JP7442124B2 - Delivery management system and delivery management method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a delivery management system and a delivery management method.

BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, when shipping a small package, a user brings the package to a convenience store, a delivery company's office, etc., or requests the delivery company to pick up the package. For example, in Patent Document 1, it is possible for the delivery company to confirm that the loading capacity of the transport vehicle is not exceeded at the place where the delivery company receives the parcel, and it does not burden the delivery company even if it is carried to the delivery place, and furthermore, A parcel collection management system has been proposed that can calculate shipping charges.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2011-225313

In recent years, while the number of employees engaged in the delivery business has been decreasing, customers have been demanding lower delivery fees. Additionally, some consumers have a need to use a service with low delivery charges even if it takes several days for delivery. However, with conventional delivery services, the delivery period is set to a relatively short period (for example, 1 to 3 days) and delivery speed is emphasized, so it is necessary to carry out deliveries sequentially regardless of the loading rate of trucks, etc. As a result, shipping costs increased, making it impossible to meet these needs.

An object of the present invention is to provide a delivery management system and a delivery management method that can meet the need for a service with low delivery charges even if delivery takes several days.

The delivery management system according to the present invention is a delivery management system that manages delivery processing in which a delivery item is delivered via a plurality of delivery points, and in which each delivery point N sends the delivery item to the next delivery point N+1. It has a determining means for determining the timing of delivery, and the determining means determines whether the total volume or total weight of the items to be delivered from each delivery point N to the next delivery point N+1 is a predetermined reference capacity or a predetermined reference weight. If the total volume or total weight of the delivered items exceeds the predetermined reference capacity or the predetermined reference weight, the delivery items will be stored at the delivery base N+1 from the delivery base N to the next delivery base N+1. has a first condition that permits the delivery of a delivery item to, and in the first condition, the total capacity or Determining whether the weight exceeds the predetermined reference capacity or the predetermined reference weight, and determining whether the total volume or total weight of the delivery items on the inter-base route exceeds the predetermined reference capacity or the predetermined reference weight. In such cases, the delivery of goods on the route between the relevant bases is permitted .
The above-mentioned delivery management system further includes delivery cases of a plurality of sizes in which an identifier readable by a reading terminal is attached and in which the delivery items are housed; For each route between bases connecting base N+1, it is determined whether the total weight of the delivered items exceeds the predetermined reference weight based on the upper limit weight of the delivery case set for each size, and the route between bases is determined based on the upper limit weight of the delivery case set for each size. If the total weight of the delivery item exceeds the predetermined reference weight, the delivery item may be allowed to be delivered on the inter-base route.
In the above delivery management system, under the first condition, the predetermined reference capacity or the predetermined The configuration may be such that the reference weight of the weight is determined.
In the above-mentioned delivery management system, the judgment means determines a residence margin time which is the difference between the delivery deadline time of the delivery item scheduled to be delivered from each delivery point N to the next delivery point N+1 and the required delivery time of the delivery item. If the delivery time is less than the reference time, the second condition may be set to permit delivery of the item.
In the delivery management system, in the second condition, whether there is a delivery item whose residence time is less than the reference time for each route between delivery points connecting delivery point N and the next delivery point N+1. If there is a delivery item whose residence time margin is less than the reference time, the delivery item may be allowed to be delivered on the inter-base route.
In the above-described delivery management system, the delivery deadline time can be configured to be five days or more in the second condition.
In the above-mentioned delivery management system, the delivery base is a receiving location that receives the delivery from the sender, a delivery location that delivers the delivery to the deliverer, and a storage location located between the receiving location and the delivery location. It can be done.
The above delivery management system includes a delivery information receiving means for receiving delivery information via a network, and a delivery location information distributing means for distributing location information of the delivery to a specific terminal via the network. The delivery information receiving means may be configured to be able to receive location information transmitted in association with information on the identifier read by a reading terminal at each location.
In the delivery management system, the identifier may include a two-dimensional information code and an IC tag.

A terminal according to the present invention is a terminal capable of communicating with the above delivery management system via a network, and includes a delivery information input means for inputting delivery information and a delivery information receiving means via the network. Delivery item information transmitting means for sending delivery item information.

The program according to the present invention is a program executed on the above-mentioned terminal, wherein the terminal is connected to a delivery information input means for inputting delivery information, and to the delivery information receiving means, through a network. This is to function as a delivery item information transmitting means for transmitting information.

A delivery management method according to the present invention is a delivery management method for managing a delivery process in which a delivery item is delivered via a plurality of delivery points, in which each delivery point N transfers the delivery item to the next delivery point N+1. The method includes a determination step of determining the timing of delivery, and in the determination step, the total volume or total weight of the items to be delivered from each delivery point N to the next delivery point N+1 is determined to be a predetermined reference capacity or a predetermined reference weight. If the total volume or total weight of the delivered items exceeds the predetermined reference capacity or the predetermined reference weight, the delivery items will be stored at the delivery base N+1 from the delivery base N to the next delivery base N+1. has a first condition that permits the delivery of a delivery item to, and in the first condition, the total capacity or Determining whether the weight exceeds the predetermined reference capacity or the predetermined reference weight, and determining whether the total volume or total weight of the delivery items on the inter-base route exceeds the predetermined reference capacity or the predetermined reference weight. In such cases, the delivery of goods on the route between the relevant bases is permitted .

According to the present invention, it is possible to meet the need to use a service with low delivery charges even if delivery takes several days.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram of a delivery management method according to the present embodiment. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a delivery management system according to the present embodiment. It is a figure showing an example of data stored in a delivery information table concerning this embodiment. It is a figure showing an example of data stored in a delivery days table by route between bases concerning this embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the data memorize|stored in the storage days table by delivery base based on this embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of data stored in a delivery means table according to the present embodiment. It is a perspective view showing an outline of a delivery case concerning this embodiment. It is a figure showing the variation of the delivery case concerning this embodiment. 3 is a flowchart showing a receiving process according to the present embodiment. 3 is a flowchart showing delivery management processing according to the present embodiment.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below based on the drawings. FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of the delivery management method according to this embodiment. In the following, first, a delivery management method according to the present embodiment will be explained based on FIG. 1.

In the delivery management process according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. The product is delivered from the receiving location 2 to the delivery location 5. In FIG. 1, a situation in which a sender S delivers a delivery item B to a recipient R is illustrated. Note that, hereinafter, the general delivery direction (direction) from each delivery base N to the next delivery base N+1 will be referred to as an inter-base route. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 1, delivery item B is routed from the receiving location 2f to the delivery location 5e by an inter-base route C1f from the receiving location 2f to the primary storage location 3b, and from the primary storage location 3b to the secondary storage location. 4b, and the inter-base route C3e from the secondary storage location 4b to the delivery location 5e. Furthermore, if there are multiple delivery directions from delivery base N to the next delivery base N+1, there will be multiple routes between bases starting from delivery base N. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 1, there is an inter-base route C2c starting from the primary storage location 3b and going from the primary storage location 3b to the secondary storage location 4a, and an inter-base route C2c starting from the primary storage location 3b toward the secondary storage location 4b. There is a route C2d.

When delivering delivery item B, sender S activates a dedicated program installed on user terminal 50 and inputs delivery information for delivery item B. As a result, the delivery information for delivery item B is transmitted from the user terminal 50 to the delivery management server 10 and stored in the database 11 of the delivery management server 10. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 1, the sender S takes the delivery item B to the nearest receiving location 2 (for example, receiving location 2f in the example shown in FIG. 1) and hands over the delivery item B to the receiving location 2. Note that the receiving location 2 is, for example, a newsagent, a gas station, a JA (Agricultural Cooperative) branch, a convenience store, or the like.

At the receiving place 2, when the delivery item B is received, the delivery information of the delivery item B is acquired by the reading terminal 42 installed at the receiving place 2. For example, the sender S displays the identification information of the delivery item B on the display of the user terminal 50 using a dedicated program of the user terminal 50, and the reading terminal 42 reads the identification information of the delivery item B with the reading terminal 42. Delivery information for B can be obtained. Then, the reading terminal 42 transmits the identification information of the delivery item B to the delivery management server 10 via the management terminal 41, so that the delivery status of the delivery item B stored in the delivery management server 10, for example, It will be updated to "Currently stored at location 2".

Further, at the receiving location 2, one or more delivery items B are accommodated in a delivery case 60. A two-dimensional code (e.g., QR code (registered trademark) 61) and an IC tag (e.g., RF tag 62) storing identification information of the delivery case 60 are attached to the delivery case 60, and a hand-held reading terminal is attached to the delivery case 60. 42 reads the QR code 61 or RF tag 62, the identification information of the delivery case 60 is transmitted to the delivery management server 10 via the management terminal 41, and the identification information of the delivery case 60 and the information stored therein are sent to the delivery management server 10 via the management terminal 41. An association with delivered item B is made.

Delivery items B are then sorted for each inter-site route C1 at the receiving location 2, and delivered to the receiving location 2 for each inter-site route C1 by a delivery means such as a truck that delivers the delivered item B on each inter-site route C1. from there to the primary storage location 3. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 1, delivery item B is delivered to the primary storage location 3b via the inter-base route C1f, so it is delivered to the primary storage location 3b via the same inter-base route C1f. The delivery items are sorted into the same group as other delivery items, and delivered to the primary storage location 3b via the inter-base route C1f together with other delivery items sorted into the same group. In each of the delivery bases 2 to 4, when shipping the delivery item B, the RF tags 62 of the delivery case 60 are read all at once using the reading terminal 42 without contact, so that the items are linked to the item to be shipped. The identification information of the delivery case 60 can be sent to the delivery management server 10, and the delivery management server 10 updates the delivery status of the item to be shipped to, for example, "moving along route C1 between bases." can do. Further, by optically reading the QR code 61 of the delivery case 60 with the reading terminal 42, the identification information of the delivery case 60 linked to the item to be shipped can be transmitted to the delivery management server 10. .

At the primary storage location 3, deliveries are received from a plurality of receiving locations 2, and the deliveries are sorted for each inter-site route C2 to the secondary storage location 4, which is the next delivery location. In addition, at each delivery base 3 to 5, when a delivery item is received, the RF tag 62 of the delivery case 60 containing the delivery item is read all at once using a reading terminal 42 without contact, and a string is attached to the delivered item. The identification information of the attached delivery case 60 can be sent to the delivery management server 10, and thereby the delivery management server 10 can display the delivery status of the received item as "in storage at delivery bases 3 to 5". etc. can be updated. Further, by optically reading the QR code 61 of the delivery case 60 with the reading terminal 42, the identification information of the delivery case 60 linked to the received delivery item can be transmitted to the delivery management server 10. .

Delivery item B stored in the primary storage location 3 is delivered to the secondary storage location 4 when any of the following conditions is met. Note that whether the following conditions are met is determined for each route between bases.
Condition 1: The total capacity of the delivered items exceeds a predetermined standard capacity determined based on the free capacity of a delivery means such as a truck (for example, 80% of the free capacity of the truck bed).
Condition 2: There is a delivery item whose retention margin, which is the difference between the delivery deadline and the required number of delivery days, is less than a predetermined reference number of days.
Regarding condition 2, for example, if the deadline for delivery of delivery B is 20 days and the required number of days for delivery is 18 days, the number of remaining days is 2 days. In this case, if the standard number of days is 3 days, delivery item B will be a ``delivery item for which the remaining number of remaining days is less than the predetermined standard number of days'', and delivery item B will be delivered on the route between the bases where such delivery item B exists. (including items whose remaining number of days to stay is not less than a predetermined standard number of days) will be delivered.

Furthermore, the delivered items B delivered to the secondary storage location 4 are sorted for each base-to-base route C3 and delivered to the delivery location 5. Furthermore, when the delivery item B is delivered to the delivery location 5, the delivery management server 10 sends a notification to the recipient R that the delivery item B has been delivered to the delivery location 5. Thereby, the recipient R can go to the delivery location 5 and receive the delivered item B. Further, the delivery fee required for delivering the delivery item B will be charged to the sender S and/or the recipient R by the delivery management server 10.

In the present invention, the delivery means such as trucks that deliver items between each delivery base 2 to 5 are not only trucks specially arranged by the delivery company, but also the delivery means used for delivering newspapers from the printing office to the newspaper delivery office. Empty spaces such as truck beds arranged by companies that do not specialize in delivering goods, such as truck beds, truck beds after delivering food etc. to JA, or truck beds after delivering kerosene etc. to gas stations, etc. By utilizing space (empty capacity), it is possible to keep shipping costs low. Furthermore, the delivery means for delivering from the primary storage location 3 to the secondary storage location 4 is not limited to automobiles such as trucks, but may also include motorcycles, bicycles, freight trains, ships, and the like. Further, although it is possible to use an airplane as a delivery means, from the viewpoint of delivery costs, it is preferable to use an airplane not as a delivery means.

"System configuration"
Next, the delivery management system 1 according to this embodiment will be explained. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the delivery management system 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the delivery management system 1 according to the present embodiment includes a delivery management server 10, a WMS (Warehouse Management System) server 20, and a TMS (Transport Management System) server 30. , a management terminal 41 and a reading terminal 42 installed at each of the delivery bases 2 to 5, a user terminal 50 owned by the user, and a delivery case 60 that stores the items to be delivered. Each configuration will be explained below.

As shown in FIG. 2, the delivery management server 10 includes a database 11, a computing device 12, a storage device 13, and a communication device 14.

The database 11 stores various tables storing information necessary for delivery management processing according to this embodiment. Specifically, the database 11 stores a delivery information table 111, a delivery days table 112 by route between bases, a storage days table 113 by delivery base, and a delivery means table 114.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in the delivery information table 111. As shown in FIG. 3, the delivery information table 111 includes identification information (identification number) of the delivery item, weight of the delivery item, size of the delivery item, name and contact information of the sender, and name and contact information of the acceptor. , delivery location, and other information related to the delivery of the item. In this embodiment, the size of the delivery item can be the size of the delivery case 60 in which the delivery item is accommodated, and is defined by the number of items with the smallest delivery case 60 as a unit, as will be described later. . In addition, the delivery information table 111 includes delivery status (or location information of the delivered item) indicating which delivery bases 2 to 5 the delivered item is stored in, or which route between the bases C1 to C3 the delivered item is being delivered to. is also memorized. Furthermore, the identification information (identification number) of the delivery case 60 containing the delivery item is also stored in the delivery information table 111 in association with each delivery item.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in the delivery days table 112 by route between bases. As shown in FIG. 4, the delivery days table 112 for each route between locations stores the number of days for delivery for each route between locations. The number of delivery days is the number of days required for delivery means (vehicles, ships, trains, etc.) to deliver routes C1 to C3 between each base, and does not include the number of days spent at each delivery base. For example, if it takes one day for the truck T1 to deliver the goods on the inter-base route C1f, the number of delivery days for the inter-base route C1f is displayed in the inter-base route-specific delivery days table 112, as shown in FIG. It is memorized as "1st". In this embodiment, by checking the number of delivery days for each of the inter-site routes C1 to C3 in advance, the number of delivery days for each of the inter-site routes C1 to C3 is stored in advance in the inter-site route specific delivery number of days table 112. Note that the number of days for delivery can also be calculated based on the distances of the routes C1 to C3 between the bases, the average moving speed of the delivery means that deliver the routes C1 to C3 between the bases, and the like.

Further, FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in the storage days table 113 by delivery base. As shown in FIG. 5, the delivery base storage days table 113 stores the storage days for delivery items for each of the delivery bases 2 to 4 and for each of the inter-base routes C1 to C3. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the number of storage days for the delivered item is stored, such as 4 days for the inter-site route C2c from the primary storage location 3b, 3 days for the inter-site route C2d, etc. There is. In this embodiment, the actual data on the number of storage days of delivered items is statisticized for each delivery base 2 to 4 and each route between bases C1 to C3, and the average value, frequent value, median value, etc. of the storage number of days are calculated as the number of storage days. The number of storage days for each delivery base is stored in advance in the table 113. Further, the storage days table 113 by delivery base can be configured such that the storage days are periodically updated using the latest performance data.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in the delivery means table 114. As shown in FIG. 6, the delivery means table 114 stores information on delivery means (for example, vehicles, ships, railways, etc.) that can deliver items on routes C1 to C3 between bases. Here, in the delivery management system 1 according to the present embodiment, empty space (free capacity) of trucks arranged by other companies is also used, and there may be multiple delivery methods on one route between bases. In some cases, one delivery method may deliver routes between multiple locations. Therefore, the delivery method table 114 stores information on delivery methods for each route between bases and for each delivery method.

Furthermore, the delivery means table 114 also stores information that changes in real time, such as position information of the delivery means and free space on the loading platform of the delivery means. For example, if a delivery method is performing receiving or shipping procedures at a delivery base, the location of that delivery base is used as the location information of the delivery method, and if the delivery method has completed the shipping procedure and is moving between delivery bases. can store, in the delivery means table 114, the position indicating the distance between the delivery bases where the delivery means travels, such as when the delivery means is traveling between delivery bases, as the position information of the delivery means. Alternatively, the delivery management server 10 acquires GPS position information (latitude and longitude information) of the delivery means via the TMS server 30 from an information terminal installed in the delivery means or a mobile terminal carried by the driver of the delivery means. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, the position information of the delivery means in the delivery means table 114 can be updated in real time. In addition, the available capacity of the delivery method is information about the size (capacity) of the items that can be delivered by the delivery method, such as the capacity for 6, 12, or 18 items in the smallest delivery case 60. It is. In this embodiment, the TMS server 30 grasps the delivery status of the delivery means, estimates the available capacity of the delivery means' loading platform from the delivery status, and sends it to the delivery management server 10, thereby creating the delivery method table 114. Information on the free space on the loading platform for deliveries can be updated in real time.

In order to perform delivery management processing according to the present embodiment, the computing device 12 executes a delivery management program stored in the storage device 13 to perform a delivery information registration function, a stay margin calculation function, a delivery possibility judgment function, and a delivery management function. Executes each function of the delivery instruction function. These functions will be explained below.

The delivery information registration function of the computing device 12 stores the delivery information of the delivery item input by the sender S from the user terminal 50 in the delivery information table 111. In this embodiment, when the sender S delivers the delivery item B, the sender S first starts up a dedicated program on the user terminal 50 and inputs the identification number of the delivery item, the name and contact information of the sender, and the name and contact information of the acceptor. The delivery information of the delivery item B, such as the destination and delivery location, is input, and the delivery information of the delivery item B is transmitted to the delivery management server 10. As a result, the delivery information registration function receives delivery information such as the identification number of the delivery item, the name and contact information of the sender, the name and contact information of the acceptor, and the delivery location from the user terminal 50 via the communication device 14. and stores it in the delivery information table 111 of the database 11. Furthermore, in this embodiment, as will be described later, at the receiving location 2, the delivery case 60 that accommodates the delivery item is determined based on the size and weight of the delivery item, and the delivery case 60 to which the delivery item corresponds is determined. be accommodated in. Therefore, when the delivery management server 10 receives the identification information of the delivery case 60 containing the delivery item from the management terminal 41, the delivery management server 10 determines the weight of the delivery item (the weight of the delivery case 60) based on the size of the delivery case 60. 60) and the size of the item to be delivered (how many pieces there are in the minimum unit of 60 shipping cases) are stored in the shipping information table 111 of the database 11.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, when the reading terminal 42 reads the QR code 61 or RF tag 62 of the delivery case 60 containing the delivery item B during the receiving procedure or shipping procedure at each of the delivery bases 2 to 5, Delivery information for updating the delivery status of delivery item B is transmitted from the management terminal 41 of each delivery base 2 to 5 to the delivery management server 10. When the delivery information registration function receives delivery information indicating the delivery status of delivery item B from the management terminal 41 of each delivery base 2 to 5, the delivery information registration function registers the delivery status of the delivery item in the delivery information table 111 to each delivery base 2 to 5. The delivery status of the delivery item B received from the management terminal 41 of No. 5 is updated.

The remaining days calculation function of the computing device 12 calculates the number of remaining days for each delivered item. The remaining number of remaining days is the number of days that a delivery item can stay at a delivery base, and is determined as the difference between the delivery deadline of the delivery item and the number of days required for delivery of the delivery item. Specifically, the remaining remaining days calculation function obtains the number of delivery days for each of the inter-base routes C1 to C3 from the table of delivery days by route between bases 112, and obtains the number of delivery days for each of the delivery bases 2 to 4 from the table of storage days by delivery base 113. , obtain the number of storage days for the delivered items for each of the inter-base routes C1 to C3. The remaining remaining days calculation function calculates, for each delivery item B, the total number of delivery days in one or more routes between the delivery locations from the delivery location where the delivery item is currently stored to the delivery location 5, and the corresponding The number of days required for delivery is calculated by adding the total number of storage days at one or more delivery bases through which the delivered item passes.

For example, in the example shown in FIG. 1, it is assumed that delivery item B is stored in the primary storage location 3b. From now on, delivery item B will be delivered to the secondary storage location 4b via the inter-base route C2d, and after being stored at the secondary storage location 4b, it will be delivered to the delivery location 5e via the inter-base route C3e. . In this case, it is assumed that the number of delivery days for the inter-site route C2d is three days, the number of delivery days for the inter-site route C3e is two days, and the number of days for storage of the delivered items for the inter-site route C3e at the secondary storage location 4b is five days. In this case, the remaining surplus days calculation function calculates that "3 days" is the number of delivery days for route C2d between bases + "5 days" is the number of storage days for secondary storage location 4b + "2 days" is the number of days for delivery for route C3e between bases 10 days can be calculated as the number of days required for delivery.

The remaining days calculation function calculates the difference between the delivery deadline and the required number of delivery days (delivery deadline - required delivery days) as the remaining remaining days. Note that the delivery deadline number of days is not the original delivery deadline number of days, but the current delivery deadline number of days. For example, if the original delivery deadline is 30 days and 10 days have passed at this point, the remaining days calculation function calculates the delivery deadline as 20 days. In addition, if the number of days required for delivery of delivery item B stored in the primary storage location 3b is 10 days, and the current delivery deadline is 20 days, the remaining days calculation function calculates the number of days due to delivery. 20 days - 10 days required for delivery = 10 days is calculated as the number of remaining days. Note that the number of delivery deadline days (original delivery deadline days) is not particularly limited, but the delivery management system 1 according to the present embodiment meets the need to use a service with a low delivery fee even if delivery takes several days. Therefore, the number of days is 3 days or more, preferably 5 days or more, and more preferably 10 days or more.

The delivery possibility determining function of the computing device 12 determines whether it is time to deliver the item from the current delivery base N to the next delivery base N+1. Specifically, the delivery possibility determination function first refers to the delivery method table 114 and extracts information on delivery methods that can deliver the item from delivery base N to the next delivery base N+1. Then, the delivery possibility judgment function sets a reference capacity for determining whether or not to deliver the item from the current delivery point N to the next delivery point N+1 based on the information on the free space of the extracted delivery method. do. For example, the delivery availability determination function can set a standard capacity of 80% of the free space (vacant capacity) of the delivery means. In this case, if the free space of the delivery means is enough for 10 delivery cases 60, the delivery possibility determination function may set the capacity for 8 delivery cases 60 as the standard capacity. can. In addition, if there are multiple delivery methods that can deliver the item from delivery point N to the next delivery point N+1, the delivery possibility determination function calculates the standard capacity for each delivery method based on the free space of each delivery method. Can be set.

Then, the delivery possibility judgment function determines whether the total volume of items to be delivered on the inter-base route from the current delivery base N to the next delivery base N+1 is based on a predetermined standard set based on the free capacity of each delivery method. If the capacity is exceeded, the goods will be allowed to be delivered on the route between the relevant bases. For example, when delivering goods from the primary storage location 3b to the secondary storage location 4b, the delivery means that can deliver the inter-base route C2d is the truck T1, and the standard capacity is set based on the free capacity of the truck T1. If the delivery case 60 has a capacity for 8 pieces, the delivery possibility judgment function determines that the delivery case 60 is the delivery case 60. to determine whether the number exceeds 8 pieces. Then, if the number of items to be delivered on the inter-base route C2d is 9 or more in the delivery case 60, the delivery permission determination function allows the truck T1 to deliver the items on the inter-base route C2d. . On the other hand, if the number of items to be delivered on the inter-site route C2d is eight or less in the delivery case 60, the delivery permission determination function does not allow the truck T1 to deliver the inter-site route C2d, and It is determined that the data should be stored as is at the primary storage location 3d.

Note that in this embodiment, as will be described later, delivery cases 60 of a plurality of different sizes are used (see FIG. 8). When using delivery cases 60 of a plurality of sizes, the capacity of the item to be delivered, the free capacity of the delivery means, and the reference capacity are set using the smallest size of the delivery case 60 as a unit. For example, when delivering items from the primary storage location 3b to the secondary storage location 4b, the standard capacity set based on the free capacity of the delivery means that can deliver the inter-base route C2d is the smallest size 60 size. If the delivery case 60 has a capacity for 8 pieces, the delivery possibility judgment function determines whether the item to be delivered on the inter-base route C2d from the primary storage location 3b to the secondary storage location 4b is for 60-size delivery. In case 60, it is determined whether the number exceeds eight pieces. Then, if the number of items to be delivered on the inter-base route C2d is 9 or more in the 60-size delivery case 60, the delivery possibility judgment function causes the truck T1 to deliver the items on the inter-base route C2d. This will be permitted. In this case, if there is one 80 size delivery case 60 (details will be described later) that can hold two 60 size delivery cases 60 at the delivery base, the delivery possibility judgment function will Delivery determination is made assuming that a 60 size delivery case 60 exists at the delivery base.

Furthermore, when there are multiple delivery methods that can deliver a single route between locations, the delivery availability judgment function sets a standard capacity for each delivery method based on the available capacity of each delivery method, and calculates the total capacity of the item to be delivered. The configuration may be such that a delivery means whose delivery capacity exceeds a standard capacity is permitted to deliver a delivery item. In addition, if multiple delivery methods are permitted to deliver the item, the delivery permission judgment function may allow delivery to the delivery method with the most available loading space, or A configuration may also be adopted in which delivery is permitted by the delivery means closest to base N. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the delivery availability determination function is configured to set a standard capacity for each delivery method by acquiring information on the free capacity of the loading platform of each delivery method in real time from the TMS server 30. The present invention is not limited to this configuration, and for example, a configuration may be adopted in which free capacity for delivering items is secured in advance for each delivery method. In this case, the standard capacity of each delivery method can be stored in advance in the delivery method table 114 based on the free space secured in advance, and by acquiring the reference capacity for each delivery method from the delivery method table 114, You can select the delivery method that is allowed to deliver the item.

Furthermore, the delivery possibility determining function determines, for each delivery item, whether or not the number of days that the delivery item can stay for is less than a predetermined reference number of days. Then, if there is a delivery item for which the remaining number of remaining days is less than a predetermined reference number of days, the delivery permission/denial determination function permits delivery of the delivery item for the inter-base route to which the delivery item is to be delivered. As a result, the total capacity of items delivered on the inter-base route from the current delivery base N to the next delivery base N+1 does not exceed a predetermined standard capacity set based on the free capacity of each delivery method. Even in this case, if there is a delivery item whose remaining number of days is less than a predetermined standard number of days, delivery of the delivery item is permitted for the inter-base route to which the delivery item is to be delivered. On the other hand, for inter-base routes where there are no delivered items with a stay margin of less than a predetermined standard number of days, the delivery possibility judgment function is used to determine whether the delivery items will be delivered on the inter-base route from the current delivery base N to the next delivery base N+1. As long as the total capacity does not exceed a predetermined reference capacity set based on the free capacity of each delivery means, the delivery items remain stored at the current delivery base N.

For example, among the deliveries stored in the primary storage location 3b, for one delivery item B1 to be delivered via the inter-base route C2d, the remaining number of days to stay is two days, and the predetermined standard number of days is three days. do. In this case, the delivery possibility judgment function determines that the remaining number of days for delivery B1, which is 2 days, is less than the standard number of days, 3 days, and the delivery possibility determination function determines that the remaining number of days for delivery B1 is less than the standard number of days, 3 days, and that not only delivery item B1 but also is stored in the primary storage location 3b and routed between bases. Allow delivery of items delivered by C2d. Note that the predetermined reference number of days can be appropriately set according to the delivery management method.

In this way, the delivery possibility judgment function determines whether the total capacity of the delivered items exceeds the standard capacity of the delivery method (condition 1), or the number of remaining days for delivery is less than the predetermined standard number of days, for each route between bases. (Condition 2). Then, if either condition is satisfied, the delivery permission judgment function allows the item to be delivered via the route between the locations, and if either condition is not met, the delivery is allowed to be delivered via the route between the locations. It is determined that the item cannot be delivered, and the item to be delivered via the route between the bases is kept stored at the current delivery base N.

The delivery instruction function of the computing device 12 issues instructions for delivering the items approved by the delivery permission determination function. Specifically, the delivery instruction function transmits a transportation instruction to the TMS server 30 via the communication device 14, as shown in FIG. Upon receiving the transport and delivery instruction from the delivery management server 10, the TMS server 30 transmits the transport and delivery instruction for the item to each delivery means via the communication device 33. For example, if there is an inter-base route where the total capacity of the delivery exceeds the standard capacity of the delivery method, the TMS server instructs the TMS server to deliver the delivery to the delivery means that will deliver the inter-base route. 30 to send shipping instructions. Additionally, if there is an inter-base route in which there is a delivery item whose remaining number of remaining days is less than a predetermined standard number of days, the delivery instruction function is configured to deliver the item to the delivery means that delivers the inter-site route. Transport and delivery instructions can be sent to the TMS server 30. In addition, if there are multiple delivery methods that can deliver items on a single route between bases, the system may be configured to issue transportation instructions to one delivery method based on a predetermined priority order. can.

Further, the delivery instruction function transmits, via the communication device 14, to the WMS server 20, a shipping instruction to the shipping source of the delivery item and an arrival instruction to the shipping destination of the delivery item. When the WMS server 20 receives the arrival instruction from the delivery management server 10, it transmits the delivery instruction to the management terminal 41 installed at the delivery base of the shipping source via the communication device 23. As a result, shipping procedures such as sorting and loading of the items to be delivered are performed at the delivery base of the shipping source based on the received shipping instructions. Further, upon receiving the arrival instruction from the delivery management server 10, the WMS server 20 transmits the arrival instruction for the delivery item to the management terminal 41 installed at the delivery base of the shipping destination via the communication device 23. As a result, at the delivery base of the shipping destination, receiving procedures such as securing a storage space, loading and unloading the delivered items, and storing the delivered items are performed based on the received receiving instructions.

In addition, in the shipping procedure at the shipping source's delivery base, the RF tags 62 attached to the shipping case 60 containing the items to be shipped are read all at once by the reading terminals 42 installed at the shipping source's distribution base. The identification information of the delivery case 60 that accommodates the item to be shipped is transmitted to the delivery management server 10 via the management terminal 41. As a result, the delivery management server 10 can identify the delivery item to be shipped based on the identification information of the received delivery case 60, and the delivery status of the delivery item to be shipped is "Moving on the next route between bases." ” and so on. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 1, when delivery item B is shipped from primary storage location 3b to secondary storage location 4b, the delivery status of delivery item B is updated to ``Moving along inter-base route C2d.'' . In addition, in the receiving procedure at the shipping destination's delivery base, the RF tags 62 attached to the shipping cases 60 containing the received items are read all at once by the reading terminals 42 installed at the shipping destination's delivery base. , identification information of the delivery case 60 that accommodates the delivered item is transmitted to the delivery management server 10 via the management terminal 41. As a result, the delivery management server 10 can identify the received delivery based on the identification information of the received delivery case 60, and the delivery status of the received delivery is "Currently stored at the destination delivery base". etc. will be updated. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 1, when the delivery item B is delivered to the secondary storage location 4b, the delivery status of the delivery item B is updated to "being stored at the secondary storage location 4b" or the like.

Next, the WMS server 20 will be explained. As shown in FIG. 2, the WMS server 20 includes a computing device 21, a storage device 22, and a communication device 23, and the computing device 21 executes a warehouse management program stored in the storage device 22 to perform the following operations. Execute the warehouse management process described in .

For example, when the delivery management server 10 satisfies the conditions for delivering a delivery item, the delivery management server 10 stores information on the delivery item to be shipped, information on the delivery base of the shipping origin, and information on the delivery base of the shipping destination. A shipping instruction and a receiving instruction including the above are sent to the WMS server 20. The WMS server 20 receives from the delivery management server 10, via the communication device 23, a shipping instruction from the shipping source's delivery base and an arrival instruction from the shipping destination's shipping base, and as shown in FIG. A shipping instruction is sent to the management terminal 41 located at the delivery base, and a receiving instruction is sent to the management terminal 41 located at the delivery base of the shipping destination. As a result, the shipping procedure for the delivery item is carried out at the delivery base of the shipping source, and the procedure for receiving the delivery item is carried out at the delivery base of the shipping destination.

Next, the TMS server 30 will be explained. As shown in FIG. 2, the TMS server 30 includes a calculation device 31, a storage device 32, and a communication device 33. The TMS server 30 also executes the transportation management process described below by executing the transportation management program stored in the storage device 32 on the computing device 31.

For example, when the delivery management server 10 satisfies the conditions for delivering a delivery item, the delivery management server 10 stores information on the delivery item to be shipped, information on the delivery base of the shipping source, information on the delivery base of the shipping destination, information on the delivery item, A delivery instruction for the delivery including information on the route between the bases for delivering the delivery or information on the delivery means that can deliver the delivery is transmitted to the TMS server 30. When the TMS server 30 receives a transportation instruction from the delivery management server 10, it identifies a delivery method that can deliver the item based on the transportation instruction, and arranges the delivery so that the delivery method can deliver the item. Provide transportation and delivery instructions to the vehicle. In this embodiment, an information terminal is installed in the delivery means, or the driver of the delivery means has a mobile terminal, and the information terminal of the delivery means or the driver's mobile terminal is transmitted from the TMS server 30. By sending transportation and delivery information to , each delivery method can perform transportation procedures (collection of the shipment at the origin delivery base, delivery of the shipment on the inter-base route, delivery of the shipment at the destination delivery base). ) can be performed.

Next, the management terminal 41 and reading terminal 42 according to this embodiment will be explained. In the delivery management system 1, a management terminal 41 and a reading terminal 42 are provided at each delivery base 2-5. The management terminal 41 and the reading terminal 42 are connected by wire or wirelessly, and information read by the reading terminal 42 is transmitted to the management terminal 41. Furthermore, the management terminal 41 is connected to the delivery management server 10 via a telecommunications line, and is capable of exchanging information with the delivery management server 10. For example, when a sender S brings a delivery item B to the receiving location 2, the reading terminal 42 at the receiving location 2 reads the identification information (for example, an identification number) of the delivery item B, and transmits it to the management terminal 41. As a result, the management terminal 41 transmits the identification information of the delivery item B and the information indicating the delivery status of the delivery item B, ie, “Currently stored at receiving location 2” to the delivery management server 10. As a result, in the delivery information table 111 of the delivery management server 10, the delivery status of delivery item B is updated to "Currently stored at receiving location 2". Note that the information read by the reading terminal 42 may be directly transmitted to the delivery management server 10.

Further, at the receiving location 2, the delivery item B is stored in a delivery case 60. A QR code 61 and an RF tag 62 that store identification information of the delivery case 60 are attached to the delivery case 60, so that the delivery item B and the delivery case 60 can be associated with each other. That is, the management terminal 41 associates the identification information of the delivery case 60 containing the delivery item B stored in the QR code 61 or the RF tag 62 with the identification information of the delivery item B, and sends the information to the delivery management server 10. As a result, the identification information of the delivery case 60 containing the delivery item B is also stored as the delivery information of the delivery item B in the delivery information table 111. Note that the reading terminal 42 is a device for reading the QR code 61 and/or the RF tag 62, and can read the QR code 61 and/or the RF tag 62 without contact. By setting the reading range of the reading terminal 42 to several to tens of meters, the reading terminal 42 can read the identification information of a plurality of delivery cases 60 at once. In this embodiment, as the reading terminal 42, a terminal that can read both the QR code 61 and the RF tag 62 is illustrated as an example, but the configuration is not limited to this, and the reading terminal for reading the QR code 61 is used as an example. 42 and a reading terminal 42 for reading the RF tag 62 may be used. Further, the reading terminal 42 may be configured using a smartphone. For example, by attaching an attachment for reading the RF tag 62 to a smartphone that can read the QR code 61 with a camera, the smartphone can be used as the reading terminal 42 that can read the QR code 61 and the RF tag 62. I can do it. Further, the reading terminal 42 may be a handy type terminal device, or may be a terminal device fixed to the upper part of a conveyor on which the delivery case 60 is conveyed, for example.

Furthermore, the management terminal 41 of each delivery base 2 to 5 receives instructions for receiving and shipping delivery items from the WMS server 20. At each of the delivery bases 2 to 5, based on the received arrival instructions and shipping instructions, a receiving procedure is carried out in which the goods delivered by the delivery means are received at the delivery base, and a shipping procedure is carried out in which the goods are handed over to the delivery means. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, when carrying out the receiving procedure, the identification information of the delivery cases 60 containing the incoming delivery items is read all at once by the reading terminal 42. The management terminal 41 receives delivery information for each delivery item from the delivery management server 10 based on the identification information of the acquired delivery case 60, and can sort the incoming delivery items for each route between bases. . In addition, by transmitting the identification information of the delivery case 60 to the delivery management server 10, the management terminal 41 changes the delivery status of the delivery stored in the delivery information table 111 to, for example, "Currently traveling along the inter-base route C1f". ” to “Currently stored at delivery base 3b,” etc. Similarly, when carrying out shipping procedures, the identification information of the shipping cases 60 containing the items to be shipped are read all at once by the reading terminal 42. As a result, the management terminal 41 transmits the identification information of the delivery case 60 to the delivery management server 10, thereby changing the delivery status of the delivery item stored in the delivery information table 111, such as "Currently stored at the delivery base 3b." ” can be updated to, for example, “moving on inter-base route C2d.”

Next, the user terminal 50 according to this embodiment will be explained. The user terminal 50 is an information terminal owned by the sender S and the recipient R, and includes, for example, a smartphone, a tablet, a personal computer, and the like. The user terminal 50 is capable of communicating with the delivery management server 10 via a telecommunications line, and by inputting the delivery information of the delivery item B on the user terminal 50, the delivery information of the delivery item B is sent to the delivery management server 10. Can be sent. The user terminal 50 can also receive notifications of receipt of delivery items, notifications of shipment to delivery locations, notifications of arrival of delivery items, etc. from the delivery management server 10 . Note that it is also possible to install a program dedicated to delivery management processing on the user terminal 50 and start the program to input the delivery information of the delivery item B and send it to the delivery management server 10. By starting a web browser on the user terminal 50, delivery information for the delivery item B may be input on the web browser, and the delivery information for the delivery item B may be transmitted to the delivery management server 10. Further, the user terminal 50 can also have a function of paying costs related to delivery by the delivery management system 1 according to the present embodiment.

The delivery case 60 is a special packaging material for accommodating the delivery item B when the delivery item B is delivered, and is used repeatedly. Here, FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an outline of the delivery case 60 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, a QR code 61 is drawn on the outer surface of the delivery case 60, and the QR code 61 can be read by the reading terminal 42. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, an RF tag 62 is also attached to the delivery case 60, and the information stored in the RF tag 62 can be read by the reading terminal 42. The identification information of the delivery case 60 is stored in the QR code 61 and the RF tag 62, and the reading terminal 42 acquires the identification information of the delivery case 60 by reading the QR code 61 and the RF tag 62. be able to. Therefore, by storing the delivery item B in the delivery case 60, it becomes possible to identify the delivery item B with the delivery case 60. The identification information of the delivery case 60 read by the reading terminal 42 is sent to the delivery management server 10 via the management terminal 41, and is associated with the delivery information of the delivery item B accommodated in the delivery case 60. It is stored in the delivery information table 111.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, delivery cases 60 of a plurality of different sizes are used. Here, FIG. 8(A) shows a delivery case of size 60, which is the smallest of the delivery cases 60 according to the present embodiment, and has a total height, width, and depth of approximately 60 cm. Further, in FIG. 8, (B) is a delivery case 60 of 80 size (total height, width, and depth of approximately 80 cm), which is large enough to accommodate two 60 size delivery cases 60. Similarly, (C) is a shipping case 60 that is 100 size (total height, width, and depth is approximately 100 cm) and is large enough to hold four 60 size shipping cases 60, and (D) is a 120 size shipping case 60. (The total height, width, and depth is approximately 120 cm) is a shipping case 60 that is large enough to hold eight 60 size shipping cases 60, and (E) is a 140 size (total height, width, and depth) is approximately 140 cm), and the shipping case 60 is large enough to accommodate 16 60 size shipping cases 60, and (F) is 160 size (the total of height, width, and depth is approximately 160 cm), The delivery case 60 is large enough to accommodate 24 delivery cases 60 of size 60.

In this embodiment, as a general rule, items to be delivered that are placed in a 60-size delivery case 60 are delivered while being accommodated in a 60-size delivery case 60. The item will be stored in the delivery case 60 with the smallest capacity that can accommodate the item. Moreover, in this embodiment, an upper limit value of the weight of the delivered items that can be accommodated is provided for each delivery case 60. For example, a 60 size delivery case 60 weighs 2 kg, an 80 size delivery case 60 weighs 5 kg, a 100 size delivery case 60 weighs 10 kg, and so on. As a result, even if the delivered item has a capacity that can be accommodated in the 60 size shipping case 60, if its weight is 3 kg, it will exceed the weight upper limit of the 60 size shipping case 60, so the delivered item will be shipped in the 80 size shipping case 60. It will be accommodated in a delivery case 60. In this way, by setting an upper limit value for the weight of the delivered items that can be accommodated for each size of the shipping case 60, it is possible to effectively prevent the delivery means for transporting the delivered items from being overloaded.

Next, delivery management processing of the delivery management system 1 according to this embodiment will be explained based on FIGS. 9 and 10. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing delivery receiving processing, and FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing delivery management processing. Note that the receiving process shown in FIG. 9 is executed when the delivery item B is received at the receiving location 2. In addition, the delivery management process shown in FIG. 10 is to determine whether or not the goods can be delivered at each delivery base 2 to 4, and it is determined at regular intervals whether or not the goods can be delivered for each route between the bases. be done.

First, the receiving process shown in FIG. 9 will be explained. In step S101, delivery information for delivery item B is input using the user terminal 50. For example, the sender S can input the delivery information necessary for delivering the delivery item B from the user terminal 50 by installing a dedicated program on the user terminal 50 in advance and activating the dedicated program. . The delivery information input at the user terminal 50 includes the identification number of the delivery item B, the receiving location 2, the delivery location 5, the name and contact information of the sender S, the name and contact information of the recipient R, and the like. Delivery information for delivery item B input at the user terminal 50 is transmitted to the delivery management server 10 via a telecommunications line and stored in the delivery information table 111 of the database 11. In addition, in this embodiment, in order to facilitate the receiving process of delivery B at the receiving location 2, identification of delivery B is performed to identify the delivery information of delivery B stored in the delivery management server 10. The number is stored on user terminal 50. Then, after the delivery information of the delivery item B is registered in the database 11, the delivery person S brings the delivery item B to the nearest receiving location 2, and the process proceeds to step S102.

In step S102, the reading terminal 42 at the receiving location 2 reads the delivery information of the delivery item B. For example, in this embodiment, the identification information of the delivery item B is stored in the user terminal 50 of the sender S, and the identification information of the delivery item B may be displayed on the display of the user terminal 50, for example, in the form of a QR code. I can do it. In this case, the reading terminal 42 scans the QR code displayed on the display of the user terminal 50 to acquire the identification information of the delivery item B, and transmits it to the management terminal 41. The management terminal 41 can obtain the delivery information of the delivery item based on the identification information of the delivery item B by accessing the delivery management server 10. Furthermore, at the receiving location 2, a delivery case 60 for accommodating the delivery item is determined based on the weight and size of the delivery item. Specifically, the smallest size delivery case 60 among the delivery cases 60 that has a capacity that can accommodate the delivery item and the weight of the delivery item does not exceed the upper limit weight value is the delivery corresponding to the delivery item. This is determined as the case 60 for use. As a result, the management terminal 41 transmits the identification information of the delivery case 60 that accommodates the delivery item to the delivery management server 10, so that the delivery management server 10 determines the size of the delivery case 60 based on the size of the delivery case 60. Delivery information such as the weight and size of the delivery item (how many pieces there are in the minimum unit of 60 delivery cases) is stored in the delivery information table 111.

In step S103, the delivery information registration function of the delivery management server 10 associates the identification information of the delivery item B with the identification information of the delivery case 60 that accommodates the delivery item B. A QR code 61 is attached to the delivery case 60, and by reading the QR code 61 attached to the delivery case 60 containing the delivery item B using the reading terminal 42, the management terminal 41 can check the delivery status. The identification information of the case 60 can also be obtained. Then, the management terminal 41 associates the identification information of the delivery item acquired in step S102 with the identification information of the delivery case 60 acquired in step S103, and transmits the associated information to the delivery management server 10. As a result, the delivery management server 10 stores the delivery information of the delivery item B in the delivery information table 111 in association with the identification information of the delivery case 60 that accommodates the delivery item B. Further, in the subsequent step S104, the delivery management server 10 updates the delivery status of the delivery item in the delivery information table 111 to "being stored at receiving location 2".

As described above, the receiving process according to this embodiment is performed. Next, based on FIG. 10, delivery management processing according to this embodiment will be described.

First, in step S201, the delivery possibility determination function of the delivery management server 10 calculates the total volume of items to be delivered for each delivery location and each route between locations. For example, the delivery possibility determination function determines the inter-base route for delivering the delivery managed at each delivery base N to the next delivery base N+1 based on the delivery information for each delivery stored in the delivery information table 111. Identify. Then, the delivery possibility determining function classifies the items to be delivered for each route between locations, and calculates the total capacity of the items to be delivered on each route between locations based on the delivery information of each item.

In subsequent steps S202 to S205, the remaining days calculation function of the delivery management server 10 performs a process of calculating the remaining days for each delivery item. Therefore, in steps S202 to S205, each process is performed for each item to be delivered.

Specifically, in step S202, the remaining days calculation function calculates the total number of delivery days for each route between bases for each delivery item. For example, the remaining days calculation function identifies the delivery route of each delivery (inter-base route and delivery base from the current delivery base to the delivery location) based on the delivery information of each delivery. The remaining remaining days calculation function then refers to the delivery days table 112 by route between bases stored in the database 11, and calculates all the routes between bases that each delivery item passes from the current delivery base to the delivery location 5. Calculate the total number of delivery days for each item.

In step S203, the remaining days calculation function calculates the total number of storage days at each delivery base for each delivered item. For example, the remaining remaining days calculation function refers to the storage days table 113 by delivery base stored in the database 11, and calculates the storage days of all the delivery bases through which each delivery passes from the current delivery base to the delivery location 5. Calculate the total value for each item.

In step S204, the remaining days calculation function calculates the number of days required for delivery of each item. Specifically, the remaining surplus days calculation function adds the total number of delivery days on the route between each base calculated in step S202 and the total number of storage days at each delivery base calculated in step S203. The number of days is calculated for each item as the number of days required for delivery.

In step S205, the remaining remaining days for each delivery item is calculated by the remaining remaining days calculation function. Specifically, the remaining margin days calculation function first obtains the delivery deadline for each item. Note that the delivery deadline may be stored, for example, in a dedicated table, or may be stored in the delivery information table 111 as delivery information. Then, the remaining free days calculation function calculates the difference between the delivery deadline of each delivery item and the required number of days for delivery of each delivery item calculated in step S204 as the remaining remaining days for each delivery item.

Subsequently, in steps S206 to S210, processing is performed for each route between bases. In the following, the inter-site route on which processing is performed will be referred to as the target inter-site route.

First, in step S206, the delivery permission determination function of the delivery management server 10 determines that the total capacity of the items to be delivered on the route between target locations calculated in step S101 exceeds a predetermined standard capacity set based on the available capacity of the delivery means. A judgment will be made as to whether or not the limit will be exceeded. For example, in the present embodiment, the delivery availability determination function refers to the delivery method table 114 to identify delivery methods that are capable of delivering on the route between target locations. In addition, the delivery availability determination function determines the standard capacity (for example, the loading capacity of the delivery method) for each delivery method that is capable of delivering on the route between target bases, based on the information on the free capacity of each delivery method stored in the delivery method table 114. 80% of the free space). Then, if the total capacity of the delivery item on the route between the target bases exceeds a predetermined reference capacity that has been set, the delivery permission determination function permits delivery of the item on the route between the target bases. In addition, if there are multiple delivery methods for the route between target locations and the standard capacity set based on the available capacity of some of them exceeds the standard capacity, only delivery using some of the delivery methods will be permitted. It's okay. If delivery of the item is permitted by the delivery permission determination function, the process proceeds to step S208. On the other hand, if the total capacity of the items to be delivered on the route between the target locations is less than or equal to the predetermined reference capacity, the process proceeds to step S207.

In step S207, the delivery possibility determination function determines whether or not there is a delivery item on the target route between bases for which the number of remaining days calculated in step S205 is less than a predetermined reference number of days. If there is a delivery item whose remaining number of days is less than the predetermined standard number of days, the process proceeds to step S208 in order to deliver the delivery item on the target inter-base route. On the other hand, if there is no delivered item whose remaining number of remaining days is less than the predetermined reference number of days, the process advances to step S211.

In step S208, the delivery instruction function of the delivery management server 10 instructs the delivery of the item on the route between the target locations. Specifically, the delivery instruction function transmits to the TMS server 30 a transportation instruction for delivering the item on the route between target locations. Thereby, the TMS server 30 selects a delivery method for delivering the delivery item, and transmits an instruction for transporting the delivery item to the selected delivery method. As a result, the delivery means will deliver the item on the route between the target locations.

Furthermore, in step S209 and step S210, the delivery instruction function transmits to the WMS server 20 instructions for receiving and shipping items on the route between target locations. The WMS server 20 sends a shipping instruction for the delivery item to the target inter-base route to the management terminal 41 installed at the shipping source's delivery base, and as a result, the shipping source's delivery base sends the delivery item to the target route between the bases. The shipping procedure for the delivered items will be carried out. In addition, the WMS server 20 sends an instruction to receive the goods from the target inter-base route to the management terminal 41 installed at the destination delivery base, and thereby, the target inter-base route is sent to the target delivery base. Arrival procedures for deliveries will be carried out. After that, the process advances to step S211.

In step S211, the delivery availability determining function determines whether steps S206 to S210 have been performed for all inter-base routes. If the processes of steps S206 to S210 have not been performed for all routes between bases, the processes of steps S206 to S210 are performed with the unprocessed routes between bases as the target route between bases. Furthermore, if the processes in steps S206 to S210 have been performed for all inter-base routes, the process returns to step S201, and the process is repeated from step S201 again.

As described above, the delivery management system 1 according to the present embodiment determines whether the total capacity of deliveries for each inter-base route connecting each delivery base exceeds a predetermined standard capacity determined based on the free capacity of the delivery means. If the total volume of the delivered items exceeds a predetermined reference capacity, the system instructs the delivery of the items on the route between the bases. Thereby, in the delivery management system 1 according to the present embodiment, the loading rate of the delivery means on the route between the bases can be increased, and the delivery fee can be reduced. In other words, in conventional delivery management systems, the delivery period is set to be relatively short (for example, about 2 to 3 days), and even if the loading rate of the delivery method is low in order to comply with the delivery period, the delivery I was making deliveries. Therefore, in the past, the delivery period was short, but the delivery fee was relatively high, and it was not possible to meet the need for a service that had a low delivery fee even though it took several days to deliver. On the other hand, in the delivery management system 1 according to the present embodiment, delivery items are stored at delivery locations until the total volume of delivered items for each route between locations exceeds a predetermined standard capacity determined based on the free capacity of the delivery means. By instructing delivery when the total volume of delivered goods for each route between bases exceeds a predetermined standard capacity, it is possible to increase the loading rate of the delivery method, and the delivery fee is low even if delivery takes several days. It can meet the needs of those who want to use the service.

In addition, in the delivery management system 1 according to the present embodiment, it is determined for each route between bases whether or not there is a delivery item whose remaining number of remaining days is less than a predetermined reference number of days, and the number of remaining remaining days is less than a predetermined reference number of days. For routes between bases where there are items to be delivered that are less than the predetermined standard capacity, delivery of the items is permitted on the routes between bases even if the total volume of the items to be delivered does not exceed the predetermined standard capacity. As a result, the delivery management system 1 according to the present embodiment can effectively prevent items from being delivered beyond the originally determined delivery deadline.

Furthermore, in the delivery management system 1 according to the present embodiment, the sender S brings the delivered item B to the receiving location 2, and the recipient R goes to the delivery location 5 to pick up the delivered item B. It is possible to reduce the overall workload of the business, respond to the recent situation where the number of people engaged in the delivery industry is decreasing, and meet the needs of customers who want to use cheap services. You can also do that.

In addition, in the delivery management system 1 according to the present embodiment, the delivery company is not limited to specialized delivery companies, but can also use empty loading spaces such as trucks arranged by other companies, making it possible to keep delivery costs low. becomes. In other words, the delivery management system 1 according to the present embodiment manages delivery methods that regularly deliver to newspaper delivery offices, JA, gas stations, etc., in addition to the delivery methods of specialized delivery companies, and provides services to these delivery methods. The company can also give transportation and delivery instructions, so it can be placed on the back of a truck after delivering newspapers from a print shop to a newspaper delivery office, on the back of a truck after delivering food etc. to JA, or on the back of a truck after delivering food etc. to a JA, or delivering kerosene etc. to a gas station. Deliveries can then be delivered by using the truck bed, etc. In this way, by utilizing the unused capacity of the loading platform of the delivery means, it becomes possible to provide delivery services at a lower cost.

Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the description of the above embodiments. Various changes and improvements can be made to the embodiments described above, and forms with such changes and improvements are also included within the technical scope of the present invention.

For example, in the embodiment described above, the delivered items are stored at the delivery base N until the total volume of the delivered items scheduled to be delivered from each delivery base N to the next delivery base N+1 exceeds a predetermined standard capacity, and Although we have illustrated a configuration in which delivery of items from the delivery base N to the next delivery base N+1 is permitted when the total capacity exceeds a predetermined standard capacity, the configuration is not limited to this, and the delivery from each delivery base N to the next Deliveries will be stored at delivery base N until the total weight of the deliveries scheduled to be delivered to delivery base N+1 exceeds a predetermined standard weight, and if the total weight of the deliveries exceeds the predetermined standard weight, the delivery will be carried out. A configuration may also be adopted in which delivery of items from base N to the next delivery base N+1 is permitted. Furthermore, for each inter-base route connecting delivery base N and the next delivery base N+1, it is determined whether the total weight of the delivered items exceeds a predetermined standard weight, and the total weight of the delivered items on the inter-base route is set to a predetermined value. The configuration may be such that delivery of the item via the inter-base route is permitted if the weight exceeds the standard weight of the item. In this case, the total weight of the delivered item is preferably the sum of the weight of the delivered item and the delivery case 60 that accommodates the delivered item. In addition, in such cases, it is possible to install a scale on the conveyor that transports the delivered items to actually measure the weight of the delivered items, but It is preferable that the weight of each delivery case 60 is determined as the upper limit of the weight of the delivery items that can be accommodated in the delivery case 60. For example, in a 60 size shipping case 60, if the upper limit of the weight of the delivered item is 2 kg and the weight of the shipping case 60 is 2 kg, then the weight of the delivered item accommodated in this shipping case 60 is 1 kg. Even if there is, the weight of the delivered item (including the delivery case 60) is determined as 4 kg, and based on the total weight of the delivered item thus determined, it is determined whether or not to deliver the delivered item. I can do it.

Furthermore, in the example shown in FIG. 1, a configuration is illustrated in which it is determined whether or not the item can be delivered only when the item is being delivered from the primary storage location 3 to the secondary storage location 4, but the configuration is not limited to this. For example, when delivering from the receiving location 2 to the primary storage location 3 or from the secondary storage location 4 to the delivery location 5, the total capacity of the delivered items may exceed the available capacity of the delivery means such as a truck. (condition 1), or the difference between the delivery deadline and the number of days required for delivery. Determine whether there is a delivery item whose remaining days are less than a predetermined standard number of days (condition 2), and if either condition is met, the delivery item is delivered to the next delivery base. I can do it.

Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the delivery management server 10 transmits to the TMS server 30 the route between locations where the delivery item can be delivered, so that the TMS server 30 determines the delivery means for delivering the delivery item via the route between the locations. Although a configuration has been exemplified in which the specified delivery method is specified and a transportation delivery instruction is given to the delivery method, the delivery management server 10 is not limited to this structure. By specifying the delivery method, including the route between bases and the delivery method in the transportation and delivery instruction, and transmitting it to the TMS server 30, the TMS server 30 issues a transportation and delivery instruction to the delivery method included in the received transportation and delivery instruction. It may also be a configuration.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, a configuration in which the delivery management server 10 is provided independently from the WMS server 20 and the TMS server 30 is illustrated, but a configuration in which the WMS server 20 has the functions of the delivery management server 10 may also be used. Alternatively, the TMS server 30 may have the functions of the delivery management server 10. Further, the WMS server 20 and the TMS server may be provided integrally, or the delivery management server 10, the WMS server 20, and the TMS server may be provided integrally.

In addition, in the embodiment described above, when delivering goods from delivery base N, for example, the goods are sorted for each inter-base route Cn from delivery base N to the next delivery base N+1, and Although we have illustrated a configuration in which it is determined for each Cn whether or not the above-mentioned condition 1 or condition 2 is satisfied, the configuration is not limited to this. For example, at a delivery base N, from the next delivery base N+1 to the next delivery base It may be configured such that the items to be delivered are sorted for each inter-site route Cn+1 up to N+2, and it is determined for each inter-site route Cn+1 whether the above-mentioned condition 1 or condition 2 is satisfied.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration is exemplified in which the number of remaining days is calculated in units of days, but it is also possible to use a configuration in which the remaining remaining time is calculated in units of hours. That is, in the present invention, the "sleep margin time" may include the number of retention days. When calculating the residence time in units of hours, the database 11 includes a delivery time table 112 by route between bases that stores the delivery time for each route between bases C1 to C3, and a delivery time table 112 for each route between bases that stores the delivery time for each route between bases C1 to C3, and a table for each route between bases 2 to 4, and routes C1 to C3 between bases. A storage time table 113 by delivery base that obtains the storage time of delivered items for each C3 is stored. Then, the retention surplus days calculation function (retention surplus time calculation function) acquires the delivery time for each of the inter-base routes C1 to C3 from the inter-base route-specific delivery time table 112, and also obtains the delivery time for each of the inter-base routes C1 to C3 from the delivery base-specific storage time table 113. Obtain the storage time of delivered goods every 2 to 4 and for each inter-base route C1 to C3. For each delivery item B, calculate the total delivery time for one or more inter-site routes that the delivery item takes between the delivery base where it is currently stored and the delivery location 5, and the one or more routes that the delivery item passes through. The time required for delivery is calculated by adding the total storage time at multiple delivery locations. Then, the difference between the preset delivery deadline time of the delivery item and the required delivery time (delivery deadline time - required delivery time) is calculated as the residence time margin. The delivery availability judgment function determines whether or not the delivery allowance time is less than a predetermined standard time for each delivery item. can authorize the delivery of a delivery for the inter-site route on which the delivery is to be delivered.

1...Delivery management system 10...Delivery management server 11...Database 12...Arithmetic device 13...Storage device 14...Communication device 20...WMS server 21...Arithmetic device 22...Storage device 23...Communication device 30...TMS server 31...Arithmetic device 32 ...Storage device 33...Communication device 41...Management terminal 42...Reading terminal 50...User terminal 60...Delivery case 61...QR code 62...RF tag 2...Receiving location 3...Primary storage location 4...Secondary storage location 5...Delivery Location S...Sender R...Recipient B...Delivery item

Claims (12)

A delivery management system that manages delivery processing in which items are delivered via multiple delivery points,
At each delivery base N, there is a judgment means for determining the timing to deliver the delivery item to the next delivery base N+1,
The determination means stores the delivered items at the delivery base N until the total volume or total weight of the delivered items scheduled to be delivered from each delivery base N to the next delivery base N+1 exceeds a predetermined reference capacity or predetermined reference weight. and, if the total volume or total weight of the delivery exceeds the predetermined reference capacity or the predetermined reference weight, the delivery is permitted to be delivered from the delivery base N to the next delivery base N+1. have conditions,
In the first condition, whether the total volume or total weight of the delivered items exceeds the predetermined reference capacity or the predetermined reference weight for each inter-base route connecting delivery base N and the next delivery base N+1. and, if the total volume or total weight of the delivery items on the inter-site route exceeds the predetermined reference capacity or the predetermined reference weight, permit delivery of the delivery item on the inter-site route. management system. Furthermore, a delivery case of multiple sizes is provided with an identifier that can be read by a reading terminal and that accommodates the delivery item,
In the first condition, for each inter-base route connecting delivery base N and the next delivery base N+1, the delivery set for each size determines whether the total weight of the delivered items exceeds the predetermined reference weight. According to claim 1, when the total weight of the delivery items on the inter-site route exceeds the predetermined reference weight based on the upper limit weight of the case, the delivery of the item on the inter-site route is permitted. delivery management system. In the first condition, the predetermined reference capacity or the predetermined reference weight is determined based on the free capacity or surplus weight of a loading platform of a delivery means that delivers the goods from delivery point N to the next delivery point N+1; The delivery management system according to claim 1 or 2 . The determination means determines whether the remaining residence time, which is the difference between the delivery deadline time of a delivery scheduled to be delivered from each delivery base N to the next delivery base N+1 and the delivery time required for the delivery, is less than a predetermined reference time. The delivery management system according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , further comprising a second condition for permitting delivery of the delivery item. In the second condition, for each inter-base route connecting delivery base N and the next delivery base N+1, it is determined whether there is a delivery item whose residence time is less than the reference time, and 5. The delivery management system according to claim 4 , wherein if there is a delivery item whose margin time is less than the reference time, delivery of the delivery item on the inter-base route is permitted. 6. The delivery management system according to claim 4 , wherein in the second condition, the delivery deadline time is five days or more. 7. The delivery base according to claim 1, wherein the delivery base is a receiving location for receiving the delivery from the sender, a delivery location for delivering the delivery to the deliverer, and a storage location located between the receiving location and the delivery location. Delivery management system described in any of the above. Delivery information receiving means for receiving delivery information via a network;
Delivery item location information distribution means for delivering delivery item location information to a specific terminal via a network,
3. The delivery management system according to claim 2 , wherein the delivery information receiving means is capable of receiving location information transmitted in association with information on the identifier read by a reading terminal at each location. 9. The delivery management system according to claim 8 , wherein the identifier includes a two-dimensional information code and an IC tag. A terminal capable of communicating with the delivery management system according to claim 8 or 9 via a network,
a delivery item information input means for inputting delivery item information;
A terminal comprising, in the delivery information receiving means, delivery information transmitting means for transmitting delivery information via a network. A program executed on the terminal according to claim 10 ,
The terminal includes delivery item information input means for inputting delivery item information;
A program for causing the delivery information receiving means to function as delivery information transmitting means for transmitting delivery information via a network. A delivery management method for managing delivery processing in which delivery items are delivered via multiple delivery locations, the method comprising:
At each delivery base N, there is a judgment step for determining the timing to deliver the delivery item to the next delivery base N+1,
In the judgment step,
Deliveries are stored at each delivery base N until the total volume or total weight of the deliveries scheduled to be delivered from each delivery base N to the next delivery base N+1 exceeds a predetermined standard capacity or standard weight. having a first condition that permits delivery of the delivery from the delivery base N to the next delivery base N+1 when the volume or total weight exceeds the predetermined reference capacity or the predetermined reference weight;
In the first condition, whether the total volume or total weight of the delivered items exceeds the predetermined reference capacity or the predetermined reference weight for each inter-base route connecting delivery base N and the next delivery base N+1. and, if the total volume or total weight of the delivery items on the inter-site route exceeds the predetermined reference capacity or the predetermined reference weight, permit delivery of the delivery item on the inter-site route. Management method.