CN111160820A

CN111160820A - Inventory management device, inventory management method, readable storage medium, and electronic device

Info

Publication number: CN111160820A
Application number: CN201910667375.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 二宮茂樹
Original assignee: Toshiba TEC Corp
Current assignee: Toshiba TEC Corp
Priority date: 2018-11-07
Filing date: 2019-07-23
Publication date: 2020-05-15
Anticipated expiration: 2039-07-23
Also published as: CN111160820B; JP2020077160A; JP7242258B2

Abstract

The invention discloses an inventory management device, an inventory management method, a readable storage medium, and an electronic apparatus, which can easily move a product from a store with a surplus inventory to a store with a shortage inventory. The inventory management device acquires the inventory numbers of the products in the plurality of stores. The inventory management device detects an inventory shortage product in which the inventory number is reduced to an inventory number threshold value in any one store. The inventory management device searches for stores with a remaining inventory number of the insufficient inventory items. The inventory management device receives a delivery request for the product to the store whose inventory number of the product with insufficient inventory is reduced to an inventory number threshold value.

Description

Inventory management device, inventory management method, readable storage medium, and electronic device

This application claims priority to japanese application having application number JP2018-209693, application number 2018/07/2018, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Technical Field

The embodiment of the invention relates to an inventory management device, an inventory management method, a readable storage medium and electronic equipment.

Background

In general, in a retail store, sales opportunities are prevented from being lost due to out-of-stock (broken goods) by predicting the number of sales of products in advance and ordering the products regularly based on the prediction. Nevertheless, inventory may become insufficient due to the sudden increase in sales volume. The order may be temporarily made at a time point when inventory is insufficient. However, since it takes time from the supplier to the stock, a loss of sales opportunities mostly occurs.

On the other hand, a product that is in short stock in the local store may have a surplus in stock in another store. In this case, if the product can be moved from the store with a surplus inventory to the store with a shortage of inventory, it is beneficial to both stores.

Disclosure of Invention

An object of the present invention is to provide an inventory management device, an inventory management method, a readable storage medium, and an electronic apparatus, which can easily move a product from a store with a surplus inventory to a store with a shortage inventory.

To solve the above problem, an embodiment of the present invention provides an inventory management device, including: an acquisition unit, a detection unit, a search unit, and a reception unit. The acquisition unit acquires the stock numbers of the products in the plurality of stores. The detection unit detects an insufficient inventory item whose inventory number is reduced to an inventory number threshold value in any one of the stores. The search unit searches for stores with a remaining stock number of the insufficient stock items. The receiving unit receives a delivery request for the product to the store whose stock number of the product with insufficient stock is reduced to the stock number threshold value, for the store searched out by the searching unit.

With this configuration, the product can be easily moved from the store with inventory to the store with insufficient inventory.

For the inventory management device, in one possible embodiment, the method further comprises: and a notification unit configured to notify a terminal set in association with a store whose stock number of the insufficient stock product has decreased to the stock number threshold, of information on the store searched for by the search unit, wherein the reception unit receives the delivery request from the terminal.

With this configuration, the operator of the store with insufficient inventory can directly request the delivery to the store with inventory, and thus can respond quickly.

In one possible embodiment, the information on the store notified by the notification unit includes at least one of the remaining number of the insufficient inventory items in the store, the price, and the shortest transmission date and time.

With this configuration, in the store in which the insufficient inventory item has occurred, the delivery of the insufficient inventory item can be entrusted with efficiency priority or cost priority.

For the inventory management device, in one possible embodiment, the method further comprises: and a prediction unit that predicts whether or not the number of stocks of the insufficient inventory items is less than or equal to a predetermined value smaller than the threshold number of stocks on the same day in the store in which the number of stocks of the insufficient inventory items is reduced to the threshold number of stocks, wherein the notification unit differs the notification content according to a prediction result of the prediction unit.

With this configuration, the operator of the store in which the product is not in stock can easily recognize whether or not the urgent delivery request is required.

For the inventory management device, in one possible embodiment, the method further comprises: and an instruction unit that instructs, in response to the reception of the delivery request, delivery of the insufficient-stock product to a terminal set in association with the store at the delivery request.

With this configuration, since the store with inventory can be automatically instructed to move the product to the store with insufficient inventory, the product can be handled more quickly.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides an inventory management method, including the steps of: an acquisition step of acquiring the stock number of commodities in a plurality of stores; a detection step of detecting an insufficient inventory item in which the inventory count is reduced to an inventory count threshold value in any one of the stores; a search step of searching for stores with surplus inventory of the insufficient inventory; and an accepting step of accepting a delivery request for the product to the store whose stock number of the product with insufficient stock is reduced to the stock number threshold value, for the store searched for in the searching step.

According to this method, the product can be easily moved from the store with inventory to the store with insufficient inventory.

For the inventory management method, in one possible implementation, the method further includes: a notification step of notifying a terminal set in association with a store whose stock number of the out-of-stock product has decreased to the stock number threshold, of information on the store searched for in the search step, and the reception step of receiving the delivery request from the terminal.

According to this method, the operator of the store with insufficient inventory can directly make a delivery request to the store with inventory, and therefore can respond quickly.

In one possible embodiment, the information on the store notified by the notifying step includes at least one of the remaining number of the inventory-insufficient items in the store, the price, and the shortest transmission date and time.

According to this method, in a store where an out-of-stock product has occurred, it is possible to delegate the transmission of the out-of-stock product with efficiency priority or cost priority.

A third embodiment of the present invention provides an electronic apparatus, including: at least one processor; and a memory communicatively coupled to the at least one processor, wherein the memory stores instructions executable by the at least one processor to enable the at least one processor to perform the inventory management method.

With this configuration, it is possible to realize a function of easily moving a product from a store with inventory to a store with insufficient inventory.

A fourth embodiment of the present invention provides a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing computer instructions for causing a computer to perform the inventory management method.

Drawings

Next, an inventory management device and an inventory management program according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein the accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and form a part of this application, and wherein the illustrated embodiments of the invention and the description thereof are intended to illustrate and not limit the invention, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a system including an inventory management device of an embodiment;

fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of store data accumulated in the store database;

fig. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of the insufficient product data accumulated in the insufficient product database;

fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of remaining product data accumulated in the remaining product database;

fig. 5 is a block diagram showing a main circuit configuration of the stock adjustment server;

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the sequence of major information processing performed by the processor in accordance with the inventory management program;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart specifically showing the order of the insufficiency processing shown in FIG. 6;

fig. 8 is a flowchart specifically showing the order of the remaining processing shown in fig. 6;

fig. 9 is a flowchart specifically showing the order of notification processing shown in fig. 6;

fig. 10 is a flowchart specifically showing the order of the acceptance processing shown in fig. 9;

fig. 11 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a normal notification image displayed on the display device of the information processing terminal;

fig. 12 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an emergency notification image displayed on the display device of the information processing terminal;

fig. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a shop remaining merchandise list image displayed on the display device of the information processing terminal;

fig. 14 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a shop remaining merchandise list image displayed on the display device of the information processing terminal; and

fig. 15 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a distribution instruction image displayed on the display device of the information processing terminal.

Description of the reference numerals

1 store System 2 information processing terminal

3 stock management device 4 stock database

Sales database 5 and stock number database 6

7 store database 8 deficiency goods database

9 remaining merchandise database 11 processor

12 primary memory 13 secondary storage device

14 clock 15 inter-server interface

16 communication interface 17 system transmission line

31 data summarization server 32 inventory adjustment server

311

data collection interface

312, 322 database management part

321 data analysis unit 323 notification receiving unit

Detailed Description

Next, an embodiment of an inventory management device that easily moves a product from a store with a surplus inventory to a store with a shortage inventory will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, the stock adjustment is performed between nearby (adjacent) stores in the same region in the retail industry.

Fig. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a system including an inventory management device 3 of an embodiment. The system includes a store system 1, an information processing terminal 2, an inventory management device 3, and a network connecting these. The network is typically the internet. The network may be a blocking network (closed network) dedicated to the system. The network may also comprise a mobile communications network.

The store system 1 is a general term for a system constructed by a plurality of stores a, B, and. The store system 1 includes a POS (Point Of Sales) system, an order management system, an inventory management system, and the like.

The POS system is a system for managing data on the point-in-time of sale of the commodities in the store. The data managed in the POS system includes a product code, a product name, the number of sales, the amount of sales, and the date and time of sales. The product code is a unique code set for each product for identifying the product sold in each store.

The order management system is a system for managing data on orders for products in the store. The data managed in the order management system includes a product code, an order quantity, an order date and time, a stock quantity, a stock price, and the like.

The inventory management system is a system for managing data relating to the inventory of the items in the store. The data managed in the inventory management system includes product codes, inventory designation dates and times, the number of inventories, and the like. The POS system, the order management system, and the inventory management system can be directly applied to existing systems of the same kind.

The information processing terminal 2 is a computer terminal that regards, as an operator, an order-responsible person having an order-service authority among a plurality of stores a, B, and. The person responsible for ordering is arbitrary. The order manager may be a store manager such as a store manager, or a clerk other than the store manager. The number of persons in charge of the order is not limited. However, in the present embodiment, an example in which one information processing terminal 2 is provided in one store will be described.

The information processing terminal 2 includes at least a display device and an input device. The display device and the input device are typical touch panels. The information processing terminal 2 may be provided with a liquid crystal display as a display device and a keyboard, a mouse, and the like as an input device. The information processing terminal 2 can display the data received from the inventory management device 3 on a display device. The information processing terminal 2 can output data input through the input device to the inventory management device 3. Such an information processing terminal 2 can be directly applied to an existing personal computer, tablet terminal, smart phone, and the like.

The inventory management device 3 includes a data aggregation server 31 and an inventory adjustment server 32. The inventory management device 3 provides computer resources of the data aggregating server 31 and the inventory adjustment server 32 as cloud computing.

The data summarization server 31 includes a data collection interface 311 and a database management section 312. The data collection interface 311 has a function for collecting data from the shop system 1. That is, the data collection interface 311 collects data relating to the point-in-time of sale of the merchandise from the POS systems of the respective stores. The data collection interface 311 collects data related to the order of the product from the order management system of each store. The data collection interface 311 collects data related to the inventory of the products from the inventory management system of each store.

The database management unit 312 has a function of managing the stock database 4, the sales database 5, and the stock database 6. The stock database 4 is an aggregate of data related to the stock of products at each store. The data related to the stock, so-called stock data, includes information such as a store code, a product name, a date and time of stock, the number of stocks, and a stock price. The store code is a unique code that is set for each store to identify each store of the store a, the store B,.. or. The database management unit 312 creates shipment data based on data on the order of the product collected from the order management system of each store, and stores the shipment data in the shipment database 4.

The sales database 5 is an aggregate of data related to sales of commodities in each store. The sales-related data, so-called sales data, includes information such as store codes, product codes, sales dates and times, the number of sales, and sales prices. The database management unit 312 creates sales data based on the data on the point in time of sale of the product collected from the POS system of each store, and stores the sales data in the sales database 5.

The stock number database 6 is an aggregate of data related to the stock number of products in each store. The database management unit 312 creates stock number data based on the data on the stock of the product collected from the stock management system of each store, and stores the data in the stock number database 6.

The inventory adjustment server 32 includes a data analysis unit 321, a database management unit 322, and a notification reception unit 323. The data analysis unit 321 has a function of analyzing data accumulated in the stock database 4, the sales database 5, and the stock count database 6 to create the insufficient product data 8D or the surplus product data 9D.

The database management unit 322 has a function of managing the store database 7, the insufficient product database 8, and the remaining product database 9. The store database 7 is an aggregate of the store data 7D. The insufficient product database 8 is an aggregate of the insufficient product data 8D. The remaining product database 9 is an aggregate of the remaining product data 9D.

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of the store data 7D. The store data 7D includes a store code, a store name, a store closing time, a transmission time, a communication address, a stock count threshold value table, and a remaining count threshold value table. The shop data 7D may include other items.

In fig. 2, the store name is the name of the store identified by the store code. The closing hours are the hours of closing the business of their stores. Incidentally, when the closing time differs depending on the week, the shop data 7D contains the closing time by the week. The transmission time is a time at which the product can be transmitted from the store to another store. The transmission time is determined by, for example, the business of the shop and the physical distribution business. The transmission time is not limited to one. Various transmission times may be determined during a day. When a plurality of types of transmission times are determined, the shop data 7D includes the respective transmission times. The communication address is an address of a network communication set for the information processing terminal 2 provided in the store. By transmitting the data from the inventory management device 3 to the communication address, the data is received by the information processing terminal 2 to which the communication address is set.

The stock count threshold value table is a table in which a threshold value for determining whether or not the stock of each product sold in the store is in a shortage state is stored in association with the product code of the product. Hereinafter, this threshold is referred to as a stock count threshold. The inventory adjustment server 32 determines that the inventory of the product is less than the inventory threshold value as an out-of-inventory product. The inventory adjustment server 32 may determine that the inventory of the product is insufficient, if the inventory number is equal to or less than the inventory number threshold.

The remaining number threshold value table is a table in which a threshold value for determining whether or not the stock of each product is in a remaining state is stored in association with a product code of each product sold in the store. Hereinafter, this threshold is referred to as a remaining number threshold. The stock adjustment server 32 determines that the stock of the product is larger than the remaining number threshold as a stock remaining product. The stock adjustment server 32 may determine that the product has a stock number equal to or greater than the remaining number threshold as a stock remaining product.

The database management unit 322 stores the store data 7D relating to the store into the store database 7 every time a new store joins the system. The database management unit 322 deletes the store data 7D relating to the store from the store database 7 every time a store departs from the system. The database management unit 322 updates the store data 7D of the matching store stored in the database management unit 322 when the store closing time, the transmission time, the communication address, the stock count threshold table, or the remaining count threshold table is changed in the store incorporated in the system.

Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the insufficient product data 8D. The insufficient product data 8D includes a store code, a product name, the number of stocks threshold, and an emergency flag F. The insufficient product data 8D may include other items.

In fig. 3, the emergency flag F is one piece of information for identifying whether or not emergency processing is necessary for stock shortage of the product. In the present embodiment, when it is predicted that the sales will be out of stock (delivery) on the day, it is determined that emergency processing is necessary. The emergency flag F is "1" when emergency processing is necessary. When the emergency processing is not necessary, the emergency flag F is "0". The database management unit 322 stores the insufficient product data 8D created by the data analysis unit 321 in the insufficient product database 8.

Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the remaining product data 9D. The remaining item data 9D includes a store code, an item name, a remaining number, a stock price, and the shortest transmission date and time. The remaining product data 9D may include other items.

In fig. 4, the remaining number is a number obtained by subtracting the remaining number threshold value from the stock number. The shortest transmission date and time is the shortest date and time at which the store specified by the store code can transmit the commodity specified by the commodity code to another store. The database management unit 322 stores the remaining product data 9D created by the data analysis unit 321 in the remaining product database 9.

The explanation returns to fig. 1.

The notification receiving unit 323 has a notification function for the information processing terminal 2 and a response receiving function from the information processing terminal 2. The notification function includes a function of notifying the information processing terminal 2 of the store in which the product whose stock number is less than the stock number threshold value exists, of notifying that the stock number of the product is less than the stock number threshold value, or of notifying information of other stores in which the stock number of the product is greater than the remaining number threshold value. The response receiving function includes a function of receiving a response from the information processing terminal 2 that has received the notification by the notification function.

Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing a main circuit configuration of the stock adjustment server 32. The inventory adjustment server 32 functions as a data analysis unit 321, a database management unit 322, and a notification reception unit 323 by a circuit configuration and an inventory management program described below.

As shown in fig. 5, the stock adjustment server 32 includes a processor 11, a main memory 12, an auxiliary storage device 13, a clock 14, an inter-server interface 15, a communication interface 16, and a system transmission line 17. The system transmission line 17 includes an address bus, a data bus, a control signal line, and the like. The inventory adjustment server 32 connects the processor 11, the main memory 12, the auxiliary storage device 13, the clock 14, the inter-server interface 15, and the communication interface 16 to the system transmission line 17. The inventory adjustment server 32 constitutes a computer by the processor 11, the main memory 12, the auxiliary storage device 13, and the system transmission line 17 connecting these devices.

The processor 11 corresponds to a central part of the computer. The processor 11 controls each unit to realize various functions as the stock adjustment server 32 in accordance with an stock management program that operates under the management of the operating system. The processor 11 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

The main memory 12 corresponds to a main storage portion of the computer. The main memory 12 includes a nonvolatile memory area and a volatile memory area. The main memory 12 stores an operating system in a nonvolatile storage area. The main memory 12 stores data necessary for the processor 11 to execute processing for controlling each unit in a nonvolatile storage area or a volatile storage area. The main memory 12 uses a volatile storage area as a work area to which data is appropriately rewritten by the processor 11. The main memory 12 also stores an application program including an inventory management program in a nonvolatile storage area or a volatile storage area. A non-volatile Memory area is for example a ROM (Read Only Memory). Volatile Memory areas are, for example, RAM (Random Access Memory).

The auxiliary storage device 13 corresponds to an auxiliary storage section of the computer. The auxiliary storage device 13 is, for example, an EEPROM (electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), an HDD (Hard disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), or the like. The auxiliary storage device 13 stores data used when the processor 11 performs various processes, data created by the processes of the processor 11, and the like. The auxiliary storage device 13 also stores an application program including an inventory management program.

The clock 14 clocks date and time. The processor 11 processes the date and time measured by the clock 14 as the current date and time.

The inter-server interface 15 performs data communication with the data summarization server 31. The communication interface 16 performs data communication with the information processing terminal 2 of each store.

The inventory adjustment server 32 configured as described above has the store database 7, the insufficient product database 8, and the remaining product database 9 provided in the auxiliary storage device 13. The processor 11 executes information processing in accordance with the inventory management program, and the inventory adjustment server 32 functions as a data analysis unit 321, a database management unit 322, and a notification reception unit 323.

Fig. 6 to 10 are flowcharts showing the sequence of main information processing executed by the processor 11 in accordance with the inventory management program. Hereinafter, the operation of the stock adjustment server 32 will be described with reference to these flowcharts. The following operations are examples. The order is not particularly limited as long as the same result is obtained.

Every time the time counted by the clock 14 passes N minutes, the processor 11 starts information processing of the order shown in the flowchart of fig. 6, and proceeds to Act 1. In addition, "N" for N minutes is arbitrary. The smaller the value of "N" is, the higher the resolution (resolving power) of the inventory management is. However, when the load on the processor 11 increases, the speed is also required to be increased accordingly. Therefore, since the high-quality processor 11 is used, the cost becomes high. The value manager of "N" is appropriately determined in consideration of resolution, cost, and the like.

The processor 11 empties the insufficient merchandise database 8 and the remaining merchandise database 9 as Act 1. The processor 11, as Act2, communicates with the data aggregation server 31 via the inter-server interface 15, and searches the stock count database 6. The processor 11 checks as Act3 whether or not the unprocessed stock count data is stored in the stock count database 6. As described above, the processor 11 executes the processing every N minutes. Therefore, the stock count data of a specific date and time in which the date and time before and after N minutes is the stock count according to the time counted by the clock 14 is unprocessed.

When the processor 11 detects unprocessed stock count data from the stock count database 6, it determines YES in Act3 and proceeds to Act 4. The processor 11 reads, as Act4, the stock count data with the oldest specified date and time from the unprocessed stock count data. The processor 11 obtains the store code, the product code, and the inventory number from the inventory number data as Act 5S 1. The processor 11 searches the store database 7 using the store code obtained from the stock count data as a search key as Act 6. Then, the processor 11 reads, as Act7, the store data 7D including the store code of the search key from the store database 7.

The processor 11 refers to the stock number threshold table included in the store data 7D as Act8, and acquires the stock number threshold S2 associated with the product code acquired from the stock number data. The processor 11, as Act9, confirms whether the stock number S1 is lower than the stock number threshold S2. When the number of storages S1 is lower than the number of storages threshold S2, the processor 11 determines YES in Act9 and proceeds to Act 10. The processor 11 recognizes the product identified by the product code obtained from the stock count data as an insufficient product as Act 10. Further, the processor 11 performs shortage processing for the inventory shortage product. The underrun treatment is described below.

When the number of banks S1 is not lower than the number of banks threshold S2, the processor 11 determines NO in Act9 and proceeds to Act 11. The processor 11, as Act11, confirms whether the stock number S1 is higher than the stock number threshold S2. When the stock number S1 is higher than the stock number threshold S2, the processor 11 determines YES in Act11 and proceeds to Act 12. The processor 11 identifies the product identified by the product code obtained from the stock count data as the remaining stock product as Act 12. Further, the processor 11 performs remaining processing for the inventory remaining items. The remaining processing is described later.

When the stock number S1 is equal to the stock number threshold S2, the processor 11 determines NO in Act11 and returns to Act 2. When the insufficient processing or the remaining processing is ended, the processor 11 also returns to Act 2. The processor 11 searches the stock number database 6 and checks whether or not the unprocessed stock number data is stored in the stock number database 6. At this time, the processor 11 checks whether or not the stock count data of the specified date and time is old after the stock count data read from the stock count database 6 in the previous Act4 process. When the matching stock count data is present in the stock count database 6, the processor 11 reads the stock count data from the stock count database 6. Further, the processor 11 performs the processes of ACT5 to ACT12 as described above.

The processor 11 sequentially executes the processing of Act4 to Act12 for the unprocessed inventory count data stored in the inventory count database 6. If it is confirmed that the unprocessed stock count data does not exist in the stock count database 6, the processor 11 determines NO in Act3 and proceeds to Act 13. The processor 11 checks as Act13 whether the insufficient item data 8D is stored in the insufficient item database 8. The insufficient goods database 8 is emptied in the process of Act 1. However, the following shortage processing may store new shortage product data 8D.

When the insufficient item data 8D is stored in the insufficient item database 8, the processor 11 determines YES in Act13 and proceeds to Act 14. The processor 11 executes notification processing as Act 14. The notification process will be described later.

When the insufficient item data 8D is not stored in the insufficient item database 8, the processor 11 determines NO in Act13 and skips the notification process of Act 14. In this way, if the notification processing is completed or skipped, the processor 11 ends the information processing of the order shown in the flowchart of fig. 6.

Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing the main sequence of the insufficiency processing. When the shortage processing is entered, the processor 11 calculates the remaining time T of business hours as Act 21. That is, the processor 11 calculates the remaining time T from the current time counted by the clock 14 to the closed-store time included in the store data read from the store database 7 in the process of Act 7.

The processor 11 calculates, as Act22, an average sales number X of the commodities predicted to be sold with insufficient stock in the remaining time T thereof. That is, the processor 11 communicates with the data aggregating server 31 via the inter-server interface 15 to search the sales database 5. At this time, the processor 11 sets the store code included in the store data read from the store database 7 in the process of Act7 as the first search key. Further, the processor 11 uses the product code of the product in short stock as the second search key. Further, the processor 11 extracts sales data having a sales time after the current time from sales data including the shop code as the first search key and the commodity code as the second search key. At this time, the processor 11 sets, for example, sales data created during a search period from the present day to the past month as a search target. The processor 11 divides the number of sales data extracted from the sales database 5 by the number of business days during the search, and determines the quotient thereof as the average sales number X.

The processor 11 subtracts the average number of sales X from the stock number S as Act23 to obtain a difference D1. The processor 11 checks as Act24 whether or not the difference D1 is equal to or less than "0". When the difference D1 is greater than "0", the possibility that the under-stocked goods will be out of stock by the end of the business hours today is small. In contrast, when the difference D1 is equal to or less than "0", the possibility of the out-of-stock merchandise becoming out of stock by the end of today's business hours is high.

When the difference D1 is greater than "0", the processor 11 determines NO in Act24 and proceeds to Act 25. The processor 11 sets the emergency flag F to "0" as Act 25. When the difference D1 is equal to or less than "0", the processor 11 determines YES in Act24 and proceeds to Act 26. The processor 11 sets the emergency flag F to "1" as Act 26.

When the processing of Act25 or Act26 is completed, the processor 11 makes insufficient commodity data 8D as Act 27. That is, the processor 11 extracts the store code, the product name, and the inventory number from the inventory number data read from the inventory number database 6 in the process of Act 4. The processor 11 adds the stock count threshold S2 and the emergency flag F to the data extracted from the stock count data to create the insufficient product data 8D. The stock count threshold S2 is the threshold obtained in the process of Act8 in fig. 6. The emergency flag F is a flag set in the process of Act25 or Act 26. The processor 11 stores the insufficient product data 8D as Act28 in the insufficient product database 8. In the above, the processor 11 ends the shortage processing of Act 10.

Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing the main order of the remaining processing. When entering the remaining processing, the processor 11 calculates the remaining time T of business hours as Act 31. Further, the processor 11 calculates, as Act32, an average sales number X predicted to sell the remaining inventory item during the remaining time T. The processing of Act31 and Act32 is the same as that of Act21 and Act22, and therefore, the description thereof is omitted here.

The processor 11 subtracts the average number of sales X from the stock number S as Act33 to obtain a difference D2. Further, the processor 11 acquires the remaining number threshold value S3 as Act 34. That is, the processor 11 refers to the remaining number threshold value table included in the store data 7D acquired in the process of Act7 in fig. 6, and acquires the remaining number threshold value S3 associated with the product code of the remaining product in stock.

The processor 11 confirms as Act35 whether the difference D2 exceeds the remaining number threshold S3. If the difference D2 does not exceed the remaining number threshold value S3, there is no remaining item corresponding to the movement to another store in the stock of the remaining items. At this time, the processor 11 determines NO in Act35, and ends the remaining processing.

When the difference D2 exceeds the remaining number threshold value S3, the store has a remaining item corresponding to the movement to another store among the stock of remaining items. At this time, the processor 11 determines YES in Act35 and proceeds to Act 36. The processor 11 subtracts the remaining number threshold S3 from the difference D2 as Act36 to calculate the remaining number.

The processor 11, as Act37, communicates with the data aggregation server 31 via the inter-server interface 15, and searches the incoming database 4. At this time, the processor 11 uses the shop code included in the shop data 7D as a search key. Then, the processor 11 reads in the stock data of the store code including the search key from the stock database 4, and acquires the stock price.

The processor 11 determines the shortest transmission date and time as Act 38. That is, the processor 11 obtains the shortest transmission time from the shop data 7D. At this time, when there are a plurality of transmission times, the processor 11 acquires the latest time (the latest time after the acquisition of the current time) from among the times before the current time counted by the clock 14. For example, when 11 hours 00 and 19 hours 00 are set as the transmission time, 19 hours 00 is selected as the transmission time after the current time is 11 hours 00 and before 18 hours 59 minutes. In contrast, when the current time is 19 hours 00 minutes later or 10 hours 59 minutes earlier, 11 hours 00 minutes is selected as the transmission time. When the acquired time is the current time of the day, the processor 11 determines the date and the acquired time of the day as the shortest transmission date and time. When the acquired time is the time that has elapsed on the current day, the processor 11 determines the date of the next day and the acquired time as the shortest transmission date and time.

The processor 11 creates the remaining commodity data 9D as Act 39. That is, the processor 11 extracts the shop code, the product code, and the product name from the stock count data read from the stock count database 6 in the process of Act4 in fig. 6. The processor 11 adds the remaining number, the stock price, and the shortest transmission date and time to the data extracted from the stock number data, and creates remaining product data 9D. The remaining number is a number calculated in the process of Act 36. The price of the shipment is the price obtained in the processing of Act 37. The shortest transmission date and time is the time acquired in the process of Act 38. The processor 11 stores the remaining commodity data 9D in the remaining commodity database 9 as Act 40. In the above, the processor 11 ends the remaining processing of Act 11.

Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing the main sequence of notification processing. When entering the notification process, the processor 11 searches the insufficient merchandise database 8 as Act 51. The processor 11 also determines as Act52 whether or not there is unprocessed insufficient product data 8D. The unprocessed insufficient product data 8D is the insufficient product data 8D which is not read in Act53 described later.

Initially, the insufficient product database 8 stores unprocessed insufficient product data 8D. That is, the processor 11 determines YES in Act52 and proceeds to Act 53.

The processor 11 reads the unprocessed insufficient product data 8D from the insufficient product database 8 as Act 53. The processor 11 obtains the store code from the insufficient product data 8D as Act 54. The processor 11 searches the store database 7 as Act55 using the store code as a search key.

The processor 11 reads, as Act56, the store data 7D including the search key as the store code from the store database 7. The processor 11 then acquires the communication address from the store data 7D as Act 57. Further, the processor 11 searches for the emergency flag F included in the commodity data 8D as Act 58. Here, when the emergency flag is set to "0", the possibility that the product with insufficient stock will be out of stock in the store identified by the store code of the store data 7D is low on the current day. At this time, the processor 11 determines NO in Act58 and proceeds to Act 59. The processor 11 controls the communication interface 16 so as to transmit the normal notification instruction as Act 59. By this control, the communication interface 16 transmits a normal notification command to the information processing terminal 2 identified by the communication address obtained in the process of Act57 through the network. The normal notification command includes, in addition to data indicating a message of the normal notification, a store code, a product name, the number of inventories, a threshold value of the number of inventories, an emergency flag, and the like of the product in short stock.

On the other hand, when the emergency flag is set to "1", the possibility that the product in insufficient stock will be out of stock on the day is high in the store identified by the store code of the store data 7D. At this time, the processor 11 determines YES in Act58 and proceeds to Act 60. The processor 11 controls the communication interface 16 so as to transmit the emergency notice instruction as Act 60. By this control, the communication interface 16 transmits an emergency notification instruction to the information processing terminal 2 identified by the communication address obtained in the process of Act57 through the network. The emergency notification command includes, in addition to data of a message indicating an emergency notification, a store code, a product name, the number of inventories, an inventory number threshold, an emergency flag, and the like of the out-of-stock product.

Here, a difference between the normal notification and the emergency notification will be described with reference to fig. 11 and 12. Fig. 11 shows an example of a normal notification image SC1 displayed on the display device of the information processing terminal 2 that has received the normal notification command. As shown in fig. 11, the normal notification image SC1 displays a message M1 indicating a normal notification, and also displays the product code, the product name, the number of inventories, and the number of inventories threshold of the insufficient inventory product whose number of inventories is lower than the number of inventories threshold in the store "AAA store" to which the information processing terminal 2 is notified. The message M1 is a message notifying that the stock number of the product is lower than the stock number threshold and that there is a possibility of occurrence of stock shortage. In the normal notification image SC1, a button image BT1 of "delivery request" and a button image BT2 of "no delivery request" are displayed as means (section) for allowing the operator to select whether or not to request another store to deliver the product in which the stock is insufficient.

The confirmed normal notification image SC1 operator decides whether to entrust other stores to deliver the out-of-stock merchandise. At the time of delivery request, the operator performs an operation for inputting the button image BT1 of "delivery request". When the transfer is not requested, the operator performs an operation for inputting the button image BT2 of "transfer not requested". The operation is a touch operation of a button image when the display device also has a touch panel. The operation is typically a cursor operation using a mouse, a keyboard, or the like when the display device is not a touch panel.

Fig. 12 shows an example of an emergency notification image SC2 displayed on the device in the information processing terminal 2 that has received the emergency notification instruction. As shown in fig. 12, in addition to the message M2 indicating the emergency notification, the emergency notification image SC2 also displays the product code, the product name, the number of stocks, and the number of stocks threshold of the insufficient-stock products whose number of stocks is less than the number of stocks threshold in the store "AAA store" that has notified the information processing terminal 2. The message M1 is a message notifying that the stock number of the product is lower than the stock number threshold and that there is a possibility of out-of-stock today. The emergency notification image SC2 also displays a button image BT1 of "delivery request" and a button image BT2 of "non-delivery request" in the same manner as the normal notification image SC 1.

The operator who has confirmed the emergency notification image SC2 decides whether to entrust another shop to deliver the out-of-stock merchandise. At the time of delivery request, the operator performs an operation for inputting the button image BT1 of "delivery request". When the transfer is not requested, the operator performs an operation for inputting the button image BT2 of "transfer not requested". The operation method is the same as that in the case of the normal notification image SC 1.

When the button image BT1 for inputting "delivery request" is operated, the information processing terminal 2 transmits an acknowledgement command to the stock adjustment server 32. When an operation for inputting the "no delivery request" button image BT2 is performed, a negative response instruction is transmitted from the information processing terminal 2 to the stock adjustment server 32. The positive or negative response command always includes the shop code, product name, inventory number threshold, emergency flag, and the like included in the normal or emergency notification command.

The explanation returns to fig. 9.

The processor 11 that controls the inventory adjustment server 32 that transmits the normal notification instruction or the emergency notification instruction waits for receiving a response instruction from the information processing terminal 2 as Act 61. Also, if the response instruction has been received through the communication interface 16, the processor 11 determines YES in Act61 and proceeds to Act 62. The processor 11 determines the type of the response instruction as Act 62.

When the response instruction is a negative response instruction, the processor 11 determines NO in Act62 and returns to Act 51. When the response command is an affirmative response command, the processor 11 determines YES in Act62 and proceeds to Act 63. The processor 11 executes the reception process as Act 63. The reception process will be described later. When the acceptance processing ends, the processor 11 returns to Act 51.

The processor 11 returning to Act51 retrieves the insufficient merchandise database 8. Further, if the presence of unprocessed insufficient commodity data 8D has been confirmed, the processor 11 executes the processing of Act53 to Act63 in the same manner as described above.

In this way, when the execution of the processing of Act53 to Act63 is finished with respect to the unprocessed insufficient commodity data 8D, the processor 11 determines NO in Act52 and ends the notification processing.

Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing the main sequence of the acceptance processing. When the process proceeds to the acceptance process, the processor 11 obtains the product code of the product in short stock from the positive response command as Act 71. The processor 11 searches the remaining product database 9 as Act72 using the product code as a search key. The processor 11 determines as Act73 the presence or absence of the remaining product data 9D including the product code of the search key. If there is one matching remaining product data 9D in the remaining product database 9, the processor 11 determines YES in Act73 and proceeds to Act 74.

The processor 11, as Act74, looks for the urgency flag F included in the acknowledgement instruction. When the urgent flag F is set to "0", the processor 11 determines NO in Act74, skips Act75 and proceeds to Act 76. The processor 11 creates a shop remaining commodity list (list) using the remaining commodity data 9D including the commodity code of the search key as Act 76.

In contrast, when the emergency flag F is set to "1", the processor 11 determines YES in Act74 and proceeds to Act 75. The processor 11 checks as Act75 whether or not the remaining product data 9D having the shortest transmission date and time as the current date exists in the remaining product data 9D including the product code of the search key. If present, the processor 11 determines YES in Act75 and proceeds to Act 76. The processor 11 creates a shop remaining commodity list using the remaining commodity data 9D whose shortest transmission date and time is the current date among the remaining commodity data 9D including the commodity code of the search key as Act 76.

The list of the remaining products in the shop will be described later. When the shop remaining merchandise list is created, the processor 11 controls the communication interface 16 as Act77 so that the information processing terminal 2 of the transmission source of the acknowledgement command transmits the data of the shop remaining merchandise list as the destination. By this control, the communication interface 16 transmits the data of the list of the remaining products of the shop via the network. The data includes a store code, a product name, the number of inventories, a threshold value of the number of inventories, an emergency flag, and the like included in the positive response command, in addition to the data of the list of the remaining products in the store.

The data of the shop remaining product list transmitted from the inventory adjusting server 32 is received by the information processing apparatus 2 of the positive response command transmission source. The display device of the information processing terminal 2 that has received the data of the shop remaining commodity list displays the shop remaining commodity list image.

Fig. 13 is an example of the shop-related product list image SC3 when the operator inputs the button image BT1 of "delivery request" in the normal notification image SC1 shown in fig. 11, that is, when the emergency flag F is set to "0". As shown in fig. 13, the remaining-store item list image SC3 displays a remaining-store item list L1 in which the store name, the remaining number, the stock price, and the shortest transmission date and time specified by the store code of the remaining item data 9D to be created are listed. A radio button RB is displayed in association with the shop name in the shop remaining merchandise list L1. In addition, the product code, the product name, the inventory count, and the inventory count threshold value of the insufficient inventory product whose inventory count is lower than the inventory count threshold value are also displayed in the remaining shop product list image SC 3. Further, the shop-related merchandise list image SC3 displays the button image BT4 for inputting the number of transmission frame IN1, the button image BT3 for [ execute ], and the button image BT4 for [ suspend ].

Fig. 14 shows an example of the shop-related product list image SC4 when the emergency flag F is set to "1", that is, when the operator inputs the "delivery request" button image BT1 in the emergency notification image SC2 shown in fig. 12. As shown in fig. 14, the remaining-store merchandise list image SC4 displays a remaining-store merchandise list L2 created from the remaining-merchandise data 9D whose shortest transmission date and time is the current day. The other display is the same as the shop remaining item list image SC 3.

The operator who has confirmed the remaining shop list image SC3 or SC4 determines the number of shops and deliveries to be delivered from the remaining shop list L1 or L2, taking into account the remaining number, the stock price, and the shortest shipment date and time. Then, the operator selects the radio button RB associated with the store name of the distribution-requested store, and inputs the number of distributions IN the distribution number input box IN 1. After that, the operator performs an operation for inputting the [ execute ] button image BT 3. When the delivery request is suspended, the operator performs an operation for inputting the button image BT4 of [ suspend ].

Then, when an operation for inputting the [ execute ] button image BT3 is performed, an execution response instruction is transmitted from the information processing terminal 2 to the stock adjustment server 32. When an operation for inputting the button image BT4 of [ suspend ] is performed, a suspend response instruction is transmitted from the information processing terminal 2 to the inventory adjustment server 32. The execution response command includes the store code, product name, inventory number threshold, emergency flag, and the like included IN the positive response command, IN addition to the store code of the entrusted store selected from the remaining-store product list L1 or L2 and the delivery number input to the delivery number input box IN 1.

The explanation returns to fig. 10.

The processor 11 that controls the transmission of the list of the remaining shop commodities in the Act77 confirms whether or not the execution response command is received as the Act 78. When the execution response instruction is not received, the processor 11 determines NO in Act78, and proceeds to Act 79. The processor 11 checks as Act79 whether or not the suspend response instruction is received. When the abort response instruction is not received, the processor 11 determines NO in Act79, and returns to Act 78. Here, the processor 11 waits for reception of the execution response instruction or reception of the suspension response instruction in Act78 and Act 79. In the wait-to-accept state, when the termination response command is received via the communication interface 16, the processor 11 determines NO in Act79, and ends the acceptance process.

Upon receiving the execution reply instruction through the communication interface 16, the processor 11 determines YES in Act78 and proceeds to Act 80. The processor 11 acquires the store code of the entrusted store from the execution response command as Act 80. The processor 11 searches the store database 7 as Act81 using the store code as a search key. The processor 11 reads, as Act82, the store data 7D including the search key as the store code from the store database 7.

The processor 11 acquires the communication address from the store data 7D as Act 83. The processor 11 serves as Act84, sets its communication address as a destination address, and controls the communication interface 16 so as to send a delivery instruction. By this control, the communication interface 16 transmits a delivery instruction to the information processing terminal 2 identified by the communication address obtained in the process of Act83 through the network. The delivery instruction command includes the number of deliveries, the product code, the product name, the shortest transmission date and time, the store code of the delivery request source store, and the like included in the execution response command.

The delivery instruction is received by the information processing terminal 2 of the store at the delivery entrustment. The display device of the information processing terminal 2 that has received the delivery instruction displays the delivery instruction image.

Fig. 15 shows an example of the delivery instruction image SC5 when the store with the store name "CCC store" is selected from the store-remaining product list image SC3 shown in fig. 13 and the delivery number "10" is input. The operator who confirmed the distribution instruction image SC5 can recognize that 10 products identified by the product code "1234999999" were distributed from the store of the store name "AAA" that was entrusted to the store name "CCC". At this time, the operator is requested to make an arrangement for delivering 10 items of the article identified by the article code "1234999999" to the store of the store name "AAA". In some cases, the distribution of the product is performed by paying the purchase price from the store with the store name "AAA" to the store with the store name "CCC". In this case, the inventory adjustment server 32 may manage the account of each store, and automatically remit an amount of money corresponding to the purchase price from the account of the store of the delivery request source to the account of the store of the delivery request destination.

The explanation returns to fig. 10.

When the matching remaining commodity data 9D cannot be detected as a result of searching the remaining commodity database 9 in Act72, the processor 11 determines that NO in Act73 and proceeds to Act 85. Further, when there is NO remaining commodity data 9D whose shortest transmission date and time is the current date in Act75, the processor 11 determines NO and proceeds to Act 85. The processor 11 serves as Act85, and the information processing terminal 2 of the transmission source of the acknowledgement instruction serves as the destination-chamber-system communication interface 16 so as to transmit the instruction of the non-distributable notification. By this control, the communication interface 16 transmits an instruction that the notification cannot be delivered through the network. The instruction for the non-delivery notification is received by the information processing terminal 2 of the acknowledgement instruction transmission source. In the information processing terminal 2, the display device displays a message notifying that the delivery is not possible. Therefore, the information processing terminal 2 can know that there is no nearby store where the delivery-requested insufficient inventory item remains.

As described above, the computer mainly including the processor 11 of the inventory adjustment server 32 executes the processing of Act1 to Act5 in fig. 6, thereby configuring the acquisition unit (acquisition means, acquisition step) for acquiring the number of commodities in the plurality of stores. The acquisition unit is realized by the functions of the data analysis unit 321 and the database management unit 322.

The computer executes the processing of Act6 to Act10 in fig. 6, thereby configuring a detection unit (detection means, detection step) for detecting a shortage of merchandise whose stock number has decreased to the stock number threshold in any store. The detection unit is realized by the functions of the data analysis unit 321 and the database management unit 322.

The computer executes the processing of Act11 and Act12 in fig. 6, thereby constituting a search unit (search means and search step) for searching for stores whose inventory numbers of the insufficient inventory items are remaining. The search unit is realized by the functions of the data analysis unit 321 and the database management unit 322.

The computer executes the processing of Act13 and Act14 in fig. 6, but executes the processing of Act51 to Act60 in fig. 9 with respect to Act14, and constitutes a notification unit (notification means, notification step) that notifies information of the store searched for by the search unit to a terminal set in association with the store whose stock number of the insufficient-stock items has decreased to the stock number threshold. The notification unit is realized by the functions of the database management unit 322 and the notification reception unit 323.

The computer executes the processing of Act61 to Act63 in fig. 9, but executes the processing of Act71 to Act79 in fig. 10 with respect to Act63, thereby constituting an accepting unit (accepting means, accepting step) that accepts a delivery request for the product to a store whose stock number of the product in insufficient stock is reduced to the stock number threshold value, among stores searched for by the searching unit. The receiving unit is realized by the functions of the database management unit 322 and the notification receiving unit 323.

Furthermore, the method is simple. The computer executes the processing of Act80 to Act84 in fig. 10, and thereby constitutes an instruction unit (instruction means) that instructs a terminal set in association with the store at the delivery request place to deliver the insufficient-stock product, in response to the receipt of the delivery request. The instruction unit is realized by the functions of the database management unit 322 and the notification reception unit 323.

The computer executes the processing of Act21 to Act25 in fig. 7, thereby configuring a prediction unit (prediction means) that predicts whether or not the stock number of the insufficient inventory item is equal to or less than a predetermined value smaller than the stock number threshold value on the current day in the store in which the stock number of the insufficient inventory item is reduced to the stock number threshold value. The prediction unit is realized by the functions of the data analysis unit 321 and the database management unit 322.

According to the present embodiment, by providing the acquisition unit, the detection unit, the search unit, and the reception unit, it is possible to easily move the product from the store with a surplus inventory to the store with a shortage inventory.

Further, by providing the notification unit, the operator of the store with insufficient stock can directly make a delivery request to the store with the remaining stock. Therefore, the quick response is enabled.

The information of the store notified by the notification unit includes the remaining number of the insufficient-stock products in the store, the stock price, and the shortest transmission date and time. Therefore, the operator can preferentially determine the remaining number, the stock price, and the shortest transmission date and time for the store to which the delivery request is to be made. Therefore, in the store where the insufficient inventory item occurs, the delivery of the insufficient inventory item can be requested with priority given to efficiency or cost.

Further, since the notification contents differ according to the prediction result of the prediction unit, the operator of the store in which the product in short stock has occurred can easily recognize whether or not the delivery request needs to be made urgently.

Further, by providing the instruction unit, it is possible to automatically instruct the store having the surplus inventory to move the product to the store having the insufficient inventory. Therefore, the response can be more speedily performed.

Although the above description has been given of the embodiment of the inventory management device that easily moves products from a store with a surplus inventory to a store with a shortage of inventory, the embodiment is not limited to this.

In the above embodiment, the case where the stock is adjusted between the stores adjacent to each other in the same region where the retail business is operated is exemplified. In this regard, the stock may be adjusted between stores regardless of the region. At this time, an item of the location is added to the shop data 7D, for example. The inventory adjustment server 32 may calculate a distance between the location of the consignment store having the inventory number of a certain product lower than the inventory number threshold and the location of the consignment store having the inventory number of the product higher than the inventory number threshold, and may place the consignment store having the inventory number of the product equal to or less than a predetermined distance in the store-remaining-product list.

In the embodiment, it is exemplified that the inventory management device 3 includes the data summarization server 31 and the inventory adjustment server 32. In this regard, the inventory management device 3 may include only the inventory adjustment server 32. That is, the data aggregating server 31 may be implemented by a system different from the inventory management device 3. The stock adjustment server 32 may not be provided with the store database 7, the insufficient product database 8, and the remaining product database 9. The store database 7, the insufficient product database 8, and the remaining product database 9 may be provided in a storage device outside the inventory adjustment server 32, and the database management unit 322 may transfer data to and from the store database 7, the insufficient product database 8, and the remaining product database 9.

In the above embodiment, the information of the store notified by the notification unit is set to the remaining number of the insufficient-stock items, the stock price, and the shortest transmission date and time in the store. The information of the store notified by the notification unit is not limited to these three types. It is also possible to notify only at least any one of the information items. Further, in the case of food, for example, the consumption term may be notified.

The price may be not a stock price but a transfer price from the distribution consignment store to the consignment-source store. In the case of the transfer price, a price at which the stock price is increased by n% is used as the transfer price. By so doing, since the transfer price can be calculated from the stock price acquired in Act37 of fig. 8, the embodiment can be directly applied.

In the embodiment, in Act24 of fig. 7, processor 11 has determined whether difference D1 is equal to or less than "0". In this regard, it may be determined whether or not the difference D1 is smaller than the inventory count threshold value and larger than "0". That is, it is possible to predict not the out-of-stock but a state close to the out-of-stock.

In Act78 of fig. 10, the processor 11 that has received the execution response command may output the delivery request information by display, printing, voice, or the like. In this case, the person in charge who has confirmed the output can move the product from the store with the surplus stock to the store with the shortage of stock by requesting the delivery of the product to the consignment store by a communication means such as a telephone.

In the above embodiment, the description has been given taking an example in which the stock management program is stored in the primary storage device 12 or the secondary storage device 13 in advance. In this regard, the inventory management device 3 may be assigned in a state where the inventory management program is not stored. At this time, an inventory management program to be individually assigned to the inventory management apparatus 3 is written into a writable storage apparatus provided in the inventory management apparatus 3 in accordance with an operation by a user or the like. The transfer of the inventory management program can be recorded in a removable storage medium or performed by communication through a network. The form of the storage medium is not limited as long as the storage medium can store a program and can be read by a device, such as a CD-ROM or a memory card.

In the present invention, there is provided an electronic device including: at least one processor; and a memory communicatively coupled to the at least one processor, wherein the memory stores instructions executable by the at least one processor to enable the at least one processor to perform the control method described above.

Further, in the present invention, there is provided a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing computer instructions for causing a computer to execute the above-described control method.

Furthermore, while several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments may be embodied in other various forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and modifications are included in the scope of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the scope of claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

Claims

1. An inventory management device, comprising:

an acquisition unit that acquires the number of stocks of commodities in a plurality of stores;

a detection unit that detects an insufficient inventory item in which the inventory count is reduced to an inventory count threshold value in any one of the stores;

a search unit that searches for stores in which the number of stocks of the insufficient-stock products remains; and

and an accepting unit that accepts a delivery request for the product to the store whose stock number of the insufficient stock product has decreased to the stock number threshold value, for the store searched for by the searching unit.

2. The inventory management device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a notification unit configured to notify the information on the store searched out by the search unit to a terminal set in association with the store whose stock number of the insufficient stock product has decreased to the stock number threshold,

wherein the receiving unit receives the delivery request from the terminal.

3. The inventory management device of claim 2, wherein,

the information of the store notified by the notification unit includes at least one of the remaining number of the insufficient inventory items in the store, the price, and the shortest transmission date and time.

4. The inventory management device according to claim 2 or 3, further comprising:

a prediction unit that predicts whether or not the number of stocks of the insufficient inventory items is less than or equal to a predetermined value smaller than the threshold number of stocks on the same day in the store in which the number of stocks of the insufficient inventory items is reduced to the threshold number of stocks,

wherein the notification unit makes notification contents different according to a prediction result of the prediction unit.

5. The inventory management device according to claim 2 or 3, further comprising:

and an instruction unit that, in response to the reception of the delivery request, instructs a terminal set in association with the store at the delivery request to deliver the insufficient inventory item.

6. An inventory management method, comprising the steps of:

an acquisition step of acquiring the stock number of commodities in a plurality of stores;

a detection step of detecting an insufficient inventory item in which the inventory count is reduced to an inventory count threshold value in any one of the stores;

a search step of searching for stores with surplus inventory of the insufficient inventory; and

and an accepting step of accepting a delivery request for the product to the store whose stock number of the product with insufficient stock is reduced to the stock number threshold value, for the store searched for in the searching step.

7. The inventory management method of claim 6, further comprising:

a notification step of notifying information on the store searched out in the search step to a terminal set in association with the store whose stock number of the insufficient stock product is reduced to the stock number threshold,

the accepting step accepts the delivery delegation from the terminal.

8. The inventory management method according to claim 7, wherein,

the information of the store notified in the notifying step includes at least one of the remaining number, the price, and the shortest transmission date and time of the out-of-stock item in the store.

9. An electronic device, comprising:

at least one processor; and

a memory communicatively coupled to the at least one processor,

wherein the memory stores instructions executable by the at least one processor to enable the at least one processor to perform the inventory management method of any of claims 6 to 8.

10. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing computer instructions for causing a computer to perform the inventory management method of any one of claims 6 to 8.