Business support device, business support method, and business support program

Abstract

To provide an operation supporting device and the like with which products can be preferentially reserved for an order made in an event (such as a trade show).SOLUTION: An embodiment includes processes: 1) a to-be-reserved quantity in inventory data is updated by adding when received order data is registered; 2) an order for a product is placed according to order placement data; 3) respective stock quantities in the inventory data are updated by adding when the previously placed order is received; 4) products in stock are preferentially reserved for the received order data having a trade show code, out of all received orders for which products in stock are not yet reserved; and 5) an already-reserved quantity in the received order data is updated by adding and the respective stock quantities and the to-be-reserved quantity in the inventory data are updated by subtracting, at the time of reserving the products in stock.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a business support device, a business support method, and a business support program.

Background Art

[0002] In the distribution and retail industry, many companies hold exhibitions. For the products that have become inventory after receiving orders from customers at exhibitions, they can be allocated to normal orders other than exhibitions. Therefore, it was necessary to make the allocation while checking whether the products in stock were for the orders received at the exhibition.

[0003] Note that Patent Document 1 describes an inventory management device, an inventory management method, and an inventory management program for improving the business efficiency of inventory allocation for orders.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, there have been cases where allocating the inventory received for exhibition orders to normal orders leads to troubles, or cases where the inventory received for normal orders is misjudged as the inventory received for exhibition orders, resulting in unsold items.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to provide a business support device, a business support method, and a business support program that can preferentially allocate to orders for special events (such as exhibitions).

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, a business support apparatus according to the present invention is a business support apparatus including a control unit, wherein the control unit stores, for each product identification information, the number of orders of an ordered product and the allocated number representing the number of the product for which the inventory allocation process has been completed, and can store, for each product identification information, event identification information for identifying an event when the product is ordered, and order receiving data, and, based on inventory data that stores, for each product identification information and for each event identification information, the current inventory number of the product and the event-use inventory number representing the number of inventories secured for ordering in the event, the allocation means executes an inventory allocation process based on the event-use inventory number, giving priority to the order receiving data in which the event identification information is stored among the order receiving data where the allocated number is less than the number of orders.

[0008] Further, in the business support apparatus according to the present invention, the allocation means executes an inventory allocation process for the order receiving data in which the event identification information is not stored among the order receiving data where the allocated number is less than the number of orders, based on the current inventory number, based on the order receiving data and the inventory data.

[0009] Further, in the business support apparatus according to the present invention, the order receiving data stores the order receiving date, and when there are a plurality of order receiving data in which the same event identification information is stored among the order receiving data where the allocated number is less than the number of orders, the allocation means executes an inventory allocation process for the plurality of order receiving data in the order of the oldest order receiving date stored in the plurality of order receiving data.

[0010] Further, in the business support apparatus according to the present invention, the inventory data stores, for each product identification information and for each event identification information, the unallocated number representing the number of products for which the inventory allocation process for an order in the event is not completed, and the allocation means executes an addition and update process for the allocated number stored in the order receiving data, and when the event identification information is stored in the order receiving data, executes a subtraction and update process for the current inventory number, the event-use inventory number, and the unallocated number stored in the inventory data, and when the event identification information is not stored in the order receiving data, executes a subtraction and update process for the current inventory number stored in the inventory data.

[0011] Further, the business support apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that the control unit further includes an order receiving means for executing an addition and update process of the unallocated quantity stored in the inventory data based on the order quantity stored in the order receiving data when the order receiving data storing the event identification information is registered.

[0012] Further, the business support apparatus according to the present invention includes an ordering means for executing an ordering process based on order data capable of storing the order quantity of products ordered from a supplier separately for each product identification information and each supplier identification information and storing event identification information for identifying an event when the product is ordered separately for each product identification information and each supplier identification information, and a receiving input means for, when the products ordered from the supplier are received, executing an addition and update process of the current inventory quantity and the inventory quantity for events stored in the inventory data when the event identification information is stored in the order data, and executing an addition and update process of the current inventory quantity stored in the inventory data when the event identification information is not stored in the order data.

[0013] Further, the business support method according to the present invention is a business support method executed by an information processing apparatus including a control unit, and includes an allocation step of preferentially executing an inventory allocation process based on the inventory quantity for events for the order receiving data storing the event identification information among the order receiving data in which the allocated quantity is less than the order quantity, based on the order receiving data storing the order quantity of the ordered product and the allocated quantity representing the number of the product for which the inventory allocation process has been completed separately for each product identification information, and the inventory data storing the current inventory quantity of the product and the inventory quantity for events reserved for the order in the event separately for each product identification information and each event identification information.

[0014] In addition, the business support program according to the present invention is a business support program for causing an information processing apparatus including a control unit to execute, and for causing the control unit to execute, stores the ordered quantity of an ordered product and the reserved quantity representing the quantity of the product for which the reservation process has been completed, separately for each product identification information, order reception data capable of storing event identification information for identifying an event when the product is ordered, separately for each product identification information, and inventory data storing the current inventory quantity of the product and the inventory quantity for the event, representing the quantity of inventory secured for ordering in the event, separately for each product identification information and each event identification information, and includes an allocation step of preferentially executing an inventory allocation process based on the inventory quantity for the event for the order reception data in which the event identification information is stored among the order reception data where the reserved quantity is less than the ordered quantity.

Effect of the Invention

[0015] According to the present invention, there is an effect that allocation can be preferentially performed for orders for events.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016]

Figure 1

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Figure 10

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] Hereinafter, embodiments of a business support apparatus, a business support method, and a business support program according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited by the present embodiment. In particular, in the present embodiment, an event is described as an exhibition, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0018] [1. Configuration] An example of the configuration of the business support apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the business support apparatus 100.

[0019] The business support apparatus 100 is constructed based on a commercially available desktop personal computer. Note that the business support apparatus 100 is not limited to a stationary information processing apparatus such as a desktop personal computer, and may be constructed based on a portable information processing apparatus such as a commercially available notebook personal computer, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants), a smartphone, or a tablet personal computer.

[0020] The business support apparatus 100 includes a control unit 102, a communication interface unit 104, a storage unit 106, and an input / output interface unit 108. Each unit included in the business support apparatus 100 is communicably connected via an arbitrary communication path.

[0021] The communication interface unit 104 communicably connects the business support device 100 to the network 300 via a communication device such as a router and a wired or wireless communication line such as a dedicated line. The communication interface unit 104 has a function of communicating data with other devices via a communication line. Here, the network 300 has a function of communicably connecting the business support device 100 and the server 200 to each other, and is, for example, the Internet or a LAN (Local Area Network). Note that the data stored in the storage unit 106 may be stored in the server 200, for example.

[0022] An input / output interface unit 108 has an input device 112 and an output device 114 connected thereto. As the output device 114, in addition to a monitor (including a home television), a speaker or a printer can be used. As the input device 112, in addition to a keyboard, a mouse, and a microphone, a monitor that cooperates with the mouse to realize a pointing device function can be used. Hereinafter, the output device 114 may be described as the monitor 114, and the input device 112 may be described as the keyboard 112 or the mouse 112.

[0023] The storage unit 106 stores various databases, tables, files, and the like. The storage unit 106 stores a computer program for giving instructions to the CPU (Central Processing Unit) in cooperation with the OS (Operating System) to perform various processes. As the storage unit 106, for example, a memory device such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a ROM (Read Only Memory), a fixed disk device such as a hard disk, a flexible disk, and an optical disk can be used.

[0024] The storage unit 106 stores order receiving data 106a, order issuing data 106b, inventory data 106c, and the like.

[0025] Figures 2 and 5 are diagrams showing an example of order-received data 106a. The order-received data 106a includes an order-received date, customer identification information (e.g., customer name, etc.), exhibition (an example of an event) identification information (e.g., exhibition code (hereinafter referred to as CD), etc.), product identification information (e.g., product CD, name, etc.), and the number of orders.

[0026] Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of order-placed data 106b. The order-placed data 106b includes an order-placed date, supplier identification information (e.g., supplier name, etc.), exhibition identification information, product identification information, and the number of orders placed.

[0027] Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of inventory data 106c. The inventory data 106c includes product identification information, current inventory quantity, exhibition inventory quantity representing the inventory quantity reserved for orders at the exhibition, exhibition identification information, and unallocated quantity representing the number of products for which inventory reservation processing for orders at the exhibition is incomplete.

[0028] Returning to Figure 1, the control unit 102 is a CPU or the like that comprehensively controls the business support device 100. The control unit 102 has an internal memory for storing control programs such as an OS, programs defining various processing procedures, and required data, and executes various information processes based on these stored programs.

[0029] Functionally conceptually, the control unit 102 includes an order-received section 102a corresponding to the order-received means of the present invention, an order-placed section 102b corresponding to the order-placed means of the present invention, a receipt input section 102c corresponding to the receipt input means of the present invention, an allocation section 102d corresponding to the allocation means of the present invention, and the like.

[0030] When the order-received data 106a storing the exhibition identification information is registered, the order-received section 102a executes an addition and update process of the unallocated quantity stored in the inventory data 106c based on the number of orders stored in the order-received data 106a.

[0031] The order-placed section 102b executes an order-placing process based on the order-placed data 106b.

[0032] When the goods ordered from the supplier are received, if the exhibition identification information is stored in the order data 106b, the incoming goods input unit 102c performs an addition and update process on the current inventory quantity stored in the inventory data 106c and the inventory quantity for the exhibition. If the exhibition identification information is not stored in the order data 106b, the incoming goods input unit 102c performs an addition and update process on the current inventory quantity stored in the inventory data 106c.

[0033] Based on the order received data 106a and the inventory data 106c, the reservation unit 102d preferentially executes the inventory reservation process based on the inventory quantity for the exhibition for the order received data 106a in which the reserved quantity is less than the order quantity and the exhibition identification information is stored. The inventory reservation process for the order received data 106a in which the exhibition identification information is not stored is executed based on the current inventory quantity. Also, if there are multiple order received data 106a in which the same exhibition identification information is stored and the reserved quantity is less than the order quantity, the inventory reservation process for the multiple order received data 106a is executed in the order of the older order received dates stored in the multiple order received data 106a. Furthermore, an addition and update process for the reserved quantity stored in the order received data 106a is executed, and when the exhibition identification information is stored in the order received data 106a, a subtraction and update process for the current inventory quantity, the inventory quantity for the exhibition, and the unreserved quantity stored in the inventory data 106c is executed. When the exhibition identification information is not stored in the order received data 106a, a subtraction and update process for the current inventory quantity stored in the inventory data 106c is executed.

[0034] Specific examples of the processes executed by each processing unit constituting the control unit 102 will be described in detail below.

[0035] [2. Specific examples of processes] Here, specific examples of the processes executed by the business support device 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 6 and the like.

[0036] First, the operator registers the orders received at the exhibition as order-receiving data in the order-receiving data 106a. In the description of this specific example, it is assumed that the order-receiving data 106a1 and the order-receiving data 106a2 shown in FIG. 2 are registered in the order-receiving data 106a.

[0037] When the order-receiving data 106a1 and the order-receiving data 106a2 are registered in the order-receiving data 106a, the order-receiving unit 102a executes an addition update process for the unallocated quantity of the inventory data 102c (step S1). Specifically, based on the total of the quantity "10" of the order-receiving data 106a1 and the quantity "20" of the order-receiving data 106a2, which is "30", the unallocated quantity of exhibition orders in the inventory data 106c, which is "0", is added to "30". The change in the numerical value of the inventory data 106c before and after order-receiving registration is as shown in FIG. 4.

[0038] Next, the ordering department 106b creates ordering data 106b based on the order-receiving data 106a and executes an ordering process for the products based on the ordering data 106b (step S2). Since the order-receiving data 106a1 and the order-receiving data 106a2 shown in FIG. 2 store the same exhibition CD and product CD, the ordering department 106b creates the ordering data 106b shown in FIG. 3 by combining them and executes the ordering process.

[0039] Next, when the ordered products are received, the receiving input unit 102c executes an addition update process for each inventory quantity of the inventory data 106c (step S3). Specifically, the current inventory quantity "0" in the inventory data 106c is added to "30", and the exhibition inventory "0" is added to "30". The change in the numerical value of the inventory data 106c before and after receiving the input is as shown in FIG. 4.

[0040] Here, for the convenience of explaining the following inventory reservation process, in this specific example, prior to executing the inventory reservation process, assume that the order data 106a3 shown in FIG. 5 is also registered in the order data 106a as a normal order that is not an exhibition order. Since it is a normal order that is not an exhibition order, as shown in FIG. 5, the exhibition CD is not stored in the order data 106a3. Also, assume that no additional creation of order data or re-stocking of products is performed upon registration of the order data 106a3, and the inventory reservation process is executed.

[0041] Next, the reservation section 102d preferentially executes the inventory reservation process for unreserved orders with respect to the order data storing the exhibition CD (step S4), and executes the addition and update process of the reserved quantity stored in the order data and the subtraction and update process of each inventory quantity and unreserved quantity in the inventory data (step S5).

[0042] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the inventory reservation process. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, for the order data 106a1, order data 106a2, and order data 106a3, since the reserved quantity is less than the order quantity for all of them, they are unreserved order data. The reservation section 102d preferentially executes the inventory reservation process for the order data 106a1 and order data 106a2 in which the exhibition CD "20SS" is stored among these three order data. The change in the numerical value of the inventory data 106c before and after the inventory reservation is as shown in FIG. 4. Since the inventory is exhausted when the inventory reservation process for the order data 106a1 and order data 106a2 is completed, the inventory reservation process for the order data 106a3 is not executed.

[0043] The processing executed by the business support device 100 is as described above. Hereinafter, the inventory reservation process when the settings of the inventory data or order data are changed will be described.

[0044] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the inventory reservation process when there is sufficient inventory for the orders for the exhibition. In this case, even after the inventory reservation process for the order data 106a1 and order data 106a2, which are orders for the exhibition, is completely completed, there is still inventory remaining, so the inventory reservation process for the order data 106a3, which is a normal order, is also partially executed.

[0045] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of inventory appropriation processing when the inventory is insufficient for the orders for the exhibition. In this case, since there is not enough inventory to execute the inventory appropriation processing for all the orders, among the order data 106a1 and order data 106a2 in which the same exhibition CD is stored, the inventory appropriation processing for the order data 106a1 with an older order date is preferentially executed, and then the inventory appropriation processing for the order data 106a2 is partially executed. Since all the inventory is gone when the inventory appropriation processing for the order data 106a1 and the order data 106a2 is completed, the inventory appropriation processing for the order data 106a3 is not executed.

[0046] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of inventory appropriation processing when normal orders (order data 106a4 instead of order data 106a3) are registered prior to the orders for the exhibition. Also in this case, since the inventory appropriation processing for the orders for the exhibition is preferentially executed, the inventory appropriation processing for the order data 106a1 and the order data 106a2 in which the exhibition CD is stored is preferentially executed. Further, among the order data 106a1 and order data 106a2 in which the same exhibition CD is stored, the inventory appropriation processing for the order data 106a1 with an older order date is preferentially executed, and then the inventory appropriation processing for the order data 106a2 is partially executed. Since all the inventory is gone when the inventory appropriation processing for the order data 106a1 and the order data 106a2 is completed, the inventory appropriation processing for the order data 106a4 is not executed.

[0047] [3. Summary] From the above processing, the inventory generated by the incoming goods for the exhibition can be accurately appropriated for the orders for the exhibition, and troubles with customers and losses in sales of products can be prevented in advance.

[0048] [4. Other Embodiments] In addition to the above-described embodiments, the present invention may be implemented in various different embodiments within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims.

[0049] For example, among the various processes described in the embodiments, all or part of the processes described as being automatically performed can also be manually performed, or all or part of the processes described as being manually performed can be automatically performed by a known method.

[0050] Also, regarding the processing procedures, control procedures, specific names, information including parameters such as registered data and search conditions for each process, screen examples, and database configurations shown in this specification and the drawings, they can be arbitrarily changed unless otherwise specified.

[0051] Also, regarding the business support apparatus 100, each of the illustrated components is a functional concept and does not necessarily need to be physically configured as shown in the drawings.

[0052] For example, regarding the processing functions provided by the business support apparatus 100, particularly each processing function performed by the control unit, all or any part of them may be realized by a CPU and a program interpreted and executed by the CPU, or may be realized as hardware by wired logic. Note that the program is recorded in a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium including programmed instructions for causing an information processing apparatus to execute the processes described in this embodiment, and is mechanically read by the business support apparatus 100 as necessary. That is, in a storage unit such as a ROM or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a computer program for giving instructions to the CPU in cooperation with the OS to perform various processes is recorded. This computer program is executed by being loaded into the RAM and constitutes the control unit in cooperation with the CPU.

[0053] Also, this computer program may be stored in an application program server connected to the business support apparatus 100 via an arbitrary network, and all or part of it can be downloaded as necessary.

[0054] Also, a program for executing the processes described in this embodiment may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium, and may also be configured as a program product. Here, this "recording medium" includes any "portable physical medium" such as a memory card, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, an SD (Secure Digital) card, a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, an EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), an EEPROM (registered trademark) (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory), a CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read Only Memory), an MO (Magneto-Optical disk), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), and a Blu-ray (registered trademark) Disc.

[0055] Also, the "program" is a data processing method described in any language or description method, and is not limited to a form such as source code or binary code. Note that the "program" is not necessarily limited to being configured singly, and also includes those that are distributedly configured as a plurality of modules or libraries, or those that achieve their functions in cooperation with another program represented by an OS. Note that for the specific configuration, reading procedure, and installation procedure after reading for reading the recording medium in each device shown in the embodiment, well-known configurations and procedures can be used.

[0056] The various databases and the like stored in the storage unit are storage means such as a memory device such as a RAM or a ROM, a fixed disk device such as a hard disk, a flexible disk, and an optical disk, and store various programs, tables, databases, and web page files used for various processes and website provision.

[0057] Further, the business support device 100 may be configured as an information processing device such as a known personal computer or workstation, or may be configured as the information processing device to which an arbitrary peripheral device is connected. Further, the business support device 100 may be realized by installing software (including a program or data, etc.) for realizing the processing described in the present embodiment in the device.

[0058] Furthermore, the specific form of the distribution and integration of the devices is not limited to that shown in the drawings, and all or a part of them can be functionally or physically distributed and integrated in an arbitrary unit according to various additions or according to the functional load. That is, the above-described embodiments may be arbitrarily combined and implemented, or the embodiments may be selectively implemented.

Industrial Applicability

[0059] The present invention is particularly useful in the distribution and retail industry.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0060] 100 Business support device 102 Control unit 102a Order receiving unit 102b Order issuing unit 102c Receiving input unit 102d Allocation unit 104 Communication interface unit 106 Storage unit 106a Order receiving data 106b Order issuing data 106c Inventory data 108 Input / output interface unit 112 Input device 114 Output device 200 Server 300 Network

Claims

1. A business support device including a control unit, The control unit is an allocation means for performing inventory allocation processing based on the event inventory quantity, giving priority to order data in which event identification information is stored among order data in which the allocated quantity is less than the order quantity, and for order data in which event identification information is stored among order data in which the allocated quantity is less than the order quantity, based on the current inventory quantity, based on order data in which the allocated quantity is less than the order quantity and the allocated quantity indicating the number of the ordered commodities and the commodities for which inventory allocation processing has been completed are stored by item identification information and event identification information identifying the event when the commodities were ordered by item identification information, and based on the current inventory quantity, for order data in which event identification information is not stored among order data in which the allocated quantity is less than the order quantity Equipped with the allocation means, in an inventory allocation process for the order data in which no event identification information is stored, performs an allocation from the event inventory quantity to the order quantity stored in the order data if the event inventory quantity is a number other than zero; A business support device comprising:

2. The order data stores an order date, the allocation means, when there are a plurality of order data in which the same event identification information is stored among the order data in which the allocated quantity is less than the order quantity, executes inventory allocation processing for the plurality of order data in the order of the oldest order date stored in the plurality of order data; 2. The business support device according to claim 1,

3. The inventory data includes a number of unallocated items, which indicates the number of items for which inventory allocation processing has not been completed for orders for the event, stored by item identification information and by event identification information; the allocation means executes an addition update process of an allocated quantity stored in the order data, and executes a subtraction update process of an unallocated quantity stored in the inventory data when event identification information is stored in the order data; 3. The business support device according to claim 1 or 2,

4. the control unit further comprises an order receiving means for executing, when order data in which event identification information is stored is registered, an addition update process of an unallocated quantity stored in the inventory data based on the order quantity stored in the order data; 4. The business support device according to claim 1, wherein:

5. The control unit is an ordering means for executing an ordering process based on order data that can store the number of products to be ordered from a supplier by product identification information and by supplier identification information and can store event identification information for identifying an event when the product is ordered by the product identification information and by supplier identification information; an arrival input means for, when the goods ordered from the supplier arrive, executing an increment update process of the current stock quantity and the stock quantity for the event stored in the inventory data if the event identification information is stored in the order data, and executing an increment update process of the current stock quantity stored in the inventory data if the event identification information is not stored in the order data; and 5. The business support device according to claim 1, wherein:

6. A control unit of the information processing device an allocation step for storing the order quantity of ordered items and the allocated quantity indicating the number of items for which inventory allocation processing has been completed by item identification information, and storing, based on order data in which event identification information identifying the event at the time the item was ordered can be stored by item identification information, and based on inventory data in which event inventory information indicating the current inventory quantity of items and the inventory quantity secured for orders at the event is stored by item identification information and by event identification information, executing inventory allocation processing based on the event inventory quantity by giving priority to order data in which event identification information is stored among order data in which the allocated quantity is less than the order quantity, and executing inventory allocation processing for order data in which event identification information is not stored among order data in which the allocated quantity is less than the order quantity, based on the current inventory quantity Run In the allocation step, in an inventory allocation process for the order data in which no event identification information is stored, if the event inventory quantity is a number other than zero, an allocation is made from the event inventory quantity to the order quantity stored in the order data; A business support method comprising:

7. A control unit of the information processing device an allocation means for storing the order quantity of ordered commodities and the allocated quantity indicating the number of commodities for which inventory allocation processing has been completed by item identification information, and storing, based on order data capable of storing, by item identification information, event identification information identifying an event when the commodities were ordered, and inventory data storing, by item identification information and event inventory information indicating the current inventory quantity of commodities and the inventory quantity secured for orders at the event, by item identification information and event identification information, executing inventory allocation processing based on the event inventory quantity by giving priority to order data in which event identification information is stored among order data in which the allocated quantity is less than the order quantity, and executing inventory allocation processing for order data in which event identification information is not stored among order data in which the allocated quantity is less than the order quantity, based on the current inventory quantity A program for causing the device to function as a the allocation means, in an inventory allocation process for the order data in which no event identification information is stored, performs an allocation from the event inventory quantity to the order quantity stored in the order data if the event inventory quantity is a number other than zero; A business support program that features:

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