System, method, and program for providing welfare services

Abstract

To promote appropriate use of welfare services by users belonging to an organization. [Solution] A service providing server 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention is communicatively connected to a group terminal 20 and a user terminal 30 via a communication network NW, and provides a welfare service that supports welfare programs within a company to a user (corporate employee) who uses the user terminal 30. The service providing server 10 controls the purchase procedure for a product that involves the use of welfare points in that category based on setting information for the category associated with the product, thereby enabling optimization of the use of welfare points via the setting information.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for providing welfare services that support welfare programs in organizations. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, company employees have been able to use reward points, which have a set usage period, for employee benefit services provided within that usage period (see, for example, Patent Document 1 below). In such employee benefit services, employees can typically use the points to select a desired menu from a large number of predetermined menus, and can, for example, purchase predetermined products (including services). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4836373 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, with the conventional employee benefit services described above, while some popular options tend to be used excessively by many employees, these popular options may not be in line with the company's personnel strategy. Therefore, it is desirable to create a system that encourages employees to use employee benefit services appropriately.

[0005] One of the objects of the embodiment of the present invention is to promote appropriate use of welfare services by users belonging to an organization. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A system according to one embodiment of the present invention is a system for providing welfare services that support welfare programs in an organization, and includes one or more computer processors. The one or more computer processors perform the following processes: managing product information for each of a plurality of products, each of which is associated with at least one of a plurality of categories; managing setting information set for each of the plurality of categories; and controlling the purchase process for a specific product by a user belonging to the organization, which involves using welfare points held by the user in the first category, based on the setting information for a first category associated with a specific product included in the plurality of products.

[0007] A method according to one embodiment of the present invention is executed by one or more computers and is a method for providing welfare services that support welfare programs in an organization, and includes the steps of managing product information for each of a plurality of products, each of which is associated with at least one of a plurality of categories; managing setting information set for each of the plurality of categories; and controlling the purchase procedure for a specific product by a user belonging to the organization, which involves using welfare points held by the user in the first category, based on the setting information for the first category associated with a specific product included in the plurality of products.

[0008] A program according to one embodiment of the present invention is a program for providing welfare services that support welfare programs in an organization, and causes one or more computers to execute the following processes: managing product information for each of a plurality of products, each of which is associated with at least one of a plurality of categories; managing setting information set for each of the plurality of categories; and controlling the purchasing process for a specific product by a user belonging to the organization, which involves using welfare points held by the user in the first category, based on the setting information for a first category associated with a specific product included in the plurality of products. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] Various embodiments of the present invention promote appropriate utilization of employee benefit services. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a network including a service providing server 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of information managed by a user information table 1511. [Figure 3] FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of information managed by a company information table 1512. [Figure 4] FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of information managed by a product information table 1513. [Figure 5] FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of information managed by a category setting information management table 1514. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a shopping screen 50. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of details of an individual display area 561. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating details of an individual display area 561 when the corresponding product is a product on an external EC site. [Figure 9] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a purchase procedure screen 60. [Figure 10] 6 is a flowchart illustrating a process executed by the service providing server 10 in response to the start of a product purchase procedure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same reference numerals may be used to refer to the same or similar components. Other objects of the embodiments of the present invention will become apparent by reading the entire specification.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a network configuration including a service providing server 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated, the service providing server 10 is communicatively connected to an organization terminal 20 and a user terminal 30 via a communication network NW such as the Internet. While only one organization terminal 20 and one user terminal 30 are illustrated in FIG. 1, the service providing server 10 is communicatively connected to multiple organization terminals 20 and user terminals 30. The service providing server 10 provides welfare services that support welfare programs at an organization such as a company to users of the user terminal 30. The organization terminal 20 is used by administrators (e.g., personnel in the organization's administrative department) who manage the welfare program, and the user terminal 30 is used by employees who receive welfare programs. The service providing server 10 is also communicatively connected to an external system 200 that provides external services external to the welfare program. The service providing server 10 is an example of a device that implements all or part of the system of the present invention. In this embodiment, organizations include not only companies but also organizations such as universities, local governments, and labor unions.

[0013] First, we will explain the hardware configuration of the service providing server 10. The service providing server 10 is configured as a general computer, and as shown in Fig. 1, it includes a computer processor 11, a main memory 12, an input / output I / F 13, a communication I / F 14, and a storage (storage device) 15, and these components are electrically connected via a bus or the like (not shown).

[0014] The computer processor 11 is configured with a CPU, GPU, FPGA, etc., or a circuit including any of them, and loads various programs stored in the storage 15, etc., into the main memory 12 and executes various instructions included in the programs. The main memory 12 is configured with, for example, a DRAM, etc.

[0015] The input / output I / F 13 includes various input / output devices for exchanging information with an operator, etc. The input / output I / F 13 includes, for example, information input devices such as a keyboard and a pointing device (e.g., a mouse, a touch panel, etc.), a voice input device such as a microphone, and an image input device such as a camera. The input / output I / F 13 also includes an image output device such as a display, and an audio output device such as a speaker.

[0016] The communication I / F 14 is implemented as hardware such as a network adapter, various communication software, or a combination of these, and is configured to enable wired or wireless communication via a communication network NW or the like.

[0017] The storage 15 is configured, for example, by a magnetic disk or flash memory. The storage 15 stores various programs including an operating system, various data, and the like. For example, the storage 15 has various tables 151 that manage various information for providing welfare services. The storage 15 also stores, for example, a server-side program 40 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The program 40 is a program that causes the service providing server 10 to function as all or part of a system for providing welfare services. At least a portion of the server-side program 40 can be configured to be executed on the organization terminal 20 or the user terminal 30 via an organization terminal-side program 42 or a user terminal-side program 44, which will be described later.

[0018] In this embodiment, the service providing server 10 may be configured using a plurality of computers each having the above-described hardware configuration. For example, the service providing server 10 may be configured by one or a plurality of server devices.

[0019] The service providing server 10 configured in this manner can be configured to have the functions of a web server and an application server, in which case it executes various processes in response to requests from the group terminal side program 42 installed in the group terminal 20 or the user terminal side program 44 installed in the user terminal 30, and transmits screen data (e.g., HTML data) and control data according to the results of the processes to the group terminal 20 or the user terminal 30. The group terminal 20 or the user terminal 30 outputs a web page or other screen based on the received data.

[0020] Next, we will explain the hardware configuration of the group terminal 20. The group terminal 20 is configured as a general computer, and as shown in Fig. 1, it includes a computer processor 21, a main memory 22, an input / output I / F 23, a communication I / F 24, and a storage (storage device) 25, and these components are electrically connected via a bus or the like (not shown).

[0021] The computer processor 21 is configured with a CPU, GPU, FPGA, etc., or a circuit including any of them, and loads various programs stored in the storage 25, etc., into the main memory 22 and executes various instructions included in the programs. The main memory 22 is configured with, for example, a DRAM, etc.

[0022] The input / output I / F 23 includes various input / output devices for exchanging information with an operator, etc. The input / output I / F 23 includes, for example, information input devices such as a keyboard and a pointing device (e.g., a mouse, a touch panel, etc.), audio input devices such as a microphone, and image input devices such as a camera. The input / output I / F 23 also includes an image output device such as a display, and an audio output device such as a speaker.

[0023] The communication I / F 24 is implemented as hardware such as a network adapter, various communication software, or a combination thereof, and is configured to realize wired or wireless communication via a communication network NW or the like.

[0024] The storage 25 is configured, for example, by a magnetic disk or flash memory. The storage 25 stores various programs including an operating system, various data, and the like. The programs stored in the storage 25 can be downloaded and installed from an application market or the like. The storage 25 also stores the above-mentioned organization terminal-side program 42. The program 42 can be configured as a web browser or other application (for example, an application for an organization providing employee welfare services), and can be configured to execute at least a portion of the server-side program 40, as described above.

[0025] In this embodiment, the group terminal 20 may be configured as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a wearable device, a personal computer, or the like.

[0026] An organization staff member operating the organization terminal 20 configured in this manner can use the welfare services (organization management functions) provided by the service providing server 10 by communicating with the service providing server 10 via the organization terminal side program 42 installed in storage 25 or the like.

[0027] Next, we will explain the hardware configuration of the user terminal 30. Like the above-mentioned group terminal 20, the user terminal 30 is configured as a general computer, and as shown in Fig. 1, it includes a computer processor 31, a main memory 32, an input / output I / F 33, a communication I / F 34, and a storage (storage device) 35, and these components are electrically connected via a bus or the like (not shown).

[0028] The storage 35 stores the above-mentioned user terminal-side program 44. The program 44 is configured as a web browser or other application (for example, an application for users of welfare services), and can be configured to execute at least a part of the server-side program 40 as described above.

[0029] In this embodiment, the user terminal 30 may be configured as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a wearable device, a personal computer, or the like.

[0030] A user (such as a company employee) who operates the user terminal 30 configured in this manner can use the welfare services provided by the service providing server 10 by communicating with the service providing server 10 via a user terminal side program 44 installed in storage 35 or the like.

[0031] Next, we will explain the functions of the service providing server 10 configured as above. As shown in Fig. 1, the computer processor 11 of the service providing server 10 is configured to function as a management function control unit 112 and a service provision control unit 114 by executing instructions included in a program (for example, at least a part of the server-side program 40) loaded into the main memory 12.

[0032] The management function control unit 112 is configured to execute various processes related to the control of the management functions of welfare services. For example, the management function control unit 112 transmits screen data and control data of various screens related to the management functions to the organization terminal 20 or the user terminal 30, executes various processes in response to operation input by an operator via the screens output on the organization terminal 20 or the user terminal 30, and transmits screen data and control data according to the results of the processes to the organization terminal 20 or the user terminal 30. The management functions controlled by the management function control unit 112 include, for example, login processing (user authentication) and management of various master information.

[0033] The service provision control unit 114 is configured to execute various processes for controlling the provision of welfare services. For example, the service provision control unit 114 transmits screen data and control data of various screens for providing welfare services to the organization terminal 20 or the user terminal 30, executes various processes in response to operation input by an operator via the screen output on the organization terminal 20 or the user terminal 30, and transmits screen data, control data, etc. according to the results of the processing to the organization terminal 20 or the user terminal 30.

[0034] In this embodiment, the management function control unit 112 is configured to manage product information regarding each of a plurality of products. In this embodiment, each product includes a service, and is associated with at least one of a plurality of categories. A category can also be referred to as information such as attributes that classify products, and may be defined as, for example, use, genre, etc. Product information is managed, for example, in a specific table included in the various tables 151.

[0035] The management function control unit 112 is configured to manage setting information set for each of a plurality of categories. The setting information is managed in a specific table included in the various tables 151, for example.

[0036] In this embodiment, the service provision control unit 114 is configured to control a user's purchase procedure for a product, which involves using the user's benefit points in the product category, based on setting information for the product-associated category. Benefit points can also be referred to as virtual and electronic value for using benefit services. If the product is a product rental or leasing service, the product purchase procedure can also be referred to as a procedure for purchasing the product rental or leasing service.

[0037] In this way, the service providing server 10 in this embodiment controls the purchase procedure for a product that involves the use of benefit points in that category based on the setting information for the category associated with the product, thereby enabling the optimization of the use of benefit points via the setting information. In other words, the service providing server 10 promotes the appropriate use of benefit services by employees.

[0038] In this embodiment, the setting information for a category may be set for each organization. In other words, the setting information may be configured to be set for a combination of a category and an organization. In this case, the setting information may be registered and updated based on information entered by an organization's staff member via a screen displayed on the organization terminal 20. The registration and updating of such setting information may also be performed by a welfare service provider in response to a request from the organization. This configuration makes it possible to configure the setting information for a category to be tailored to the characteristics of the organization (such as the company's human resources strategy).

[0039] For example, since each company's human resources strategy dictates what kind of employee benefits they provide to their employees, a company that encourages remote work may want to include products related to remote work in the products it offers through its employee benefit services, while a company that encourages employees to come into the office may not want to include such products. Also, for example, some companies may place emphasis on skill development, while others may want to focus on childcare support. By allowing the setting information for each category to be configured for each organization, it is possible to meet the diverse employee benefit needs of each organization.

[0040] In this embodiment, the setting information for a category may be set for each group of the organization. Groups include, for example, departments and business offices. That is, the setting information may be configured to be set for each combination of a category and each of the multiple groups of the organization. In this case, the service provision control unit 114 may be configured to control the purchase procedure for a product based on the setting information for the combination of the group to which the user belongs and the category associated with the product. This configuration allows the setting information for a category to be tailored to the characteristics of the group of the organization, such as providing a higher incentive for departments related to overseas business to use English conversation services.

[0041] In this embodiment, when controlling the purchase procedure for a product, the service provision control unit 114 can be configured to determine whether or not a product can be purchased based on setting information for the category, product information for the product, and the usage status of the benefit points held by the user. The usage status of the benefit points held by the user is managed, for example, in a specific table included in the various tables 151. For example, if the number of benefit points held by the user that can be used for the product category is insufficient compared to the number of benefit points required to purchase the product, it is determined that the product cannot be purchased. This configuration makes it possible to determine whether or not a product can be purchased based on setting information for the category, product information, and the usage status of the benefit points.

[0042] In this embodiment, the setting information for a category includes various types of information that can be set for the category. For example, the setting information includes whether or not products associated with the category (related products) are available for purchase. In this case, when controlling the product purchase procedure, the service provision control unit 114 can be configured to allow the purchase of products that are set as available for purchase for the category, but not allow the purchase of products that are not set as available for purchase for the category. For example, the service provision control unit 114 can be configured to proceed with the purchase of purchasable products selected by the user from among multiple purchasable products, where these purchasable products include products that are set as available for purchase for the category, but do not include products that are not set as available for purchase for the category. For example, based on the setting information for a category, products that are set as available for purchase are displayed on a product selection screen from which the user selects a product, while products that are not set as available for purchase are not displayed on the product selection screen. This configuration makes it possible to control whether or not a product is available for purchase for each category.

[0043] Furthermore, when controlling the product purchase procedure, the service provision control unit 114 can be configured to control the display of the product based on the setting information for the category and the usage status of the benefit points held by the user. For example, on a product selection screen from which the user selects a product, products that can be purchased with only benefit points and products for which there are insufficient benefit points are displayed in different (distinguishable) forms based on the setting information for the category and the usage status of the benefit points. This configuration enables the display of products based on the setting information for the category and the usage status of the benefit points.

[0044] Furthermore, for example, the setting information may include a value per unit of benefit points. In this case, the service provision control unit 114 may be configured to proceed with the purchase procedure for the product by using the number of benefit points required for the purchase, which is determined based on the value of the product (e.g., price) and the value per unit of benefit points set for the category associated with the product. For example, for the first category, the value per unit of benefit points may be set to 1 yen, while for the second category, the value per unit of benefit points may be set to 3 yen. This configuration makes it possible to set the value per unit of benefit points for each category.

[0045] Furthermore, for example, the setting information may include the number of benefit points available to the user in a specific period. In this case, the service provision control unit 114 may be configured to control the user's product purchase procedure involving the use of benefit points in a category so that the number of benefit points available to the user in the specific period set for that category is within the range of the number of benefit points available to the user in the specific period set for that category. For example, for the first category, the number of benefit points available to the user in one year may be set to 1,000 points, while for the second category, the number of benefit points available to the user in one year may be set to 2,000 points. This configuration makes it possible to set the number of benefit points available to the user in the specific period for each category.

[0046] In addition, category-specific benefit points (benefit points that can only be used for products in the corresponding category) may be granted to the user. In other words, the service provision control unit 114 may be configured to grant the user a quantity of category-specific benefit points that the user can use during a specific period, manage the number of category-specific benefit points held, and, when controlling the purchase procedure, control the purchase procedure for a product that involves the use of benefit points of the category so that the number of benefit points held for the category associated with the product is within the range of the number of benefit points held for the category associated with the product. Any shortfall in benefit points may be paid using other payment methods (such as a credit card). The specific period can also be referred to as the validity period of the benefit points, and benefit points are granted to the user, for example, at the start of the period. This configuration enables the granting of category-specific benefit points and management of the number of held benefit points.

[0047] In this embodiment, the products may include a first type of product provided to the user by a provider of a welfare service via the welfare service, and a second type of product provided to the user by a provider of an external service provided by the external system 200 via the external service. The external service may include, for example, an e-commerce service, and may be said to be a service connected to the welfare service. In this case, when controlling the purchase procedure for a product, if the product is a second type of product, the service provision control unit 114 may be configured to send purchase procedure information regarding the purchase procedure for the product to the external service (external system 200). The purchase procedure information may include, for example, information identifying the product to be purchased, the purchase quantity, and product delivery information (e.g., delivery address, delivery date, etc.). This configuration makes it possible to expand the types of products that can be purchased using welfare points.

[0048] In this case, at least a portion of the product information on the second type of product may be acquired from an external service. For example, the management function control unit 112 periodically acquires at least a portion of the product information (e.g., inventory information) from an external system 200 that provides the external service. This configuration enables the product information to be updated in cooperation with the external service.

[0049] In this embodiment, multiple categories may be associated with a product. In this case, the product purchase procedure may be controlled based on some or all of the multiple setting information set for the multiple categories. For example, when controlling the product purchase procedure, if a first category and a second category are associated with the product, the service provision control unit 114 may be configured to control the product purchase procedure involving the use of benefit points in the first category and / or the second category based on the setting information for the first category and / or the setting information for the second category. This configuration makes it possible to handle the purchase of products associated with multiple categories.

[0050] In this case, the number of benefit points to be used may be set for each of a plurality of categories set for a product. For example, the service provision control unit 114 may be configured to set the number of benefit points to be used in the first category and the number of benefit points to be used in the second category in accordance with a predetermined rule when controlling the purchase procedure for a product associated with a first category and a second category. For example, the number of benefit points to be used in each category may be set automatically (e.g., priority is given to use in the first category) or may be set manually by the user. This configuration makes it possible to set the number of benefit points to be used in each category when controlling the purchase procedure for a product associated with a plurality of categories.

[0051] Next, a specific example of one aspect of the service providing server 10 of this embodiment having such functions will be described. In this example, welfare services are provided to users who are employees of a company.

[0052] First, in this example, the information managed by each table included in the various tables 151 will be described. Figure 2 illustrates information managed by user information table 1511 in this example. User information table 1511 in this example manages information related to company employees who are users of welfare services, and as shown in the figure, associates with a "user ID" that identifies an individual user information, a "company ID" that identifies the company to which the user belongs, an "employee ID" that identifies the user as an employee of the company, "basic information" including name, affiliation, address, contact information, etc., a "number of first category welfare points held" that is the number of welfare points held for the first category for purchasing products in the first category, a "number of second category welfare points held" that is the number of welfare points held for the second category, a "number of third category welfare points held" that is the number of welfare points held for the third category, and "card information" that is information related to credit cards.

[0053] In this example, a company awards employees with benefit points based on categories. In this example, the categories into which products are classified indicate the purpose of the products. Specifically, three categories are preset: a first category corresponding to "learning," a second category corresponding to "health," and a third category corresponding to "other." Note that the number and types of categories are merely examples, and various other categories may be set in other examples of this embodiment. For example, various categories such as childbirth and childcare, babysitters and housekeeping services, and various tests (e.g., genetic testing) may be set as categories indicating the target of products in the above-mentioned benefit services such as learning and health. Furthermore, product attributes such as whether the product is purchased or rented, whether it requires advance payment, and whether it is taxable or non-taxable may also be set as categories.

[0054] 3 illustrates information managed by company information table 1512 in this example. Company information table 1512 in this example manages information related to companies, and as shown in the figure, manages information such as "basic information" including company name, address, contact information, etc., and "point award timing" indicating the timing (month and day) when benefit points will be awarded, in association with a "company ID" that identifies an individual company. In this example, the validity period of benefit points is one year, but in other examples of this embodiment, various other periods can be set as the validity period.

[0055] FIG. 4 illustrates information managed by the product information table 1513 in this example. The product information table 1513 in this example manages information related to products purchased by users of the welfare service. As shown in the figure, the product information table 1513 manages information such as "basic information" including the product name, description, etc., in association with a "product ID" that identifies an individual product, "price," "inventory information," a "category ID" that identifies the associated category, an "external EC site ID" that identifies the EC site if the product is delivered by an external EC site, and an "external EC site product ID" that identifies the product on the EC site if the product is delivered by an external EC site. In this way, the product information table 1513 manages product information for products delivered by the welfare service provider (first type of product) and products delivered by the external EC site provider (second type of product). Product inventory information for external EC sites is periodically updated based on information obtained from the corresponding external system 200.

[0056] FIG. 5 illustrates information managed by the category setting information management table 1514 in this example. The category setting information management table 1514 in this example manages setting information set for each category, and as shown in the figure, manages information such as "purchase availability" indicating whether or not a product in this category can be purchased, "number of points awarded" indicating the number of points awarded at the time of awarding the benefit points, and "point exchange rate" indicating the exchange rate of the benefit points (currency (Japanese yen) value per point), in association with a combination of a "company ID" identifying an individual company and a "category ID" identifying an individual category. As such, in this example, setting information for each category is set for each company and category combination (for each company). This information is registered by a company representative or the like, specifically, registered based on information input via a screen displayed on the group terminal 20.

[0057] In this example, at the timing of granting benefit points set for each company, benefit points by category in the same quantity set for each company are granted to a user who is an employee of that company. At the same time, benefit points granted in the previous year expire. As benefit points are granted and expired, the number of benefit points held by the corresponding user for the first to third categories is updated in user information table 1511.

[0058] The information managed by each table in this example has been described above. Next, the processing executed by the service providing server 10 and the screens output on the user terminal 30 in this example will be described.

[0059] 6 shows an example of a shopping screen 50 displayed on the user terminal 30. For example, when a user logs in to a welfare service provided by the service providing server 10 and selects a menu for purchasing a product, the screen 50 is displayed. As shown in the figure, the shopping screen 50 has a cart button 52 for checking the contents of a virtual shopping cart, a category selection area 54 for selecting the category of products to display, and a list display area 56 for displaying a list of products.

[0060] The category selection area 54 displays the text "All," "Learning," "Health," and "Other." When "All" is selected in this area 54, all products are displayed. When "Learning" is selected in this area 54, products associated with the first category are displayed, when "Health" is selected, products associated with the second category are displayed, and when "Other" is selected, products associated with the third category are displayed.

[0061] In this example, in the category selection area 54, text corresponding to categories for which the company to which the user belongs has set products as not available for purchase (determined by referencing the purchase availability in the category setting information management table 1514) is disabled (or may be hidden) and cannot be selected by the user.

[0062] In the list display area 56, a plurality of individual display areas 561, each corresponding to an individual product, are arranged in two vertical columns. In the area 56, the displayed individual display areas 561 are switched by a flick operation or a slide operation in an up or down direction. In the list display area 56, products in a category that is set as unavailable for purchase by the company to which the user belongs are excluded from the display targets (are not displayed) even if "All" is selected in the category selection area 54.

[0063] FIG. 7 illustrates details of the individual display area 561. As shown in the figure, the individual display area 561 displays information related to the corresponding product, such as an image, product name, description, inventory information, and the number of benefit points required for purchase. It also includes an exchange rate object 562 that displays information related to the point exchange rate (managed in the category setting information management table 1514) set for the category associated with the product. The object 562 displays the point exchange rate as a multiple of the base rate of "1 point = 1 yen." For example, if the point exchange rate set for the corresponding category is "1 point = 3 yen," the exchange rate object 562 displays "3x points conversion." If the point exchange rate is not the base rate, the individual display area 561 displays the number of benefit points when the actual point exchange rate is applied (4490 points in the example of FIG. 7) as well as the number of benefit points when the base rate is applied (8980 points in the example of FIG. 7). The number of benefit points required for purchase is calculated based on the price of the product (managed in the product information table 1513) and the point exchange rate set for the category associated with the product.

[0064] 8 illustrates details of the individual display area 561 when the corresponding product is a product from an external EC site. In this case, as shown in the figure, an external EC site object 563 displaying the name of the corresponding external EC site is placed. Through the object 563, the user can know that the corresponding product is a product delivered by a specific external EC site.

[0065] When an individual display area 561 is selected, a screen displaying detailed information about the corresponding product is displayed, and the user can add the corresponding product to a virtual shopping cart via this screen.

[0066] 9 shows an example of a purchase procedure screen 60 that is displayed in response to selection of the cart button 52 on the shopping screen 50. Screen 60 is a screen for proceeding with the purchase procedure for items in the shopping cart, and as shown in the figure, has a product information display area 61 that displays information about the items in the cart, a delivery destination setting area 62, a delivery date and time setting area 63, a payment method setting area 64, and an order confirmation button 66. Information displayed in product information display area 61 includes the quantity of the item to be purchased.

[0067] The delivery destination setting area 62 is an area for setting the delivery destination of the product, and has a change button 621. The delivery destination is initially set to the user's address (managed in the user information table 1511). When the change button 621 is selected, a screen (not shown) for changing the delivery destination is displayed, and the user can change the delivery destination of the product via this screen.

[0068] The delivery date and time setting area 63 is an area for setting the delivery date and time of the product, and has a change button 631. The delivery date and time is initially set to the earliest possible delivery date and time at that time. When the change button 631 is selected, a screen (not shown) for changing the delivery date and time is displayed, and the user can change the delivery date and time of the product via this screen.

[0069] The payment method setting area 64 is an area for setting the payment method for the price of the product, and has a change button 641. When the change button 641 is selected, a screen (not shown) for changing the payment method is displayed, and the user can change the payment method for the price of the product via this screen.

[0070] In this example, the payment method for the product can be selected from "welfare points only," "credit card only," and "welfare points and credit card." If "welfare points and credit card" is selected, the number of welfare points to be used is set by the user, and the remaining amount of the product price is set as the payment amount by credit card.

[0071] When the order confirmation button 66 is selected, the product purchase procedure begins. Figure 10 is a flowchart illustrating the processing executed by the service providing server 10 in response to selection of the order confirmation button 66 (i.e., the start of the product purchase procedure). As shown in the figure, the service providing server 10 first executes payment processing (step S100).

[0072] In the payment process, for the payment with welfare points, the welfare points for each category corresponding to the category of the product are used, and specifically, the welfare point holding count corresponding to the category of the product being purchased is updated from the number of welfare points for the first category, the number of welfare points for the second category, and the number of welfare points for the third category in the user information table 1511. If there are multiple products in different categories in the shopping cart, the welfare point holding count for each category corresponding to the category of each product is used.

[0073] For payments made by credit card, payment processing is carried out by credit card, and specifically, an authorization request is sent to the system of the corresponding credit card company.

[0074] Next, the service providing server 10 executes a delivery process for regular products that are not products from external EC sites (step S110). In the delivery process for regular products, delivery of the products is arranged according to the delivery destination and delivery date and time specified by the user. Note that if the products in the shopping cart are only products from external EC sites and do not include regular products, the delivery process in step S110 is skipped.

[0075] Next, the service providing server 10 transmits product purchase procedure information for the product on the external EC site (step S120). Specifically, the product purchase procedure information, including product information (product ID and purchase quantity on the external EC site), delivery address, and delivery date and time, is transmitted to the external system 200 that provides the corresponding external EC site (identified by referencing the external EC site ID in the product information table 1513). Upon receiving the purchase procedure information, the external EC site performs a purchase process for the product with the welfare service provider as the purchaser, and the delivery address and delivery date and time specified by the user are set as delivery information for the product. The price of the product is paid to the external EC site by the welfare service provider on behalf of the user.

[0076] In this example, a user who is an employee of a company can use benefit points to purchase various products on the benefit service provided by the service providing server 10, which reduces the burden on the user compared to, for example, when an employee pays for benefit expenses in advance and then settles the payment later. The amount equivalent to the use of benefit points by the user is paid to the benefit service provider by the company to which the user belongs. The amount equivalent to the use of the user's credit card is paid to the benefit service provider (as an affiliated store) by the credit card company.

[0077] In the above example, one category is set for one product, but two or more categories may be set for one product. For example, if a first category and a second category are set for a product, a user may be able to purchase the product using both the first category welfare points and the second category welfare points. In this case, the number of welfare points to be used for each category is set according to a predetermined rule, for example, automatically set to a predetermined ratio, or set individually by the user.

[0078] In the above example, the user can select one of three payment methods for the product price: "benefit points only," "credit card only," or "benefit points and credit card." However, each company may also configure whether payment methods other than benefit points, such as credit cards, are available. Furthermore, if the payment method is only benefit points, the list display area 56 of the shopping screen 50 may exclude from display items in categories for which the user does not have benefit points and / or items that cannot be purchased with the number of benefit points the user has (items for which the user does not have enough benefit points). Furthermore, only for products on an external e-commerce site, payment by credit card for the product price (or the amount of benefit points that the user does not have) may be permitted, and the credit card payment process may be performed on the external e-commerce site. In this case, the payment amount (the product price or the amount minus the amount of benefit points used) is transmitted to the external system 200 that provides the external e-commerce site as part of the product purchase procedure information.

[0079] In the above example, products that can be purchased using only the welfare points held by the user and products for which the user does not have enough welfare points (products for which the user must personally pay by credit card) may be displayed in a distinguishable manner. For example, the individual display area 561 in the list display area 56 of the shopping screen 50 displays products that can be purchased using only welfare points in a first manner, while products for which the user does not have enough welfare points are displayed in a second manner (for example, by displaying an object indicating that the user does not have enough welfare points). Also, for example, the payment method setting area 64 of the purchase procedure screen 60 displays products in a first manner (for example, a first color) when the price of the product being purchased can be paid for using only welfare points, while it displays products in a second manner (for example, a second color) when the price of the product cannot be paid for using only welfare points. Whether or not a product can be purchased using only welfare points is determined based on a comparison between the number of welfare points required to purchase the product and the number of welfare points held for the category associated with the product.

[0080] In the above example, an e-commerce site is used as an example of an external service that provides products, but various other services such as an English conversation service and a coaching service may also be used as external services.

[0081] In the above example, the number of welfare points held by category is managed, but the welfare points themselves may be common across categories, with an annual usage limit set for each category.

[0082] In the above example, the setting information for each category is set for a company and a combination of categories, but in another example of this embodiment, the setting information for each category may be set for each group (department, office, etc.) of a company and a combination of categories. In this case, the group to which each user belongs is managed in the user information table 1511.

[0083] The service providing server 10 according to the present embodiment described above controls the purchasing procedure for a product that involves the use of benefit points in that category based on the setting information for the category associated with that product, thereby enabling the optimization of the use of benefit points via the setting information. In other words, the service providing server 10 promotes the appropriate use of welfare services by users belonging to an organization.

[0084] In other embodiments of the present invention, some or all of the functions possessed by the service providing server 10 in the above-described embodiments may be realized by the service providing server 10 and the organization terminal 20 or the user terminal 30, or may be realized by the organization terminal 20 or the user terminal 30.

[0085] The processes and procedures described herein, other than those explicitly described, may be implemented by software, hardware, or any combination thereof. For example, the processes and procedures described herein may be implemented by implementing logic corresponding to the processes and procedures in media such as integrated circuits, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, and magnetic disks. The processes and procedures described herein may also be implemented as computer programs corresponding to the processes and procedures and executed by various computers.

[0086] Although processes and procedures described herein are described as being performed by a single device, software, component, or module, such processes or procedures may be performed by multiple devices, software, components, and / or modules. Also, the software and hardware elements described herein may be implemented by combining them into fewer components or breaking them down into more components. [Explanation of symbols]

[0087] 10 Service provider server 11. Computer Processor 112 Management function control section 114 Service provision control unit 15. Storage 1511 User Information Table 1512 Company Information Table 1513 Product Information Table 1514 Category setting information management table 20 Group terminals 30 User terminals 40 Server-side programs 42 Group terminal program 44 User terminal side program 50 Top screen 60 Shopping Screen

Claims

1. A system for providing welfare services to support welfare programs in an organization, comprising one or more computer processors, the one or more computer processors: managing product information for each of a plurality of products, each of which is associated with at least one of a plurality of categories; a process of managing setting information set for each of the plurality of categories; and controlling a purchase procedure for a specific product by a user belonging to the organization, which involves using benefit points held by the user in the first category, based on the setting information for a first category associated with the specific product included in the plurality of products; the plurality of products include a first type of product provided to the user via the welfare service and a second type of product provided to the user via an external service; the process of controlling the purchase procedure includes arranging delivery of the first type of specific products among the plurality of specific products, while transmitting purchase procedure information regarding the purchase procedure of the second type of specific products, the purchase procedure information including delivery information, to the external service; system.

2. A system for providing welfare services that support welfare programs in an organization, comprising one or more computer processors, wherein the one or more computer processors: managing product information for each of a plurality of products, each of which is associated with at least one of a plurality of categories; a process of managing setting information set for each of the plurality of categories; and controlling a purchase procedure for a specific product by a user belonging to the organization, which involves using benefit points held by the user in the first category, based on the setting information for a first category associated with the specific product included in the plurality of products; The process for controlling the purchase procedure includes: When a second category is associated with the specific product in addition to the first category, controlling the purchase procedure of the specific product by the user involving the use of the benefit points in the first category and the use of the benefit points in the second category based on the setting information for the first category and the setting information for the second category; and and setting the number of benefits points to be used in the first category and the number of benefits points to be used in the second category according to a predetermined rule. system.

3. The setting information is set for a combination of the category and the organization.

3. The system of claim 1 or 2.

4. The one or more computer processors further execute a process for managing the usage status of the benefit points held by the user, The process of controlling the purchase procedure includes determining whether or not the specific product can be purchased based on the setting information for the first category, the product information of the specific product, and the usage status of the benefit points held by the user. The system of claim 1.

5. The setting information includes whether related products associated with the category are available for purchase, the process of controlling the purchase procedure includes enabling the purchase of the specific product when the related product is set to be available for purchase for the first category, and not enabling the purchase of the specific product when the related product is not set to be available for purchase for the first category. The system of claim 1.

6. the process of controlling the purchase procedure includes proceeding with the purchase procedure for a purchasable product selected by the user from a plurality of purchasable products included in the plurality of products; the plurality of purchasable products include the specific product when the related products are set to be purchasable for the first category, but do not include the specific product when the related products are not set to be purchasable for the first category; The system of claim 5.

7. The one or more computer processors further execute a process for managing the usage status of the benefit points held by the user, The process of controlling the purchase procedure includes controlling the display of the specific product based on the setting information for the first category and a usage status of the benefit points held by the user. The system of claim 1.

8. the setting information is set for each combination of a plurality of groups owned by the organization and the category; the process of controlling the purchase procedure includes controlling the purchase procedure of the specific product based on the setting information for a combination of a first group to which the user belongs and the first category. The system of claim 1.

9. The setting information includes a value per unit quantity of the benefit points; The process of controlling the purchase procedure includes proceeding with the purchase procedure for the specific product with the use of the benefit points in the first category in a quantity based on the value of the specific product and a value per unit quantity of the benefit points set for the first category. The system of claim 1.

10. The setting information includes the number of benefit points available to the user in a specific period of time, The process for controlling the purchase procedure controls the purchase procedure of the specific product by the user involving the use of the benefit points in the first category so that the number of the benefit points available to the user is within the range of the number of the benefit points available to the user in the specific period set for the first category. The system of claim 1.

11. The one or more computer processors further execute a process of granting the user the number of benefit points for each category that can be used by the user during the specific period, and a process of managing the number of benefit points for each category held by the user, The process for controlling the purchase procedure controls the purchase procedure of the specific product by the user involving the use of the benefit points of the first category so that the purchase is within a range of the retained quantity of the benefit points of the first category. The system of claim 10.

12. the process of managing the product information includes obtaining at least a portion of the product information related to the second type of product from the external service; The system of claim 1.

13. 1. A method for providing employee benefit services that supports employee benefits at an organization, the method being executed by one or more computers, the method comprising: managing product information for each of a plurality of products, each of which is associated with at least one of a plurality of categories; managing setting information set for each of the plurality of categories; and a step of controlling a purchase procedure of the specific product by the user who belongs to the organization, which involves using welfare points held by the user in the first category, based on the setting information for the first category associated with the specific product included in the plurality of products; the plurality of products include a first type of product provided to the user via the welfare service and a second type of product provided to the user via an external service; the step of controlling the purchase procedure includes arranging delivery of the first type of specific products among the plurality of specific products, while transmitting purchase procedure information regarding the purchase procedure of the second type of specific products, the purchase procedure information including delivery information, to the external service; method.

14. A method for providing welfare services that support welfare programs in an organization, the method being executed by one or more computers, comprising: managing product information for each of a plurality of products, each of which is associated with at least one of a plurality of categories; managing setting information set for each of the plurality of categories; and a step of controlling a purchase procedure of the specific product by the user who belongs to the organization, which involves using welfare points held by the user in the first category, based on the setting information for the first category associated with the specific product included in the plurality of products; The step of controlling the purchasing procedure includes: When a second category is associated with the specific product in addition to the first category, controlling the purchase procedure of the specific product by the user involving the use of the benefit points in the first category and the use of the benefit points in the second category based on the setting information for the first category and the setting information for the second category; and and setting the number of benefits points to be used in the first category and the number of benefits points to be used in the second category according to a predetermined rule. method.

15. A program for providing welfare services that support welfare programs in an organization, the program comprising: managing product information for each of a plurality of products, each of which is associated with at least one of a plurality of categories; a process of managing setting information set for each of the plurality of categories; and executing a process for controlling a purchase procedure of the specific product by a user belonging to the organization, which involves using welfare points held by the user in the first category, based on the setting information for a first category associated with the specific product included in the plurality of products; the plurality of products include a first type of product provided to the user via the welfare service and a second type of product provided to the user via an external service; the process of controlling the purchase procedure includes arranging delivery of the first type of specific products among the plurality of specific products, while transmitting purchase procedure information regarding the purchase procedure of the second type of specific products, the purchase procedure information including delivery information, to the external service; program.

16. A program for providing welfare services that support welfare programs in an organization, comprising: managing product information for each of a plurality of products, each of which is associated with at least one of a plurality of categories; a process of managing setting information set for each of the plurality of categories; and executing a process for controlling a purchase procedure of the specific product by a user belonging to the organization, which involves using welfare points held by the user in the first category, based on the setting information for a first category associated with the specific product included in the plurality of products; The process for controlling the purchase procedure includes: When a second category is associated with the specific product in addition to the first category, controlling the purchase procedure of the specific product by the user involving the use of the benefit points in the first category and the use of the benefit points in the second category based on the setting information for the first category and the setting information for the second category; and and setting the number of benefits points to be used in the first category and the number of benefits points to be used in the second category according to a predetermined rule. program.

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