Negotiation device, negotiation method, and program

Abstract

To solve the problem of providing a technology for handling negotiation including a plurality of deadlines, a negotiation device (1) includes: a candidate agreement proposal acquisition unit (11) that acquires a first candidate agreement proposal including a plurality of first deadlines provided by a negotiating entity, which is the other party of negotiation, in negotiation with the negotiating entity; and a determination unit (12) that determines whether or not the first candidate agreement proposal is to be agreed upon.

Description

Negotiation device, negotiation method, and program

[0001] The present invention relates to techniques for conducting negotiations.

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a system that receives an order from a client, divides the order based on the results of a pre-load check, and creates a manufacturing plan based on the divided orders.

[0003] JP 2009-223785 A

[0004] Here, when splitting an order as in the system described in Patent Literature 1, it is necessary to negotiate multiple deadlines with the requester. However, Patent Literature 1 does not describe negotiations regarding multiple deadlines. One aspect of the present invention has been made in consideration of the above problem, and one example of its purpose is to provide a technology for negotiating multiple deadlines.

[0005] A negotiation device according to one aspect of the present invention includes: an agreement candidate acquisition means for acquiring a first agreement candidate provided by a negotiating entity, which is a negotiating partner, in a negotiation conducted with the negotiating entity, the first agreement candidate including a plurality of first deadlines; and a determination means for determining whether or not to agree to the first agreement candidate.

[0006] A negotiation device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a candidate agreement generation means for generating a candidate agreement including multiple deadlines to be provided to a negotiating entity in a negotiation with the negotiating entity, and a candidate agreement provision means for providing the candidate agreement to the negotiating entity.

[0007] A negotiation method according to one aspect of the present invention includes a computer obtaining a first proposed agreement, including a plurality of first deadlines, provided by a negotiating entity in a negotiation with the negotiating entity, and determining whether or not to agree to the first proposed agreement.

[0008] A negotiation method according to one aspect of the present invention includes a computer generating a candidate agreement proposal including multiple deadlines to be provided to a negotiating entity in a negotiation with the negotiating entity, and providing the candidate agreement proposal to the negotiating entity.

[0009] A program according to one aspect of the present invention causes a computer to function as: an agreement candidate acquisition means for acquiring a first agreement candidate including a plurality of first deadlines provided by a negotiating subject in a negotiation with the negotiating subject; and a judgment means for determining whether or not to agree to the first agreement candidate.

[0010] A program according to one aspect of the present invention causes a computer to function as a candidate agreement generation means for generating a candidate agreement including multiple deadlines to be provided to a negotiating entity in a negotiation with the negotiating entity, and a candidate agreement provision means for providing the candidate agreement to the negotiating entity.

[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention, a technique for negotiating multiple deadlines can be provided.

[0012] 10. is a block diagram showing the configuration of a negotiation device according to exemplary embodiment 1 of the present invention. 20. is a flow diagram showing the flow of a negotiation method according to exemplary embodiment 1 of the present invention. 21. is a block diagram showing the configuration of a negotiation device according to exemplary embodiment 2 of the present invention. 22. is a flow diagram showing the flow of a negotiation method according to exemplary embodiment 2 of the present invention. 23. is a block diagram showing the configuration of a negotiation system according to exemplary embodiment 3 of the present invention. 24. is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the negotiation device shown in FIG. 5. 25. is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of another negotiation device shown in FIG. 5. 26. is a flow diagram showing the flow of a negotiation method according to exemplary embodiment 3 of the present invention. 27. is a flow diagram showing the flow of another negotiation method according to exemplary embodiment 3 of the present invention. 28. is a diagram showing an example of screen and process transitions in the specific example of the negotiation method shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. 29. is a diagram showing a detailed example of the screen shown in FIG. 30. is a diagram showing a detailed example of another screen shown in FIG. 31. is a diagram showing a detailed example of yet another screen shown in FIG. 32. is a diagram showing a detailed example of yet another screen shown in FIG. 33. is a diagram showing a detailed example of yet another screen shown in FIG. 34. is a diagram showing a detailed example of yet another screen shown in FIG. 35. is a diagram showing a detailed example of yet another screen shown in FIG. 36. is a diagram showing a detailed example of yet another screen shown in FIG. 37. is a diagram showing a detailed example of yet another screen shown in FIG. 38. is a diagram showing a detailed example of yet another screen shown in FIG. 39. is a diagram showing an example of an algorithm for generating multiple candidate agreement proposals in exemplary embodiment 3 of the present invention. 19 is a graph showing an example of a plurality of candidate agreement proposals based on the algorithm shown in FIG. 18. FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a negotiation system according to a modification of exemplary embodiment 3. FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an apparatus according to each exemplary embodiment.

[0013] In the following description, a "negotiating entity" refers to, for example, an entity that has the ability to generate a candidate agreement to provide to other negotiating entities and the ability to decide whether to agree to a candidate agreement obtained from other negotiating entities. A negotiating entity may be a device, a human, or an organization. A "negotiating device" may refer to, for example, a device that functions as a negotiating entity. A "negotiating device" may also refer to, for example, a device that functions based on the operation of a human negotiating entity or a human belonging to an organization that is a negotiating entity. Examples of negotiation devices include computers, robots, drones, and self-driving cars. A "negotiation" may refer to, for example, the negotiating entities alternately providing each other with a candidate agreement until an agreement is reached between them. A negotiation may be between entities with conflicting interests, or may be a negotiation (adjustment) between entities with no conflicting interests.

[0014] In the following explanation, it is assumed that bilateral negotiations are conducted between two negotiating parties that share a set of potential agreement proposals. However, this assumption is for the sake of convenience, and multilateral negotiations between three or more negotiating parties are also within the scope of the present invention.

[0015] [First Exemplary Embodiment] A first exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. This exemplary embodiment is a basic form of the exemplary embodiments described below.

[0016] (Configuration of Negotiation Apparatus 1) The configuration of the negotiation apparatus 1 according to this exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the negotiation apparatus 1. As shown in Fig. 1, the negotiation apparatus 1 includes a candidate agreement proposal acquisition unit 11 and a determination unit 12. The candidate agreement proposal acquisition unit 11 acquires a first candidate agreement proposal including a plurality of first deadlines provided by a negotiating entity, which is a negotiating partner, in a negotiation conducted with the negotiating entity. The determination unit 12 determines whether or not to agree to the first candidate agreement proposal.

[0017] (Realization by Program) The above-described functions of the negotiation device 1 can also be realized by a program. The program according to this exemplary embodiment causes a computer to function as a candidate agreement proposal acquisition unit 11 that acquires a first candidate agreement proposal including multiple first deadlines provided by a negotiating entity in a negotiation with a negotiating entity, and a determination unit 12 that determines whether or not to agree to the first candidate agreement proposal.

[0018] (Flow of Negotiation Method S1) The flow of negotiation method S1 according to this exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a flow diagram showing the flow of negotiation method S1. As shown in FIG. 2, negotiation method S1 includes steps S101 to S102. In step S101, a computer acquires a first candidate agreement proposal including a plurality of first deadlines provided by a negotiating subject in a negotiation conducted with a negotiating subject, the negotiating subject being the negotiating partner. In step S102, the computer determines whether or not to agree to the first candidate agreement proposal.

[0019] As described above, the negotiation device 1, the program, and the negotiation method S1 according to the exemplary embodiment are configured to acquire a first candidate agreement proposal including multiple first deadlines provided by a negotiating entity in a negotiation with a negotiating partner, and determine whether to agree to the first candidate agreement proposal. Therefore, according to the exemplary embodiment, negotiations regarding multiple deadlines can be conducted.

[0020] [Second Exemplary Embodiment] A second exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. This exemplary embodiment is a basic form of the exemplary embodiments described below.

[0021] (Configuration of Negotiation Apparatus 2) The configuration of the negotiation apparatus 2 according to this exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the negotiation apparatus 2. As shown in Fig. 3, the negotiation apparatus 2 includes a candidate agreement generation unit 23 and a candidate agreement provision unit 24. The candidate agreement generation unit 23 generates a candidate agreement that includes multiple deadlines and is to be provided to a negotiating entity in a negotiation conducted with the negotiating entity, which is the negotiation partner. The candidate agreement provision unit 24 provides the candidate agreement to the negotiating entity.

[0022] (Realization by a Program) The functions of the negotiation device 2 described above can also be realized by a program. The program according to this exemplary embodiment causes a computer to function as a candidate agreement generation unit 23 that generates a candidate agreement including multiple deadlines to be provided to a negotiating entity in a negotiation with the negotiating entity, and a candidate agreement provision unit 24 that provides the candidate agreement to the negotiating entity.

[0023] (Flow of Negotiation Method S2) The flow of negotiation method S2 according to this exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a flow diagram showing the flow of negotiation method S2. As shown in FIG. 4, negotiation method S2 includes steps S201 to S202. In step S201, a computer generates a candidate agreement proposal including multiple deadlines to be provided to a negotiating entity in a negotiation with the negotiating entity. In step S202, the computer provides the candidate agreement proposal to the negotiating entity.

[0024] As described above, the negotiation device 2, the program, and the negotiation method S2 according to the exemplary embodiment are configured to generate a candidate agreement plan including multiple deadlines to be provided to a negotiating entity in a negotiation with the negotiating entity, and provide the candidate agreement plan to the negotiating entity. Therefore, according to the exemplary embodiment, negotiations regarding multiple deadlines can be conducted.

[0025]

[0033] A third exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that components having the same functions as those described in the first exemplary embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted as appropriate.

[0026] (Configuration of Negotiation System 100) Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of negotiation system 100 according to this exemplary embodiment. As shown in Fig. 5, negotiation system 100 includes negotiation device 10, negotiation device 20A, and negotiation device 20B. Negotiation device 10, negotiation device 20A, and negotiation device 20B are connected to each other via a network so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0027] The negotiation device 10 functions as a negotiation entity AI that negotiates with other negotiation entities without user operation. The negotiation device 20A is a device used by a negotiation entity U-A, which is a human or an organization, to negotiate with other negotiation entities. The negotiation device 20A has a function of conducting negotiations with other negotiation entities based on operation by the human who is the negotiation entity U-A (or operation by a human belonging to the organization that is the negotiation entity U-A). The negotiation device 20B is a device used by a negotiation entity U-B, which is a human or an organization, to negotiate with other negotiation entities. The negotiation device 20B has a function of conducting negotiations with other negotiation entities based on operation by the human who is the negotiation entity U-B (or operation by a human belonging to the organization that is the negotiation entity U-B). Furthermore, negotiation A is conducted between the negotiation device 10 and the negotiation entity U-A, and negotiation B is conducted between the negotiation device 10 and the negotiation entity U-B.

[0028] Note that the negotiation devices 10, 20A, and 20B are all examples of the negotiation device described in the claims. For example, if the negotiation device 10 (negotiating entity AI) is applied as an example of the negotiation device described in the claims, the negotiation entities U-A and UB can be applied as examples of "negotiating entities that are the negotiating counterparts." Furthermore, if the negotiation device 20A or 20B is applied as an example of the negotiation device described in the claims, the negotiation device 10 (negotiating entity AI) can be applied as an example of "negotiating entities that are the negotiating counterparts."

[0029] Furthermore, as will be described in detail later, the negotiation devices 10, 20A, and 20B each generate a candidate agreement proposal. The candidate agreement proposal includes multiple deadlines and multiple proposed quantities, and a cumulative proposed quantity can be calculated from the candidate agreement proposal. If the negotiation device 10 is taken as an example of a negotiation device, the candidate agreement proposals acquired by the negotiation device 10 from the negotiation devices 20A and 20B, the deadlines and proposed quantities included in the candidate agreement proposals, and the cumulative proposed quantities that can be calculated from the candidate agreement proposals are examples of a first candidate agreement proposal, a first deadline and a first proposed quantity, and a first cumulative proposed quantity. Furthermore, in this case, the candidate agreement proposals generated by the negotiation device 10, the deadlines and proposed quantities included in the candidate agreement proposals, and the cumulative proposed quantities that can be calculated from the candidate agreement proposals are examples of a second candidate agreement proposal, a second deadline and a second proposed quantity, and a second cumulative proposed quantity.

[0030] Furthermore, if negotiation devices 20A and 20B are each an example of a negotiation device, the candidate agreement proposals, the deadlines and proposed quantities included in the candidate agreement proposals, and the cumulative proposed quantities that can be calculated from the candidate agreement proposals that negotiation devices 20A and 20B acquire from negotiation device 10 are examples of a first candidate agreement proposal, a first deadline and a first proposed quantity, and a first cumulative proposed quantity. In this case, the candidate agreement proposals, the deadlines and proposed quantities included in the candidate agreement proposals, and the cumulative proposed quantities that can be calculated from the candidate agreement proposals that negotiation devices 20A and 20B generate are examples of a second candidate agreement proposal, a second deadline and a second proposed quantity, and a second cumulative proposed quantity.

[0031] (Specific Examples of Negotiations and Negotiating Entities) The negotiations in this exemplary embodiment are negotiations regarding receiving an order for a product from a negotiating entity or negotiations regarding placing an order for a product with a negotiating entity. Specifically, a customer A who purchases the product is applied as the negotiating entity U-A, and a supplier B of the product is applied as the negotiating entity U-B. The negotiation device 10, which is the negotiating entity AI, functions as an agent of an intermediary M. For example, negotiation A is a negotiation in which intermediary M receives an order for the product from customer A. As a specific example, negotiation A is conducted between customer A and intermediary M to change product installment schedule A. Negotiation B is a negotiation conducted in connection with negotiation A, in which intermediary M places an order for the product with supplier B in response to the order for the product from customer A. As a specific example, negotiation B is conducted between intermediary M and supplier B to change product installment schedule B in response to the change in installment schedule A between them.

[0032] (Candidate agreement proposal) The negotiation device 10 (negotiating entity AI), customer A (negotiating entity U-A), and supplier B (negotiating entity U-B) provide / receive candidate agreement proposals from each other. Hereinafter, the candidate agreement proposal that the negotiation device 10 provides to customer A in negotiation A will also be referred to as candidate agreement proposal AI-A. The candidate agreement proposal that customer A provides to the negotiation device 10 in negotiation A will also be referred to as candidate agreement proposal U-A. The candidate agreement proposal that the negotiation device 10 provides to supplier B in negotiation B will also be referred to as candidate agreement proposal AI-B. The candidate agreement proposal that supplier B provides to the negotiation device 10 in negotiation B will also be referred to as candidate agreement proposal U-B. Furthermore, when there is no particular distinction between these candidate agreement proposals, they will simply be referred to as "candidate agreement proposals."

[0033] Furthermore, the proposed agreement is also referred to as an "offer." If the acquirer of the proposed agreement does not agree to a proposed agreement (offer), the acquirer may generate a new proposed agreement (counteroffer). Any of the proposed agreements described above may be a counteroffer to another proposed agreement.

[0034] (Deadlines and Proposed Quantities) The proposed agreement includes multiple deadlines and proposed quantities of products proposed to be delivered corresponding to each deadline. Delivering products over multiple deadlines is also referred to as installment delivery.

[0035] For example, the candidate agreement plan U-A includes multiple deadlines U-A proposed by customer A and the proposed quantities U-A corresponding to each deadline U-A. The candidate agreement plan U-A indicates the quantity of goods that customer A desires intermediary M to deliver by each deadline U-A. Also, for example, the candidate agreement plan AI-A includes multiple deadlines AI-A proposed by intermediary M and the proposed quantities AI-A corresponding to each deadline AI-A. The candidate agreement plan AI-A indicates the quantity of goods that intermediary M can deliver to customer A by each deadline AI-A. Also, for example, the candidate agreement plan AI-B includes multiple deadlines AI-B proposed by intermediary M and the proposed quantities AI-B corresponding to each deadline AI-B. The candidate agreement plan AI-B indicates the quantity of goods that intermediary M desires supplier B to deliver by each deadline AI-B. Furthermore, for example, the candidate agreement plan U-B includes multiple deadlines U-B proposed by supplier B and a proposed quantity U-B corresponding to each deadline U-B. The candidate agreement plan U-B indicates the quantity of goods that supplier B can deliver to intermediary M by each deadline U-B.

[0036] (Cumulative proposal volume, target period, time point) A cumulative proposal volume can be calculated from the proposed agreement. The cumulative proposal volume indicates the sum of the proposal volumes up to each time point during the target period. The target period is a period that includes multiple deadlines included in the proposed agreement. For example, the target period may be the period from the start of negotiations to the latest deadline included in the proposed agreement, but is not limited to this. Furthermore, the time point may be a time point per unit period. The unit period may be in units of one day, but is not limited to this.

[0037] (Configuration of the negotiation device 10) Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the negotiation device 10. As shown in Fig. 6, the negotiation device 10 includes a control unit 110 and a storage unit 120. The control unit 110 controls each unit of the negotiation device 10. The control unit 110 includes a candidate agreement proposal acquisition unit 11, a determination unit 12, a candidate agreement proposal generation unit 13, and a candidate agreement proposal provision unit 14. The storage unit 120 stores order information, order information, and inventory management information.

[0038] (Order Information) The order information is information regarding an order for goods from customer A, and indicates information before negotiation A begins. The order information includes a delivery installment schedule A for the goods to customer A. For example, the delivery installment schedule A includes multiple deadlines A and the delivery quantity A of the goods that is scheduled to be delivered by each deadline A. Based on the delivery installment schedule A or the proposed agreement U-A, the required quantity of the goods, the cumulative required quantity, the cumulative planned delivery quantity U-A, and the pre-negotiation cumulative planned delivery quantity U-A can be calculated.

[0039] (Required quantity, cumulative required quantity) The required quantity is the quantity of goods that intermediary M needs at each point in time during the target period. Specifically, the required quantity indicates the quantity of goods that will need to be delivered by supplier B in response to an order for goods from customer A. The cumulative required quantity is the total quantity of goods that will be needed up to each point in time during the target period. The cumulative required quantity can be calculated from the required quantity at each point in time. Before negotiation A begins, the required quantity at each point in time may be calculated by referring to the delivery quantity A included in installment schedule A and some or all of the inventory management information described below. Furthermore, after the agreement candidate proposal U-A is obtained, the required quantity at each point in time may be calculated by referring to the proposed quantity U-A included in the agreement candidate proposal U-A and some or all of the inventory management information described below.

[0040] (Order Information) The order information is information regarding an order for goods from supplier B, and indicates information before negotiation B begins. The order information includes a delivery installment schedule B for goods from supplier B. For example, the delivery installment schedule B includes multiple deadlines B and delivery quantities B of goods that are scheduled to be delivered by each deadline B. Based on the delivery installment schedule B or the proposed agreement U-B, the cumulative delivery schedule quantity U-B and the pre-negotiation cumulative delivery schedule quantity U-B can be calculated.

[0041] (Cumulative Planned Delivery Quantity, Pre-Negotiation Cumulative Planned Delivery Quantity) The cumulative planned delivery quantity U-A is the total quantity of goods that intermediary M plans to deliver to customer A by each point in time during the target period. For example, before the start of negotiation A, the cumulative planned delivery quantity U-A is the sum of the delivery quantities A up to each point in time in installment delivery schedule A that was scheduled before the start of negotiation A. Such cumulative planned delivery quantity U-A before the start of negotiation A will hereinafter also be referred to as the "pre-negotiation cumulative planned delivery quantity U-A." Furthermore, for example, after the acquisition of the agreed-upon candidate plan U-A, the cumulative planned delivery quantity U-A is the sum of the proposed quantities U-A up to each point in time in the agreed-upon candidate plan U-A, and corresponds to the cumulative proposed quantity U-A. Furthermore, for example, after the acquisition of the agreed-upon candidate plan U-A, the cumulative planned delivery quantity U-B is the sum of the proposed quantities U-A up to each point in time in the agreed-upon candidate plan U-A, and corresponds to the cumulative proposed quantity U-A.

[0042] The cumulative planned delivery volume U-B is the total quantity of goods that are scheduled to be delivered by supplier B to intermediary M up to each point in time during the target period. For example, before negotiation B begins, the cumulative planned delivery volume U-B is the total of delivery volumes B up to each point in time in installment delivery schedule B that was scheduled before negotiation B begins. Hereinafter, this cumulative planned delivery volume U-B before negotiation B begins will also be referred to as the "pre-negotiation cumulative planned delivery volume U-B." Furthermore, for example, after the agreement candidate plan U-B is obtained, the cumulative planned delivery volume U-B is the total of proposed volumes U-B up to each point in the agreement candidate plan U-B, and corresponds to the cumulative proposed volume U-B.

[0043] (Inventory Management Information) Inventory management information is information for managing product inventory. For example, inventory management information includes the product inventory amount, minimum safety stock amount, maximum safety stock amount, safety lead time, and standard order unit amount. For example, the product inventory amount indicates the product inventory amount before negotiation A and negotiation B begin. The minimum safety stock amount, maximum safety stock amount, safety lead time, and standard order unit amount are each set depending on the product. The cumulative available inventory amount can be calculated from some or all of the order information, order information, and inventory management information.

[0044] (Cumulative Available Stock) The cumulative available stock indicates the minimum planned inventory amount at each point in the target period. The planned inventory amount is calculated by referring to the cumulative required amount, the cumulative planned delivery amount U-A, U-B, some or all of the inventory management information, etc.

[0045] (Configuration of each functional block of the control unit 110) The candidate agreement proposal acquisition unit 11 acquires a candidate agreement proposal U-A provided by customer A in negotiation A with customer A, the candidate agreement proposal U-A including multiple deadlines U-A and proposed quantities U-A corresponding to each deadline U-A. Specifically, the candidate agreement proposal acquisition unit 11 acquires the candidate agreement proposal U-A from customer A by receiving it from the negotiation device 20A. Hereinafter, acquiring the candidate agreement proposal U-A provided by customer A may also be described as receiving the candidate agreement proposal U-A from the negotiation device 20A. Hereinafter, the deadline U-A may also be described as the "deadline U-A proposed by customer A." Furthermore, the proposed quantity U-A may also be described as the "proposed quantity U-A of customer A." Note that the configuration of the candidate agreement proposal acquisition unit 11 can be similarly described even if A is replaced with B.

[0046] The determination unit 12 determines whether or not to agree to the candidate agreement plan UA in negotiation A. The determination unit 12 also determines whether or not to agree to the candidate agreement plan UB in negotiation B.

[0047] The following are specific examples of the judgment criteria in negotiation A, that is, the judgment criteria when the negotiation device 10 is the order-receiving side of the product. For example, in negotiation A, the judgment unit 12 may judge whether to agree to the candidate agreement plan U-A based on the results of comparing the cumulative proposed quantity U-A up to each point in time during the target period with the cumulative available inventory quantity of the product at each point in time during the target period.

[0048] Furthermore, the determination unit 12 may determine whether to agree to the candidate agreement plan U-A by referring to the minimum safety stock amount, maximum safety stock amount, safety lead time, standard order unit amount of the product, or a combination of some or all of these. For example, the determination unit 12 may make a determination by referring to the cumulative available stock calculated taking into account some or all of the inventory management information.

[0049] The following are specific examples of the judgment criteria in negotiation B, that is, the judgment criteria when negotiation device 10 is the ordering party for the product. For example, in negotiation B, judgment unit 12 may determine whether to agree to candidate agreement plan U-B based on the results of comparing the cumulative proposed amount U-B up to each point in time during the target period with the cumulative required amount up to each point in time during the target period.

[0050] Furthermore, the determination unit 12 may determine whether to agree to the candidate agreement plan U-B by referring to the minimum safety stock amount, maximum safety stock amount, safety lead time, standard order unit amount of the product, or a combination of some or all of these. For example, the determination unit 12 may make a determination by referring to the cumulative required amount calculated taking into account some or all of the inventory management information.

[0051] The candidate agreement proposal generation unit 13 generates a candidate agreement proposal AI-A including a plurality of deadlines AI-A to be provided to customer A in negotiation A. As described above, the candidate agreement proposal AI-A includes a proposed quantity AI-A corresponding to each deadline AI-A. Furthermore, the candidate agreement proposal generation unit 13 generates a candidate agreement proposal AI-B including a plurality of deadlines AI-B to be provided to supplier B in negotiation B. As described above, the candidate agreement proposal AI-B includes a proposed quantity AI-B corresponding to each deadline AI-B.

[0052] An example of generating a candidate agreement proposal AI-A in negotiation A, that is, an example of generation when the negotiation device 10 is the product order recipient, will be described below. For example, the candidate agreement proposal generation unit 13 determines, as at least one of the multiple deadlines AI-A, the time point at which the cumulative available inventory falls below customer A's pre-negotiation cumulative planned delivery quantity U-A. Furthermore, the candidate agreement proposal generation unit 13 determines, as the proposed quantity AI-A corresponding to the deadline AI-A, the cumulative available inventory quantity for the deadline AI-A minus the pre-negotiation cumulative planned delivery quantity U-A. Note that if no specific delivery schedule has been determined before the start of negotiation A, zero may be applied as the pre-negotiation cumulative planned delivery quantity U-A.

[0053] Furthermore, the agreement candidate generation unit 13 determines one of the multiple deadlines U-A proposed by customer A as at least one other of the multiple deadlines AI-A. Furthermore, the agreement candidate generation unit 13 determines the proposed quantity U-A corresponding to the deadline U-A as the proposed quantity AI-A corresponding to the deadline AI-A.

[0054] In addition, if the proposed agreement AI-A is not a counteroffer to Customer A's proposed agreement UA, the deadline A and delivery quantity A included in the order information are referenced instead of the deadline UA and proposed quantity UA.

[0055] An example of generating an agreement candidate proposal AI-B in negotiation B, that is, an example of generation when the negotiation device 10 is the ordering party for the product, will be described below. For example, the agreement candidate proposal generation unit 13 determines, as at least one of the multiple deadlines AI-B, the time point at which the cumulative requirement exceeds the pre-negotiation cumulative planned delivery quantity UB. Furthermore, the agreement candidate proposal generation unit 13 determines, as the proposed quantity AI-B corresponding to the deadline AI-B, the cumulative requirement for the deadline AI-B minus the pre-negotiation cumulative planned delivery quantity UB. Note that if no specific delivery schedule has been determined before the start of negotiation B, zero can be applied as the pre-negotiation cumulative planned delivery quantity UB.

[0056] Furthermore, the agreement candidate proposal generation unit 13 determines one of the multiple deadlines UB included in the agreement candidate proposal UB from supplier B as at least one other of the multiple deadlines AI-B. Furthermore, the agreement candidate proposal generation unit 13 determines the proposed quantity UB corresponding to the deadline UB as the proposed quantity AI-B corresponding to the deadline AI-B.

[0057] In addition, if the candidate agreement plan AI-B is not a counteroffer to supplier B's candidate agreement plan UB, the deadline B and delivery quantity B included in the order information are referenced instead of the deadline UB and proposed quantity UB.

[0058] The agreement candidate generation unit 13 may generate the agreement candidate AI-A or AI-B by referring to the minimum safety stock, maximum safety stock, safety lead time, standard order unit, or a combination of some or all of these for the product in negotiation A or negotiation B. For example, to generate the agreement candidate AI-A or AI-B, the agreement candidate generation unit 13 may refer to the cumulative available stock amount and cumulative required amount calculated taking into account some or all of the inventory management information.

[0059] The candidate agreement proposal providing unit 14 provides the candidate agreement proposal AI-A to the client A. Specifically, the candidate agreement proposal providing unit 14 provides the candidate agreement proposal AI-A to the client A by transmitting it to the negotiation device 20A. Hereinafter, "providing the candidate agreement proposal AI-A to the client A" may also be described as "sending the candidate agreement proposal AI-A to the negotiation device 20A."

[0060] Furthermore, the candidate agreement proposal providing unit 14 provides the candidate agreement proposal AI-B to supplier B. Specifically, the candidate agreement proposal providing unit 14 provides the candidate agreement proposal AI-B to supplier B by transmitting it to the negotiation device 20B. Hereinafter, "providing the candidate agreement proposal AI-B to supplier B" may also be described as "sending the candidate agreement proposal AI-B to the negotiation device 20B."

[0061] (Configuration of negotiation device 20A) Figure 7 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of negotiation device 20A. As shown in Figure 7, negotiation device 20A includes a control unit 210A and a storage unit 220A. Furthermore, negotiation device 20A is connected to an input device 30A and a display device 40A. Control unit 210A comprehensively controls each unit of negotiation device 20A. Control unit 210A includes an agreement candidate acquisition unit 21A, a determination unit 22A, an agreement candidate generation unit 23A, and an agreement candidate provision unit 24A.

[0062] The candidate agreement proposal acquisition unit 21A acquires a candidate agreement proposal AI-A including multiple deadlines AI-A provided by the negotiation device 10 in negotiation A conducted with the negotiation device 10. Specifically, the candidate agreement proposal acquisition unit 21A acquires the candidate agreement proposal AI-A by receiving it from the negotiation device 10. Hereinafter, "acquiring the candidate agreement proposal AI-A provided from the negotiation device 10" may also be described as "receiving the candidate agreement proposal AI-A from the negotiation device 10."

[0063] The agreement candidate acquisition unit 21A also displays the acquired agreement candidate AI-A and agreement candidate U-A on the display device 40A so that they can be compared. The agreement candidate U-A is generated by the agreement candidate generation unit 23A, which will be described later.

[0064] The determination unit 22A determines whether or not to agree to the candidate agreement plan AI-A based on an input operation on the input device 30A.

[0065] In negotiation A, the candidate agreement proposal generation unit 23A generates a candidate agreement proposal U-A including multiple deadlines U-A based on an operation from the input device 30A. For example, when the candidate agreement proposal AI-A received from the negotiation device 10 is displayed on the display device 40A, the candidate agreement proposal generation unit 23A generates the candidate agreement proposal U-A based on an operation to edit the candidate agreement proposal AI-A.

[0066] The candidate agreement proposal providing unit 24A provides the candidate agreement proposal U-A to the negotiation device 10. Specifically, the candidate agreement proposal providing unit 24A provides the candidate agreement proposal U-A to the negotiation device 10 by transmitting it to the negotiation device 10. Hereinafter, "providing the candidate agreement proposal U-A to the negotiation device 10" may also be written as "sending the candidate agreement proposal U-A to the negotiation device 10."

[0067] (Configuration of Negotiation Device 20B) The configuration of the negotiation device 20B can be explained in the same manner as in FIG. 7 and the explanation of the negotiation device 20A with reference to FIG. 7, except that A is replaced with B.

[0068] (Flow of Negotiation Method S3) The negotiation system 100 configured as described above executes negotiation method S3 according to this exemplary embodiment. Negotiation method S3 is a method executed in negotiation A. FIG. 8 is a flow diagram showing the flow of negotiation method S3. Negotiation method S3 includes steps S301 to S313. Of these, steps S303 to S309 include a method executed by the negotiation device 10 as an example of a negotiation device described in the claims. Furthermore, steps S301 to S302 and S310 to S313 include a method executed by the negotiation device 20A as an example of a negotiation device described in the claims. Furthermore, at the start of negotiation method S3 below, it is assumed that installment delivery schedule A before the start of negotiation A is displayed on display device 40A of negotiation device 20A.

[0069] In step S301, the agreement candidate generation unit 23A of the negotiation device 20A generates an agreement candidate UA including multiple deadlines UA and proposed quantities UA corresponding to each deadline UA based on an operation from the input device 30A. Specifically, the agreement candidate generation unit 23A generates the agreement candidate UA based on an operation to edit the installment delivery schedule A displayed on the display device 40A.

[0070] In step S302, the candidate agreement providing unit 24A transmits the candidate agreement UA to the negotiation device 10. In step S303, the candidate agreement obtaining unit 11 of the negotiation device 10 receives the candidate agreement UA from the negotiation device 20A.

[0071] In step S304, the determination unit 12 calculates the cumulative available inventory amount. For example, the agreement candidate acquisition unit 11 calculates the cumulative available inventory amount at each time point during the target period based on the agreement candidate U-A from the customer A, the order information (delivery schedule B), and some or all of the inventory management information.

[0072] In step S305, the determination unit 12 calculates the cumulative proposal amount U-A up to each point in time during the target period based on the candidate agreement plan U-A from the customer A. Note that the order of the processes in steps S304 and S305 is not limited to the above-mentioned order, and may be reversed or performed in parallel.

[0073] In step S306, the determination unit 12 determines whether to agree to the proposed agreement UA from the customer A. For example, the determination unit 12 determines that there is agreement if the cumulative proposed quantity UA is equal to or less than the cumulative effective inventory quantity at all times during the target period, and otherwise determines that there is no agreement.

[0074] If it is determined in step S306 that an agreement has been reached, then in step S307, control unit 110 transmits agreement notification information to negotiation device 20A. Negotiation method S3 (negotiation A) then ends. If it is determined in step S306 that an agreement has not been reached, negotiation system 100 temporarily suspends negotiation method S3 and starts negotiation method S4 (negotiation B), which will be described later. If it is determined in negotiation B that negotiation device 10 has not agreed to candidate agreement proposal U-B, negotiation system 100 resumes negotiation method S3 (negotiation A) from step S308.

[0075] In step S308, the agreement candidate generation unit 13 of the negotiation device 10 generates an agreement candidate AI-A (counteroffer) by referring to the cumulative available inventory and the pre-negotiation cumulative planned delivery quantity U-A. Specifically, the agreement candidate generation unit 13 generates paired information 1, which includes [the deadline U-A included in the agreement candidate U-A from customer A and the proposed quantity U-A corresponding to the deadline U-A]. The agreement candidate generation unit 13 also generates paired information 2, which includes [the amount obtained by subtracting the pre-negotiation cumulative planned delivery quantity U-A from the cumulative available inventory at that time, when the cumulative available inventory falls below the pre-negotiation cumulative planned delivery quantity U-A]. The agreement candidate generation unit 13 also generates an agreement candidate AI-A that includes paired information 1 and paired information 2.

[0076] In step S309, the agreement candidate providing unit 14 transmits the generated agreement candidate AI-A to the negotiation device 20A. In step S310, the agreement candidate acquisition unit 21A of the negotiation device 20A receives the agreement candidate AI-A from the negotiation device 10. In step S311, the agreement candidate acquisition unit 21A displays the acquired agreement candidate AI-A and the agreement candidate U-A transmitted in step S301 on the display device 40A so that they can be compared.

[0077] In step S312, the determination unit 22A determines whether or not to agree to the candidate agreement plan AI-A based on the operation from the input device 30A. That is, the customer A visually recognizes the candidate agreement plan AI-A displayed on the display device 40A, and performs an operation to input whether or not to agree using the input device 30A.

[0078] If it is determined in step S312 that an agreement has been reached, control unit 210A transmits agreement notification information to negotiation device 10. Then, negotiation method S3 ends. If it is determined in step S312 that an agreement has not been reached, negotiation system 100 repeats the process from step S301.

[0079] In step S301 of the repeated process, the candidate agreement proposal generation unit 23A of the negotiation device 20A generates a candidate agreement proposal U-A including multiple new deadlines U-A and new proposed quantities U-A corresponding to each deadline U-A based on an operation to edit the candidate agreement proposal AI-A. Here, the display device 40A displays the previously generated candidate agreement proposal U-A and the candidate agreement proposal AI-A so that they can be compared. Therefore, customer A edits the displayed candidate agreement proposal AI-A to generate a new candidate agreement proposal U-A (counteroffer). Then, the process from step S302 onward is repeated.

[0080] (Variations of Negotiation Method S3) In negotiation method S3, the negotiation device 10 has been described as generating a candidate agreement proposal AI-A as a counteroffer when it is unable to agree to the candidate agreement proposal U-A from customer A. This is not limiting, and the negotiation device 10 may generate a candidate agreement proposal AI-A and provide it to customer A before obtaining the candidate agreement proposal U-A from customer A. In this case, the process of generating the candidate agreement proposal AI-A (offer) can be similarly explained by replacing the candidate agreement proposal U-A, deadline U-A, and proposed quantity U-A with the installment delivery schedule A, deadline A, and delivery quantity A in the description of the process of generating the candidate agreement proposal AI-A (counteroffer) in step S308.

[0081] (Flow of Negotiation Method S4) Negotiation system 100 configured as described above executes negotiation method S4 according to this exemplary embodiment. Negotiation method S4 is a method executed in negotiation B. Negotiation method S4 is initiated by negotiation device 10 when negotiation device 10 does not agree to candidate agreement proposal U-A in negotiation A (No in step S306 of negotiation method S3). FIG. 9 is a flow diagram showing the flow of negotiation method S4. Negotiation method S4 includes steps S401 to S413. Of these, steps S401 to S403 and S410 to S413 include methods executed by negotiation device 10 as an example of a negotiation device recited in the claims. Furthermore, steps S404 to S409 include methods executed by negotiation device 20B as an example of a negotiation device recited in the claims.

[0082] In step S401, the agreement candidate proposal generator 13 of the negotiation device 10 calculates the cumulative required quantity of the commodity at each point in time during the target period based on the agreement candidate proposal UA from the customer A.

[0083] In step S402, the agreement candidate generation unit 13 generates an agreement candidate AI-B by referring to the cumulative requirement and the pre-negotiation cumulative planned delivery quantity U-B. Specifically, the agreement candidate generation unit 13 generates pair information 3 with [deadline B included in installment schedule B, delivery quantity B corresponding to said deadline B]. The agreement candidate generation unit 13 also generates pair information 4 with [the point in time when the cumulative requirement exceeds the pre-negotiation cumulative planned delivery quantity U-B, and the quantity obtained by subtracting the pre-negotiation cumulative planned delivery quantity U-B from the cumulative requirement]. The agreement candidate generation unit 13 also generates an agreement candidate AI-B that includes pair information 3 and pair information 4.

[0084] In step S403, the agreement candidate providing unit 14 transmits the generated agreement candidate AI-B to the negotiation device 20B. In step S404, the agreement candidate acquisition unit 21B of the negotiation device 20B receives the agreement candidate AI-B from the negotiation device 10. In step S405, the agreement candidate acquisition unit 21B displays the acquired agreement candidate AI-B and delivery schedule B on the display device 40B so that they can be compared. Note that delivery schedule B is included in the order information stored in the memory unit 120 of the negotiation device 10. Delivery schedule B may be transmitted from the negotiation device 10 together with the agreement candidate AI-B and displayed on the display device 40B.

[0085] In step S406, the determination unit 22B determines whether or not to agree to the candidate agreement plan AI-B based on an operation from the input device 30B. That is, Supplier B visually checks the candidate agreement plan AI-B displayed on the display device 40B, and performs an operation to input whether or not to agree using the input device 30B.

[0086] If it is determined in step S406 that an agreement has been reached, then in step S407, control unit 210B transmits agreement notification information to negotiation device 10. Negotiation method S4 then ends. In this case, negotiation device 10 also executes step S307 in negotiation method S3, and transmits agreement notification information to negotiation device 20A. Negotiation method S3 then ends. If it is determined in step S406 that an agreement has not been reached, then step S408 is executed.

[0087] In step S408, the candidate agreement proposal generator 23B of the negotiation device 20B generates a candidate agreement proposal UB (counter offer) including multiple deadlines UB and proposed quantities UB corresponding to each deadline UB, based on an operation to edit the candidate agreement proposal AI-B from the negotiation device 10. Here, the installment delivery schedule B before the start of negotiation B and the candidate agreement proposal AI-B are displayed on the display device 40B so that they can be compared. Therefore, supplier B performs an operation to edit the displayed candidate agreement proposal AI-B in order to generate the candidate agreement proposal UB (counter offer).

[0088] In step S409, the candidate agreement providing unit 24B transmits the candidate agreement UB to the negotiation device 10. In step S410, the candidate agreement obtaining unit 11 of the negotiation device 10 receives the candidate agreement UB from the negotiation device 20B.

[0089] In step S411, the determination unit 12 calculates the cumulative proposed quantity U-B based on the candidate agreement plan U-B from supplier B. In step S412, the determination unit 12 determines whether or not to agree to the candidate agreement plan U-B from supplier B. For example, the determination unit 12 determines that there is agreement if the cumulative proposed quantity U-B is equal to or greater than the cumulative required quantity at all points in time during the target period, and otherwise determines that there is no agreement.

[0090] If it is determined in step S412 that an agreement has been reached, control unit 110 transmits agreement notification information to negotiation device 20B in step S413. Negotiation method S4 (Negotiation B) then ends. If it is determined in step S412 that an agreement has not been reached, negotiation system 100 temporarily suspends negotiation method S4 (Negotiation B) and resumes the above-described negotiation method S3 (Negotiation A) from step S308.

[0091] (Supplementary information on negotiation method S4) In the above description of step S402, the candidate agreement plan AI-B (offer) is generated to be provided to supplier B before receiving the candidate agreement plan UB from supplier B. However, step S402 may be executed again to generate the candidate agreement plan AI-B as a counteroffer to the candidate agreement plan UB from supplier B.

[0092] Specifically, if both steps S406 and S412 return No, the process returns to negotiation method S3 (Negotiation A). If both steps S312 and S306 return No, negotiation method S4 (Negotiation B) is executed again, and step S402 is executed again. In this case, in step S402, a candidate agreement plan AI-B (counteroffer) is generated. The process for generating the candidate agreement plan AI-B (counteroffer) can be similarly explained by replacing the scheduled delivery schedule B, deadline B, and delivery quantity B in the description of the process for generating the candidate agreement plan AI-B (offer) in step S402 described above with the candidate agreement plan U-B, deadline U-B, and proposed quantity U-B.

[0093] (Specific Examples of Negotiation Methods S3 to S4) Next, specific examples of negotiation A and negotiation B performed using negotiation methods S3 to S4 will be described with reference to Figures 10 to 17. Figure 10 is a diagram showing specific examples of screens and process transitions in negotiation A and negotiation B. Figures 11 to 17 are diagrams showing detailed examples of each screen shown in Figure 10. Note that these transitions and each screen are merely examples and do not limit this exemplary embodiment.

[0094] In this specific example, customer A has placed an order for goods with intermediary M, but the goods have not yet been delivered. Also, intermediary M has placed an order for goods with supplier B to be delivered to customer A, but the goods have not yet been delivered. The negotiation device 10 functions as a procurement bot for intermediary M. In this example, customer A wishes to change installment delivery schedule A, and negotiation A to change installment delivery schedule A is conducted between customer A and negotiation device 10. Furthermore, in response to negotiation A, negotiation B to change installment delivery schedule B is conducted between negotiation device 10 and supplier B.

[0095] In FIG. 10, the top row shows the transition of screens displayed by the negotiation device 20A used by customer A in negotiation A. These screens will also be referred to as screens for customer A hereinafter. The middle row shows the transition of processing executed by the negotiation device 10, which is a procurement bot for intermediary M. The bottom row shows the transition of screens displayed by the negotiation device 20B used by supplier B in negotiation B. These screens will also be referred to as screens for supplier B hereinafter. This specific example includes steps PS1 to PS11. This specific example also includes screens G1 to G7.

[0096] As shown in Figure 10, screen G1 for customer A shows a delivery schedule confirmation screen. Screen G1 is displayed by executing steps PS1 and PS2. In step PS1, control unit 210A of negotiation device 20A sends a request to the negotiation device 10 to confirm the delivery schedule of the ordered product, based on an operation by customer A. In step PS2, control unit 110 of negotiation device 10 refers to the order information in memory unit 120, obtains installment delivery schedule A for the product, and sends it to negotiation device 20A.

[0097] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a detailed example of screen G1. As shown in FIG. 11, screen G1 includes a display interface G19. The display interface G19 is in a table format. The display interface G19 includes order numbers and pre-change delivery schedules G11 as table columns. The pre-change delivery schedule G11 includes the installment delivery schedule A before the start of negotiation A. Each row of the display interface G19 indicates the due date A of the installment delivery schedule A and the corresponding delivery amount A. This allows the association of each order included in the delivery schedule G11 with its order number to be recognized. In this example, order "P000127" indicates an order to which order number "P000127" has already been assigned, and order "FC" indicates an order to which no order number has yet been assigned. When customer A operates operation object G12 (the "Yes" button) in response to the question "Do you want to make a change?" on screen G1, screen G1 transitions to screen G2.

[0098] Next, we return to the explanation of Figure 10. As shown in Figure 10, screen G2 for customer A shows an editing screen for the delivery schedule. Step PS3 is executed on screen G2. Step PS3 includes steps S301 to S302 of negotiation method S3. That is, the agreement candidate proposal generation unit 23A of the negotiation device 20A accepts editing operations on the pre-change delivery schedule G11 and transmits an agreement candidate proposal including the changed delivery schedule to the negotiation device 10.

[0099] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a detailed example of the screen G2. The screen G2 includes an editing interface G29. The editing interface G29 is in a tabular format, with a column for customer proposals G23 added to the display interface G19. In other words, the editing interface G29 displays the pre-change delivery schedule G11 and the customer proposals G23 in a comparable format. The editing interface G29 also includes an operation object G24 (an "Edit" button). Before editing, the customer proposals G23 include the pre-change delivery schedule G11 and become editable when the operation object G24 is operated. This allows customer A to edit the pre-change delivery schedule G11 and input the customer proposals G23 while checking the order number of the pre-change delivery schedule G11. Furthermore, customer A can easily compare the pre-change delivery schedule G11 with the customer proposals G23 he or she has input.

[0100] In this example, the shaded portion of customer proposal G23 has been changed from the original delivery schedule G11. When operation object G25 (the "Propose with this content" button) is operated on screen G2, candidate agreement proposal provider 24A of negotiation device 20A transmits candidate agreement proposal U-A, which includes customer proposal G23, to negotiation device 10.

[0101] Next, we return to the explanation of Figure 10. As shown in Figure 10, when negotiation device 10 receives candidate agreement plan UA, which includes customer proposal G23, it executes step PS4. Step PS4 includes steps S303 to S306 and S401 to S403 of negotiation method S3. Here, we will explain the case where installment delivery schedule B from supplier B before the start of negotiation B will not be able to meet customer proposal G23.

[0102] Specifically, the determination unit 12 of the negotiation device 10 calculates the cumulative available inventory quantity and the cumulative proposed quantity U-A based on the installment delivery schedule B from supplier B and the candidate agreement proposal U-A from customer A before the start of negotiation B. Furthermore, the determination unit 12 determines that the candidate agreement proposal U-A will not be agreed to because the cumulative proposed quantity U-A exceeds the cumulative available inventory quantity at least partially during the target period. Therefore, the candidate agreement proposal generation unit 13 calculates the cumulative required quantity based on the candidate agreement proposal U-A and generates the candidate agreement proposal AI-B based on the calculated information. Details of the process for generating the candidate agreement proposal AI-B are as described in step S402. The candidate agreement proposal AI-B includes an intermediary proposal for supplier B to change the installment delivery schedule B so that it meets customer proposal G23. The candidate agreement proposal provision unit 14 of the negotiation device 10 transmits the generated candidate agreement proposal AI-B to the negotiation device 20B.

[0103] Next, negotiation device 20B executes step PS5. Step PS5 includes steps S404 to S406 of negotiation method S4. That is, candidate agreement proposal acquisition unit 21B of negotiation device 20B displays the received candidate agreement proposal AI-B. As a result, screen G3 for supplier B is displayed. Furthermore, determination unit 22B determines whether or not to agree to candidate agreement proposal AI-B based on input from input device 30B.

[0104] Screen G3 for Supplier B is a delivery schedule proposal screen. Screen G3 displays the proposed agreement proposal AI-B received from the negotiation device 10. FIG. 13 shows a detailed example of Screen G3. Screen G3 includes a display interface G39. The display interface G39 is in a table format. The display interface G39 includes the order number, the pre-change delivery schedule G31, and the intermediary proposal G32 as table columns. The pre-change delivery schedule G31 includes the installment delivery schedule B before the start of negotiation B. Each row of the display interface G39 indicates the deadline and the corresponding product quantity. This makes it possible to recognize the association between each order included in the delivery schedule G31 and the order number. In this example, the pre-change delivery schedule G31 and the intermediary proposal G32 can be compared for order numbers A000124 to A000129.

[0105] The pre-change delivery schedule G31 was set in accordance with the pre-change delivery schedule G11 for delivering the goods to customer A, taking into consideration the inventory amount, lead time, etc. at intermediary M. The intermediary proposal G32 is information included in the agreement candidate plan AI-B. The intermediary proposal G32 differs from the delivery schedule G31 in the shaded areas. This allows supplier B to easily compare the pre-change delivery schedule G31 with the intermediary proposal G52.

[0106] In this example, it is assumed that supplier B does not agree to intermediary proposal G32, and that operation object G37 (the "No (re-proposal)" button) is operated on screen G3. When operation object G37 is operated, screen G3 transitions to screen G4.

[0107] Next, we return to the explanation of Figure 10. As shown in Figure 10, screen G4 for supplier B shows an editing screen for the delivery schedule. Step PS6 is executed on screen G4. Step PS6 includes steps S408 to S409 of negotiation method S4. That is, in step PS6, candidate agreement proposal generator 23B of negotiation device 20B accepts editing operations on the displayed delivery schedule G31 and transmits candidate agreement proposal U-B, which includes the changed delivery schedule, to negotiation device 10.

[0108] FIG. 14 shows a detailed example of the screen G4. The screen G4 includes an editing interface G49. The editing interface G49 is in a table format, with a column for the supplier proposal G43 and an operation object G44 ("Edit button") added to the display interface G39. In other words, the editing interface G49 displays the pre-change delivery schedule G31, the intermediary proposal G32, and the supplier proposal G43 in a manner that allows comparison. Before editing, the supplier proposal G43 includes the intermediary proposal G32 and becomes editable when the operation object G44 is operated. This allows Supplier B to edit the pre-change delivery schedule G31 and input the supplier proposal G43 while checking the order number of the pre-change delivery schedule G31. Furthermore, Supplier B can easily compare the pre-change delivery schedule G31, the intermediary proposal G32, and the supplier proposal G43 that he or she has input.

[0109] In this example, the shaded portion of the supplier proposal G43 has been changed from the middleman proposal G42. When the operation object G45 (the "Propose with this content" button) is operated on the screen G4, the agreement candidate proposal providing unit 24B of the negotiation device 20B transmits the agreement candidate proposal U-B, which includes the supplier proposal G43, to the negotiation device 10.

[0110] Next, we return to the explanation of Figure 10. As shown in Figure 10, when the negotiation device 10 receives the candidate agreement plan UB including the supplier proposal G43, it executes step PS7. Step PS7 includes steps S410 to S412 and S308 to S309 of the negotiation method S3. Here, we will explain the case where the candidate agreement plan UB from supplier B is not in time for the customer proposal G23.

[0111] Specifically, the determination unit 12 of the negotiation device 10 calculates the cumulative proposed quantity U-B based on the proposed agreement U-B from supplier B. The determination unit 12 also references the cumulative required quantity calculated in step PS4 based on the proposed agreement U-A from customer A. The determination unit 12 also determines that no agreement is reached because the cumulative proposed quantity U-B does not meet the cumulative required quantity at least partially during the target period. Therefore, the proposed agreement generator 13 calculates the cumulative available inventory quantity based on the proposed agreement U-B and generates the proposed agreement AI-A based on this calculated information. Details of the process for generating the proposed agreement AI-A are as described in step S308. The proposed agreement AI-A includes an intermediary proposal for proposing to customer A that the customer proposal G23 be modified so that it conforms to the supplier proposal G43. The proposed agreement provider 14 of the negotiation device 10 also transmits the generated proposed agreement AI-A to the negotiation device 20A.

[0112] Next, negotiation device 20A executes step PS8. Step PS8 includes steps S310 to S312 of negotiation method S2. That is, candidate agreement proposal acquisition unit 21A of negotiation device 20A displays the received candidate agreement proposal AI-A. As a result, screen G5 for customer A is displayed. Furthermore, determination unit 22A determines whether or not to agree to candidate agreement proposal AI-A based on input from input device 30A.

[0113] Screen G5 for customer A is a delivery schedule proposal screen. Screen G5 displays the proposed agreement plan AI-A received from the negotiation device 10. FIG. 15 shows a detailed example of screen G5. Screen G5 includes a display interface G59. The display interface G59 is in a tabular format, with a column for the intermediary proposal G52 added to the editing interface G29. In other words, the display interface G59 displays the pre-change delivery schedule G11, the customer proposal G23, and the intermediary proposal G52 in a comparable format. The intermediary proposal G52 is information included in the proposed agreement plan AI-A. The intermediary proposal G52 differs from the customer proposal G23 in the shaded areas. This allows customer A to easily compare the pre-change delivery schedule G11, the customer proposal G23 that customer A has already proposed, and the intermediary proposal G52 that customer A received as a counteroffer.

[0114] Here, it is assumed that customer A agrees to the intermediary proposal G52 and that the operation object G56 (the "Yes" button) is operated on screen G5. When the operation object G56 is operated, screen G5 transitions to screen G6.

[0115] Next, we return to the description of FIG. 10 . As shown in FIG. 10 , screen G6 for customer A shows a delivery schedule agreement screen. Screen G6 is displayed when negotiation device 20A executes step PS9. Step PS9 includes step S313 of negotiation method S3. That is, in step PS9, determination unit 22A transmits agreement to candidate agreement proposal AI-A (agreement notification information) to negotiation device 10 based on input from input device 30A. Furthermore, control unit 210A of negotiation device 20A displays screen G6 showing the agreement result. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a detailed example of screen G6 for customer A. As shown in FIG. 16 , screen G6 includes an agreed-upon delivery schedule G61. As the delivery schedule G61, the intermediary proposal G52 is applied. Note that if operation object G57 (the “No (re-proposal)” button) is input on screen G5, this specific example repeats the processing from step PS3.

[0116] Returning to the explanation of Figure 10, in step PS10, upon receiving the agreement from negotiation device 20A, control unit 110 of negotiation device 10 transmits to negotiation device 20B an agreement to candidate agreement plan UB, which includes supplier proposal G43, in negotiation B.

[0117] Next, the negotiation device 20B executes step PS11. In step PS11, when the control unit 210B of the negotiation device 20B receives from the negotiation device 10 an agreement to the proposed agreement, it displays a screen G7 indicating the agreement result. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a detailed example of the screen G7 for supplier B. As shown in FIG. 14, the screen G6 includes an agreed-upon delivery schedule G71. The supplier proposal G43 is applied as the delivery schedule G71.

[0118] (Effects of the Present Exemplary Embodiment) According to the configuration of the present exemplary embodiment, each negotiation device 10, 20A, 20B includes a candidate agreement acquisition unit 11, 21A, 21B that acquires a candidate agreement plan including multiple deadlines, and a determination unit 12, 22A, 22B that determines whether to agree to the acquired candidate agreement plan including the multiple deadlines. Furthermore, each negotiation device 10, 20A, 20B includes a candidate agreement generation unit 13, 23A, 23B that generates a candidate agreement plan including multiple deadlines, and a candidate agreement provision unit 14, 24A, 24B that provides the generated candidate agreement plan including the multiple deadlines. According to the above configuration, in negotiations involving multiple deadlines, negotiating parties can mutually provide and obtain candidate agreement plans.

[0119] Furthermore, according to the configuration of this exemplary embodiment, in negotiation devices 20A and 20B, agreement candidate proposal acquisition units 21A and 22B display the acquired agreement candidate proposals AI-A and AI-B and the proposed agreement candidate proposals U-A and UB on display devices 40A and 40B in a comparable manner. According to the above configuration, negotiation entities U-A and UB using negotiation devices 20A and 20B can easily compare the agreement candidate proposals AI-A and AI-B acquired from the negotiation counterparty with the proposed agreement candidate proposals U-A and UB to be provided to the negotiation counterparty.

[0120] Furthermore, according to the configuration of this exemplary embodiment, in negotiation devices 20A and 20B, agreement candidate generation units 23A and 23B generate new agreement candidate proposals U-A and UB based on an operation to edit the acquired agreement candidate proposals AI-A and AI-B. According to the above configuration, negotiating entities U-A and UB using negotiation devices 20A and 20B can easily generate new agreement candidate proposals U-A and UB by editing the parts of the agreement candidate proposals AI-A and AI-B acquired from the negotiating counterparty that they cannot agree on.

[0121] Furthermore, according to the configuration of this exemplary embodiment, when the negotiation device 10 conducts negotiation A regarding the order of a product, the determination unit 12 determines whether to agree to the acquired candidate agreement plan U-A based on the results of a comparison between the cumulative proposed quantity U-A at each point in time during the target period calculated from the acquired candidate agreement plan U-A and the cumulative available inventory quantity of the product at each point in time during the target period. With the above configuration, it is possible to accurately determine whether to agree to the candidate agreement plan U-A, which includes a delivery installment schedule for the order of the product.

[0122] Furthermore, according to the configuration of this exemplary embodiment, when the negotiation device 10 conducts negotiation B regarding the order of goods, the determination unit 12 determines whether to agree to the acquired candidate agreement plan U-B based on the results of a comparison between the cumulative proposed quantity U-B at each point in time during the target period calculated from the acquired candidate agreement plan U-B and the cumulative required quantity up to each point in time during the target period. With the above configuration, it is possible to accurately determine whether to agree to the candidate agreement plan U-B, which includes a delivery installment schedule for the order of goods.

[0123] Furthermore, according to the configuration of this exemplary embodiment, when the negotiation device 10 conducts negotiations A and B regarding the purchase and sale of goods, the determination unit 12 determines whether to agree to the acquired agreement candidates U-A and U-B by referring to the minimum safety stock amount, maximum safety stock amount, safety lead time, standard order unit amount, or a combination of some or all of these for the goods. With the above configuration, it is possible to more accurately determine whether to agree to the agreement candidates U-A and U-B, which include a delivery schedule for the purchase and sale of goods.

[0124] Furthermore, according to the configuration of this exemplary embodiment, when the negotiation device 10 conducts negotiation A regarding the order of a product, the agreement candidate generation unit 13 determines, as at least one of the multiple deadlines AI-A to be included in the agreement candidate AI-A, the time point at which the cumulative available inventory falls below the pre-negotiation cumulative planned delivery quantity U-A, and determines, as the proposed quantity AI-A corresponding to the deadline AI-A, the amount obtained by subtracting the pre-negotiation cumulative planned delivery quantity U-A from the cumulative available inventory at that deadline. With the above configuration, it is possible to accurately generate an agreement candidate AI-A that includes a delivery installment schedule regarding the order of a product.

[0125] Furthermore, according to the configuration of this exemplary embodiment, when the negotiation device 10 conducts negotiation B regarding the order of goods, the agreement candidate generation unit 13 determines, as at least one of the multiple deadlines AI-B to be included in the agreement candidate AI-B, the point in time at which the cumulative required quantity exceeds the pre-negotiation cumulative planned delivery quantity UB, and determines, as the proposed quantity AI-B corresponding to the deadline AI-B, the amount obtained by subtracting the pre-negotiation cumulative planned delivery quantity UB from the cumulative required quantity. With the above configuration, it is possible to accurately generate the agreement candidate AI-B, which includes a delivery installment schedule regarding the order of goods.

[0126] Furthermore, according to the configuration of this exemplary embodiment, when the negotiation device 10 conducts negotiations A and B regarding the purchase and sale of goods, the agreement candidate generation unit 13 generates agreement candidate plans AI-A and AI-B by referring to the minimum safety stock amount, maximum safety stock amount, safety lead time, standard order unit amount, or a combination of some or all of these for the goods. With the above configuration, it is possible to accurately generate agreement candidate plans AI-A and AI-B that include installment delivery schedules regarding the purchase and sale of goods.

[0127] [Variation 1] In the above-described exemplary embodiment 3, the process of generating / transmitting the candidate agreement proposal AI-A (AI-B) can be modified as follows. Specifically, in steps S308 and S309, the negotiation device 10 may generate multiple candidate agreement proposals AI-A with different priorities and transmit the candidate agreement proposal AI-A selected according to the priority to the negotiation device 20A. Also, in steps S402 and S403 of the above-described negotiation method S4, the negotiation device 10 may generate multiple candidate agreement proposals AI-B with different priorities and transmit the candidate agreement proposal AI-B selected according to the priority to the negotiation device 20B.

[0128] The priorities may be determined heuristically or by a utility function. For example, if the priorities are ranked in descending order of priority as first priority, second priority, third priority, and so on, the agreement candidate providing unit 14 may transmit the agreement candidate AI-A (AI-B) of the second priority if no agreement is reached on the agreement candidate AI-A (AI-B) of the first priority, and may transmit the agreement candidate AI-A (AI-B) of the third priority if no agreement is reached on the agreement candidate AI-A (AI-B) of the second priority. The number of priority levels is not limited to the three described above.

[0129] An example of multiple agreement candidates with different priorities will be described with reference to Figures 18 and 19. Figure 18 is a diagram showing an example of an algorithm for generating multiple agreement candidates AI-B with different priorities when the negotiation device 10 is the ordering party for the product. Figure 19 is a graph showing an example of multiple agreement candidates AI-B generated by the algorithm shown in Figure 18. In this example, the priorities are determined heuristically. In Figure 8, the ninth line shows the safety lead time (SLT ｐ ) and minimum safety stock (MNS ｐ) is used to calculate the cumulative requirement without considering the safety lead time or the minimum safety stock. Line 10 shows the cumulative requirement that takes into account the safety lead time but not the minimum safety stock. Line 12 shows the cumulative requirement that takes into account the safety lead time and the minimum safety stock. Line 16 shows the cumulative requirement proposed by supplier B, U-B. Line 20 shows the first-priority agreement candidate AI-B, which is generated by referring to the cumulative requirement that takes into account both the safety lead time and the minimum safety stock. Line 22 shows the second-priority agreement candidate AI-B, which is generated by referring to the cumulative requirement that takes into account the safety lead time but not the minimum safety stock. Line 24 shows the third-priority agreement candidate AI-B, which is generated by referring to the cumulative requirement that takes into account neither the safety lead time nor the minimum safety stock. In this example algorithm, all of the first-priority, second-priority, and third-priority agreement candidate AI-Bs are generated by referring to the cumulative requirement that takes into account the maximum safety stock (MXS ｐ ) and standard order quantity (SPQ) ｐ ) is calculated taking into account

[0130] In the graph shown in FIG. 19, the horizontal axis indicates each point in time from May 5, 2022 to December 12, 2022, which is the target period. The vertical axis indicates the quantity of goods. ｏｐ ｐ，ｄ The broken line "q" corresponds to the cumulative proposed quantity UB of supplier B (line 16 in FIG. 18). ｏｐ ｐ，ｄ The point where the line of " rises (the point where the quantity of goods increases) indicates the deadline UB proposed by supplier B. For example, ｏｐ ｐ，ｄ The broken line for "" rises at the point of "September 6, 2022." This indicates that Supplier B's proposed agreement UB includes the deadline UB "September 6, 2022."

[0131] The lines for "Offer1" to "Offer3" indicate the cumulative proposed quantity AI-B for the first to third priority agreement candidates AI-B (lines 20, 22, and 24 in FIG. 18). The points at which the lines for "Offer1" to "Offer3" rise (points at which the quantity of goods increases) indicate the deadline AI-B for the counteroffer to Supplier B. For example, the line for "Offer1" indicates the deadline AI-B for the counteroffer to Supplier B. ｐ,ｄ (cumulative requirement considering safety lead time and minimum safety stock, line 12 of Figure 18) ｏｐ ｐ，ｄ The proposed agreement AI-B for Offer 1 begins on August 24, 2022, when it exceeds the broken line of the cumulative proposed amount U-B. In other words, the proposed agreement AI-B for Offer 1 includes the deadline AI-B of August 24, 2022, which is earlier than the deadline U-B of September 6 proposed by Supplier B.

[0132] For example, the broken line of "Offer2" is the cumulative required quantity that takes into account the safety lead time and does not take into account the minimum safety stock amount, the 10th line of FIG. 18. ｏｐ ｐ，ｄ The proposed agreement AI-B for "Offer 2" begins on August 29, 2022, when it exceeds the broken line of "cumulative proposed amount U-B." In other words, the proposed agreement AI-B for "Offer 2" is earlier than the deadline U-B of "September 6" proposed by Supplier B, and includes the deadline AI-B of "August 29, 2022," which is later than "Offer 1."

[0133] For example, the line for "Offer 3" is the line for "Actual needs (now)" (the cumulative need amount without considering the safety lead time or the minimum safety stock amount, the ninth line in FIG. 18) that starts with "q ｏｐ ｐ，ｄ The proposed agreement AI-B for Offer 3 begins on September 1, 2022, when it exceeds the line representing the cumulative proposed amount U-B. In other words, the proposed agreement AI-B for Offer 3 is earlier than Supplier B's proposed deadline U-B of September 6, and includes the deadline AI-B of September 1, 2022, which is later than Offer 2.

[0134] In the explanation of Figure 19, "the point at which the cumulative required quantity first exceeds the cumulative proposed quantity UB" is equivalent to "the point at which the cumulative required quantity exceeds the pre-negotiation cumulative planned delivery quantity UB" in this example.

[0135] According to this modified example, the negotiation device 10 can provide the negotiation partner with the candidate agreement proposals AI-B in order of priority (i.e., in order of convenience for the negotiating entity AI), thereby increasing the likelihood of reaching an agreement on the candidate agreement proposal AI-B with the higher priority.

[0136] [Variation 2] In the exemplary embodiment 3 described above, the process of determining whether to agree to the candidate agreement plan can be modified as follows. In this variation, in step S306, the determination unit 12 of the negotiation device 10 may determine whether to agree to the candidate agreement plan U-A based on the results of a comparison between the utility of the acquired candidate agreement plan U-A and the utility of the candidate agreement plan AI-A that is to be offered next to customer A. In this case, before executing the determination process in step S306, a process of generating the candidate agreement plan AI-A that is to be offered next is executed.

[0137] Furthermore, in step S412, the determination unit 12 of the negotiation device 10 may determine whether to agree to the candidate agreement plan U-B based on the results of a comparison between the utility of the acquired candidate agreement plan U-B and the utility of the candidate agreement plan AI-B that is to be provided next to supplier B. In this case, before executing the determination process in step S412, a process for generating the candidate agreement plan AI-B that is to be provided next is executed.

[0138] A specific example of this modification will be described. In this specific example, the agreement candidate generation unit 13 generates first-priority and second-priority agreement candidate AI-A as described in Modification 1, and the agreement candidate provision unit 14 transmits the first-priority agreement candidate AI-A to the negotiation device 20A. Furthermore, the agreement candidate acquisition unit 11 receives an agreement candidate U-A from the negotiation device 20A as a counteroffer for the first-priority agreement candidate AI-A. In this case, the determination unit 12 determines that the agreement candidate U-A will be agreed to if the utility of the agreement candidate U-A is higher than the utility of the second-priority agreement candidate AI-A, and determines that the agreement candidate U-A will not be agreed to if this is not the case. Furthermore, if the determination unit 12 determines that the agreement candidate U-A will not be agreed to, the agreement candidate provision unit 14 transmits the second-priority agreement candidate AI-A to the negotiation device 20A. This specific example can be similarly described even if A is replaced with B.

[0139] In step S306, the determination unit 12 may determine whether to agree to the candidate agreement plan UA based on whether the utility of the acquired candidate agreement plan UA exceeds a threshold. In step S412, the determination unit 12 may determine whether to agree to the candidate agreement plan U-B based on whether the utility of the acquired candidate agreement plan U-B exceeds a threshold.

[0140] In this modification, the determination unit 12 of the negotiation device 10 determines whether to agree to the agreement candidates U-A and U-B based on the results of a comparison between the utility of the acquired agreement candidates U-A and U-B and the utility of the agreement candidates AI-A and AI-B that will be next provided to the negotiating parties U-A and U-B. With the above configuration, it is possible to efficiently determine whether to agree to the agreement candidates U-A and U-B.

[0141] [Variation 3] In the above-described exemplary embodiment 3, negotiation device 10, negotiation device 20A, and negotiation device 20B can be modified so as to be included in negotiation platform 80 instead of being configured as separate devices connected via a network. FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing the configuration of negotiation system 200 according to Variation 3. As shown in FIG. 20, negotiation system 200 includes negotiation platform 80, terminal 90A, and terminal 90B. Negotiation platform 80, terminal 90A, and terminal 90B are communicatively connected via a network. Negotiation platform 80 includes negotiation device 10, negotiation device 20A, and negotiation device 20B.

[0142] The negotiation platform 80 is, for example, configured by one or more computers, and realizes the functions of the negotiation device 10, the negotiation device 20A, and the negotiation device 20B by executing programs stored in memory. The negotiation device 20A functions based on the operation of the terminal 90A used by the negotiation entity U-A. The input device 30A and the display device 40A are connected to or built-in the terminal 90A. The negotiation device 20B functions based on the operation of the terminal 90B used by the negotiation entity U-B. The input device 30B and the display device 40B are connected to or built-in the terminal 90B. The negotiation device 10, the negotiation device 20A, and the negotiation device 20B may provide / obtain agreement proposals by sharing them via memory, instead of transmitting / receiving agreement proposals to / from each other via a network. This modification achieves the same effects as the above-described exemplary embodiment 2.

[0143] [Variation 4] In addition, in exemplary embodiment 3, the product is not limited to a tangible item, but may also be an intangible service. In that case, exemplary embodiment 3 can be similarly explained by replacing the above-mentioned terms "vendor," "supplier," etc. with, for example, "subcontractor." Furthermore, negotiations A and B are not limited to negotiations regarding the purchase and sale of goods, but may also be other negotiations involving multiple deadlines. For example, negotiations A and B may be negotiations between multiple negotiating entities in a collaborative work to adjust multiple deadlines set for each process of the collaborative work.

[0144] [Variation 5] In addition, in exemplary embodiment 3, the negotiation device 10 that is the negotiating entity AI may conduct one or both of negotiation A and negotiation B with another negotiation device 10. Furthermore, the negotiation device 20A used by the negotiating entity U-A or UB may conduct negotiations regarding multiple deadlines with the negotiation device 20B used by the negotiating entity UB.

[0145] [Example of Software Implementation] Some or all of the functions of 1, 10, 20A, and 20B (hereinafter referred to as "each device") may be implemented by hardware such as an integrated circuit (IC chip), or by software.

[0146] In the latter case, each device is realized, for example, by a computer that executes instructions of a program, which is software that realizes each function. An example of such a computer (hereinafter referred to as computer C) is shown in Figure 21. Computer C includes at least one processor C1 and at least one memory C2. Memory C2 stores a program P for operating computer C as each device. In computer C, processor C1 reads and executes program P from memory C2, thereby realizing the functions of each device.

[0147] The processor C1 may be, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), a micro processing unit (MPU), a floating point number processing unit (FPU), a physics processing unit (PPU), a tensor processing unit (TPU), a quantum processor, a microcontroller, or a combination thereof. The memory C2 may be, for example, a flash memory, a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), or a combination thereof.

[0148] The computer C may further include a RAM (Random Access Memory) for expanding the program P during execution and for temporarily storing various data. The computer C may also include a communication interface for transmitting and receiving data to and from other devices. The computer C may also include an input / output interface for connecting input / output devices such as a keyboard, a mouse, a display, and a printer.

[0149] The program P can also be recorded on a non-transitory, tangible recording medium M that can be read by the computer C. Such a recording medium M can be, for example, a tape, a disk, a card, a semiconductor memory, or a programmable logic circuit. The computer C can acquire the program P via such a recording medium M. The program P can also be transmitted via a transmission medium. Such a transmission medium can be, for example, a communication network or broadcast waves. The computer C can also acquire the program P via such a transmission medium.

[0150] [Additional Note 1] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. For example, embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in the above-described embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0151] [Additional Note 2] Part or all of the above-described embodiment can also be described as follows: However, the present invention is not limited to the following described aspects.

[0152] (Supplementary Note 1) A negotiation device comprising: an agreement candidate proposal acquisition means for acquiring a first agreement candidate proposal including a plurality of first deadlines provided by a negotiating entity in a negotiation conducted with the negotiating entity, which is a negotiating counterpart; and a determination means for determining whether or not to agree to the first agreement candidate proposal.

[0153] (Supplementary Note 2) The negotiation device of Supplementary Note 1 further includes: a candidate agreement generation means for generating a second candidate agreement including a plurality of second deadlines to be provided to the negotiating parties; and a candidate agreement provision means for providing the second candidate agreement to the negotiating parties.

[0154] (Supplementary Note 3) The negotiation device according to Supplementary Note 2, wherein the agreement candidate acquisition means displays the first agreement candidate and the second agreement candidate on a display device in a comparable manner.

[0155] (Supplementary Note 4) The negotiation device according to Supplementary Note 3, wherein the agreement candidate generation means generates the second agreement candidate based on an operation of editing the first agreement candidate.

[0156] (Supplementary Note 5) The negotiation device described in any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 4, wherein the determination means determines whether to agree to the first candidate agreement proposal based on the results of a comparison between the utility of the first candidate agreement proposal and the utility of a second candidate agreement proposal that is to be next provided to the negotiating parties.

[0157] (Supplementary Note 6) The negotiation device of any one of Supplements 1 to 4, wherein the negotiation is regarding an order for goods from the negotiating entity, the first candidate agreement includes a first proposed quantity of the goods proposed to be delivered in accordance with each of the plurality of first deadlines, and the determination means determines whether to agree to the first candidate agreement based on a comparison result between a first cumulative proposed quantity, which is the sum of the first proposed quantities up to each point in time during a target period that includes the plurality of first deadlines, and a cumulative available inventory quantity of the goods at each point in time during the target period.

[0158] (Supplementary Note 7) The negotiation device of any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 4, wherein the negotiation is regarding an order for goods to the negotiating parties, the first candidate agreement includes first proposed quantities of the goods proposed to be delivered in accordance with each of the plurality of first deadlines, and the determination means determines whether to agree to the first candidate agreement based on a comparison result between a first cumulative proposed quantity, which is the sum of the first proposed quantities up to each point in time during a target period that includes the plurality of first deadlines, and a cumulative required quantity, which is the sum of the required quantities of the goods that will be required up to each point in time during the target period.

[0159] (Supplementary Note 8) The negotiation device described in any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 4, wherein the negotiation is a negotiation regarding the receipt or ordering of goods with the negotiating parties, and the determination means determines whether to agree to the first candidate agreement by referring to the minimum safety stock amount, maximum safety stock amount, safety lead time, standard order unit amount of the goods, or a combination of some or all of these.

[0160] (Supplementary Note 9) The negotiation device of any one of Supplements 2 to 4, wherein the negotiations are regarding an order for goods from the negotiating entity, the first candidate agreement includes a first proposed quantity of the goods proposed to be delivered corresponding to each of the plurality of first deadlines, and the second candidate agreement includes a second proposed quantity of the goods proposed to be delivered corresponding to each of the plurality of second deadlines, and the candidate agreement generation means refers to: a cumulative available inventory of the goods at each point in time during a target period that includes the plurality of first deadlines; and a pre-negotiation cumulative planned delivery quantity that is the sum of planned delivery quantities of the goods to the negotiating entity up to each point in time during the target period that was scheduled before the start of the negotiations; and determines, as at least one of the plurality of second deadlines, a time point at which the cumulative available inventory quantity falls below the pre-negotiation cumulative planned delivery quantity, and determines, as the second proposed quantity corresponding to the second deadline, an amount obtained by subtracting the pre-negotiation cumulative planned delivery quantity from the cumulative available inventory for the second deadline.

[0161] and a pre-negotiation cumulative planned delivery quantity, which is the total of planned delivery quantities of the goods from the negotiating parties up to each of the target periods that include the first first deadlines. The negotiation device of any one of appendices 2 to 4, wherein the negotiations are regarding an order for goods with the negotiating parties, the first candidate agreement includes a first proposed quantity of the goods that is proposed to be delivered in correspondence with each of the plurality of first deadlines, and the second candidate agreement includes a second proposed quantity of the goods that is proposed to be delivered in correspondence with each of the plurality of second deadlines, and the candidate agreement generation means refers to: a cumulative required quantity, which is the total of required quantities of the goods that will be required up to each point in time during a target period that includes the plurality of first deadlines; and a pre-negotiation cumulative planned delivery quantity, which is the total of planned delivery quantities of the goods from the negotiating parties up to each point in time during the target period that was scheduled before the start of the negotiations; and determines, as at least one of the plurality of second deadlines, a time at which the cumulative required quantity exceeds the pre-negotiation cumulative planned delivery quantity, and determines, as the second proposed quantity corresponding to the second deadline, an amount obtained by subtracting the pre-negotiation cumulative planned delivery quantity from the cumulative required quantity.

[0162] (Supplementary Note 11) The negotiation device described in any one of Supplementary Notes 2 to 4, wherein the negotiation is a negotiation regarding the receipt or ordering of goods with the negotiating parties, and the agreement candidate generation means generates the second agreement candidate by referring to the minimum safety stock, maximum safety stock, safety lead time, standard order unit, or a combination of some or all of these, of the goods.

[0163] (Supplementary Note 12) A negotiation device comprising: a candidate agreement generation means for generating a candidate agreement including a plurality of deadlines to be provided to a negotiating entity in a negotiation with the negotiating entity; and a candidate agreement provision means for providing the candidate agreement to the negotiating entity.

[0164] (Supplementary Note 13) A negotiation method comprising: a computer, in a negotiation with a negotiating entity that is a negotiating partner, obtaining a first candidate agreement proposal provided by the negotiating entity, the first candidate agreement proposal including a plurality of first deadlines; and determining whether or not to agree to the first candidate agreement proposal.

[0165] (Supplementary Note 14) A negotiation method comprising: a computer generating a candidate agreement proposal including multiple deadlines to be provided to a negotiating entity in a negotiation with the negotiating entity; and providing the candidate agreement proposal to the negotiating entity.

[0166] (Supplementary Note 15) A program that causes a computer to function as: an agreement candidate proposal acquisition means that acquires a first agreement candidate proposal including a plurality of first deadlines provided by a negotiating entity in a negotiation with the negotiating entity; and a determination means that determines whether or not to agree to the first agreement candidate proposal.

[0167] (Supplementary Note 16) A program that causes a computer to function as: a candidate agreement generation means that generates a candidate agreement including multiple deadlines to be provided to a negotiating entity in a negotiation with the negotiating entity; and a candidate agreement provision means that provides the candidate agreement to the negotiating entity.

[0168] (Supplementary Note 17) A part or all of the above-described embodiments can also be expressed as follows.

[0169] A negotiation device including at least one processor, the processor executing a candidate agreement acquisition process for acquiring a first candidate agreement including a plurality of first deadlines provided by a negotiating entity in a negotiation with a negotiating entity that is a negotiating counterpart, and a determination process for determining whether or not to agree to the first candidate agreement. The negotiation device may further include a memory that stores a program for causing the processor to execute the candidate agreement acquisition process and the determination process. The program may also be recorded on a computer-readable, non-transitory, tangible recording medium.

[0170] (Supplementary Note 18) A part or all of the above-described embodiments can also be expressed as follows.

[0171] A negotiation device including at least one processor that executes a process for generating a candidate agreement proposal, which includes multiple deadlines, to be provided to a negotiating entity in a negotiation with the negotiating entity, and a process for providing the candidate agreement proposal to the negotiating entity. The negotiation device may further include a memory that stores a program for causing the processor to execute the candidate agreement proposal generation process and the candidate agreement proposal provision process. The program may also be recorded on a computer-readable, non-transitory, tangible recording medium.

[0172] 1, 2, 10, 20A, 20B Negotiation device 11, 21A, 21B Agreement candidate acquisition unit 14, 24, 24A, 24B Agreement candidate provision unit 12, 22A, 22B Determination unit 13, 23, 23A, 23B Agreement candidate generation unit 30A, 30B Input device 40A, 40B Display device 80 Negotiation platform 90A, 90B Terminal 100, 200 Negotiation system 110, 210A, 210B Control unit 120, 220A, 220B Storage unit

Claims

1. In a negotiation conducted between a negotiation entity, which is the negotiation counterparty, and the negotiation entity, a consensus candidate acquisition means for acquiring a first consensus candidate proposal including a plurality of first deadlines provided by the negotiation entity; A determination means for determining whether to agree to the first consensus candidate proposal; A negotiation apparatus comprising:

2. A consensus candidate generation means for generating a second consensus candidate proposal including a plurality of second deadlines for providing to the negotiation entity; A consensus candidate providing means for providing the second consensus candidate proposal to the negotiation entity; The negotiation apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

3. The consensus candidate acquisition means displays the first consensus candidate proposal and the second consensus candidate proposal on a display device in a comparable manner. The negotiation apparatus according to claim 2.

4. The consensus candidate generation means generates the second consensus candidate proposal based on an operation of editing the first consensus candidate proposal. The negotiation apparatus according to claim 3.

5. The determination means: Based on a comparison result between the utility of the first consensus candidate proposal and the utility of a second consensus candidate proposal scheduled to be provided to the negotiation entity next, determines whether to agree to the first consensus candidate proposal. The negotiation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. In a negotiation conducted between a negotiation entity, which is the negotiation counterparty, and the negotiation entity, a consensus candidate generation means for generating a consensus candidate proposal including a plurality of deadlines for providing to the negotiation entity; A consensus candidate providing means for providing the consensus candidate proposal to the negotiation entity; A negotiation apparatus comprising:

7. A computer: In a negotiation conducted between a negotiation entity, which is the negotiation counterparty, and the negotiation entity, acquires a first consensus candidate proposal including a plurality of first deadlines provided by the negotiation entity; Determines whether to agree to the first consensus candidate proposal; A negotiation method comprising:

8. A computer: In a negotiation conducted between a negotiation entity, which is the negotiation counterparty, and the negotiation entity, generates a consensus candidate proposal including a plurality of deadlines for providing to the negotiation entity; Provides the consensus candidate proposal to the negotiation entity; A negotiation method comprising:

9. A computer is caused to function as: A consensus candidate acquisition means for acquiring a first consensus candidate proposal including a plurality of first deadlines provided by the negotiation entity in a negotiation conducted between a negotiation entity, which is the negotiation counterparty, and the negotiation entity; A determination means for determining whether to agree to the first consensus candidate proposal; A program.

10. A computer, In a negotiation conducted between the computer and a negotiation entity that is the counterparty in the negotiation, a proposed agreement generation means for generating a proposed agreement including a plurality of deadlines for providing to the negotiation entity; A proposed agreement providing means for providing the proposed agreement to the negotiation entity; A program that functions as.