JP2001341819A - Distribution method and system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To quickly deliver an article on order while suppressing the delivery cost. SOLUTION: A headquarter 200 receives an order of the article from a customer 100 via a communication network, decides a store 401 for delivering the article on order to the customer, and notifies the content of the order to the store 401. The store 401 delivers and settles accounts of the article on order to the customer. The delivery store 401 is decided among a plurality of stores 401-403 according to the contents of the order and the location of the destination of the article on order.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an article distribution method and system, for example, a distribution method and system for receiving an order from a customer and delivering the ordered article to the customer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An order is received from a customer using the Internet, and articles related to the order are prepared in a warehouse or the like.
There is a distribution method for delivering to the customer using a courier service.
As a payment method, a method of performing electronic payment on the Internet or a method of receiving a price by a delivery company at the time of delivery is adopted.

[0003]

In the above-mentioned conventional distribution method, a corresponding delivery cost is incurred because a courier or the like is used to deliver the ordered goods to the customer. Customers or sellers need to pay. Also,
In the above-mentioned conventional distribution method, it is necessary to ship the goods from a distribution base such as a warehouse, so that it takes a certain period from receiving the order to completing the delivery.

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of the above background, and has as its object to provide, for example, a technique for promptly delivering an ordered product while suppressing delivery costs.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for distributing an article, the method comprising: receiving an order for an article from a customer via a communication network; and delivering the article according to the order to the customer. A determining step of determining a store to be performed; and a notifying step of notifying the store determined in the determining step of the content of the order,
The store notified in the notifying step includes a delivery / payment step in which the goods related to the order are delivered and settled to the customer, and the determining step includes the contents of the order and the goods related to the order. A store that delivers the ordered product to the customer is determined from a plurality of stores according to the delivery destination location.

[0006] In the distribution method according to the first aspect of the present invention, the order includes designation of a delivery date of the article, and in the determining step, the plurality of stores are designated according to the delivery date and time. It is preferable to determine a store that delivers the goods according to the order to the customer. The distribution method according to the first aspect of the present invention further includes a deliverable time management step of managing information relating to a time at which each of the plurality of stores can deliver an item. Based on the information managed in the deliverable time management step, in addition to the location of the delivery destination of the article, it is possible to determine a shop that delivers the article according to the order to the customer from the plurality of shops. preferable. Here, in the deliverable time management step, it is preferable to obtain information on a time at which each of the plurality of stores can deliver an item using a communication network. Further, in the deliverable time management step, it is preferable that information relating to a time at which each of the plurality of stores can deliver an item is updated periodically or at a predetermined time. Alternatively, in the deliverable time management step, it is preferable that information relating to a time at which each of the plurality of stores can deliver an item is updated based on information notified from the plurality of stores.

[0007] The distribution method according to the first aspect of the present invention preferably further includes an inventory management step of managing inventory of the plurality of stores. Here, in the inventory management step, it is preferable to obtain inventory information of the plurality of stores using a communication network. The determining step, considering the inventory information of the plurality of stores managed in the inventory management step, determine a store to deliver the goods pertaining to the order from the plurality of stores to the customer,
Preferably, in the inventory management step, inventory information is updated based on a result of the determination in the determining step. It is preferable that the inventory management step includes a step of placing an order for an item having a shortage in place of a store having a shortage or a store having a possibility of a shortage.

[0008] In the distribution method according to the first aspect of the present invention, in the receiving step, an order to which a purchase condition is attached is received from a customer, and the deciding step is based on the purchase condition. Determining the store and delivery conditions for delivering to the customer, notifying the customer of the delivery conditions related to the determination, and accepting a formal order from the customer that has agreed to the delivery conditions, The notification process is
Preferably, it is executed after receiving the formal order. Here, in the step of determining the delivery condition, it is preferable to determine a delivery condition that satisfies the purchase condition or a delivery condition as an alternative to the condition that satisfies the purchase condition.

[0009] In the distribution method according to the first aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that in the notification step, the contents of the order be notified to a corresponding store using a communication network.

[0010] In the distribution method according to the first aspect of the present invention, the article preferably contains food or drink or alcoholic beverages.

[0011] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an article distribution method, comprising: a receiving step of receiving an order for an article from a customer via a communication network; A decision step of determining from among the following, and a notification step of notifying the shop determined in the determination step of the content of the order,
A delivery / payment step in which the store notified in the notification step delivers and pays for the goods according to the order to the customer, and manages the inventory of the specific goods in the plurality of stores so as not to run out of inventory. And an inventory control step.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for distributing an article, the method comprising: receiving an order for an article from a customer via a communication network; and determining a store for delivering the ordered article to the customer. And a notification step of notifying the store determined in the determination step of the content of the order, wherein in the determination step, according to the content of the order and the location of the delivery destination of the goods according to the order, A store that delivers the ordered product to the customer is determined from a plurality of stores.

[0013] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for distributing goods, the method comprising: receiving an order for goods from a customer via a communication network; A decision step of determining from among the following, and a notification step of notifying the shop determined in the determination step of the content of the order,
An inventory management step of managing the inventory of specific articles in the plurality of stores so as not to be insufficient.

An article distribution system according to a fifth aspect of the present invention receives an order for an article from a customer via a communication network, determines a shop that delivers the ordered article to the customer, and determines the shop that has determined the shop. A headquarters for notifying the contents of the order, and a plurality of dealers that, when notified from the headquarters, deliver the goods pertaining to the order to the customer pertaining to the order and make payment, In the headquarters, a store that delivers the ordered product to the customer is determined from a plurality of stores according to the contents of the order and the location of the delivery destination of the ordered product.

[0015] In the distribution system according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the order includes designation of a delivery date of the article, and the headquarters selects one of the plurality of stores according to the delivery date. It is preferable to determine the store that delivers the ordered item to the customer.

[0016] In the distribution system according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the headquarters has a deliverable time management means for managing information on a time at which each of the plurality of stores can deliver an article, When an order for an article is received from a customer, the order related to the order is selected from among the plurality of stores based on information managed by the deliverable time management means, in addition to the delivery destination of the article according to the order. It is preferable to determine a store that delivers goods to the customer. Here, it is preferable that the deliverable time management means obtains information on a time at which each of the plurality of stores can deliver an item using a communication network. Further, the deliverable time management means includes:
It is preferable to periodically or at a predetermined time update information relating to a time when each of the plurality of stores can deliver an item. Further, it is preferable that the deliverable time management means updates information on a time when each of the plurality of stores can deliver an item based on information notified from the plurality of stores.

[0017] In the distribution system according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the headquarters has inventory management means for managing inventory of the plurality of stores. Here, it is preferable that the inventory management means obtains inventory information of the plurality of stores using a communication network. In addition, the headquarters considers inventory information of the plurality of stores managed by the inventory management unit, and determines a store that delivers the ordered product to the customer from among the plurality of stores, The inventory management means preferably updates the inventory information for the determined store. Further, it is preferable that the inventory management means includes means for ordering an item related to the shortage in place of a store having a shortage or a store having a possibility of a shortage.

[0018] In the distribution system according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the headquarters receives an order to which a purchase condition is attached from a customer, and delivers an article associated with the order to the customer based on the purchase condition. It is preferable to determine a store to be delivered and delivery conditions and notify the customer, and then, when a formal order is received from the customer, notify the store concerned of the determination of the contents of the order. Here, the delivery condition determined by the headquarters is preferably a delivery condition that satisfies the purchase condition, or a delivery condition as an alternative to the condition that satisfies the purchase condition.

[0019] In the distribution system according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the headquarters notifies the corresponding shop of the contents of the order using a communication network.

[0020] In the distribution system according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the article preferably contains food or drink or alcoholic beverages.

An article distribution system according to a sixth aspect of the present invention accepts an order for an article from a customer via a communication network, determines a shop that delivers the ordered article to the customer, and determines the determined shop. A headquarters for notifying the contents of the order, and a plurality of dealers that, when notified from the headquarters, deliver the goods pertaining to the order to the customer pertaining to the order and make payment, The headquarters has an inventory management unit that manages the inventory of specific articles in the plurality of stores so as not to run short.

A headquarter according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is a headquarters for managing the distribution of articles, a receiving unit for receiving an order for an article from a customer via a communication network, Determining means for determining a store to be delivered to, and a notifying means for notifying the store determined by the determining means of the contents of the order, wherein the determining means determines the contents of the order and the goods related to the order. A store that delivers the ordered item to the customer is determined from a plurality of stores according to the location of the delivery destination.

The headquarters according to the eighth aspect of the present invention is a headquarters for managing distribution of articles, a receiving means for receiving an order for an article from a customer via a communication network, and Deciding means for deciding a store to be delivered from among a plurality of stores, notifying means for notifying the contents of the order to the store decided by the deciding means, and a shortage of inventory of specific articles in the plurality of stores. And inventory management means for managing not to be performed.

An information processing apparatus according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is an information processing apparatus for managing the distribution of articles, comprising: a receiving unit for receiving an order for an article from a customer via a communication network; Deciding means for deciding a store for delivering goods to the customer, and notifying means for notifying the store determined by the deciding means of the contents of the order via a communication network, wherein the deciding means comprises A store for delivering the ordered product to the customer is determined from a plurality of stores in accordance with the contents of the order and the delivery destination of the ordered product.

An information processing apparatus according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is an information processing apparatus for managing the distribution of articles, comprising: a receiving unit for receiving an order for an article from a customer via a communication network; Determining means for determining a store for delivering an article to the customer from among the plurality of stores; notifying means for notifying the store determined by the determining means of the contents of the order via a communication network; Inventory management means for managing the inventory of specific articles in the store so as not to run short.

[0026]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of a distribution system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The distribution system according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention preferably has one headquarters 2.
00, one or more warehouses 300, and a plurality of dealers 40
1, 402, 403,... Headquarters 200
After receiving an order for goods from 00, a store to which the goods according to the order should be delivered is determined from a plurality of stores according to the contents of the order and the delivery destination of the goods according to the order. Notify the contents of the order to. That is, the headquarters 200
Receives an order from a customer on behalf of each store and delivers the order to the store. The store (for example, the store 401) that has received the notification of the contents of the order delivers the goods according to the order to the customer (delivery destination) 100 and performs settlement (receipt of the price).

This delivery is typically performed by a customer (delivery destination) 1
Since it is performed by a dealer located in the vicinity of 00, delivery costs can be reduced. This effect
This is particularly noticeable when a store that always has an appropriate stock, for example, a store such as a liquor store, a grocery store, a general store, or a so-called convenience store is incorporated in the distribution system. This is because, at any time, a store having appropriate stock does not need to prepare (for example, order) the goods related to the order after receiving the delivery of the order from the headquarters 200. This is because no expensive costs are required. In addition, if the store always has an appropriate stock, the order can be delivered to the customer immediately after receiving the delivery of the order from the headquarters 200.

An order from the customer 100 to the headquarters 200 is made using a communication network (for example, the Internet). This order preferably transmits order information including purchase conditions such as delivery date and time from the customer 100 to the headquarters 200 via the communication network, and the headquarters 200 includes the delivery information including the delivery conditions determined according to the order conditions. Is presented to the customer 100 via the communication network,
The customer 100 approves the delivery conditions and sends it to the headquarters 2 via the communication network.
It is confirmed by making a formal order at 00.

The headquarters 200 includes, for example, a plurality of dealers 40
1, 402, 403..., The areas where the plurality of dealers can each deliver (delivery area), and the time zones (delivery time) where the plurality of dealers can deliver each other are checked. Based on this information, the most suitable store to which delivery is to be made (the store to which the order is to be delivered) is determined according to the contents of the order and the delivery destination of the goods pertaining to the order. The headquarters 200 periodically or at any time (for example, when an order is received) to each store for information (stock, delivery area, deliverable time) about each store, or from each store. It can be obtained by receiving a notification periodically or at an arbitrary time.

The headquarters 200 preferably manages the stock of each store. More specifically, the headquarters 200 replaces a store with a shortage of stock or a store with a possibility of shortage of stock with a maker or a wholesaler who is the owner or manager of the warehouse 300 (hereinafter, warehouse). In such a case, an order (hereinafter referred to as a proxy order) is made for these items. Note that the headquarters 200 and the warehouse 300 may be integrated (that is, they may belong to one corporation or organization).

The warehouse 300 receiving the proxy order is located at the head office 20
0 to the store specified in the proxy order (for example, store 401),
Deliver the goods related to the order and settle it.

According to this embodiment, the headquarters 200 determines the store to which the ordered product is to be delivered in consideration of the stock of each store 401, 402, 403,. It also manages inventory. Therefore, each dealer is released from troublesome inventory management. This inventory management is performed so that the inventory of each store does not run short, for example, so that the remaining number of predetermined articles does not fall below a predetermined reference value. Thus, each dealer can quickly respond to an order from a customer.

According to this embodiment, the head office 20
0 determines the store to which the item pertaining to the order should be delivered (the store to which the order is to be delivered) based on the information (stock, delivery area, deliverable time) of each store 401, 402, 403,. The most efficient dealer for each order can be determined. Furthermore, by determining the store that delivers the ordered item in consideration of the time zone in which each store can deliver the item, it is possible to respond to the request of the customer 100 regarding the delivery date and time. In addition, since the headquarters 200 accurately grasps the time at which each store can deliver an item, it is possible to accurately and promptly determine whether or not the delivery date and time can be specified. Can respond appropriately and quickly to

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the information transmission system in the distribution system shown in FIG. This information transmission system includes a customer 100, a headquarters 200, a warehouse 300, and terminals 110, 210, 310, and 401a, 402 of a plurality of stores 401, 402, 403,.
a, 403a ... are communication networks (for example, the Internet)
500. For each terminal,
A general personal computer or the like can be used. As described above, by constructing the information transmission system in the distribution system on the communication network, the customer 100, the headquarters 200, the warehouse 300, the plurality of dealers 401, 402, and 4,
03 ... can be promptly transmitted, so that, for example, responding to an order from the customer 100 (for example, a provisional order including purchase conditions) in real time (eg, providing delivery conditions). In addition, it is possible to easily respond to a request for immediate delivery.

FIG. 3 shows a plurality of stores 401 to 403.
It is a figure which shows the example of arrangement | positioning typically. FIG. 4 shows each dealer 4
Are schematic diagrams each showing a delivery area table for managing areas (delivery areas) where items ordered can be delivered. FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing a deliverable time table for managing time zones in which the stores 401 to 403... Can deliver. FIG. 6 shows each of the stores 401 to 403.
This is a stock management table for managing the stock of. The delivery area table 220, the deliverable time table 230, and the stock management table 240 shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 can be maintained and managed by the terminal 210 of the headquarters 200, for example. The information constituting these tables 220 to 230 is stored in such a manner that the terminal 210 of the headquarters 200 periodically or at an arbitrary time (for example, when an order is received) to the terminals 401a to 403a. ) Or terminals 401a-40 of dealers 401-403.
It can be obtained by receiving a notification from 3a periodically or at an arbitrary time.

When the headquarters 200 receives the order (provisional order) from the customer 100, the headquarters 200 sends the contents of the order (including purchase conditions for specifying the type, quantity, delivery date, etc. of the goods) and the delivery destination of the goods related to the order. Accordingly, the most suitable store that can respond to the contents of the order and the delivery destination is determined with reference to the tables 220 to 240.

First, with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, a description will be given of a method of deciding a store only in accordance with the delivery destination of the ordered product. For example, it is assumed that an order is received from a customer who lives in x town, a ward, Tokyo, to deliver goods to that address. In this case, two dealers that can deliver to the town x are A dealer and C dealer. Therefore, the headquarters 200 notifies the contents of the order to one of the two stores (delivery of the order). Further, for example, assuming that an order is received from a customer who lives in town z to deliver an article to that address, the only store that can deliver to town z is store C, so headquarters 200 Notify the C dealer of the order (delivery of the order).

Next, a method for determining a store according to a plurality of factors will be described with reference to FIGS. For example,
At 9 o'clock on May 14, 2000, a customer living in x-cho, a-ward, Tokyo, purchased 10 items related to the item code "001".
Suppose you received an order to deliver to that address. Note that FIG. 5 does not show the possible delivery time for the C dealer, but here, the C dealer is 2000
Assume that delivery is not possible at 9:00 am on May 14, 2009. Under these conditions, paying attention only to the delivery destination, A dealers and C dealers are listed as candidates for dealers. However, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the dealer A can deliver the designated product at the designated date and time to the customer who lives in town x, while the dealer C can deliver the designated product at that date and time. Can not do. Therefore, headquarters 200
Notifies the dealer A of the contents of the order.

Next, the flow of processing in the terminal 110 of the customer 100 will be described with reference to FIG. This processing is performed, for example, when the customer 100 operates the terminal 110 and the communication network 5
By accessing the terminal 210 of the headquarters 200 via 00, the terminal 210 can be controlled based on software installed in the terminal 210.

The customer 100 operates the terminal 110 and the communication network 5
When the user accesses the terminal 210 of the headquarters 200 via “00”, an order screen is displayed on the display of the terminal 110 in step S701. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of the order screen. In step S702, the customer
Operating the input device (for example, keyboard, mouse, etc.), the orderer column 1410, the delivery destination column 1420, and the product column 14
30, necessary items are entered in each item of the delivery date and time column 1440. In the orderer column 1410, the address, name, telephone number, and the like of the customer are input. Here, means for registering information to be entered in the orderer column 1410 in association with a user name and a password may be provided, and thereafter, use of the system may be enabled by inputting the user name and the password. The delivery address column 1420 is used to input the address, name, telephone number, and the like of the delivery destination. Typically, the orderer and the delivery address match, but they may be different.

In the product column 1430, a product name, a quantity, and the like are input. Here, it is convenient to display a product list in response to a click on the search button 1431 and to allow the customer to select a desired product from the list. When there are two or more types of products to be purchased, the user can click another product button 1432 and further input a product name and quantity.

In the delivery date and time column 1440, if there is a request for a delivery date and time, "desired" is checked and the desired date and time are entered, and if there is no such request, "no request" is checked. . The total price column 1450 displays the price of the already input product (a delivery fee may be added to this price if necessary).

In step S703, a provisional order button 1460
Is clicked, based on the information you ’ve already entered,
Order information including purchase conditions and a delivery destination is generated, and a tentative order is placed to the terminal 210 of the headquarters 200.

In step S704, terminal 1 of customer 100
10 receives the delivery information generated by the terminal 210 of the headquarters 200 in response to the provisional order, and displays a screen including the delivery information on the display of the terminal 110 in step S705. 16 to 18 are diagrams illustrating examples of display screens of delivery information (delivery conditions). 16 shows an example of a screen showing the delivery information (delivery condition) transmitted from the headquarters 200 when the purchase condition is satisfied, and FIG. 17 shows that there is no stock of the ordered product and the replacement stock is not available. Headquarters 20
FIG. 18 shows an example of a screen showing the delivery information (delivery conditions) transmitted from 0, but it is possible to deliver the item pertaining to the order, but the delivery cannot be made at the specified date and time, and It is an example of a screen showing delivery information (delivery conditions) transmitted from the headquarters 200 when proposing delivery.

The customer 100 clicks the formal order button 1501 or the cancel button 1502,
You can choose to accept the delivery terms and place a formal order or cancel the tentative order.

In step S706, the formal order button 1
It is determined which of the buttons 501 and 1502 has been clicked, and if the formal order button 1501 has been clicked, the terminal 210 of the headquarters 200 is notified in step S707 that a formal order is to be placed. On the other hand, if the cancel button 1502 is clicked, the terminal 210 of the headquarters 200 is notified in step S708 that the provisional order is to be canceled.

Next, the flow of processing in the terminal 210 of the headquarters 200 will be described. FIG. 8 shows the terminal 210 of the headquarters 200.
It is a figure which shows the flow of the exchange of the customer 100 with the terminal 110 in FIG.

First, in step S801, a tentative order, that is, order information (including purchase conditions and a delivery destination) is received from the terminal 110 of the customer 100 (corresponding to S703). In step S802, the terminal 210 manages (for example,
Referring to the delivery area table 220, the deliverable time table 230, and the stock management table 240 (stored in the memory in the terminal 210), the purchase conditions (contents of the order such as the type of goods, quantity, delivery date and time) and the delivery destination Delivery conditions that satisfy the purchase conditions (see FIG. 15), or
Delivery conditions as an alternative to the conditions that satisfy the purchase conditions (Figure 1
6 and FIG. 17).
01, 402, 403,...

In step S803, step S802
Customer 100 pertaining to the provisional order using the result determined in
To the terminal 110 (corresponding to step S704).

In step S804, a notification of a formal order or cancellation is received from the terminal 110 of the customer 100 who transmitted the delivery information (step S707 or step S708).
If the notification that the formal order is received is received, the process proceeds to step S805, and if the notification that the cancellation is received is received, a series of processing ends (it is considered that there is no order). ).

In step S805, the order is confirmed based on the notification of the formal order. In step S806, the contents of the formal order are notified to the store determined in step S802 via the communication network 500.

In step S807, a process of managing the stock of the dealer who has notified the contents of the order is executed.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a detailed flow of the process of step S802 in FIG. First, in step S901, the delivery area table 220 is searched for a store that can deliver to the delivery destination of the ordered product. In step S902, by referring to the deliverable time table 230 and the inventory management table 240, it is possible to satisfy the purchase conditions (contents of the order such as the type of the article, the quantity, the delivery date and time) from the dealers extracted in the step S901. Search for available retailers.

In step S903, step S902
Then, it is determined whether or not an appropriate store (a store that can satisfy the purchase condition) is extracted. If the store is extracted, the process proceeds to step S904. If the store is not extracted, the process proceeds to step S905.

In step S904, a delivery condition and a store satisfying the purchase condition are determined as processing results. In step S905, a delivery condition and a store as alternatives to the condition satisfying the order condition are determined as the processing result. The alternative suggests, for example, a date and time close to the specified delivery date and time and an article similar to the ordered article.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a detailed flow of the process of step S807 in FIG. In step S1001, the stock information of the store to which the order has been delivered in step S806 in the stock management table 240 is updated. Specifically, in step S1001, the order quantity is subtracted from the stock quantity of the article (article code) related to the order.

In step S1002, it is determined whether or not the inventory related to the update is sufficient. If not, in step S1003, the article is transferred to the warehouse 300 via the communication network in place of the dealer in step S1003. And place a proxy order.

FIG. 11 shows that the terminal 210 of the headquarters 200 is connected to each store 40 independently of the communication with the terminal 110 of the customer 100.
1, 402, 403... Terminals 401a, 402a, 4
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a flow of a process for confirming inventory of each store by communicating with 03a. This processing may be executed, for example, periodically or at an arbitrary time (for example, when an instruction is given to the terminal 210 from the operator). Step S1
In 101, the terminals of the headquarters 200 are the stores 401, 4
02, 403... Terminals 401a, 402a, 403a.
··· Inquiry about the stock of each dealer,
At 1102, the inventory management table 240 is updated based on the inventory information notified from each dealer.

FIG. 12 shows that the terminal 210 of the headquarters 200 is connected to each of the stores 40 independently of the communication with the terminal 110 of the customer 100.
1, 402, 403... Terminals 401a, 402a, 4
It is a figure which shows the flow of other processing which communicates with 03a ... and confirms the stock of each store. This process is started based on a stock information reception request from a store. Step S1
In 201, the terminal 210 of the headquarters 200 receives the stock information of the store from the terminal of the store (for example, the terminal 401a) related to the reception request, and in step S1202, based on the stock information notified from the store. , The inventory management table 240 is updated.

FIG. 13 shows that the terminal 210 of the headquarters 200 is connected to each store 40 independently of the communication with the terminal 110 of the customer 100.
1, 402, 403... Terminals 401a, 402a, 4
It is a figure which shows the flow of a process which confirms the delivery possible time of each store by communicating with 03a .... This processing may be executed, for example, periodically or at an arbitrary time (for example, when an instruction is given to the terminal 210 from the operator). In step S1301, the terminal of the head office 200
01, 402, 403 ... terminals 401a, 402a,
403a... Are inquired about the deliverable time of each store, and in step S1302, the deliverable time table 230 is updated based on the information on the deliverable time notified from the store.

FIG. 14 shows that the terminal 210 of the headquarters 200 is connected to each of the stores 40 independently of the communication with the terminal 110 of the customer 100.
1, 402, 403... Terminals 401a, 402a, 4
It is a figure which shows the flow of other processing which confirms the delivery possible time of each store by communicating with 03a .... This process is started based on a request for receiving information on a deliverable time from a store. In step S1401, the terminal 210 of the headquarters 200 receives the information on the deliverable time of the store from the terminal (for example, the terminal 401a) of the store related to the reception request, and in step S1402, the information is notified from each store. The deliverable time table 230 is updated based on the information on the deliverable time.

The delivery area of each store is also inquired periodically or at any time from the headquarters 200 to each store, or whenever the delivery region is changed at any store. , The delivery area table 220 is updated.

Note that the articles handled in this distribution system are not limited to specific articles, and any articles can be handled.
However, from the viewpoint of prompt delivery when an order is received, it is preferable to handle articles that are expected to be sold in a reasonable amount, and to keep these in stock at dealers at all times.
Examples of articles that are expected to be sold in a reasonable amount include alcoholic beverages, soft drinks and other beverages, food, daily necessities, magazines, newspapers, well-selling books, music and movies, and other media recording recorded works. Can be In addition, the articles for which the corresponding sales volume is expected may be the articles for which the appropriate sales volume is expected at all times, or the articles for which the corresponding sales volume is expected at a specific time or the like.

According to this distribution system, each dealer stores:
Without having to pay for the order (for example,
Orders can be received through the headquarters (without listening).

Further, according to this distribution system, since the store delivers the ordered item and performs settlement (receipt of the price), there is no exchange of money on the communication network.
Transaction security can be ensured.

Further, according to this distribution system, since each dealer performs delivery, the cost for delivery can be reduced.

Further, according to this distribution system, the store which can satisfy the purchase condition presented by the customer is preferentially selected, so that the degree of customer satisfaction can be increased. For example,
It is considered that satisfying the delivery date and time requirement presented by the customer brings a great profit in business.

According to this distribution system, since the headquarters manages the inventory of each store, each store is released from troublesome inventory management, and the headquarter accurately grasps the inventory of each store. As a result, it is possible to quickly and definitely respond to orders from customers.

[0070]

According to the present invention, for example, it is possible to promptly deliver an ordered product while suppressing delivery costs.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of a distribution system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an information transmission system in the distribution system shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing an example of the arrangement of a plurality of stores.

FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing a delivery area table for managing an area (delivery area) in which each store can deliver an ordered product.

FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically illustrating a deliverable time table for managing a time zone in which each store can deliver.

FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing an inventory management table for managing inventory at each store.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a flow of processing in a customer terminal.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a flow of exchanges between a customer terminal and a terminal in a headquarters.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a detailed flow of processing in step S802 in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a detailed flow of processing in step S807 in FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a flow of a process in which a terminal of a headquarters communicates with a terminal of each store and checks inventory at each store independently of communication with a customer terminal.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a flow of another process in which the terminal of the headquarters communicates with the terminal of each store and checks the stock of each store independently of the communication with the customer terminal.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a flow of processing in which a terminal of a headquarters communicates with a terminal of each store and confirms a deliverable time of each store independently of communication with a customer terminal.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing another flow of processing in which a terminal of the headquarters communicates with a terminal of each store and confirms a deliverable time of each store independently of communication with a customer terminal.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of an order screen displayed on a display of a customer terminal.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of delivery information (delivery conditions).

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of delivery information (delivery conditions).

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of delivery information (delivery conditions).

Claims (38)

[Claims] 1. An article distribution method, comprising: a receiving step of receiving an order for an article from a customer via a communication network; a determining step of determining a store delivering the ordered article to the customer; A notification step of notifying the shop determined in the step of the contents of the order; and a delivery / payment step of delivering and paying the goods according to the order to the customer by the shop notified in the notification step. And wherein, in the determining step, a store that delivers the goods according to the order to the customer is determined from a plurality of stores according to the contents of the order and the delivery destination of the goods according to the order. A distribution method characterized by that: 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the order includes designation of a delivery date of the article, and in the determining step, delivering the article according to the order to the customer from the plurality of stores according to the delivery date and time. 2. The distribution method according to claim 1, wherein a store to be used is determined. 3. A deliverable time management step for managing information on a time at which each of the plurality of stores can deliver an item, wherein the determining step includes a step of determining a delivery destination of the item according to the order. 3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising: determining a store that delivers the ordered product to the customer from the plurality of stores based on information managed in the deliverable time management process. Distribution method. 4. The method according to claim 3, wherein in the deliverable time management step, information on a time at which each of the plurality of stores can deliver an item is obtained using a communication network. Distribution method. 5. The deliverable time management step is characterized in that information relating to a time at which each of the plurality of stores can deliver an item is updated periodically or at a predetermined time. The distribution method according to claim 3 or 4, wherein 6. The deliverable time management step is characterized in that information on a time at which each of the plurality of stores can deliver an item is updated based on information notified from the plurality of stores. The distribution method according to claim 3 or 4, wherein 7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising an inventory management step of managing inventory of said plurality of stores.
The distribution method according to any one of the above. 8. The distribution method according to claim 7, wherein in the inventory management step, inventory information of the plurality of stores is obtained using a communication network. 9. The determining step includes, among the plurality of stores, a store that delivers the ordered item to the customer, from among the plurality of stores, in consideration of stock information of the plurality of stores managed in the stock management process. The distribution method according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the inventory information is updated in the inventory management step based on a determination result in the determination step. 10. The inventory management step is performed in place of a store having a shortage of stock or a store having a possibility of shortage of stock,
10. The distribution method according to claim 7, further comprising a step of ordering an article related to the shortage. 11. In the receiving step, an order to which a purchase condition is attached is received from a customer, and the determining step includes, based on the purchase condition, a store for delivering the article according to the order to the customer and a delivery condition. Determining, and notifying the customer of the delivery conditions pertaining to the determination; and accepting a formal order from the customer that has agreed to the delivery conditions, wherein the notifying step has received the formal order. The distribution method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, which is executed later. 12. The method according to claim 11, wherein in the step of determining the delivery condition, a delivery condition that satisfies the purchase condition or a delivery condition that is an alternative to the condition that satisfies the purchase condition is determined. The distribution method described in 1. 13. The distribution method according to claim 1, wherein in the notification step, the contents of the order are notified to a corresponding store using a communication network. 14. The distribution method according to claim 1, wherein the article includes food and drink. 15. The distribution method according to claim 1, wherein the article includes alcoholic beverages. 16. A method of distributing goods, comprising: a receiving step of receiving an order for goods from a customer via a communication network; and determining a store for delivering the goods pertaining to the order to the customer from among a plurality of stores. A determining step, a notifying step of notifying the store determined in the determining step of the contents of the order, and a store notified in the notifying step delivers the goods according to the order to the customer and settles the goods. And a stock management step of managing the inventory of the specific articles in the plurality of stores so as not to run short. 17. A method for distributing articles, comprising: a receiving step of receiving an order for an article from a customer via a communication network; a determining step of determining a store for delivering the article according to the order to the customer; A notification step of notifying the store determined in the process of the contents of the order, and in the determining step, a plurality of stores in accordance with the contents of the order and a delivery destination of the goods related to the order. A distribution method characterized by determining a store from which the article according to the order is delivered to the customer. 18. A method of distributing goods, comprising: a receiving step of receiving an order for goods from a customer via a communication network; and determining a store delivering the goods pertaining to the order to the customer from among a plurality of stores. A determining step; a notifying step of notifying the shop determined in the determining step of the details of the order; and an inventory managing step of managing the inventory of specific articles in the plurality of shops so as not to run short. A distribution method characterized by the above. 19. An article distribution system, which receives an order for an article from a customer via a communication network, determines a store for delivering the ordered article to the customer, and issues an order to the determined shop. A headquarters for notifying the contents of: and a plurality of dealers that, when notified by the headquarters, deliver the goods pertaining to the order to the customers pertaining to the order and settle the goods, at the headquarters, A distribution system, wherein a store that delivers an ordered product to a customer is determined from a plurality of stores according to the contents of the order and a location of a delivery destination of the ordered product. 20. The order includes a designation of the delivery date of the article, and the headquarters selects a shop for delivering the ordered article to the customer from the plurality of shops according to the delivery date and time. The distribution system according to claim 19, wherein the distribution system is determined. 21. The headquarters has a deliverable time management means for managing information on a time at which each of the plurality of stores can deliver an item, and when an order for an item is received from a customer, Based on information managed by the deliverable time management means, a store that delivers the ordered product to the customer is determined based on information managed by the deliverable time management unit, in addition to a delivery destination location of the ordered product. The distribution system according to claim 20, characterized in that: 22. The method according to claim 21, wherein the deliverable time management unit obtains information on a time at which each of the plurality of stores can deliver an item using a communication network. Distribution system. 23. The deliverable time management means updates information on a time at which each of the plurality of stores can deliver an item periodically or at a predetermined time. The distribution system according to claim 21 or 22, wherein 24. The deliverable time management unit updates information relating to a time at which each of the plurality of stores can deliver an item based on information notified from the plurality of stores. The distribution system according to claim 21 or 22, wherein 25. The headquarters according to claim 1, wherein said headquarters has inventory management means for managing inventory of said plurality of stores.
The distribution system according to any one of claims 9 to 24. 26. The distribution system according to claim 25, wherein said inventory management means obtains inventory information of said plurality of stores using a communication network. 27. The headquarters determines a store that delivers the ordered product to the customer from among the plurality of stores in consideration of stock information of the plurality of stores managed by the stock management unit. 27. The distribution system according to claim 25, wherein the inventory management unit updates inventory information on the determined store. 28. The inventory management means, in place of a store where inventory is insufficient or a store where inventory may be insufficient,
28. The distribution system according to claim 25, further comprising means for ordering an article related to the shortage. 29. The headquarters accepts an order to which a purchase condition is attached from a customer, determines a store for delivering an item corresponding to the order to the customer and a delivery condition based on the purchase condition, and provides the customer with an order. 29. The system according to claim 19, wherein when a formal order is received from the customer, the store concerned is notified of the contents of the order.
The distribution system according to any one of the above items. 30. The delivery condition determined by the headquarters is a delivery condition that satisfies the purchase condition or a delivery condition as an alternative to the condition that satisfies the purchase condition. The described distribution system. 31. The distribution system according to claim 19, wherein the headquarters notifies a corresponding shop of the contents of the order using a communication network. 32. The distribution system according to claim 19, wherein the article includes food and drink. 33. The distribution system according to claim 19, wherein the article includes alcoholic beverages. 34. An article distribution system, which receives an order for an article from a customer via a communication network, determines a store for delivering the ordered article to the customer, and issues an order to the determined shop. And a plurality of dealers that, when notified from the headquarters, deliver goods pertaining to the order to the customers pertaining to the order and perform payment, and the headquarters includes: A distribution system comprising inventory management means for managing inventory of specific articles in the plurality of stores so as not to run short. 35. A headquarters for managing distribution of articles, a receiving unit for receiving an order for an article from a customer via a communication network, and a deciding means for determining a store for delivering the article according to the order to the customer. Notification means for notifying the shop determined by the determination means of the content of the order, wherein the determination means comprises a plurality of A headquarters for determining a store for delivering the ordered product to the customer from among the stores. 36. A headquarters for managing distribution of articles, a receiving means for receiving an order for an article from a customer via a communication network, and a store for delivering the article according to the order to the customer among a plurality of shops. Determination means for determining from the determination means, notification means for notifying the contents of the order to the store determined by the determination means, inventory management means for managing the inventory of specific articles in the plurality of stores so as not to run out, Headquarters characterized by including. 37. An information processing apparatus that manages distribution of articles, comprising: a receiving unit that receives an order for an article from a customer via a communication network; and a determination that determines a store that delivers the article according to the order to the customer. Means, and a notifying means for notifying the shop determined by the determining means of the contents of the order via a communication network, wherein the determining means comprises: the contents of the order and a delivery destination of the goods according to the order. An information processing apparatus for determining, from among a plurality of stores, a store that delivers an item pertaining to the order to the customer, according to a location of the information processing device. 38. An information processing apparatus for managing the distribution of articles, comprising: a receiving unit that receives an order for an article from a customer via a communication network; and a store that delivers the article according to the order to the customer. Determining means for deciding from among the following; a notifying means for notifying the shop determined by the deciding means of the contents of the order via a communication network; and An information processing apparatus, comprising: an inventory management means for managing;