JP2006338585A - Demand prediction method, demand prediction analysis server, and demand prediction program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a demand prediction analysis server which exactly grasp demand of a product at a certain point of time in the future. <P>SOLUTION: In the demand prediction analysis server for predicting the demand of an assembly type product, the server has parameter generation processing 31 for inputting record of an estimating operation of the assembly type product by an orderer and record of an ordering operation of the assembly type product by the orderer, performing association processing between the inputted records of the estimating operation and the ordering operation to calculate parameters of order probability and ordering time delay to the estimating operation from the result of the association processing and prediction processing 32 for predicting the number and a period when the estimating operation results in an order or the number and a period when the estimating operation results in the order and the assembly type product is shipped on the basis of the estimating operation of the assembly type product by the orderer and the parameter. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a demand prediction method for an assembly-type product such as a computer and an automobile, a demand prediction analysis server, and a demand prediction program. In particular, because the product specification definition is complex, it is necessary to support the specification definition by a computer, or because it is an expensive product, it takes time from specification specification to price determination, and the demand for the product has elapsed over time. Therefore, it is suitable for predicting the demand of products such as high-performance computer devices that require accurate grasping of the amount of product demand at a certain time in the future.

  In recent years, customer needs have been diversified in products such as computers and automobiles, and order specification production in which product specifications are customized and produced according to the needs of each customer has become widespread. This production method subdivides products into component units with independent functions, and changes the combination of component units according to customer requirements to produce products with various functions from limited component units. It is.

  On the other hand, in order to realize such a customized specification production, it is necessary to define a correct specification in consideration of a pattern of component units that can be combined. However, when the number of combined patterns becomes enormous, it is difficult to manually check. For this reason, “estimation support devices” that check the combination pattern of component units by a computer device and support correct specification definition have become widespread. In such a product, since the ratio of order definition by the “estimation support device” is high for the orderer, the estimation history information in the “estimation support device” is more likely to include parts information necessary for future production. .

Patent Document 1 discloses a method of utilizing the above estimated history information for parts procurement for future production. The technology of Patent Document 1 starts a production preparation operation for a selected product in response to a purchase preparation operation including at least one of an estimate request operation or a negotiation application operation by a customer.
JP 2003-296612 A

  Since the demand for enterprise-use computers is easily affected by the economy, fluctuations in demand over time are large. In addition, the components such as CPU, memory, and HDD are remarkably technologically innovative and have a high obsolete speed. Such products are required to procure only the necessary amount of parts in response to demand fluctuations and prevent loss of order receipt while avoiding excess inventory. For this purpose, it is necessary to accurately grasp the demand at a certain point in the future. With the technique of the above-mentioned patent document 1, it can be predicted that demand for the selected product will be generated in the future by the purchase preparation operation by the customer, but it is difficult to grasp when the demand is generated.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a demand prediction method, a demand prediction analysis server, and a demand prediction program for accurately grasping a demand for a product at a certain point in the future.

  Of the inventions disclosed in the present application, the outline of typical ones will be briefly described as follows.

  The demand prediction method according to the present invention is a demand prediction method using a computer device for predicting the demand for an assembly-type product. The demand prediction method records the estimation operation of the assembly-type product by the orderer and orders the assembly-type product by the orderer. An operation record is input to the computer device, and the computer device performs a correlation process between the input estimate operation record and the order operation record; and the computer device determines an order probability for the estimate operation from the result of the correlation process; The step of calculating the parameter for delaying the order time, and the computer apparatus determines the number and timing of the estimate operation to be ordered or the estimate operation reaches the order based on the estimate operation and the parameter of the assembly type product by the orderer. Predicting the number and timing of product shipments.

  The demand prediction method according to the present invention is a demand prediction method using a computer device for predicting the demand for an assembly-type product. The demand prediction method records an estimation operation of the assembly-type product by the orderer and the assembly-type product by the orderer. The order operation record is input to the computer device, and the computer device performs grouping according to the input orderer and the type of the assembly-type product, and the computer device is grouped to record and estimate each estimate operation. A step of performing an operation recording correlation process, a computer device calculating, for each group, parameters of an order probability and an order delay for an estimation operation from a result of the correlation processing; Based on the estimate operation of the assembled product and the parameters for each group The number and timing of Ri operation reaches the order, or estimated operation reaches the order, in which a step of predicting the timing and number of assembled products are shipped.

  The demand prediction analysis server according to the present invention is a demand prediction analysis server for predicting the demand for an assembly-type product, and records the estimation operation of the assembly-type product by the orderer and the ordering operation of the assembly-type product by the orderer. Parameter generation processing means for performing a correlation process between the input estimate operation record and the order operation record, and calculating an order probability and an order delay parameter for the estimate operation from the result of the correlation process; Predictive processing means for predicting the number and timing of the estimate operation reaching the order or the estimate operation reaching the order and the number of assembled products shipped based on the orderer's estimate operation and parameters of the assembled product It is equipped with.

  In addition, the demand prediction program according to the present invention inputs a computer apparatus, a record of an estimate operation of an assembly type product by an orderer, and a record of an order operation of the assembly type product by an orderer to predict the demand of the assembly type product. A parameter generation processing means for performing a correlation process between the record of the estimate operation and the record of the order operation, and calculating a parameter of the order probability and the order time delay for the estimate operation from the result of the correlation process; Based on the estimation operation and the parameters, it functions as a prediction processing means for predicting the number and timing when the estimation operation reaches the order, or the estimation operation reaches the order and the number and timing when the assembled product is shipped.

  Among the inventions disclosed in the present application, effects obtained by typical ones will be briefly described as follows.

  According to the present invention, a producer can systematically execute production and parts procurement, and it is possible to prevent generation of surplus inventory while preventing loss of order receipt. Furthermore, it becomes possible to grasp in advance the degree of achievement of the sales plan at the settlement date, and it becomes possible to reduce the degree of unachieved by implementing a recovery plan.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that components having the same function are denoted by the same reference symbols throughout the drawings for describing the embodiment, and the repetitive description thereof will be omitted.

<Overall configuration of system including demand forecast analysis server>
The overall configuration of a system including a demand prediction analysis server according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing the overall configuration of a system including a demand prediction analysis server according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, an orderer terminal 1 used by a product orderer and a company-side system that provides the product are connected by a communication line 2 such as the Internet. The company side system includes an estimate support server 3, an estimate management server 4, an order support server 5, an order management server 6, a demand prediction analysis server 7, a sales management server 8, a production management server 9, and a procurement management server for performing demand prediction. The servers are connected by a communication line such as a network. The procurement management server 10 is connected to a computer 11 of a parts manufacturer through a communication line 2 such as the Internet.

  The orderer terminal 1 is a general-purpose computer device, and includes a display device such as a display, an input device such as a mouse and a keyboard, a CPU, a memory, an HDD, and a communication device. The orderer applies the requested operation from the input device, the requested operation information is transmitted to the company side system through the communication line, and the service information of the company side system is transmitted to the orderer's terminal through the communication line and displayed on the display device. The

  The estimate support server 3 is a general-purpose computer device, and includes a CPU, a memory, an HDD, and a communication device. Information on the product specifications selected at the orderer terminal is transmitted to the estimate support server 3 via a communication line. The estimate support server 3 receives the selected specification as input, refers to the specification selection constraint information recorded therein, and outputs the next selectable product specification. The product specifications are transmitted to the orderer terminal 1 through the communication line 2 and displayed on the display device of the orderer terminal. Further, the estimate data including the product specifications determined by the orderer terminal 1 is transmitted to the estimate management server 4 via the communication line and recorded in the database 12.

  The estimate management server 4 is a general-purpose computer device, and includes a CPU, a memory, an HDD, and a communication device. The estimate management server 4 receives estimate data from the estimate support server 3 via the communication line and records it in the database 12. Further, it receives an output request from various servers via the communication line, searches for the desired estimate data from the database 12, and outputs it via the communication line.

  The order support server 5 is a general-purpose computer device, and includes a CPU, a memory, an HDD, and a communication device. When order data is input to the orderer terminal 1, the order support server 5 is notified via the communication line, checks the content of the order data, and displays it on the display device of the orderer terminal. Further, the order data determined by the orderer is transmitted to the order management server 6 via the communication line and recorded in the database 13.

  The order management server 6 is a general-purpose computer device, and includes a CPU, a memory, an HDD, and a communication device. The order management server 6 receives the order data from the order support server 5 via the communication line and records it in the database. Further, it receives an output request from various servers via a communication line, retrieves order data from the database 13, and outputs it via the communication line.

  In the present embodiment, the demand prediction analysis server 7 is a computer device serving as the core of the entire system, and includes a display device 14 such as a display, an input device such as a mouse and a keyboard, a CPU, a memory, an HDD, a communication device, and a database. Is provided.

  A demand prediction program for operating the demand prediction analysis server 7 is stored in the HDD.

  The demand forecast analysis server 7 performs order forecast and shipment forecast. For each, parameter generation processing and prediction processing are executed.

  First, the order generation parameter generation process will be described. A condition is input from an input device by a person in charge of prediction. The demand prediction analysis server 7 acquires the estimate data and the order data required under the above conditions from the estimate management server 4 and the order management server 6. Next, an order prediction parameter is generated with reference to the condition. The parameters are recorded in the database 15 together with the generation conditions. Next, in the prediction process, a condition is input from the input device. The demand forecast analysis server 7 obtains estimate data necessary for the above conditions from the estimate management server 4, obtains an order forecast parameter from the database 15, and executes a forecast process. The result of the prediction process is recorded in the database 15.

  Next, the parameter generation process for shipping prediction will be described. A condition is input from the input device by the person in charge of prediction. The demand prediction analysis server 7 obtains estimate data and shipment data required under the above conditions from the estimate management server 4 and the production management server 9. Next, a shipment prediction parameter is generated with reference to the condition. The parameters are recorded in the database together with the generation conditions. Next, in the prediction process, a condition is input from the input device.

  The demand forecast analysis server 7 obtains estimate data necessary for the above conditions from the estimate management server 4, obtains shipping forecast parameters from the database 15, and executes a forecast process. The result of the prediction process is recorded in the database 15.

  The sales management server 8 is a general-purpose computer device, and includes a display device 16 such as a display, an input device such as a mouse and a keyboard, a CPU, a memory, an HDD, a communication device, and a database 17. In the sales management server 8, an operator who is in charge of sales inputs display conditions from an input device. The display condition is transmitted to the demand prediction analysis server 7 via the communication line, and necessary order prediction data is returned from the demand prediction analysis server 7. The order prediction data is displayed on the display device 16. On the other hand, sales plan data registered in advance from the database 17 is read out and displayed on the display device 16 so as to overlap with the order prediction data. As a result, it is possible to determine whether or not the sales plan can be achieved in light of forecasting future orders.

  The production management server 9 is a general-purpose computer device, and includes a display device 18 such as a display, an input device such as a mouse and a keyboard, a CPU, a memory, an HDD, a communication device, and a database 19. In the production management server 9, an operator who is in charge of production inputs display conditions from an input device. The display conditions are transmitted to the demand prediction analysis server 7 via the communication line, and necessary shipment prediction data is returned from the demand prediction analysis server 7. The shipping prediction data is displayed on the display device 18. On the other hand, production plan data registered in advance from the database 19 is read out and displayed on the display device 18 so as to overlap with the shipping forecast data. As a result, it is possible to determine the number of excess and deficiency with the product supply amount based on the production plan in light of the future shipment forecast. The operator who is in charge of production refers to the shipping forecast data, adjusts the production plan data, and stores it in the database 19.

  The procurement management server 10 is a general-purpose computer device, and includes a display device 20 such as a display, an input device such as a mouse and a keyboard, a CPU, a memory, an HDD, a communication device, and a database 21. In the procurement management server 10, an operator who is in charge of procurement inputs display conditions from an input device. The display condition is transmitted to the production management server 9 via the communication line, the production plan data is retrieved, and returned to the procurement management server 10 via the communication line. The returned production plan data is converted into procurement forecast data with reference to the product configuration data stored in the database 21 and displayed on the display device 20.

  On the other hand, procurement plan data registered in advance from the database 21 is read out and displayed on the display device 20 so as to overlap with the procurement prediction data. As a result, it can be determined whether or not the procurement plan can be achieved in light of future procurement forecasts. Next, the operator who is in charge of procurement refers to the procurement forecast data, adjusts the procurement plan data, stores it in the database 21, and transmits it to the computer 11 of the parts manufacturer via the communication line 2 such as the Internet. The

<Operation of demand forecast analysis server>
Next, the operation of the demand prediction analysis server according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 2-16 is explanatory drawing for demonstrating operation | movement of the demand prediction analysis server based on one embodiment of this invention.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the demand prediction process, and the process of FIG. 2 is executed by a demand prediction program stored in the analysis server of FIG. Hereinafter, the order prediction process will be described as an example. However, if the order data in FIG. 2 is replaced with the shipment data, the shipment prediction process can be executed in the same procedure. Further, the embodiment will be described by taking a computer product as an example, but the same technique can be applied to other products.

  First, in the demand prediction process, data is classified into groups having similar properties, and the process is executed in units of groups. Specifically, estimate data and order data used for processing are grouped 30 for each same orderer and same product type. As a result, the correlation analysis process described below can be performed in units of groups having similar properties, and the prediction accuracy can be improved.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the demand prediction process includes a parameter generation process 31 and a prediction process 32. The parameter generation process 31 is a preparation stage for generating parameters necessary for prediction, and the prediction process 32 corresponds to an execution stage using the parameters. First, the parameter generation process 31 will be described. A correlation analysis process 35 between the past estimated data 33 and the order data 34 is executed for each group, and a correlation parameter is generated. Next, in the prediction process 32, a correlation process 36 of the correlation parameter and the new estimate data 39 is executed for each group, and demand forecast data is generated. Finally, the demand forecast data of each group are added together, and an output process 37 for performing processing according to the use application of the result is performed, and final demand forecast data 38 is generated.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the grouping process, and FIG. 3A shows the time transition of the total number of products estimated for a certain computer product group. The horizontal axis is time, and the vertical axis is the number of products. The data starts counting from the Nth month, and shows a state where the data is totaled up to the current N + March. The number of units at each time point on the horizontal axis is obtained by extracting the numbers from the estimated data in which the classification information such as the product type and the orderer is recorded and totaling the numbers. Therefore, by defining the classification rule, the entire data of the computer product group in FIG. 3A can be decomposed into a plurality of groups as shown in FIG. FIG. 3B shows an example in which the entire data in FIG. 3A is classified into the group 1 of small computers having a large number of fluctuations and the group g of large computers having a small number of fluctuations.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the correlation analysis process. FIG. 4A is the data of the group g of the large computer in FIG. 3B, the horizontal axis is time, the vertical axis is the estimated data and the order data. It means the total number of products. Estimated data generated in the past month of the Nth month is matched with the order data from the Nth month onward, and the number of orders received is specified.

  Details of the matching process will be described later. The period from when quotes are received to orders is not uniform but varies.

  For example, there is a case where an order is received from an estimate relatively early as in case X (A) (40) in FIG. 4, and there is a case where time is required from an estimate to an order as in case B (41) in FIG. is there.

  For this reason, as shown in FIG. 4A, the estimated data generated in the first month of the Nth month becomes the distribution 42 of the number of orders received after the Nth month.

  Next, the time delay function 43 shown in FIG. 4B is obtained by converting the time axis shown in FIG. FIG. 4B shows the distribution of the number of orders received by moving the estimated number generated in the Nth month in FIG. 4A to time zero 44 in FIG. 4B. However, the order receipt ratio of the following formula is defined so that the total number of estimated units moved to time zero is 1.0, and converted by this.

  In addition, you may simplify FIG.4 (b) like FIG.4 (c). FIG. 4C shows the time delay function 43 shown in FIG. In FIG. 4, the following correlation parameters are defined.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the multiplication process. FIG. 5A shows data of the group g of the large computer in FIG. 3B. The horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents the number of products aggregated from the estimated data. I mean. FIG. 5 shows the current time after the N + March. FIG. 5B is the time delay function of FIG. Using the data of FIG. 5A and the time delay function of FIG. This process is known as convolution integral used in signal processing. As a result, it is possible to predict the number of orders received at a certain time in the future based on the number of units calculated from the estimate for the current month, assuming that the past time delay function will continue in the future.

  However, h (m) is a discrete value representation of the time delay function, u (n) is the number of products aggregated from the estimate, and x (n) is the number of future orders.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the output process. This process is a process for processing the demand forecast data into data that matches the purpose of use, and comprises a synthesis process and a decomposition process.

  FIG. 6A shows the result of performing the multiplication process of FIG. 5 for group 1 to group g. FIG. 6B shows the result of combining the results of the multiplication processing of each group by the combining processing.

  For example, when the group 1 to the group g are individual orderers, FIG. 6 (b) means a demand forecast amount obtained by adding up the routes of all the orderers, and means a future sales volume. For this reason, if the sales plan is compared with FIG. 6B, the degree of achievement of the sales plan can be known in advance, and if it has not been achieved, it is possible to take a recovery plan in advance. Can be increased.

  On the other hand, FIG.6 (c) is an example which decomposed | disassembled FIG.6 (b) into the demand forecast number according to components. 6B can be disassembled into FIG. 6C by multiplying the number of parts mounted on each product. Group a in FIG. 6C is a demand prediction result of parts on which two units are mounted per product in FIG. 6B.

  On the other hand, the group c is a demand prediction result of a component in which 0.5 units are mounted per product in FIG. 6B, that is, not necessarily required but mounted at a rate of one unit per two units. By referring to FIG. 6C, it becomes possible to accurately procure parts, and it is possible to minimize surplus inventory while preventing loss of order receipt opportunities.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the necessity of grouping, and FIGS. 7A to 7C are examples in which time delay functions are displayed for each type of computer product. FIG. 7A shows an example of a small computer, FIG. 7B shows an example of a medium-sized computer, and FIG. 7C shows an example of a large computer. Small computers tend to include a lot of deals with a large number of negotiations and a low probability of receiving orders, because the price is low and the price negotiation time is short and there is little time delay. For this reason, it becomes a distribution with little delay time and a low peak. On the other hand, since large computers are expensive, there is a large variation in the period from price estimation to order receipt due to a long time for price negotiation. However, since there are many business negotiations with high accuracy, there is a feature of high order accuracy. Medium-sized computers have an intermediate character between the two. By executing the correlation analysis for each model of the computer product, the degree of correlation is increased, so that it is possible to predict demand with higher accuracy.

  FIG. 7D and FIG. 7E are examples of grouping by the orderer. FIG. 7D shows an example of the time delay function of the internal sales route, and FIG. 7E shows an example of the time delay function of the external sales route. In the in-house sales route, the negotiation process is simple and the delay time is short. On the other hand, on the outside sales route, the negotiation process is relatively long, but on the other hand, there is a large proportion of lost orders compared to other companies. For this reason, it is effective to predict the demand by grouping them and obtaining the time delay function separately.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the necessity of changing the correlation parameter depending on the time. FIG. 8A shows the time transition of the number of units 50 counted from the estimated case, the number 51 counted from the received order, and the shipment number 52. This is an illustration of the closing period. The Nth month means the start month of the closing period, and the Nth + May means the end month of the closing period.

  In general, the shipment quantity 52 tends to increase toward the end of the fiscal year. This is because the manufacturer strengthens sales activities in order to achieve the sales plan, and the orderer increases the number of orders to use the budget. On the other hand, the number 50 of estimated projects and the number 51 of received orders increase toward the final month of the accounting period, similar to the shipments, but the peak time is before the final month. This is because the number 51 of the order item allows for a manufacturing period from ordering to product delivery, and the unit number 50 for the estimation item allows for a negotiation period such as price negotiation from estimation to ordering.

  FIG. 8 (b) shows the time delay function for orders and shipments calculated based on the estimates generated in the Nth month and FIG. 8 (c) in the (N + 3) th month. The shipping time delay function is a function obtained by using shipping data instead of the order data 34 of FIG. 2, and the processing method is the same as the order data. Comparing the time delay functions (53, 54) relating to the orders in FIG. 8B and FIG. 8C, the order is because the Nth month (53) in FIG. The probability of receiving orders is low and the time delay is large.

  On the other hand, since the time until the end month is limited in the (N + 3) th month (54) in FIG. 8 (c), the order probability is large and the time delay is small. The same applies to the time delay function (55, 56) related to shipping, and the Nth month (55) in FIG. 8B has a large time delay until shipping and large variations. On the other hand, since time is limited in the (N + 3) th month (56) in FIG. 8C, both time delay and variation are small.

  Next, the execution procedure of the demand prediction method by the demand prediction analysis server according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described using the flowcharts of FIGS. 9 and 10. In the description, the configuration diagram of FIG. 1, the data examples of FIGS. 11 and 12, and the screen examples of FIGS. The demand prediction method by the demand prediction analysis server according to the embodiment of the present invention includes the parameter generation process of FIG. 9 and the prediction process of FIG.

  First, the parameter generation process of FIG. 9 will be described.

  First, estimate data is recorded in FIG. 9 (S60). Information on the product specifications selected in the orderer terminal 1 is transmitted to the estimate support server 3 in FIG.

  The estimate support server 3 receives the selected specification as input, refers to the specification selection constraint information recorded therein, and outputs the next selectable product specification. The product specifications are transmitted to the orderer terminal 1 through the communication line 2 and displayed on the display device of the orderer terminal.

  FIG. 13 shows an example of an estimate screen displayed on the orderer terminal. FIG. 13A is a configuration definition screen for defining product specifications, and FIG. 13B is a configuration list screen for listing configuration contents after the configuration definition is completed. On the configuration definition screen, the orderer's department 80, user ID (81), and estimate ID (82) are displayed at the top of the screen. The orderer selects a pull-down menu 83 to define a desired configuration.

  When the configuration is defined, the configuration information is transmitted to the estimation support server 3 via the communication line 2 such as the Internet of FIG. 1, and options that can be selected for the defined configuration are prepared in a pull-down menu. Further, the display of the total amount 84 is updated in conjunction with the defined configuration.

  The orderer can change the screen by pressing the button on the left side of the screen. The data storage 85 temporarily stores displayed data during editing, and the data reading 86 reads and displays configuration information created in the past. The delivery date confirmation 87 checks the minimum number of days required to obtain the displayed configuration.

  When the configuration list button 88 is pressed, the screen shown in FIG. FIG. 13B is a screen that lists the contents of the configuration definition, and can be used as it is as an estimate by pressing the print button 89 at the upper right of the screen. Here, at the stage where the screen of the configuration list in FIG. 13B is displayed, this means that the configuration definition by the orderer has been settled, and each time this button 88 is pressed, FIG. Estimated data shown in

  FIG. 11A shows an example in which information on the screen of the configuration list shown in FIG. 13B is output in a file format. In FIG. 11A, <Estimate> to </ Estimate> means one piece of estimate data, and <Additional information> to </ Supplementary information> and <Configuration> to </ Configuration>. It consists of two groups.

  As incidental information, a group ID, a user ID, a date, a time, and an estimated ID are recorded. As the configuration information, model name, quantity, and price are recorded. This file is temporarily stored in the estimate support server 3 in FIG. 1 and transferred to the estimate management server 4 and registered in the database 12.

  Next, the order data is recorded in FIG. 9 (S61). When the order data is input to the order support server 5 in FIG. 1 at the orderer terminal 1, this is transmitted via the communication line 2, and the contents of the order data are checked and displayed on the display device of the orderer terminal 1. Is displayed. Further, the order data determined by the orderer is transmitted to the order management server 6 via the communication line 2 and recorded in the database 13.

  FIG. 14 is an example of an order screen displayed on the orderer terminal 1. The orderer's department 90, user ID (91), and order ID (92) are displayed at the top of the screen. The orderer inputs the orderer (customer code) (93), estimate ID (94), product name (95), quantity (96), price (97), and desired delivery date (98). The estimate ID can be read by referring to estimate data created in the past by the same orderer from the read button 99 on the screen. Further, when the detail button 100 beside the product name is pressed, the detailed specification of the product name can be referred to. The orderer can change the screen by pressing the button on the left side of the screen, as in the estimate screen of FIG.

  When the orderer confirms that all the information on the screen is correctly input, the orderer presses the order button 101 on the left side of the screen. When this button is pressed, the order data shown in FIG. 11B is output. FIG. 11B shows an example in which the information on the order screen in FIG. 14 is output in a file format.

  FIG. 11B has a configuration similar to that of FIG. 11A, but in particular, data of <order information> is added from <order information>. Here, the orderer ID and delivery date, which are unique to the order data, are recorded. This file is temporarily stored in the order support server 5 in FIG. 1 and transferred to the order management server 6 and registered in the database 13.

  Next, condition setting (S62) is executed in FIG. The condition setting is an operation executed by a person in charge of prediction of the company, and is executed after the estimate data and the order (shipment) data necessary for the prediction are accumulated. The condition setting is performed by registering necessary information on the screen of the demand prediction analysis server 7 of FIG.

  FIG. 15A shows an example of a condition setting screen. FIG. 15A is an example of a screen that is displayed when the demand prediction program stored in the demand prediction analysis server 7 is activated. Buttons are lined up on the left side of the screen, and the screen can be switched by pressing this button. When the parameter button 110 is pressed, a parameter setting menu is displayed. The conditions to be set are a model 111 for grouping, an orderer 112, and an estimation period 113 which is a period for searching for data used for calculation of parameter settings. As for the order (shipment) data, the latest data is automatically referred to after the starting point of the estimation period.

  Next, in FIG. 9, an estimate data search (S63) and an order (shipment) data search (S64) are executed. This is started by pressing the search execution button 114 at the upper right of the screen in FIG. When the search is completed, a transition diagram of the number of units aggregated from the estimated data is displayed as a graph 115 on the screen of FIG.

  Next, correlation analysis (S65) is performed in FIG. This is started by pressing the calculation execution button 116 at the upper right of the screen in FIG. When the correlation analysis ends, the screen of FIG. 15B is displayed. A graph 117 in FIG. 15B is a time delay function calculated under the set group conditions.

  Here, the matching process in the correlation analysis process will be described. The reconciliation process is executed on a case-by-case basis, with quotation data and order data or quotation data and shipping data paired.

  FIG. 11A shows an example of estimated data, FIG. 11B shows an example of order data, and FIG. 11C shows an example of shipment data. As for the shipping data, it has a configuration similar to the estimate data and the order data, but in particular, data from <shipping information> to </ shipping information> is added. Here, the shipment date and the number of shipments, which are unique to the shipment data, are recorded.

  This data is recorded in the database of the production management server in FIG. 1 when the product is shipped. Explaining the matching process between the estimated data and the received order data, using the estimated data as a model, the received order data having the same group ID, model name and quantity of the configuration information is searched under the condition that the date is after the estimated data. If the condition is satisfied, it is determined that the estimate has been received.

  Similarly, if the matching process between the estimated data and the shipping data is described, the shipping data with the group ID, the model name and the quantity of the configuration information are matched under the condition that the date is after the estimated data, using the estimated data as a model. A search is made, and if the above condition is satisfied, it is determined that the estimate has been received and further shipped.

  FIG. 12 is an example of correlation parameters. FIG. 12A is an example of data on the number of products aggregated from an estimate, and is data of the graph of FIG. The number of products estimated on a daily basis for the Nth month of a year is recorded. This is calculated by collecting the data having the same date among the estimated data as shown in FIG. FIG. 12B is an example of data aggregated in the process of calculating FIG. 4B from FIG. 4A, and the total number (8753) (120) of one month in FIG. 12A. Is moved to zero days, and the number of order data that coincided with the 8753 (120) in the matching process is tabulated in days.

  FIG.12 (c) is data of the graph of FIG.4 (b). FIG.12 (c) is the value which divided the data of each day of FIG.12 (b) by the said 8753 units (120). These data are stored in the database 15 of the demand prediction analysis server 7 of FIG. 1, and are called up as necessary and used for display and calculation.

  Next, in FIG. 9, it is determined whether correlation analysis has been performed for all groups (S66). If there is an uncalculated group among the predefined groups, the group is automatically changed (S67), and the loop of S62 to S66 in FIG. 9 is repeated until the calculation for all the groups is completed. .

  Next, the correlation parameter recording (S68) is executed in FIG. This is executed by pressing the data storage button 118 on the left side of the screen in FIG. The correlation parameters are stored in the database 15 connected to the demand prediction analysis server 7 in FIG. 1 together with the calculation conditions.

  Next, the prediction process shown in FIG. 10 will be described.

  First, estimate data is recorded in FIG. 10 (S70). The estimated data recording method is the same as that shown in FIG. 9, but FIG. 10 is different in time from FIG. 9. The estimated data recording (S60) in FIG. 9 is accumulated with a period of time expected to reach an order after the negotiation period, whereas the estimated data recording (S70) in FIG. Is the data for the most recent period (for example, within one month) for predicting future orders.

  Next, condition setting is executed in FIG. 10 (S71). This process is also executed by the same procedure as in FIG. FIG. 16A shows an example of a condition setting screen. Conditions are set by the same procedure as in FIG. In the condition setting, a correlation parameter period 131 is set separately from the estimation period 130.

  The meaning of the period in FIG. 16A means that a correlation parameter calculated using estimated data during the same period is designated. In the example of FIG. 16A, a parameter using estimated data of the same month one year ago is specified. As described with reference to FIG. 8, this is a period of the same period in consideration of the influence of the time.

  Separately from this, the most recent period, specifically, the closest period in which the past estimated data has reached the order may be designated. This has the advantage that the impact of the economy is similar to that of the current period compared to the period one year ago. In addition, a time delay function of a plurality of periods may be combined, such as using an average value of the same month one year ago and the nearest period.

  Next, in FIG. 10, an estimate data search (S72) and a correlation parameter search (S73) are executed.

  This is started by pressing the search execution button 132 at the upper right of the screen in FIG. When the search is completed, a transition diagram 133 of the number of units aggregated from the estimated data and a time delay function 134 are displayed as in the graph of FIG.

  Next, a multiplication process (S74) is executed in FIG. This is started by pressing the calculation execution button 135 at the upper right of the screen in FIG. When the multiplication process ends, the screen of FIG. 16B is displayed. A graph 136 in FIG. 16B is a demand prediction result calculated under the set group conditions.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the prediction process has been executed for all the groups in FIG. 10 (S75). If there is a group that has not been calculated, the group is changed (S76), the condition setting is repeated again, and the loop from S71 to S75 in FIG. 10 is executed until the calculation for all groups is completed.

  Next, the demand prediction result is recorded in FIG. 10 (S77). This is executed by pressing the data save button 137 on the left side of the screen in FIG. The demand forecast result is stored together with the calculation conditions in the database 15 connected to the demand forecast analysis server of FIG.

<Utilization form of demand forecast results>
Next, with reference to FIG. 17 to FIG. 19, a utilization form of the demand forecast result by the demand forecast analysis server according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 17 is a screen example of the display device 16 of the sales management server 8. The sales representative inputs display conditions from the input device. This corresponds to the model 140, the orderer 141, and the display period 142 shown in FIG. The display conditions are transmitted to the demand prediction analysis server 7 via the communication line 2, and necessary order prediction data is returned from the demand prediction analysis server 7.

  The order prediction data is displayed on the display device 16. On the other hand, sales plan data registered in advance from the database 17 is read out and displayed on the display device 16 so as to overlap with the order prediction data. The horizontal axis of the graph 143 on the screen is time, the vertical axis is the number of units, and the sales plan 144, the sales performance 145, and the order prediction data 146 are displayed in an overlapping manner. FIG. 17 shows that it is difficult to achieve the sales plan from September to October 2005, and a recovery plan is necessary. From FIG. 17, it can be determined whether or not the sales plan can be achieved in light of forecasting future orders.

  FIG. 18 is a screen example of the display device 18 of the production management server 9. The person in charge of production inputs display conditions from the input device. This corresponds to the model, orderer, and display period in FIG. The display condition is transmitted to the demand prediction analysis server via the communication line, and necessary shipment prediction data is returned from the demand prediction analysis server. The shipping prediction data is displayed on the display device.

  On the other hand, production plan data registered in advance from the database is read out and displayed on the display device in superposition with the shipping forecast data. The horizontal axis of the graph on the screen is time, the vertical axis is the number of units, and the production plan 147, production results 148, and shipping forecast data 149 are displayed in an overlapping manner. As can be seen from FIG. 18, in the second half of October 2005, the shipping forecast data exceeds the production plan, so that it is necessary to increase the production capacity. From FIG. 18, it is possible to determine the number of excess and deficiency with the product supply amount according to the production plan in light of the future shipment forecast. The operator who is in charge of production refers to the shipping forecast data, adjusts the production plan data, and stores it in the database.

  FIG. 19 is a screen example of the display device 20 of the procurement management server 10. The procurement staff inputs display conditions from the input device. This corresponds to the part name and display period in FIG. The display condition is transmitted to the production management server via the communication line, the production plan data is retrieved, and returned to the procurement management server via the communication line. The returned production plan data is converted into procurement forecast data with reference to the product configuration data stored in the database and displayed on the display device.

  On the other hand, procurement plan data registered in advance from the database is read out and displayed on the display device so as to overlap with the procurement prediction data. The horizontal axis of the graph on the screen is time, the vertical axis is the number of units, and the procurement plan 150, the procurement record 151, and the procurement forecast data 152 are displayed in an overlapping manner. From FIG. 19, it can be seen that in the second half of October 2005, the procurement forecast data falls below the procurement plan, and therefore the current plan may be maintained. From FIG. 19, it can be determined whether or not the procurement plan can be achieved in light of future procurement forecasts.

  Next, the operator who is in charge of procurement refers to the procurement forecast data, adjusts the procurement plan data, stores it in the database, and transmits it to the parts manufacturer via a communication line such as the Internet.

  As described above, a demand prediction method, a demand prediction system, and a demand prediction program for accurately grasping a demand for a product at a certain point in the future have been disclosed.

  In this embodiment, the producer can systematically execute production and parts procurement, and it is possible to prevent the occurrence of surplus inventory while preventing loss of order receipt. Furthermore, it becomes possible to grasp in advance the degree of achievement of the sales plan at the settlement date, and it becomes possible to reduce the degree of unachieved by implementing a recovery plan.

  As mentioned above, the invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described based on the embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Needless to say.

  The present invention relates to a demand prediction method for an assembly-type product such as a computer or an automobile, a demand prediction analysis server, and a demand prediction program. In particular, because the product specification definition is complex, it is necessary to support the specification definition by a computer, or because it is an expensive product, it takes time from specification specification to price determination, and the demand for the product has elapsed over time. Therefore, the present invention can be applied to the demand prediction of a product such as a high-performance computer device in which it is necessary to accurately grasp the demand amount of the product at a certain time in the future.

It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of the system containing the demand forecast analysis server which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram of the demand prediction process of the demand prediction analysis server which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the grouping process of the demand forecast analysis server which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the correlation analysis process of the demand prediction analysis server which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the multiplication process of the demand forecast analysis server which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the output process of the demand forecast analysis server which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the necessity of grouping of the demand prediction analysis server which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the necessity of changing a correlation parameter with the time of the demand prediction analysis server which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the demand prediction process of the demand prediction analysis server which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the demand prediction process of the demand prediction analysis server which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is an example of the data of the demand prediction analysis server which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is a data example of the correlation parameter of the demand prediction analysis server which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is an example of the estimate screen displayed on the orderer terminal in the system including the demand prediction analysis server according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is an example of the order screen displayed on the orderer terminal in the system including the demand prediction analysis server according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is an example of the screen of the parameter setting menu of the demand prediction analysis server which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is an example of the screen of the demand prediction menu of the demand prediction analysis server which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is an example of a screen displayed on the display apparatus of the sales management server in the system containing the demand prediction analysis server which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is an example of a screen displayed on the display apparatus of the production management server in the system including the demand prediction analysis server according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is an example of a screen displayed on the display apparatus of the procurement management server in the system including the demand prediction analysis server according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Orderer terminal, 2 ... Communication line, 3 ... Quotation support server, 4 ... Quotation management server, 5 ... Order support server, 6 ... Order management server, 7 ... Demand prediction analysis server, 8 ... Sales management server, 9 ... Production management server, 10 ... Procurement management server, 11 ... Computer of parts manufacturer, 12 ... Database, 13 ... Database, 14 ... Display device such as display, 15 ... Database, 16 ... Display device such as display, 17 ... Database, 18 ... display device such as a display, 19 ... database, 20 ... display device such as a display, 21 ... database.

Claims (5)

A demand prediction method using a computer device for predicting demand for an assembly-type product,
A record of the estimate operation of the assembly type product by the orderer and a record of the order operation of the assembly type product by the orderer are input to the computer device, and the computer device records the input estimate operation and the order operation. Performing the record correlation process;
The computer device calculates an order probability and an order delay parameter for the estimation operation from the result of the association process;
Based on the estimation operation of the assembly-type product and the parameters by the orderer, the computer device determines the number and timing of the estimation operation to reach an order, or the estimation operation reaches an order, and the assembly-type product is shipped. A method for predicting demand, comprising the step of predicting the number of times and the timing. A demand prediction method using a computer device for predicting demand for an assembly-type product,
A record of an estimate operation of the assembly-type product by the orderer and a record of an order operation of the assembly-type product by the orderer are input to the computer device, and the computer device inputs the orderer and the assembly-type product input. A step of grouping by type,
The computer device performs a process of associating the grouped records of the estimate operation and the record of the order operation;
The computer device calculates, for each group, parameters of an order probability and an order time delay for the estimation operation from a result of the association process;
Based on the estimation operation of the assembly-type product by the orderer and the parameters for each group, the computer apparatus determines the number and timing when the estimation operation reaches an order, or the estimation operation reaches an order. A method for predicting demand, comprising the step of predicting the number and timing of products to be shipped. A demand prediction analysis server for predicting demand for assembled products,
Input a record of an estimate operation of the assembly type product by the orderer and a record of an order operation of the assembly type product by the orderer, and perform an association process between the input record of the estimate operation and the record of the order operation, Parameter generation processing means for calculating an order probability and an order time delay parameter for the estimation operation from the result of the association processing;
Based on the estimation operation of the assembly-type product and the parameters by the orderer, the number and timing of the estimation operation reaching an order, or the number and timing of the estimation operation reaching an order and shipping the assembly-type product A demand prediction analysis server comprising a prediction processing means for predicting the demand. In the demand prediction analysis server according to claim 3,
The parameter generation processing unit groups the input record of the estimate operation and the record of the order operation according to the type of the orderer and the assembly-type product, and records each of the estimate operations grouped. And, for each group, calculate the order probability and order time delay parameters for the estimation operation from the result of the association process,
Based on the estimation operation of the assembly-type product by the orderer and the parameters for each group, the prediction processing means determines the number and timing when the estimation operation reaches an order, or the estimation operation reaches an order. Demand forecasting analysis server that predicts the number and timing of type products to be shipped. Computer equipment to predict demand for assembled products,
Input a record of the estimate operation of the assembly type product by the orderer and a record of the order operation of the assembly type product by the orderer, and perform a correlation process between the record of the estimate operation and the record of the order operation. Parameter generation processing means for calculating the order probability and order time delay parameters for the estimation operation from the result of the attaching process;
Based on the estimation operation of the assembly-type product and the parameters by the orderer, the number and timing of the estimation operation reaching an order, or the number and timing of the estimation operation reaching an order and shipping the assembly-type product A demand forecasting program characterized by functioning as a forecasting processing means for forecasting.

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