JP2002074135A - System and method for managing point settlement - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a point settlement management system for uniting the purchase of a hardware device and a service utilizing the hardware device. SOLUTION: This point settlement management system is provided with a point unit price database 10 in which a point unit price corresponding to the purchase of the hardware device and the service utilizing the hardware device is defined, a customer accumulated points database 20 for accumulating point unit prices with respect to the purchase of the hardware device and the service utilizing the hardware device in each customer, and a point settlement managing means 30 with which the customer makes a payment with points accumulated in the database 20 with respect to the purchase of the hardware device and the service utilizing the hardware device.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a system for providing a customer benefit by integrating the purchase of hardware equipment with a service using hardware equipment and providing the customer with the service. And a point settlement management system for giving points to customers.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, hardware devices such as a personal computer, a facsimile, a telephone terminal, a router, and services such as an Internet connection service and a telephone connection service are sometimes provided to customers by group companies belonging to the same capital line. . However, hardware equipment is often sold through its own distributors and independent dealers who do not have a capital relationship. Since dealers handle products of other hardware equipment manufacturers, they often do not belong to hardware equipment manufacturers. Therefore, the benefits such as points given when the hardware device is purchased and the benefits such as points accompanying the use of the service have been operated independently.

[0003] In order to keep customers in service by service providers, giving points to customers in accordance with usage results has become widespread, such as mileage services provided by airlines. Such a point system is also used, for example, in small retail stores. That is,
A bakery, which is a retail store, pushes one stamp as a point for a purchase of 100 yen for a customer who has purchased bread, which is a product. Then, when 50 stamps are accumulated, the retailer can exchange the merchandise for 100 yen. By providing such a preferential treatment system, customers preferentially use a retail store that issues points when purchasing products.

[0004]

[0005] By the way, if a hardware device manufacturer also has an Internet connection service, even if a customer purchases its own hardware device, even if a certain customer purchases its own hardware device, the company's affiliated Internet connection service is also required. There was a problem that the Internet connection service of other companies was used without using Internet. Generally, service provision using hardware devices is economized on scale,
If we can acquire more than a certain number of customers, we can run the business smoothly. For example, when providing a local telephone service,
It is said that the number of customers that will be the break-even point is one million, so it will be difficult to provide a permanent business unless the number of customers reaches one million. On the other hand, customers who have purchased their own hardware equipment are very promising potential customers for their own service providers. If the market development of service providers of their own affiliates can be made using the collective strength of the corporate group, the percentage of those who can conclude service supply contracts such as Internet connection services with customers who purchased their own affiliated personal computers Increase.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and
It is an object of the present invention to provide a point settlement management system that integrates purchase of hardware devices and services using the hardware devices and provides them to customers.

[0006]

A point settlement management system according to the present invention which solves the above-mentioned problems, as shown in FIG.
A point price database 10 in which point prices corresponding to purchase of hardware devices and services using the hardware devices are determined, and points for purchase of hardware devices and services using the hardware devices for each customer. A customer accumulation point database 20 for accumulating unit prices, and a point settlement management means 30 for the customer to make a settlement with points accumulated in the customer accumulation point database 20 for purchase of hardware equipment and services using the hardware equipment. And characterized in that:

[0007] In the point settlement management system configured as described above, the customer accumulative point database 20 accumulates the unit price of points for purchase of hardware devices and services using the hardware devices for each customer. The point settlement management means 30 performs a settlement process when the customer makes a settlement for the purchase of the hardware device and the service using the hardware device with the points accumulated in the customer accumulation point database 20.

Preferably, when the customer uses the service, the point settlement management means may include a hardware device of a company belonging to the same capital series as a service provider of the service, or the point settlement management means. If the operating company purchases the hardware equipment of the company that has been certified, if the configuration is such that the preferential privilege is granted when the points are acquired or used, the service provision and the hardware are performed using the preferential privilege of the points. Enclose customers using the comprehensive power of equipment provision. Here, the service is an Internet connection service, and the hardware device is typically a network device or a personal computer having an Internet connection function. In addition, when purchasing hardware equipment, if the purchaser uses the same capital affiliated service as the hardware equipment manufacturer,
A preferential benefit may be given when acquiring or using points. If the electronic commerce site operated by the Internet connection service provider is configured to conduct business transactions with points accumulated in the customer accumulation point database, customers can be enclosed using the accumulated points.

[0009] Preferably, a point conversion rate database for determining a point exchange rate in the point settlement management means 30 in accordance with a use period of the hardware device purchased by the customer and a use state of a service using the hardware device. The point settlement management means 30 determines the points accumulated in the customer accumulation point database 20 in the point conversion rate database 12 for the customer purchasing the hardware device or for a service using the hardware device. It is preferable to settle the payment by converting it into an exchange rate. Then, there is an advantage if the point exchange rate is improved for the customer, and the point conversion rate is also improved for the equipment manufacturer and the service provider in the case of their own affiliated equipment manufacturer and service provider. By setting a high exchange rate, customers can be enclosed by their own equipment manufacturers and service providers.

As shown in FIG. 5, the point settlement management system of the present invention employs an ASP (Application Service Provide).
As r), it can also be provided to equipment manufacturers and service providers that do not belong to their own affiliates. In this case, the business operator that sells the hardware device authorized by the business operator that manages the point payment management means 30 and provides a service using the hardware device is provided.
0 is a company that operates the point settlement management means 30 with the company's point unit price database 62 in which point unit prices corresponding to products or services handled by businesses that do not belong to the capital series of the company that operates 0 are defined. Is configured to accumulate points in the customer accumulation point database 20 using the point settlement management means 30 based on the point unit price database 62 for the enterprise.

[0011] Preferably, the business operator authorized by the business operator operating the point settlement management means 30 handles the business point unit price database 62 within a range determined by the business operator operating the point payment management means 30. It is preferable to change the point unit price corresponding to the product or service in question. Reasonable customers will choose operators who can earn more points for the same equipment and services. Therefore, a business such as a retailer can set a unique point price and a point grant rate using the point price of the business point price database 62, so that the retailer can provide the customer with unique sales promotion points. In the case of awarding, it is possible to promote original sales promotion points at low cost using the point settlement management means 30.

[0012] Preferably, in the point settlement management system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the information is further recorded in at least one of the point unit price database 10, the customer accumulated point database 20, and the point settlement management means 30. If the configuration is provided with the means 70 for backing up data or programs, the reliability of the system is increased. The backup target of the backup device 70 may be data or a program recorded in at least one of the point conversion rate database 12, the business unit point price database 62, and the business-specific sales promotion point database 64.

[0013] The point settlement management method of the present invention for solving the above-described problems determines the unit price of points corresponding to the purchase of hardware devices and services using the hardware devices, and purchases the hardware devices and the corresponding price for each customer. Accumulating a point unit price for the service using the hardware device, and the customer making a payment with the accumulated points for the purchase of the hardware device and the service using the hardware device. .

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration block diagram illustrating an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, a point unit price database 10 defines a unit price of points corresponding to the purchase of a hardware device and a service using the hardware device. Points and consumables are set at 1 point at 500 yen, and maintenance services are set at 1 point at 500 yen. The point conversion rate database 12 determines the point exchange rate in the point settlement management means 30 according to the usage period of the hardware device purchased by the customer and the usage status of the service using the hardware device. The customer accumulative point database 20 accumulates point unit prices for purchase of hardware devices and services using the hardware devices for each customer, and has, for example, the items shown in FIG. Items shown in FIG. 4 include customer ID, customer name, address,
Contact information, purchase date and customer history of own products and services, customer history, points increase / decrease, and point balance.

The point settlement management means 30 performs settlement processing when the customer purchases hardware equipment and makes a payment for the service using the hardware equipment with the points accumulated in the customer accumulation point database 20. It also handles point settlement between hardware equipment manufacturers and service providers. Here, settlement by points means using points instead of money between the customer and the business as compensation for goods and services. Therefore, the exchange of points between the operators is performed as follows. If the seller A purchases the product with cash,
The customer accumulates the points for the product and pays the accumulated points to the operator of the point settlement management means 30. When the customer uses the points when purchasing the merchandise, the sales company B deducts the used points from the customer and requests the operating company of the point settlement management means 30 for the deducted points. In the case of the manufacturer 40, a point ticket is attached to the product when the product is shipped, and the amount of the points is paid to the operator of the point settlement management means 30. The operator of the point settlement management means 30 is a profit-making point settlement management means 30
Is operated, the operator and the operator of the point settlement management means 30 may collect a commission when transferring money.

The hardware equipment manufacturer 40 manufactures and sells network equipment such as routers, servers, and copiers, and manufactures and sells information processing equipment 42, terminals such as fixed telephones, fax machines, mobile phones, and personal computers having a browser function. The company manufactures and sells equipment 44. Copy machine, F
AX requires consumables like paper and ink,
The customer also purchases consumables 46. The point settlement management means 30 manages the provision of points and the purchase with accumulated points to the information processing device 42, the terminal device 44, and the consumables 46.

The service provider 50 supplies various services such as a device maintenance service 52, an Internet connection service 54, and a waste collection 56. In addition, the service provider 50 operates the OS (Opera
ting System), sales of commercial software 58 and installation services to equipment are provided, and an electronic commerce site 59 (Electric Commerce) is also being developed. The point settlement management means 30 manages the provision of points and the purchase by accumulated points for business transactions at the maintenance service 52, the Internet connection service 54, the waste collection 56, the business software 58, and the electronic commerce site 59. ing. The backup unit 70 is a storage device using a recording medium such as a magnetic disk storage device, a magnetic tape recording device, or a magneto-optical storage device. The backup unit 70 periodically stores the point unit price database 10, the customer accumulated point database 20, and the point settlement management unit 30. Back up data or programs recorded in at least one of the above.

Next, the operation of the point settlement management system thus configured will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating the procedure for collecting customer points. In the case of the Internet connection service 54, the points corresponding to the payment of the connection fee are added for each customer on the Web site managed by the Internet provider (S108). That is, the point settlement management unit 30 calculates points in accordance with the payment of the connection fee of the Internet connection service 54 by referring to the point unit price database 10 in cooperation with the Web site, and then calculates the points for the Internet connection service 54. The points in the customer name of the customer accumulated point database 20 are added. That is, the point payment management means 30
The points according to the payment of the current connection fee are added to the points in the name of the previous customer.

In the case of product purchase, the Web site accessed by the customer determines whether the customer is registered as a user in the customer accumulation point database 20 via the point settlement management means 30 (S100). In the case of a new customer who has not performed user registration, the user is registered (S102). Here, the user registration is to register customer information necessary for customer management in the customer accumulation point database 20, and there are, for example, a customer address, a credit card number, a telephone number, an e-mail address, and the like.
Next, the point settlement management unit 30 determines whether the purchased product is a purchase from the in-house affiliated electronic commerce site 59 (S10).
4) If the purchase is from the e-commerce site 59 belonging to the company, the points corresponding to the product purchase amount are added to the e-commerce site 59 managed by the Internet provider for each customer (S108). In the case of an in-house affiliated e-commerce site, point settlement can be easily performed by the point settlement management means 30 between a hardware device manufacturer and a service company.

If the purchase is not from the e-commerce site 59 belonging to the company, it is determined whether the purchase is from the company's own store (S1)
06). If the store is a company-owned store, point settlement management means 30 can easily perform point settlement between a hardware device manufacturer and a service company. The determination as to whether or not the store is a company-owned store can be made by, for example, determining whether or not the store is registered in the company-owned store database that can be referred to by the point-payment management unit 30 or using a dedicated terminal for the point-payment management unit 30 Determine if you are trading online. In the case of the company's own store, the user requests point registration (S
110), when purchasing from a seller other than the company's own store, the customer sends a point ticket attached to the product or consumable in advance and requests accumulation of points in the customer accumulated point database 20 (S112).

In the case of purchasing consumables, the customer sends a point ticket attached to the product or consumable in advance, and stores the points in the customer accumulative point database 20 to the company's directly managed store or service point registration organization. Request (S11
2). In the case of using various services, the point settlement management means 30 determines whether the customer has purchased a service from the affiliated company of the manufacturer (S120). It is not a target of addition (S122). This is because the point settlement between the hardware device manufacturer and the service company by the point settlement management means 30 is limited to the affiliated company of the manufacturer. Therefore, for example, if the point settlement management means 30 establishes a membership-based point settlement organization and has a system in which the member companies can easily make point settlements, the service provider is not a subsidiary company of the manufacturer. However, if they are affiliated with a member-based point settlement organization, they may be eligible for point addition. When the customer purchases the service from the manufacturer's affiliated company, points determined from the current service purchase are added to the customer cumulative point database 20 by the manufacturer's affiliated company (S12).
4).

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the procedure for using customer points. Here, in order to promote the use of the electronic commerce site 59, preferential treatment of purchasing products and services by 50% more than the point conversion rate at other dealers is provided. In the case of online shopping at the e-commerce site 59, the point payment management means 30 determines whether or not points can be used depending on whether or not it is a Web site authorized by the business operator that operates the point payment management means 30. (S200). If a customer purchases a product or service on a Web site that is not authorized by the business operator that operates the point settlement management means 30, the customer uses the points accumulated in the customer accumulated point database 20 to purchase products and services. Unable to purchase service (S
202). If it is a Web site that has been authorized by the business operator that operates the point settlement management means 30, the point settlement management means 30 asks the customer how much points to use when purchasing products or services (S204). Then, the point settlement management means 30 checks the point balance in the customer accumulated point database 20 (S206), and checks the point balance of 1.
Five times is converted into a usage amount, and if the usage amount is within 1.5 times the point balance, settlement by points is permitted (S20).
8). If the usage amount exceeds 1.5 times the point balance, the settlement will not be completed only with the accumulated points,
The point settlement management means 30 takes measures such as a request for additional payment of money.

In the case of a general store authorized by the business operator that manages the point settlement management means 30, the store clerk asks the customer about the point value used for purchasing products and services (S210). Then, the store clerk checks the point balance in the customer accumulated point database 20 with reference to the homepage of the point settlement management means 30 (S2).
12) If the amount of use is within the point balance, payment by points is permitted (S214). If the usage amount exceeds the point balance, the settlement is not completed only with the accumulated points, and the clerk of the dealer takes flexible measures such as requesting the customer to pay additional money.

A general store authorized by the business operator operating the e-commerce site 59 or the point payment management means 30 charges the point payment management means 30 for the points corresponding to the products or services purchased by the customer. Yes (S2
20). The point settlement management means 30 subtracts the points used this time from the point balance in the customer accumulated point database 20 of the corresponding customer (S222). Then, the deducted new point balance is displayed on the home page of the point settlement management means 30 (S224).
And the point settlement management means 30 is the electronic commerce site 59
Alternatively, the business operator operating the point settlement management means 30 pays the billed amount to the general store authorized by the customer instead of the customer (S226).

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a customer accumulated point database and explaining the customer history and point balance of a certain customer. First, when a customer purchases a personal computer, the point balance becomes 100P. PCs have ISPs (Int.
An Internet Service Provider (Internet service provider) subscription guide and 100 point vouchers are attached. If customers register their PCs and join the ISP at the same time, they have introduced a preferential treatment system in which the points are increased to 1.5 times. This point voucher is directly used as a discount at a store with respect to other products of the personal computer manufacturer, for example, a discount of 10 yen per point. If a PC manufacturer focuses on software sales, the PC point voucher can be used as a 1.2-fold discount voucher for software purchases.

Next, the customer joins an ISP belonging to the same capital line as the personal computer manufacturer. As a result, the point balance is updated to 150P by the same capital series preferential treatment. The ISP promotes the use of affiliated shopping malls established on the site, so when purchasing products at a shopping mall operated by the ISP, the point conversion rate is 1 only for a period of one month or less after joining the ISP. .5.

When a customer purchases 50P merchandise at a shopping mall, the point balance becomes 100P. If the customer purchases within one month after joining the ISP, the customer can purchase 750 yen at 50P due to the special treatment of the point conversion rate. Subsequently, the personal computer manufacturer sends a sales promotion guide. For example, in the case of purchasing a printer which is a peripheral device of a personal computer, the guidance is to give preferential treatment to a point conversion rate of 1.5. Preferably, the purchase of consumables and the like may be preferentially sold in the form of an increase in points so as to match the purchase process of the in-house hardware device.

In the above embodiment, the preferential treatment of the point conversion rate is shown. However, when the contents of the point unit price database are specified, the point acquisition rate may be set to be high. When the points are used to pay the usage fee to the ISP, a conversion rate such as 1 point for 10 minutes may be used. In addition, when the customer inquires or uses the point balance, it is necessary to use the We
The b page is convenient, but it may be an Internet-compatible mobile phone, a facsimile, a call center, or the like, or a point ticket printed on paper may be used by customers who do not belong to the ISP. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the provider of the Internet connection service and the operator of the point settlement management means exist independently has been described, but both may be the same provider.

Furthermore, in the case of durable consumer goods such as personal computers, the replacement period is relatively long, such as 2 to 5 years. Therefore, even if the point system is operated only with durable consumer goods, it is difficult for the customer to use the given points for the next purchase of durable consumer goods. Therefore, if a point system is tied up with a company that conducts business in other fields, customers can be enclosed in their own businesses, and customer behavior can be successfully guided to the usage form promoted by conglomerate companies. In addition, since the point conversion rate used according to the situation is preferentially given to the customer, there are many advantages.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 5, components having the same functions as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. The point settlement management system is ASP (Application
As a Service Provider), it can also be provided to equipment manufacturers and service providers that do not belong to their own affiliates. The point settlement user 60 is a device manufacturer or service provider that does not belong to its own company. The business unit point price database 62 contains the hardware of a business that sells hardware devices and provides services using the hardware devices and that is certified by the business operator that operates the point payment management unit 30. Point unit prices for equipment sales and service purchases are registered. The business operator authorized by the business operator operating the point settlement management means 30 corresponds to the product or service handled by the business unit price database 62 within the range determined by the business operator operating the point payment management means 30. Point unit price can be changed.

In the apparatus configured as described above, the point settlement management means 30 performs settlement with the points accumulated in the customer accumulation point database 20 for the point settlement user 60 registered in the point unit price database 62 for the company. . A website or dealer authorized by the business operator that manages the point settlement management means 30 corresponds to a point payment business operator registered in the business point unit price database 62. When a customer purchases a product or the like at a Web site or a store authorized by the business operator that operates the point settlement management means 30, it is recommended that the user of the product be registered on the spot. When the customer registers as a user, if the customer is a new customer, customer information, product history, and points are newly added to the customer accumulated point database 20. If the customer has already been registered in the customer accumulation point database 20, the product history and points are added. The presence or absence of registration in the customer accumulation point database 20 is determined by, for example, whether or not the customer has a customer ID.

On the other hand, if the customer does not perform user registration, or if he or she purchases a product or the like at a Web site or a store that is not authorized by the business operator operating the point settlement management means 30, the customer will be enclosed in the product box. Attach a point voucher to the registered user postcard to
Send to 0. The manufacturer 40 registers the contents described in the user registration postcard in the customer accumulated point database 20. Although it takes time for the manufacturer 40 to register points, the manufacturer 40 has the advantage of increasing the user registration rate. In this case, if the operator of the point settlement management means 30 operates a product box purchased on a web site that also contains a point ticket, the customer may apply for points twice. Occurs. However, if the serial number is described in advance in the user registration postcard and the serial number of the product is registered in the customer accumulated point database 20, double registration of points can be prevented.

Since the point settlement user 60 can operate the point settlement management system using the point settlement management means 30, it is possible to keep customers at low cost. Moreover, the point price database 62 for the business operator
By using, the sales strategy unique to the point settlement user 60 can be easily executed.

[0034]

As described above, according to the point settlement management system of the present invention, the customer accumulative point database stores, for each customer, the point unit price for the purchase of the hardware device and the service using the hardware device. Is accumulated, and the point settlement management means performs settlement processing when the customer performs settlement with points accumulated in the customer accumulation point database for purchase of hardware devices and services using the hardware devices. As a result, the purchase of hardware devices and services using hardware devices can be integrated and provided to customers,
This has the effect of increasing customer satisfaction. In the past, even if they were the same company, the hardware device manufacturing business and the ISP and other service businesses were independent entities, but users could earn points by linking their businesses with point services. And increase satisfaction with the company. In addition, since a company can guide a customer of another business to a business of the same capital series, the sales of the whole company increase.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration block diagram illustrating an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for collecting customer points.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for using customer points.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a customer accumulated point database and explaining a customer history and a point balance of a certain customer.

FIG. 5 is a configuration block diagram illustrating a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Point Unit Price Database 12 Point Conversion Rate Database 20 Customer Cumulative Point Database 30 Point Settlement Management Means 62 Point Unit Price Database for Business Operators 70 Backup Device

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A point unit price database in which a point unit price corresponding to the purchase of a hardware device or a service using the hardware device is determined, and the hardware device is purchased or used for each customer. A customer accumulative point database for accumulating point unit prices for services, and the customer paying for the hardware device purchase and services using the hardware device with points accumulated in the customer accumulative point database. And a point settlement management means. 2. The point settlement management means, when the customer uses a service, operates a hardware device of a company belonging to the same capital series as a service provider or the point settlement management means. 2. The point settlement management system according to claim 1, wherein when the business operator performing the purchase purchases hardware equipment of the business operator, a privilege is given when the point is acquired or used. 3. 3. The point settlement management system according to claim 1, further comprising: a use period of the hardware device purchased by the customer and a use status of a service using the hardware device. A point conversion rate database for determining a point exchange ratio in the point payment management means, wherein the point payment management means provides the customer accumulation points for the customer purchasing the hardware device or for a service using the hardware device. A point settlement management system, wherein points accumulated in a database are converted into an exchange rate determined by the point conversion rate database and settlement is performed. 4. The point payment management system according to claim 1, further comprising: sales of hardware devices authorized by a business operator operating the point payment management means, and use of the hardware devices. Point price corresponding to the product or service handled by a company that does not belong to the capital series of the company that operates the point settlement management means and that provides the service that has provided the service. A database provided by a business operator operating the point payment management means, the business operator using the point payment management means based on the business unit point price database, and points to the customer cumulative point database. A point settlement management system characterized by accumulation. 5. The point settlement management system according to claim 4, further comprising: a company authorized by the company operating the point settlement management means within a range determined by the company operating the point settlement management means. A point settlement management system wherein the point unit price corresponding to a product or service handled by the business unit point unit database is changed. 6. The point settlement management system according to claim 1, further comprising at least one of said point unit price database, customer accumulated point database, and point settlement management means.
A point settlement management system, comprising: means for backing up data or a program recorded in the system. 7. A unit price of points corresponding to the purchase of hardware devices and services using the hardware devices is determined, and a unit price of points for purchase of the hardware devices and services using the hardware devices is determined for each customer. Accumulating the customer and making a payment with the accumulated points for the purchase of the hardware device and the service using the hardware device. 8. A procedure for determining a unit price of points corresponding to the purchase of a hardware device and a service using the hardware device, and a procedure for determining the purchase of the hardware device and a service using the hardware device for each customer. A point settlement management program for causing a computer to execute a procedure for accumulating point unit prices, and a procedure for the customer to make purchases with the accumulated points for the purchase of the hardware device and services using the hardware device. Recorded computer-readable recording medium.