JP2002265058A - Physical distribution support system, physical distribution support apparatus, physical distribution support method, program for executing the above and record medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To support circulation of commodity in which the commodity is stored as a stock on commission from a client, and according to an order from a customer, the commodity ordered by the customer is delivered from a physical distribution center. SOLUTION: In this physical distribution support system, order information from the customer is processed interlocking with inventory control on the commodity. The system is formed by a commodity circulation support apparatus 1 capable of performing information exchange with the client 2, a banking agency 3, an ordering destination 4, the physical distribution center 5 and the customer 6. The commodity circulation support apparatus 1 receives order information from the customer 6, confirms a demand for payment of charge and receipt through the banking agency 3, sends shipping information for forwarding the ordered commodity to the physical distribution center 5, sends order information for supplementing the commodity in short to the ordering destination 4 when the commodity inventory of the physical distribution center 5 is short, and receives the storehouse information on the commodity delivered to the physical distribution center 5.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a merchandise distribution support system, a merchandise distribution support device, a merchandise distribution support method, a program for executing these, and a recording medium. More specifically, by performing an order for a product order from a customer, delivery of a product according to the order, management of product inventory, billing and collection of the price of the delivered product using a common information record,
The present invention relates to a merchandise distribution support system, a merchandise distribution support apparatus, a merchandise distribution support method, and a program and a recording medium for executing these, which can reduce processing time, labor, and merchandise storage costs.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the development of communication means, in addition to the conventional product distribution form in which a customer visits a store and takes home a product, the customer places an order for the product by viewing product information such as a catalog, a television program, and a Web page. In addition, a merchandise distribution mode that does not depend on stores is used, in which merchandise is delivered to the customer in accordance with the order. In the latter type of product distribution, the price is generally paid by postal transfer, bank transfer, or credit card settlement.

[0003]

However, in order to realize the above-described merchandise distribution form that does not depend on stores, merchandise sellers / suppliers such as stores and manufacturers must provide merchandise information to customers. Catalogs, TV commercials, information providing means such as our company website, order receiving means such as a call center for receiving orders from customers, and distribution means such as distribution centers for storing products and delivering them to customers according to orders. It is necessary to prepare fee processing means such as an office for billing and collecting the price of the delivered goods. In order to prepare and operate and maintain all of these means in-house, the burden on human resources and costs is too large, and in many cases it is outsourced.

[0004] When realizing a product distribution form that does not depend on a store by outsourcing, it is often the case that individual outsourcing is performed to a call center agent or a distribution company. In such a case, information exchange between each company (for example, The order received at the call center is transmitted to a logistics company, and the order is transmitted to an office for bill processing. In such a case, each company has its own data structure (items that compose data, description format, etc.) that is suitable for their business.
In many cases, it is necessary to process and correct data sent from other companies, which often hinders the speeding up of the process from receiving an order to delivery of goods. Was.

[0005] Further, in such a commodity distribution form, it is also possible to accumulate and record information such as an order for a commodity to collect data usable for marketing analysis. By analyzing this data using so-called data mining techniques, it is possible to statistically clarify, for example, what attributes customers often want and at what time, and provide more detailed marketing Although it is possible to carry out activities, there is a problem in that information such as ordering products has not been used in the past.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and has the following means to allow a client such as a manufacturer or a wholesaler to carry out business consignment. While receiving the requester's products as stock at a distribution center (distribution warehouse), a technology for supporting the distribution of products that executes delivery of products according to the order from the distribution center in response to an order from a customer. It is intended to be realized.

The invention according to claim 1 receives order information from a customer, generates shipping information for shipping a product based on the order information, and sends the product to the customer based on the shipping information. For this purpose, the system records merchandise inventory information indicating the stock status of merchandise in a distribution center, and the system generates the shipping information based on the merchandise inventory information.

In such a system, the merchandise inventory information is linked to the merchandise order processing / shipping processing, so that inventory management can be performed so as to minimize excess or deficiency of merchandise inventory. The "system" is used to indicate a group of hardware composed of terminals used by those involved in the distribution of products such as a client and a customer and information processing devices connected to the terminals by communication means.

The invention according to claim 4 comprises an order management unit, an inventory management unit, and a bill management unit. The order management unit temporarily registers the order information and sends the order information to the bill management unit. When the notification that the provisional registration has been performed is received, and in response to the notification, the notification that the payment and approval are obtained from the billing management unit,
It has a function of performing full registration of the order and sending shipping information to the inventory management unit. Upon receiving shipping instruction information from the order receiving / ordering management unit, the inventory management unit uses the product inventory information to order the product. Is checked to see if there is a required number, and if so, instructs the customer to deliver the specified number of products,
In the case where there is no product, at least the order information requesting the insufficient number of the relevant products is generated, and when the product is received, the inventory information is updated based on the generated order information. Inquires whether the amount of the charge generated according to the order information from the company has been paid, or confirms the approval of the amount of the charge, and completes the registration of the order when it receives notification of payment or approval of payment A product distribution support device having a function of sending information of an instruction to the effect to the order management unit.

[0010] In this device, the order management unit and the inventory management unit cooperate to execute the order processing, the inventory management, and the merchandise shipping process. It is also possible to reduce the time required from the receipt of an order to the delivery of a product. Further, such a device has a billing management unit cooperating with an order management unit and an inventory management unit. The billing management unit confirms the payment of the customer and charges the client, so that the uncollectible payment claims can be collected. It is possible to prevent the occurrence beforehand and to release the client from the payment collection work.

The invention according to claims 3, 5 and 7 stores information on customers, the order information, and the shipping information, and narrows down customers using at least one of the stored information. And providing direct marketing information to the narrowed down customers.

[0012] In such a system, along with the operation of the merchandise distribution support system, data such as which customers need which merchandise, what merchandise, at what time and in what quantity are collected. By analyzing such data and providing the product information according to the attributes of the customer, it becomes possible to execute marketing activities such as product sales promotion without losing the opportunity to win at low cost.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. [1. First Embodiment]

(1.1. Overall Configuration Example) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration example of a first embodiment of a product distribution support system according to the present invention. The merchandise distribution support system is a system for processing order information from a customer in conjunction with the inventory management of the merchandise. The system includes a client 2, a financial institution 3, an order receiving party 4, a distribution center 5, and a customer 6 and information. It is composed of a replaceable product distribution support device 1.

The product distribution support device 1 is an information processing device, such as a computer or a workstation. The merchandise distribution support device 1 receives order information from the customer 6 for the merchandise handled by the client 2, confirms billing / receipt of the price via the financial institution 3, and notifies the distribution center 5 to the customer 6 according to the order. The shipping information is sent so as to ship the ordered product. If the inventory of the distribution center 5 is insufficient, the ordering information for replenishing the missing product is sent to the supplier 4 and the ordering information is sent. And functions to receive the stock information of the goods placed in the distribution center 5 from the supplier 4 in response to the request.

Here, the "client" refers to a person who sells goods using the commodity distribution support apparatus 1 according to the present invention (either a natural person or a corporation. The same applies to the "person" hereinafter). For example, a manufacturer, a wholesaler, a retailer, and the like of a product. Also, "customer"
A person who purchases a product using the article distribution support device 1 is, for example, a wholesale seller, a retail seller, or an end-user. The term "financial institution" refers to an institution that receives payment information from a customer and performs payment processing of the product price in accordance with the information, such as a bank, a post office, and a credit card company. The "order destination" refers to a person or facility that delivers a specified quantity of a product specified in accordance with the order information, such as a manufacturer, a producer, a factory, a printing shop, and the like of the product. "Distribution center"
In addition to storing the product, the required number of products are taken out of the stored product according to the shipping information and delivered to the customer 6,
A person or facility that receives the goods delivered from the supplier and stores them.

The requester and the ordering party do not necessarily have to be separate, and these two may be integrated.
For example, there is a case where a client company sells a product, has a product production factory in the company, and sends the product to the distribution center 5 from the production factory.

In the figure, only one client 2, one financial institution 3, one customer 4, a distribution center 5, and one customer 6 are shown for convenience of illustration. , The ordering party 4, the distribution center 5, and the customer 6 may be connected to the same product distribution support apparatus 1 so that information can be exchanged.

The merchandise distribution support apparatus 1 can exchange information with a client 2, a financial institution 3, an order receiving party 4, a distribution center 5, and a customer 6. As a means of this information exchange,
A terminal device disposed at each of the client 2, the financial institution 3, the ordering party 4, the distribution center 5 and the customer 6, and a communication line connecting the terminal device and the product distribution support device 1 may be used. The terminal device is an information processing device capable of data communication, and is, for example, a personal computer equipped with communication software such as browser software. The communication line is a communication line capable of transmitting data, and may be a wired or wireless communication line.

The client 2, the financial institution 3, the supplier 4,
As a means for transmitting information from the distribution center 5 and the customer 6 to the product distribution support device 1, various kinds of information may be transferred to the product distribution support device 1 using a paper medium such as an input slip, a slip, a fax, or a voice signal by telephone. It may be. In such a case, an input device such as a keyboard is provided in the product distribution support device 1, and an operator inputs information using the input device.

The merchandise distribution support apparatus 1 sends various information to the client 2, the financial institution 3, the ordering party 4, the distribution center 5 and the like by using a paper medium such as an order slip, a shipping table, a slip, and a postcard, or voice over a telephone. It may be sent to the customer 6. in this case,
An output device such as a printer is provided in the product distribution support device 1,
Print out the order slip, shipping table, slip, postcard, send it to the other party,
Alternatively, an output device such as an artificial voice generation device is provided in the product distribution support device 1, and the information is converted into voice and sent to the other party via a telephone line or the like.

(1.1.1. Configuration Example of Product Distribution Support Apparatus 1) Next, a configuration example of the product distribution support apparatus 1 included in the above-mentioned product distribution support system will be described with reference to FIG.

The merchandise distribution support device 1 includes a bill management unit 11
, An order management unit 12, an inventory management unit 13, and a customer database (hereinafter, customer DB) 14
, An inventory database (hereinafter, inventory DB) 15, an order database (hereinafter, order DB) 16, a product database (hereinafter, customer DB) 17, a receivable database (hereinafter, receivable DB) 18, a client database ( Hereinafter, a database unit 10 including a client DB 19 and a supplier database (hereinafter, supplier DB) 20 is provided. The bill management unit 11, the order management unit 12, and the inventory management unit 13 are configured by, for example, a program storage unit (not shown) and an arithmetic processing unit that executes an external road crumb. Customer DB 14, inventory DB 15, order DB 16, product D
B17, receivables DB18, client DB19, supplier DB2
The database unit 10 including 0 is configured by a recording medium capable of storing information in a readable and writable manner, and is configured by a magnetic storage device such as a hard disk, a semiconductor storage device such as a memory, and the like. Although the name "database" has been used for these, any means (for example, a file) capable of storing data in a predetermined data format may be used, and is not necessarily configured by a database system.

Next, components of the product distribution support apparatus 1 will be described.

(1.1.1.1. Billing management unit 11, order management unit 12, inventory management unit 13) The billing management unit 11 includes a billing amount generated according to order information from the customer 6. In addition to providing the customer with the billing information, inquiring of the financial institution 3 whether the billed amount has been paid or requesting approval of the billed amount, and receiving a notice of the payment or approval of the payment, It functions to give an instruction to perform the main registration.

The order management unit 12 receives the order information from the customer 6, temporarily registers the order information, notifies the bill management unit that the temporary registration has been performed, and issues a payment / approval from the bill management unit. Upon receipt of the notification that the information has been obtained, it has a function of performing full registration of the order and sending shipping information to the inventory management unit.

Upon receiving the shipment information from the order management unit, the inventory management unit 13 checks the inventory and checks whether or not the ordered product is in a required quantity. An instruction is given to deliver the specified number of products, and if not, an order is placed to send the specified number of products to the distribution center 5 to the ordering party 4 who handles the products, and the products are received at the distribution center 5. If it is done, it has the function of storing it.

The bill management unit 11, the order management unit 12, and the inventory management unit 13 each execute a program for executing the function, a storage device storing the program, read the program from the storage device, and execute the program. And an arithmetic unit that performs the calculation.

(1.1.1.2. Customer DB 14, Inventory D)
B15, order DB16, product DB17, bond DB18,
(Client DB 19, Ordering Party DB 20) Next, a description will be given, with reference to FIGS. 2 to 8, of a function and a configuration example of each database included in the product distribution support device 1. FIG.

The customer DB 14 has a function of storing in a readable and writable manner customer information including a customer identifier (customer ID) for uniquely identifying a customer and a delivery address of the customer associated with the customer identifier. FIG. 2 shows a configuration example of the customer DB 14. In this example, one record (201, 202,...) Is created for one customer. Each record is
Customer ID field 21, Name field 22, Date of birth field 23, Address field 24, Postal code field 25, Gender field 26, Occupation field 2
7, an electronic mail address field 28, a credit card field 29, etc., and data corresponding to each field is stored. In addition, customer ID
Is generated by a device or means (not shown) having an ID management function when a customer is registered in the customer DB 14, and is preferably assigned to the device or means.

For the data stored in the other fields 22 to 29, it is preferable to use the information provided by the customer 6. For example, according to the input screen displayed on the customer terminal used by the customer 6, the name, the date of birth,
The user may be prompted to input an address or the like, and the input data may be received and stored in the customer DB 14, or, if a paper medium such as a registration sheet on which the customer data is described is used, the product distribution support device 1 These may be input from an unillustrated input device provided in and stored in the customer DB 14.

The stock DB 15 has a function of storing stock information such as what products are stored in the distribution center 5 in what quantity and where. FIG. 3 shows the inventory DB 15
An example of the configuration will be described. In this example, one record (301, 302,...) Is created for one type of product. Each record has a product ID field 31, a storage location code field 32, a quantity field 33, and the like, and data corresponding to each field is stored. The storage location code is information for specifying one in the distribution center, and is information for picking up a product based on this code. Further, the number is information corresponding to the number of the commodities stored in the distribution center, and is updated each time a warehouse is moved in and out. The product ID corresponds to a product ID stored in the product DB 17 described later.

The order receiving DB 16 has a function of readable and writable storing order information indicating which customer ordered which product and which quantity. FIG. 4 shows a configuration example of the order DB 16. In this example, one record (401, 402,...) Is created for one order. Each record has an order ID field 41 and a customer ID field 4
2, a product ID field 43, a quantity field 44, a delivery deadline field 45, and the like, and data corresponding to each field is stored.

The order ID is information for specifying an order. In association with the order ID, a customer ID for specifying the customer who placed the order, a product ID for specifying the ordered product,
By storing the ordered quantity and the delivery deadline date (depending on the customer's designation, etc.) indicating when the delivery must be made, information on which customer ordered which product and in which quantity is recorded.

The product DB 17 is a product identifier (product ID) for uniquely identifying a product, and product information associated with the product ID. The destination has a function of storing product information indicating someone or the like in a readable and writable manner. FIG. 5 shows the product DB
17 shows a configuration example. In this example, one record (501, 502,...) Is created for one type of product. Each record includes a product ID field 51, a client ID field 52, a supplier ID field 53,
It has a unit price field 54, a product name field 45, a type field 56, and the like, and stores data corresponding to each field. The product ID is information for uniquely specifying a product, and a new ID is generated each time a record is generated. The client ID is used to specify to which client 2 the payment of the ordered product is to be transferred. For example, the supplier ID is used when the product is insufficient in the inventory of the distribution center 5. The unit price is used, for example, to specify whether to order the product that is lacking in the first place, and the unit price is used, for example, for calculating the amount charged to the customer 6. These data may be supplied from the client 2 through a terminal device or a request form.

The receivable DB 18 stores the customer 6 generated by the order.
It has a function of recording the claim information for specifying the monetary claim for. FIG. 6 shows a configuration example of the bond DB 18. In the figure, one record (601, 6
02, ...) is made. Each record has a credit ID field 61, an order ID field 62, a billing amount field 63, a payment confirmation flag field 64, and the like, and data corresponding to each field is stored.

The bond ID is information for uniquely specifying a bond, and a new ID is generated each time a record is generated. The order ID field 62 stores an order ID as the basis of the receivable. The billing amount field 63 stores a billing amount calculated with reference to the value of the number field of the order DB 16 and the unit price field of the product DB 17. In the payment confirmation flag field 64, information as to whether or not the customer has paid for the receivable is recorded. For example, “0” indicating unpaid is recorded as an initial value, and when payment is made, “0” is rewritten to “1”.

The client DB 19 stores a client identifier (client ID) for uniquely identifying the client 2 and the client ID.
Has a function of storing in a readable and writable manner customer information including an address, a transfer destination account, etc. FIG. 7 shows a configuration example of the client DB 19. In this example, one record (701, 702,
…) Is made. Each record has a client ID field 71, a name field 72, an address field 73, a zip code field 74, a bank code field 75 for specifying a transfer destination account, a branch number field 76, an account number field 77, and the like. Data corresponding to each field is stored. Since it has such information, by referring to the client DB 19,
It is possible to send documents and the like to the client 2, and to transfer the money collected from the customer 6 to the corresponding client 2 account.

The supplier DB 20 stores a supplier identifier (supplier ID) for uniquely identifying the supplier 4 and the supplier ID.
Has a function of storing in a readable and writable manner the ordering party information including an address, an e-mail address, etc.
FIG. 8 shows a configuration example of the supplier DB 20. In this example, one record (801, 8
02, ...) is made. Each record includes a supplier ID field 81, a name field 82, and an address field 8
3, a postal code field 84, an e-mail address field 85, etc., and data corresponding to each field is stored. Having these pieces of information, the supplier 4 can be referred to by referring to the supplier DB 20.
It is possible to mail the order slip to the customer or send the order information by e-mail.

The customer DB 14, the stock DB 15, the order DB 16, the product DB 17, the bond DB 18, and the client DB 1
9. The order destination DB 20 is configured by a storage device that stores information in an electrically, temporally, or optically readable and writable manner, such as a hard disk device and a semiconductor storage device.

The product distribution support device 1 is shown as one device in the figure. However, the constituent elements such as the billing management unit 11, the order management unit 12, the inventory management unit 13, and the customer D
The B14, the stock DB 15, the order DB 16, and the product DB 17 do not necessarily need to be physically located in the same device, and are remotely connected to each other in a device group (for example, a network). (A plurality of computers having a communication function connected via the Internet). For example, the bill management unit 11 is constituted by a computer arranged in an office center, the order management unit 12 is constituted by a computer arranged in a call center, and the stock management unit 13 is constituted by a computer arranged in a distribution center. Each of the databases 14 to 17 may be configured by a computer arranged in an office center, and each computer may be connected by a wireless or wired line.

Further, the product distribution support apparatus 1 may be realized as a server connected to a network such as WWW. In this case, the merchandise distribution support device 1 is configured to be connected via a network to terminal devices (not shown) disposed at each of the client 2, the financial institution 3, the supplier 4, the distribution center 5, and the customer 6. I do. These terminal devices are constituted by computer devices equipped with so-called browser software such as Microsoft Internet Explorer (trademark) or other communication software, and each information such as the order information, shipping information, order information, and warehousing information. May be configured to be transmitted and received between the product distribution support device 1 and each terminal device according to a communication protocol such as TCP / IP or HTTP.

Alternatively, information transmission / reception between the product distribution support apparatus 1 and the client 2, the financial institution 3, the ordering party 4, the distribution center 5, and the customer 6 is performed by using a postcard, an order slip, a slip, an invoice, a mark sheet table, The processing may be performed using a paper medium such as a fax. In this case, the product distribution support device 1
It further includes an output device (for example, a printer) for outputting such information to a paper medium and an input device (for example, a keyboard, an OCR, a barcode reader) for inputting information described on the paper medium.

Further, the merchandise distribution support device 1 and the client 2,
The transmission and reception of each piece of information between the financial institution 3, the ordering party 4, the distribution center 5, and the customer 6 may be performed by a voice signal by a telephone or the like. In this case, for example, the merchandise distribution support device 1 includes an input terminal device operated by an operator, and the operator who receives a voice signal such as a telephone inputs information from the input terminal device based on the content. To be configured.

(1.2. Configuration Example and Operation of Each Component)
Next, a configuration example of each component and its operation will be described.

(1.2.1. Configuration Example and Operation Example of Order Management Unit) First, a configuration example and operation example of the order management unit 12 will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the order management unit 12, and FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a part of the product distribution support method executed by the order management unit 12.

The order management unit 12 receives the order information from a terminal device (not shown) used by the customer 2 or an input terminal device (not shown) of the merchandise distribution support device 1 which functions as an order information input device. An order information receiving section 91 to be passed to the order information temporary registering section 92 and an order information receiving section 91 which receives the order information from the order information receiving section 91, registers the order information in the order DB 16, and sends the order temporary registering information to the billing management section 11. An order information main registration unit 93 which receives payment / approval confirmation information from the billing management unit 11, registers the received information in the order DB 16, and sends a shipping information generation instruction to the shipping instruction information generating unit 94; Information main registration unit 93
And a shipping instruction information generating unit 94 that generates shipping information in accordance with an instruction from the server and sends the generated shipping information to the inventory management unit 13. The order information receiving section 91 is connected to the customer DB 14 in a readable and writable manner.

The order information input device is a means corresponding to a terminal device for a customer when the customer sends the order information as an electric signal through a network, and the customer sends the order information on a paper medium (such as an order slip). In this case, it is means corresponding to an input terminal operated by an operator or the like.

The order information is information indicating an order for a product from a customer, and is information including, for example, a customer ID, a product ID, and the number of products. When the order information receiving unit 91 receives such order information (S1001), the order information receiving unit 91 refers to the customer DB 14 and searches whether or not the customer is an unregistered customer using the customer ID as a key (S10).
02). If there is no record including the customer ID in the customer DB 14, a new customer ID is assigned to the customer DB 14 as a new customer, and information (name, date of birth, etc.) to be input to the fields 22 to 29 as shown in FIG. And the like are acquired from the customer and stored, and a new record is generated to register the customer (S100).
3).

When it is determined by referring to the customer DB 14 that the customer is a registered customer, or when the customer is registered (S10
When step 03) is completed, the order information receiving unit 91 sends the order information to the order information temporary registration unit 92.

The order information provisional registration section 92 which receives this
Accesses the order DB 16 and assigns a new order ID to generate a new record in the order DB 16 and stores information corresponding to each of the fields 42 to 45 as shown in FIG. Perform temporary registration (S1
004).

Next, the order information provisional registration unit 92 inquires of the billing management unit 11 whether or not payment or approval of payment has been approved for the receivables generated for the order.

When the payment has been made or the payment has been approved, the confirmation information is sent from the billing management section 11, the order information main registration section 93 receives the information, and the order DB 16 receives the payment for the order. The fact that there is is recorded, and the order information is fully registered (S1007).

On the other hand, if the payment has not been made or the payment has not been approved, the customer is notified of the payment (S1006). Alternatively, a message to refuse to accept the order may be sent to the customer.

The shipping instruction information generation unit 94 receives the notification that the main registration has been performed from the order information main registration unit 93, or searches the order DB 16 at regular intervals to determine that the main registration has been performed. When it is known, a record corresponding to the paid order is extracted from the order DB 16, shipping instruction information is generated based on this, and the shipping instruction information is sent to the inventory management unit 13 (S1008). This shipping instruction information includes a product ID, a customer ID, quantity information, and the like so as to determine how many products are to be sent to which customers.

(1.2.2 Configuration Example and Operation of Inventory Management Unit) Next, a configuration example and operation of the inventory management unit 13 will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an inventory management unit, and FIG.
5 is a flowchart illustrating a part of a product distribution support method executed by the inventory management unit 13.

The inventory management unit 13 includes an inventory check unit 1101 for receiving shipping instruction information from the order management unit 12,
A shipping processing unit 1102 that receives shipping processing permission information from the inventory checking unit 1101 and issues a shipping processing instruction to a shipping information transmission device (not shown), and receives order processing permission information from the inventory checking unit 1101 and performs an order processing to the order information transmission device. An order processing unit 1103 for giving an instruction and receiving information from a not-shown receiving information input device are received, and the inventory DB 15
And a storage processing unit 1104 for updating the information.

The shipping information transmitting device is, for example, a terminal device arranged in the distribution center 5 communicably connected to the product distribution supporting device 1 via a communication line or the like, or shipping information for printing. A printing device for printing documents such as slips. The order information transmission device is, for example, a terminal device connected to the product distribution support device 1 via a communication line or the like and arranged in the order receiving party 4 or an order slip by printing order information. Printing device for printing documents such as documents. The storage information input device is connected to the product distribution support device 1 via a communication line or the like, and is communicably connected to the terminal device disposed in a distribution center or a storage device based on a document on which storage information is printed. An input terminal for converting information into electronic data.

When the shipping instruction information is sent from the shipping instruction information generating section 94 of the order receiving / managing section 12, the inventory checking section 1101 receives it (S1201). The inventory check unit 1101 reads the product ID and the number from the shipping instruction information, compares them with the data in the inventory DB 15, and checks whether the inventory of the product is sufficient for the shipment (S1202). ).

If the required number is satisfied, the inventory check unit 1101 instructs the shipping processing unit 1102 to perform shipping processing.

The shipping processing unit 1102 receiving the instruction
Generates the delivery information and sends the delivery information to the shipping information transmission device (S1206). The delivery information is information indicating which merchandise and how many are to be sent to which customer. Upon receiving the delivery information, the shipping information transmission device displays a delivery instruction message on a display device, outputs a shipping slip, and prompts an operator or the like to perform processes such as picking up and packing a product, applying a delivery slip, and the like. .

The shipping processing unit 1102 updates the inventory DB 15 so that the number of the products in the inventory DB is reduced by the number of products shipped (S1207).

On the other hand, if the stock quantity is smaller than the required quantity, the stock checking unit 1101 passes the product ID and the shortage quantity to the order processing unit 1103 and places an order for issuing a request to deliver the product to the ordering party. An instruction is given to perform the processing (S1203).

The order processing unit 1103 operates the order information transmitting device so as to transmit information to the supplier 4 that handles the product by referring to the product DB 17 and the supplier DB 20 based on the instruction. . For example, if the supplier 4
For example, an e-mail in which the product number and the number are described is transmitted, and a slip addressed to the ordering party is output.

When the merchandise is delivered from the supplier 4, the number of merchandise and the number of the merchandise are input from the warehousing information input device, and the warehousing processing unit 1104 receives the information.
Updates the inventory DB 15 so as to increase the number of the products in the inventory DB by the number of goods received (S1204,
S1205).

By managing the inventory as described above, the product can be shipped without delay in response to the order of the product from the customer 6, and the inventory can be stored in time for the delivery of the product to the customer. Replenishment can be performed.

(1.2.3 Configuration Example and Operation of Billing Management Unit) Next, a configuration example and operation of the billing management unit 13 will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is a schematic block diagram showing a configuration example of the bill management unit 11, and FIG.
6 is a flowchart for explaining a part of the product distribution support method executed by the bill management unit 11.

The billing management section 11 receives the temporary registration information from the order information temporary registration section 92 of the order management section 12 and confirms or pays the deposit corresponding to the temporary registration to the financial institution 3 according to the information. When the payment / authorization confirmation information requesting unit 1301 for requesting the approval and the payment / authorization confirmation information for confirming the payment or approving the payment are returned from the financial institution 3, the payment / authorization confirmation information is received, A deposit / authorization confirmation information receiving unit 1302 having a function of sending this to the order information main registering unit 93 of the order receiving / managing unit 12;
A collection price processing unit 1303 that sends an instruction to the financial institution 3 to transfer the price collected from the customer 6 to the account of the client 2 with reference to B18 and the client DB 19.

When the deposit / authorization confirmation information requesting unit 1301 receives the temporary registration information, the deposit / authorization confirmation information requesting unit 1301 is generated in the debt DB 18 for each debt as shown in FIG. Register the record (S1
402). Further, a payment / approval confirmation information requesting unit 1301
Makes an inquiry to the financial institution 3 as to whether the customer has paid for the receivable or whether the payment is approved (S1403). For example, when the payment of the customer 6 is made by bank transfer, the financial institution 3 (in this case, a bank having the account) determines whether or not the designated account has been transferred from the customer 6 to the amount corresponding to the billed amount. If the payment is made by a credit card, the financial institution (in this case, a credit card company) is inquired of the customer 6, the card number, etc., and inquired whether the payment by the credit card is approved.

When the financial institution 3 returns a notice (payment / approval confirmation information) that the customer has paid for the receivable or that the payment is approved,
The approval confirmation information receiving section 1302 sends the payment / approval confirmation information to the order information main registration section 93 of the order management section 12 (S1).
405). At this time, the payment / authorization confirmation information receiving unit 130
No. 2 may be entered in the receivable DB 18 to the effect that payment / approval has been confirmed.

On the other hand, if the financial institution 3 does not return a notification (payment / approval confirmation information) that the customer 6 has paid for the receivable or that the payment is approved, the financial institution 3 re-enters the notification after the elapse of the predetermined period. An inquiry may be made as to whether or not payment has been received from the customer 6 or whether or not the payment has been approved, or the customer 6 may be notified that the order has been canceled.

The collection price processing unit 1303 refers to the receivable DB 18 at predetermined time intervals or when a request is received, extracts the receivable in which the payment / approval is confirmed, and extracts the receivable. Aggregate for each and calculate the total amount,
The request information is transmitted to the financial institution 3 to transfer or transfer the total amount to the account of each client specified by referring to the client DB 19.

As described above, billing is managed.

(1.3. Advantages of First Embodiment) According to the present embodiment, reception of an order for a product, instruction for delivery of a product,
It is possible to shorten the time from order to delivery, including the time required for information processing and information transmission, by collectively managing product inventory management, billing, collection, and transfer using a common database group. Yes, and customer 6
Since it is possible to link the order from the stock management to the stock management, it is possible to replenish the goods in a timely manner, and it is possible to avoid the excess and deficiency of the goods and reduce costs such as the storage cost of the goods.

[2. Second Embodiment] (2.1. Overall Configuration Example of Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a product distribution support system according to the second embodiment, FIG. 16 is a schematic block diagram showing a configuration example of a direct marketing unit, and FIG. It is a flowchart for explaining the processing method in the marketing unit.

The product distribution support device 1A according to the second embodiment is the same as the product distribution support device 1 according to the first embodiment except that it further includes a direct marketing unit 1501. The description of the same part is omitted, and the direct marketing unit 1501 will be described below.

(2.2. Configuration Example and Operation of Direct Marketing Section) Direct Marketing Section 1501
Is a database group 14 of the product distribution support apparatus 1A.
, A function for performing direct marketing by extracting customers 6 satisfying predetermined conditions and providing advertisements, new product information, exhibition information, and the like to the extracted customers 6.

As shown in FIG. 16, the direct marketing section has a customer extracting section 1601 and a direct marketing information generating section 1602.

First, the customer extracting section 1601 stores a client terminal (a terminal device connected to the merchandise distribution support apparatus 1A communicably via a communication line or the like and arranged on the client side, and client condition information). An input terminal connected to the product distribution support apparatus 1A for inputting data from a printed document)
(S1701). The customer condition information is information including a condition for specifying an attribute of the customer 6 for narrowing down the customers 6 who intend to send direct marketing information to the client 2. For example,
Customer condition information is created by specifying the age, residence, occupation, and the like of the customer 6.

The customer extracting unit 1 receiving the customer condition information
601 extracts a customer 6 that meets the condition.
Search the customer DB 14 and, if necessary, another DB 15
To 20. For example, if the customer condition is a customer who has placed an order three or more times in the year, the customer DB 14 and the order DB 16 are searched together.

The customer extracting unit 1601 extracts a customer ID that matches the conditions and passes it to the direct marketing information generating unit 1602 (S1702). At this time, not only the customer ID but also information such as name, address, and e-mail address may be extracted from the customer DB 14 or the like and passed.

Direct marketing information generator 16
02 generates information for sending direct marketing information of the designated content to the customer 6 corresponding to the received customer ID (S1703), and sends this to a DM information providing terminal (not shown). The medium to which the direct marketing information is sent may be an electronic mail, or a paper medium such as a direct mail, a catalog, or an information magazine. In the case of e-mail, the DM information providing terminal is a mail server or the like for sending an e-mail to each customer, and in the case of a paper medium, the DM information providing terminal is used for sending the paper medium. For example, a printer that prints a destination label.

Direct marketing information generating section 16
In the case of using e-mail, 02 stores an e-mail address retrieved based on the customer ID in a predetermined template and transmits it. Alternatively, in the case of paper media such as direct mail, catalogs, and information magazines, destinations are printed (labels, envelopes, address display areas).
Are sent to the customer 6 by mail or courier.

(2.3. Advantages of the Second Embodiment) According to the present embodiment, a customer having a specific condition can be identified by using customer data and order data stored during product distribution. Advertisement information and the like can be directly distributed to customers as a target, and the effect of the advertisement can be further enhanced.

[0085]

According to the present invention, the reception of a product order and the delivery of a product are collectively managed by managing the reception of a product order, the delivery of a product, the management of product inventory, the billing, collection, and transfer. It is possible to reduce the processing time for each process and the time required to transmit information between the responsible organizations compared to the conventional case where instructions, product inventory management, billing, collection, and transfer are performed individually. In addition, since the order from the customer is linked to the inventory management data, it is possible to replenish the goods in a timely manner, and it is possible to avoid excess or deficiency of the goods and reduce costs such as the cost of storing the goods. .

According to the second embodiment of the present invention, advertisement information and the like are distributed to customers having specific conditions by using customer data and order data stored during product distribution. It is possible to further enhance the effect of the advertisement.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a product distribution support device according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a configuration example of a customer DB.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a configuration example of a stock DB.

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a configuration example of an order DB.

FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration example of a product DB.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration example of a bond DB.

FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a configuration example of a client DB.

FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration example of a supplier DB.

FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an order management unit.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a processing method in an order management unit.

FIG. 11 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a stock management unit.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a processing method in an inventory management unit.

FIG. 13 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a bill management unit.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a processing method in a bill management unit.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a product distribution support device according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a direct marketing unit.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a processing method in a direct marketing unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 1A ... commodity distribution support device 11 ... billing management unit 12 ... order management unit 13 ... inventory management unit 14 ... customer DB 15 ... inventory DB 16 ... order DB 17 ... product DB 18 ... receivable DB 19 ... requester DB 20 … Order destination DB 91… Order information receiving section 92… Order information temporary registration section 93… Order information main registration section 94… Shipping instruction information generation section 1101… Inventory check section 1102… Shipping processing section 1103… Order processing section 1104… Receiving processing Unit 1301 Payment / authorization confirmation information requesting unit 1302 Payment / authorization confirmation information receiving unit 1303 Collection cost processing unit 1501 Direct marketing unit 1601 Customer extraction unit 1602 Direct marketing information generation unit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G06F 17/60 320 G06F 17/60 320 326 326 330 330 330 334 334

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. Receiving order information from a customer, generating shipping information for shipping a product based on the order information,
A merchandise distribution support system for sending merchandise to the customer based on the shipping information, wherein the system records merchandise inventory information indicating a stock status of the merchandise at a distribution center; A merchandise distribution support system, which is generated based on merchandise inventory information. 2. The merchandise distribution support system according to claim 1, wherein the system acquires the number of commodities required for shipment from the shipping information, and compares the number of commodities with the number of inventory commodities included in the inventory information. If the number of items in stock is insufficient, the order information is sent to the supplier for replenishing the items, and the receiving information on the items delivered to the distribution center is received from the supplier according to the order information. A merchandise distribution support system that updates the merchandise inventory information based on warehousing information. 3. The distribution support system according to claim 2, wherein the system stores information on a customer, the order information, and the shipping information, and uses at least one of the stored information. A product distribution support system for narrowing down customers and providing direct marketing information to the narrowed down customers. 4. A merchandise distribution support device for instructing a distribution center to ship merchandise to a customer in accordance with an order from a customer while managing inventory of the merchandise, wherein the merchandise distribution support device includes an order management system. , An inventory management unit, and a bill management unit. The order management unit receives the order information from the customer, temporarily registers the order information, and temporarily registers the order information with the bill management unit. When a notification is received from the billing management unit in response to the notification to the effect that payment and approval has been received, a function for performing full registration of the order and sending shipping information to the inventory management unit is provided. The management unit, upon receiving the shipping instruction information from the order management unit, checks whether or not the required number of ordered products is available using the stock information of the products. Direct delivery and if not, It has a function of generating order information requesting at least a shortage of the relevant product and updating the stock information based on the received product when the product is received. Inquire whether the invoice amount has been paid in accordance with the circumstances, or confirm the approval of the invoice amount, and notify that the payment has been made or instruct the official registration of the order if the payment approval is received And a function of sending the information of the item to the order management unit. 5. The merchandise distribution support device according to claim 4, wherein the merchandise distribution support device further includes a direct marketing unit and a database unit, wherein the database unit includes information on a customer, the order information, and the shipment. A merchandise distribution support device that stores information, wherein the direct marketing unit narrows down customers using at least one of the information, and provides the direct marketing information to the narrowed down customers. 6. A commodity distribution support method for associating a commodity order with a commodity inventory information in a commodity distribution support method, comprising: receiving order information indicating a commodity order from a customer; and receiving a price corresponding to the order information. Or, a step of confirming whether or not the payment has been approved, and a shipping instruction for instructing to ship the number of products corresponding to the order when receiving confirmation information indicating that the payment has been received or payment has been approved. Sending information, checking the product inventory information to see if there is enough product to ship the number of products, and checking if there is enough inventory to ship in the checking process. If it is confirmed that the delivery information is transmitted, and if it is confirmed that there is no sufficient inventory of the product to be shipped in the above-described confirmation process, the product is delivered. Transmitting order information for issuing a request. 7. The merchandise distribution support method according to claim 6, further comprising a step of recording at least information on a customer, the order information, the delivery information, and the order information. A method of extracting a customer meeting predetermined conditions by using the method; and a step of providing direct marketing information to the extracted customer. 8. A merchandise distribution support program for causing a computer to function as the merchandise distribution support system according to any one of claims 1 to 3. 9. A computer-readable recording medium on which the program according to claim 8 is recorded. 10. A product distribution support program for causing a computer to function as the product distribution support device according to claim 4. 11. A computer-readable recording medium on which the program according to claim 10 is recorded. 12. A product distribution support program for causing a computer to execute the product distribution support method according to claim 6. 13. A computer-readable recording medium on which the program according to claim 12 is recorded.