484] (9-2) Application to sales As shown in FIG. 14, sales are realized by a backroom department 200A and a storefront department 200B.

[0485] (9-2-1) Backroom Section In the backroom department 200A, the acquisition unit 121 acquires the value of the stock quantity information for each product via the camera 3, and the first output control unit 1241a outputs these acquired values.

[0486] In this example, a predetermined number of one type of product is stored in one package 502. The backroom is divided into a plurality of compartments, and one or more packages 502 storing one type of product are placed in each of the plurality of compartments. Each of the plurality of compartments is associated with type information indicating the type of product placed in that compartment.

[0487] The acquisition unit 121 detects the number of packages 502 placed in each of the multiple sections based on the image information from the camera 3, and acquires the number of products by multiplying the detected number by the above-mentioned predetermined number. Next, the acquisition unit 121 acquires the type and number of products present in each of the multiple sections using type information associated with the section. Then, the acquisition unit 121 sums up the acquired numbers of products for each type.

[0488] The first output control unit 1241a outputs the information (information indicating the number of products by type) acquired by the acquisition unit 121. Here, the output destination is a mobile terminal of a staff member working in the backroom, but may also be a terminal of a sales manager.

[0489] This allows the inventory quantities of each item in the backroom to be visualized in real time.

[0490] In addition, the detection unit 123 detects the difference between the standard value and the acquired value for each product in the inventory quantity information, and the second output control unit 1241b outputs the detected difference. This allows the sales manager to recognize the difference between the standard value and the acquired value for each product in the inventory quantity information.

[0491] Furthermore, in the backroom department 200A, the update unit 1242 updates the standard value for the inventory quantity so as to reduce the difference between the standard value and the acquired value. As a result, even if the standard value for the inventory quantity is inappropriate, the inappropriate standard value is or will be made appropriate.

[0492] This allows the manager to know the name and quantity of a product that is in short supply and to issue an order promptly. Also, when there is an excess of a product, the manager can know the name and quantity of the product that is in stock and to issue an order to refrain from ordering or to reduce the quantity. In other words, the target management system 100 can support optimal inventory management in the backroom department 200A.

[0493] (9-2-2) Storefront department In the storefront department 200B, the acquisition unit 121 acquires the value of quantity information on the quantity displayed on the shelves (hereinafter, display quantity information) for each product via the camera 3, and the first output control unit 1241a outputs the acquired values. This makes it possible to visualize the display quantity of each product in the storefront in real time.

[0494] In the storefront department 200B, the detection unit 123 detects the difference between the standard value and the acquired value for the display quantity information for each product, and the second output control unit 1241b outputs the detected difference. This allows the sales manager to recognize the difference between the standard value and the acquired value for the display quantity information for each product.

[0495] This allows the manager to grasp the name and quantity of products that are insufficient when they are on display, and to issue instructions for timely stocking. In other words, the target management system 100 can support the maintenance of an optimal display state in the storefront department 200B. This reduces opportunity loss.

[0496] In the storefront department 200B, the acquisition unit 121 acquires values ​​of visitor information related to visitors via the camera 3, and the first output control unit 1241a outputs the acquired values. Note that the visitor information is, for example, the aforementioned information on the number of visitors, but it may also be information on the duration of stay, the sales floor visited, etc. This allows the situation of visitors at the storefront to be visualized in real time.

[0497] In the storefront department 200B, the detection unit 123 detects the difference between the standard value and the acquired value for the visitor information, and the second output control unit 1241b outputs the detected difference. This allows the sales manager to recognize the difference between the standard value and the acquired value for the visitor situation at the storefront in real time.

[0498] Furthermore, in storefront department 200B, update unit 1242 updates the standard values ​​for each of display number information and customer information so as to reduce the difference between the standard value and the acquired value. As a result, even if the standard value for at least one of display number information and customer information is inappropriate, that or those inappropriate standard values ​​are or will be made appropriate.

[0499] Additionally, in the storefront department 200B, the prediction unit 1243 acquires predicted values ​​for each of the display number information and the visitor information, and passes them over to the acquisition unit 121. This improves the accuracy of the acquired values ​​for each of the display number information and the visitor information.

[0500] This allows the manager to give appropriate instructions for customer service and priority product placement according to the customer situation. In other words, the target management system 100 can support the storefront department 200B in maintaining appropriate customer service. This improves the value of the store.

[0501] (9-3) Interdepartmental collaboration Goods shipped from the factory go through logistics (see Figure 11) consisting of storage department 500A, picking department 500B, sorting department 500C and shipping department 500D, and sales (see Figure 12) consisting of backroom department 200A and storefront department 200B, before reaching the customers.

[0502] In other words, a series of seven work processes for delivering goods from the factory to customers is realized through the cooperation of seven departments: storage department 500A, picking department 500B, sorting department 500C, shipping department 500D, backroom department 200A, and storefront department 200B.

[0503] Therefore, for example, with respect to targets such as progress information and work efficiency information, the setting unit 122 sets standard values ​​for each of the seven departments, the acquisition unit 121 acquires at least one of actual values ​​and predicted values ​​for each of the seven departments, and the detection unit 123 detects the difference between the acquired value and the standard value for each of the seven departments. The reduction processing unit 124 may perform optimization processing (for example, changing the plan to switch personnel between departments with low work efficiency and departments with high work efficiency or to increase or decrease the number of personnel) for optimizing the entire or part of the series of work processes by the seven departments based on the seven differences corresponding to the seven departments.

[0504] Furthermore, for example, the following reduction process may be performed for targets such as inventory quantity information between the backroom department 200A and the storefront department 200B (see FIG. 12): That is, the setting unit 122 acquires an ideal inventory quantity linked to the stocking work for the storefront department 200B based on progress information on the progress of the stocking work in the backroom department 200A, and sets the acquired inventory quantity as the standard value of the target.

[0505] The acquisition unit 121 acquires a target value (actual value) based on image information from the camera 3, etc. The detection unit 123 detects the difference between the acquired value and a standard value, and the reduction processing unit 124 executes reduction processing to reduce the detected difference.

[0506] In this way, cooperation is realized between the backroom department 200A and the storefront department 200B to optimize inventory quantities.

[0507] (9-3-1) Changing work plans based on multiple variances corresponding to multiple departments Such an optimization process is, for example, a change in a work plan based on a plurality of differences corresponding to a plurality of departments. The reduction processing unit 124 identifies a department (bottleneck) whose difference is particularly large compared to other departments, and changes the shift plan or manpower plan described in the third embodiment for two or more departments including the identified department and one or more departments upstream thereof, or for all seven departments, so that the difference in the identified department is reduced (thus, the seven differences corresponding to the above seven departments are equalized), thereby optimizing the entire or part of a series of work processes by the above seven departments.

[0508] Specifically, for example, in the case where the luggage 502 has not (or is not expected to) arrived at the shipping department 500D at the departure time of the truck 503, the reduction processing unit 124 may optimize the series of work processes performed by these three departments by changing the shift plans and personnel plans for the shipping department 500D and the picking department and sorting department upstream from it.

[0509] (9-3-2) Providing information from departments with small differences to departments with large differences Alternatively, the optimization process as described above may be, for example, the provision of information from a department with a small difference to a department with a large difference. The information provided may be, for example, the countermeasure information described in the third embodiment (information on work plans and operation methods, instructions on increasing or decreasing personnel and changing placement, etc.).

[0510] Specifically, the second output control unit 1241b may cause the output unit 13 to output countermeasure information including information on each of stores B and C, which have a small difference, together with the inventory quantities as shown in FIG.

[0511] Also, for example, the reduction processing unit 124 may create instructions for increasing or decreasing personnel and changing placement for each of stores A, D, and E, which have large differences, based on the information for stores B and C, which have small differences. The three instructions created in this way for the three stores (store A, store D, and store E) are passed on to the second output control unit 1241b. The second output control unit 1241b causes each of stores A, D, and E to transmit countermeasure information that further includes instructions for that store.

[0512] This allows the work processes at stores A, D, and E, where the differences are large, to be changed based on information from stores B and C, where the differences are small, or according to instructions.

[0513] (9-4) Application to management (collaboration between the field and management) The storage department 500A, the picking department 500B, the sorting department 500C, the shipping department 500D, the backroom department 200A, and the storefront department 200B belong to the field layer.

[0514] The acquisition unit 121 acquires a first value of labor hours, which is a first target, for each of one or more departments selected from the storage department 500A, the picking department 500B, the sorting department 500C, the shipping department 500D, the backroom department 200A, and the storefront department 200B, based on image information from the camera 3.

[0515] The setting unit 122 sets a first standard value (standard man-hours) for each of the one or more departments that are the acquisition targets of the acquisition unit 121. The setting unit 122 also sets a second standard value for the profit rate, which is a second target, based on the one or more first standard values ​​corresponding to the one or more departments and the sales information.

[0516] The detection unit 123 detects a first difference between a first acquired value and a first standard value regarding man-hours for each of the one or more departments.

[0517] The acquisition unit 121 acquires a second value of the rate of return based on one or more first values ​​corresponding to the one or more departments, one or more first differences corresponding to the one or more departments, and a second standard value for the rate of return.

[0518] The detection unit 123 detects a second difference between a second acquisition value and a second standard value for the rate of return for each of the one or more departments.

[0519] The reduction processing unit 124 performs a first reduction process to reduce the first difference based on the second difference. In this example, when the second difference exceeds a predetermined threshold, the second output control unit 1241b outputs one or more first differences corresponding to the one or more departments.

[0520] This enables the manager to identify, from among the one or more departments, a department that is the main cause of the increase in the second variance, based on the one or more first variances that have been output, and to instruct the identified department to take measures to reduce the first variance.

[0521] This allows for precise target management of activities including logistics, sales and management.

[0522] (10) Target management method and program Note that functions similar to those of the target management system 100 according to the first embodiment, the inventory management system 100A according to the second embodiment, and the plan optimization system 100B according to the third embodiment may be embodied in a target management method, a (computer) program, or a non-transitory recording medium having a program recorded thereon. Note that the target management method is a method including at least step S4 (acquisition step), step S2 (setting step), and step S7 (reduction processing step) among the various steps described above. Also, the program is a program for causing a computer to execute the above-mentioned plan creation method. [Explanation of symbols]

[0523] 100 Target Management System 1 Target Management Device 11 Reception 12 Processing section 121 Acquisition Department 122 Setting section 123 Detection unit 124 Reduction Processing Unit 1241 Output control section 1241a First output control section 1241b Second output control section 1242 Update Department 1243 Prediction Department 13 Output section 100A Product Management System (Target Management System) 1A Product listing management device 20 Sales terminal 30 Storage Terminal 12A Processing section 11A, 21, 31 Reception 13A, 22, 32 Output section 121A Information generation section 122A First output control section 123A Second output control section 211 Out-of-stock item reception desk 311 Stock Quantity Reception Department 100B Planning optimization system (target management system) 1B Planning device 11B Reception 12B Processing section 121B Generation part 122B Prediction Department 123B Setting section 124B Creation Department 125 Update section 13B Output section 2B Difference detection device 21B Reception 22B Processing section 221 Observation Department 222 Detection unit 23 Output section

Claims

1. Acquire actual values ​​of the man-hours of each of the plurality of tasks over a first period; Calculating a difference between an actual value of each of the man-hours in the first period and a preset standard man-hour, and updating the standard man-hours used in a second period after the first period so as to reduce the difference; For the second period, for the work items that are the same as the man-hours acquired for the first period, a man-hour forecast value is acquired based on period identification information, period attribute information, and quantity information regarding the quantity of work objects within the period; A processing unit is provided to create a work plan corresponding to the second period based on the updated standard man-hours, the man-hour prediction value, and personnel information including workers who will perform work in the second period. Planning device.

2. An output unit that outputs the differences calculated over a plurality of time periods in which the plurality of tasks are performed to a display device in a manner that allows comparison between the differences. The plan creation device according to claim 1 .

3. The processing unit changes the standard man-hours used in the second period by a predetermined amount and detects an increase or decrease in a difference between the actual value and the updated standard man-hours. The plan creation device according to claim 1 .

4. When the difference between the actual performance value and the preset standard man-hours is greater than a threshold, the processing unit updates the standard man-hours corresponding to the second period so as to reduce the difference, and when the difference is equal to or less than the threshold, does not update the standard man-hours corresponding to the second period. The plan creation device according to claim 1 .

5. The processing unit includes: Acquire image information or position information of the plurality of tasks during the first period; calculating the difference between the actual value and the preset standard man-hour based on the image information or the position information; The plan creation device according to claim 1 .

6. The processing unit includes: outputting the difference between the actual value and the preset standard man-hours, the image information, or the position information to a display device; receiving an instruction to reduce the difference from an input device; The plan creation device according to claim 5 .

7. The period specifying information is information specifying a date or a time period. The plan creation device according to claim 1 .

8. The period attribute information is information regarding any one of a day of the week, a sale day, a holiday, and a sale time period. The plan creation device according to claim 1 .

9. The quantity information is information including any one of information on the number of visitors, information on the amount of goods received, information on the amount of goods shipped, and information on the amount of goods handled. The plan creation device according to claim 1 .

10. The processing unit outputs the value related to the man-hours to a display device every time the value is acquired. The plan creation device according to claim 1 .

11. The plurality of operations is a series of work steps, The processing unit includes: identifying a work process among the plurality of works in the first period in which the difference between the actual performance value and the preset standard man-hours is larger than other work processes, and changing a work plan or personnel allocation for at least the identified work process so that the difference for the identified work process is reduced in the second period; The plan creation device according to claim 1 .

12. The difference is a first difference, The processing unit includes: During the first period, a business performance value for a predetermined business indicator is obtained for each of a plurality of departments; Calculating a second difference between a predetermined management indicator and the management performance value for each of the divisions during the first period; outputting the first difference to a display device for a department among the plurality of departments in which the second difference is equal to or greater than a threshold value; The plan creation device according to claim 1 .

13. The processing unit updates the standard man-hours used in the second period based on the second difference so that the first difference of the department that is the main cause of the second difference is reduced. The planning device according to claim 12.

14. A processor comprising: Acquire actual values ​​of the man-hours of each of the plurality of tasks over a first period; Calculating a difference between an actual value of each of the man-hours in the first period and a preset standard man-hour, and updating the standard man-hours used in a second period after the first period so as to reduce the difference; For the second period, for the work items that are the same as the man-hours acquired for the first period, a man-hours forecast value is acquired based on period identification information, period attribute information, and quantity information regarding the quantity of work objects within the period; creating a work plan corresponding to the second period based on the updated standard man-hours, the man-hour forecast value, and personnel information including workers who will perform work in the second period; How to create a plan.

15. Acquire actual values ​​of the man-hours of each of the plurality of tasks over a first period; Calculating a difference between an actual value of each of the man-hours in the first period and a preset standard man-hour, and updating the standard man-hours used in a second period after the first period so as to reduce the difference; For the second period, for the work items that are the same as the man-hours acquired for the first period, a man-hours forecast value is acquired based on period identification information, period attribute information, and quantity information regarding the quantity of work objects within the period; creating a work plan corresponding to the second period based on the updated standard man-hours, the man-hour forecast value, and personnel information including workers who will perform work in the second period; To have the processor execute the process program.

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