JP2001266047A - Commodity purchasing apparatus and commodity purchasing network system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently perform procedures from ordering to order reception in commodity purchase by surely selecting the trade of order reception presenting the lowest estimated unit price in a short time. SOLUTION: Estimated unit price data of commodities, which order receivers have inputted by order receiver computers 6 is stored beforehand in a database 3. An ordering person uses an ordering person computer 4, to input a commodity to be purchased. After input, the order receiver who presents the lowest estimated unit price of the inputted commodity is determined, on the basis of estimated unit price data stored in the database 3. The commodity is placed on order to the order receiver determined.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an estimated unit price of one or more types of commodities previously input by a plurality of designated contractors and a contractor presenting the estimated unit price. The present invention relates to a merchandise purchasing apparatus for purchasing merchandise based on estimated unit price data, a merchandise purchasing method, and a merchandise purchasing network system.

[0002] The present invention also provides an estimated unit price in which the estimated unit price of one or more types of commodities input in advance by a plurality of designated contractors and the contractor presenting the estimated unit price are associated. The present invention relates to a computer-readable recording medium that records a program for causing a computer to execute a process of purchasing a product based on data. Further, the present invention relates to a product specification device.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when ordering a product at a purchasing department of a company or the like, a person in charge of ordering individually investigates product quotes and determines an order contractor presenting a minimum estimated unit price. Had been done. In a company operating in a wide area, the work is performed for each branch or office in each area. Orders have also been made by telephone or facsimile or by sending a prepared slip.

[0004]

However, when the types of products are enormous, when there are a lot of contractors, and when the geographical area is wide, a minimum estimated unit price is required for each ordered product. It is not easy to reliably select the contractor that is presenting, and it takes a lot of time and money. On the other hand, in a normal order, there is a situation that the orderer must deliver the product within the delivery date in order to avoid stagnation of the business activity of the orderer. For this reason, it is necessary to place an order promptly, and it is practically impossible to reliably select a contractor who presents the minimum estimated unit price while placing such a quick order.

[0005] In addition, there is a possibility that the contractor presenting the minimum estimated unit price may not be selected due to a mistake of the person in charge of ordering. Further, there may be a case where the person in charge of ordering arbitrarily selects the contractor, and the contractor presenting the minimum estimated unit price is not selected fairly.

The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and an object of the present invention is to select a contractor presenting a minimum estimated unit price surely and in a short time in the purchase of a product, and to purchase the product in a short time. The aim is to streamline the procedure from ordering to receiving orders.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a merchandise purchasing apparatus comprising: an estimated unit price of one or more types of merchandise input in advance by a plurality of designated contractors; What is claimed is: 1. A merchandise purchasing apparatus which purchases a product based on estimated unit price data associated with a contractor presenting a unit price, comprising: first storage means for storing the estimated unit price data; Product specifying means for specifying the type of product and the number of purchased products, and a contractor presenting the minimum estimated unit price of the product specified by the product specifying means are stored in the first storage means. And a contractor determining means for determining based on the estimated unit price data.

[0008] Here, "goods" include services (that is, intangible services). According to the invention described in claim 1 of the present application, the merchandise purchasing apparatus determines whether the contractor presenting the minimum estimated unit price of the commodity designated by the commodity designation means is the estimated unit price data stored in the first storage means. Therefore, a contractor presenting the minimum estimated unit price can be selected reliably and in a short time. As a result, it is possible to reduce the expenditure required for purchasing goods on the orderer side, and reduce costs related to purchasing. Furthermore, since there is no room for the ordering party (ordering person) to arbitrarily intervene, the ordering company can be determined fairly. In other words, regardless of which orderer (ordering person in charge) places an order, the orderer presenting the minimum estimated unit price is determined, so-called standardization of purchasing can be achieved. Further, it is possible to reduce the complexity of the procedure for determining a contractor in purchasing goods.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the merchandise purchasing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, the plurality of contractors are provided with deliverable data obtained by classifying the plurality of contractors into regions where each contractor can deliver the commodity. Second storage means for storing, and a delivery place designating means for designating a place for delivering a purchased product, wherein the ordering party determining means is capable of delivering to a place designated by the delivery place designating means. A contractor is selected from the deliverable data stored in the second storage means, and a contractor presenting a minimum estimated unit price is determined from the selected contractors. It is characterized by.

Here, the "second storage means" is the first storage means.
May be constituted by the same means as the storage means, or may be constituted by different means. According to the invention described in claim 2 of the present application, the contractor that can deliver to the place designated by the delivery place designation means is selected based on the deliverable data. Selection can be prevented, and a contractor who can reliably deliver to the delivery location can be selected.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a commodity purchasing apparatus according to the first or second aspect, further comprising a desired delivery date designating means for designating a desired delivery date of the product, wherein the estimated unit price data corresponds to the product. The contractor determining means presents a minimum estimated unit price from among contractors corresponding to goods having a delivery date satisfying the desired delivery date designated by the desired delivery date designation means. Is to determine the ordering contractor.

According to the invention described in claim 3 of the present application, the estimated unit price data includes the delivery date of the product corresponding to the product, and the contractor determining means determines the delivery date satisfying the desired delivery date specified by the desired delivery date specifying means. Since the contractor presenting the minimum estimated unit price is determined from the contractors corresponding to the commodities possessed, the contractor satisfying the desired delivery date can be determined. Thus, the orderer can reliably receive the product within the delivery date.

[0013] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a merchandise purchasing apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein a collective order for selecting two or more types of merchandise from one orderer is selected. The system further comprises an order selection means, and when the collective order selection means has selected the collective order, the order contractor determining means determines that the total amount of the two or more types of products specified by the product specification means is minimum. It determines the contractor who presents the estimated unit price.

According to the invention as set forth in claim 4 of the present application, even in a batch order in which two or more types of products are ordered from one order-receiving company, an estimate that the total amount of the specified two or more types of products is minimized. It is possible to determine a contractor presenting a unit price, and standardize so-called purchasing.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the merchandise purchasing apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the contractor determining means determines that the contractor presenting the minimum estimated unit price is two. In the case where there is the above, the ordering company having the least ordering result is selected and determined based on the ordering result in a predetermined past period.

According to the invention as set forth in claim 5 of the present application, when there are a plurality of contractors presenting the same minimum estimated unit price, orders are not intensively placed only to a specific contractor, Orders are placed almost equally to these plural contractors. Therefore, also in this regard, the fairness or fairness of orders is achieved, and so-called purchasing standardization is achieved.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the merchandise purchasing apparatus according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the contractor determining means includes:
In the case where there are two or more contractors having the least order results, one contractor is selected and determined in accordance with a predetermined contractor order.

According to the invention described in claim 6 of the present application, even when there are two or more contractors having the least order results, one contractor can be determined. For example, if the initial value of the order performance for a predetermined period in the past is set to zero, the first determination of the contractor will be that two or more contractors with the lowest order performance (ie, zero) are determined. Will exist,
Even in such a case, one contractor can be determined.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a merchandise purchasing apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein one or more types of predetermined products are designated as the products in advance. A third storage means for storing priority supplier data corresponding to the selected priority supplier, wherein the contractor determining means determines that there are two or more contractors presenting the minimum estimated unit price, and And if there is a priority trader corresponding to the product based on the priority trader data stored in the third storage means, the existing priority trader is selected and determined. It is characterized by.

Here, the "third storage means" is the first storage means.
And at least one of the storage means and the second storage means, or may be different from these storage means.

According to the invention described in claim 7 of the present application, if a special contract is made with the ordering party and there is a priority contractor who should place an order preferentially, this preferential contractor is preferentially designated as an order receiving contractor. You can choose. As a result, a special contract between the orderer and the contractor can be fulfilled.

If a contractor other than the priority contractor presents a lower estimated unit price, the contractor presenting the lower estimated unit price is selected. Therefore, according to the invention described in claim 7 of the present application, it is possible to reliably select the contractor presenting the minimum estimated unit price, and it is possible to reduce the expenditure required for purchasing goods on the ordering party side.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the merchandise purchasing apparatus according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the contractor determining means includes:
If there are two or more priority traders who offer the minimum estimated unit price, the priority trader with the least order performance is selected and determined based on the order performance in a predetermined past period. It is characterized by the following. According to the invention described in claim 8 of the present application, the same operation and effect as the invention described in claim 5 of the present application can be obtained between the priority companies.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the merchandise purchasing apparatus according to the ninth aspect, the contractor determining means includes:
In the case where there are two or more priority contractors having the smallest order record, one priority contractor is selected and determined in accordance with a predetermined order contractor order. According to the invention described in claim 9 of the present application, the same operation and effect as the invention described in claim 6 of the present application can be obtained even between priority traders.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the merchandise purchasing apparatus according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, when the ordering party determining means cannot receive the order, It is characterized by determining the contractor presenting the minimum estimated unit price from the contractors excluding the contractor. According to the invention described in claim 10 of the present application, for example, even if the contractor initially determined cannot receive an order due to lack of stock, the contractor presenting the next lowest estimated unit price is Selected. Thus, even in such a case, the same operation and effect as the invention described in claim 1 of the present application can be obtained.

[0026] According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a merchandise purchasing apparatus according to any one of the first to tenth aspects.
Fourth storage for storing a predetermined specific purchaser and specific product orderer data in which a predetermined specific product purchased by the purchaser is associated with a contractor who receives an order for the specific product. Means, and purchaser designating means for designating a purchaser, wherein the trader determining means comprises:
If the purchaser specified by the purchaser specifying means is the predetermined specific purchaser included in the specific goods orderer data stored in the fourth storage means, the specific goods order A corresponding contractor in the trader data is determined, and if not, the determination according to any one of claims 1 to 10 is performed.

Here, the "fourth storage means" is the first storage means.
The storage means may be configured to be the same as at least one of the third storage means, or may be configured to be different from these.

According to the invention as set forth in claim 11 of the present application, for example, when there is a product that is handled only by a specific contractor (for example, work clothes containing the name of the company of the purchaser (orderer)), For this product, this particular contractor will be selected. As a result, even if there is such a specific product, it is possible to reliably select a contractor handling the specific product.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a merchandise purchasing apparatus according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects.
The product specifying means includes a first display means having a two-dimensional screen, and is capable of simultaneously specifying a plurality of types of products to be used in combination, and one of the plurality of types of products. One product has at least a first product standard and a second product standard, and each of the other products among the plurality of types of products has the first product standard; The display means of
Different standard values of the first product standard are continuously arranged in a first dimension of the two-dimensional screen, and different standard values of the second product standard are continuously arranged in a second dimension. , At the intersection of the standard value of the first standard and the standard value of the second standard, a designation field for the one product having both standard values is displayed, and in the second dimension direction, 1
The specification column of the other product is displayed outside the portion where the specification column of one product is displayed, in correspondence with the standard value of the first product standard.

Here, the "product standard" is an attribute of the product, for example, the size, color, shape, etc. of the product.
Even though the products have the same name (product name), there are various products having different product standard values, and the product is specified and specified by the product name and the product standard value.

According to the invention described in claim 12 of the present application, 2
A first product standard and a second product standard are respectively allocated to each dimension direction of the two-dimensional screen, and different standard values of the first product standard are continuously arranged in the first dimension.
Different standard values of the second product standard are continuously arranged in the second dimension. Then, at the intersection of the standard value of the first standard and the standard value of the second standard, a designation column for the one product having both standard values is displayed. Therefore, for a product having two product standards, the product having the two product standard values can be specified by specifying it in the specification column provided at the corresponding intersection without specifying each of the two product standard values. Can be specified. This makes it easy to specify the product.

Further, outside the portion where the designation column of one product is displayed in the second dimension direction, the designation column of another product is displayed in correspondence with the standard value of the first product standard. . As a result, designation of another product having the same standard value of the first product standard as the standard value of the first product standard of one product is facilitated, and the specification error can be prevented.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a merchandise purchasing apparatus according to any one of the first to twelfth aspects.
A contractor determined by the contractor determining means;
Fifth storage means for storing order data including a product designated by the designation means, and a second display means for displaying the order data stored in the fifth storage means to a contractor included in the order data. And display means.

Here, the "fifth storage means" is the first storage means.
And at least one of the fourth storage means may be the same as or different from the fourth storage means.

According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the order data is displayed by the second display means to the contractor included in the order data, so that the order contents can be sent to the contractor in writing. , It is possible to notify the contractor without telephone contact. This can reduce the complexity of the procedure from ordering to receiving an order.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the merchandise purchasing apparatus according to the thirteenth aspect, the order receiving company further comprises an order receiving means for returning the order when the order is approved. Features. According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, since the merchandise purchasing apparatus includes the order reply means, it is possible to reduce the complexity of the order receiving procedure.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the commodity purchasing apparatus according to the fourteenth aspect, after the order is returned by the order response means, after the ordered goods are delivered, the delivery completion reporting means for reporting the delivery completion is provided. , Is further provided. According to the invention as set forth in claim 15 of the present application, since the commodity purchasing device is provided with the delivery completion report, the procedure of the delivery completion report can be easily performed.

[0038] The goods purchase network system according to the invention of claim 16 of the present application comprises an orderer server, a database connected to the orderer server, and an orderer connected to the orderer server so that the orderer can purchase the ordered goods. Specify 1 or 2
A merchandise purchasing network system comprising the above-mentioned orderer computer, one or more orderer computers for the orderer to place an order for the ordered item, and a communication network connected to the orderer server and the orderer computer Wherein the database stores estimated unit price data associated with the estimated unit price of one or more types of products presented by the contractor and the contractor presenting the estimated unit price. And / or the orderer computer and / or the orderer server stores, in the database, a contractor presenting a minimum estimated unit price for an ordered product specified using the orderer computer. Is determined based on the estimated unit price database, and the determined contractor is associated with the ordered product and recorded in the database. In the case where the contractor computer and / or the orderer server are the determined contractor, the contractor using the contractor computer is associated with the determined contractor. It is displayed on the order receiving party computer that the attached ordered product has been ordered.

According to the sixteenth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to obtain the same operation and effect as the above-described first aspect of the present invention. Also, since the orderer computer and the orderer server are connected to the communication network, ordering and ordering can be easily performed via the communication network. In addition, by connecting with contractors all over Japan or around the world, it is possible to select the contractor who offers the lowest estimated unit price among them, further reducing the expenditure required for purchasing products. Can be achieved.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a merchandise specifying apparatus which can specify a plurality of types of purchased merchandise to be used in combination, wherein the display means has a two-dimensional screen. Wherein one of the plurality of types of products has at least a first product standard and a second product standard, and each of the other products of the plurality of types of products is the first product standard. The display means continuously arranges different standard values of the first product standard in a first dimension of the two-dimensional screen, and displays the second standard in a second dimension. The specification values of the one product having both the standard values are set at the intersection of the standard value of the first standard and the standard value of the second standard. Display, and in the second dimension direction Outside the portion where the designation column for the one product is displayed, the designation column for the other product is displayed in correspondence with the standard value of the first product standard. I do. According to the seventeenth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to obtain the same operation and effect as the above-described invention of the twelfth aspect.

In the method for purchasing goods according to the invention of claim 18 of the present application, the estimated unit prices of one or more types of goods previously input by a plurality of designated contractors and the estimated unit prices are presented. A product purchasing method for purchasing a product based on estimated unit price data associated with a contractor, wherein one or more types of products to be purchased and the number of purchased products are specified, and The contractor presenting the minimum estimated unit price is determined based on the estimated unit price data. Claim 1 of the present application
According to the eighth aspect, the same operation and effect as those of the first aspect can be obtained.

A computer-readable recording medium storing a program to be executed by a computer according to the invention of claim 19 of the present invention stores one or more types of merchandise previously input by a plurality of designated contractors. A computer-readable recording medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute a process of purchasing a product based on estimated unit price data corresponding to an estimated unit price and a contractor presenting the estimated unit price,
A procedure for prompting the user to specify one or more types of products to be purchased and the number of purchased products, and a contractor presenting a minimum estimated unit price of the specified product is determined based on the estimated unit price data. And a program for causing a computer to execute the procedure.

According to the nineteenth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to obtain the same functions and effects as those of the first aspect of the present invention. Further, the same operation and effect as the invention described in claim 1 of the present application can be provided to any computer capable of reading and executing the program recorded on the recording medium.

[0044]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

1. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a merchandise purchasing network system (hereinafter referred to as “purchase net”) 1 according to the present invention. This purchase net 1 is an orderer server 2
When a database 3, a plurality of orderer computer (or terminal) 4 ₁ from 4 _{m (hereinafter} representatively called. "Orderer computer 4") and the Internet 5, a plurality of contractor computer (terminal) 6 ₁ to 6 _n (hereinafter, representatively referred to as “customer computer 6”).

The orderer server 2 is constituted by a computer and functions as a server dedicated to the company installed in a certain company (in this embodiment, "ABC Co., Ltd.", hereinafter referred to as "the company"). . The orderer server 2 has one on the Internet 5 and the other on the orderer computer 4
And a database 3 is provided. The database 3 includes data necessary for order processing described later, data on purchased goods ordered by the orderer,
Status data and the like are stored.

The orderer computer 4 is a computer used by each purchaser of the company for ordering and receiving orders, and is configured to be able to access the orderer server 2 and the database 3 via the orderer server 2. Have been. In the present embodiment, this company is a company having branches (or sales offices, etc.) all over Japan, and the orderer computer 4 is a computer installed at each branch distributed throughout Japan.

The orderer server 2 and the orderer computer 4 are connected to a dedicated line or a local network (L
(AN, Intranet, etc.), or may be connected via the Internet.

The contractor computer 6 is a computer provided for each of a plurality of contractors (a contractor, a distributor, a delivery company), and is connected to the Internet 5. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the contractors are contractors designated by the company and are distributed throughout Japan. In addition, the contractor exists for each trader who handles each product. For example, there are traders who sell stationery, traders who sell steel materials, and the like. These contractor computers 6
It is configured to be able to access the orderer server 2 via the Internet 5 and the database 3 via the orderer server 2.

2. Database Data As described above, the database 3 stores data necessary for product purchase in advance. The data is as follows.

2.1. Delivery Block Data FIG. 2 is a table showing an example of delivery block data. "Delivery block data" is a code that divides the whole of Japan into a plurality of (for example, 22) blocks (referred to as "delivery blocks"), and codes the respective delivery blocks (referred to as "delivery block codes"). This is table data in which the block name of the delivery block (referred to as “delivery block name”) is associated. Each branch of the company belongs to one of the delivery blocks based on its location. Also,
As will be described later, a delivery block code is used to specify a delivery location (branch) of a purchased product (commodity).

2.2. FIG. 3 is a table showing an example of the deliverable data.
“Deliverable data” is table data in which a delivery block code is associated with a contractor who can deliver (delivery) a product to the delivery block. In this table, the contractor is represented as a coded “customer code”. For example, delivery block code 10
(That is, Kashima Block) can be delivered to the customer code "eye 20800", "blue 10500",
(Omitted) The order receiver has “Waka 08800”.

This deliverable data is created based on the delivery results of each contractor in the past (for example, last year). The location of each contractor does not necessarily belong to the corresponding delivery block. For example, if a contractor located in the Kashima block has a record of delivering to a branch in the Keihin block of the present company in the past, the contractor is registered as a contractor corresponding to the Keihin block. Further, if one contractor has a record of delivering to a branch in a plurality of blocks of the company, this one contractor is registered corresponding to the plurality of blocks. The “supplier code” is uniquely assigned to each contractor, and the “supplier code” and the name, location (address), zip code, telephone number, FAX of each contractor (seller) are assigned. "Supplier table data" (corresponding to numbers, representative names, etc.) (not shown)
Are also registered in the database 3 in advance.

2.3. Commodity data Commodities are classified into major categories, intermediate categories, minor categories, and product standards. The sub-categories correspond to individual product names. Further, since there are various standards (for example, dimensions, colors, etc.) in the small classification (individual products), these standards are classified according to the product standards. The middle category is obtained by grouping one or more sub-categories with a certain common product attribute. The large classification is obtained by further grouping one or more middle classifications with a certain common product attribute.

FIG. 4 is a table showing an example of large classification data relating to a large classification of commodities. The major classification data is table data that associates a major classification code with a major classification name. There are 17 major categories of products in the example shown in FIG.
Each major classification is uniquely assigned a name such as "steel material / steel pipe" or "gas / welding" and a corresponding major classification code such as "10" or "11".

FIG. 5 is a table (part) showing an example of middle classification data on middle classification of a product. The middle classification data is table data in which a large classification code, a middle classification code, and a middle classification name are associated. For example, the large classification code 10 (large classification name “steel material / steel pipe”) has seven middle classifications, and each middle classification is uniquely assigned a middle classification name and a middle classification code.

FIG. 6 is a table (part) showing an example of the small classification data relating to the small classification of the product. The minor classification data is table data in which a major classification code, a middle classification code, a minor classification code, and a minor classification name are associated. Each sub-class is uniquely assigned a sub-class name and a sub-class code. This minor category name corresponds to an individual product name. For example, the middle classification code 10 (middle classification name “SS type steel”) of the large classification code 10 (major classification name “steel material / steel pipe”) includes the small classification code “SS channel” of the small classification code “10”. Exists. In the example shown in FIG. 6, only one small classification is listed in one classification specified by the large classification and the middle classification, but a plurality of small classifications may exist.

The product data includes a product catalog and
Data is also included. FIG. 7 is a table (part) showing an example of product catalog data. The merchandise catalog data is the most detailed data on the merchandise, and an order, an order, an estimated unit price, etc. are input based on this data. As described above, the product sub-classification is further classified into product standards (hereinafter, also simply referred to as “standards”). For example, the product "SS Channel" (major classification code:
10, medium classification code: 10, small classification code: 10) also have various dimensions, and each standard is assigned to each of these dimensions. The product catalog data describes product data for each of these standards.

Each standard is uniquely assigned a "standard name" and a "standard code" which is code data corresponding to the standard name. As will be described later, the specification of the purchased product at the time of ordering the product is performed by the subclassification name and the standard name. Then, inside the purchase net 1, purchased goods are uniquely identified by the large classification code, the middle classification code, the small classification code, and the standard code.
Hereinafter, a set of the large classification code, the middle classification code, the small classification code, and the standard code for uniquely identifying a purchased product is referred to as a “product specification code group”.

In addition, the product has units such as 1 [book] and 2 [tons] for counting the product. On the other hand, in a normal transaction, the unit ordered by the orderer may be different from the unit charged by the orderer. For example, when ordering steel products, the ordering party is one or two “books”.
In general, an orderer pays a fee in units of "tons" such as how many yen per ton. In order to cope with such a case, the product catalog data includes an “order unit code” and a “billing unit code”. The “order unit code” encodes the unit of the product ordered by the orderer, and the “billing unit code” encodes the billing unit for which the orderer charges the sales fee. A “weight conversion rate” is provided as a ratio for converting these two units. As a result, the orderer can place an order in the unit used by the orderer, and the orderer can display the order converted to the unit used by the orderer.
The reverse is also possible. As a result, the purchase net 1 can be made a system that can be easily used by each of the orderer and the contractor.

The “trader decision logic pattern” is a parameter indicating a criterion for determining a contractor. As will be described later, there are three criteria for determining a contractor, and this parameter indicates which of the three is used to determine a contractor. For a product for which “1” is entered in the “trader decision logic pattern”, the contractor presenting the minimum estimated unit price is determined. For products marked with “2”, if there are multiple contractors presenting the minimum estimated unit price, and if there are predetermined priority contractors, Determined as the contractor. Regarding the product in which "3" is entered, a predetermined specific trader is automatically determined as a contractor regardless of the estimated unit price. Details of these processes will be described later.

It is to be noted that each branch of the company and each department of each branch rarely purchase all the products (for example, 22,000 items) included in the product catalog data. In general, the purchased product becomes a part of the product catalog data according to the business form of each department. Therefore, according to each branch and each department of each branch, unique product catalog data (that is, a part of the whole product catalog data) that picks up only the product purchased by the branch can be constructed. That is, the product catalog data can be customized according to each branch or each department of each branch.

2.4. Priority trader data and specific product data FIG. 8 is a table showing priority trader data. The “priority contractor” is the parameter value “2” of the contractor decision logic pattern in the above-described merchandise catalog data of FIG.
Means the orderer who is preferentially determined for products with The priority trader data is table data that associates a product specifying code set with a supplier code indicating the priority trader. Therefore, when a product specified by the product specifying code set is ordered, the priority trader indicated by the supplier code corresponding to this product is determined with priority.

FIG. 9 is a table showing specific product data. “Specific product” refers to a product for which an order is placed from a specific contractor regardless of the estimated unit price. For example, if the work clothes on which the company name of this company is printed are always purchased from the trader A, the work clothes are registered as a specific item purchased from the trader A. Specific product data includes department / branch code, account number, product specific code group (major classification code, middle classification code,
This is table data that associates the small classification code and the standard code) with the supplier code that receives an order for the specific product.

Here, the “department / branch code” means a code number uniquely assigned to each branch of the company (here, referred to as “department / branch”). The "account" in the "account number" refers to the smallest accounting unit in the company.
For example, the accounting department, general affairs department, etc. of each branch correspond to each account. The ordering of goods is performed in account units. “Account number” is a number uniquely assigned to each account. If the branch A has an account called "General Affairs Department" and the branch B has an account called "General Affairs Department", the same account number is assigned to these accounts. Accordingly, by closing the total balance of the accounts having the same account number, it is possible to know the sales and the like of the entire balance of the department having the same account number of the company.

A specific product and a contractor who receives an order for the specific product are determined for each account of each branch as shown in the specific product data. For example, department / branch code 11
The specific product (large classification code 10, medium classification code 10, small classification code 10, and standard code 0001) of the account No. 14 with the account number 02610 is the customer code "Aki07"
200 ".

2.5. Estimated Unit Price Data FIG. 10 is a table showing estimated unit price data of a product input by a contractor. The estimated unit price data is obtained by associating the supplier code of the contractor presenting the estimated unit price, the product identification code group, the unit price of the product identification data, the standard delivery date, the application start date, the quotation, and the multiplication factor. Table data. “Unit price” indicates the unit price per unit indicated by the billing unit code in FIG. 7 described above. The numerical value entered in the “standard delivery date” indicates the relative number of days from the order receiving date (that is, in the communication environment of the Internet 5, approximately the same as the ordering date) from which date the product can be delivered. The “application start date” is the start date to which the estimated unit price is applied, expressed as a numerical value excluding the date. For example, “20000401” means that the estimated unit price is applied from April 1, 2000 AD.

The estimated unit price data is input by each contractor via the contractor computer 6 and registered in the database 3 via the Internet 5 and the contractor server 2.

2.6. Status Data There are various statuses from ordering to receiving orders and acceptance. For example, an order has been placed but no order has been placed, or an order has been placed but delivery has not been completed. Such a state is stored in the database 3 as status data, and can be viewed by the orderer computer 4 and the orderer computer 6 via the orderer server 2 by the orderer and the contractor, respectively. I have. Details of these status data will be described later.

3. Details of Purchasing Process A series of purchasing processes from the ordering of the purchased product by the orderer to the ordering by the orderer, and the delivery and acceptance after the ordering in the purchase net 1 will be described below.

FIGS. 11 and 12 are flowcharts showing the flow of the purchasing process. In the figure, the left side divided by the dashed line at the center is the processing on the ordering party side, and the right side is the processing on the order receiving party side. In the following, while referring to this flowchart, the details of each processing in the flowchart will be described in detail below.
The display / input screen displayed on the display device (display) will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

3.1. Order input (Step S in FIG. 11)
1) First, the person in charge of ordering (the orderer) is the orderer computer 4
Is used to log in to the purchase net 1 and input an order application (step S1 in FIG. 11).

FIG. 15 shows a purchase net security screen which is a display / input screen for the orderer to log in to the purchase net 1 and is displayed on the display device of the orderer computer 4. The ordering party enters the branch (purchasing “Department / branch” on this display / input screen), the account, and the password in the company into the input boxes (hereinafter simply referred to as “boxes”) to the right of each. Input field.)
Input using a pointing device (such as a mouse) and a keyboard. The branch and the account are both entered with a code number.

After inputting, by clicking the "confirmation" button at the lower left of the display / input screen with the pointing device, the corresponding department name "Tokyo branch" is clicked.
And the account name “Accounting Department” are displayed on the right side of each input box. If the displayed department / branch name and account name are not appropriate, enter the department / branch code, account code and password again, and if appropriate, click the “Execute” button.

By clicking the "execute" button, the display / input screen changes to the main menu screen shown in FIG. The main menu screen is roughly classified into three categories: "order processing", "account catalog processing", and "management processing". "Order processing"
Is a process selected when placing an order for a product described in detail below. The "account catalog process" is a process for customizing the catalog described above, and the "management process" is a process for changing a password. Processing.

Among these processes, the present invention relates to “ordering process”, particularly “01. Ordering application”, “02. Matrix ordering application” and “03. Unpaid reordering”. Now, these processes will be described in detail, and the description of the other processes will be omitted or simplified.

In the main menu screen, "01"
By clicking, "01. Order application" is selected, and the display / input screen changes to an order application (input) screen shown in FIG. In this order application (input) screen,
The person in charge, contact information, desired delivery date, presence / absence of a batch of vendors, delivery block, delivery postal code, delivery location, special instructions, subject, control number, product name, standard, number of orders, and unit are entered in the corresponding input fields. Is entered.

The name of the person in charge of ordering (Kyutaro Yama) is entered in the input field of the person in charge, and the telephone number of the person in charge (03-1234-5678) is entered in the input field of the contact. Is done. In the input field of the desired delivery date, for example, 20
If the date is April 6, 2000, a continuous numerical value with the date omitted, such as "20000406", is input.

When 1 is entered in the input field for the collective trader, a collective processing of the trader for ordering a plurality of types of products to one orderer is selected. When nothing is input, the order is received for each individual product. Individual determination processing for determining the user is selected. The delivery block code of the delivery block to which the delivery location belongs is input in the delivery block input field. Note that a sign “+” is provided on the right side of the input box of the delivery block.
This code is displayed at the bottom of this display / input screen.
This indicates that the search can be performed by clicking the button. Therefore, if the delivery block code is unknown, the delivery block data stored in the database 3 is referred to by clicking the "search" button, and the delivery block name and the corresponding delivery block code are separated. Window. Thereby, the person in charge of ordering can easily input the delivery block code.

The postal code of the delivery location is entered in the postal code input field, and the address, company name, and department name of the delivery location are input in the delivery location input field. The input column of the special remarks is a column in which an arbitrary message is input. In this input column, necessary information is input when there is a specific item to be notified to the contractor. In the input fields of the subject and the control number, necessary numerical values used for the accounting process after the acceptance are entered.

The above-described sub-category name of the product is input in the item name input field, and the above-mentioned standard name of the sub-classification input in the product name is input in the standard input field. In the input field for the number of orders, the number of purchases of the product specified by the small classification and the standard is input. The order entry unit described above is entered in the unit entry field. If a plurality of products with different sub-categories or a plurality of products with the same sub-class but different standards are input, the NO. NO. 2, NO. Product name to 3,
The standard, order quantity, and unit are entered. If the input cannot be completed on this screen, the next page is automatically generated and the input is continued.

Each entry of the product name, standard, and unit can be performed by directly inputting characters using a keyboard, or an ABC catalog search, a product name character search, or an account catalog in the lower column of this screen. You can also do this by clicking the search button. "ABC
The "catalog search" is a search for merchandise catalog data (see FIG. 7) in which the above-mentioned purchased products of the entire company stored in the database 3 are registered. Account (account number 621)
00 "Accounting Department") is to search for product catalog data customized for the product. The "item name character search" is for performing a search by inputting characters of the item name. When these search buttons are clicked, another window is opened, and it is possible to perform a top-down search or input character search for a major category, a middle category, a small category, and a standard of the product.

Note that the contents of the date data held by the orderer computer 4 are automatically displayed on the "order date" on the display / input screen. Also,
In the “account”, the account number input on the purchase net security screen shown in FIG. 15 is automatically displayed.

There is a matrix order application (input) for a product order application (input). This matrix order application can be made on the main menu screen (see Fig. 16).
The selection is made by clicking “02”, the details of which will be described later.

3.2. Order and Scheduled Order (Steps S2 and S3 in FIG. 11) After completing the necessary input, an order application (input) screen (FIG. 1)
7) Click the "Select" button at the bottom of the window to determine the contractor and display / input screen
The screen changes to the order application (confirmation) screen shown in FIG. 18, and it is determined whether or not to place an order (step S in FIG. 11).
2).

3.2.1. Contractor Determination Process FIGS. 13 and 14 are flowcharts showing the flow of the contractor (trader) determination process. This contractor determination process
It can be performed by either the orderer computer 4 or the orderer server 2, or both can be performed jointly. First, as described above, on the order application (input) screen (see FIG. 17), after the necessary input including the product to be ordered is performed, and the “select” button is clicked (step S31), It is determined whether or not "1" has been input in the input field (step S32).

If "1" is not entered in the input field for all traders, that is, if a trader is determined for each product (No in step S32), the above-mentioned trader determination logic pattern is used. The contractor is determined based on any of the three criteria shown (step S34). Which of the three criteria is used to determine a contractor depends on the parameters (“1”, “1”, “3”) described in the trader determination logic pattern in the product catalog data (see FIG. 7) described above.
This is performed based on “2” or “3”).

If the value of this parameter is "1"("1" in step S34), the contractor presenting the minimum estimated unit price is selected. First, narrowing down is performed based on the regionality of the contractor (step S35). That is, a contractor who can deliver to the delivery block input on the order application (input) screen (see FIG. 17) is selected based on the deliverable data (see FIG. 3) stored in the database 3.

Subsequently, a contractor who satisfies the desired delivery date input on the order application (input) screen is selected from the contractors selected in step S35 (step S35).
36). That is, first, based on the estimated unit price data (see FIG. 10) stored in the database 3, step S
A contractor who handles a product satisfying the product name and standard (input on the order application (input) screen) is selected from the traders selected in 35. Next, from the selected contractor, compare the standard delivery date of the estimated unit price data to the order date (displayed on the order application (input) screen) with the desired delivery date (date). The contractor whose former is on or before the latter is selected.

These steps S35 or S35
At 36, if there is no selected contractor, an error message is displayed on the display / input screen of the orderer computer 4.

Subsequently, the contractor presenting the minimum estimated unit price is selected from the contractors selected in step S36 based on the unit price of the estimated unit price data (step S37).

Subsequently, if there are a plurality of contractors presenting the minimum estimated unit price, the contractor is selected based on the current year results (step S38). That is, the contractor with the smallest order amount in the current year is selected from the plurality of contractors selected in step S37. This means that if there is more than one contractor offering the minimum quotation,
This is because orders are evenly distributed so that orders are not concentrated only on a certain contractor. As a result, a fair order is placed. The results of the current year for each contractor are also stored in the database 3 in advance. Further, the initial value of the result of each contractor in the current year is set to 0 yen, and the payment amount at that time is accumulated each time an order is placed and an order is placed.

Further, in the narrowing down in this step S37, when a plurality of contractors are selected, the contractors are determined in order of the code data of the contractors (trader cd, ie, the supplier code). In particular, since 0 yen is set as the initial value of the current year result, a plurality of contractors may be selected in the selection in the first step S38 of the current year. In this case, the process of step S39 is performed. Is executed.

Note that these steps S35 to S38
In any of the above steps, when the selected contractor becomes one trader, the processing of the subsequent steps is omitted. That is, if a single contractor is selected in any of these steps, an order is placed to that contractor. The same applies to another vendor determination process (narrowing process) described below.

As described above, the contractor presenting the minimum estimated unit price is selected reliably, automatically, and in a short time, so that the contractor can be determined without error and the orderer's The burden can be reduced, and the order can be further expedited. In particular, as described above, the effect is great when targeting a product group having a huge number of products (for example, 22,000 items). Also, since the orderer (ordering person) does not intervene arbitrarily, the orderer can be determined fairly.

Next, in step S34, if the value of the parameter described in the trader decision logic pattern is "2"("2" in step S34), a preferential trader is preferentially selected. First, narrowing down by the regionality of the contractor (step S46), narrowing down by delivery date (step S47), and narrowing down by unit price (step S48)
Is performed. These processes are performed in step S3 described above.
5, S36 and S37 are the same, and the description thereof is omitted here.

If there are a plurality of contractors selected in step S48 (Yes in step S49),
Since the plurality of contractors include priority contractors, the priority contractors are preferentially determined based on the priority contractor data (see FIG. 8) stored in the database 3 (step S1). S50). If there are a plurality of priority traders, the above-described selection processing in steps S38 and S39 is performed.

On the other hand, if the contractor who is not the priority contractor presents an estimated unit price lower than the priority contractor (No in step S49), the contractor who is not the priority contractor is selected. If there are a plurality of these contractors, narrowing down by the current fiscal year results (step S51) and narrowing down by the contractor cd (step S52) are performed similarly to steps S38 and S39 described above.

Next, in step S34, if the value of the parameter described in the trader decision logic pattern is "3"("3" in step S34), the specific product is determined regardless of the estimated unit price. Based on the data (see FIG. 9), a contractor who handles the specific item is selected (step S53).

On the other hand, in step S32, when the collective contractor is selected (Yes in step S32)
s) It is determined based on the merchandise catalog data whether or not all the parameter values of the trader decision logic patterns of the plurality of merchandise to be purchased are all the same (step S40). If they do not match (Yes in step S40), it is not possible to place an order with one trader, so an error message is displayed on the display / input screen of the orderer computer 4, and the orderer corrects the input. Is prompted. If they match (No in step S40), narrowing down by locality (step S41) and narrowing down by delivery date (step S42) are performed as in steps S36 and S37 described above. Subsequently, a contractor with the minimum total value of the plurality of products is selected based on the estimated unit price data (step S43). This selection is basically the same processing as the above-described narrowing down by unit price in step S37, except that the unit price of a single product or the sum of unit prices of a plurality of products is different.

Subsequently, when a plurality of contractors are selected in step S43, the above-mentioned steps S38 and S38 are executed.
The process proceeds to steps S44 and S45, which are the same selection processes as step S39.

As described above, even in the case of the contractor's collective order, the contractor presenting the minimum total estimated price is automatically selected as in the case of a single product, so that the contractor can be determined without error. And the burden on the orderer can be reduced. In addition, since the orderer's arbitrariness does not intervene,
Contractors can be determined fairly.

3.2.2. Order or Scheduled Order Returning to the order application (confirmation) screen shown in FIG. 18, the items entered on the order application (input) screen shown in FIG. 17 are echoed back, and the "slip" automatically assigned No. (NA29228-01) "is displayed. In addition, the above-mentioned “Contractor (PQ Co., Ltd.)
R) ", the number of invoices (1
0.00) ", the billing" unit (piece) ", the unit price (30.0 yen) which is the estimated price of the contractor, and the total" amount (300) "obtained by multiplying the unit price by the number of billing. Is done. Also, at the lower right of the display / input screen, a “total amount” which is the total amount of “amount” of the plurality of products when a plurality of products are ordered is displayed. In this example of the display / input screen, since there is one product to be ordered, the value of “total amount” and the value of “amount” are the same “300”.

When the order is placed in accordance with the contents (Yes in step S2 in FIG. 11), the contents displayed on the display / input screen are changed by clicking the “order” button at the bottom. It is stored in the database 3 as “order data”. On the other hand, if the orderer wishes to place an order after obtaining the consent of the supervisor, for example (FIG. 1)
(No in step S2 of step 1; Yes in step S3) By clicking the "order planning" button at the bottom, the contents displayed on this display / input screen are stored in the database 3 as "order planning data". You. The order-scheduled data can later be read out of the database 3 again, for example, after obtaining the consent of the supervisor, and stored in the database 3 as order data by clicking the "order" button at the bottom.

As a result of examining the display / input screen, if there is an input error or if the order is canceled (No in step S2 in FIG. 11 and N in step S3 in FIG. 11).
o) By clicking the "return" button at the bottom, it is possible to return to the order application (input) screen (see FIG. 17) again. Click the "Main" button at the bottom to display the main menu screen (see Fig. 16).
You can go back to

3.3. Matrix order application Matrix order application is, for example, in the case of a product "bolt", there are "diameter" and "length" as standards for bolts, and these two standards are arranged / displayed in a matrix. An order application is made using the screen. That is, in the two-dimensional display / input screen, various values of the standard "diameter" are arranged in the first dimension (for example, the horizontal axis), and the standard "length" is displayed in the second dimension (for example, the vertical axis).
Are arranged, and input designation fields for bolts having the diameter and the length are displayed at the positions of intersections of these diameters and the lengths.

In general, a bolt is ordered in combination with a product “nut” (and a product “washer”) having the same “diameter” among the standards. Here, the first dimension (standard “diameter”) on the two-dimensional display screen
Can be commonly used for nuts (and washers). Therefore, on the extension screen of the bolt entry field, the nut (and washer) entry designation fields are also displayed in a matrix using the bolt diameter "diameter", thereby improving the efficiency of input and making mistakes in input. Can be prevented. The details of the matrix order application will be described below with reference to the drawings.

When the user clicks “02” on the main menu screen (see FIG. 16), a display / input screen is displayed.
The screen changes to the matrix order (entry information) screen shown in FIG. In this display / input screen, "Product name selection"
Product names of combinations that can be applied for matrix ordering are displayed. In FIG. 19, two pairs of products, bolt and nut, and XXX (tentative name) and YYY (tentative name) are displayed as product names that can be applied for matrix ordering. The combination products for which these product names can be selected are determined in advance and are stored in the database 3.

Enter "1" in the input field on the left side of the combination product to be selected (here, "bolt / nut") and click the "execute" button at the bottom. The screen changes to the matrix ordering (selection of product name) screen shown in Fig. 7 On this display / input screen, a plurality of small classification names (product names) included in the middle classification name "bolt / nut" of the large classification name "piping material" are displayed.

On this display / input screen, enter “1” in the input box to the left of the product name to be selected (here, “bolt (SS black)”, and click the “select” button at the bottom to display / The input screen changes to a matrix order application (detail) screen shown in Fig. 21. In this display / input screen, the two standards "bolt diameter" and "length (mm)" of the product name "bolt SS black" are displayed. The horizontal axis and the vertical axis are respectively assigned to the bolt axis, ie, the standard values M6 and M8 of the bolt diameter are arranged on the horizontal axis, and the standard values 20 and 25 of the length (mm) are arranged on the vertical axis. Then, these intersections (for example, bolt diameter M6 and length (mm)
20), an input field is provided. The number to be ordered is entered in this input field.

For example, bolt diameter M6 and length (mm) 2
If "5" is entered in the input field provided at the intersection with 0, five bolts of SS chrome having a bolt diameter of M6 and a length of 20 mm will be ordered. The place where no entry field is provided at the intersection means that there is no bolt of such a combination of standards. As described above, since the two standards are displayed two-dimensionally and the input field is provided, and only the order number is input therein, the product can be specified, so that the product can be easily specified. In addition, it is possible to prevent a product specification error (for example, a standard name input error).

When purchasing a combination of nuts (and washers) with bolts, a screen following the lower part of the display / input screen (displayed on the next page, not shown in FIG. 21)
A similar matrix order application screen is displayed. That is, a display / input screen in which the value of the nut diameter corresponding to the value of the bolt diameter is displayed on the horizontal axis is displayed. For example,
A nut having a nut diameter used in combination with the bolt diameter M6 is displayed in accordance with the column of the bolt diameter M6 (vertical column). The same applies to the bolt diameters M8, M10 and the like. The same applies to washers.

By displaying in this way, it is possible to purchase a combination of bolts, nuts and washers having the same dimensions. In addition, it is easy to specify a combination in which the bolt diameter, the nut diameter, and the like match, and it is possible to prevent a specification error. In this display / input screen, only the bolt can be purchased by inputting the order quantity only in the bolt input field. Similarly, only nuts or washers can be purchased.

For the product (group) for which such a matrix order application is made, the standard values of two standards of the product (for example, the bolt diameters M6, M8, etc. and the length 20,
25 etc.) and the display position on the display / input screen, and data indicating which combination of the two standard values exists (for example, the bolt diameter M6, the length 20 and Are stored in the database 3 in advance. The display / input screen is configured to display an input field at an intersection having a standard value at which a product exists.

After clicking the "execute" button after the designation input, a screen similar to the order application (confirmation) screen shown in FIG. 18 is displayed, and then an order or an order schedule is selected. In the matrix order application, a contractor can be individually determined for each product, or one contractor can be determined by collective order.

3.4. Orders received (Steps S4 and S in FIG. 11)
5) The contractor uses the contractor computer 6 to periodically (for example, 1) to the orderer server 2 via the Internet 5.
(Several times a day), and confirms whether or not the order data for itself is stored in the database 3. FIG.
Is the display / for the orderer to log in to Purchasing Net 1.
Shows the purchase net security screen that is the input screen,
It is displayed on the display device of the contractor computer 6. The display / input screen and the display processing of each of the display / input screens described below can be performed by the orderer server 2 controlling the contractor computer 6, or can be performed by the contractor computer 6 alone.

The contractor enters his / her supplier code number (here, “TOF0999”) in the “supplier code” and “password” input fields on the display / input screen.
9)) and a password.

After inputting, by clicking the “confirm” button at the bottom of the display / input screen, the company name “XYZ Corporation” corresponding to the code of the supplier is displayed on the right side of the input field. If the displayed company name and password are not appropriate, they are entered again, and if appropriate, the "execute" button is clicked.

When the execution button is clicked, the display / input screen changes to the main menu screen shown in FIG. This main menu screen is "Order processing"
And "Estimated unit price processing", "Billing statement processing" and "Management processing"
Are roughly classified into four categories. The “order receiving process” is a process selected when receiving an order for a product described in detail below, and the “estimated unit price process” is a process of inputting, inquiring, or downloading an estimated unit price of a product.
"Billing statement processing" is processing for inquiring or downloading a billing statement, and "management processing" is processing for changing a password.

Among these processes, the present invention relates to "order receiving process", particularly "01. Order Reply", "02. Cancel Order Reply" and "03. Delivery Completion Report". Now, these processes will be described in detail, and the description of the other processes will be omitted or simplified.

In the main menu screen, "01"
By clicking, "01. Reply to order" is selected. Thereby, the orderer server 2 searches the database 3 for order data ordered by the logged-in orderer (customer code), and provides the searched order data to the orderer computer 6 via the Internet 5. I do. If there is no order data ordered to the logged-in contractor (customer code), data indicating that the order data does not exist is provided to the contractor computer 6.

On the other hand, the contractor computer 6 changes the display / input screen to an order reply (selection) screen shown in FIG. 24, and displays the contents of the order based on the provided order data. On this display / input screen, the contents of the order placed by the company are displayed in order unit (slip unit). The slip number, person in charge, order date, contact information, desired delivery date, special notes, And the delivery location. In the example shown in FIG. 24, the slip numbers “SA00001” to “SA00
003 ”are displayed. On the other hand, when data indicating that there is no order to the company has been received from the orderer server 2, fields such as the slip number are displayed as blank.

Enter "1" in the entry field to the left of the slip number and click on the "select button" at the bottom to
The display / input screen changes to an order reply (detail) screen shown in FIG. 25, and details of the order contents of the slip number for which "1" has been input are displayed. In this display / input screen, files,
The order contents of three products, a correction pen and a ballpoint pen, are displayed.

[0124] "Response delivery date" at the upper right of this display / input screen
In the input field of, the standard delivery date calculated from the estimated unit price data is displayed as a default value. The calculation of this date can be performed by the orderer server 2 or the orderer computer 6.
On the other hand, if the order can be delivered earlier than the displayed date, the contractor can delete the displayed date and enter the earlier date in this input field.

[0125] In the input field of "order quantity" below the product name, a numerical value equal to the order quantity is displayed as a default value. However, if all the orders cannot be delivered within the response delivery date due to lack of stock, etc., this default value can be deleted and a numerical value smaller than this default value can be entered in the input field. Further, if all the products cannot be delivered due to lack of stock or the like, “0” is input.

If the orderer can receive the order as the total number of orders (Yes in step S4 in FIG. 11 and Yes in step S5), click the "Reply" button at the bottom of the display / input screen. As a result, the fact that an order has been received based on the number of orders displayed in the order number input field is registered in the database 3 via the orderer server 2 (step S9 in FIG. 11). These processes are also performed for an order with another slip number in the order reply (selection) screen shown in FIG.

Thereafter, delivery is performed (Yes in step S16 in FIG. 12), and after delivery, a delivery completion report is made (step S17 in FIG. 12). The delivery completion report is made by clicking the “03” button on the main menu screen (see FIG. 23). When the "03" button is clicked, the display / input screen changes to a delivery completion report (selection) screen shown in FIG. In the display / input screen, the ordered product is displayed on the order reply (selection) screen (FIG. 24).
Displayed for each slip number in the same manner as in (1). Then, enter "1" in the input field to the left of the slip number for which delivery has been completed, and click the "Select" button. The display / input screen is displayed on the delivery completion report (detail) screen shown in FIG. It changes, and the details of the slip number are displayed. In the input field of the number of orders on this display / input screen, the numerical value of the number of orders is displayed as a default value. In this input field, orders smaller than the number of orders displayed as default values are received, and when delivered, a smaller numerical value can be input.

Thereafter, the input fields are set to the default values, and
Alternatively, by clicking the “Register” button at the bottom in the state of the newly input value, a delivery completion report indicating that the delivery of the number displayed in the input field of the number of orders has been completed is sent to the orderer server 2. Is registered in the database 3 via the Internet. Thereafter, in the present company, acceptance is performed (step S19 in FIG. 12), and a series of merchandise purchase processing from order placement to order acceptance and acceptance is completed.

3.5. Unpaid reorder (Step S in FIG. 11)
7) Returning to step S5 in FIG. 11, in step S5, when the number of orders and the number of orders are not equal, that is, when the orderer can place an order for the ordered product, but can only order with a smaller number of orders than the number of orders. Or, if all orders cannot be received (No in step S5 in FIG. 11), after the order is returned (step S6 in FIG. 11), the non-payment reorder input is performed on the orderer side (step S7 in FIG. 11). FIG.
Shows an unpaid reorder (selection) screen which is a display / input screen for performing unpaid reorder input. This display / input screen is displayed on the main menu screen (see FIG. 16).
Displayed by clicking the “03” button.

The orderer can periodically confirm the ordering status of the orderer on the unpaid reorder (selection) screen after ordering the product. In this display / input screen, the contents of orders placed in the past are displayed for each slip number.
That is, the product name, standard, order date, slip number, delivery company, and person in charge of the product that has been ordered in the past are displayed, and the number of remaining orders and the number of orders are displayed. If there are two or more products ordered by one slip number,
In the column of "item name", only the item name of the first item of the two or more types of items is displayed. That is, the slip number NA08
01-13-01 “Expanded metal EXG22 (X
G22) 6.0-3 × 6 "indicates only the first one of the plurality of products shown in FIG. In the column of “number of remaining orders”, the number of ordered but not received orders is displayed. In “(Orders received)”, the number of orders received is displayed. The value of the number of remaining orders and the value of the number of orders are determined by the order receiving process (FIG. 11).
Are obtained based on steps S6 and S9).

On this display / input screen, select the slip number to be reordered, enter “1” in the input field provided to the left of the selected slip number, and click the “select” button. The display / input screen changes to the unpaid reorder (input) screen shown in FIG. This display / input screen displays information necessary for ordering one or more types of products included in the selected slip number. The displayed information is almost the same as the order application (input) screen shown in FIG. For the person in charge, contact information, etc., the data already input on the order application (input) screen is stored in the database 3, and the stored data is used and displayed. The “order quantity” is automatically calculated and displayed based on the remaining order quantity. If it is desired to place an order different from the displayed contents, different contents can be entered in the respective input fields.

After confirming the contents of the display / input screen, by clicking the "select" button at the bottom, the next candidate contractor (delivery company) is determined. That is, the contractor is determined from the contractors except for the contractor determined on the previous order application (confirmation) screen (see FIG. 18). This contractor determination processing is performed by the same processing as the above-described processing in the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 except that the contractor determined on the previous order application (confirmation) screen is excluded. Therefore, even when re-ordering, the contractor presenting the minimum estimated unit price is automatically selected, so that the contractor can be determined without error and the burden on the orderer can be reduced. Can be. Also, since the orderer does not arbitrarily intervene, the orderer can be determined fairly.

After the next candidate orderer is determined in this way, the display / input screen changes to the unpaid reorder (confirmation) screen shown in FIG. This display / input screen is almost the same as the order application (confirmation) screen shown in FIG. 18 described above (the lower buttons are different), and therefore the description thereof will be omitted.

After confirming the display / input screen, click the “order” button at the bottom (step S in FIG. 11).
8) The data of the content displayed on the display / input screen is registered in the database 3 via the orderer server 2 as order data. Thereafter, steps S11, S12, S13, and S14, which are the same processes as steps S4, S5, S6, and S9 in FIG.
Is performed. Steps S12 and S13
As shown in (2), even in this reordering, if the total number of orders cannot be received, another reordering is performed (No in step S12, steps S7 and S7).
8). In this way, reordering is repeated until the total number of orders can be received.

Note that the "order reply cancellation" processing of steps S10 and S15 in the flowchart of FIG. 11 is executed when the orderer places an order, and the orderer cancels the order after the orderer receives the order. This is the process that is performed. FIG.
By clicking the “02” button on the main menu screen shown in, the display /
An input screen (not shown) is displayed on the display device of the contractor computer 6.

The "delivery result report" process of step S18 in the flowchart of FIG. 12 is performed by the orderer who received the order by telephone, facsimile or the like, not by the orderer computer 4, after the delivery of the ordered product. This is the input process. This delivery result report is made by clicking the "06" button on the main menu screen shown in FIG. The input delivery result report is registered in the database 3 via the orderer server 2. As a result, not only the order (purchase) result data on the product ordered and purchased using the orderer computer 4 described above but also the order (purchase) result data on the product ordered and purchased by telephone, facsimile, etc. can be unified. Can be managed. In particular, even if the purchase is made over a wide geographical area, it can be managed centrally. Therefore, the purchase network 1 can be used as a tool for planning and executing a purchase strategy of a company or the like.

Further, the "delivery result cancellation" processing ("07" on the main menu screen in FIG. 23) and the "delivery completion report cancellation" processing ("0" on the main menu screen in FIG. 23).
4)) can also be performed.

[0138] 4. Status information 4.1. Status data types and transition statuses include the status displayed on the ordering party side,
There is a status displayed on the contractor side. FIG.
(A) is a table showing the status displayed on the orderer side and the status transition of the status, and FIG.
Is a table showing the status displayed on the contractor side and the status transition of the status. In these tables, the “process name” corresponds to the process having the same name in the main menu screen of the orderer shown in FIG. 16 or the main menu screen of the contractor shown in FIG. . “Before processing” indicates a status before the processing indicated by “processing name” is performed, and “after processing” indicates a status after the processing indicated by “processing name” is performed.
"No data" refers to a state where the status itself does not exist. Data indicating these statuses, that is, status data, is stored in the database 3 in a form linked to data (ordering data and the like) relating to the product targeted for the status.

When an order is placed in the “order application”, “matrix order application”, or “unpaid order application” process on the orderer side, “ordered” is added to the status of the ordered product. You. On the other hand, when an order is selected in the “order application” or the “matrix order application” processing, “order expected” is added to the status of the product subjected to the processing.

In the “order status list” process to be described later, it is also possible to perform an order process and the like. If the order itself is canceled for a product to be ordered, the status of “order planned” is erased and no data exists. State. On the other hand, when an order is placed on the product to be ordered, the status changes from “planned order” to “ordered”. When an order is canceled for a product having the status of “ordered”, the status changes from “ordered” to “order canceled”. When an order is canceled for a product having a status of "delivered", the status changes from "delivered" to "order canceled". Further, when the delivery result input is performed, the status of “delivery completed” is given to the product for which the delivery result input is performed from a state where there is no data.

On the other hand, when the order receiving party performs the “order reply” processing, the status of the ordered product changes from “order waiting” to “delivery waiting”. When the “order cancellation reply” process is performed, the status of the product targeted for the process changes from “delivery waiting” to “order waiting”. When the “delivery completion report” process is performed, the status of the processed product changes from “delivery waiting” to “delivery completed”. When the “delivery completion cancellation” process is performed, the status of the processed product changes from “delivery completed” to “delivery waiting”. When the “delivery result input” process is performed, the status of “delivered” is given to the product targeted for the process. When the "delivery result input cancel" process is performed, the status of the product subjected to the process transits from "delivery completed" to "order cancellation".

4.2. Display of order status list on orderer computer When "04" is clicked on the main menu screen of orderer computer 4 shown in FIG. 16, the display / input screen of orderer computer 4 is changed to the order status list screen shown in FIG. Change. This display / input screen is provided with an input column for status selection. Any numerical value from “1” to “6” can be input in this input field. When "1" (all items) is input, data relating to all the products ordered (including the planned order) and the status of each data are displayed. Also,
When "2", "3", "4", "5", or "6" is input, data on a product in an order-scheduled state, data on a product in an ordered state, and a state of waiting for delivery The data on the product, the data on the product in the delivered state, and the data on the product in the accepted state are selectively displayed.

The range of data to be displayed is specified in the input fields of “order date”, “delivery completion date”, “delivery company” and “slip number” from the center to the bottom of the display / input screen. If so, the range is entered. For example, in the input field of “order date”, the range of the order date (for example, April 5, 2000 (2000405) to April 20, 2000 (20000004)) is input. In this case, Only the data related to the ordered product within the range will be displayed.

In this display / input screen, for example, enter “2” in the input field for status selection and click the “execute” button at the bottom to display the display / input screen shown in FIG.
The screen changes to the order status list / order schedule screen shown in 3.
The data on the product in the order-scheduled state is displayed for each slip number. On this display / input screen, enter "1" in the input field corresponding to the slip number to be selected, and click the "select" button at the bottom to display the order application / order shown in FIG. It changes to the schedule screen,
The detailed contents of the slip number are displayed. When the "execute" button at the bottom of the display / input screen is clicked, the product of this slip number is registered in the database 3 as order data, and an order is placed.

On the other hand, in the order status list screen shown in FIG. 32, when "4" is entered in the input field for status selection and the "Execute" button is clicked, the display / input screen is displayed in FIG.
The screen changes to the order status list / delivery wait screen shown in 5
Data on the product in the “delivery waiting” state is displayed for each slip number. On this display / input screen, enter "1" in the input field corresponding to the slip number to be selected, and click the "select" button at the bottom. The display / input screen displays the slip inquiry / delivery shown in FIG. It changes to the standby screen,
The detailed contents of the slip number are displayed.

Regarding other status selections on the order status list screen shown in FIG. 32, data relating to the product in each status is displayed on the display / input screen in almost the same display form.

4.3. Display of Order Status List on Contractor Computer When "05" is clicked on the main menu screen of contractor computer 6 shown in FIG. 23, the display / input screen of contractor computer 6 is changed to the order status list screen shown in FIG. Change. This display / input screen is provided with an input column for status selection. In this input box, a numerical value from “1” to “5” can be input. When "1" (all items) is input, data on all the products that have been ordered (including the order waiting) and the status of each data are displayed. Also,
If you enter "2", "3", "4" or "5",
Data on a product in the order waiting state, data on a product in the delivery waiting state, data on a product in the delivered state, or data on a product in the accepted state are selectively displayed.

When the range of data to be displayed is specified in the input fields of “order received date”, “delivery date” and “slip number” from the center to the bottom of the display / input screen, Is entered. For example, in the input field of "Order Receipt Date", the range of the date of receiving the order (for example, 2000
April 5, 2000 (20000405) to April 2, 2000
0 (200000420)) is input, and in this case, only data relating to the ordered product is displayed within the range.

In this display / input screen, for example, enter “1” in the input field for status selection, and click the “execute” button at the bottom.
The screen changes to the order status list / all items screen shown in FIG. 8, and data on all items and the status of each data are displayed for each slip number. In this display / input screen,
The status of each slip is displayed in the "Status" section.
Products with a slip number for which “**** / ** / **” is displayed in the order date field and the order date is not displayed are
This indicates that the product has the slip number ordered by telephone, facsimile, etc. without being ordered from the orderer computer 4. Such merchandise is input based on the delivery results (step S18 in FIG. 12) as described above.

On this display / input screen, enter “1” in the input field corresponding to the slip number to be selected, and click the “select” button at the bottom to display the details of the slip number. The display changes to a display / input screen that displays important information.

With respect to other status selections on the order status list screen shown in FIG. 37, data relating to the product in each status is selectively displayed on the display / input screen.

[0152] 5. Other Embodiments The processing of the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 11 to 14 described above can be configured by a hardware circuit or can be configured by software (program). Also, a part can be configured by hardware and a part can be configured by software. Further, when configured by software, it can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a floppy disk, CD-ROM, or MO disk.

In the purchase net 1 shown in FIG. 1, the orderer computer 6 is connected to the orderer server 2 via the Internet 5.
, But may be connected to the orderer server 2 via a dedicated line or a local network without going through the Internet 5. Database 3
Can be connected to the orderer server via the Internet 5 or another local network instead of being directly connected to the orderer server 2. Further, the orderer server 2, database 3, orderer computer 4,
In addition, the contractor computer 6 may be configured as a single product purchasing device.

[0154]

According to the present invention, it is possible to reliably and quickly select the contractor presenting the minimum estimated unit price even when the ordering company purchases a huge variety of products. it can. As a result, the orderer can greatly reduce the expenditure required for purchasing the product and the cost related to the purchase. The reduction in the expenditure also reflects the reduction in the estimated unit price based on the reduction in the operating cost on the order receiving side according to the present invention. In addition, since there is no room for the orderer (ordering person) to arbitrarily intervene, the ordering company can be determined fairly. In other words, regardless of which orderer (ordering person in charge) places an order, the orderer presenting the minimum estimated unit price is determined, so-called standardization of purchasing can be achieved. Further, the product purchasing network according to the present invention
The above-described effect of the present invention can be exerted without any problem even when purchasing over a wide geographical area by the system. Further, since the present system can centrally manage order (purchase) result data, it can be used as a tool for planning and executing a purchasing strategy of a company or the like.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a product purchase network system as a “product purchase device” according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a table showing an example of delivery block data.

FIG. 3 is a table showing an example of deliverable data.

FIG. 4 is a table showing an example of major classification data relating to a major classification of a product.

FIG. 5 is a table (part) showing an example of middle classification data relating to middle classification of a product;

FIG. 6 is a table (part) showing an example of small classification data on a small classification of a product;

FIG. 7 is a table (part) showing an example of product catalog data.

FIG. 8 is a table showing priority trader data.

FIG. 9 is a table showing specific product data.

FIG. 10 is a table showing estimated unit price data of a product input by a contractor.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a purchase process.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a purchase process.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a contractor determination process.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a contractor determination process.

FIG. 15 shows a purchase net security screen which is a display / input screen for logging in to the purchase net on the orderer computer.

FIG. 16 shows a main menu screen on the orderer computer.

FIG. 17 shows an order application (input) screen on the orderer computer.

FIG. 18 shows an order application (confirmation) screen on the orderer computer.

FIG. 19 shows a matrix order (entry information) screen on the orderer computer.

FIG. 20 shows a matrix order (item name selection) screen on the orderer computer.

FIG. 21 shows a matrix order application (specification) screen on the orderer computer.

FIG. 22 shows a purchase net security screen which is a display / input screen for a contractor to log in to the purchase net.

FIG. 23 shows a main menu screen on the contractor computer.

FIG. 24 shows an order reply (selection) screen on the order acceptor computer.

FIG. 25 shows an order reply (detail) screen on the order acceptor computer.

FIG. 26 shows a delivery completion report (selection) screen on the orderer computer.

FIG. 27 shows a delivery completion report (detail) screen on the orderer computer.

FIG. 28 is an unpaid reorder (selection) which is a display / input screen for performing unpaid reorder input on the orderer computer.
Show the screen.

FIG. 29 shows an unpaid reorder (input) screen on the orderer computer.

FIG. 30 shows an unpaid reorder (confirmation) screen on the orderer computer.

FIG. 31 (a) is table data showing the status of the orderer and the status transition of the status;
(B) is table data showing the status of the order receiving party and the status transition of the status.

FIG. 32 shows an order status list screen on the orderer computer.

FIG. 33 shows an order status list / order expected screen on the orderer computer.

FIG. 34 shows an order application / order schedule screen on the orderer computer.

FIG. 35 shows an order status list / delivery waiting screen on the orderer computer.

FIG. 36 shows a slip inquiry / delivery waiting screen on the orderer computer.

FIG. 37 shows an order status list screen on the order acceptor computer.

FIG. 38 shows an order status list / all items screen on the order acceptor computer.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 commodity purchasing network system 2 contractor server 3 database 4 ₁ ~4 _m purchaser computer 5 Internet 6 ₁ ~6 _n order's computer

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Kiyotsugu Morishita 6-5-23 Katsudoki, Chuo-ku, Tokyo F-term in Sankyu Dineet Corporation (reference) 5B049 AA02 BB11 CC05 CC11 DD01 EE00 EE05 FF03 GG04 GG07

Claims (19)

[Claims] 1. Based on estimated unit price of one or more types of commodities previously input by a plurality of designated contractors and estimated unit price data corresponding to the contractor presenting the estimated unit price. A merchandise purchasing apparatus for purchasing merchandise, a first storage unit for storing the estimated unit price data, a merchandise specifying unit for specifying one or more types of merchandise to be purchased and the number of purchased merchandise; A contractor determining means for determining a contractor presenting a minimum estimated unit price of the commodity designated by the commodity designation means based on the estimated unit price data stored in the first storage means;
A product purchasing device comprising: 2. A storage device according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of contractors are stored in a second storage means for storing deliverable data classified by region where each contractor can deliver the goods. And a delivery place designating means for designating a delivery place, wherein the order decision means stores in the second storage means a contractor capable of delivering to the place designated by the delivery place designating means. A merchandise purchasing apparatus for selecting a contractor presenting the lowest estimated unit price from the selected contractors. 3. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a desired delivery date designating means for designating a desired delivery date of the product, wherein the estimated unit price data includes a delivery date of the product corresponding to the product. Determining means for determining a contractor presenting a minimum estimated unit price from among contractors corresponding to goods having a delivery date satisfying the desired delivery date designated by the desired delivery date designation means; Product purchasing equipment. 4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: a collective order selecting means for selecting a collective order for ordering two or more types of commodities to a single contractor. When the collective order is selected by the collective order selecting means, a contractor presenting an estimated unit price that minimizes the total amount of two or more types of products specified by the product specifying means is determined. A commodity purchasing device. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the order-determining means determines a predetermined past number when there are two or more order-suppliers presenting a minimum estimated unit price. A merchandise purchasing apparatus for selecting and determining an ordering contractor having the least ordering performance based on the ordering performance of a period. 6. The contractor determining means according to claim 5, wherein, when there are two or more contractors having the least order results, one contractor is selected and determined in accordance with a predetermined contractor order. A commodity purchasing device. 7. In any one of claims 1 to 4, for one or more kinds of predetermined products, priority company data in which the products correspond to a predetermined priority company is stored. A third storage unit for storing, wherein the contractor determining unit determines that there are two or more contractors presenting the minimum estimated unit price, and
If there is a priority trader corresponding to the product based on the priority trader data stored in the third storage means, the existing priority trader is selected and determined. A featured product purchasing device. 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein when there are two or more priority contractors presenting the minimum estimated unit price, the contractor determining means determines the order based on the order record in a predetermined past period. A merchandise purchasing apparatus for selecting and determining a priority supplier having the least order record. 9. The contractor determining means according to claim 8, wherein when there are two or more priority contractors having the least order results, one contractor is selected and determined in accordance with a predetermined contractor order. A commodity purchasing device. 10. In any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the contractor determining means, if the contractor determined first cannot receive an order, selects the smallest contractor among the contractors excluding the contractor. A merchandise purchasing apparatus for determining a contractor presenting an estimated unit price. 11. A predetermined specific purchaser according to claim 1, a predetermined specific product purchased by the purchaser, and a contractor who receives an order for the specific product. And a purchaser designating means for designating a purchaser, wherein the trader determining means is designated by the purchaser designating means. Buyer,
If the predetermined specific purchaser is included in the specific goods orderer data stored in the fourth storage means, a corresponding orderer in the specific goods orderer data is determined, and if not, it is not. 11. A merchandise purchasing apparatus for making a decision according to any one of claims 1 to 10 in such a case. 12. The first product according to claim 1, wherein the product designating means has a two-dimensional screen.
And a plurality of types of products used in combination can be specified together, and one of the plurality of types of products is at least a first product.
Of the plurality of types of products, each of the other types of products has the first product standard, and the first display means includes the second product standard and the second product standard. While different standard values of the first product standard are continuously arranged in a first dimension of a two-dimensional screen,
The different standard values of the second product standard are successively arranged in the dimension of, and at the intersection of the standard value of the first standard and the standard value of the second standard, A product specification field is displayed, and the other product specification field is displayed outside the portion where the one product specification field is displayed in the second dimension direction. A merchandise purchasing device, which is displayed in accordance with a standard value. 13. The fifth storage device according to claim 1, wherein order data including the contractor determined by the contractor determining means and a product specified by the specifying means is stored. Means, and a second display means for displaying order data stored in the fifth storage means to a contractor included in the order data. 14. The merchandise purchasing apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising an order receiving means for returning the order when the order receiving party approves the order. 15. The goods purchase apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising a delivery completion report means for reporting a delivery completion after delivering the ordered goods after the order is returned by said order reply means. . 16. An orderer server, a database connected to the orderer server, and an orderer server connected to the orderer server.
The orderer is connected to one or more orderer computers for designating the ordered goods, one or more orderer computers for the orderer to place orders for the ordered goods, and connected to the orderer server and the orderer computer. A purchase network system provided with a communication network, wherein the database stores estimated unit prices of one or more types of products presented by the contractor and contractors presenting the estimated unit price. The orderer computer and / or the orderer server presents the minimum estimated unit price for the ordered product specified using the orderer computer. The determined contractor is determined based on the estimated unit price database stored in the database. The orderer computer and / or the orderer server are stored in the database in association with the product, and the orderer using the orderer computer is the determined orderer. A product purchase network system, which displays on the order-receiving party computer that the order-ordered product associated with the determined order-receiving party has been ordered. 17. A product specification device capable of specifying a plurality of types of purchased products to be used in combination.
Display means having a three-dimensional screen, wherein one of the plurality of types of products has at least a first product standard and a second product standard, and another of the plurality of types of products Have the first product standard, and the display means continuously arranges different standard values of the first product standard in a first dimension of the two-dimensional screen, Different standard values of the second product standard are successively arranged in a second dimension, and an intersection of the standard value of the first standard and the standard value of the second standard has both standard values. A designation column for one product is displayed, and the designation column for the other product is provided outside the portion where the designation column for the one product is displayed in the second dimension direction. It is displayed in accordance with the standard value of the standard. Product specification apparatus according to symptoms. 18. Estimated unit price of one or more types of commodities previously input by a plurality of designated contractors and estimated unit price data corresponding to the contractor presenting the estimated unit price. A merchandise purchasing method for purchasing merchandise, in which one or more types of merchandise to be purchased and the number of purchased merchandise are specified, and a contractor presenting the minimum estimated unit price of the specified merchandise is identified by A merchandise purchasing method which is determined based on the estimated unit price data. 19. Based on estimated unit price of one or more types of commodities preliminarily input by a plurality of designated contractors, and estimated unit price data corresponding to the contractor presenting the estimated unit price. A computer-readable recording medium on which a program for causing a computer to execute a process of purchasing a product is recorded.
Or a step of prompting the user to specify two or more types of products and the number of purchased products, and a step of determining a contractor presenting the minimum estimated unit price of the specified product based on the estimated unit price data. And a computer-readable recording medium on which a program for causing a computer to execute the above is recorded.