JP2004110494A - Inventory reserve management system and inventory reserve management program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To support by a computer in coping with the insufficient quantity of inventory due to the concurrence of order acceptance. <P>SOLUTION: Supposing there are orders of 100, 60, 50 and 100 pieces from customers AA, BB, CC and DD respectively, the total amount of received orders is 310 pieces. When the inventory is confirmed, the deliverable quantity of products is 130 pieces. The allocation rate is determined on the pieces to be delivered to the customers for the time being. An inventory confirming means 13 compares the total quantity of the received orders with the deliverable quantity, and an allocating means 14 determines the allocation rate using a selected parameter. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, when an order for the same product is received by a plurality of customers and the deliverable quantity is less than the total value of the order quantity, the quantity to be delivered to each customer within the range of the deliverable quantity up to the delivery date. The present invention relates to an inventory allocation management system and an inventory allocation management program capable of automatically performing allocation allocation processing.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Normally, when an order for a product is received, the state of the stock is checked, the delivery date is answered, and the stock allocation processing is performed. If there are 100 products in the warehouse and there are 20 orders, we will arrange 20 products for the customer. On the other hand, if there are 100 commodities in the warehouse and there are 200 inquiries, we will reply that 100 can be delivered immediately, and calculate the delivery date after confirming the production and shipping status of the remaining 100. Answer.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, the conventional techniques as described above have the following problems to be solved.
The following problem arises when the order of the same product is received from a plurality of customers and the stock of the product is insufficient. For example, if there is only 50 pieces in stock, and a sales representative has to determine the delivery priority when receiving orders of 20 pieces from A, B, C, and D stores, respectively, how to deliver the pieces. . Conventionally, the priority of delivery has been determined by a sales representative based on their experience by comparing sales and the like.
[0004]
However, for example, if 20 units are simultaneously ordered from four mass retailers in a region where competing mass retailers are lined up, and there is only 20 units in stock, the 20 units are immediately delivered to one store and sent to another store. After that, the complaint is made and the relationship with other stores gets worse. In such a case, it is the best method to deliver five vehicles equally to each store. Only experienced salespeople can make accurate decisions in such cases. Further, when a plurality of sales representatives are in charge of sharing the same area, there is no guarantee that an accurate determination can be made.
The present invention has been made by paying attention to the above points, and there is an order received by a plurality of customers for a close delivery date of the same product, and the total value of the order quantity can be delivered until the delivery date of the product. It is an object of the present invention to provide an inventory allocation management system that prevents a sales representative from making a mistake when the quantity exceeds the quantity.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an inventory allocation management system and an inventory allocation management program that reduce the burden on sales representatives and the like and reduce complaints from customers.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention employs the following configuration to solve the above points.
<Configuration 1>
When a plurality of customers receive orders for the same product with close delivery dates, inventory check means for comparing the total value of the order quantities and the deliverable quantity of the product up to the delivery date, and the delivery Means for executing allocation processing of the quantity to be delivered to the plurality of customers within the range of the deliverable quantity up to the delivery date when the available quantity is less than the total value of the order quantity; and And a distribution means for selecting and calculating a distribution ratio to determine the allocated quantity for each customer.
[0006]
Use when multiple orders are in conflict. Also includes orders from different offices of the same company. Applies when orders for the same product are concentrated. This is particularly effective when there is no alternative product. If there is an order with a close delivery date, the order must be handled within the current inventory range. The range of the close delivery date is arbitrarily selected within a range in which the stock quantity does not fluctuate greatly, and the order quantity is calculated. The deliverable quantity is the total quantity of inventories that can be delivered reliably. The quantity to be delivered to multiple customers maximizes the deliverable quantity. The predetermined parameter is a parameter effective for determining the distribution ratio. When this parameter is selected, the distribution ratio is automatically calculated, so that the work of examining the distribution ratio is supported and can be automated as needed.
[0007]
<Configuration 2>
The inventory allocation management system according to the first aspect, further comprising means for automatically calculating a distribution ratio using parameters set in advance and displaying the distribution ratio as basic data.
[0008]
The initially set parameter is, for example, the current order quantity ratio. If a conclusion can be made by looking at the basic data, the work is completed. Although parameters to be initialized are arbitrary, general parameters are preferable as much as possible. Even when this result is not used as it is, there is an effect that, based on this result, it can be compared and verified with a case where another parameter is selected. Therefore, it becomes a powerful support tool for administrators.
[0009]
<Configuration 3>
The inventory allocation management system according to Configuration 1, further comprising means for automatically detecting a state where the deliverable quantity is less than the total value of the order quantity and automatically generating the basic data. Management system.
[0010]
A state in which the deliverable quantity is less than the total value of the order quantity is a state in which the order is competing. By automatically detecting this, oversight is eliminated. In addition, it is possible to prevent a case where a plurality of sales representatives are involved and make a wrong decision.
[0011]
<Configuration 4>
The inventory allocation management system according to the first aspect, further comprising: a display unit that displays a selectable parameter list and a unit for selecting one of the parameter lists before calculating the distribution ratio.
[0012]
A large number of parameters are enumerated so that they can be freely selected, and it is possible to clearly display what kind of distribution ratio should be focused on which parameter. The selection method and the configuration of the selection means are arbitrary. The patronage and type of parameters are arbitrary.
[0013]
<Configuration 5>
[0014]
The allocation ratio calculation requires a proportional calculation using parameters. When combining a plurality of parameters, digitization is most convenient. Therefore, all parameters are digitized. The contents of the numerical values should be determined empirically.
[0015]
<Configuration 6>
In the inventory allocation management system according to the configuration 1, the parameters are ranked by comparing the relationship between the absolute numerical data quantified by having predetermined quantitative basis data for each customer and the competing customers. And a relative numerical data obtained by giving a numerical value corresponding to the ranking.
[0016]
The past total sales and the like of each customer are absolute numerical data. Relative numerical data is a numerical value of a relative value such as the priority of a customer in business. All parameters of different properties can be digitized for comprehensive judgment.
[0017]
<Configuration 7>
The inventory allocation management system according to Configuration 1, wherein the parameter includes all past sales results for each customer.
[0018]
Compare all past sales results of customers, and assign more to customers with more results. A customer with a sales record can reduce the delay in the delivery date in order to secure the sales record.
[0019]
<Configuration 8>
The inventory allocation management system according to Configuration 1, wherein the parameter includes, for each customer, all past sales results of the ordered product.
[0020]
By assigning a large number to customers who have a high track record of sales of the ordered product, the sales of the product can be reliably secured.
[0021]
<Configuration 9>
The inventory allocation management system according to the first aspect, wherein the parameter includes a location condition of a customer.
[0022]
The urgency of delivery varies depending on the location, such as residential, commercial, industrial, school-rich, and government-rich. Therefore, it is effective to determine the priority of delivery by comparing the location conditions.
[0023]
<Configuration 10>
The inventory allocation management system according to the first aspect, wherein a shipment date or a delivery date is displayed together with the allocation quantity.
[0024]
When the above calculation is performed, the resulting distribution ratio is directly used to rank customers. According to this ranking, it can be used to determine not only the delivery quantity but also the shipping date and delivery date.
[0025]
<Configuration 11>
When there are orders by multiple customers for the same delivery date for the same product, the process of comparing the total value of the order quantities and the deliverable quantity of the product up to the delivery date, and the above deliverable quantity When the value of the order quantity is less than the total value of the order quantity, a process of executing an allocation process of the quantity to be delivered to the plurality of customers within a range of the deliverable quantity up to the delivery date, and selecting a predetermined parameter. And calculating a distribution ratio to determine the allocation quantity for each customer by a computer.
[0026]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described using specific examples.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a specific example of a stock allocation management system according to the present invention.
In this system, when an order is received from a customer, a product allocation process is executed by the host computer 10 shown in the figure. The host computer 10 is connected to customer terminal devices 11A, 11B, 11C, and 11D via the network 1. The network 1 is an arbitrary information communication network such as the Internet, an intranet (LAN, WAN), and a telephone network. It can be a wired network or a wireless network. Each of the terminal devices 11A to 11D is a personal computer, a mobile computer, a mobile phone terminal, a general telephone terminal, or any communication terminal having an information processing function and a communication function. The host computer 10 comprises a personal computer or a workstation.
[0027]
The host computer 10 includes a storage device 20 and an arithmetic processing device. The storage device 20 may be built in the host computer 10 or externally attached. The storage device 20 stores an inventory management database 21, an order management database 22, and a customer-specific parameter database 23. The stock confirmation unit 13, the distribution unit 14, and the parameter selection unit 15 are computer programs that operate on the arithmetic processing unit of the host computer 10.
[0028]
For example, it is assumed that there are orders of 100, 60, 50, and 100 from four customers AA, BB, CC, and DD shown in FIG. The total order quantity is 310 pieces. At this time, it is assumed that the number of products that can be delivered is 130 when the inventory is checked. In this case, the system shown in the figure determines the number of products to be delivered to which customer for the time being and the distribution ratio thereof. The stock checking means 13 shown in the figure executes a process of comparing the total ordered quantity (310 pieces in this example) with the deliverable quantity (130 pieces in this case). The distribution unit 14 executes a process of determining the distribution ratio of which customer should be delivered to which customer based on a certain standard. The parameter selection unit 15 has a function of selecting a parameter required when the distribution unit 14 determines the distribution ratio. The inventory management database 21 stores a deliverable inventory quantity for each product item. The order management database 22 is a database that stores past order statuses and results of various customers. The customer-specific parameter database 23 is a database that lists parameters effective for determining the distribution ratio for each customer and further stores numerical data corresponding to the parameters.
[0029]
According to the present invention, when there is an order from a plurality of customers for a close delivery date of the same product, an optimal distribution ratio is determined using various parameters to calculate an immediate delivery quantity. This kind of work was previously performed by salespeople with sufficient experience and knowledge, but here we have decided to set new rules and calculation methods so that they can be processed by computer, and to automate them. .
[0030]
[Operation screen]
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an operation screen for determining the allocation quantity allocation for each customer. The screen 30 is configured so that a product code 31, a delivery date 32, an order quantity specification 33, and the like of a product for which an order has been received can be input. On this screen 30, data 35 corresponding to the deliverable quantity extracted with reference to the inventory management database 21 and the total ordered quantity 34 obtained by summing the ordered quantities of a plurality of customers can be automatically displayed. This process is executed by the stock confirmation unit 13. By looking at these, it is possible to immediately deliver up to 130 pieces, but in other cases, it is possible to grasp the situation where the stock is insufficient and must be delivered at a later date. From this screen 30, the delivery date is approaching, and when a total of 310 orders are received from four customers AA, BB, CC, and DD, the inventory quantity is only 130 pieces. It is concluded that the delivery should be made in the distribution shown in the quantity distribution table 36 for the time being.
[0031]
[Parameter]
In order to generate the quantity distribution table on the screen 30, one basic allocation parameter is determined in advance. The button 37 is clicked when determining the allocation parameters. The allocation parameter is, for example, the order quantity of each customer at this time. The order quantity ratio of each customer is 100: 60: 50: 100. When 130 pieces of the stock quantity are distributed according to the order quantity ratio, it becomes 50: 20: 20: 40. This result is shown in the allocation quantity distribution table 36 at the bottom of the screen 30. If various situations are ignored, the simplest method is to judge from the stock quantity and the order quantity, and to allocate more customers to the order quantity and deliver the products. Therefore, such an arithmetic processing was performed. This calculation process is executed by the distribution unit 14. In practice, there are various other criteria. Thus, the user selects the parameter 37 by using the button 37 so that various parameters are designated, the distribution ratio is reviewed, the calculation is performed again, and the calculation can be performed again.
[0032]
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a difference in distribution ratio depending on a parameter.
The vertical axis in FIG. 3A is the order quantity. The hatched portion is the allocation quantity. This state represents the contents of the allocation quantity distribution table 36 in FIG. 2 as it is. The allocation quantity according to the order quantity is calculated. In FIG. 3B, the white bar graph indicates the actual quantity, and the hatched bar graph indicates the allocated quantity. The actual order quantity was calculated by specifically calculating the past order quantity for each customer. For customers with large actual quantities, sufficient amounts are allocated to orders, and for customers with small actual quantities, small allocations are allocated.
[0033]
The method of determining the distribution ratio shown in (a) of the figure may not properly respond to the business strategy or customer situation. There is a problem in that simply using the actual quantity as a parameter as shown in (b) cannot cultivate a new area and appropriately respond to a customer whose order quantity is rapidly increasing. In consideration of these points, we prepared various parameters that were problematic in the past, and when this order was given an instruction on which parameter to focus on and determine the allocation ratio, the parameters were automatically Used to calculate the reserved quantity. As a result, optimization calculation of the distribution ratio becomes possible. In the example shown in FIG. 3 (c), the parameters are converted into numerical values, the sum of the parameters is represented by a white bar graph, and the allocation ratio of the allocated quantity is determined by the ratio of the white bar graph. For example, when the parameter of the order quantity in (a) is quantified, numerical values such as 100 for AA and 60 for BB may be used. If the actual quantity is, for example, 10,000 pieces, the numerical value may be used as it is. However, in order to uniformly apply the effect of each parameter to the result, the numerical value range of the parameters may be adjusted. Weighting may be performed according to the importance of the parameter. A specific example will be described later.
[0034]
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an allocation parameter selection screen displayed when the allocation parameter selection button 37 in FIG. 2 is clicked.
On this screen 40, a list 41 of parameters is displayed. Here, for example, the order volume ratio, the past total sales performance, the customer's expectation, the transportation time from the warehouse that takes out the product at the time of delivery to the customer, the customer's location conditions, the priority between competing customers Parameters such as ranking are listed. These parameters do not always apply all, but may be selected in any combination according to the situation. A check box 47 is provided for the selection. When the check box 47 is checked, the parameter becomes valid. The “order volume ratio” has already been described.
[0035]
Looking at "Past Sales Record", a calculation method to accumulate how many customers have purchased all of their products in the past, and how many customers have There is a calculation method that accumulates only what has been purchased in the past. In the drop-down list 42 shown on the right side of the drawing, for example, when a specific product code is specified by the latter calculation method, the product code is input, and when the former calculation method is adopted, the drop-down list 42 is blank. Thus, the past total sales result calculation method is specified. The “location of the customer” is a parameter from the viewpoint of the area where the customer exists. When customers are located, for example, in highly competitive commercial areas, products must be delivered in as large a proportion as possible. If you are in an area where there is relatively little competition, there is no major harm even if the delivery date is slightly delayed. “Customer location” is a parameter that can take these points into account.
[0036]
When the selection button 43 on the screen 40 is clicked, a screen 46 is displayed. This is a screen for selecting “customer location”. Cases such as commercial, office, government, industrial, educational, and residential areas are listed. Use the option button 48 to select one. This screen 46 is generated for the number of customers who have received orders, and selection processing is performed for all customers. When the selection is completed, a return button 49 is clicked, and the original screen 40 is displayed. After the necessary parameters are selected, when the allocation ratio calculation execution button 45 is clicked, the allocation means 14 shown in FIG. 1 is activated, and executes the allocation ratio calculation.
[0037]
[Parameterization]
Each parameter is digitized so that the effect of the combination can be easily calculated. The parameters are classified into two types. There are two types of parameters, one for setting an absolute numerical value and the other for setting a relative numerical value. The absolute numerical parameter is, for example, in the range of a minimum value of 1 and a maximum value of 100. For example, the order quantity is set as (1) from 1 to 20, (2) from 21 to 40, and (100) is set to the maximum value. Similarly, for the past total sales results, a numerical value corresponding to the past total sales amount or total sales volume is determined.
[0038]
On the other hand, regarding the degree of expectation, for example, when four customers are competing with each other, it is better to calculate them by relatively comparing them. At this time, a relative numerical parameter is used. If the degree of expectation is the highest, (20), the second is (15), the third is (10), the fourth is (5), and so on. Speaking of customer locations, when there are six types of location conditions as shown on the screen 46 of FIG. 4, the one with the most severe conditions is (50), the second is (40), and the third is (30). Set as follows. Also, when priorities are assigned unconditionally in terms of business policy when each customer is compared, priorities are assigned to competing customers, and relative numerical values are set in that order. “Transportation time from warehouse to customer” is converted to a numerical value. For example, priority is given to distant customers. The “priority among competing customers” is set on the screen 50 by clicking the order setting button 44. The drop-down list 51 on the screen 50 is a button for selecting the order.
[0039]
[Weighting]
For important parameters, the value of the absolute numerical parameter is set large, for example, in the range of 50 to 100. In the case of a parameter having a low degree of importance, the value of the absolute numerical parameter is set lower, for example, in the range of 1 to 30. Therefore, when a necessary parameter is selected using the screen 40 shown in FIG. 4, the numerical value of each parameter can be automatically added to obtain a cumulative total. By comparing the totals, allocation quantity allocation as shown in FIG. As for the importance of each parameter, a past experience value may be obtained in advance. Therefore, the distribution ratio can be automatically optimized for each customer by the above operation.
[0040]
[Operation]
FIG. 5 is a specific operation flowchart of the arithmetic processing device.
First, in step S1, it is first detected that orders have been received from a plurality of customers for the same product in a close delivery date. This may be performed by the administrator, but it is preferable to automatically monitor the order reception status and perform automatic processing in order to prevent oversight. The stock checking means 13 executes a process of checking stock with reference to the stock management database 21 and the order management database 22 (step S2). Then, the total order quantity and the deliverable quantity are compared, the result is obtained, and the screen 30 of FIG. 2 is generated. The initial value of the parameter is set to the order quantity ratio only, and the allocation quantity allocation is also calculated. That is, distribution processing is first performed on the currently deliverable quantity simply using the order quantity ratio (step S3). Using the result, the screen 30 of FIG. 2 is generated and displayed on the display of the host computer 10 (step S4).
[0041]
Here, the judgment operation of the administrator is waited (step S5). If the result of the distribution process using the order quantity ratio is determined to be valid, the process is stopped here. On the other hand, when the allocation parameter selection button 37 is clicked to optimize the allocation quantity, the process proceeds from step S5 to step S6. Then, the assignment parameters shown in FIG. 4 are displayed (step S6). After the screen 40 in FIG. 4 is operated and the allocation parameter is selected, the allocation ratio calculation execution button 45 is clicked (step S7, step S8). Here, the selected parameters are digitized and score calculation is performed (step S9). When the total of the parameters is obtained for each customer, in step S10, quantity distribution is executed using the point ratio of each customer within a range in which delivery is possible. Finally, in step S11, the screen 30 including the allocation quantity allocation is updated and displayed. The manager confirms the screen displayed in this way, and determines the allocated quantity.
[0042]
If there is a problem in the calculation result, the distribution ratio calculation may be repeated. The parameter selecting means 15 displays the screen 40 as shown in FIG. 4 and selectively extracts the parameter selected by the check box 47 from the customer-specific parameter database 23 of the storage device 20 and Separately, a process of digitizing parameters and substituting them into variables in a cumulative calculation expression for distribution calculation is executed. The distribution means 14 executes the cumulative calculation formula to generate and display the screen 30 of FIG. As described above, first, using the initially set parameters, the distribution ratio for distributing the deliverable quantity to each customer is determined, displayed, and the parameters are selected in an arbitrary combination, and the selected parameters are selected. Automatically calculate the distribution ratio according to the parameters. Thereby, in order to determine the distribution ratio for each customer, as many parameters as possible are adopted as parameters, and the distribution ratio can be optimized according to the order receiving situation. In addition, a certain parameter is ranked by mutual comparison between competing customers, and a numerical value reflecting the ranking is given, whereby a distribution ratio can be calculated for each product according to the circumstances of the customer. By utilizing this, it is possible to determine not only the delivery quantity but also the shipping order and delivery order.
[0043]
The parameters can include a production plan and a shipping plan of the product, and a shipping schedule to each region. Since parameters and coefficients should be different depending on past results, products, regions, timings, etc., it is possible to select as many parameters as possible, and as shown in FIG. Is preferably set. Further, for example, it is also possible to accumulate a history of combinations of used parameters, generate a list of frequently used combinations, and promote the use.
[0044]
The computer programs installed in the arithmetic processing device may be configured by combining independent program modules, or may be configured by an integrated program as a whole. All or part of the processing controlled by the computer program may be configured by hardware having equivalent functions. Further, the above-described computer program may be used by being incorporated into an existing application program. The computer program for realizing the present invention as described above can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, and installed and used in an arbitrary information processing apparatus. In addition, it can be downloaded and used in the memory of any computer through a network.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a specific example of an inventory allocation management system according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an operation screen for determining allocation quantity allocation for each customer.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a difference in distribution ratio depending on a parameter.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an assignment parameter selection screen.
FIG. 5 is a specific operation flowchart of the arithmetic processing device.
[Explanation of symbols]
Reference Signs List 1 network, 10 host computer, 11A to 11D terminal device, 13 inventory confirmation means, 14 distribution means, 15 parameter selection means, 16 total processing, 17 comparison processing, 18 distribution processing, 21 inventory management database, 22
Order management database, 23 customer-specific parameter database

Claims (11)

When there is an order with a close delivery date of the same product by a plurality of customers, inventory confirmation means for comparing the total value of those order quantities and the deliverable quantity of the product up to the delivery date,
Means for executing allocation processing of the quantity to be delivered to the plurality of customers, when the deliverable quantity is less than the total value of the order quantity, within the deliverable quantity up to the delivery date,
A distribution means for selecting a predetermined parameter to calculate a distribution ratio and determining the allocated quantity for each customer. The inventory allocation management system according to claim 1,
A stock allocation management system comprising means for automatically calculating a distribution ratio using parameters set in advance and displaying it as basic data. The inventory allocation management system according to claim 1,
A stock allocation management system, comprising: means for automatically detecting a state in which the deliverable quantity is less than the total value of the order quantity and automatically generating the basic data. The inventory allocation management system according to claim 1,
An inventory allocation management system comprising: a display unit for displaying a selectable parameter list and a unit for selecting any of the parameter lists prior to calculating a distribution ratio. The inventory allocation management system according to claim 1,
The said parameter which can be selected is each digitized, The stock allocation management system characterized by the above-mentioned. The inventory allocation management system according to claim 1,
The parameters are ranked by comparing the relationship between the competing customers and the absolute numerical data quantified by having the predetermined quantitative basis data for each customer, and giving a numerical value corresponding to the ranking. An inventory allocation management system, comprising: The inventory allocation management system according to claim 1,
The inventory allocation management system, wherein the parameters include all past sales results for each customer. The inventory allocation management system according to claim 1,
The inventory allocation management system, wherein the parameters include, for each customer, all past sales results of the ordered product. The inventory allocation management system according to claim 1,
The inventory allocation management system, wherein the parameters include location conditions of the customer. The inventory allocation management system according to claim 1,
An inventory allocation management system characterized by displaying a shipping date or a delivery date together with the allocated quantity. When there is an order with a close delivery date of the same product by a plurality of customers, a process of comparing the total value of those order quantities and the deliverable quantity of the product up to the delivery date,
When the deliverable quantity is less than the total value of the ordered quantity, a process of executing an allocation process of the quantity to be delivered to the plurality of customers within a range of the deliverable quantity up to the delivery date,
A computer that executes a process of selecting a predetermined parameter, calculating an allocation ratio, and determining the allocation quantity for each customer.

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