JP2002215977A - Retrieving and order placing and receiving method by forwarder condition and system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a retrieving and order placing and receiving system by forwarder condition, enabling a user to compare a plurality of forwarders and select a forwarder giving desired service and enabling the forwarder to flexibly reflect fluctuation of cost and the like in a use price and service. SOLUTION: This system includes a first data base storing information related to the price and service of home delivery service of a plurality of forwarders. The system is provided with a distribution retrieving server 10 for retrieving the first data base according to a retrieval condition transmitted from a connected client terminal through a communication network, transmitting the retrieval result to the client terminal, and transmitting ordering information on home delivery service transmitted from the client terminal to the terminal of the forwarder selected by the client, and a customer information server 20 containing a second data base storing the customer information on a client which gains an access to the first server.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a carrier condition-based search and ordering method for intermediating a user to search for and order a carrier for services such as home delivery by condition. In addition, the present invention relates to a carrier-specific search and ordering system using such a method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, courier services for picking up one small package and delivering the package to a destination entrance have been used not only for individual users but also for mail-order sales and delivery services at retail stores. , Has permeated society. Also,
In the field of international logistics, in response to the globalization of the economy, international multimodal transport in which forwarders (transporters) are consistently responsible for transport with shippers for international door-to-door transport. And advanced logistics services such as international courier services are rapidly spreading. Thus, diversification of services and high-quality services are also demanded in the logistics industry.

[0003]

By the way, as a criterion for a person who intends to use the home delivery service to select a forwarder, there are a price, a speed, and contents of accompanying services. For this reason, the forwarder prepares various services and tries to acquire customers by combining them.

[0004] Normally, when a general user who uses personally uses the parcel delivery service, he or she carries the parcel to a nearby parcel delivery agency or requests collection. Therefore, we often use carriers we already know,
There are few users who compare prices and services for a plurality of carriers before using them.

[0005] Further, even if the price and the like are compared, the price of such a home delivery service varies depending on the weight and volume of the package, the destination area (area), the route to be used, the combination of the service to be used, and the like. It is difficult for users to understand. In addition, since the classification of the luggage and the type of the service are different depending on the trader, they cannot be uniformly compared. further,
Depending on the trader, there are areas of specialty and weakness, and when delivering to a specialty area, it can be delivered faster and cheaper, but when delivering to an unfavorable area, on the contrary, it will be expensive or time-consuming. There is also. However, such information cannot be grasped by ordinary users. Under such circumstances, it is difficult for a general user to compare and select a carrier, and inevitably requests a known carrier.

[0006] Actual distribution costs and distribution speeds vary depending on seasons, social conditions, and the like. For forwarders, the ability to carry large volumes of luggage during low-cost times and directions can make a profit. Further, for example, when an empty container is generated, if the cargo to be transported can be collected even if the price is slightly reduced, the cost of transporting the empty container can be suppressed. However, a flexible mechanism that can respond to such seasonal fluctuations and circumstances of each forwarder has not existed in the logistics industry.
Therefore, forwarders are forced to bear extra costs, and conversely, even if they can lower costs,
The resulting profit could not be returned to the user.

[0007] By the way, there are many transactions of buying and selling goods via the Internet, but there is still no system for mediating physical distribution that connects the interests of both users and forwarders. For example, a user can search for a forwarder via the Internet and check the delivery price of a courier service, but in this case, the user must access the individual home page of the forwarder, and the delivery destination area, the size of the package, etc. It is not possible to compare the charges of a plurality of courier companies at the same time based on specific contents. Further, the fee transmitted to the homepage or the like is almost fixed, and is rarely changed.

[0008] In view of the above, the present invention provides a method of searching and receiving orders based on carrier conditions, which allows a user to compare a plurality of forwarders and select a desired forwarder, and a system using the same. To provide the first
The purpose of. In addition, the present invention provides a search and ordering method for each carrier condition that enables a forwarder to flexibly reflect a change in cost or the like due to a season or the like in a use price or a service, and a system using the same. As a second object.

[0009]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a search and ordering method according to carrier conditions according to the present invention provides a home delivery service to a client terminal device requesting use of the home delivery service. Transmitting a screen for inputting a search condition for searching for a carrier that performs a desired service from among the plurality of carriers to be performed; and providing a plurality of carriers based on the search condition transmitted from the client terminal device. Searching a database storing information related to the price of the home delivery service, and transmitting the search result to the terminal device of the client; and transmitting a screen for inputting information on ordering the home delivery service to the terminal device of the client. The client searches for information on the order for the home delivery service transmitted from the client terminal device. And a step of transmitting to the carrier's terminal apparatus selected from among the.

[0010] A carrier condition-based search and ordering system according to the present invention is a system used by a client to search for a carrier that performs a home delivery service and order the carrier, and is connected to a communication network. And
A first database storing information relating to prices of home delivery services of a plurality of carriers, based on a search condition transmitted from a terminal device of a client connected via a communication network; And transmits the search result to the client terminal device, and transmits the information on the order of the home delivery service transmitted from the client terminal device to the carrier terminal device selected by the client from the search result in the communication network. And a second server that is connected to the communication network and includes a second database that stores customer information relating to clients that have accessed the first server.

[0011]

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 the configuration of a carrier condition-based search and ordering system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The search and ordering system according to the carrier conditions according to the present embodiment is a logistics search server 10 for searching for a use price of a courier service, ancillary services and the like.
And a customer information server 20 for retrieving personal information of a home delivery user, and a plurality of forwarder terminals 30a used by a plurality of carriers (forwarders) to register their respective price lists (tariffs) and to receive orders for home delivery. , 30b, ...
And a plurality of client terminals 40a, 4a used by a home delivery user to search for a forwarder and order home delivery.
Are connected to each other via a communication network 1 (hereinafter simply referred to as a network) such as a public line network or the Internet. Here, the home delivery user may be a general individual user or a large customer such as a company that sells mail order.

FIG. 2 is a related diagram of a database (DB) included in the distribution search server 10 and the customer information server 20. The logistics search server 10 includes the forwarders 30a, 3
0b, ... has a forwarder tariff database (DB) 11 composed of registered tariffs. The contents of the tariff include the delivery destination, the size and weight of the package, the price setting, the type of service, and the like. here,
Delivery destinations may be in Japan or overseas. In addition, service types include the presence or absence of pickup service, express delivery, delivery of refrigerated and frozen products, selection of transportation means such as sea mail and air mail, tracing and tracking to track outgoing packages. Etc. are included. The forwarder tariff database 11 can be searched from a plurality of search keys such as a delivery destination and a service type.

The logistics search server 10 includes an order information database 1 for storing information on the order of home delivery by a user.
Two. The data making up the ordering information database 12 includes the name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, name of the delivery destination of the requested product, address and contact information, etc. of the client, and details regarding the requested product. The information includes the size and weight of the requested product, the content, the service to be used, the delivery price, and the like. Further, an ID for enabling search of order information may be included.

The customer information server 20 includes a customer database 21 for storing personal information of home delivery users.
Customer information includes the user's name, address, phone number,
An electronic mail address, a usage history, and the like are included, and are created based on personal information input when the user used the system. Such information can be searched based on the telephone number when the user uses the present system for the second time or later.

Next, a description will be given, with reference to FIGS. FIGS. 3 and 4 are flowcharts showing the operation of the system for searching and receiving / ordering by carrier conditions according to the present embodiment. 5 to 7 show examples of screens displayed on the client terminal.

First, referring to FIG. 3, in step S401, the forwarder creates a tariff using the forwarder terminal and transmits it to the distribution search server. The tariff can be changed at any time, and the forwarder can reflect the change in cost due to various factors such as the season on the price. In response, the logistics search server
In step S201, the received tariff is registered in the forwarder tariff database 11 shown in FIG. In step S101, the home delivery user accesses the physical distribution search server using the client terminal. In response, the logistics search server transmits the search screen shown in FIG. 5 to the client terminal in step S202.

In step S102, the client terminal displays the received search screen. As shown in FIG. 5, the search screen displays the "desired area" for which delivery is desired,
A column for inputting "size" and "weight" of the package, "service" as the content of the desired supplementary service, "content of the package", and the like is displayed. The user inputs one or a plurality of conditions relating to the package (request product) to be requested for delivery in a predetermined input field. Here, the input method of each condition may be, for example, a method in which the user selects by checking a button shown on the screen, or a method in which the user selects from a plurality of conditions shown in a pop-up. But it ’s fine,
You may make it input by text. Note that the "contents of baggage" input field may be input when ordering. When a condition is input on the search screen, in step S103, the client terminal transmits the input condition to the physical distribution search server.

In step S203, the distribution search server searches the forwarder tariff database 11 based on the received conditions. Here, referring to FIG.
First, the logistics search server searches the forwarder tariff database 11 for a direction where the user desires delivery, and extracts a forwarder having a route in that direction. Next, the physical distribution search server further narrows down the forwarders from the extracted forwarders based on the area where the pickup service is available and the service desired by the user. The logistics search server may first perform a search based on the area where the pickup service is available or the service desired by the user, and then narrow down the forwarders based on the destination area. Further, the distribution search server calculates the price from the size or weight of the requested product, the direction, and the service according to the extracted tariff of the forwarder. The distribution search server transmits the search result to the client terminal in step S204. Here, the logistics search server is
A required period of home delivery, an area targeted for collection service, and the like may be transmitted together with the price list.

In step S104, the client terminal displays a search result screen as shown in FIG. The user selects a forwarder to use based on the price and service content shown on the search result screen. Step S
At 105, the client terminal sends the selection result to the distribution search server.

In response, the distribution search server transmits an order screen in step S205. The order screen includes a customer information entry column for the user to enter customer information and an order column for entering information on parcels delivered. In step S106, the client terminal receives and displays it.

In the displayed customer information entry column, the user enters
Enter customer information such as name, address, and phone number. Here, if the user uses this system for the second time or later, the user may input a telephone number or an ID as a search key for registered customer information. FIG.
When the client terminal transmits the telephone number in step S107, the customer information server receives the telephone number in step S301. Further, in step S302, the customer information server searches the customer database 21 and extracts the corresponding customer information from the information stored by the customer.
Send the extracted customer information to the client terminal. In step S108, the client terminal displays the received customer information. Here, the user may correct the displayed customer information. In addition, when the user uses this system for the first time,
The customer information entered by the user is displayed as it is.

Further, when the user inputs ordering information such as the delivery address, contact information, size and weight of the requested product in the order column displayed on the client terminal, step S10 is performed.
At 9, the client terminal sends this to the physical distribution search server. In response, in step S206, the distribution search server creates an order receiving screen as shown in FIG. 7 based on the received order information, and transmits the screen to the client terminal.

The user confirms the order screen displayed on the client terminal, and if there is no error, the client terminal transmits confirmation information for fixing the order to the distribution search server in step S110. At this time,
The client terminal may transmit the content of the correction or cancellation of the order content by the user.

In response, in step S207, the logistics search server stores the order information in the order information database and transmits it to the forwarder terminal and the customer information server selected by the user. The customer information server
In step S304, the customer information included in the order information is stored in the customer database as the latest one. Further, the forwarder terminal registers order information in step S402. Here, the forwarder terminal may transmit an e-mail of the content confirming the order to the client terminal (step S403). Further, in step S404, the forwarder collects the requested product based on the registered order information and delivers it to the delivery destination.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with respect to a carrier condition-based search and ordering system.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a search and ordering system for each carrier condition according to this embodiment. Typically,
When delivering packages overseas, the forwarder who has received the order for home delivery collects the requested items, arranges shipping and airmail and carries the requested items out of the country, and the local forwarder overseas performs customs clearance procedures. Take the requested product and deliver it to the delivery destination. In other words, there are many cases where the forwarder that has received home delivery and the forwarder that finally delivers the requested product to the delivery destination are different. In such a case, the carrier-specific search and ordering system according to the present embodiment can confirm that the requested product has finally been delivered to the home in such a case.

Referring to FIG. 8, a plurality of local forwarder terminals 50a, 50b,...
Is a forwarder terminal 30a via the network 1,
30b,... And the distribution search server 10.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, a description will be given of a method of searching and receiving / ordering by carrier conditions according to this embodiment. In FIG. 9, similarly to the carrier condition-based search and ordering method according to the first embodiment of the present invention, a search and a selection of a forwarder are performed between the client terminal and the physical distribution search server. When the client terminal transmits the determination information for the order information to the distribution search server, the distribution search server assigns an ID to the order information and transmits the information to the forwarder terminal in step S210. The forwarder terminal registers the order information in step S402, transmits a confirmation mail to the client terminal in step S403, collects the requested product, and attaches the same ID added to the order information to the requested product (step S404). ).

In step S211, the logistics search server stores the order information with the ID in the order information database in a form searchable by ID. In step S405, the forwarder terminal entrusts a local forwarder existing in the area of the delivery destination with a business related to home delivery at the site. Here, the local forwarder for which the work is entrusted may be a related company of the forwarder who received the home delivery order, or may be an affiliated separate company.

In step S406, the forwarder arranges the shipment of the requested product, and performs road transportation, consolidation of cargo,
Performs operations such as the preparation of transportation documents. When the cargo including the requested product arrives, the local forwarder that has received the work performs customs clearance and other work in step S501.
In step S502, the requested product is delivered to the delivery destination (home delivery).

Referring to FIG. 10, after the delivery is completed, the local forwarder accesses the physical distribution search server using the local forwarder terminal in step S503, and transmits the ID attached to the requested product. In step S212, the distribution search server receives the received I
The order information is searched based on D, and the order information screen is transmitted to the local forwarder terminal. In step S504, the local forwarder confirms the displayed order information and transmits delivery end confirmation information. This can be performed, for example, by checking the delivery end confirmation button shown on the screen of the local forwarder terminal.

In response, the distribution search server sets a delivery end flag in the order information in step S213. Further, in step S214, the distribution search server transmits a delivery completion confirmation mail to the client terminal that has ordered the home delivery service based on the order information with the delivery completion flag set. The home delivery user can confirm that the requested product has been successfully delivered by the delivery end confirmation mail received by the client terminal in step S111.

In these processes, collection of the home delivery fee of the user may be performed by the operator of the present system, by a forwarder, or both may be performed jointly. Alternatively, the fee can be collected in cooperation with a settlement service of a card company or the like. Further, the record of the user using the home delivery service may be added to the data of the corresponding customer in the customer database as a use history. By accumulating customer data in this way, these data can be used for customer service. For example,
A service may be provided in which the amount of use of the home delivery service is converted into points and accumulated, and when a certain number of points are accumulated, a discount is applied at the next use of the home delivery service or various benefits are provided.

[0033]

As described above, according to the present invention, a home delivery service user can search for and compare a plurality of forwarders, so that a desired service can be used at a lower price. . In addition, when the delivery is completed in the forwarder, a confirmation mail is transmitted to the user, so that the user can request the home delivery service with confidence even when going overseas. On the other hand, the forwarder can reflect on the tariff in real time even if the price or service content changes, so setting a low price may reduce the transportation cost of empty containers etc. There is. Further, since the user can receive various services by continuously using the present system, the user can be fixed.
Thereby, for example, it is possible to open a new market such as expanding a sales channel of mail order.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of a carrier-specific search and ordering system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a related diagram of a database included in the carrier-specific search and ordering system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method of searching and receiving / ordering by carrier conditions according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a method for searching and receiving / ordering by carrier conditions according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a search screen displayed in the carrier-specific search and ordering system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a search result screen displayed in the carrier-specific search and ordering system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an order receiving screen displayed in the carrier condition-based search and order receiving system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a carrier condition-based search and ordering system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a method for searching and receiving / ordering by carrier conditions according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a method of searching and receiving / ordering by carrier conditions according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Communication network 10 Logistics search server 11 Forwarder tariff database 12 Ordering information database 20 Customer information server 21 Customer database 30a, 30b, ... Forwarder terminal 40a, 40b, ... Client terminal 50a, 50b, ... Local forwarder terminal

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification FI FI Theme Court ゛ (Reference) G06F 17/30 170 G06F 17/30 170Z (72) Inventor Takeo Shimoda 3-5 Rokubancho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo , 502 F term (reference) 5B075 KK07 ND20

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A screen for inputting a search condition for searching for a carrier providing a desired service from a plurality of carriers providing a home delivery service is displayed on a terminal device of a client requesting use of the home delivery service. Transmitting, based on the search condition transmitted from the terminal device of the client, searching a database storing information on prices and services of a plurality of carriers' home delivery services, and returning the search result to the terminal of the client. Transmitting to the client terminal device a screen for inputting information related to home delivery service ordering; and transmitting the home delivery service order information transmitted from the client terminal device to the client terminal device. Transmitting to the terminal of the carrier selected from the search results; and , And a method for searching and receiving orders based on carrier conditions. 2. Accumulating customer information included in information on an order transmitted from a terminal device of the client,
Creating a second database; searching the second database based on a search key including a telephone number to extract customer information of the client; ordering the extracted customer information for the home delivery service 2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of transmitting the information together with a screen for inputting information about the carrier. 3. A step of creating a third database for storing information related to the ordering, receiving a delivery completion notification transmitted from a terminal of a carrier in charge of delivery in the ordered home delivery service, and Adding delivery end information to the information on the order stored in the third database based on the notification; and transmitting an e-mail notifying the end of the delivery to the terminal device of the client based on the delivery end information. The method according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: 4. A system used by a client to search for a carrier that performs a home delivery service and place an order with the carrier, wherein the system is connected to a communication network and stores information on the price of the home delivery service of a plurality of carriers. Including a first database stored therein, the first database is searched based on a search condition transmitted from a terminal device of a client connected via a communication network, and a search result is stored in a terminal device of the client. And a first server for transmitting, via a communication network, the information on the order of the home delivery service transmitted from the terminal device of the client to the terminal device of the carrier selected by the client from the search results, A client connected to the communication network and accessing the first server; The second to accumulate that customer information
And a second server including the database of (1). 5. The carrier according to claim 4, wherein the second server searches the second database based on a search key including a telephone number transmitted from a client terminal device. Conditional search and ordering system. 6. The first server includes a third database storing information related to an order, and a terminal device of a carrier who is in charge of delivery in the ordered home delivery service is connected to the first server via a communication network. To send a delivery end notification to the client terminal device based on the delivery end information added to the ordering information stored in the third database. 6. The search and ordering system according to claim 4 or 5, characterized by the condition of the carrier.