Information processing device, information processing system, and information processing method

Abstract

To improve a probability that a seller enterprise controlled by an intermediator reaches a final agreement with any purchaser enterprise.SOLUTION: An information processing server 2 includes an information processing unit 10 having a function of accepting a sharing request sharing a first seller enterprise controlled by a first intermediator, and setting a state to such a state in which a second intermediator can control the first seller enterprise as a self seller enterprise in response to the sharing request, and thereby the intermediator applies the sharing request for the seller enterprise controlled by itself, and thereby the intermediator makes the seller enterprise be under the control of another intermediator, and makes the other intermediator mediate between a purchaser enterprise and the seller enterprise.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device capable of executing processing related to M&A. , love The present invention relates to an information processing system and an information processing method. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, M&A (mergers and acquisitions) have become widespread. In this M&A, it is common for an intermediary to act as an intermediary between a seller company and a buyer company. In many cases, the intermediary is a company (a so-called M&A intermediary) that does intermediation related to M&A as part of its business. Conventionally, various techniques related to intermediation between a seller company and a buyer company have been proposed. For example, Patent Document 1 describes the following technique. That is, a server calculates a score, which is an index representing the compatibility of the seller company and the buyer company with respect to M&A, based on the company information of the seller company (selling company) and the desired conditions for M&A of the buyer company (buying company). The server then obtains a matching result in which the seller companies are arranged in descending order of the score with respect to the desired conditions of the buyer company, and presents the matching result to the buyer company. The above techniques are described. According to the technique of Patent Document 1, a matching result reflecting the compatibility is presented to the buyer company, so that efficient matching is realized. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-78985 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Intermediaries who act as intermediaries between seller and buyer companies in M&A have a need to increase the probability that the seller company they manage will reach a final agreement (such as concluding an SPA) with the buyer company, because the amount of compensation paid to the intermediary and the evaluation of the intermediary will change depending on whether or not a final agreement is reached.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and aims to improve the probability that a seller company managed by an intermediary will reach a final agreement with a buyer company. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a first seller company managed by a first intermediary. , to a second intermediary selected by the first intermediary. A state in which a sharing application to share information is accepted, and in response to the sharing application, information about the first seller company can be transferred to the company's control. In The second intermediary receives an application for transfer to managed status from the second intermediary, and in response to the application, the second intermediary is placed in a state in which the second intermediary can manage the first seller company as its own seller company. Note that "a state in which the second intermediary can manage the first seller company as its own seller company" refers to a state in which the second intermediary can manage candidate buyer companies for the first seller company, and can manage the progress status regarding the mediation between the first seller company and the candidate buyer companies. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention configured as described above, by making a joint ownership application for a seller company managed by the intermediary, the intermediary can place the seller company under the management of another intermediary and have the other intermediary mediate between the seller company and the buyer company. Therefore, by making a joint ownership application for the seller company, the intermediary can ensure that a final agreement is reached with a buyer company at a higher probability than if the intermediary were to act alone. In other words, according to the present invention, it is possible to increase the probability that a seller company managed by the intermediary will reach a final agreement with a buyer company. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of an information processing server and an intermediary terminal according to an embodiment; FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the contents of an intermediary management database. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an intermediary who registers with the service. [Diagram 5] 10 is a flowchart showing an information processing method of the intermediary terminal and the information processing server. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an intermediation case-related screen. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a potential buyer company related screen. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a share target information input screen. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a mediator candidate related screen. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart showing an information processing method of the intermediary terminal and the information processing server. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sharing target related screen. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an intermediation case-related screen. [Figure 13] 10 is a flowchart showing an information processing method of the intermediary terminal and the information processing server. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a potential buyer company related screen. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 illustrates an example of an upload screen. [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is a diagram used to explain the operation of the information processing server. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of contents of candidate buyer company data. [Figure 18] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a potential buyer company related screen. [Figure 19] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an intermediation case related screen. [Figure 20] 13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating an example of a series of sharers screen and a chat room screen. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an information processing system 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the information processing system 1 includes an information processing server 2 (information processing device, computer) and one or more intermediary terminals 3 (computers). Both the information processing server 2 and the intermediary terminal 3 can be connected to a network N including the Internet, a telephone network, and other communication networks.

[0010] The information processing server 2 provides services relating to M&A (hereinafter referred to as "the Services"). In particular, the information processing server 2 provides services used by intermediaries who mediate between buyer and seller companies in M&A. Intermediaries are often companies (so-called M&A intermediaries) whose business involves intermediation in M&A. However, intermediaries are not limited to organizations. A "seller company" is an organization that wishes to transfer its own company (or part of its business) to another company through merger, acquisition, or other means. A "buyer company" is an organization that wishes to acquire the seller company through merger, acquisition, or other means.

[0011] The intermediary attempts to reach a final agreement between the seller company under his / her management and the potential buyer company under his / her management by conducting various negotiations, arranging for these companies to hold negotiations, and transferring the necessary documents to each company. The intermediary can simultaneously mediate with multiple candidates for a given seller company in parallel. The final agreement is typically the conclusion of a stock transfer agreement (the so-called SPA conclusion), but is not limited to this and means that a final agreement is reached between the seller company and the buyer company. The intermediary is registered with the Service and can log in to the account of the Service using his / her own login information (for example, a combination of login ID and password).

[0012] In the following, the process in which the intermediary registers a buyer company as a candidate for the seller company and the companies reach a final agreement is referred to as the "intermediation-related process" for convenience. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the intermediation-related process reaches a final agreement (e.g., SPA conclusion) through multiple statuses (stages). Final agreement is one of the statuses. Hereinafter, the statuses passed through in the intermediation-related process are referred to as "progress statuses." However, not all intermediaries reach a final agreement through the exact same statuses, and the statuses passed through before a final agreement can differ for each intermediary. In addition, in the following, the entity that operates the service is referred to as the "operator." The intermediary registers with the service through appropriate means.

[0013] The information processing server 2 is a server device capable of communicating with the intermediary terminal 3 via the network N. As described above, the information processing server 2 is capable of executing processing related to the present service. In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 described later, the information processing server 2 is represented by one block. However, this does not mean that the information processing server 2 is composed of a single server device. For example, the information processing server 2 may be composed of multiple server devices. In this case, the server devices constituting the information processing server 2 may include a Web server or a Web application server. The information processing server 2 may also be part of a predetermined system.

[0014] The intermediary terminal 3 is a terminal (computer) used by the intermediary. The intermediary terminal 3 refers to a terminal used by the intermediary for convenience, and does not mean a terminal used exclusively by the intermediary. Any type of intermediary terminal 3 may be used. For example, a desktop computer, a tablet computer (including a so-called smartphone), or a notebook computer can function as the intermediary terminal 3. When the intermediary is an organization, the person who actually uses the intermediary terminal 3 is an individual who belongs to the organization. However, in this embodiment, an individual who uses the intermediary terminal 3 in an organization is also referred to as an "intermediary."

[0015] Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the information processing server 2 and the intermediary terminal 3. As shown in Fig. 2, the information processing server 2 includes, as its functional configuration, a server information processing unit 10 (information processing unit), a server communication unit 11, and a server storage unit 12. The intermediary terminal 3 includes, as its functional configuration, a terminal information processing unit 13 (information processing unit), a terminal communication unit 14, a terminal display unit 15, a terminal input unit 16, and a terminal storage unit 17.

[0016] The server information processing unit 10 of the information processing server 2 includes a processing device and a primary storage device. The processing device is a device having an information processing function and includes a CPU. The CPU includes a control device, an arithmetic unit, a register, and a cache memory. The primary storage device includes a DRAM and other volatile memories. The server information processing unit 10 executes information processing by the processing device reading out a program stored in the server storage unit 12 into the primary storage device and executing it. That is, the server information processing unit 10 executes information processing by cooperation between hardware and software. The server communication unit 11 includes a communication device having a function of communicating with an external device. The communication device includes a communication control device and a network interface. The server communication unit 11 communicates with the external device by the communication device under the control of the server information processing unit 10. In the following, the communication using the network N by the information processing server 2 and other communications are appropriately performed by the server communication unit 11, and detailed explanations are omitted. The server storage unit 12 includes a hard disk drive (which may be another magnetic storage device), a ROM, a flash memory, and other non-volatile memories. The server storage unit 12 stores data in the non-volatile memory.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 2, the server storage unit 12 of the information processing server 2 stores an intermediary management database 19. The intermediary management database 19 is a database that manages information about each intermediary (intermediary account). A record (hereinafter referred to as an "intermediary record") is registered in the intermediary management database 19 for each intermediary. FIG. 3(A) is a diagram that shows a schematic view of the contents (part) of the intermediary record. As shown in FIG. 3(A), the intermediary record includes at least an intermediary ID (unique information for identifying the intermediary), intermediary related data, intermediary matter management data, and shared object management data. The intermediary related data is data in which the name (company name), address, contact information, and other information about the intermediary are recorded for the corresponding intermediary. The intermediary matter management data and the shared object management data will be described later. The server storage unit 12 also stores a chat management database 20. The chat management database 20 will be described later.

[0018] The terminal information processing unit 13 of the intermediary terminal 3 includes a processing device having an information processing function and a primary storage device. The terminal information processing unit 13 executes information processing by having the processing device read out a program stored in the terminal storage unit 17 into the primary storage device and execute it. That is, the terminal information processing unit 13 executes information processing by cooperation between hardware and software. The terminal communication unit 14 includes a communication device having a communication control device and a network interface. The terminal communication unit 14 communicates with an external device by the communication device under the control of the terminal information processing unit 13. In the following, detailed explanation of communication using the network N by the intermediary terminal 3 is omitted, assuming that it is appropriately performed by the terminal communication unit 14. The terminal display unit 15 includes a liquid crystal panel, an organic EL panel, and other display devices. The terminal display unit 15 displays an image on the display device under the control of the terminal information processing unit 13. The terminal input unit 16 includes a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, and other input devices. The terminal input unit 16 detects input to the input device and outputs the detection result to the terminal information processing unit 13. The terminal storage unit 17 includes a non-volatile memory. The terminal storage unit 17 stores data in a non-volatile memory.

[0019] The terminal information processing unit 13 basically executes various processes using the functions of a browser, an installed application, and other programs. The terminal information processing unit 13 executes the following processes as necessary, even if not specifically described. That is, the terminal information processing unit 13 communicates with the server information processing unit 10 of the information processing server 2 as necessary, and acquires necessary information from the information processing server 2. However, the terminal information processing unit 13 may be configured to acquire at least a part of the necessary information from an external device other than the information processing server 2. The terminal information processing unit 13 also communicates with the server information processing unit 10 of the information processing server 2 as necessary, requests the server information processing unit 10 to execute necessary processes, and acquires the processing results. However, the terminal information processing unit 13 may be configured to request at least a part of the processes from an external device other than the information processing server 2. The information processing server 2 stores all the information to be provided to the terminal information processing unit 13. The server information processing unit 10 also has a function of executing processes in response to requests from the terminal information processing unit 13.

[0020] Next, the operation of the information processing system 1 will be explained by dividing it into scenes. In the following, the operation of the information processing system 1 will be explained using an example in which five intermediaries, the first intermediary T1, the second intermediary T2, the third intermediary T3, the fourth intermediary T4, and the fifth intermediary T5, are registered in the service as shown in FIG. 4. The first to fifth intermediaries T1 to T5 are companies, and the company names are the first to fifth intermediaries, respectively. For example, the company name of the first intermediary T1 is "First Intermediary". However, this is for convenience of explanation, and the company name is usually "XX M&A Intermediary Company" or "XX Trading Co." The above matters regarding the name (company name) are also the same for the seller company and the buyer company exemplified in this embodiment.

[0021] <Scene where the first intermediary T1 applies for sharing> First, the operation of the information processing system 1 in a scene where the first intermediary T1 makes a sharing application (described later) will be described. Hereinafter, the intermediary terminal 3 used by the first intermediary T1 will be referred to as the intermediary terminal 3-1, and the terminal information processing unit 13, terminal communication unit 14, terminal display unit 15, terminal input unit 16, and terminal storage unit 17 of the intermediary terminal 3-1 will be referred to as the terminal information processing unit 13-1, the terminal communication unit 14-1, the terminal display unit 15-1, the terminal input unit 16-1, and the terminal storage unit 17-1, respectively. Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the intermediary terminal 3-1 and the information processing server 2 in this scene. The flowchart FA shows an information processing method by the intermediary terminal 3-1, and the flowchart FB shows an information processing method by the information processing server 2.

[0022] First, the first intermediary T1 launches the browser of the intermediary terminal 3-1 and instructs access to a specific URL of the information processing server 2. In response to the instruction, the terminal information processing unit 13-1 accesses the specific URL using the browser's functions. When the specific URL is accessed, the server information processing unit 10 of the information processing server 2 performs appropriate authentication using a predetermined method (for example, a method using an ID and a password), and then responds to the terminal information processing unit 13-1 with display data (including an HTML file and data accompanying the HTML file) for displaying a main screen. The terminal information processing unit 13-1 receives the display data and uses the browser's functions to display the main screen on the terminal display unit 15-1 based on the display data.

[0023] In the following, detection of operations on various screens displayed on the "terminal display unit 15 of the intermediary terminal 3" based on display data transmitted from the server information processing unit 10 of the information processing server 2, acquisition of information input to various screens, dynamic change of various screens, and various other screen-related processes are assumed to be appropriately executed by the server information processing unit 10 using CGI, JavaScript (registered trademark), Ajax, DHTML, and other existing technologies, and detailed explanations will not be given. In addition, the server information processing unit 10 of the information processing server 2 transmitting display data (e.g., an HTML file) to the intermediary terminal 3 and displaying a screen (or user interface) based on the display data on the terminal display unit 15 may be expressed as "the server information processing unit 10 displays an XX screen (or an XX user interface) on the terminal display unit 15" or simply as "the server information processing unit 10 displays an XX screen (or an XX user interface)." In addition, communication between the server information processing unit 10 and the terminal information processing unit 13 is assumed to be appropriately performed according to HTTP or other protocols, and detailed explanations of the communication itself will not be given.

[0024] As shown in the flow chart FA, the first intermediary T1 performs a predetermined operation on the main screen (or a screen to which the user can transition from the main screen) to instruct the display of the intermediation case-related screen 22 (step SA1). In response to the instruction, the server information processing unit 10 transmits a notification indicating that the instruction has been received to the server information processing unit 10 (step SA2). In response to the notification, the server information processing unit 10 transmits display data for the intermediation case-related screen 22 to the terminal information processing unit 13-1 (step SB1). The terminal information processing unit 13-1 displays the intermediation case-related screen 22 on the terminal display unit 15-1 based on the display data (step SA3).

[0025] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the intermediation case-related screen 22. As shown in Fig. 6, a new creation button 23 is provided at the top of the intermediation case-related screen 22. The new creation button 23 will be described later. A search-related area 24 is provided below the new creation button 23 on the intermediation case-related screen 22. The search-related area 24 displays input fields for inputting various keywords for searching for intermediation cases (described later) and a button for starting the search. A intermediation case list area 25 is provided below the search-related area 24 on the intermediation case-related screen 22.

[0026] In the mediation case list area 25, a mediation case block 26 (record) is displayed for each mediation case. Here, a mediation case will be described. Basically, a mediator manages one or more seller companies. For each of the seller companies that the mediator manages, the mediator mediates between the seller company and one or more potential buyer companies, aiming to reach a final agreement with the buyer company. In this embodiment, one seller company is managed as one mediation case. That is, one mediation case corresponds to one seller company. The mediator can register one mediation case for one seller company. When the mediator registers a mediation case for one seller company, the mediator can use the service to manage the one seller company as his / her own seller company. Specifically, the mediator can manage the potential buyer companies, the progress status for each candidate, the case name, and other matters related to the management of the mediation case.

[0027] Three brokerage case blocks 26 are displayed in the brokerage case list area 25 in FIG. 6. Each brokerage case block 26 corresponds to one brokerage case and one seller company. Update date information 28 indicating the latest update date and SID 29 identifying the corresponding brokerage case are displayed in each brokerage case block 26. Maximum progress status information 30 is also displayed in each brokerage case block 26. Maximum progress status information 30 is information indicating the progress status of the candidate that is the most advanced in the brokerage-related process (=closest to a final agreement) among one or more buyer company candidates registered for the corresponding seller company. Maximum progress status information 30 includes a bar that visually indicates the progress status and information that expresses the progress status by a character string.

[0028] Each intermediation case block 26 also displays case name information 31 indicating the case name of the corresponding intermediation case. The case name can be freely set, but as an example, it is the name (company name) of the corresponding seller company. Each intermediation case block 26 also displays business summary information 32 indicating an overview of the business of the corresponding seller company, and tag information 33 indicating each of the tags assigned to the corresponding intermediation case. Each intermediation case block 26 also displays an edit button 34. The edit button 34 will be described later. Each intermediation case block 26 also displays either a share button 35 or a chat button 36. These buttons will be described later.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 3(A), the intermediary record in the intermediary management database 19 includes intermediation case management data. This intermediation case management data includes a record (hereinafter referred to as an "intermediation case record") for each intermediation case of the corresponding intermediary (=for each seller company managed by the corresponding intermediary). FIG. 3(B) is a diagram showing the contents (part) of the intermediation case record. As shown in FIG. 3(B), the intermediation case record includes a seller company ID, which is identification information for the corresponding seller company. The intermediation case record also includes various information to be displayed in the corresponding intermediation case block 26. The intermediation case record also includes buyer company candidate management data. The buyer company candidate management data will be described later. The server information processing unit 10 displays each of the intermediation case blocks 26 based on each of the corresponding intermediation case records.

[0030] The new creation button 23 on the intermediation case related screen 22 is a button for registering a new intermediation case. When the new creation button 23 is selected, the server information processing unit 10 displays a screen for inputting various information related to the intermediation case to be newly registered. When the input on the screen is confirmed, the server information processing unit 10 registers one new intermediation case record in the corresponding intermediation case management data based on the input information. This completes the registration of the intermediation case (seller company). After the intermediation case is registered, the intermediation case related screen 22 displays an intermediation case block 26 corresponding to the newly registered intermediation case. In addition, in response to the registration of the intermediation case, the intermediary becomes able to manage the corresponding seller company. In addition, the edit button 34 for the intermediation case record is a button for displaying a screen for editing various information about the corresponding intermediation case. When the edit button 34 is selected, the server information processing unit 10 displays a screen for editing various information about the corresponding intermediate case. The server information processing unit 10 updates the contents of the corresponding intermediation case record in response to the intermediary editing of various information.

[0031] In the example of FIG. 6, the brokerage case list area 25 displays a brokerage case block 26-1 corresponding to the first seller company S1 (company name: first seller company), a brokerage case block 26-2 corresponding to the second seller company S1 (company name: second seller company), and a brokerage case block 26-3 corresponding to the third seller company S3 (company name: third seller company). As shown in FIG. 6, the share button 35 is displayed in the brokerage case block 26-1 and the brokerage case block 26-2, and the chat button 36 is displayed in the brokerage case block 26-3. Note that the display contents of the brokerage case block 26 are merely an example. For example, in addition to or instead of the information exemplified in this embodiment, a configuration may be used in which "information indicating the name of the person in charge", "more detailed information regarding the corresponding seller company", "the number of candidates of the buyer company", "the number of candidates of the buyer company that the seller company considered to be suitable for starting business negotiations", or "the number of candidates of the buyer company that the seller company referred to IM (Information Memorandum)".

[0032] Each of the brokerage case blocks 26 can be selected by, for example, placing a cursor and clicking. When the first broker T1 selects the brokerage case block 26, the server information processing unit 10 displays a buyer company candidate related screen 37 corresponding to the selected brokerage case block 26, instead of the brokerage case related screen 22. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the buyer company candidate related screen 37 displayed when the brokerage case block 26-1 of the brokerage case related screen 22 shown in FIG. 6 is selected. As shown in FIG. 7, a CSV upload button 38 and a new creation button 39 are provided at the top of the buyer company candidate related screen 37. These buttons will be described later. Below these buttons, a buyer company candidate list area 40 is provided.

[0033] Here, the intermediary can register one or more candidate buyer companies for one seller company. When a candidate buyer company is registered, the intermediary can manage the progress status, etc., for that candidate buyer company. In the candidate buyer company list area 40, a candidate buyer company block 41 is displayed for each candidate buyer company registered for the corresponding seller company (= the seller company corresponding to the selected intermediation case block 26).

[0034] As shown in FIG. 7, the buyer company candidate block 41 displays company name information 42 indicating the company name of the corresponding buyer company candidate, progress status information 43 indicating the progress status, person in charge name information 44 indicating the name of the person in charge, and comment information 45 indicating the latest comment registered. The buyer company candidate block 41 also displays an intermediation flag 46. The intermediation flag 46 is a flag indicating whether or not the intermediary (the first intermediary T1 in this example) can mediate the corresponding buyer company candidate, or whether or not it is appropriate for the intermediary to mediate. Regarding the intermediation flag 46, "valid" indicates that the intermediation can be performed without problems, and "invalid" indicates that the intermediation cannot be performed or that it may not be appropriate to mediate. In addition, a details button 47 and an edit button 48 are displayed in one buyer company candidate block 41. These buttons will be described later.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 3(B), the brokerage case record includes buyer company candidate management data. This buyer company candidate management data includes a record for each candidate buyer company registered for the corresponding brokerage case (hereinafter referred to as a "buyer company candidate record"). FIG. 3(C) is a diagram showing the contents (part) of a buyer company candidate record. As shown in FIG. 3(C), the buyer company candidate record includes various information that is displayed in the corresponding buyer company candidate block 41. The server information processing unit 10 displays each buyer company candidate block 41 based on each corresponding buyer company candidate record.

[0036] The CSV upload button 38 on the buyer company candidate related screen 37 is a button for collectively registering one or more buyer company candidates using a CSV file. The CSV file is a file in which necessary information for each of the buyer company candidates is recorded according to a format. Similarly, the new creation button 39 on the buyer company candidate related screen 37 is a button for newly registering a buyer company candidate. In response to uploading a CSV file after selecting the CSV upload button 38, or inputting information after selecting the new creation button 39 and confirming the input, the server information processing unit 10 newly registers a buyer company candidate record corresponding to each of the buyer company candidates in the corresponding buyer company candidate management data. The registration of the buyer company candidate record in the buyer company candidate management data completes the registration of the buyer company candidate. After the buyer company candidate is registered, a buyer company candidate block 41 corresponding to the newly registered buyer company candidate is displayed on the buyer company candidate related screen 37. In addition, in response to the registration of the buyer company candidate, the intermediary is able to manage various matters related to the intermediation between the corresponding seller company and the registered buyer company candidate.

[0037] The buyer company candidate record details button 47 is a button for instructing the display of a screen that displays more detailed information about the corresponding buyer company candidate. The buyer company candidate record edit button 48 is a button for displaying a screen for editing various information about the corresponding buyer company candidate. When the edit button 34 is selected, the server information processing unit 10 displays a screen for editing various information about the corresponding buyer company candidate. The server information processing unit 10 updates the contents of the corresponding buyer company candidate record in response to editing by the intermediary.

[0038] In the example of FIG. 7, the buyer company candidate list area 40 displays a buyer company candidate block 41-1 corresponding to the first buyer company B1 (company name: first buyer company), a buyer company candidate block 41-2 corresponding to the second buyer company B2 (company name: second buyer company), a buyer company candidate block 41-3 corresponding to the third buyer company B3 (company name: third buyer company), and a buyer company candidate block 41-4 corresponding to the fourth buyer company B4 (company name: fourth buyer company). This means that the first intermediary T1 has registered the first to fourth buyer companies B1 to B4 for the first seller company S1. Note that the display contents of the buyer company candidate block 41 are merely an example. For example, other information may be displayed in addition to or in place of part of the information exemplified in this embodiment.

[0039] As described above, either the share button 35 or the chat button 36 is displayed in the intermediation case block 26 on the intermediation case related screen 22. The share button 35 is a button that is operated when a sharing request is made for the corresponding seller company and the seller company is shared with another intermediary. When the seller company is shared with another intermediary, the other intermediary can refer to information about the seller company and can further keep it under his or her own control. Hereinafter, the seller company for which a sharing request has been made (= the seller company that is the subject of sharing) will be referred to as the "seller company that is the subject of sharing" as appropriate. Furthermore, the intermediary who has made the sharing request will be referred to as the "originating intermediary" and the intermediary with whom the sharing is made will be referred to as the "recipient intermediary."

[0040] A share button 35 is displayed in the intermediary case block 26-1 (the intermediary case block 26-1 corresponding to the first seller company S1) on the intermediary case related screen 22 shown in Fig. 6. When the first intermediary T1 wishes to apply for sharing for the first seller company S1, he / she selects the share button 35 in the intermediary case block 26-1. Below, the operation of the information processing system 1 will be described assuming that the first intermediary T1 selects the share button 35 in the intermediary case block 26-1.

[0041] As described above, the brokerage case related screen 22 displays the share button 35 (user interface, first user interface) for instructing sharing of the seller company in association with information indicating the seller company managed by the broker (information displayed in the brokerage case block 26 in this embodiment). In other words, the terminal information processing unit 13 has a function of providing the broker with a screen displaying a user interface for instructing sharing of the seller company in association with information indicating the seller company managed by the broker.

[0042] As shown in the flow chart FA of Fig. 5, the first mediator T1 selects the share button 35 in the mediation case block 26-1 (step SA4). In response to the selection, the terminal information processing unit 13-1 transmits a corresponding notification (step SA5), and the server information processing unit 10 responds with display data (step SB2). The terminal information processing unit 13-1 displays the share target information input screen 50 on the terminal display unit 15-1 based on the display data (step SA6).

[0043] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a shared information input screen 50. The shared information input screen 50 is a screen for inputting information on the seller company to be shared, which is information to be provided to the intermediary of the shared party. As shown in FIG. 8, the shared information input screen 50 is provided with an industry input field 51 for inputting the industry of the seller company to be shared, an annual sales input field 52 for inputting the annual sales scale, an annual profit scale input field 53 for inputting the annual operating profit scale, and a desired transfer price input field 54 for inputting the desired transfer price. Each of these input fields can display a pull-down menu, and information can be input into the input field by selecting one piece of information from the information displayed in the pull-down menu. Also, as shown in FIG. 8, the shared information input screen 50 is provided with a user interface 55 for uploading an IM (Information Memorandum). Note that the shared information input screen 50 in FIG. 8 is merely an example, and other information or data may be input into the screen. As an example, the company name, years since establishment, or area of ​​the seller company to be shared may be input.

[0044] The first mediator T1 inputs information into each input field of the share target information input screen 50 and selects the input confirmation button 56 (step SA7). Hereinafter, the information input into the share target information input screen 50 is referred to as "share target provided information." In response to the selection of the input confirmation button 56, the terminal information processing unit 13-1 transmits a corresponding notification (step SA8), and the server information processing unit 10 responds with display data (step SB3). The terminal information processing unit 13-1 displays the mediator candidate related screen 58 on the terminal display unit 15-1 based on the display data (step SA9).

[0045] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the intermediary candidate related screen 58. As shown in FIG. 9, the intermediary candidate related screen 58 displays intermediary candidate name information 59 indicating the name (company name) of each of the intermediary candidates of the shared destination. In this embodiment, all intermediaries registered in the service except the intermediary of the sharing source are candidates of the shared destination intermediary. Based on this, the intermediary candidate related screen 58 displays the intermediary candidate name information 59 for each of the intermediaries registered in the service except the intermediary of the sharing source. In this example, the intermediary of the sharing source is the first intermediary T1, and the candidates of the shared destination intermediary are the second to fifth intermediaries T1 to T5. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, the intermediary candidate related screen 58 displays the intermediary candidate name information 59 for each of the second to fifth intermediaries T1 to T5.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 9, the intermediary candidate related screen 58 displays radio buttons 60 for selecting any candidate (multiple candidates are acceptable) in association with each of the intermediary candidate name information 59. In this embodiment, the seller company to be shared is shared only with the selected intermediary candidates. As shown in the flowchart FA of FIG. 5, the first intermediary T1 checks the radio button 60 of the intermediary with whom he / she wishes to share the seller company to be shared, among the intermediary candidates, and selects the confirm button 61 (step SA10). Hereinafter, the intermediary candidate selected here is referred to as the "selected intermediary." In this embodiment, it is assumed that the second to fourth intermediaries T2 to T4 are selected by the first intermediary T1.

[0047] In response to the selection of the Confirm button 61, the terminal display unit 15-1 transmits a sharing application notification including the transmission of the shared information provided and the upload of the IM to the server information processing unit 10 (step SA11). The server information processing unit 10 receives the notification and executes the following process (step SB4). Here, as shown in FIG. 3(A), the intermediary record in the intermediary management database 19 includes shared object management data. This shared object management data includes a record (hereinafter referred to as a "shared object record") for each seller company shared by the corresponding intermediary. FIG. 3(D) is a diagram showing the contents (part) of the shared object record. As shown in FIG. 3(D), the shared object record includes the seller company ID of the corresponding seller company (= the shared seller company), the shared object provided information, the IM, and the intermediary ID of the sharing intermediary.

[0048] In step SB4, the server information processing unit 10 adds a shared target record corresponding to the seller company of the shared target to the shared target management data corresponding to the selected intermediary in the intermediary management database 19 for each selected intermediary. By registering a shared target record in the shared target management data corresponding to one intermediary, the seller company of the shared target is in a shared state with the one intermediary. For example, in this example, the server information processing unit 10 executes the following process for updating the shared target management data corresponding to the second intermediary T2, which is one of the selected intermediaries. That is, the server information processing unit 10 newly registers one shared target record corresponding to the first seller company S1 in the shared target management data corresponding to the second intermediary T2 based on the shared target provision information and IM acquired in response to the notification of the sharing application. By registering a shared target record corresponding to the first seller company S1 in the shared target management data corresponding to the second intermediary T2, the first seller company S1 is in a shared state with the second intermediary T2.

[0049] As described above, in this embodiment, the intermediary uses various screens provided by the functions of the server information processing unit 10 to send a notification of a sharing application from the terminal information processing unit 13 to the server information processing unit 10. This process by the intermediary corresponds to a "sharing application". Furthermore, the server information processing unit 10 executes a process of updating the sharing target management data of the selected intermediary in response to the sharing application of the intermediary. This process corresponds to a "process of accepting a sharing application". In other words, the server information processing unit 10 has a function of accepting a sharing application to share a seller company managed by the intermediary (first intermediary) who is the source of sharing. Note that the content of the "process of accepting a sharing application" exemplified in this embodiment is merely an example. In other words, the content of the "process of accepting a sharing application" may be any content as long as the server information processing unit 10 detects that a sharing application has been made and executes the corresponding process.

[0050] <The second intermediary T2 applies for a transfer to receivership for the first seller company S1> Next, the operation of the information processing system 1 in a scene where the second intermediary T2 applies for the transfer to management of the first seller company S1 will be described. The operation of the information processing system 1 will be described below, focusing on the action of the second intermediary T2 after the processing of the flowchart in FIG. 5 is completed. That is, at the start of the flowchart, the first seller company S1 is in a state where it is shared by the second to fourth intermediaries T2 to T4 in response to the sharing application of the first seller company S1 by the first intermediary T1. In addition, hereinafter, the intermediary terminal 3 used by the second intermediary T2 will be referred to as the intermediary terminal 3-2, and the terminal information processing unit 13, the terminal communication unit 14, the terminal display unit 15, the terminal input unit 16, and the terminal storage unit 17 of the intermediary terminal 3-2 will be referred to as the terminal information processing unit 13-2, the terminal communication unit 14-2, the terminal display unit 15-2, the terminal input unit 16-2, and the terminal storage unit 17-2, respectively. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the intermediary terminal 3-2 and the information processing server 2 in the scene. A flowchart FC shows an information processing method by the intermediary terminal 3-2, and a flowchart FD shows an information processing method by the information processing server 2.

[0051] The second intermediary T2 performs a predetermined operation on the main screen (or a screen to which the second intermediary T2 can transition) to instruct the display of the shared object related screen 63 (step SC1). In response to the instruction, the terminal information processing unit 13-2 transmits a corresponding notification (step SC2), and the server information processing unit 10 responds with display data (step SD1). The terminal information processing unit 13-2 displays the shared object related screen 63 on the terminal display unit 15-2 based on the display data (step SC3). FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the shared object related screen 63. As shown in FIG. 11, the shared object related screen 63 displays a shared object block 64 (record) for each seller company shared by the second intermediary T2. More precisely, the shared object related screen 63 displays the shared object block 64 of each seller company that is not under the management of the second intermediary T2 after being shared by the second intermediary T2.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 11, the shared object block 64 displays the shared object provision information (annual sales scale, operating profit scale, desired transfer price, etc.) entered in the shared object information input screen 50. The shared object block 64 also displays a button for downloading the IM. When the download button is pressed, the server information processing unit 10 downloads the IM to the intermediary terminal 3-2. As described above, one shared object block 64 displays information about the seller company shared by the sharing source intermediary. In other words, the server information processing unit 10 has a function of providing information about the shared object seller company (first seller company) to the sharing destination intermediary (second intermediary) in response to a sharing application.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 11, the shared object block 64 displays a "Transition to Management" button 65. The "Transition to Management" button 65 is a button for instructing the corresponding seller company to be transferred to the management of the intermediary (put under management). By placing the shared seller company under the management of the intermediary, the intermediary can manage the shared seller company as his / her own seller company and can mediate between the shared seller company and the buyer company under the management using the service. In the shared object related screen 63 of FIG. 11, a shared object block 64-1 corresponding to the first seller company S1 and a shared object block 64-2 corresponding to the tenth seller company S10 are displayed. This indicates that the first seller company S1 and the tenth seller company S10 have been shared by the second intermediary T2. Hereinafter, the operation of the information processing system 1 will be described assuming that the second intermediary T2 selects the "Transition to Management" button 65 of the shared object block 64-1 corresponding to the first seller company S1.

[0054] As described above, the shared object related screen 63 displays the "under management" button 65 (user interface) for instructing to place the seller company under management in association with information indicating the shared seller company (information displayed in the shared object block 64 in this embodiment). That is, the terminal information processing unit 13 has a function of providing the intermediary (second intermediary) of the sharing destination with a screen on which a user interface for instructing to place the seller company under management is displayed in association with information indicating the seller company (first seller company). Note that the shared object related screen 63 in FIG. 11 is an example, and the contents of the screen are not limited to the exemplified contents. As an example, the shared object related screen 63 may be configured to have a user interface for selecting multiple seller companies and agreeing to sharing collectively.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 11, the second intermediary T2 selects the "Transfer to Management" button 65 corresponding to the first seller company S1 (step SC4). In response to the selection, the terminal information processing unit 13-2 transmits a notification of the transfer to management application, including transmission of information indicating the selected seller company (the first seller company S1 in this example), to the server information processing unit 10 (step SC5). The server information processing unit 10 receives the notification and executes the following process (step SD2). That is, the server information processing unit 10 updates the intermediary case management data corresponding to the second intermediary T2 in the intermediary management database 19. Specifically, the server information processing unit 10 adds an intermediary case record corresponding to the first seller company S1 to the intermediary case management data. The addition of the intermediary case record results in a state in which the intermediary case corresponding to the first seller company S1 is registered. As a result, the first seller company S1 is placed under the management of the second intermediary T2, and the second intermediary T2 is able to manage the first seller company S1 as its own seller company. Furthermore, the server information processing unit 10 deletes the shared object record corresponding to the first seller company S1 from the shared object management data corresponding to the second intermediary T2 in the intermediary management database 19.

[0056] As described above, in this embodiment, the intermediary of the shared party uses various screens provided by the functions of the server information processing unit 10 to send a notification of the transfer to management application from the terminal information processing unit 13 to the server information processing unit 10. This process by the intermediary corresponds to a "transfer to management application". Also, the server information processing unit 10 executes a process of updating the corresponding intermediary matter management data and the shared target management data in response to the intermediary's transfer to management application. This process corresponds to "a process of making the intermediary of the shared party (second intermediary) able to manage the seller company of the shared target as its own seller company in response to the sharing application" and "a process of accepting a transfer to management application from the intermediary of the shared party (second intermediary) to place the seller company of the shared target (first seller company) under its own management, and making the intermediary of the shared party (second intermediary) able to manage the seller company of the shared target as its own seller company in response to the transfer to management application". In other words, the server information processing unit 10 has a function of making the intermediary of the shared party (second intermediary) able to manage the seller company of the shared target as its own seller company in response to the sharing application. The server information processing unit 10 also has a function of accepting a transfer to management application from the intermediary of the shared party (second intermediary) to place the seller company (first seller company) of the shared subject under its own management, and in response to the transfer to management application, putting the intermediary of the shared party (second intermediary) in a state in which the seller company of the shared subject can be managed as its own seller company. Note that the contents of the "processing for providing information about the shared seller company" exemplified in this embodiment, and the contents of the "processing for putting the intermediary of the shared party in a state in which the seller company of the shared subject can be managed in response to the transfer to management notification" are merely examples, and may be different.

[0057] FIG. 12A shows an example of the intermediation case related screen 22 displayed before the second intermediary T2 places the first seller company S1 under its management. In the intermediation case related screen 22 in FIG. 12A, the intermediation case block 26 corresponding to the first seller company S1 is not displayed. FIG. 12B shows an example of the intermediation case related screen 22 displayed after the second intermediary T2 places the first seller company S1 under its management. In the intermediation case related screen 22 in FIG. 12B, the intermediation case block 26-1 corresponding to the first seller company S1 is displayed on the screen. The second intermediary T2 can manage various matters regarding the first seller company S1 using the intermediation case block 26-1 corresponding to the first seller company S1 and the associated user interface. The various matters are, for example, potential buyer companies and the progress status of each potential buyer company. Incidentally, the case name information 31 and the business summary information 32 in FIG. 12(B) are set by the second intermediary T2, for example, by referring to IM.

[0058] <The second intermediary T2 registers a candidate buyer company for the first seller company S1> Next, the operation of the information processing system 1 in a scene where the second intermediary T2 registers a candidate buyer company for the first seller company S1 will be described. The operation of the information processing system 1 will be described below, focusing on the actions taken by the second intermediary T2 after the processing of the flowchart in Fig. 10 is completed. That is, at the start of the flowchart, the second intermediary T2 has the first seller company S1 under its own management. Fig. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the intermediary terminal 3-2 and the information processing server 2 in this scene. Flowchart FE shows an information processing method by the intermediary terminal 3-2, and flow chart FF shows an information processing method by the information processing server 2.

[0059] The second intermediary T2 performs the necessary operations to display the intermediation case related screen 22 on the terminal display unit 15-2. Here, it is assumed that the intermediation case related screen 22 shown in FIG. 12(B) is displayed. Next, the second intermediary T2 selects the intermediation case block 26-1 corresponding to the first seller company S1 on the intermediation case related screen 22 (step SE1). The terminal information processing unit 13-2 transmits a corresponding notification (step SE2), and the server information processing unit 10 responds with display data (step SF1). The terminal information processing unit 13-2 displays the buyer company candidate related screen 37 on the terminal display unit 15-2 based on the display data (step SE3). FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the buyer company candidate related screen 37 displayed in step SE3. At this stage, since no buyer company candidate is registered for the first seller company S1, no buyer company candidate block 41 is displayed.

[0060] As mentioned above, there are two ways for an intermediary to register potential buyer companies: by uploading a CSV file and by inputting information. In the following, it is assumed that the second intermediary T2 selects the CSV upload button 38 to register potential buyer companies using a CSV file.

[0061] The second intermediary T2 selects the CSV upload button 38 (step SE4). In response to this selection, the terminal information processing unit 13-2 pops up an upload screen 66 for uploading the CSV file (step SE5). FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of the upload screen 66. Here, it is assumed that the second intermediary T2 has prepared a CSV file in advance. The CSV file contains information about each of the buyer companies that the second intermediary T2 would like to be candidates for the first seller company S1, recorded according to a format.

[0062] The second intermediary T2 follows the instructions on the upload screen 66 and either drags and drops the CSV file into a designated area, or enters the path to the storage location of the CSV file into a designated input field. The second intermediary T2 then selects the execute button 62 on the upload screen 66 (step SE6). In response to this selection, the terminal information processing unit 13-2 sends a notification of the registration application, including the upload of the CSV file, to the server information processing unit 10 (step SE7). Hereinafter, the buyer company whose information is recorded in the CSV file may be referred to as the "buyer company to be registered."

[0063] The server information processing unit 10 receives the notification and acquires the uploaded CSV file (step SF2). The server information processing unit 10 then executes a determination process (step SF3). The determination process is a process for identifying buyer companies that have already been registered as candidates to mediate between the shared seller company (in this example, the first seller company S1) and one or more specific buyer companies for which registration has been applied (in this example, the buyer companies to be registered recorded in the CSV file) by an intermediary other than the shared intermediary (in this example, the second intermediary T2). The process of step SF3 will be described in detail below with a specific example.

[0064] Now, as shown in FIG. 16(A), the CSV file records the fourth to seventh buyer companies B4 to B7. That is, the second intermediary T2 is about to register these four buyer companies as candidates for the first seller company S1. Also, as shown in FIG. 16(B), the first intermediary T1 has already registered the first to fourth buyer companies B1 to B4 as candidates for the first seller company S1. Also, as shown in FIG. 16(C), the third intermediary T3 has already registered the seventh to ninth buyer companies B7 to B9 as candidates for the first seller company S1. This means that the third intermediary T3 has registered the seventh to ninth buyer companies B7 to B9 as candidates up to this point after the first seller company S1 was shared. Note that the fourth intermediary T4 has not yet come under its control after the first seller company S1 was shared.

[0065] In the above situation, the server information processing unit 10 executes the following process in the judgment process. That is, the server information processing unit 10 refers to the CSV file and identifies the company names of the buyer companies recorded in the CSV file. In this example, the server information processing unit 10 identifies the fourth to seventh seller companies. Next, for each of the intermediaries other than the second intermediary T2 (in this example, the first, third to fifth intermediaries T1, T3 to T5), the server information processing unit 10 refers to the buyer company candidate management data corresponding to the first seller company S1 and identifies each company name of the buyer company registered for the first seller company S1. In this example, the server information processing unit 10 identifies the first to fourth seller companies for the first intermediary T1 and the seventh to ninth buyer companies for the third intermediary T3.

[0066] Next, the server information processing unit 10 identifies buyer companies that are already registered by "intermediaries other than the second intermediary T2" as candidates for the first seller company S1 among the buyer companies to be registered. The server information processing unit 10 determines whether the buyer companies match by matching the company names of the buyer companies. In this example, among the buyer companies to be registered, the fourth buyer company B4 has already been registered by the first intermediary T1, and the seventh buyer company B7 has already been registered by the third intermediary T3. Therefore, the server information processing unit 10 identifies the fourth buyer company B4 and the seventh buyer company B7. This is the determination process. Hereinafter, the buyer companies identified in the determination process are referred to as "other company registered buyer companies". In this example, the fourth buyer company B4 and the seventh buyer company B7 are other company registered buyer companies. In this embodiment, the server information processing unit 10 determines whether the buyer companies match by matching the company names of the buyer companies. In this regard, the server information processing unit 10 may be configured to determine the match by other methods. As an example, a unique buyer company ID may be assigned to each buyer company, and the server information processing unit 10 may use the buyer company ID to determine whether the buyer companies match.

[0067] Note that the judgment process has been explained using an example of registering potential buyer companies using a CSV file, but the server information processing unit 10 also performs the judgment process in a similar manner when a registration request is made by inputting various information after operating the New Creation button 39.

[0068] After the determination process of step SF3, the server information processing unit 10 registers the candidate buyer company records of the buyer companies to be registered (buyer companies whose information is recorded in the CSV file) in the "candidate buyer company management data corresponding to the first seller company S1" related to the second intermediary T2 (step SF4). This completes the registration of the candidate buyer companies. At that time, the server information processing unit 10 sets the mediation possibility flag 46 to "invalid" for buyer companies registered with other companies and to "valid" for buyer companies that are not registered with other companies. In this example, the fourth buyer company B4 and the seventh buyer company B7 are registered with other companies. Therefore, according to the process of step SF5, the contents of the candidate buyer company data corresponding to the first seller company S1 related to the second intermediary T2 are as shown in FIG. 17. In the candidate buyer company management data, the value of the mediation possibility flag 46 changes depending on whether the buyer company is registered with other companies or not, so that the buyer companies registered with other companies and the buyer companies that are not registered with other companies are managed separately.

[0069] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing the buyer company candidate related screen 37 for the first seller company S1 after the second intermediary T2 has completed registration of the buyer company candidates for the first seller company S1. As shown in FIG. 18, the buyer company candidate related screen 37 displays a buyer company candidate block 41 for each registered buyer company candidate. Furthermore, with regard to the intermediation availability flag 46 of each buyer company candidate block 41, buyer companies registered with other companies are displayed as invalid, and other buyer companies are displayed as valid. This is possible because the server information processing unit 10 manages buyer companies registered with other companies separately from other buyer companies. The intermediation availability flag 46 corresponds to "information indicating whether the buyer company is already registered or not yet registered."

[0070] The above configuration provides the following effects. That is, when a certain intermediary is mediating between a certain seller company and a certain buyer company, it may not be appropriate for another intermediary to start mediating between the certain buyer company and the certain seller company. This is because the certain buyer company will be approached by an intermediary other than the existing intermediary for a certain seller company with which mediation has already started. In light of this, according to this embodiment, each intermediary can accurately grasp whether a candidate for a buyer company is a buyer company registered with another company by referring to the mediation possibility flag 46 on the buyer company candidate related screen 37, and can take appropriate measures. For example, if a candidate for a buyer company is a buyer company registered with another company, the intermediary can take measures such as not approaching the candidate for the buyer company.

[0071] As described above, the intermediary uses various screens provided by the functions of the server information processing unit 10 to send a notification of the registration application from the terminal information processing unit 13 to the server information processing unit 10. This process by the intermediary corresponds to a "registration application." Then, the server information processing unit 10 accepts a registration application from the intermediary of the shared party (the second intermediary) to register one or more specific buyer companies as candidates to mediate between the shared party and the seller company of the shared party after the intermediary of the shared party (the first seller company) is able to manage the seller company of the shared party as its own seller company. Furthermore, in response to the registration application, the server information processing unit 10 identifies, among the one or more specific buyer companies, buyer companies that have already been registered by an intermediary other than the intermediary of the shared party as candidates to mediate between the shared party and the seller company of the shared party. Furthermore, the server information processing unit 10 manages, among the one or more specific buyer companies, buyer companies that have already been registered and companies that have not yet been registered, by distinguishing them from each other.

[0072] The terminal information processing unit 13 also has a function of providing the sharing intermediary (second intermediary) with a screen displaying information (intermediation feasibility flag 46) indicating whether the buyer company is already registered or has not yet been registered, in association with information indicating one or more specific buyer companies.

[0073] Next, a scene in which the first intermediary T1 and the second intermediary T2 communicate with each other will be described. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing the intermediary case related screen 22 for the first intermediary T1 after a sharing application for the first seller company S1 has been made. As is clear from a comparison between FIG. 6 and FIG. 19, when a sharing application is made for the first seller company S1, the share button 35 in the intermediary case block 26-1 corresponding to the first seller company S1 changes to a chat button 36. In other words, for the seller company (intermediary case) for which a sharing application has been made, the chat button 36 is displayed in place of the share button 35 in the intermediary case block 26. By selecting the chat button 36 corresponding to the first seller company S1, the first intermediary T1 can exchange messages in chat format with the intermediary under his / her management for the first seller company S1.

[0074] In more detail, when the chat button 36 is selected by the first intermediary T1, the server information processing unit 10 displays a sharer list screen 67 shown in FIG. 20(A) on the terminal display unit 15-1. The sharer list screen 67 displays the company name of each intermediary who has the first seller company S1 under their management in a selectable state. If the first intermediary T1 selects the second intermediary T2 on the sharer list screen 67, the server information processing unit 10 displays a chat room screen 68 shown in FIG. 20(B) on the terminal display unit 15-2. The first intermediary T1 can communicate with the first intermediary T1 in a chat format using the chat room screen 68. In this way, the server information processing unit 10 provides a platform that allows messages to be exchanged in a chat format by providing the chat room screen 68. The server information processing unit 10 manages the message exchanges between any intermediaries in the chat management database 20 of the server storage unit 12.

[0075] As described above, the terminal information processing unit 13 has the following functions. That is, the terminal information processing unit 13 provides the sharing source intermediary (first intermediary) with a screen displaying a share button 35 (first user interface) for instructing sharing of the seller company, in association with information indicating the seller company managed by the sharing source intermediary (first intermediary). On the other hand, after the seller company to be shared (first seller company) is shared, the terminal information processing unit 13 displays a chat button 36 (second user interface) for instructing the use of a platform that allows messages to be exchanged in a chat format, instead of the share button 35, on the above screen, in association with information indicating the seller company to be shared.

[0076] Also, FIG. 12B is a diagram showing the intermediation case related screen 22 for the second intermediary T2 after the application for transfer to management of the first seller company S1. As shown in FIG. 12B, when the application for transfer to management of the first seller company S1 is made, the intermediation case block 26-1 corresponding to the first seller company S1 is displayed on the screen. And the record is displayed with the chat button 36 instead of the share button 35. That is, for the seller company (intermediation case) that is placed under management after sharing, the chat button 36 is displayed instead of the share button 35. By selecting the chat button 36 corresponding to the first seller company S1, the second intermediary T2 can exchange messages in chat format with the first intermediary T1, who is the intermediary who shared the information. When the chat button 36 corresponding to the first seller company S1 is selected by the second intermediary T2, the server information processing unit 10 displays a chat room screen 68 on the terminal display unit 15-2.

[0077] As described above, the terminal information processing unit 13 has the following functions. That is, the terminal information processing unit 13 provides the sharing destination intermediary (second intermediary) with a screen displaying a share button 35 (first user interface) for instructing sharing of the seller company, in association with information indicating the seller company managed by the sharing destination intermediary (second intermediary). On the other hand, after the sharing destination intermediary (second intermediary) is enabled to manage the seller company (first seller company) to be shared as its own seller company, the terminal information processing unit 13 displays, instead of the share button 35 on the above screen, a chat button 36 (second user interface) for instructing the use of a platform that allows messages to be exchanged in a chat format, in association with information indicating the seller company (first seller company) to be shared.

[0078] As described above, the server information processing unit 10 has a function of providing a platform for communication between the intermediary of the shared destination and the intermediary of the share origin, after the intermediary of the shared destination has been enabled to manage the seller company as its own seller company. This configuration enables smooth communication and information sharing between the intermediary of the share origin and the intermediary of the shared destination.

[0079] As described above, the information processing server 2 includes a server information processing unit 10 having a function of accepting a sharing application to share a first seller company managed by a first intermediary and making the second intermediary able to manage the first seller company as its own seller company in response to the sharing application. According to this configuration, by making a sharing application for a seller company managed by the intermediary, the intermediary can place the seller company under the management of another intermediary and have the other intermediary mediate between the seller company and the buyer company. Therefore, by making a sharing application for the seller company, the intermediary can make it more likely that a final agreement will be reached with any buyer company than if the intermediary were to mediate through its own activities alone. In other words, according to the present invention, it is possible to increase the probability that a seller company managed by the intermediary will reach a final agreement with any buyer company. Furthermore, according to the configuration of this embodiment, the intermediary who is the sharer is given more opportunities to place the seller company under his / her management, and it is possible to increase the probability that the buyer company managed by him / her will reach a final agreement. In addition, in this embodiment, the service can be structured so that when the seller company of the shared object reaches a final agreement through the mediation of the shared object mediator, rewards are given to both the shared object mediator and the shared object mediator. This structure is advantageous for both the shared object mediator and the shared object mediator.

[0080] Although one embodiment of the present invention (including modifications, the same applies below) has been described above, the above embodiment is merely one example of a specific embodiment of the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited thereby. In other words, the present invention can be embodied in various forms without departing from the gist or main characteristics thereof.

[0081] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the above embodiment is merely one example of a specific embodiment for carrying out the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited thereby. In other words, the present invention can be carried out in various forms without departing from the gist or main characteristics thereof.

[0082] For example, in the above embodiment, the server information processing unit 10 is configured to share the seller companies to be shared with the intermediary selected by the intermediary who is the source of the sharing. In this regard, the server information processing unit 10 may be configured to automatically make the seller companies to be shared available for management for all buyer companies or for each buyer company that satisfies certain conditions in response to a sharing request from the intermediary who is the source of the sharing.

[0083] Also, for example, in the above embodiment, the server information processing unit 10 puts the seller company in a manageable state for the intermediary of the shared company only after the intermediary of the shared company applies for transfer to managed company. In this regard, the server information processing unit 10 may be configured to automatically put the seller company of the shared company in a manageable state for the intermediary who shared the seller company of the shared company.

[0084] Also, for example, in the above embodiment, with regard to the registration of candidate buyer companies, the server information processing unit 10 registers buyer companies registered with other companies, and then manages whether or not the buyer company is registered with other companies using the intermediation availability flag 46. In this regard, the server information processing unit 10 may be configured to execute the following process instead. In other words, the server information processing unit 10 may be configured not to register buyer companies that have already been registered (buyer companies registered with other companies), but to register companies that have not yet been registered.

[0085] In the above embodiment, the server information processing unit 10 provides a platform where the sharing source intermediary and the sharing destination intermediary can communicate with each other by exchanging messages in a chat format. In this regard, the platform provided by the server information processing unit 10 is not limited to a platform where messages can be exchanged in a chat format. For example, it may be a platform where communication is possible by voice calls, or a platform where communication is possible by an electronic bulletin board.

[0086] In the above embodiment, a part or all of the processing that is executed by the browser function may be executed by a dedicated application related to the present service. In the above embodiment, specific examples of screens are shown, but the contents of the screens are not limited to the exemplified contents. In the above embodiment, the information processing server 2 is provided with a storage unit (server storage unit 12). In this regard, a storage unit may be provided in another device that can communicate with the information processing server 2, and the information processing server 2 may access the other device as appropriate.

[0087] The functional blocks shown in the above embodiment can be realized by any hardware or by cooperation between any hardware and any software. In other words, these functional blocks are not limited to specific hardware. The processing units in the flowcharts of the above embodiment are divided according to the main processing contents in order to make the processing easier to understand. The method of dividing the processing units and the names of the processing units do not limit the present invention. The processing of each device can be divided into more processing units according to the processing contents. Also, one processing unit can be divided to include more processing. Also, as long as the same processing can be performed, the processing order of the above flowchart is not limited to the example shown in the figure.

[0088] Furthermore, for example, the provision of a program executed by the computer of the information processing server 2 or the intermediary terminal 3 may be included in the embodiments. The provision of a recording medium on which the program is recorded so as to be readable by a computer may also be included in the embodiments. The recording medium may be a magnetic or optical recording medium or a semiconductor memory device. Specific examples of the recording medium include portable or fixed recording media such as flexible disks, HDDs (Hard DiSH Drives), CD-ROMs (Compact DiSH Read Only Memory), DVDs (Digital Versatile DiSH), Blu-ray (registered trademark) Discs, magneto-optical disks, flash memories, and card-type recording media.

[0089] Also, for example, as described above, the information processing server 2 does not have to be a single device. When the information processing server 2 is composed of multiple server devices, the server information processing units of the multiple server devices cooperate to function as an "information processing unit."

[0090] In addition, for example, the information managed in the intermediary management database 19 in the above embodiment may be managed by a plurality of databases. For example, the intermediary case related data, the potential buyer company data, and the shared related data may each be managed in an independent database. [Explanation of symbols]

[0091] 1. Information Processing Systems 2. Information processing server (information processing device) 10 Server information processing unit (information processing unit) 13 Terminal information processing unit

Claims

1. Receiving a sharing application to share a first seller company managed by a first intermediary with a second intermediary selected by the first intermediary, in response to the sharing application, providing information regarding the first seller company to the second intermediary in a state where a management transfer application to place the first seller company under its own management can be made, receiving the management transfer application from the second intermediary, comprising an information processing unit having a function of making a state in which the second intermediary can manage the first seller company as its own seller company in response to the management transfer application, the state in which the second intermediary can manage the first seller company as its own seller company is a state in which the second intermediary can manage candidates for buyer companies regarding the first seller company and can manage the progress status regarding the mediation between the first seller company and the candidates for buyer companies An information processing apparatus characterized by the above.

2. The information processing unit, after making a state in which the second intermediary can manage the first seller company as its own seller company, receiving from the second intermediary a registration application to register one or more specific buyer companies as candidates for mediating between the second intermediary and the first seller company, in response to the registration application, identifying, among the one or more specific buyer companies, buyer companies that have already been registered as candidates for mediating between the first seller company and intermediaries other than the second intermediary, distinguishing and managing, among the one or more specific buyer companies, buyer companies that have already been registered and companies that have not yet been registered The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by the above.

3. The information processing unit, instead of distinguishing and managing, among the one or more specific buyer companies, buyer companies that have already been registered and companies that have not yet been registered, not registering buyer companies that have already been registered and registering companies that have not yet been registered The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, characterized by the above.

4. The information processing unit, after making a state in which the second intermediary can manage the first seller company as its own seller company, has a function of providing a platform for communication between the first intermediary and the second intermediary The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by the above.

5. The information processing unit, Providing the platform that enables the first mediator and the second mediator to exchange messages in a chat format The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that.

6. An information processing system including the information processing apparatus according to claim 1 and a terminal capable of communicating with the information processing apparatus, wherein the terminal has a terminal information processing unit that displays, on a display unit that can be referred to by the first mediator, a screen on which a user interface for instructing sharing of the seller company is displayed in association with information indicating the seller company managed by the first mediator The information processing system characterized by this.

7. An information processing system including the information processing apparatus according to claim 1 and a terminal capable of communicating with the information processing apparatus, wherein the terminal has a terminal information processing unit that displays, on a display unit that can be referred to by the second mediator, a screen on which a user interface for instructing the second mediator to manage the first seller company is displayed in association with information indicating the first seller company The information processing system characterized by this.

8. An information processing system including the information processing apparatus according to claim 2 and a terminal capable of communicating with the information processing apparatus, wherein the terminal has a terminal information processing unit that displays, on a display unit that can be referred to by the second mediator, a screen on which information indicating whether the buyer company is a registered buyer company or an unregistered buyer company is displayed in association with information indicating the one or more specific buyer companies The information processing system characterized by this.

9. An information processing system including the information processing apparatus according to claim 4 and a terminal capable of communicating with the information processing apparatus, wherein the terminal displays, on a display unit that can be referred to by the first mediator, a screen on which a first user interface for instructing sharing of the seller company is displayed in association with information indicating the seller company managed by the first mediator, while after the first seller company is shared, on the screen, instead of the first user interface, a second user interface for instructing use of the platform is displayed in association with information indicating the first seller company, and has a terminal information processing unit having this function The information processing system characterized by this.

10. An information processing system including the information processing apparatus according to claim 4 and a terminal capable of communicating with the information processing apparatus, The terminal displays, on a display unit that can be referred to by the second intermediary, a screen on which a first user interface for instructing sharing of the seller company is displayed in association with information indicating the seller company managed by the second intermediary, while after the second intermediary is able to manage the first seller company as its own seller company, the terminal information processing unit has a function of displaying, on the screen, a second user interface for instructing use of the platform in association with information indicating the first seller company, in place of the first user interface An information processing system characterized by the above

11. receives a sharing application to share a first seller company managed by a first intermediary with a second intermediary selected by the first intermediary, in response to the sharing application, provides information regarding the first seller company to the second intermediary in a state where it is possible to submit a management transfer application to place the first seller company under its own management, receives the management transfer application from the second intermediary, has a function of making it possible for the second intermediary to manage the first seller company as its own seller company in response to the management transfer application, The state in which the second intermediary can manage the first seller company as its own seller company is a state in which the second intermediary can manage candidates for buyer companies regarding the first seller company and can manage the progress status regarding the mediation between the first seller company and the candidates for buyer companies An information processing system characterized by the above

12. a step in which an information processing unit of an information processing device receives a sharing application to share a first seller company managed by a first intermediary with a second intermediary selected by the first intermediary; a step in which the information processing unit of the information processing device provides information regarding the first seller company to the second intermediary in a state where it is possible to submit a management transfer application to place the first seller company under its own management in response to the sharing application; a step in which the information processing unit of the information processing device receives the management transfer application from the second intermediary; a step in which the information processing unit of the information processing device makes it possible for the second intermediary to manage the first seller company as its own seller company in response to the management transfer application, and includes The state in which the second intermediary can manage the first seller company as its own seller company is a state in which the second intermediary can manage candidate buyer companies for the first seller company and can manage the progress status regarding the mediation between the first seller company and the candidate buyer companies. An information processing method characterized by this.

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