Control device and control method

Abstract

To enhance efficiency in management of a preserved device.SOLUTION: A management apparatus according to the present invention has a processing unit 1b which, if a device 4a is deposited to a service business operator and stored in a storage 3, receives input of a management number corresponding to the device 4a and used for a customer to manage it and which associates the input management number and the information indicating the device 4a with each other to register them as management information 2. When the customer requests return of the device 4a, the processing unit 1b determines whether or not the device 4a is stored in the storage 3. If the device is not stored in the storage, the processing unit determines, as a device for return, a device 4b which is stored in the storage 3 and is a revision or a succeeding model of the device 4a to extract the management number of the device 4a from the management information 2 for outputting it.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present invention relates to a management device and a management method.

Background Art

[0002] Businesses that provide maintenance services for electronic devices store spare devices in a storage facility for device replacement in case of failure. Information on the stored devices is managed in a database, and the devices can be efficiently managed by operating the database when providing devices from the storage facility to customers or replenishing the storage facility.

[0003] Regarding device management, there are the following proposals. For example, an asset management system has been proposed in which a barcode encoded with a management number is attached to an asset management item, and the inventory information on the database is updated by reading the barcode during an inventory operation. Also, a rental system has been proposed that performs matching between a provision database in which products that can be provided by a user are recorded and a request database in which products that a user wants to borrow are recorded.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Incidentally, for companies that conduct business using electronic equipment, a significant number of their devices become idle assets, and these can take up valuable storage space. Therefore, there is a need for storage services to take custody of these idle assets. On the other hand, businesses providing such storage services face the problem that simply storing the entrusted equipment in a warehouse is inefficient for management.

[0006] In one aspect, the present invention aims to provide a management device and management method that can improve the efficiency of managing stored equipment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One proposal provides a management device having a memory unit and a processing unit. In this management device, the memory unit stores first management information that manages information indicating which of several customer devices, which are the customer's assets, the service provider has received from the customer. When the first device among the several customer devices is received by the service provider and stored in a vault, the processing unit receives input of a management number for the first device to be managed by the customer, associates the input management number with the information indicating the first device, and registers it in the first management information. When the customer requests the return of the first device, the processing unit determines whether the first device is stored in the vault, and if not, determines a second device, which is an updated version or successor model corresponding to the first device and is stored in the vault, as the device to be returned, and extracts and outputs the management number corresponding to the first device from the first management information.

[0008] Another proposal provides a management method in which a computer performs the same processing as the management device described above. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] One aspect of this is that it can improve the efficiency of managing stored equipment. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1]It is a diagram showing a configuration example and a processing example of a management device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a diagram showing a configuration example of an information processing system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 3] It is a diagram showing a hardware configuration example of a business operator server. [Figure 4] It is the first diagram showing the flow of service provision. [Figure 5] It is the second diagram showing the flow of service provision. [Figure 6] It is the third diagram showing the flow of service provision. [Figure 7] It is a diagram showing a configuration example of a processing function provided in a business operator server. [Figure 8] It is a diagram showing a data configuration example of an inventory management database. [Figure 9] It is a diagram showing a data configuration example of a customer device management database. [Figure 10] It is a diagram showing a data configuration example of a maintenance management database. [Figure 11] It is a diagram showing a data configuration example of a compatible model management database. [Figure 12] It is a flowchart showing an example of equipment custody processing in a storage service. [Figure 13] It is a flowchart showing an example of equipment removal processing from a storage vault. [Figure 14] It is a flowchart showing an example of equipment addition processing to a storage vault. [Figure 15] It is a flowchart showing an example of equipment provision processing in a storage service. [Figure 16] It is a flowchart showing a modification example of a part of the equipment provision processing. [Figure 17] It is a diagram showing an example of a seal attached to the provided equipment.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. [First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example and a processing example of a management device according to the first embodiment. The management device 1 shown in FIG. 1 is an information processing device used by a service provider. The service provider provides a service of storing equipment, which is the customer's asset, in a storage vault 3 after receiving it from the customer. In this service, for example, a customer can deposit equipment that has become idle assets among the equipment owned by the customer with the service provider. Thereby, the customer can reduce the storage space required for storing the equipment.

[0012] The management device 1 has a storage unit 1a and a processing unit 1b. The storage unit 1a is a storage area secured in a storage device (not shown) included in the management device 1. In the storage unit 1a, management information 2 for managing information indicating equipment received from a customer is stored. The processing unit 1b is, for example, a processor. The processing unit 1b executes the following processing.

[0013] For example, assume that a customer's device 4a is deposited with the service provider and stored in the storage vault 3. In this case, the processing unit 1b accepts an input of a management number (referred to as "management number #1") for the customer to manage corresponding to the device 4a. Then, the processing unit 1b associates the input management number #1 with device information "device #1" indicating the device 4a and registers it in the management information 2.

[0014] Here, the service provider can not only store the entrusted equipment 4a in storage 3, but also retrieve equipment 4a from storage 3 for purposes such as effective utilization of the entrusted equipment 4a and reduction of storage space in storage 3. For example, the service provider can retrieve equipment 4a from storage 3 and use it as a replacement for other equipment that has failed. The service provider can also retrieve equipment 4a from storage 3 and update its applications and firmware. Furthermore, the service provider can retrieve equipment 4a from storage 3 and replace it with the latest model compatible with equipment 4a (for example, an updated version of equipment 4a, or a successor model from another company with equivalent functionality). Also, if there are enough of the latest models compatible with equipment 4a stored in storage 3, equipment 4a can be discarded, or equipment 4a can be disassembled to extract its internal components for use as maintenance parts.

[0015] Next, when the processing unit 1b receives a request from the customer for the return of the deposited equipment 4a, for example, by specifying equipment information "equipment #1", it determines whether equipment 4a is stored in storage 3. If equipment 4a is stored there, it is retrieved from storage 3 and returned to the customer. On the other hand, in Figure 1, let's assume that equipment 4a is not stored in storage 3. For example, let's assume that equipment 4a has been replaced with its latest model, equipment 4b.

[0016] In this case, the processing unit 1b determines that equipment 4b is the equipment to be returned to the customer. At the same time, the processing unit 1b extracts management number #1 corresponding to the equipment 4a that has been requested to be returned from the management information 2 and outputs the extracted management number #1. In this output process, for example, image information for printing a sticker on which the extracted management number #1 is printed is output. In this case, the printed sticker is affixed to the returned equipment 4b.

[0017] In this way, by outputting customer management number #1 corresponding to the original device 4a, it becomes possible to return device 4b, which is a different individual from the original device 4a, as a customer asset assigned the same management number #1 as the original device 4a. This makes it possible to retrieve the entrusted device 4a instead of continuing to store it, allowing for its effective use or reducing the storage space in storage facility 3. Therefore, the management efficiency of entrusted devices can be improved.

[0018] [Second Embodiment] Figure 2 shows an example of the configuration of an information processing system according to the second embodiment. The information processing system shown in Figure 2 is a system built between a service provider that provides maintenance and storage services for electronic equipment and a customer (e.g., a customer company) that receives the services. In particular, this embodiment provides services for the maintenance and storage of equipment installed in stores, such as POS (Point of Sales) terminals and ATM (Automatic Teller Machine) terminals. This information processing system includes a service provider server 100, a help desk terminal 101, a CE (Customer Engineer) terminal 102, a printer 103, and a customer terminal 200.

[0019] The service provider server 100 is a server computer operated by the service provider to manage the above-mentioned services. For example, the service provider server 100 manages equipment stored in a storage facility for maintenance services, and manages the progress of equipment repair, replacement, storage, and return.

[0020] Help desk terminal 101 is a terminal device for receiving customer requests for equipment repair and other services, and is operated by a help desk operator. The CE terminal 102 is a portable information processing terminal carried by a CE (Customer Engineer) dispatched to a customer's store. The CE terminal 102 can communicate with the business server 100 wirelessly. The printer 103 is a portable printing device carried by the CE along with the CE terminal 102, and can communicate with the CE terminal 102 via short-range wireless communication. As will be described later, the printer 103 is capable of printing labels to be affixed to equipment given to customers.

[0021] The customer terminal 200 is a terminal device operated by a customer's representative and is capable of communicating with the service provider's server 100. The representative can use the customer terminal 200 to perform various operations, such as applying for service provision.

[0022] Figure 3 shows an example of the hardware configuration of a carrier server. The carrier server 100 is implemented as a computer, for example, as shown in Figure 3. The carrier server 100 shown in Figure 3 includes a processor 111, RAM (Random Access Memory) 112, HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 113, GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) 114, input interface (I / F) 115, read device 116, and network interface (I / F) 117.

[0023] The processor 111 provides comprehensive control over the entire operator server 100. The processor 111 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), MPU (Micro Processing Unit), DSP (Digital Signal Processor), ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or PLD (Programmable Logic Device). Alternatively, the processor 111 may be a combination of two or more elements from among the CPU, MPU, DSP, ASIC, and PLD. Note that the processor 111 is an example of the processing unit 1b shown in Figure 1.

[0024] RAM112 is used as the main memory of the operator server 100. At least a portion of the OS (Operating System) program and application programs to be executed by the processor 111 are temporarily stored in RAM112. In addition, various data necessary for processing by the processor 111 are stored in RAM112.

[0025] HDD113 is used as auxiliary storage for the operator server 100. HDD113 stores the OS program, application programs, and various data. Other types of non-volatile storage devices, such as SSDs (Solid State Drives), can also be used as auxiliary storage.

[0026] Note that the storage area of ​​RAM112 or HDD113 is an example of the storage unit 1a shown in Figure 1. A display device 114a is connected to the GPU 114. The GPU 114 displays an image on the display device 114a according to instructions from the processor 111. The display device 114a is, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electroluminescence) display.

[0027] An input device 115a is connected to the input interface 115. The input interface 115 transmits the signals output from the input device 115a to the processor 111. The input device 115a can be a keyboard, a pointing device, or the like. The pointing device can be a mouse, touch panel, tablet, touchpad, trackball, or the like.

[0028] A portable recording medium 116a is attached to and detached from the reading device 116. The reading device 116 reads the data recorded on the portable recording medium 116a and transmits it to the processor 111. Examples of portable recording mediums 116a include optical discs and semiconductor memory.

[0029] The network interface 117 transmits and receives data with other devices such as the help desk terminal 101, CE terminal 102, and customer terminal 200 via the network 117a.

[0030] The processing functions of the operator server 100 can be realized with the hardware configuration described above. The help desk terminal 101, CE terminal 102, and customer terminal 200 can also be realized with the hardware configuration shown in Figure 3.

[0031] Next, we will explain the services provided by the service provider. First, please refer to Figure 4 to explain the flow of maintenance services. Figure 4 is the first diagram illustrating the service delivery flow. The service provider stores a large number of devices in storage facility 11 for maintenance services. The devices stored in storage facility 11 are basically used as replacement devices when the customer's own devices fail.

[0032] In maintenance services, the equipment stored in storage facility 11 is essentially the service provider's asset. Therefore, if equipment owned by a customer fails and replacement equipment is provided to the customer from storage facility 11, the replacement equipment is either transferred to the customer as an asset through the customer's purchase, or it remains an asset of the service provider and is leased to the customer.

[0033] Furthermore, in maintenance services, from the perspective of storage efficiency and maintenance reliability, the storage facility 11 is managed to store the newest models of equipment whenever possible. For this reason, older versions of equipment stored in storage facility 11 may be replaced with the latest versions. In addition, older versions of equipment may be maintained and returned to storage facility 11 with updated hardware and software. Moreover, if a sufficient number of the latest versions of equipment are stored, older versions of equipment may be discarded, or older models may be removed from storage facility 11, disassembled, and their internal components extracted as maintenance parts. In this way, the storage of equipment in storage facility 11 is managed to ensure that a sufficient number of useful equipment are stored while suppressing an increase in storage space.

[0034] In the following explanation, the latest model compatible with a given device will be referred to as a "compatible model." A compatible model includes the latest version of a model from the same manufacturer and in the same series as the device in question. "Latest version" means that at least some of the hardware has been updated, or that the hardware is the same but the application or firmware version has been updated. Furthermore, compatible models may also include successor models from different manufacturers.

[0035] Next, we will explain the customer's equipment storage service using Figures 4 to 6. First, we will explain the equipment storage procedure by referring to Figure 4. Storage services involve a service provider taking custody of equipment owned by a customer. Through storage services, customers can, for example, have idle equipment stored by the service provider, thereby reducing their own storage space and lowering storage costs.

[0036] In the example shown in Figure 4, equipment A1, which was stored in the back room 21 of the customer's store, is entrusted to the service provider. When the service provider's server 100 receives a request to store equipment A1, it accepts input of the customer-side management number assigned to equipment A1. The customer-side management number is a unique management number assigned by the customer, for example, a serial number used by the customer to manage assets. In the example shown in Figure 4, the customer-side management number corresponding to equipment A1 is "001". The service provider server 100 registers the entered customer-side management number in association with equipment A1 in the database (customer equipment management database 122, described later). The service provider then stores the entrusted equipment A1 in the storage facility 11.

[0037] Here, equipment A1 stored in storage 11 is treated the same as other equipment stored in storage 11 in the maintenance service described above. That is, stored equipment A1 may be replaced with a compatible model, disassembled, or discarded and removed from storage 11. For service providers, even when receiving equipment from customers through storage services, they can decide how to handle the equipment they receive, making effective use of the equipment and preventing an increase in storage space.

[0038] On the other hand, from the customer's perspective, if they deposit one piece of equipment using the storage service, as explained in Figures 5 and 6 below, they can receive a compatible model of that equipment even if the actual equipment they deposited is not stored in storage facility 11. In other words, with the storage service, when a customer deposits one piece of equipment, one of the equipment stored in storage facility 11 virtually becomes the customer's asset.

[0039] The following explanation will continue with the assumption, as an example, that device A1, which was entrusted to a service provider, was replaced with its compatible model, device A2. Figure 5 is a second diagram illustrating the service provision flow. In the example in Figure 5, suppose the customer requests the return of equipment A1, which was entrusted to the service provider, in order to open a new store 22 and install equipment in store 22. Such a return request may be entered, for example, by a customer's representative from the customer terminal 200 and sent to the service provider server 100. Alternatively, the customer's representative may communicate the intention to an operator at the service provider's help desk by telephone, and the operator may send the return request from the help desk terminal 101 to the service provider server 100.

[0040] The service provider server 100 checks whether the requested equipment A1 is stored in the storage facility 11. In the example in Figure 5, it is determined that there is no stock of equipment A1, but there is stock of a compatible model, equipment A2. In this case, equipment A2 is provided to the customer, for example, through the following procedure.

[0041] Equipment A2 is delivered from storage 11 to the customer's store 22. A Customer Engineer (CE) is also dispatched to store 22 to install equipment A2. At this time, the CE carries a CE terminal 102 and a printer 103, and when, for example, the installation of equipment A2 is completed, the CE terminal 102 notifies the operator server 100 of the completion of the installation. The operator server 100 then extracts the customer-side management number "001" corresponding to equipment A1 from the database (customer equipment management database 122, described later) and sends sticker image information to the CE terminal 102 to create a sticker 22a on which the extracted customer-side management number "001" will be printed. Based on the received sticker image information, the CE terminal 102 prints a sticker 22a with the customer-side management number "001" printed on it using the printer 103. The CE then affixes the printed sticker 22a to the installed equipment A2.

[0042] This procedure allows the service provider to return device A2, even though it is a different unit from the deposited device A1, as a customer asset assigned the same customer management number "001" as the original device A1. This enables efficient management of customer-deposited equipment while maintaining the equipment storage service. On the other hand, the customer can continue to use device A2 as an asset corresponding to the deposited device A1, thus reducing the storage space required for idle assets by depositing them with the service provider without any particular problems in asset management. As a secondary effect, the customer will also be able to use the latest version of the equipment corresponding to the deposited equipment.

[0043] Figure 6 is the third diagram illustrating the service delivery flow. In the initial state of Figure 6, it is assumed that the customer's equipment A1 has been deposited with the service provider through a storage service, following the procedure in Figure 4. Also, in the example in Figure 6, equipment A1a is installed at the customer's store 23. It is assumed that equipment A1a is the same model as equipment A1 which was deposited with the service provider. Now, let's assume that equipment A1a has malfunctioned.

[0044] In this case, the customer's representative contacts the service provider's help desk 12 and informs them that equipment A1a has malfunctioned. The operator at help desk 12 determines that equipment A1a needs to be replaced and arranges for a replacement device that corresponds to equipment A1a. For example, the operator operates the help desk terminal 101, specifies the model name of equipment A1a, and requests the service provider server 100 to provide a replacement device for equipment A1a.

[0045] At this point, the service provider server 100 recognizes that a device A1 with the same model name as the specified device is being held by the service provider through the storage service. However, the service provider server 100 determines that there is no stock of device A1 (or no stock of the same model as A1) in the storage facility 11, but there is stock of a compatible device, device A2. In this case, device A2 is provided to the customer as a replacement device using the same procedure as in Figure 5.

[0046] In other words, equipment A2 is delivered from storage 11 to the customer's store 23, and equipment A2 is installed by the CE. When the CE operates the CE terminal 102 and, for example, the completion of equipment A2's installation is notified to the business server 100, the business server 100 extracts the customer-side management number "001" corresponding to equipment A1 from the database (customer equipment management database 122, described later) and sends sticker image information to the CE terminal 102 to create a sticker 23a on which the customer-side management number "001" will be printed. Based on the received sticker image information, the CE terminal 102 prints a sticker 23a with the customer-side management number "001" printed on it from the printer 103, and the printed sticker 22a is affixed to equipment A2 by the CE.

[0047] This procedure allows customers to retrieve their assets, which are stored with the service provider, and replace them with the faulty equipment if their equipment malfunctions. Furthermore, while enabling this service, service providers are not necessarily required to store the equipment entrusted to them by customers. They can effectively utilize the entrusted equipment or reduce storage space by not storing the equipment at all.

[0048] Next, we will explain the processing performed by the service provider server 100 to realize the services described above. First, Figure 7 shows an example of the configuration of processing functions provided by the service provider server. As shown in Figure 7, the service provider server 100 includes a storage unit 120, an equipment storage processing unit 131, an inventory management processing unit 132, and an equipment provision processing unit 133.

[0049] The storage unit 120 is a storage area reserved in the storage device provided by the business server 100, such as RAM 112 or HDD 113. The storage unit 120 stores the inventory management database (DB) 121, the customer equipment management database (DB) 122, the maintenance management database (DB) 123, and the compatible model management database (DB) 124.

[0050] The inventory management database 121 is a database for managing the inventory of equipment in the storage facility 11. The customer equipment management database 122 is a database for managing equipment entrusted to the service provider through the storage service. The maintenance management database 123 is a database for managing equipment owned by the customer that is subject to maintenance by the service provider. The compatible model management database 124 is data for managing the correspondence between models and their compatible models.

[0051] The equipment storage processing unit 131 controls the processing when a customer's equipment is entrusted to the service provider in the storage service. The inventory management processing unit 132 controls the processing when equipment is added to the storage facility 11 or removed from the storage facility 11 in the maintenance service. The equipment provision processing unit 133 controls the processing when equipment entrusted to the customer by the customer in the storage service is provided to the customer.

[0052] Figure 8 shows an example of the data structure of an inventory management database. The inventory management database 121 is a database for managing the inventory of equipment in the storage facility 11. As shown in Figure 8, the inventory management database 121 registers an inventory management number for identifying each piece of equipment stored in the storage facility 11, as well as equipment information. The equipment information includes, for example, the equipment type, the manufacturer of the equipment, the model number for identifying the equipment model, the model name for indicating the name of the equipment model, the serial number which is the manufacturing number of the equipment, and the application version number which indicates the version of the application implemented on the equipment.

[0053] Figure 9 shows an example of the data structure of the customer equipment management database. The customer equipment management database 122 is a database for managing equipment entrusted to the service provider through the storage service.

[0054] As shown in Figure 9, the customer equipment management database 122 registers, for example, a customer equipment management number, a customer-side management number, a customer number, a customer name, equipment information, and a compatible model number for each piece of equipment entrusted to a service provider. The customer equipment management number is an identification number used to identify the entrusted equipment. The customer-side management number is an identification number used by the customer to identify the equipment and is assigned by the customer. The customer number is the identification number of the customer who owns the equipment. The customer name is the name of the customer who owns the equipment. The equipment information is the same as that registered in Figure 8. The compatible model number is the identification number of the compatible model corresponding to the model of the entrusted equipment.

[0055] Figure 10 shows an example of the data structure of the maintenance management database. The maintenance management database 123 is a database for managing equipment owned by the customer that is subject to maintenance by the service provider. The equipment subject to maintenance is basically equipment used by the customer (for example, equipment installed and used in a store).

[0056] As shown in Figure 10, the maintenance management database 123 registers, for example, the maintenance management number, reissue management number, customer number, customer name, store number, store name, and equipment information. The maintenance management number is an identification number used to identify the equipment to be maintained. The reissue management number is a number that is counted up each time the equipment to be maintained is replaced. The sticker affixed to the equipment has the maintenance management number and reissue management number printed together. The customer number is the identification number of the customer who owns the equipment. The customer name is the name of the customer who owns the equipment. The store number is the identification number of the store where the equipment is installed. The store name is the name of the store where the equipment is installed. The equipment information is the same as that registered in Figure 8.

[0057] Figure 11 shows an example of the data structure of the compatible model management database. The compatible model management database 124 is a database for managing the correspondence between a model and its compatible models.

[0058] As shown in Figure 11, the compatible model management database 124 registers a corresponding model number for each compatible model number that indicates a compatible model, indicating the corresponding older model for that compatible model. In this embodiment, for example, when the first unit of the latest model is added to the storage unit 11, a new record including the compatible model number indicating that model is added to the compatible model management database 124.

[0059] Next, we will explain the processing of the service provider server 100 using a flowchart. Figure 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of equipment deposit processing in a storage service. The processing shown in Figure 12 is performed when a customer's equipment is deposited with the service provider and stored in storage facility 11 using the storage service.

[0060] [Step S11] The equipment deposit processing unit 131 accepts input of equipment information for the equipment to be deposited. [Step S12] The equipment deposit processing unit 131 accepts input of the customer-side management number assigned to the equipment to be deposited.

[0061] The information input in steps S11 and S12 described above is performed, for example, by a representative of the customer company requesting equipment storage operating the customer terminal 200. Alternatively, it may be performed by a help desk operator operating the help desk terminal 101.

[0062] [Step S13] The equipment storage processing unit 131 adds a new record to the customer equipment management database 122 and registers the new customer equipment management number, the equipment information entered in step S11, and the customer-side management number entered in step S12 to that record. The equipment storage processing unit 131 also registers the customer number and customer name that identify the customer to that record.

[0063] [Step S14] The device receiving processing unit 131 refers to the compatible model management database 124 and determines whether there is a compatible model corresponding to the model number included in the device information entered in step S11. Specifically, if there is a record in the compatible model management database 124 in which the model number included in the device information is registered as a compatible model number, it is determined that a compatible model exists. If a compatible model exists, the process proceeds to step S15; if no compatible model exists, the process proceeds to step S16.

[0064] [Step S15] The equipment storage processing unit 131 extracts compatible model numbers from the records in the compatible model management database 124 where the model number included in the equipment information is registered as the corresponding model number. The equipment storage processing unit 131 registers the extracted compatible model numbers in the record added in step S13.

[0065] [Step S16] The equipment storage processing unit 131 adds a new record to the inventory management database 121 and registers a new inventory management number and the equipment information entered in step S11 for that record.

[0066] Figure 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the process for removing equipment from storage. The process shown in Figure 13 is performed, for example, when replacing equipment stored in storage 11 with the latest equipment, or when equipment is removed from storage 11 for maintenance, dismantling, or disposal. However, in storage services, if equipment entrusted to a service provider is provided to a customer, the process shown in Figure 15, described later, is performed instead of Figure 13.

[0067] [Step S21] The inventory management processing unit 132 receives input of information identifying the equipment to be removed from the storage facility 11. For example, it receives input of the equipment's serial number or inventory management number. In this process, equipment entrusted to a service provider in the storage service may also be specified.

[0068] [Step S22] The inventory management processing unit 132 identifies the record corresponding to the information entered in step S21 from the inventory management database 121 and extracts the model number from the identified record. This model number indicates the model number of the model being shipped out.

[0069] The inventory management processing unit 132 determines whether a compatible model corresponding to the equipment to be removed is registered in the compatible model management database 124. In this process, if the model number of the equipment to be removed is registered as a compatible model number in the compatible model management database 124, the determination is "Yes". If a compatible model is registered (i.e., the equipment to be removed is not the latest model), the process proceeds to step S23. On the other hand, if a compatible model is not registered, it is determined that the equipment cannot be removed, and the equipment removal process is terminated. However, for example, even if the equipment to be removed is the latest model, if, based on the inventory management database 121, a predetermined number or more of the same model are stored in the storage facility 11, the process may proceed to step S23.

[0070] [Step S23] The inventory management processing unit 132 deletes the record corresponding to the equipment being removed (the record identified in step S22) from the inventory management database 121. [Step S24] If the process shown in Figure 13 is performed for equipment replacement, the process proceeds to step S25. On the other hand, if equipment replacement is not performed, the equipment removal process ends.

[0071] [Step S25] The equipment addition process shown in Figure 14 is executed. Figure 14 is a flowchart showing an example of the process of adding equipment to a storage facility. [Step S31] The inventory management processing unit 132 receives input of equipment information for the equipment to be added to the storage unit 11.

[0072] [Step S32] The inventory management processing unit 132 adds a new record to the inventory management database 121 and registers a new inventory management number and the equipment information entered in step S31 for that record.

[0073] [Step S33] The process in step S33 is executed if the equipment to be added is the latest model. The inventory management processing unit 132 extracts the model number from the equipment information entered in step S31. The inventory management processing unit 132 determines whether the extracted equipment number is registered as a compatible model number in the compatible model management database 124. If it is not registered as a compatible model number, the process proceeds to step S34. If it is registered as a compatible model number, the equipment addition process is terminated.

[0074] [Step S34] The inventory management processing unit 132 adds a new record to the compatible model management database 124 and registers the model number extracted in step S33 as the compatible model number for that record. The inventory management processing unit 132 also accepts input of the corresponding model number that corresponds to the extracted model number, for example, in response to an operation by the administrator of the storage facility 11, and registers the entered corresponding model number in the newly added record.

[0075] [Step S35] The inventory management processing unit 132 identifies records in the customer equipment management database 122 in which any of the compatible model numbers registered in step S34 are registered in the equipment information. The inventory management processing unit 132 registers the model numbers extracted in step S33 (the model numbers registered as compatible model numbers in step S34) in the compatible model number field for all identified records. If a model number is already registered in the compatible model number field, that model number is overwritten with the new model number.

[0076] Figure 15 is a flowchart showing an example of the equipment provision process in storage services. [Step S41] The equipment provision processing unit 133 receives the equipment provision request along with the equipment model number and customer number.

[0077] For example, in a case like that shown in Figure 5, a customer terminal 200 or help desk terminal 101 requests the return of equipment that has been deposited with the service provider through the storage service. In this case, at least one of the following is specified: the model number, serial number, customer equipment management number, and customer-side management number of the deposited equipment.

[0078] Furthermore, in a case like the one shown in Figure 6, when the operator of the help desk 12 arranges for replacement equipment, the help desk terminal 101 requests the provision of the equipment to be replaced. In this case, the model number of the equipment to be replaced (the faulty equipment) is specified.

[0079] [Step S42] The equipment provision processing unit 133 refers to the customer equipment management database 122 and determines whether it has the same model of equipment as the requested equipment in storage through the storage service. If it has the same model in storage, the process proceeds to step S43; otherwise, the equipment provision process ends. In cases like the one shown in Figure 6, where it is determined that the same model is not in storage, for example, the purchase or rental of the equipment to be replaced will be considered.

[0080] [Step S43] The equipment provision processing unit 133 refers to the inventory management database 121 and determines whether the equipment of the model being held is stored in the storage room 11. If the equipment is stored, the stored equipment is determined to be the equipment to be provided, and the process proceeds to step S45. On the other hand, if the equipment is not stored, the process proceeds to step S44.

[0081] Here, the following patterns 1 to 3 are possible as processing patterns for steps S42 and S43. (Pattern 1) In a case like that shown in Figure 5, if the serial number of the equipment, the customer equipment management number, or the customer-side management number is specified in step S41, the specific equipment being deposited will be specified. In this case, in step S42, it is determined whether there is a record in the customer equipment management database 122 that indicates the specified individual (a record containing the specified information), and if such a record exists, the process proceeds to step S43. In step S43, it is determined whether there is a record in the inventory management database 121 that indicates the specified individual (a record containing the specified information). If such a record exists, the equipment indicated by that record is determined to be the equipment to be provided.

[0082] (Pattern 2) In a case like that shown in Figure 5, if the model number of the equipment is specified in step S41, in step S42, it may be determined whether equipment of the same model as the specified model is in storage, regardless of the individual equipment. In this case, in step S42, it is determined whether there is a record in the customer equipment management database 122 that contains the specified customer number and model number, and if there is a matching record, the process proceeds to step S43. In step S43, it is determined whether there is a record in the inventory management database 121 that indicates the specified model (a record that includes the specified information number). If a matching record is found, the equipment indicated by that record is determined to be provided. If there are multiple matching records, the equipment indicated by any one of those records is determined to be provided.

[0083] In Pattern 1 above, if "Yes" is determined in step S43, the service provider will provide a device identical to the one deposited. On the other hand, in Pattern 2, if "Yes" is determined in step S43, the service provider will provide a device of the same model as the one deposited, regardless of whether it is the same device or not. Thus, whether or not a different device from the one deposited is allowed to be provided may be determined in advance as part of the storage service, or it may be selected by the customer at the time of depositing the device.

[0084] Furthermore, if the storage service allows for providing a different device from the one deposited (i.e., if processing pattern 1 is always performed), then even if the service provider limits the number of devices of the same model deposited by the customer, the likelihood of the customer receiving a device of the same model increases. For example, if the customer prioritizes receiving a device of the same model as the one deposited rather than the latest model, this not only improves the storage efficiency of the service provider but also benefits the customer.

[0085] (Pattern 3) In the case shown in Figure 6, the model number of the equipment is specified in step S41. Therefore, the same processing as in Pattern 2 above is performed.

[0086] [Step S44] The equipment provision processing unit 133 determines whether a compatible model corresponding to the equipment being provided is stored in the storage unit 11. In this process, the compatible model number is extracted from the record corresponding to the equipment being provided, which was identified in step S42 from the customer equipment management database 122. If there is a record in the inventory management database 121 in which the extracted compatible model number is registered as the model number in the model information, it is determined that a compatible model is stored. In this case, the equipment indicated by the record in the inventory management database 121 is determined to be the equipment to be provided, and the process proceeds to step S45. On the other hand, if no compatible model is stored, the equipment provision process ends.

[0087] [Step S45] The equipment provision processing unit 133 executes the process of arranging for the CE to be dispatched. [Step S46] The equipment provision processing unit 133 executes the process of taking out the equipment determined to be provided from the storage unit 11.

[0088] As a result, a CE (Customer Engineer) is dispatched to the installation site of the equipment to be provided, and the equipment is transported to that location. The CE performs the equipment installation work, and once the configuration is complete, operates the CE terminal 102 to input information to notify the operator server 100 that the configuration is complete.

[0089] [Step S47] The equipment provision processing unit 133 determines whether the CE terminal 102 has notified that the equipment installation is complete. If the installation is complete, the process proceeds to step S48. On the other hand, if the installation is not complete, the process enters a waiting state, and after a certain period of time, step S47 is executed again.

[0090] [Step S48] The equipment provision processing unit 133 creates image information for a sticker to be affixed to the installed equipment and transmits it to the CE terminal 102. This image information includes the customer management number. The customer management number is extracted from the record corresponding to the deposited equipment, which was identified in step S42 from the customer equipment management database 122.

[0091] The CE operates the CE terminal 102, which received the image information, to print the sticker on the printer 103. Once printing is complete, a print completion notification is sent from the CE terminal 102 to the operator server 100.

[0092] [Step S49] The device provision processing unit 133 determines whether it has received a print completion notification from the CE terminal 102. If a completion notification is received, the device provision process ends. On the other hand, if a completion notification is not received, the system enters a waiting state, and after a certain period of time, the process in step S49 is executed again.

[0093] Here, the process of determining the equipment to be provided in steps S43 and S44 of Figure 15 may be modified as shown in Figure 16. Figure 16 is a flowchart showing a modified version of part of the equipment provisioning process.

[0094] If "Yes" is determined in step S42 of Figure 15, step S51 of Figure 16 is executed. [Step S51] The equipment provision processing unit 133 checks whether the equipment of the model it is holding is stored in the storage unit 11 by the same process as in step S43.

[0095] [Step S52] The equipment provision processing unit 133 checks whether a compatible model corresponding to the equipment being held is stored in the storage unit 11 by the same process as in step S44. [Step S53] Based on the confirmation results in steps S51 and S52, the equipment provision processing unit 133 determines whether at least one of the equipment of the model being held (equipment confirmed to be in storage in step S51) and equipment of a compatible model (equipment confirmed to be in storage in step S52) is in storage. If at least one of these is in storage, the process proceeds to step S54. On the other hand, if neither of these is in storage, the equipment provision process ends.

[0096] [Step S54] Based on the confirmation results in steps S51 and S52, the equipment provision processing unit 133 determines whether both the equipment of the model being held and the compatible equipment are stored. If both are stored, the process proceeds to step S56; if only one is stored, the process proceeds to step S55.

[0097] [Step S55] In this case, only compatible models of equipment are stored in storage unit 11. Therefore, the equipment provision processing unit 133 determines that the stored compatible models of equipment are to be provided. After this, the process proceeds to step S45.

[0098] [Step S56] The device provision processing unit 133 receives input to select whether the user wishes to receive a device of the model it has received or a compatible model. For example, the device provision processing unit 133 displays a selection screen on the terminal device that received input in step S41, allowing the user to select one of the above devices. The device provision processing unit 133 is notified of the selection result according to the user's actions on this selection screen.

[0099] [Step S57] The equipment provision processing unit 133 determines that the equipment selected in step S56 is to be provided. After this, the process proceeds to step S45. According to the process shown in Figure 16 above, the customer can choose whether to receive the equipment they have entrusted to the service provider (or equipment of the same model) or a compatible model corresponding to the entrusted equipment, if both are in stock.

[0100] Figure 17 shows an example of a sticker affixed to the provided equipment. The sticker affixed to the equipment provided to the customer by the storage service has at least the customer management number printed on it. Sticker 24 shown in Figure 17 has the asset management number printed on it, which indicates the customer management number.

[0101] Furthermore, as shown in the example in Figure 17, the sticker 24 may have information that identifies the device, such as the model number or serial number, printed on it. In addition, the sticker 24 may have a management number assigned by the service provider printed on it. In Figure 17, the sticker 24 has a maintenance management number printed on it as such a management number.

[0102] Here, in the maintenance management number "001-1" printed on the seal 24, "001" indicates the maintenance management number of the record corresponding to the equipment in the maintenance management database 123, and "1" indicates the reissue management number of that record. The reissue management number indicates the number of times the equipment subject to maintenance has been replaced due to failure or other reasons.

[0103] For example, when the image information for the sticker is created in step S48 of Figure 15, the reissue management number of the record corresponding to the equipment to be replaced (faulty equipment) in the maintenance management database 123 is incremented, and the incremented reissue management number is combined with the maintenance management number and printed on the sticker. This allows a different maintenance management number to be printed on the sticker each time a new model is replaced. When the reissue management number in the above record is incremented, the equipment information in this record is updated with the equipment information of the replaced equipment.

[0104] In the second embodiment described above, an example of outputting the customer-side management number during the equipment provision process was shown, in which image information of a sticker on which the customer-side management number is printed is output. However, the output process of the customer-side management number is not limited to the above example. For example, the customer-side management number may be displayed on the CE terminal 102, thereby notifying the CE or the customer's representative of the customer-side management number.

[0105] Furthermore, the processing functions of the devices shown in each of the above embodiments (for example, the management device 1, the operator server 100, etc.) can be implemented by a computer. In this case, a program describing the processing content of the functions that each device should have is provided, and by executing that program on the computer, the above processing functions are implemented on the computer. The program describing the processing content can be recorded on a recording medium that can be read by a computer. Examples of recording media that can be read by a computer include magnetic storage devices, optical discs, and semiconductor memory. Examples of magnetic storage devices include hard disk drives (HDDs) and magnetic tapes. Examples of optical discs include CDs (Compact Discs), DVDs (Digital Versatile Discs), and Blu-ray Discs (BD, registered trademark).

[0106] When distributing a program, portable recording media such as DVDs and CDs containing the program are sold. Alternatively, the program can be stored in the storage device of a server computer and transferred from the server computer to other computers via a network.

[0107] A computer executing a program stores programs, for example, those recorded on a portable storage medium or transferred from a server computer, in its own memory. The computer then reads the program from its memory and executes the processing according to the program. Alternatively, the computer can directly read the program from the portable storage medium and execute the processing according to that program. Furthermore, the computer can sequentially execute the processing according to the programs received from a server computer connected via a network, each time a program is transferred. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0108] 1 Management device 1a Storage section 1b Processing Unit 2 Management information 3 Storage 4a,4b equipment

Claims

1. A storage unit that stores first management information for managing identification information that identifies individual pieces of equipment that the service provider has received from the customer, among multiple pieces of customer equipment that are the customer's assets, When a first device among the multiple customer devices is entrusted to the service provider and stored in a storage facility, the service provider accepts input of a management number for the individual first device to be managed by the customer, and registers the input management number and the identification information indicating the first device in the first management information. When the customer requests the return of the first device by specifying the identification information or the management number, the processing unit determines whether the individual first device is stored in the storage facility, and if it is not stored, determines that the second device, which is an updated version or successor model corresponding to the first device and is stored in the storage facility, is the device to be returned, and extracts and outputs the management number corresponding to the first device from the first management information based on the specified identification information or management number, and A control device having the following features.

2. In the output of the management number, the management number extracted from the first management information is printed, and image information for printing a sticker to be affixed to the second device is output. The control device according to claim 1.

3. The memory unit stores second management information that manages information indicating a plurality of inventory devices stored in the storage unit, The aforementioned processing unit, When the first equipment is entrusted to the service provider and stored in the storage facility, the management number corresponding to the first equipment is registered in the first management information in association with information indicating the first equipment, and the first equipment is registered in the second management information as one of the inventory equipment. The second management information is updated in accordance with changes in the storage status of the inventory equipment, including the first equipment, in the storage facility. When the customer requests the return of the first equipment, the system determines, based on the second management information, whether the first equipment is stored in the storage facility, and if it is not stored there, it determines that the second equipment stored in the storage facility is the equipment to be returned. The control device according to claim 1.

4. The aforementioned processing unit, When the first device is entrusted to the service provider and stored in the storage facility, compatible model information indicating an updated or successor model corresponding to the first device is registered in the first management information in association with the information indicating the first device. If the customer requests the return of the first equipment and the first equipment is not stored in the storage facility, the second equipment is determined to be the equipment to be returned based on the compatible model information. The control device according to claim 1.

5. When the customer requests the return of the first device, if both the first and second devices are stored in the storage facility, the processing unit receives a selection input to choose between the first and second devices, and determines the selected device to be returned. The control device according to claim 1.

6. A storage unit that stores identification information for a specific piece of equipment entrusted to the service provider by the customer from among multiple customer devices which are the customer's assets, model information indicating the model of the equipment, and first management information for management, When a first device among the multiple customer devices is entrusted to the service provider and stored in a storage facility, the service provider accepts input of a management number for the individual first device to be managed by the customer, and registers the input management number, the identification information and model information indicating the first device in association with the first management information. When the customer requests the return of the first device, specifying the model information of the first device, the processing unit determines whether the first device or a third device of the same model as the first device is stored in the storage facility. If neither the first device nor the third device is stored, the processing unit determines that a second device, which is an updated version or successor model corresponding to the first device and is stored in the storage facility, is the device to be returned, and extracts and outputs the management number corresponding to the first device of the same model as the specified model information from the first management information. A control device having the following features.

7. When the customer requests the return of the first device, specifying the model information of the first device, if the first device is not stored in the storage facility but the third device is stored in the storage facility, the processing unit determines the third device to be returned. The control device according to claim 6.

8. Computers When a first piece of customer equipment, which is the customer's asset, is entrusted to a service provider and stored in a vault, the system accepts input of a management number for the individual piece of equipment used by the customer for management purposes, associates the input management number with identification information indicating the individual piece of equipment, and registers it in the first management information stored in the memory unit. When the customer requests the return of the first device by specifying the identification information or the management number, the system determines whether the individual first device is stored in the storage facility. If it is not stored, the system determines that the second device, which is an updated version or successor model corresponding to the first device and is stored in the storage facility, is the device to be returned. The system also extracts and outputs the management number corresponding to the first device from the management information of the first device based on the specified identification information or management number. Management method.

9. Computers When a first piece of customer equipment, which is the customer's asset, is entrusted to a service provider and stored in a vault, the system accepts input of a management number for the individual piece of equipment used by the customer for management purposes, associates the input management number with identification information indicating the individual piece of equipment and model information indicating the model of the first piece of equipment, and registers this information in the first management information stored in the memory unit. When the customer requests the return of the first device, specifying the model information of the first device, the system determines whether the first device or a third device of the same model as the first device is stored in the storage facility. If neither the first device nor the third device is stored, the system determines that a second device, which is an updated version or successor model corresponding to the first device and is stored in the storage facility, is the device to be returned. The system also extracts and outputs the management number corresponding to the first device of the same model as the specified model information from the first management information. Management method.

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