Inventory Management Server for Labor-Saving Stores
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inventory management systems fail to efficiently manage products with a short sell-by date in labor-saving stores where no employee is stationed, as they lack real-time monitoring and management capabilities.
Innovation Solution
An inventory management server system that generates expiration information based on stock quantities and sell-by dates, sets transmission timing based on employee movement time or distance, and notifies store terminals to facilitate timely product replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automated inventory management is implemented in labor-saving stores, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inventory management system automatically monitors stock quantities, calculates movement requirements, and generates notifications without human intervention. The server performs self-service by autonomously managing the entire inventory tracking process from data collection to employee notification, eliminating the need for manual inventory checks while maintaining system simplicity through automated workflows
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-calculates optimal movement quantities and timing based on sell-by dates and historical data before actual inventory issues arise. By performing preliminary actions such as predicting expiration risks and preparing notification schedules in advance, the system improves responsiveness without requiring complex real-time decision-making structures
2Reliability
If real-time monitoring is implemented, then reliability of inventory management is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic monitoring at strategically determined intervals rather than continuous monitoring. The server checks inventory status at intervals based on product characteristics, sell-by dates, and risk levels, reducing energy consumption while maintaining reliable detection of expiration risks through scheduled assessment cycles
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces physical continuous monitoring mechanisms with electronic data processing and automated calculations. By substituting mechanical monitoring with server-based computational analysis of inventory data, the system achieves high reliability in tracking product freshness while consuming minimal energy through efficient algorithms rather than continuous physical sensing
3Loss of time
If timely notifications are sent to employees, then loss of time is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system establishes a feedback loop where inventory status changes automatically trigger calculated notifications to employees. The server continuously monitors stock levels and sell-by dates, provides feedback through timed notifications when intervention is needed, and adjusts future notifications based on response patterns and inventory turnover, reducing time loss through automated feedback mechanisms without requiring complex manual intervention systems
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts notification timing and content parameters based on product characteristics, remaining shelf life, and historical data. By changing parameters such as notification lead time, urgency levels, and target employee selection based on real-time inventory parameters, the system optimizes response time while keeping the notification logic manageable through parameter-based decision rules rather than complex algorithms
Data Source
AI summary
An inventory management server according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises: a memory; and at least one processor coupled to the memory, the at least one processor performing operations to: generate expiration information including information for specifying a product and information for specifying a branch store that sells the product based on a stock quantity of the product in the branch store in which an employee of a flagship store replaces a plurality of products and a sell-by date of the product; set a timing to transmit the expiration information to a store terminal based on at least either a movement time or a movement distance from a position of the employee to the branch store that sells the product, and the sell-by date related to the product; and notify the store terminal of the expiration information based on the set timing.