Inventory Management Device

Abstract

To provide an inventory management device, method and program for appropriately managing inventory levels and ensuring appropriate sales. [Solution] The inventory management device 100 has a past data storage means 110 that associates store identification information, product identification information, inventory quantities of products identified by the product identification information, and sales of products identified by the product identification information and stores them as time-series data, an inventory storage means 120 that associates store identification information, product identification information, and the latest inventory quantities for products identified by the product identification information and stores them, an analysis means 130 that identifies a first inventory quantity, which is the inventory quantity for which the magnitude of downward change in sales over a specified period is equal to or greater than a specified threshold, for the time-series data identified by one store identification information and one product identification information, and a detection means 140 that, when it is detected that the latest inventory quantity for products identified by one store identification information and one product identification information has fallen below the first inventory quantity, notifies the device to that effect.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] It's about techniques to improve sales. [Background technology]

[0002] Because the survival of a business depends on how much sales it can make, businesses actively publicize information about their products and services to the public and engage in sales promotion activities for their products and services.

[0003] Against this background, there has been active development of technology to verify the effectiveness of advertisements. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a technology that takes into account the user's current situation and preferences, notifies the user of advertisements that are likely to be effective, and verifies the effectiveness of those advertisements. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6577161 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, even if awareness of a product or service increases and sales rise, if there are no products available for sale, the business will suffer an opportunity loss. At the same time, businesses do not want to be left with excess inventory. However, in the past, there was a problem in that attention was not paid to the relationship between ensuring sales and the appropriate amount of inventory. In view of the above problems, the present invention aims to provide an inventory management device that appropriately manages inventory levels and aims to ensure appropriate sales. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One embodiment of the disclosed inventory management device is characterized by having: a past data storage means for correlating store identification information, product identification information, the inventory quantity of the product identified by the product identification information, and sales of the product identified by the product identification information and storing them as time-series data; an inventory storage means for correlating and storing the store identification information, the product identification information, and the latest inventory quantity for the product identified by the product identification information; an analysis means for identifying a first inventory quantity, which is the inventory quantity at which the magnitude of downward change in sales over a specified period is equal to or greater than a specified threshold, for the time-series data identified by one of the store identification information and one of the product identification information; and a detection means for notifying the user when it is detected that the latest inventory quantity for the product identified by the one of the store identification information and one of the product identification information has fallen below the first inventory quantity. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The disclosed inventory management device aims to properly manage inventory levels and ensure appropriate sales. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an overview of an inventory management device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is a functional block diagram of an inventory management device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a past data storage unit according to the present embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the inventory management device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of an example of processing by the inventory management device according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. (Operation principle of the inventory management device according to this embodiment)

[0010] The operating principle of an inventory management device 100 according to this embodiment (hereinafter simply referred to as "this device") will be described using Figures 1 to 3. Figure 1 is a diagram showing the connection relationship between this device 100 and other devices, and Figure 2 is a functional block diagram of this device 100. Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of past data storage means 110, which will be described later.

[0011] 1, the device 100 is connected to a POS system or the like 320 via a communication network 330. The communication network 330 may be either a wired or wireless network. As shown in FIG. 2, the device 100 includes a past data storage means 110, an inventory storage means 120, an analysis means 130, and a detection means 140.

[0012] The past data storage means 110 associates store identification information 220, product identification information 240, inventory quantity 250 of product 230 identified by product identification information 240, and sales 310 of product 230 identified by product identification information 240 and stores them as time series data.

[0013] 3 illustrates data stored in the past data storage means 110, which is identified by one store identification information 220 and one product identification information 240. As shown in FIG. 3, the inventory amount 250 of the product 230 decreases over time, and when the inventory amount 250 decreases to a certain point, the sales 310 of the product 230 decrease significantly. In other words, when the inventory amount 250 decreases to a certain value, the business operator incurs an opportunity loss in sales 310. The inventory amount 250 at which the sales 310 of the product 230 decrease significantly is defined as a first inventory amount 260.

[0014] The inventory amount 250 may be the amount of inventory of the products 230 displayed in front of the store identified by the store identification information 220, i.e., the amount of in-store inventory. The inventory amount 250 may also be the amount of in-store inventory plus the amount of inventory of the products 230 in a warehouse (a so-called backyard) attached to the store. Furthermore, the inventory amount 250 may also be the amount of in-store inventory and the amount of inventory in a warehouse attached to the store plus the amount of inventory of the products 230 in a warehouse (such as a logistics center) not attached to the store.

[0015] The inventory storage means 120 stores store identification information 220, product identification information 240, and latest inventory amount 300 for the product 230 identified by the product identification information 240 in association with each other. The latest inventory amount 300 may be obtained from a POS system 320 or the like.

[0016] The latest inventory quantity 300 may be the so-called in-store inventory quantity, like inventory quantity 250, or may be the quantity of inventory in a warehouse attached to a store plus that quantity, or may further be the quantity of inventory of products in a warehouse not attached to a store plus that quantity.

[0017] The analysis means 120 identifies a first inventory amount 260, which is the inventory amount 250 at which the magnitude of the downward change in sales 310 during a predetermined sampling period is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, for time-series data stored in the past data storage means 110 and identified by one store identification information 220 and one product identification information 240. As shown in Figure 3, the analysis means 120 calculates the first inventory amount 260, which is the inventory amount at which the trend of sales 310 changes significantly (decreases).

[0018] When the detection means 140 detects that the latest inventory quantity 300 stored in the inventory storage means 120 for a product 230 identified by one store identification information 220 and one product identification information 240 has fallen below the first inventory quantity 260, it notifies the user of this.

[0019] In addition, taking into consideration the lead time for replenishing the product 230 at the storefront / in-store, the detection means 140 may be configured to notify the user when it detects that the latest inventory amount 300 falls below the value obtained by adding a predetermined value to the first inventory amount 260.

[0020] Furthermore, taking into consideration the lead time required to replenish the product 230 at the storefront / in-store, the detection means 140 may be configured to notify the user when it detects that the value obtained by subtracting a predetermined value from the latest inventory amount 300 falls below the first inventory amount 260.

[0021] When the business operator who manages the device 100 and operates the store receives an alert from the detection means 140, the business operator can avoid a decrease in sales and opportunity loss related to the product 230 by replenishing the product 230 without delay. Based on the above-described operating principle, the device 100 aims to appropriately manage the inventory amount 300 and ensure appropriate sales. (Hardware configuration of the inventory management device according to this embodiment)

[0022] An example of the hardware configuration of the present device 100 will be described using Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the present device 100. As shown in Fig. 4, the present device 100 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 510, a ROM (Read-Only Memory) 520, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 530, an auxiliary storage device 540, a communication I / F 550, an input device 560, a display device 570, and a storage medium I / F 580.

[0023] CPU 510 is a device that executes programs stored in ROM 520, performs arithmetic processing on data loaded into RAM 530 in accordance with program instructions, and controls the entire device 100. ROM 520 stores programs and data to be executed by CPU 510. When CPU 510 executes a program stored in ROM 520, the programs and data to be executed are loaded into RAM 530, and RAM 530 temporarily holds the arithmetic data during the calculation.

[0024] The auxiliary storage device 540 is a device that stores the OS (Operating System), which is basic software, the application program according to this embodiment, and other related data. The auxiliary storage device 540 is, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD) or flash memory, and includes the past data storage means 110 and the inventory storage means 120.

[0025] The communication I / F 550 is an interface for connecting to a communication network 330 such as a wired or wireless LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet, and for transmitting and receiving data to and from another device 320 that provides a communication function.

[0026] The input device 560 is a device such as a keyboard for inputting data to the device 100. The display device (output device) 570 is a device formed of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like, and functions as a user interface when the user uses the functions of the device 100 or when making various settings. The storage medium I / F 580 is an interface for sending and receiving data to and from a storage medium 590 such as a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, or USB memory.

[0027] Each of the means included in device 100 may be realized by CPU 510 executing a program corresponding to each of the means stored in ROM 520 or auxiliary storage device 540. Each of the means included in device 100 may also be realized by hardware that performs the processing associated with the means. Alternatively, device 100 may be caused to execute the program by loading the program according to the present invention from an external server device via communication I / F 550 or from storage medium 590 via storage medium I / F 580. (Example of processing by the inventory management device according to this embodiment) An example of processing by the device 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of an example of processing by the device 100.

[0028] At S10, the analysis means 120 performs the following process on the time-series data stored in the past data storage means 110 and identified by one store identification information 220 and one product identification information 240. The analysis means 120 identifies the first inventory amount 260, which is the inventory amount 250 at which the magnitude of the downward change in sales 310 during a specified sampling period is equal to or greater than a specified threshold. As shown in FIG. 3, the analysis means 120 calculates a first inventory amount 260, which is an inventory amount at which the trend of sales 310 changes (decreases) significantly.

[0029] Inventory quantity 250 may be the inventory of products displayed in front of the store identified by store identification information 220, i.e., the amount of in-store inventory. Inventory quantity 250 may also be the amount of in-store inventory plus the amount of inventory of products in a warehouse (backyard) attached to the store. Furthermore, inventory quantity 250 may also be the amount of in-store inventory and the amount of inventory in a warehouse attached to the store plus the amount of inventory of products in a warehouse (such as a logistics center) not attached to the store.

[0030] In S20, the detection means 140 compares the latest inventory quantity 300 stored in the inventory storage means 120 for the product 230 identified by one store identification information 220 and one product identification information 240 with the first inventory quantity 260 calculated in S10.

[0031] If the detection means 140 detects in S30 that the latest inventory amount 300 has fallen below the first inventory amount 260 (YES in S30), the process proceeds to S40. If the detection means 140 does not detect in S30 that the latest inventory amount 300 has fallen below the first inventory amount 260 (NO in S30), the process proceeds to S20. In S40, the detection means 140 notifies the user that it has detected that the latest stock amount 300 has fallen below the first stock amount 260.

[0032] In addition, taking into consideration the lead time for replenishing the product 230, in S20 to S40, the detection means 140 may be configured to notify the user that the latest inventory quantity 300 has fallen below the value obtained by adding a predetermined value to the first inventory quantity 260.

[0033] In addition, taking into consideration the lead time for replenishing the product 230, the detection means 140 may be configured to notify the user when it detects that the value obtained by subtracting a predetermined value from the latest inventory amount 300 falls below the first inventory amount 260.

[0034] The latest inventory quantity 300 may be the so-called in-store inventory quantity, like inventory quantity 250, or may be the quantity of inventory in a warehouse attached to a store plus that quantity, or may further be the quantity of inventory of products in a warehouse not attached to a store plus that quantity.

[0035] When the business operator who manages the device 100 and operates the store receives an alert from the detection means 140, the business operator can avoid a decrease in sales and opportunity loss related to the product 230 by replenishing the product 230 without delay. By carrying out the above-described processing, the device 100 aims to appropriately manage the inventory amount 300 and ensure appropriate sales.

[0036] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to such specific embodiments, and various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0037] 100 Inventory control device 110 Past data storage means 120 Inventory storage means 130 Analytical tools 140 Detection Methods 210 stores 220 Store Identification Information 230 items 240 Product Identification Information 250 items in stock 260 1st inventory 270 Inventory of merchandise displayed in stores 280 Inventory of products in the warehouse (backyard) attached to the store 290 Inventory of goods in warehouses (logistics centers, etc.) not attached to stores Latest stock levels for 300 items 310 Product Sales 320 POS (Point of Sales) systems, etc. 330 Communication Network 510 CPU 520 ROM 530 RAM 540 Auxiliary storage 550 Communication Interface 560 Input Device 570 Output Device 580 Storage Media Interface 590 Storage medium

Claims

1. a past data storage means for storing store identification information, product identification information, inventory amounts of products identified by the product identification information, and sales of products identified by the product identification information in association with each other as time-series data; an inventory storage means for storing the store identification information, the commodity identification information, and the latest inventory amount of the commodity identified by the commodity identification information in association with each other; an analysis means for identifying a first inventory amount, which is the inventory amount at which the magnitude of a downward change in sales in a predetermined period is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, with respect to the time-series data identified by one of the store identification information and one of the commodity identification information; an inventory management device characterized by having a detection means for notifying the user when it detects that the latest inventory amount for the product identified by the one store identification information and one product identification information has fallen below the first inventory amount.

2. 2. The inventory management device according to claim 1, wherein the inventory amount is the amount of the product in stock displayed in a storefront of a store identified by the store identification information.

3. The inventory management device of claim 1, characterized in that the inventory amount is the sum of the inventory amount of the product displayed in front of the store identified by the store identification information and the inventory amount of the product in a warehouse attached to the store.

4. The inventory management device of claim 1, characterized in that the inventory amount is the sum of the inventory amount of the product displayed in front of the store identified by the store identification information and the inventory amount of the product in a warehouse set up for the store.

5. 2. The inventory management device according to claim 1, wherein when the detection means detects that the latest inventory amount falls below a value obtained by adding a predetermined value to the first inventory amount, it notifies the user of this fact.

6. 2. The inventory management device according to claim 1, wherein when the detection means detects that the value obtained by subtracting a predetermined value from the latest inventory amount falls below the first inventory amount, it notifies the user of this fact.

7. An inventory management method performed by a computer including: a past data storage means for storing store identification information, product identification information, inventory amounts of products identified by the product identification information, and sales of the products identified by the product identification information in association with each other as time-series data; and an inventory storage means for storing the store identification information, the product identification information, and the latest inventory amounts of products identified by the product identification information in association with each other, an analysis means for identifying a first inventory amount, which is the inventory amount at which the magnitude of a downward change in sales in a predetermined period is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, for the time-series data identified by one of the store identification information and one of the product identification information; an inventory management method characterized by including a step of notifying a detection means when the detection means detects that the latest inventory amount for the product identified by the one store identification information and one product identification information has fallen below the first inventory amount.

8. 8. The inventory management method according to claim 7, wherein the inventory amount is the amount of the product displayed in the storefront of the store identified by the store identification information.

9. The inventory management method described in claim 7, characterized in that the inventory amount is the sum of the inventory amount of the product displayed in front of the store identified by the store identification information and the inventory amount of the product in a warehouse attached to the store.

10. The inventory management method described in claim 7, characterized in that the inventory amount is the sum of the inventory amount of the product displayed in front of the store identified by the store identification information and the inventory amount of the product in a warehouse set up for the store.

11. 8. The inventory management method according to claim 7, wherein when the detection means detects that the latest inventory amount falls below a value obtained by adding a predetermined value to the first inventory amount, it notifies the user of this fact.

12. The inventory management method according to claim 7, characterized in that when the detection means detects that the value obtained by subtracting a predetermined value from the latest inventory amount falls below the first inventory amount, it notifies the user of this.

13. An inventory management program for causing a computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 7 to 12.

Images