JP2001297185A - Evaluation device for supply chain management - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To eliminate the time and labor for inputting multiple input conditions at every simulation in the evaluation simulation of a supply chain management. SOLUTION: In a server computer 1 simulating the supply chain management, a part of input data on simulation, which is inputted to a client computer 3, is received through a wide network 4 and it is simulated by a supply chain evaluation simulator part 11 by using received input data and a part of input data which is previously stored in a storage device 2.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a supply chain management (logistics chain management) evaluation system for optimizing an entire business. It also relates to a method of supporting this supply chain management consulting business.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the management of a company, particularly in the production management of the manufacturing industry, the concept of supply chain management (SCM) is applied to optimize production efficiency.
The number of cases of reform is increasing. In supply chain management, if software can be used for evaluation simulations and the effects of reforms can be estimated in advance before proceeding with reforms, quicker and more accurate decisions can be made.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
No. 03101 is described. In this conventional technology, a logistics process model that models a logistics process and a planning model that models a planning process performed according to the state of the logistics process model are used.
Simulate the logistics chain plan. This conventional technique can be used not only by a management subject but also by a business consultant when making a reform proposal to a client company.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned prior art, there is a problem that no consideration is given to reducing the trouble of data input. Generally, an evaluation simulation of supply chain management involves modeling a complex business process and performing a simulated calculation. Therefore, inputting a large amount of data is required to increase the calculation accuracy.

Further, even if a certain result is obtained under a certain input condition, there is always a demand to evaluate the effect of a plurality of reform plans by changing the input condition little by little. Is not realistic.

[0006]

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention divides the load (or input) of input data into two stages. In the present invention, input data is divided into a data group related to a business environment and a data group related to a business operation management. The former data is loaded in advance, and the latter data is loaded interactively immediately before starting simulation execution.

[0007] The evaluation simulation is executed by combining the two data as an input of the evaluation simulation. If it is necessary to execute the evaluation simulation again after the evaluation simulation has been executed, the latter data that has been interactively changed is loaded, and the evaluation simulation is performed together with the data group related to the business environment that was initially loaded. Execute as input.

If the data to be loaded in advance is data that does not change much during the simulation, and the data that is input later is data that changes more frequently during the simulation, the user is required to simulate various patterns. This saves the trouble of inputting. If the data to be loaded in advance has a large data amount and the data to be input later has a smaller data amount, the communication amount on the network can be reduced.

Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to compare the current simulation result with the reformed simulation result by using the second input data as the content of the current task and the content of the task to be reformed.

[0010]

FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of an embodiment of the present invention. The input unit 31 in the client computer 3 receives, as input data, data required for a supply chain management simulation input from a user. The input unit 31 also receives a request instruction regarding execution of a simulation input from a user.

The user in the present embodiment is a person who intends to evaluate a company for business reform or a consultant who gives advice and suggestions to the evaluator. The communication control unit 33 in the client computer 3 includes the input unit 31
And transmits the result data transmitted from the server computer 1 through the wide area network 4 to the output unit 32. The output unit 32 in the client computer 3 displays or prints the result data on a screen.

The communication control unit 13 in the server computer 1 receives input data and request instructions transmitted from the client computer 3 through the wide area communication network 4 and stores them in the temporary storage unit 12, or stores them in the temporary storage unit 12. The obtained result data is transmitted to the client computer 3 through the wide area communication network 4. The temporary storage unit 12 is used as a work area for temporarily storing input data and result data, and also for temporarily storing intermediate calculation results of a simulation performed in the supply chain evaluation simulator unit 11.

The supply chain evaluation simulator section 11
Executes a simulation for supply chain evaluation based on input data and a request instruction temporarily stored in the temporary storage unit 12, and stores the execution result in the temporary storage unit 12 as result data. In the present invention, the calculation algorithm for the simulation is not particularly limited. For example, conventional techniques such as those described in the above-described prior art can be used. The storage device 2 serves to store input data and result data for a relatively long time,
The input data and the result data stored in the temporary storage unit 12 are fetched and stored for a long period of time. Or hand it over.

In the above configuration, the present invention is realized by performing predetermined processing in the server computer 1 and the client computer 3 respectively. FIG. 2 shows the processing flow. Prior to this processing, the user prepares a part of the input data necessary for the simulation as a file. The type of data required for the simulation is determined by the simulation software used. In this example, it is assumed that the input data has the following configuration.

First, input data necessary for the simulation includes business environment data and operation management data. Business environment data is data that characterizes the supply chain itself to be evaluated, including sales plan information (information on plans related to product supply), capability information (information on restrictions on product production), and cost information. (Information related to expenditures and losses required to complete the product), lead time information (time information required from the generation of a request to completion of a process or business process), demand information (information related to a product request from a supplier) )), Includes data relating to at least one of the following. Operations management data includes data on how to promote production and planning activities and is subject to supply chain management reforms. The operation management data is interactively input as a parameter immediately before the execution of the simulation, as described later. The business management data is prepared in advance as a file.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the contents of the input data file. The contents of the input data file include an identifier and business management data. The identifier includes a user ID for uniquely specifying a user who can use the data and a business management data ID for uniquely specifying the data itself. However, when the user creates the input data file, the value of the identifier need not be specified.

Hereinafter, description will be given along the processing flow of FIG. In the initial state, the server computer is in a waiting state for receiving an input data file (step 101). On the client side, first, a screen for prompting data input is displayed (step 201).

FIG. 4 shows an example of a screen for prompting data input. The user is the user I assigned to himself in advance
D and password in fields 401 and 40 in screen
Input to 2 respectively. Alternatively, enter the file path name of the input data file prepared in advance in field 403.
To enter. At this time, the user may press the reference button 404 to display a file selection GUI and make a selection. When the user ID and the password are input without specifying the file name of the input data file, as described later, the data that has been saved when the process is executed with the same user ID before is used.

When necessary items are entered on the screen shown in FIG. 4 and the send button 405 is pressed, the client computer sends the user ID, password and input data file to the server computer (step 202). The input data file to be transmitted is the file whose file path name is specified in step 201. However, if the file path name has not been specified in step 201, the user ID and password are transmitted. Step 202
In step, when the cancel button 406 is pressed, the processing is stopped.

The transmitted input data file, user I
D, the password is received by the server computer that has been waiting for reception (step 102). At this time, in the present invention, the check of the user ID and the password (authentication of the executor) is not limited. A well-known technique may be used. For example, a configuration may be employed in which a previously stored user ID and password are compared with those input.

If the user ID and the password are not included in the received content, the following processing is performed as execution by the guest ID. Further, the server computer loads the business environment data into the temporary storage unit 12 based on the received content (Step 103). If the input data file is included in the received data, the business environment data in the file is loaded into the temporary storage unit 12, and a business environment data ID for uniquely specifying the business environment data is allocated.

If the input data file is not included, the storage device 2 is searched by using the user ID as a key, and the business environment data and the business environment data ID when the simulation was executed with the user ID in the past are called. Is loaded into the temporary storage unit 12. If the past business environment data is not found by the search, the process ends at that point. If a plurality of past work environment data are found, the fact is transmitted to the client side to urge the user to make a selection, and one piece of work environment data is specified and loaded.

Next, the server computer once transmits the loaded business environment data and business environment data ID to the client computer side to urge confirmation (step 104).
The client computer receives the business environment data and the business environment data ID transmitted for confirmation, and displays the business environment data on the screen to prompt the user to confirm (step 203).

FIG. 5 shows an example of a business environment data confirmation screen. The area 501 displays a list of loaded business environment data. Although a part of the loaded data is displayed, other data can be displayed by operating the scroll bar 504. Area 501
A value input field is arranged in a portion 506 in the table, and the value of each data item is displayed. Each value can be modified from the input section (ie, through mouse or keyboard operations). Radio buttons are arranged in a part 505 in the area 501, and a data item can be selected from an input part.

In the state shown in FIG. 5, a data item called the product warehouse safety stock amount is selected. When the modify button 503 is pressed, the client computer
It considers that the value of the selected data item has been corrected, and transmits the value input in the field of the selected data item to the server computer as corrected data. If the confirmation button 502 is pressed, it is assumed that the business environment data has not been corrected, a confirmation notification is transmitted to the server computer, and the process proceeds to the next step (step 204).

If there is a correction in the business environment data, the server computer receives the correction data, and among the business environment data loaded in the temporary storage unit 12 in step 103,
Overwrite the modified part. Thereafter, the work environment data corrected in step 104 is transmitted to the client computer again. The client computer that has received the corrected input data displays the screen as shown in FIG. 5 again. However, the value of the data shows the value after correction. When the server computer receives the confirmation notification, the business environment data loaded at that time is replaced with the business environment data ID and the user ID.
Together with the contents as shown in FIG. 3 in the storage device 2 (step 105).

When the input data is determined by pressing the confirmation button 502, the client computer prompts the user to set the operation management data as a parameter (step 204). FIG. 6 shows an example of the parameter setting screen.

In FIG. 6, reference numerals 601 to 604 denote parameter setting areas, showing an example of selection by radio buttons. In this example, as the operation management data, parameters are set for two items, a production plan cycle and an inventory point. In FIG. 6, the current production plan cycle is set to "once a month", and the production plan to be evaluated This shows a state in which the cycle is set to “daily”, the current stock point and “product stock” are selected, and the stock point to be evaluated is “product stock”. When the cancel button 606 is pressed, the processing is stopped. When the simulation execution button is pressed,
The client computer is the selected operation management data,
And the business environment data ID received in step 203
At the same time, an execution request instruction is transmitted to the server computer (step 205).

Upon receiving the execution request instruction, the server computer executes a simulation based on the value of the operation management data transmitted at the same time and the business environment data loaded in the temporary storage unit 12 (step 106). Here, the business environment data ID transmitted at the same time should match the business environment data ID allocated in step 103 (or called from the storage device), and may be used for the check. In the present invention, the calculation algorithm of the simulation is not limited. For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No.
01 may be used. In the present embodiment, this is assumed to be the case. The items of the business management data and the operation management data described above are also shown assuming the method.

When the simulation is completed, the server computer stores the data of the simulation result in the temporary storage 12
And sends it to the client computer as well (step 107). As a result of the simulation, information on the procurement amount, the production amount, the inventory amount, and the delivery amount can be obtained, but part of the result data transmitted to the client computer may be obtained. In this example, it is assumed that data of the inventory turnover rate, the average daily inventory value, the inventory reduction rate, the delivery date compliance rate, the average delivery date delay days, and the daily inventory value are acquired as the result data.

When the client computer receives the result data from the server computer, it outputs them from the output unit 32 (step 206). FIG. 7 shows an example of the result display screen. Here, the result save button 701 and the reevaluation button 7
02. When any one of the end buttons 703 is pressed, the client computer transmits the corresponding instruction request to the server computer side, and proceeds to the corresponding next step (step 207). Save result button 7
When 01 is pressed, a result storage request is transmitted to the server computer side. If the reevaluation button 702 is pressed, a reevaluation request is transmitted to the server
Return to 04. That is, the operation management data is changed and the simulation is prepared again.

However, in the second and subsequent simulations, only the value to be evaluated is accepted as the operation management data. That is, in FIG. 6, the fields 601 and 603 of the radio buttons are the same as those selected in the first simulation execution, and the change input is not allowed. When the end button 703 is pressed, an end request is transmitted to the server computer, and the processing of the client computer ends.

Upon receiving the result storage request, the server computer stores the result data held in the temporary storage unit 12 in the storage device 2 (step 108). FIG. 8 shows an example of the contents to be stored. As shown in FIG. 8, the saved contents include a business environment data ID for specifying business environment data used for executing the simulation, operation management data, and a simulation result. If a re-evaluation request is received, the process returns to step 106 and waits for a simulation execution request. If an end request has been received, the process returns to step 101, and waits for reception of a file.

The embodiment of the present invention has been described above. In the above example, communication of data and request instructions is performed between a client computer and a server computer via a wide area communication network such as the Internet. However, the present invention does not assume such communication. A single computer system may have the functions of both the client computer and the server computer.

As an embodiment of the present invention, a program stored in a server computer, a client computer, or a single computer having the functions of both, and executing the above-described functions is also included.

[0036]

According to the present invention, even when it is necessary to execute the evaluation simulation several times, the evaluation simulation can be repeatedly performed by inputting only a small number of input data interactively, and a large number of input conditions can be used for the evaluation simulation. The trouble of inputting each time can be eliminated.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram.

FIG. 2 is a basic processing flowchart.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of contents of input data.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed at the start of processing.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a screen prompting confirmation of the content of input data.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a parameter setting screen.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of a simulation result.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing data contents of a simulation result.

[Explanation of symbols]

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 server computer 2 storage device 3 client computer 4 wide area network 11 supply chain evaluation simulator unit 12 temporary storage unit 13 communication control unit 31 input unit 32 output unit 33 communication control unit,
101 to 108: processing steps in the server computer
201 to 207: processing steps in the client computer

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Yasunori Yamashita 1099 Ozenji Temple, Aso-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture Inside Hitachi, Ltd.System Development Laboratory (72) Inventor Masashi Hase 890 Kashimada, Sachi-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture Stock Company Hitachi, Ltd. Industrial Systems Division (72) Inventor Yasunori Kaku 890 Kashimada, Saiwai-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa F-term, Hitachi Industrial Systems Division 5B049 AA01 CC00 DD01 DD05 EE41 FF03 GG04 GG07 5E501 AA13 AC08 AC25 BA05 DA02 EA15 FA08 FA43

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A supply chain management evaluation device for performing information processing for improving the efficiency of an entire business, comprising: a first data which is a part of input data required for the information processing.
Means for preliminarily storing the input data, means for receiving an input of second input data which is input data necessary for the information processing other than the data stored in the means for storing, and the means for receiving When the second input data is received, the first input data corresponding to the second data is read from the storing unit, and the read first input data and the read first input data are read. Means for executing the information processing using the second input data. 2. An apparatus for evaluating supply chain management, comprising: 2. The supply chain management evaluation device according to claim 1, wherein the first input data is business environment data representing characteristics of the business. 3. The supply chain management evaluation device according to claim 2, wherein the business environment data is the second input data is sales plan information related to a plan for supplying a product, and a constraint on production of the product. Information on certain capabilities, cost information on expenses and losses required to complete a product, lead time information indicating the time required from the generation of a request to completion of a process or business process, and demand information on product requests from suppliers. An evaluation device for supply chain management, characterized in that at least one of them is provided. 4. The supply chain management evaluation device according to claim 1, wherein the input accepting unit receives an input from a user of the evaluation device indicating that the user wants to change the simulation. Accepting, the means for executing the information processing is the stored
And a means for executing the information processing by using the first input data and the changed second input data.2.Evaluation apparatus for supply chain management, comprising: . 5. The supply chain management evaluation device according to claim 1, wherein the evaluation device is connected to another information processing device via a network, and the means for receiving the input includes: An evaluation device for supply chain management, wherein the evaluation device is a means for inputting a user to another information processing device and receiving first input data transmitted from the other information processing device.