JP2002007792A - Quotation processing method in merchandise sales support system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve efficiency of sales activity between plural sales stores and distributors by accelerating quotation processings. SOLUTION: A merchandise sale support system consists of an order-receiving and order-sending management system for performing the order-receiving and order-sending management of merchandise between respective business branch offices and an extra net system connected with the plural sales stores via the Internet and is connected with the order-receiving and order-sending management system. The order-receiving and order-sending management system consists of plural databases storing various kinds of master information and the extra net system consists of databases which respectively store merchandise master information, merchandise specification information, merchandise connecting constitution information, etc., so as to conduct quotation processings with a user ID set with specific information by each sales store.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for efficiently ordering a product order or the like received from a store through a network between a plurality of stores and an intermediate wholesaler (hereinafter referred to as a distributor). The present invention relates to a method for processing an estimate of a product in a product sales support system for improving the efficiency of sales activities.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a basic sales form, when an end user orders a product such as a personal computer from a store, if the store has stock, the product is delivered to the end user. However, if there is no store inventory, contact the distributor, the distributor will investigate the company's own inventory, etc.If there is no store inventory, ask the manufacturer about the delivery date etc. Will be notified of the delivery date of the product.

[0003] As a more specific example, a store that has received a product order from an end user contacts a distributor by telephone, facsimile, mail, or the like when there is no store inventory,
At a specific sales branch in the distributor, inquiries about the partition price and delivery date from the dealer, telephone, fax,
After giving an estimate or other response by e-mail, etc., the distributor receives the order form by FAX, performs the prescribed order entry processing, arranges the shipping system, and after that, if there is no particular change in the order, the distributor will meet the scheduled date The product is delivered to the designated location.

Further, in the conventional estimation management, various estimation processes are performed manually in the order management system on the distributor side.

[0005]

By the way, the spread of personal computers has been remarkable in recent years, and the personal computer market is steadily expanding. In this market environment,
Retailers, distributors, manufacturers, etc. that handle personal computers and related equipment are fiercely competing in product prices, quality, delivery times, services, performance, etc., and there is a constant need to improve sales efficiency and operating efficiency. I have.

In particular, in recent years, with the diversification of the needs of end users, the product lineup has been increasing, and the number of units has been decreasing due to the large number of specifications.
In the conventional processing by telephone, FAX, e-mail, etc., the number of so-called sales work steps has been greatly increased, and as a result, human costs have increased, and delivery costs such as postage have increased.

[0007] In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to connect a plurality of dealers and distributors via an Internet network in order to improve sales efficiency and business efficiency, and to place orders from the dealers. An object of the present invention is to efficiently perform product estimation processing.

[0008]

According to the first to sixth aspects of the present invention, a plurality of branch offices and distribution centers are connected by a predetermined communication line, and the order management of goods is performed with each branch office. A quotation in a product sales support system comprising an order management system and an extranet system connected to a plurality of dealers via the Internet and connected to the order management system to support the order management. A processing method, wherein the database of the order management system stores at least store information, distribution information, supplier information, quotation information, product information, and various types of master information composed of manufacturer information, and the extranet system Stores at least merchandise master information, merchandise specification information, and merchandise connection configuration information. A user ID set with specific information for each store is input from the plurality of stores constituting the LANET system, and estimation is performed via the database of the extranet system and the database of the order management system. Function to be executed,
Product quote processing can be performed efficiently for orders from dealers.

[0009]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a product sales support system to which the present invention is applied. As shown in the figure, when the end user orders a product, for example, a personal computer from a store (a distributor is a primary store, a store is a secondary store or a tertiary store from the viewpoint of a manufacturer), the store (secondary store) )
Is, via the extranet system according to the invention,
It connects to the order management system provided in the distributor and performs a predetermined order processing. A merchandise sales support system to which the present invention is applied is a system constructed between a store as a secondary store and a distributor connected via the Internet, and includes an extranet system at the store and a receiving system at the distributor. Consists of an order management system.

First, the outline and features of a product sales support system to which the present invention is applied will be described below. 1. As described above, this system includes an order management system provided on the distributor side, and an extranet system connected to the order management system via the Internet and having terminal devices at a plurality of stores. .

2. The logon to the extranet system is performed by a user ID. As will be described later, “customer information” and “order reception counter information” are added to the user ID as an example of specific information, and the range of screens that can be disclosed in the extranet system is limited according to the user ID. Here, "customer information" refers to the address, company name,
In addition to the email address, the information includes partition price information arbitrarily determined for each customer, condition setting information at the time of receiving an order, service content information and the like. The “order reception information” is information on the order reception desk (sales branch) on the distributor side that receives the order information.

3. As a product search function of this system,
Product basic information, spec information, image information, partition information,
Inventory information, product recommendations on the distributor side,
It is possible to perform various searches for the store by linking the above. For example, information can also be provided for products that have been sold out and orders have been suspended by the manufacturer.
Further, the display method can be changed for each customer according to the attribute of the customer.

The general features of the product search function to which the present invention is applied will be described below. a. As a recommended product search function, it is possible to search only recommended products and sales expansion products arbitrarily determined by the distributor side. b. As a search function based on a product category, a search can be performed based on a product category defined as product basic information, and when a recommended product is found as a result of the search, it can be displayed at the top of the display screen.

C. As a search function based on specifications, a search can be performed based on specification items determined for each product category. If there is a recommended product as a result of the search, it can be displayed at the top of the display screen. d. As a search function by manufacturer name, you can search by a generally known manufacturer name without using an official manufacturer name, and if there is a recommended product as a result of the search, it can be displayed at the top of the display screen.

E. As a search function by model number, search by manufacturer model number is possible. If there is a recommended product as a result of the search, it can be displayed at the top of the display screen. f. As a search function using a JAN code, a search can be performed using a JAN code, which is one of barcode symbols assigned to identify products and is used as a standard.

The save function of the system is maintained unless the user logs off with the same browser that can be saved by selecting the search result. With this storage function, it is directly connected to the quote and order function. The general features of orders and shipments to which the present invention is applied will be described below. 1) When ordering the selected product by the storage function described above, go to the order screen with one click and enter the address registered in advance as a destination or any address,
Select either the seller or the customer as the sender.
Then, the user clicks "confirm" and sends the order data of the order management system of the seller via the Internet.

2) On the basis of the user ID, the order data from the customer can be confirmed on the browser using the Internet network and on the order management system of the seller according to the set conditions at the time of receiving the order. Processed from the one approved based on the confirmed data. The features of the outline of the estimation function to which the present invention is applied will be described below. a) When the selected product is left as estimate data by the above-mentioned storage function, it is possible to move to the estimate screen with a single click, add information to the estimate data, and save.
The expiration date of the estimate data can be set to, for example, one week, and the data storage period can be set to, for example, three months.

B) The saved estimate data is managed with a management number arbitrarily added, and can be called up with this management number. The called data can be moved to the order screen with one click, and is directly connected to the order function. Further, the called data is directly linked to the estimation function again, the latest partition and stock information can be obtained, and the order function can be directly linked with one click.

Further, as an order status confirmation function, the ordering data in the present system includes an arbitrarily added number, arbitrary information input by a customer, a number added in the order management system of the seller, date and time, A search can be performed based on product information, and a delivery date, a delivery status, and the like can be confirmed.
In addition, with this function, similar confirmation can be performed not only for data received in this system but also for order data input in the order management system of the seller.

FIG. 2 is a basic conceptual configuration diagram of a product sales support system to which the present invention is applied. The merchandise sales support system includes an order management system provided on the distributor side, and an extranet system in which a plurality of dealers are connected to the order management system via the Internet. The order management system includes a plurality of database DBs (storage devices) storing various types of master information including store information, distribution information, supplier information, quote information, product information, manufacturer information, and the like. The merchandise master stores, for example, about 300,000 items of merchandise information, of which about 30,000 items are always in stock and can be shipped in real time from the nearest distribution center. The order management system is connected to a plurality of manufacturers and a plurality of distribution centers (see FIGS. 1 and 3), and exchanges product information with each manufacturer. The order management system is connected to about 60 business branches and 12 distribution centers. Furthermore, a database storing product master information is provided as master maintenance.

On the other hand, the extranet system is provided with a plurality of database DBs (storage devices) each storing merchandise master information, merchandise specification information, merchandise connection configuration information, and the like on the distributor side.
Multiple dealers via the Internet network (also referred to as "customers" or "customers" from the distributor's point of view)
Terminal devices (WEB terminals) are connected.

FIG. 3 is a system configuration diagram of an example of a product sales support system to which the present invention is applied. In order to implement the product sales support system, the order management system on the distributor side includes, as server computers, a DIS-NET server and a GW server on the backbone system side, and a DB server, a WWW server, and a mail server on the extranet side. Are located.

Further, the order management system is connected to a plurality of business branches via an EBN (Enhance Business Network) network which is a high-performance company network supplied by NTT as a communication line. Each sales branch is provided with a WEB terminal or a mail terminal. Furthermore, it is connected to a plurality of distribution centers. Further, the extranet system is configured to be connected to WEB terminals of a plurality of sales agents (corresponding to “stores” or “customers”) via the Internet network. The order from the sales agent is input from the WEB terminal of each sales agent, and the order is input.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the basic processing of the configuration shown in FIG. Hereinafter, the processing steps will be described along the transition of the display screen of the extranet system. First, when a user authentication screen (that is, a logon screen) is displayed (1),
The store (customer) inputs the user ID and password, and when the user is authenticated, the member top page (that is, the member top page)
The screen after logon is displayed (2). After logon, the screen will show "HOME", "Search Product", "Order Status",
"Estimate list", "Other", "Order confirmation", etc.
Displayed as a basic menu.

Note that “HOME” is a menu for returning to the member top page, “Product search” is a menu for guiding a desired search category, etc., and “Order status” is the status of the ordered product, such as the stock status and past status. Is a menu that guides the order date, delivery address, product model number, etc., "Other" is a guide for technical work such as support and service, and "Check cart" is a This is the menu to check. Note that the “cart” is a “box” on the extranet system provided for temporarily collecting several kinds of products.

Product Search Next, when the user clicks, for example, the basic menu “product search” (3), “recommended search”, “category search”, “spec search”, “maker search”, “model number search” "," JAN code search ", etc. are displayed (4). Here, the “recommended search” guides only “recommended products” determined by the distributor's headquarters by category. The "category search" displays categories by classifying them into a large category such as a desktop, a middle category such as a CRT integrated type, and a small category such as a screen size, thereby guiding a search from the category. “Spec search” guides a search from specifications only for products having specification information in each category. "Maker search" guides a search from a desired manufacturer name. In addition, “model number search” guides a search by a manufacturer model number in relation to the above “maker search”. Further, “JAN code search” guides a search from a JAN code.

Next, for example, when "spec search" is performed, "spec information" is displayed as detailed product information (5). "Specification information" includes "Manufacturer name",
"Manufacturer model number", "Series name", "Product name",
"CPU", "Main memory capacity", "HDD capacity",
Are displayed. Then, configuration information including other detailed specification information is displayed (6). Then, a cart confirmation screen is displayed (7).
Click "Check cart" for a list of products you clicked
, And the displayed "cart list" contains the manufacturer and manufacturer model number, quantity, standard unit price, total amount, description,
Are displayed.

Further, when "order" is clicked, the delivery destination of the ordered product is registered (a), "order confirmation" such as the delivery destination is performed, and an order is placed to the order management system in the distributor (b). "Result" is displayed, and if necessary, "Order Form" (13) is displayed, and printing can be performed by selecting the "Print" menu (c).
The “Order Form” contains the manufacturer model number, manufacturer, quantity, inventory, standard unit price, partition rate, estimated unit price, estimated amount, delivery date,
Are displayed.

[0029] The order situation now, when you click the order status "Order Status List" is displayed (8). The “order status list” displays “Web order”, “customer order number”, “order date”, “status”, and the like. The order status is guided by "order search" (9) and "item search" (9 '), and an order status list is displayed (9).

Next, the "status" of the "order status list"
When "" is clicked, "status information" is displayed (11). As the status details, “manufacturer model number”, “manufacturer name”, “quantity”, “shipping date”, “delivery company”, “distribution center”, and the like are displayed. In addition, "Order search" in "Order status" as order details
And the details of the order information corresponding to "item search" are displayed (12). The contents are “sales slip No.”,
“Web order”, “Customer order number”, “Order date”, “Shipping date”, “Billing amount”, “Destination”, “Shipper”, “Manufacturer model number”, “Product name”, “Quantity”, etc. Is displayed.

[0031] The estimated list Then, when you click the "Estimate List" (14), "quotation list" is displayed (15). "Estimate list"
Issuer, issue date, quote No. , Orders, properties, quotes,
Are displayed. If the user further clicks on “property”, the display shifts to “display estimate contents”. In "Quote contents display", "Re-quote", "Order", "Add to cart",
A "print screen" or the like is displayed (16). In this case, when re-estimating the contents previously estimated, the issue date or the estimate No. When a user inputs such information, a list of past quotations is displayed. Past quotes include issuer, issue date, quote N
o. , Order (whether completed or not), property, estimated price, etc. are displayed.

Note that "re-estimate" is used when an estimate has been called in the past, and the partition is re-established. The original estimate is also displayed for reference. Further, “order” shifts to an order screen, and an order can be made from the Web. "Add to cart" is used to change the details of the quote, and the products already quoted are re-partitioned.
Further, an estimate is printed on the “print screen”.

Then, when "Reestimate" is clicked, the property name is registered (d), and a confirmation screen after inputting "Property name", "Remarks", etc. is displayed (e), and there is no problem in the contents. If not, click the confirmation button to return the quote No. Is issued. Then, an "estimate" is displayed (17) and can be printed (f). The contents of the quote include an estimate date, a quote number, a maker model number, a maker name, a quantity, stock, a partition rate, a unit price, an estimated amount, and the like.

FIG. 5 is a detailed processing flowchart of the order form shown in FIG. Similar to FIG. 4, the processing steps are described along the transition of the display screen of the extranet system. As described above, when the user authentication screen (that is, the logon screen) is displayed (1), the store (customer) inputs the user ID and the password, and when the user is authenticated, the member top page (that is, the member top page). , After logon) is displayed (2). On the screen after logon, "HOME", "Product Search", "Order Status", "Quote List", "Other",
"Check cart" is displayed as a basic menu.

Then, when "category search" of "product search" is clicked as a search condition (31), maker name, maker model number, product name, standard price, partition price,
A product list including the stock quantity, the order quantity, the DIS code, and the like is displayed (32). Then, click the "Cart" button to add the product whose order number is entered in the "Order" column to the cart list.

Then, the order details are displayed in the "cart list" (33), and a list of products to which the order has been added is displayed. Further, "order" of the order details is clicked, and as the registration of the destination, the destination of the ordered product is displayed and registered (a). Then, the final confirmation of the order contents is performed (b), and the ordered product is displayed (34), and can be printed if necessary (c).

On the other hand, when "order status" is searched by "Web order" which is an order number dedicated to the extranet system (35), "order status list" is displayed (36). In this list, “Web order” No.
For each customer order No. , Order date, number of items, total amount,
Status, etc. are displayed. Further clicked "Web order" No. Is displayed.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a user ID used in the present invention. As shown in the figure, the user ID is composed of a 5-digit store ID and a 3-digit personal ID. The five-digit store ID is used for searching, and is used, for example, for store contents, partition rate, undisclosed maker information, presence / absence of a support card, presence / absence of ordering authority, presence / absence of automatic shipment, etc. On the other hand, the three-digit personal ID is used for, for example, a mail address, the name of a sales branch or a person in charge at the distributor side, cart management, registration of quote / order / status, and the like. The specific information set in the user ID includes the contents of the store (contents registered in the order management system on the distributor side), the mail address of the person in charge of the store, the name of the sales branch on the distributor side, the person in charge, and the mail address. , Partition table, published maker (disclosure possible /
Maker, presence of support card, presence of ordering authority, presence of automatic shipment, etc.

FIG. 7 shows a case where an estimate is made after the user ID is entered in the basic processing flowchart of FIG.
9 is a flowchart of a real-time estimation process in which saved estimation data can be used. As described in the “quote list” (15) and the “quote content display” (16) in FIG. 4 described above, the estimate search process is performed in the past in the “quote content display” (16). If there is, the past estimated amount is displayed.

That is, first, it is determined whether or not there is a past estimation result by referring to the estimation information database (S
1). If there is past estimate data in the database (YES), "display estimate contents" (16) in FIG. 4 is displayed, the past estimate data is called (S2), and the current partition stock is displayed (S4). . On the other hand, if there is no past estimation result in step S1 (NO), a new estimation process is performed, a product search is performed (S3), and the current partition stock is displayed (S4). It is determined whether there is any additional change in the contents of the estimation (S5). If there is an additional change (YE
S), returning to step S3, and if there is no (NO), the current partition stock is reflected (S6), and the estimate is finally determined (S7).

[0041]

As described above, the merchandise sales support system to which the present invention is applied connects an extranet system constructed by connecting a plurality of dealers via the Internet to the order management system at the distributor. By setting specific information in advance to the user ID, a quick estimation process after the input of the user ID becomes possible, and as a result, the efficiency of overall sales activities can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a product sales support system to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a basic conceptual configuration diagram of a product sales support system to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 3 is an example system configuration diagram of a product sales support system to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 4 is a basic processing flowchart of the configuration in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a detailed processing flowchart of the order form in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an example configuration diagram of a user ID used in the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an estimation process after inputting a user ID in the process flowchart shown in FIG. 4;

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 ... User authentication 2 ... Member top page 3 ... Product search 8 ... Order status 14 ... Quote list

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Masanori Aoi 4-27-5 Taito, Taito-ku, Tokyo IT Agent Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 5B049 AA06 CC05 CC11 CC28 DD05 EE05 GG07

Claims (6)

[Claims] An order management system which is connected to a plurality of sales branches and distribution centers via a predetermined communication line and manages the order of goods with each sales branch, and a plurality of dealers via the Internet network. And an extranet system connected to the order management system to support the order management, the quote processing method in the merchandise sales support system, wherein the database of the order management system comprises: Stores at least various types of master information including store information, distribution information, supplier information, quote information, product information, and manufacturer information. The database of the extranet system includes at least product master information, product specification information, and product connection information. The plurality of sales units each storing configuration information and configuring the extranet system A user inputs a user ID set with specific information for each store from a store, and executes a quotation function via the database of the extranet system and the database of the ordering management system. Estimation processing method in the product sales support system. 2. A storage function in the estimation function,
A request to save the selected product as quote data, move to the quote screen with a single click, add desired information and a management number to the quote data, and set an arbitrary storage period Item 1. An estimation processing method in the commodity sales support system according to item 1. 3. The merchandise sales support system according to claim 2, wherein the quote data is called up based on the management number, and after a single click, the user is moved to an order screen to execute an order function. Estimation processing method. 4. After calling the quote data based on the management number, move to the quote function again with one click, acquire the latest partition price and stock information, and place the order function with one click. 3. The estimation processing method in the commodity sales support system according to claim 2, wherein the method is moved to. 5. In the quote function, at least a publisher, a date of issue, and a quote N
o. , Order, property, estimated price, and click on the property, as the contents of the quote,
At least re-quote, order, add to cart, display the print screen, and when re-estimating the contents of the past quote, at least issue date and quote No. To display the contents of the past quotation, re-acquire the partition price, register the property name of the re-quotation, confirm the contents of the quotation, and issue it. Estimation processing method in the support system. 6. In the estimation function, it is determined whether or not there is a past estimation result by referring to a database of estimation information storing the saved estimation data. Calls the past quote data from, displays the current partition and stock, and if there is no past quote result, performs a product search for the product, displays the current partition and stock, and adds or changes to the quote data It is determined whether or not there is a request, and if there is a change in the estimate data, the product search is repeated, and if there is no change, the current partition and inventory are reflected and the estimate is finally decided Item 1. An estimation processing method in the commodity sales support system according to item 1.