JP2002197128A - Distribution facilities planning system and method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make out a rough layout and a rough estimation on the spot by an external terminal, and to supplement that later by carrying out a detailed estimation, a detailed layout, and a simulation of performance appreciation. SOLUTION: The external terminal is provided with an individual confirming portion 4 to authenticate personal identification, and by using a layout library 12, a three-dimensional CAD portion 16 and the like, a rough layout and a rough estimation are made out and indicated to a customer. The rough layout and the rough estimation are sent to a system main body 42 with specs through a private line, and a detailed layout, a detailed estimation, a delivery date and the like are received and indicated to the customer. The system main body 42 also carries out performance appreciation simulation, and receives and indicates that to the customer.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION about the planning of the present invention is logistics facilities.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Automatic warehouses, picking systems, fluidized shelves,
Track guided vehicle, when planning the introduction of distribution facilities, such as automatic guided vehicles, the shape of the site and building, forklifts and track guided vehicle, the flow line, such as automatic guided vehicle, the arrangement of the track yard, disposed around the process, such as Need to be considered. In planning logistics facilities, considering the unit and form of storage of goods, the amount of storage, the frequency of logistics, etc., it is the most efficient and can cope with peaks in material flow, and has future expandability, and excess equipment must be made so as not to cause. When introducing logistics equipment for these reasons, planning usually requires a considerable amount of time.

[0003]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A basic object of the present invention is to make it possible to plan a distribution facility interactively in almost real time outside the system main body.
4). An additional object of the second aspect of the present invention is to enable an estimate to be submitted to a customer in almost real time. An additional object of the invention according to claim 3 is to allow past results of the layout to be called as a library at an external terminal and to be used for creating a general layout.

[0004]

A planning system for a logistics facility according to the present invention includes a system body connected via a communication line and a portable external terminal, and the external terminal supports creation of a schematic layout of the physical distribution facility. A tool is provided for displaying the created schematic layout and transmitting it to the system body. As a general layout support tool, in addition to the layout library of claim 3, 3
It is sufficient to use a DCAD tool, an evaluation tool for strength, physical distribution ability, and the like. Further, in the present invention, the system main body is provided with a means for storing a schematic layout received from an external terminal and managing the schedule, and a means for supporting confirmation and verification of the received general layout. The layout and the verification result can be transmitted to the external terminal (claim 1). The outline layout only needs to be checked at a minimum, and when making a correction or change on the system body side, a detailed layout is created on the system body side and transmitted to an external terminal. Verification is to evaluate the performance and the like and confirm whether or not it conforms to the specifications (specifications).

Preferably, a tool for supporting creation of a rough estimate is provided in the external terminal so that the rough rough estimate can be transmitted to the system body, and the system body supports the confirmation of the received rough estimate. Means is provided for transmitting the confirmed quote to the external terminal (claim 2). Summary estimate may be a minimum check, not just only confirming, by creating a detailed quote in the system body side, it may be transmitted to the external terminal.

Preferably, a means for calling a layout library of a physical distribution facility from an external terminal is provided as the layout creation support tool. The library may be stored in the external terminal, or may be stored in the system main body, and may be retrieved from the external terminal each time.

In the method for planning a physical distribution facility according to the present invention, a portable external terminal is connected to a system main body via a communication line, and a support tool for creating a schematic layout of the physical distribution facility is provided in the mobile terminal. Creates a schematic layout, presents it to the customer and sends it to the system main body.The system main body stores the received general layout and manages the schedule, confirms / verifies the general layout, and sends it to an external terminal. The information is presented to the customer from an external terminal (claim 4).

[0008]

In the [Effects of the Invention The present invention, connected via a communication line and a system main body and the external terminal for the planning of logistics equipment, outside as seen from the system body, such as a customer's and branches, using the support tool create a schematic layout of the logistics equipment Te, to be presented to the customer. The created schematic layout is transmitted to the system main body, and when the system main body receives the schematic layout, the outline layout is checked and verified, schedule management such as subsequent follow-up is started, and the schematic layout is confirmed. The developed detailed layout is created and transmitted, and the performance and the like are verified and transmitted to an external terminal, and presented to the customer from the external terminal. For these reasons, a schematic layout can be created and presented almost in real time outside the system body. Moreover, the creation of the schematic layout can be performed interactively using the support tool. Then verify sure schematic layout in the system body can present to the customer, since it is also a schedule management of the system main body, to facilitate the work of the system body side (claim 1).

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the rough estimate can be created by the external terminal, the rough estimate can be submitted almost in real time, and then the rough estimate is confirmed by the system itself, and preferably, the rough estimate is confirmed and corrected. Can be submitted as

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the layout library of the logistics facility can be called up by the external terminal. Therefore, referring to the examples of the past layouts, these can be combined or changed to create the general layout. Creation is easier.

[0011]

1 to 4 show an embodiment. FIG. 1 shows the configuration of the external terminal 2 used in the embodiment. The external terminal 2 is composed of a notebook personal computer or the like which can be connected to a communication line, and can access corporate secrets. It is confirmed by a password or fingerprint or the like that the person having the right to use the external terminal 2 is using the terminal. Reference numeral 6 denotes a keyboard, and 8 denotes a GUI (Graphical User Interface), which can be input by designating a position on a display screen such as a liquid crystal with a mouse or the like. 1
Reference numeral 0 denotes an input / output, which is an input / output to a printer cable, a LAN, or the like. The input / output 0 is used, for example, to drive a customer's printer or the like to print a created schematic layout or a rough estimate.

Reference numeral 12 denotes a layout library, which is a layout of systems such as an automatic warehouse system, a picking system, a distribution center, a tracked truck system, an automatic guided vehicle system, and a single automatic warehouse, an electric truck, a tracked truck, and an automatic guided vehicle. This is a library that stores the layout of logistics facilities such as, and parts such as a loading / unloading station and a transfer machine. The layout library 12 is classified according to the type of industry in which logistics facilities are installed, such as for semiconductor factories, liquid crystal factories, chemical factories, food factories, general machinery factories, and chemical factories. It can also be searched for keywords such as for business use, room temperature use, and clean room use. That is, the library 12 can be searched by the type of business in which the distribution facility is installed, the size of the facility, and various keywords.

Reference numeral 14 denotes a work file which stores a schematic layout, inquiry information, a rough estimate, and the like created by the external terminal 2 and, when a detailed estimate, a detailed layout, a delivery date, and the like corresponding thereto are received from the system main body 42, these are also stored. Remember. Thus, the work file 14 includes the external terminal 2
Is used to store data relating to various operations to be performed.

Reference numeral 16 denotes a 3D CAD unit (a three-dimensional CAD unit)
It can create a layout of a logistics facility as a three-dimensional model, and has the ability to develop the created layout into perspective views, perspective views, plan views, and various other drawings. 1
Reference numeral 8 denotes an engineering tool unit, which calculates the axial force of the rack and evaluates the distribution capacity in the case of an automatic warehouse, for example, in a schematic layout created using the 3D CAD unit 16, and performs a tracked bogie system and an unmanned carrier system. In the case of the bogie system, etc., it is a tool for evaluating the transport capacity.

Reference numeral 20 denotes a secret data storage unit, which is provided with, for example, a cost table 22 for storing costs of each part or equipment of the layout so as to be able to be integrated. An approximate cost can be determined. It is preferable that the cost is stored in the cost table 22 after being encrypted. The security processing unit 24 calculates the cost for each facility, part, etc. of the created schematic layout in the cost table 2.
2 and decrypted. The security processing unit 24
Requests the input of a password different from the password required to start the external terminal 2, for example, if the password input fails three consecutive times, for example, initializes the data in the cost table 22, or Prohibit operation,
And so on. Reference numeral 26 denotes an estimation processing unit which creates a rough estimate by adding up the cost of parts, assembly costs, and the like obtained from the cost table 22 to the created layout.

Reference numeral 28 denotes a communication processing unit, which is in charge of communication with the system main body 42,
And The communication between the communication processing unit 28 and the system body 42 is performed by connecting the access point 40 with the access point 40 by, for example, a mobile phone or PHS communication.
The system and the system body 42 are connected by a dedicated line or a VPN (virtual private network). When accessing the system main body 42 from the communication processing unit 28, a user name, a password, and the like are input, and as inquiries regarding the logistics facility, the installation location, customer name, desired delivery date, required capacity (spec) for the logistics facility, and other items Is input, and the created general layout and general estimate are transmitted.

FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the system main body 42 side.
Reference numeral 50 denotes a communication server, which checks an account with an account check unit 52 using a password or the like received from the external terminal 2 and records, for each external terminal 2, a history of access from the external terminal 2 to the system body 42 and a history of access contents. It is stored in the file 54. Therefore, if the external terminal 2 is lost, the loss of access to the system main body 42 can be checked from the history file 54 to detect the loss or the like. Further, when the external terminal 2 is illegally used, it is possible to detect that there is an abnormality in the access content from the history file 54 and detect the illegal use. Further, the history file 54 can be used as a work record of a salesperson or the like carrying the external terminal 2, and upon receiving an inquiry or the like, the system body 42 starts managing a work schedule.

[0018] 60 is a database server, and a schematic layout and detailed layout of the logistics equipment to each inquiry, the layout file 62 which stores the specs, etc., and an estimated file 64 which stores a schematic estimates and detailed estimates, etc. against it . Then, the general layout, inquiry information, specifications, and the like received from the external terminal 2 are stored in the layout file 62, and the received general estimate is stored in the estimate file 64. When a detailed layout and a detailed estimate are created for these general layouts and rough estimates, they are also stored in the files 62 and 64.

A simulation server 70 simulates the performance of a schematic layout or a detailed layout. In order to easily illustrate the simulation results for the performance of the distribution facility, an animation file 72 is provided and the simulation results are stored as animation. Further, a 3D library 74 is provided to store a bird's eye view, a 3D animation that is difficult to process, and the like. The animation file 72 and the 3D library 74 are files for storing simulation data for a schematic layout, a detailed layout, and the like, and are also files for storing created files and using them as libraries in subsequent operations. is there.
Reference numeral 80 denotes a library server which stores past detailed layouts and specifications so that layouts and parts of physical distribution facilities can be searched by industry, scale, capacity, keywords, and the like.

A large number of work terminals 90 are provided in the system body 42.
The work terminal 90 updates the layout library 82. Work terminal 90, to create a detailed layout and detailed estimates for the schematic layout and schematic estimates, verified by simulation, such as logistics capability or the like to the detailed layout and the like, to create an answer to the delivery time and other incidental conditions, further This is a terminal for examining solutions to problems. Then, upon receiving the inquiry information, the communication server 50 starts schedule management for each inquiry information, confirms a schematic layout and creates a detailed layout for the received inquiry information by e-mail or the like,
The creation of the detailed layout for the rough estimate, the delivery date, and other considerations are transmitted to the work terminal 90 of the corresponding section. Further, the system main body 42 periodically transmits, for example, update data of the layout library 82 to the external terminal 2 via a dedicated line and a telephone line.

The system main body 42 transmits a detailed layout to the received schematic layout, transmits a detailed estimate to the rough estimate, and transmits a proposal for a new specification or the like if the received specification is unreasonable. When the general layout can be used as the detailed layout as it is, the general layout may be simply checked without transmitting the detailed layout. When the rough estimate can be used as it is as the detailed estimate, if the rough estimate is confirmed, it is not necessary to separately transmit the detailed estimate itself.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show the processing in the external terminal and the system body. The external terminal is carried by a sales person or the like, and is used to create a schematic layout or a rough estimate at a customer's office or a branch office, and to transmit it to the system body together with inquiry information. The created rough estimate and the rough layout are presented to the customer. To start the external terminal, first confirm that the user is himself / herself by fingerprint or password.

Next, the required specifications such as specifications and the shape of the site are input. For example, in the case of an automatic warehouse system, etc., the type of daily loading and unloading and storage form, required storage amount, peak loading and unloading amount, frozen warehouse, room temperature warehouse, explosion-proof warehouse, etc., Enter the layout of surrounding processes, picking area, track yard, and related facilities such as flat storage. In the case of transport systems such as tracked trucks and unmanned transport vehicles, the layout of traffic lines on the premises,
Enter the required transport amount, etc. When the specifications and the site shape are input in this way, the past layout examples are called from the layout library provided in the external terminal, and the schematic layout is interactively changed and modified using the 3D CAD unit and the engineering tool unit while modifying these. create.

A simple performance evaluation is performed on the created schematic layout using an engineering tool. For example, in the case of an automatic warehouse, the axial force or the like applied to the rack of the warehouse is examined, and the storage capacity of articles, the maximum entry / exit capacity, and the like are evaluated. In the case of a tracked truck system or an automated guided vehicle system,
Evaluate the maximum transport capacity, etc. Next, the process proceeds to creation of a rough estimate. After confirming the identity of the user by checking the password or the like, the cost data is called from the encrypted cost table and decrypted to create a rough estimate.

In addition, the customer name, delivery date, items to be considered, and other necessary items are input as inquiry information, and these are stored in a work file. Then, a schematic layout and a rough estimate are output from the customer's printer or the like via the input / output. Or interactively, present the outline layout, outline estimation and simple performance evaluation result on the screen of the external terminal,
Make further corrections as needed.

[0026] presented the schematic layout and schematic estimate and quote information is transmitted to the system body, waiting for the answer.
Upon receipt of the inquiry information, the system body starts managing the schedule of the processing for the inquiry information, and can transmit a detailed estimate, a delivery date, and the like instead of the rough estimate within one hour, for example. Other considerations are sequentially transmitted from the system main body, and when the layout review is completed, a detailed layout can be received from the system main body. Further specifications requested by the customer with respect to that transmitted from the external terminal to the system body, can receive from the system body to the ability possessed by the detailed layout as a specification.

The sales person carrying the external terminal presents the received delivery date, detailed estimate, detailed layout, and the like to the customer. Receives the result of the examination and presents it to the customer. Thus, for example presented by creating interactively schematic layout and schematic estimated at customer site, it presented sequentially receives the examination results on the system body side to these.

On receiving the access from the external terminal, the system main body checks the account and updates the access record. Apart from this, an external terminal or the like whose access has been interrupted is searched, and an external terminal having an abnormal access content is also searched. Then, the data received from the external terminal is stored in the history file.

When the system body receives the inquiry information, the schematic layout, the rough estimate, the specifications, etc., it starts schedule management for processing these, and notifies the corresponding work terminal of the need for processing by e-mail or the like. Then, the processing is started. Each work terminal creates a detailed estimate and a detailed layout using a database server or the like, and transmits it to an external terminal.

In the processing of the system itself, creation of a detailed estimate and examination of a delivery date are almost real-time operations that can be performed in about one hour. You can receive a delivery date and a detailed quotation just by placing an interval of about one hour. The creation time of the detailed layout varies depending on the scale of the distribution facility, but in a simple case, the detailed layout can be transmitted within the day.

On the other hand, time is required for the performance simulation for the detailed layout, and particularly for the creation of animation for explaining the operation status of the logistics facility in various situations which is easy for the customer to understand. For this purpose, a simulation server is used to simulate the performance of the detailed layout, and a 3D library is used to create 3D images and animations of motions, and to transmit these. Apart from this, the layout library and the like are updated as appropriate, and the new library is transmitted to the external terminal. When there is an unprocessed work, for example, when there is a special examination item for each customer, the result is transmitted after finishing these examinations.

In the embodiment, a sales person who receives an inquiry from a customer can create a schematic layout almost on the spot and interactively, and can create a rough estimate for the created schematic layout almost on the spot. Then, within one hour, for example, the delivery date and the rough estimate can be confirmed on the system body side, and a detailed estimate can be presented. Following this,
Create detailed layouts and present them to customers. Further, the system body starts schedule management by receiving the inquiry information and distributes the work to a large number of work terminals, so that the processing can be efficiently performed.

In the creation of a schematic layout or a detailed layout, a library of past layouts can be used, and an engineering tool, 3D CAD, or the like can be used to modify and change the layout of the library. . In addition to the verification of the performance, it is possible to use the engineering tools and simulation server, verification is also easy.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an external terminal in a distribution system planning system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a system main body side in the logistics facility planning system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating processing in an external terminal according to the embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing processing in the system main body in the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 external terminal 4 identity verification unit 6 keyboard 8 GUI 10 input / output 12 layout library 14 work file 16 3D CAD unit 18 engineering tool unit 20 secret data storage unit 22 cost table 24 security processing unit 26 estimation processing unit 28 communication processing unit 30 browser 32 Email processing unit 40 Access point 42 System body 50 Communication server 52 Account check unit 54 History file 60 Database server 62 Layout file 64 Estimation file 70 Simulation server 72 Animation file 74 3D library 80 Library server 82 Layout library 90 Work terminal

Claims (4)

[Claims] The system includes a system main body connected via a communication line and a portable external terminal, wherein the external terminal is provided with a tool for supporting creation of a schematic layout of a logistics facility, and the created outline is provided. A layout displayable and transmittable to the system main body, wherein the system main body includes means for storing a schematic layout received from an external terminal and managing the schedule;
A logistics facility planning system, comprising means for supporting confirmation and verification of a received schematic layout, and transmitting the confirmed layout and verification result to the external terminal. 2. The external terminal is provided with a tool for supporting creation of a rough estimate, the created rough estimate can be transmitted to a system body, and the system body supports confirmation of the received rough estimate. 2. A planning system for a physical distribution facility according to claim 1, further comprising means for transmitting a confirmed estimate to said external terminal. 3. The logistics facility planning system according to claim 1, wherein means for calling a library of logistics facilities layouts from an external terminal is provided as the layout creation support tool. 4. A portable external terminal and a system main body are connected via a communication line, and a support tool for creating a schematic layout of a logistics facility is provided in the portable terminal, and a schematic layout is created at a customer site and provided to a customer. Present it and send it to the system body. The system body stores the received schematic layout and manages the schedule, and checks the schematic layout.
A logistics facility planning method for verifying, transmitting to an external terminal, and presenting to a customer from the external terminal.