JP2001243286A - Sales management system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sales management system which is easily operated for merchandises with various items and prices even concerning an electronic commerce. SOLUTION: In the system, a store server is connected to a register terminal, merchandise information is exchanged with the register terminal by using a merchandise database for storing data of the merchandises to be dealt and a stock database for storing the stock numbers of the merchandises and a stock master is updated in accordance with sales. A Web server is connected to the store server via a network and displays a screen for displaying information concerning in-store stock merchandises or a screen for receiving ordering based on the merchandise master and the stock master of the store server in accordance with access from an outer part via an external interface. When the order from an external customer is established, the Web server transmits a reservation transacting number to the customer. The in-store server performs stock mortgage in the stock master in accordance with it.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to sales management including network sales.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the spread of the Internet, commercial use via a network has become active. As e-commerce, for example, mail-order sales via the Internet are rapidly spreading, and products to be sold are also diversified. The customer orders the desired product by viewing the product information from a terminal such as a personal computer connected to a network such as the Internet. The ordered products are delivered by courier. The settlement is performed by a credit card or the like.

[0003]

In some cases, in addition to the usual sales at a store, the same product may be sold via a network in parallel. The processing on the network is different from the conventional sales at a store. Therefore, in the conventional sales management system, the processing at the store and the processing of the transaction via the network are conventionally managed using separate databases, and the processing is performed by integrating the data when necessary. Was. However, when the handling product is not constant and the product price fluctuates due to bargain sale or the like, it is difficult for such a system to support sales via a network.

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a sales management system which can easily operate electronic commerce for products of various items and prices.

[0005]

A sales management system according to the present invention includes a register terminal for processing sales of merchandise in a store, a merchandise database connected to the register terminal via a network, and storing data of merchandise to be handled. A store server that sends and receives product information to and from a register terminal using a stock database that stores the number of stocks of goods, and updates the stock master according to sales, and an external interface that is connected to the store server via a network and sends and receives external data And a web server that displays information about in-store items and an order receiving screen based on the product master and inventory master of the store server in response to external access via the external interface. Become
When the order from the external customer is confirmed, the web server sends the reservation transaction number to the customer, and the store server responds to this and performs inventory reservation in the inventory master. In this sales management system, for example, the merchandise database of the store server includes a single item database including a single item price and an exception database for a special price (sale, section discount, etc.). The store server automatically adopts the lowest price by referring to the single item database and the special price database. In this sales management system, for example, the web server includes an image information database for image information of commodities, and the web server displays a screen for displaying information of in-store inventory commodities with reference to the image information database. Preferably, the screen displayed by the web server includes a screen for searching for a product (including a list display of a plurality of products, a category search, and the like) and an order screen indicating the details of the order. Is the same as the price at. Preferably, when it is determined on the screen displayed by the web server that there is no in-store stock item by the stock master, the absence of stock is displayed in real time. The sales management system preferably further includes a terminal connected to the store server via a network, and the terminal performs maintenance of a product database of the store server. The merchandise database of the store server includes information that is valid immediately and information that is valid at the time of reservation.

[0006]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference symbols indicate the same or equivalent ones. Products handled at supermarkets (including fresh products)
The number of items is large, and the items handled vary constantly from store to store. In addition, there are many price fluctuations for each item for bargain sale, department discount, and the like. For this reason, information on the products handled is maintained at the store, but when selling products at the store via a network such as the Internet,
It is necessary to immediately reflect data fluctuations on products on data on the Internet.

FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a sales management system provided in a supermarket store. The system manages sales in stores and also handles electronic transactions via the Internet. In this system, ordinary PO
Like the S system, the PLU server 10 connects each register terminal 14 and the PC terminal 16 via the Ethernet 12.
Connected to. The PLU server 10 monitors the plurality of register terminals 14, responds to the processing at the cash register by using the PLU master 104, and collects and processes transaction information such as inventory and sales at stores. PLU server 10
In the processing of (1), a single item master DB 100 and a bargain / BM master DB 102 for handled products are used as a database (DB), and a PLU master DB 104, a stock master DB 106, and a product information DB 108 for JAN codes are used. The PC terminal 16 performs maintenance of these databases. The store management system thus configured is a POS system, and immediately inputs detailed product information (data such as product name, price, and customer information) based on the JAN code read by the scanner at the register terminal 14. This is the same as a system that has been operated conventionally in a store.

Further, to handle transactions via the network, a web server 18 is connected to the Ethernet 12 and a router 20 is connected to the web server 18.
If necessary, furthermore, a dedicated line 22 is connected to a business partner (wholesaler) 24.
Is wired between The customer terminal 28 of the customer is connected to the store POS system via the router 26 via the Internet 26. Further, the web server 18 includes a database for electronic transactions. Single item master DB
100 and the bargain / BM master DB 102 are also used for Internet transactions, and the price setting at the store is immediately reflected. That is, the result of the maintenance of the database by the PC terminal 16 is immediately provided to the customer who accesses the Internet 26. The store can access the wholesaler 24 via the dedicated line 22 or the Internet 26 and input product information. In addition, the customer operates the customer terminal 28
Then, the user can access the web server 18, and the web server 18 displays a screen for searching for product information on the home page and a screen for ordering the product. Each of the PLU server 10, the register terminal 14, the PC terminal 16, and the web server 18 includes a storage device such as a CPU and a hard disk device. A program for controlling those operations is stored in the storage device.

In this system, the product master DB1
Reference numeral 00 denotes a single item master DB for single item data.
The fetch timing can be selected from two types: immediate and reservation. In the case of reservation, image information and detailed product description are taken in at the time of reservation. In the maintenance of the stock master DB 106, the stock for each item can be registered, and the in-store stock list quantity can be input. In addition, single item information can be taken in from the product information database 108 or the business partner 24 using a JAN code.

The special sale / BM master DB 102 supports various sales price management such as single item special sale, plan special sale, bundle mix match (BM), and time price. PL
The U server 10 has a single item master DB 100 and a special sale / BM
Using the master DB 102, the cheapest price is automatically set from the various price settings described above. Inventory master D
B106 stores the stock information at the store. The inventory master DB 106 is updated in real time based on the POS sales results. Similarly, the sales result of the Internet transaction is reflected in the inventory master DB 106 in real time. If the store runs out of stock, "Sold Out" is displayed on the order screen of the homepage.

[0011] For network transactions, a function for inquiring customer product information is added. For this reason, the image information master DB 110 is used as a database for the electronic supermarket.
And a detailed product description master DB 112. They are,
Only products that exist in the stock master 106 are maintained. On the maintenance screen of the product master DB 100, an object that captures information for electronic supermarket (image information from the image information DB 110 and detailed product description (if necessary) from the detailed product description DB 112) is pasted. Various kinds of information are mainly taken from the product information DB 108, but if necessary, the supplier UR obtained from the supplier master DB (not shown)
From L, information is taken in from each company's homepage using the JAN code as a key. The acquired information is stored in a database for an electronic supermarket, and the additionally registered products can be sold in real time as an assortment of electronic supermarkets.
Further, a reservation transaction log DB 114 is provided to record Internet transactions with customers.

In this system, a part relating to electronic transactions via a network (such as the Internet) can be incorporated into a conventional POS system and added without affecting existing store system operations. At this time, since the merchandise master DB 100 and the bargain / BM master DB 102, which are basic databases in the store system, are shared, the information is centrally managed. This allows the electronic transaction portion of the system to respond to merchandise information applied at the store in real time. That is, the product master DB
100 and the real-time update of the maintenance of the bargain / BM master DB 102 can be reflected, product image information and the like can be automatically acquired, and thereby, can be linked with the store price. Also,
The operation cost of master DB management can also be reduced.

In this system, in the selling price determination process, even in the electronic super system, the selling price determination process of the existing store system can be shared and centralized management can be performed. In the case of an electronic super system, the selling price control and the PLU processing are operated in conjunction with each other in the PLU master DB 104 at the time of product information inquiry. In determining the selling price,
PLU master DB 104 for multiple unit prices for one product
If it is set to, the cheapest price is adopted. A period is set for BM and bargain sale, and it is not applied outside the period.

For example, in the example shown in FIG.
If two special sale settings with different periods (with time designation and no time designation) are set in duplicate on December 6 from the date, the cheapest price is adopted. The special sale for which the time is designated is executed only for the corresponding time, but is not executed when the price is higher than the special sale without the time designation.

Next, operation in this system will be described.
The person in charge of the store operates the single item master D on the PC terminal 16.
On the maintenance screen of B100, JAN code or supplier U
Based on the RL, product information is taken in from the product information DB 108 or the business partner 24 in the present system, and the product is immediately taken in or the reservation is set from the transaction start date.
In the case of the reservation setting, the loading timing is when the store is closed, etc., and at that time, the batch processing is performed. Thereby, the single item master DB 100 is updated. Further, maintenance of the special sale / BM master DB 102 is performed. Single item master DB100
And the maintenance of the bargain / BM master DB 102 are reflected in network transactions in real time. In addition, inventory master D
The inventory information at the store in B106 is linked to the network transaction in real time. The data in the inventory DB 106 is PO
Both S sales and network transactions are automatically updated.

The customer can access merchandise data of a plurality of stores via the Internet 26. You can search for merchandise on the homepage of any of the stores, and place an order for one of the merchandise at the store for network sales. FIG. 3 shows the processing of the web server. In the case of an order, each customer specifies the store URL from the customer terminal 28, accesses the web server 18 (S10), and browses product information (including image information). The product information inquiry is performed only on the products existing in the stock master DB 106. When the store URL is input, the top screen (FIG. 4) of the homepage of the electronic supermarket of each store is displayed (S12). From the top screen shown, you can see the "Recipe Menu" that displays recommended menus, the "Standard Products" that show products you use every day, the "Entertainment" that guides you through events, the "Special Products" for your discerning lifestyle, and the products by manufacturer. You can move to screens such as "Products by Maker" to be displayed and "Products by categorization" to display products by classification. On the "Entertainment" screen, information on special offers
(Including time sale) is displayed in real time. Products can be searched on the various search screens described above, and various product information inquiries are prepared so that a desired product can be found smoothly, and at this time, the same price information and stock information as the store are provided to the customer in real time. When the customer selects the product search screen, the selected product search screen is displayed (S1).
4). Here, FIG. 5 shows a screen of “commodity by category” which is one type of search result list screen. The classification is displayed on the left side of the screen, and information on the product of the selected classification is displayed on the right side. Here, a plurality of chocolate products are displayed with images (in the figure, A and B are portions representing product images obtained from the image information DB). If no image information exists, a default image such as "Under preparation" is displayed. The price displayed on the screen is the price (normal, special sale, BM, time sale, member price) currently set at the store such as today's special sale information. At this time, the lowest unit price in the purchase price is automatically displayed with priority. That is, as the price, the lowest price is automatically picked up by referring to the PLU master DB 104. In this example, “out of stock” is displayed on the upper product (“A” chocolate) assuming that the remaining number is 0. That is, at the time of display, store inventory information is acquired in real time from the inventory master DB 106, and the remaining number is confirmed. At the time of ordering, an order screen (FIG. 6) is displayed (S16), and the customer inputs desired products, quantity, etc. on the order screen. Next, a list of purchased products is displayed on the order confirmation screen (FIG. 7), and the customer registers his / her mail address and the like when the order is confirmed. The store performs the processing described later, and the customer's purchase decision is immediately reflected in the store database. Please note that once confirmed reservation sales,
Cannot be revoked. If you want to cancel, go to the store and cancel at the POS side.

The store performs the following processing. When the customer's order is confirmed, inventory reservation is performed for the product ordered as "reserved sales record", and if there is inventory, a picking list is output (S18). Next, data is output to the reservation transaction log 114 as a reservation sale (S20), and a reservation transaction number is returned to the customer by e-mail (S22). FIG. 8 shows a screen for transmitting the reservation transaction number. Here, a reservation transaction number is used to represent a customer order (reservation transaction). Next, as inventory reservation, single item inventory reservation is performed on the inventory DB 106 (S24).

As shown in FIG. 9, in the PLU server 10, when the customer comes to the store to pick up the merchandise, the register terminal 14 calls the transaction contents from the reservation transaction log 114 using the reservation transaction number as a key (S30). The product is delivered and settled (S32). (Incidental payment, home delivery, etc. may be adopted.) Although the above-described embodiment relates to a supermarket, as will be understood by those skilled in the art, the present invention relates to sales in industries other than the supermarket. It can be applied to management.

[0019]

Since the merchandise master and the stock master of the store server are used for centralized management, data (price, stock, etc.) of the merchandise handled in the store can be reflected in electronic transactions in real time. By maintaining the database of the store server, valid data at the store can be immediately displayed on the electronic transaction screen.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a sales management system.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining sales price setting.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a web server.

[Fig. 4] Diagram of top screen

FIG. 5 is a diagram of an example of a product search screen.

FIG. 6 shows an example of an order screen.

FIG. 7 is a diagram of an order confirmation screen

FIG. 8 is a diagram of a screen for transmitting a reservation transaction number.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a PLU server.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 PLU server, 14 cashier terminal, 18
Web server, 20 internet, 28
Customer terminal, 100 single item database, 102
Special sale / BM database, 106 inventory database, 114 reservation transaction log.

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A register terminal for processing sales of merchandise in a store, a register terminal connected to the register terminal via a network, and using a merchandise database for the handled merchandise and an inventory database for storing the number of stocks of the merchandise. A store server that sends and receives information and updates the inventory master according to sales, an external interface that is connected to the store server via the network and sends and receives information to and from the outside, Based on the product master and inventory master on the store server,
It consists of a screen that displays information about in-store items and a web server that displays a screen to receive orders. When an order from an external customer is confirmed, the web server sends a reservation transaction number to the customer, and the store server, A sales management system that performs inventory allocation in the inventory master in response to this. 2. The merchandise database of the store server includes a single item database including a single item price and a special price database for a special price, and the store server automatically refers to the single item database and the special price database to determine the lowest price. The sales management system according to claim 1, wherein the sales management system is adapted to be employed. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the web server includes an image information database for image information of the product, and the web server displays a screen for displaying information of the in-store stock item with reference to the image information database. Item 1
Sales management system described in. 4. A screen displayed by the web server includes a screen for searching for a product and an order screen showing the contents of an order, and the price displayed on the screen is the same as the price at the store. The sales management system according to claim 2. 5. The sales management system according to claim 4, wherein when the stock master determines that there is no stock in the store, the screen displayed by the web server indicates that there is no stock. . 6. The sales management system according to claim 1, further comprising a terminal connected to the store server via a network, and capable of performing maintenance of a product database of the store server using the terminal.