JP2002157406A - Merchandise sales system and merchandise sales method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a merchandise sales system capable of periodically giving order receiving guidance and merchandise guidance, etc., to customers and performing quick and sure order receiving processing and shipping processing. SOLUTION: This system is provided with a first means 17 for recording retrieval information for specifying the customer, customer information regarding the sales of supply items to the customer and merchandise information including the design images of the various kinds of the supply items, second means 2a and 2b, etc., for inputting information for retrieving the retrieval information, displaying the customer information of the pertinent customer and the merchandise information of the selected supply item and inputting the sales information of the various kinds of the supply items, a host computer for storing the sales information and a third means 16 for retrieving the retrieval information and outputting the customer information of the pertinent customer and the merchandise information of the supply item selected from the merchandise list of the customer information to the second means.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a merchandise sales method for selling supplies in response to an additional order for consumables (supplies) such as labels, and a merchandise sales system using such a merchandise sales method. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, sales systems and order receiving systems utilizing information technology have been developed in various forms. Originally, the structure of commercial transactions differs depending on the types of products handled and target customers. Therefore, even in a system using information technology, it is desired to create a system that matches the characteristics of each product.

Conventionally, with regard to supplies such as labels used for devices such as label printers, after a distributor sells for the first time together with the device, it waits for an additional order from a customer who is a user of the device. Delivery was going on. Because many of these supplies are regularly needed for the customer's business, the customer can
When inventory fell below a certain amount, the company had to order supplies from the seller.

[0004]

However, since ordering supplies is a supplementary business associated with the customer's main business, sometimes the customer forgets to order. In such a case, if the supplies are out of stock at the site where the equipment is used, not only will the customer's business be hindered,
Supplier of supplies was also forced to deliver urgently, and sometimes had to change the schedule of sales activities.

[0005] Incidentally, as one of the sales methods, a sales representative of a dealer visits a customer. The sales representative visits the site where the equipment is used, listens to the usage status of the sold equipment, performs necessary after-sales services, and receives an additional order for supplies depending on the stock status of the supplies. By continuing to visit customers in this way, the seller can supply supplies in a stable manner and avoid the above-mentioned emergency response, and also conduct sales promotion activities such as guidance of new products. be able to. In addition, the customer can increase confidence in the purchased equipment and the dealer, and can work on his or her business with confidence.

[0006] However, such sales activities by visits to customers are difficult for small customers because the number of orders for supplies is small or the possibility of purchasing new products is small for the trouble of visiting. However, it was not always an efficient business method. Therefore, there is a risk that the number of visits to small customers is reduced, and the connection with the customers is weakened. In addition, the sales staff of the distributor may not be able to provide sufficient support after cultivating small customers, and thus may be reluctant to develop new business negotiations or new customers.

Accordingly, the present invention enables a customer to easily order additional supplies, perform quick and reliable order processing and shipping processing, and communicate with the customer without directly visiting the customer. It is an object to provide a product sales system that can be managed. Another object of the present invention is to provide a product sales method used in such a product sales system.

[0008]

In view of the above, a merchandise sales system according to a first aspect of the present invention is a system for selling supplies used by a customer, and is a system for selling a supply from a plurality of customers. First means for recording search information for specifying customers to be supplied, customer information relating to sales of supplies to each customer, and product information including design images of various supplies, and searching for the search information The second method is used to input information to be used, display customer information on the corresponding customer and product information including a design image of the selected supply, and input sales information on sales of various supplies to a plurality of customers. Means and the second
Means for receiving the sales information from the means through the communication network and storing the received sales information; and searching for the search information based on the information received from the second means via the communication network to obtain the corresponding customer. A third means for outputting the customer information about the supply item selected from the product list of the customer information to the second means via the communication network. Means.

[0009] A product sales system according to a second aspect of the present invention relates to a past sales history of at least one supply item to a predetermined customer based on sales information received from a host computer via a communication network. The sales history information is created, and a predicted time for the out-of-stock of the supply item in the predetermined customer is set. When the set predicted time approaches within a predetermined period, the supply to the predetermined customer is stopped. A fourth means for guiding product ordering is further provided.

Further, a method for selling goods according to a first aspect of the present invention is a method for selling supplies used by a customer, comprising the steps of inputting information, and providing a plurality of customers based on the input information. Searching for search information for identifying the corresponding customer from among the steps; displaying customer information relating to sales of supplies to the corresponding customer; and selecting from the product list of the displayed customer information. The method includes a step of searching for and outputting product information including a design image of a supply item, and a step of recording sales information on sales of the supply item selected from the product list in a database.

[0011] Further, according to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a merchandise selling method, comprising: selling at least one supply item for a predetermined customer based on sales information relating to sales of various supplies to a plurality of customers recorded in a database; Generating sales history information on past sales history of the predetermined customer, and setting a predicted time for stock out of supplies at the predetermined customer; and when the set predicted time approaches within a predetermined period, the predetermined time Providing supply ordering information to the customer for ordering supplies.

According to the present invention, by concentrating the order window at the order receiving center, the customer can easily order additional supplies by telephone or facsimile,
Orders can be processed and shipped promptly and reliably. Further, by regularly contacting the customer with order inquiries, various kinds of guidance, and the like, the customer can support and manage the customer without having to visit the customer directly.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a product sales system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, in a product sales system 100, an order receiving center 10 for receiving an order for a product.
And a plurality of sales office servers 4 located at sales offices nationwide
, a distribution center server 5 located in the distribution center 50, and a host computer 6 are connected to each other via a communication network N2 such as a public line network or the Internet. Also, customers 30a, 30b,.
Can access the order receiving center via the communication network N2 by using a telephone or a facsimile.

The sales base servers 4a, 4b,... Are located at sales bases located nationwide, and input and process sales information and customer information collected by sales activities in the area in which they are in charge. The sales information includes information on orders for supplies and information on sales of supplies. Also, the sales base servers 4a, 4b,.
.. transmits the collected information to the client information server 4a,
4b,.

The order receiving center 10 includes customers 30a, 30b,
.. Are customer service centers that can order supplies such as labels used for devices such as label printers via telephone or facsimile. In the order receiving center 10, the management server 1 manages an order receiving operation for products such as supplies, and issues a shipping instruction to the distribution center server.
Further, a plurality of client information servers 2a, 2b,.
・ The sales office servers 4a, 4b,.
.. Send and receive data to and from each other, collect sales information and customer information, and send them to the host computer 6.
Send to These servers are connected to each other via a communication network N1 such as a LAN (local area network). The communication network N1 is
It is connected to a communication network N2 via an exchange 3 having a CTI (Computer Telephony Integration) cooperation function.

The distribution center server 5 placed in the distribution center 50 performs a process for shipping the product based on the shipping instruction transmitted from the order receiving center 10, arranges the shipping of the product, and stores the shipping information in the host. Send to computer 6. In the distribution center 50, the goods are delivered to the customers 30a, 30b,... In accordance with the arrangement for shipping the goods. Note that the distribution center 50 and the distribution center server 5
It may be arranged at only one place or may be arranged at a plurality of places nationwide.

The host computer 6 supervises and manages sales operations and maintenance operations relating to devices such as label printers and supplies used therefor. The host computer 6 stores sales information and customer information received from the order receiving center 10, shipping information received from the distribution center server 5, and the like in the management information recording unit 61 to manage sales activities for customers nationwide. Store information. In addition, the host computer 6 stores information on models and products such as devices and supplies being handled in the management information recording unit 61. The host computer may be arranged in the order receiving center 10.

Next, referring to FIG.
The configuration of the management server 1 included in “0” will be described. The order processing unit 11 includes client information servers 2a, 2b,
.. Is processed. The order processing unit 11 refers to the information stored in the host computer 6, confirms the stock status of supplies, which is a product, issues an order receipt including a delivery date response, and sends it to the customer by facsimile via the exchange 4. Send. Also, the shipping processing unit 12
Creates shipping instruction information based on the information on which the order processing has been performed, transmits it to the distribution center server 5 (see FIG. 1), and transmits it to the host computer 6 (see FIG. 1) as sales information. The order information processed by the order processing unit 11 and the shipping instruction information processed by the shipping processing unit are stored in the sales information recording unit 13 at least until a certain period of time elapses after the product is delivered to the customer. .

The prediction management unit 14 includes a host computer 6
Necessary information is repeatedly acquired at predetermined intervals from (see FIG. 1), and the latest information is recorded in the prediction information recording unit 15. Further, the prediction management unit 14 creates sales history information relating to past sales histories of supplies to each customer based on these pieces of information, and sets a prediction time regarding stock out of supplies for each customer. Furthermore, when the set prediction time approaches within a predetermined period, the prediction management unit 14 provides each customer with an order guide for supplies.

FIG. 3 shows the relationship between a plurality of databases (DBs) recorded in the prediction information recording unit 15. The order information database 21 stores order information such as an order number, an order date, a supplier code, a product code, a quantity, and a unit price. In addition, the sales information database 22 stores sales information such as a person-in-charge code, a delivery destination code, and manufacturing cost, in addition to an order number, a product code, and a supplier code.

The product master database 23 stores information on supplies, which are consumables such as labels, product tags, ink ribbons, or pins (referred to as price pins) for fixing general seals or product tags to clothes. .
Specifically, a product code, a classification code, a model code of a device to be used, a unit price, and the like are stored. The model master database 24 stores information on devices such as a printer and a label pasting machine. In particular,
A model code, a classification code, a prediction target flag, and the like are stored.

The above-mentioned databases 21 to 24 are taken from the host computer 6 (see FIG. 1) into the prediction management section. Based on the information stored in these databases, the prediction management unit creates sales history information on supplies to each customer, information on predicted stock-out times, order guidance, and the like, and stores them in the following database.

The merchandise history database 25 stores supplier codes, merchandise codes, order numbers, shipping dates, prediction flags, shipping numbers, and the like. In addition, the product details database 26
Stores a supplier code, a product code, a stock quantity, a seasonal product flag, and the like. Further, the forecast database 27 includes a forecast date, a forecast management number, a forecast count, a supplier code,
The product code, the date of issuing the order inquiry, the date of deletion, and the output flag are stored.

Referring back to FIG. 2, the ledger management unit 16
Retrieves information on customers and products based on requests from client information servers 2a, 2b,... Further, the ledger information recording unit 17 stores detailed information on the customer including the order history and detailed information on the label including the label design image. These pieces of information are stored in the client information servers 2a, 2b,... According to requests from the client information servers 2a, 2b,.
Is transmitted to. Further, the detailed information on the customer may be changed based on the customer information input from the client information servers 2a, 2b,...

FIG. 4 shows the relationship between a plurality of databases (DBs) recorded in the ledger information recording unit 17. The customer search master database 31 stores search keys (search information) for searching for customer information, such as a business partner name, a business partner code, and a product code of a product that has been purchased by the customer. . Further, the customer information database 32 includes a supplier name, a supplier code, a department name, a person in charge,
Delivery address, phone number, trade product name, trade product code,
Detailed information (customer information) about the customer such as a purchase history is stored. Further, the product search master database 33
Stores a search key for searching for product information such as a product code and a product name. The product detailed information database 34 stores detailed design information such as a product name, a product code, a design name, a label size, a shape, and a unit price of a product being handled, as well as a design image.

Next, the operation of the merchandise sales system according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 9 to 10 are flowcharts showing the operation of the product sales system according to the present embodiment. 6 to 8 show examples of screens shown on the display of the client information server. As shown in FIG. 5, the management server fetches necessary information from the host computer every predetermined period, for example, every morning, and stores the latest customer information, product information, and sales information in the prediction information record shown in FIG. It is recorded in the unit 15 and the ledger information recording unit 17 (steps S201, S301).

When a customer places an additional order for supplies, the customer calls the order center or sends a facsimile. For example, when a customer calls the order receiving center and an operator resident at the order receiving center receives the call, a search screen for extracting customer information shown in FIG. 6 is activated in the client information server (step S101). Further, when an order is received by facsimile, a search screen for extracting customer information is activated by an instruction of the operator.

When a customer calls from a telephone having a registered telephone number, the telephone number of the transmission source is sent from the exchange to the management server by the CTI coordination function, and the information of the corresponding customer is automatically searched. You. On the other hand, when a customer calls from a telephone with an unregistered telephone number, the operator inputs search information such as a business partner name or a telephone number for identifying the customer on the customer search screen.
In step S102, the client information server transmits the input search information to the management server. In the management server, the ledger management unit 16 stores the ledger information recording unit 1
The customer database 32 is searched using the customer search master database 31 stored in the server 7 (step S202). In step S203, the ledger management unit 1
6 transmits the searched customer information to the client information server. In response, in step S103, the client information server displays the customer information screen shown in FIG. 7 on the display.

When the operator selects a product (for example, a specific label) ordered by the customer while viewing the product list on the displayed customer information screen, the client information server
In step S104, the product code of the selected label is transmitted to the management server. This selection is performed, for example, by the operator double-clicking the corresponding product column in the product list on the screen shown in FIG. The ledger management unit 16 searches the product search master database 33 in FIG. 4 based on the received product code, reads detailed information of the corresponding label from the product detailed information database 34 (step S204), and The detailed information is transmitted to the client information server (Step S205). Thereby, in step S105,
The client information server displays a screen including a sample ledger (showing detailed information of a label) and a sample image shown in FIG. 8 on a display. When receiving an order by telephone, the operator verbally verifies the label design with the customer while looking at the sample image displayed on the screen. When an order is received by facsimile, an order confirmation that outputs a sample image of the label ordered by the customer may be transmitted to the customer.

As a result of the operator confirming the order with the customer,
If there is no mistake, the operator receives an order for the product, and inputs the order information to the client information server in step S106. If an order is received by telephone, the telephone may be disconnected at this point. In the case of receiving an order by facsimile, the operator inputs order information to the client information server based on the entered contents. The input order information is transmitted to the management server.

Note that the operator may input customer request, order schedule, response information such as a change in information about the customer in addition to the order information on the customer information screen. The input response information is processed in the ledger management unit 16 of the management server, and the customer information stored in the ledger information recording unit 17 is updated.

In response to the input of the order information, step S2
At 06, the order processing unit 11 of the management server stores the input order information in the sales information recording unit 13. Also,
In step S207, the order processing unit 11 transmits the order information to the host computer. In response,
In step S302, the host computer registers the order information, and in step S303,
Information on the ordered product is searched from the accumulated product information, the stock status is referred to, and in step S304, the delivery date is answered. In response, the order processing unit 1
In step S208, 1 issues an order acknowledgment including a delivery date response and sends it to the customer by facsimile.
Here, a sample image of a product stored in the ledger information recording unit 17 may be printed and attached to the order confirmation sheet for confirmation.

In the order receiving operation described above, electronic mail may be used for transmitting and receiving information between the customer and the order receiving center. When the client information server receives the e-mail from the customer via the exchange, the client information server requests the management server for the information of the customer matching the e-mail address of the transmission source of the e-mail. In response to this, when the management server searches for the requested customer information, the client information server inputs the order content described in the e-mail into the searched customer information, and transmits the order to the management server again. In response, the management server processes the received information as order information. In addition, an order acknowledgment including the delivery date response is sent to the customer by e-mail. At this time, for confirmation, a sample image file of the ordered product may be attached to the order receipt and transmitted.

Next, the shipping processing section 12 proceeds to step S20
9, the delivery instruction information transmitted from the host computer is added to the order information stored in the sales information recording unit 13 to create shipping instruction information, which is transmitted to the distribution center server 5. In step S 210, the host computer To be sent as sales information.

In response, the distribution center server 5
Process the shipping instruction information and arrange for shipping of the product. Also,
When the product is shipped, the distribution center server 5 sends the shipping information to the host computer 6.

Referring again to FIG. 5, the host computer receives and processes the sales information transmitted from the shipping processing unit 12 in step S305. In step S306, the host computer receives and processes the shipping information transmitted from the distribution center server, and updates the stock status of the stored merchandise information.

While the foregoing has described the order receiving and shipping operations for customers who continue to purchase supplies, new customer information is registered as follows. That is,
In FIG. 1, when a new customer is acquired by sales activities performed at sales offices set up in various places, the sales office servers 4a, 4b,... ... This information includes information on equipment and supplies purchased by the customer. Client information servers 2a, 2b,
... transmits this information to the host computer 6,
The host computer 6 stores the received information in the management information recording unit 61. The management server 1 fetches new customer information when accessing the host computer 6 every predetermined period, such as every morning, and stores it in the ledger information recording unit 17. After a new customer purchases equipment and supplies for the first time from a sales office, he or she may order supplies from the order receiving center.

Next, referring to FIG. 9, in the order receiving center, the inventory of the customer is regularly forecasted based on the customer's product purchase results. An inquiry is made.

The host computer creates the order information database 21 and the sales information database 22 shown in FIG. 3 by accumulating the order information and sales information received in daily order operations in the management information recording section (step S311). are doing. In addition, the host computer includes the product master database 23 and the model master database 2
4 has been created.

The prediction management unit accesses the host computer periodically, for example, every morning, and stores the order information database 21, sales information database 22, product master database 23, and model master database 24 recorded in the management information recording unit. The data is captured and recorded in the prediction information recording unit (steps S312 and S211).

In step S212, the prediction management unit reads the data included in the order information database 21 for each supplier and each supply item, and writes the data in the product history database 25. Here, since the same business partner may need to distinguish between the head office and the branch, for example, the head office or the head office is represented by the business partner code 1, and the branch or business office that is the site where the product is actually used or the delivery place is used. May be represented by the supplier code 2, and a plurality of supplier codes may be set.

In step S 213, the prediction management unit reads the data included in the sales information database 22 for each supplier and each supply, and writes the data in the product detail database 26.

The product history database 25 can store a prediction flag for determining whether or not inventory prediction has already been made, and a prediction flag is set for supplies for which inventory has already been predicted. ing. In step S214, the prediction management unit searches the product history database 25 for the prediction flag, thereby picking up a product code of a supply item for which inventory prediction has not been performed.

The product master database 23 contains
A product code corresponding to each supply and a model code of a device such as a printer that can use the supply are stored. In step S214, the prediction management unit searches the product master database 23 based on the product code to obtain a model code of a device that can use the picked-up supply.

Some supplies, such as ordinary labels and product tags, are inventory-consumable to be consumed at a fixed rate, and some are inventory forecasts, such as ink ribbons used for special equipment. There are difficult products. The model master database 24 stores a model code of a device such as a printer and a prediction target flag for determining whether or not a supply used in the model is subject to inventory prediction. In step S215, the prediction management unit
By searching the model master database 24 based on the model code obtained in step S214, it is possible to know whether or not the prediction target flag is set for the model. Note that it is difficult to predict seasonally limited supplies such as Christmas labels, but in such a case, a seasonal item flag is set in the product detail database 26.

If it is determined in step S214 that the supply product picked up is a product to be predicted in step S215, the prediction management unit stores information on the supply product in the product history database 25 in time series and stores the information in stock. It is set as a prediction target (step S216).

In step S221 of FIG. 10, the prediction management unit of the management server opens the prediction database 27,
Product history database 25 and product detail database 26
With reference to the above, the prediction data is deleted for the supplies that have been shipped within a predetermined period or the supplies that have been input for an order. In the forecast database 27, the “deletion date” for the supply item whose forecast data has been deleted
, The date of the deletion day is input. This is because it is not necessary to forecast inventory and issue an order inquiry for supplies that have been shipped or received orders within a predetermined period.

When a new inventory prediction target is input to the product history database 25, the prediction management unit performs a prediction from the prediction data on the date of the prediction day among the prediction data stored in the prediction database 27. The maximum value of the management number is obtained, and the maximum value is incremented and set as a new management number for inventory prediction (step S22).
2). The prediction control number is a serial number for each day, and indicates a unique record key between the date and the prediction control number.

In step S223, the prediction management unit searches for unpredicted data from the data stored in the product history database 25. As unpredicted data,
The supply item is a product to be predicted, the number of shipments is 2 or more, and data for which a shipment date is set corresponds to the supply item.
Here, when the number of shipments is 1, it means sample shipment, and is not a prediction target. Whether or not the shipping date is set indicates whether or not the supply has been shipped to the supplier in the past, and only the supply that has been shipped is to be predicted.

If unpredicted data exists, in step S 224, the prediction management unit sets the supplier code 1,
The data stored in the product history database 25 is sequentially read using the supplier code 2 and the product code.

If a plurality of shipment data are stored, the prediction management unit uses the data read in step S224 to calculate the oldest shipment date and the latest shipment date of supplies that have been shipped to a certain user. And the total number of shipments between them (step S225). Further, the prediction management unit calculates a next stock-out prediction date from the oldest shipment date, the latest shipment date, and the total shipment number obtained in step S225, for example, using the following equation (step S226). Estimated date of stock out = Latest shipment date + Latest shipment number / Daily consumption number Daily consumption number = (Total total shipment number-Latest shipment number) / (Latest shipment date-Oldest shipment date) On the other hand, one shipment data If only the stored date is stored, the estimated stock-out date is determined to be, for example, 90 days after the latest shipment date (step S227). In the case of a new business partner, it is difficult to calculate the predicted date because the date is short and the data amount is small, and thus a predetermined period is added to the predicted date.

Next, in step S228, the prediction management section determines the date of issuing the order inquiry to the customer based on the predicted stock-out date obtained in step S226 or S227. The order inquiry document issuance date is set, for example, to 14 days before the predicted stockout date.

In step S229, the prediction management unit adds the predicted data to the prediction database 27. The prediction data includes a prediction date, a prediction management number, a prediction count, a supplier code, a product code, an order inquiry document issue date, a deletion date, an output flag, and the like. Here, the date of the prediction is converted into a numerical value and set as the prediction date.
The prediction management number becomes the value set in step S222. When the prediction is completed, “0” is set in the number of predictions. The output flag is set to 1 at the time of prediction, and is set to "0" when the order inquiry is output according to the prediction, and processing is performed to confirm that the order inquiry has been issued.

Further, in step S 230, the prediction management unit sets “1” in the product history database 25 to the prediction flag of the supply of the supplier whose inventory was predicted.
Is set. This indicates that the product is a predicted product.

As a result of the inventory prediction performed as described above, an order inquiry document is issued at the calculated order inquiry document issuance date, and is automatically transmitted to the user of the device by facsimile or electronic mail. FIG. 11 shows an example of an order inquiry document issued based on the prediction. Such a prediction may be periodically performed once a month, and an order form may be created and automatically transmitted so that the use amount of the supply for one month can be ordered collectively.

The order sheet may include not only supplies that are expected to be out of stock, but also other products that have a transaction. Further, a sample image of the corresponding product stored in the ledger information recording unit 17 may be attached. By having the user order by facsimile using such a special order sheet containing the sample images, the operator can save the trouble of returning the customer to confirm the design.
In addition, information such as information on exhibitions and company products can be posted using the extra space.

According to the present embodiment, the order center for merchandise is integrated into the order center, and customer information and merchandise information are concentrated, so that the order information received by the order center can be promptly and reliably received. Processing can be performed, and the burden of the sales representative on customer visits and the work of the office clerk, such as receiving and placing orders, can be reduced. In addition, since the customer can receive a guide such as an order inquiry by facsimile or e-mail at an appropriate timing, inventory management of supplies can be facilitated, and out of stock due to forgetting to order can be eliminated. Further, since the customer can easily order additional supplies simply by contacting the order center by telephone or facsimile, the order-related work can be reduced.

Next, a merchandise sales system according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG.
0, a web server is provided at the order receiving center of the merchandise sales system according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and the customer uses the user terminal 40a, 40b,.
It is possible to place an order online by accessing a dealer's home page via the website.

In the order receiving center 20 shown in FIG. 13, the web server 7 transmits a web screen to the user terminal accessed via the communication network N2 via the communication network N2, and receives information transmitted by the user terminal. Transmitting and receiving unit 71, a screen recording unit 72 for storing a plurality of screens including a screen for inputting information about the customer and a product selection screen for selecting supplies to be ordered, and a screen recording unit for storing a web screen for transmission to the customer. A screen processing unit 73 for selecting from a plurality of screens stored in the storage unit 72 and processing information transmitted by the user terminal.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the operation of the product sales system according to the present embodiment. Step S4
In step S01, when the user terminal operated by the customer accesses the homepage of the seller, the web server transmits an initial screen and a product selection screen in step S501 according to the request from the user terminal. Here, a design image such as a label, which is a supply item, may be posted on the product selection screen.

When the customer selects a product to order according to the instructions on the screen, in step S402, the user terminal transmits the selected information. In response, in step S502, the web server transmits a screen for inputting customer information and a payment method. When the customer inputs the customer information and the payment method according to the instructions on the screen, step S
At 403, the user terminal sends this.

In response to this, when the web server transmits a screen indicating that the order for the product has been completed in step S503, an order completion screen is displayed on the user terminal (step S404). Further, the web server transmits the customer information to the client information server (Step S)
504), and transmits the order information to the management server (step S505). The client information server registers the received customer information as new information. After that, the management server performs the same order receiving process as after step S206 shown in FIG. The order acknowledgment in step S208 in FIG. 5 may be sent to the customer by e-mail.

According to the present embodiment, a 24-hour order can be accepted at the convenience of the customer and the contents of the order can be processed immediately, so that the time from receiving the order to delivery to the customer can be shortened. Becomes Further, by operating the user terminal by the customer, the user can order the product after confirming the design of the product such as a label on the screen, thereby eliminating an error in ordering. Further, since information on customers who have accessed the homepage can be accumulated, such information can be used for services and business activities such as order inquiry.

[0064]

As described above, according to the present invention, an order inquiry sent at an accurate timing allows a customer to easily check the stock of supplies and additionally order, and to bear the burden on the customer. Decrease. In addition, the various guides transmitted together with the order inquiry form provide the customer with a sense of security that they are supported, and increase the trust and solidarity of the seller. On the other hand, since the order receiving center supports the customer for supplies, the salesperson can reduce the burden of visiting the customer and can concentrate on finding new customers. In addition, the work of the clerk in charge of ordering and the like is reduced, so that the clerk can lean his / her labor on sales support such as maintenance of negotiation data. Further, by providing the customer information stored in the order receiving center and information on the user who has accessed the homepage, it is expected that the negotiation efficiency is improved and the probability of closing is increased.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a product sales system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an order receiving center included in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a related diagram of a database included in the ledger information recording unit shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a related diagram of a database included in the prediction information recording unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the product sales system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an example of a customer search screen displayed on the client information server.

FIG. 7 is an example of a customer information screen displayed on the client information server.

FIG. 8 is an example of a sample ledger screen displayed on the client information server.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a prediction management process performed in the product sales system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a prediction management process performed in the product sales system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an example of an order inquiry sent to a customer.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a product sales system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an order receiving center included in FIG.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the operation of the product sales system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Management server 2a, 2b,... Client information server 3 Exchanger 4a, 4b,... Sales office server 5 Distribution center server 6 Host computer 7 Web server 10, 20 Order center 11 Order processing section 12 Shipping processing section 13 Sales Information recording unit 14 prediction management unit 15 prediction information recording unit 16 ledger management unit 17 ledger information recording unit 21 order information database 22 sales information database 23 product master database 24 model master database 25 product history database 26 product detail database 27 prediction database 30a 30b, ... customer 31 customer search master database 32 customer information database 33 label search master database 34 label detailed information database 40a, 40b, ... user terminal 50 logistics center 60 management information recording unit 71 reception unit 72 screen processor 73 screen recording unit 100, 200 product sales systems N1, N2 communication network

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A system for selling supplies used by a customer, comprising: search information for specifying a corresponding customer from among a plurality of customers; customer information relating to sales of the supply to each customer; First means for recording merchandise information including a design image of a supply item, inputting information used for searching for search information, and including customer information on a corresponding customer and a design image of the selected supply item Second means for displaying merchandise information and inputting sales information relating to sales of various supplies to a plurality of customers; receiving sales information from the second means via a communication network; A host computer that stores the obtained sales information, and searches for search information based on information received from the second means via a communication network. Outputting customer information about the customer concerned to the second means via a communication network, and further outputting product information about supplies selected from a product list of the customer information via the communication network; And a third means for outputting to the merchandise sales system. 2. A sales history information relating to a past sales history of at least one supply item to a predetermined customer is created based on the sales information received from the host computer via a communication network, and the sales history information for the predetermined customer is generated. A fourth means for setting a predicted time for the out-of-stock of the supply item, and providing guidance for ordering the supply item to the predetermined customer when the set prediction time approaches within a predetermined period, is further provided. Claim 1 comprising
Product sales system described. 3. A fifth communication device connected to the communication network.
Means for communicating with a terminal device of a customer requesting a connection via the communication network, and a screen for inputting information about the customer for transmission from the communication means. Recording means for storing a plurality of screens including a screen for selecting supplies to be ordered, and selecting a screen to be transmitted from the communication means from the plurality of screens stored in the recording means, Processing means for processing the information relating to the customer received from the terminal device and the information input to the screen for selecting supplies to be ordered, and transmitting the processed information to the second means. The merchandise sales system according to claim 1. 4. A method of selling supplies used by a customer, comprising the steps of: inputting information; and providing search information for specifying the relevant customer from a plurality of customers based on the input information. Searching step, displaying customer information related to sales of supplies to the corresponding customer, and searching and outputting the product information including the design image of the selected supply from the displayed product list of customer information And recording sales information on sales of supplies selected from the product list in a database,
Product sales method comprising: 5. Creating sales history information on a past sales history of at least one supply to a predetermined customer based on sales information on sales of various supplies to a plurality of customers recorded in the database, Setting a predicted time for the out-of-stock of the supply at the predetermined customer; and, when the set predicted time approaches within a predetermined period, providing order guidance for the supply to the predetermined customer. The method according to claim 5, further comprising the step of: 6. A terminal device of a customer requesting connection,
A screen for inputting information about the customer, a step of sequentially transmitting a plurality of screens including a screen for selecting supplies to order, information about the customer received from the customer terminal device,
Processing the order-related information created from the information entered on the screen for selecting supplies to order; and
The product sales method according to claim 4, further comprising: