JP2002255319A - Physical distribution control system, and method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a physical distribution control system flexibly ready for any change in a routine without changing a main program even when a work routine in the system is changed. SOLUTION: Data on the physical distribution is received, the work on the physical distribution is developed from the received data, the work is maintained in a work instruction file, the content of the work maintained in the work instruction file is defined in a step master, a work to be performed next is managed with reference to the defined content, and basic works are performed by combining the treatments by a standard parts group comprising a plurality of standard parts for performing the standard unit treatment in order to perform the work instructed by the work instruction file based on this management.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a physical distribution control system for controlling physical distribution.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a system for controlling distribution of goods and the like by a computer. Often in such systems, the work routine must be changed. In the conventional system, the logic of the program is changed each time the work is changed.

[0003] For example, when there is an excess or deficiency of a product as a result of an inspection of an incoming product, processing contents such as reporting an accident or suspending the inspection are described as a processing sequence in a program logic, and then an execution module is created. I was

[0004] However, if the work routine is changed frequently as described above, the program must be changed each time, which is inefficient and productivity cannot be improved.

[0005]

In the conventional physical distribution control system, it is necessary to change the program every time a detailed work routine is changed as described above, and there is a problem that productivity is poor.

Accordingly, the present invention solves the above problems, and provides a physical distribution control system and the like which can deal with a change in a work routine in a system without changing a main program and can flexibly respond to a change in the routine. With the goal.

[0007]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an order processing unit for receiving data related to physical distribution, and a work related to physical distribution based on the data received by the order processing unit. And a work instruction file for holding the work, a standard parts group consisting of a plurality of standard parts for performing standard unit processing for performing the work specified by the work instruction file, and holding the work instruction file A process master that defines the content of the work,
With a work progress management unit that manages the next work with reference to the contents defined in this process master, combining the processing by each standard part of the standard parts group according to the instruction of the work progress management unit, Provided is a distribution control system characterized by performing basic tasks.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, an order processing unit for receiving data related to a physical distribution, and a work instruction file for expanding the operations related to the physical distribution based on the data received by the order processing unit and retaining the operations and the degree of progress An inventory file that changes the status of inventory according to the contents of the work instruction file, a standard parts group including a plurality of standard parts that perform standard unit processing performed for performing the work specified by the work instruction file, A process master that defines the content of the process in accordance with the work held in the work instruction file and the degree of progress, and according to the degree of progress of each work held in the work instruction file with reference to the content defined in the process master A work progress management unit that manages the work to be performed next, and instructs each standard part of the standard parts group according to an instruction of the work progress management unit. That process in combination, to provide a logistics control system characterized by performing the basic operations.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the physical distribution control system according to the first or second aspect, the work instruction file comprises a work reception table and a work instruction table.

[0010] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the physical distribution control system according to any one of the first to third aspects, the process master includes: a process table, a process class table, a process class table; It is characterized by comprising a procedure table and a related process table.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a step of receiving data relating to physical distribution, a step of developing operations relating to physical distribution based on the data received in this step, and holding those operations in a work instruction file, A step of defining the contents of the work held in the file in the process master; a step of managing the work to be performed next with reference to the contents defined in the process master; and And a step of performing a basic task by combining a process performed by a standard component group composed of a plurality of standard components to perform a standard unit process.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, a step of receiving data relating to physical distribution, a step of expanding the operations relating to physical distribution from the data received in this step, and storing the operations and the progress in the operation instruction file; A step of defining the contents of processing in the process master according to the work held in the work instruction file and the degree of progress, and the progress of each work held in the work instruction file with reference to the contents defined in the process master A step of managing the work to be performed next according to the degree, and a standard parts group consisting of a plurality of standard parts that perform standard unit processing to perform the work specified by the work instruction file based on the management of this step. A step of performing basic tasks by combining the processing and the contents of the work instruction file, and keeping the inventory file. It provides a distribution control method characterized by a step of changing the status of the stock to be.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, a step of receiving data related to physical distribution, a step of confirming whether the data received in this step is data relating to receipt, and a step of confirming that the data is received. The step of confirming whether or not to perform the inspection processing, and when it is confirmed by this step that the inspection processing is to be performed, the inspection processing is performed, the fact that the inspection processing is performed is recorded in the work instruction file, and the warehousing processing is performed. A step of performing, a step of confirming whether there is stock of the same type of luggage after performing the warehousing process in this step, and a step of allocating the location when it is confirmed that the same kind of luggage is in stock by this step. And recording the fact in the work instruction file, and performing a stock update after this step. It provides a distribution control method characterized by comprising al.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the step of receiving data relating to physical distribution, the step of confirming whether the received data is data relating to shipping, and the step of confirming that the data is shipping are confirmed. A step of confirming whether or not the vehicle can be dispatched, and a step of performing the area-based sorting and recording in the work instruction file that the area has been sorted by this step when it is confirmed by this step that the vehicle can be dispatched. After sorting, carrying out the warehousing process, carrying out the warehousing process in this step, and confirming that there is stock of the same type of package, and that this step has the stock of the same type of package. When the location is confirmed, the location is allocated and the fact is recorded in the work instruction file. A step that provides a physical distribution control method characterized by comprising a step of performing inventory update after this step.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, a step of receiving data relating to physical distribution, a step of confirming whether the data received in this step is data relating to transportation, and a step of confirming that the data is transportation in this step. When it is confirmed that the collection is possible, when the collection is confirmed, the step of performing the sorting according to the direction and recording the fact that the sorting is performed in the work instruction file is performed by this step. After performing the sorting by direction, a step of checking whether or not the package is delivered, and when the delivery is confirmed by this step, sorting by direction is performed and the fact is recorded in the work instruction file. Performing a physical distribution control method.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of an embodiment of the distribution control system of the present invention. The distribution control system 10 includes an order processing unit 11 for transmitting and receiving information to and from a higher-order system, and a work instruction file 12 for instructing work based on the information received by the order processing unit 11 and holding the progress thereof. A process master 13 that specifically defines the work in the work instruction file 12, a work progress management unit 14 that manages the progress with reference to the definition of the process master 13, and a work progress management unit 14 It comprises a standard parts group 15 composed of a plurality of parts for which specific basic processing is performed according to an instruction, and a stock file 16 for storing the history of the commercial flow and the stock status of the current product.

The order processing unit 11 has a function of receiving receipt / shipment data from a higher-level system, developing a process for each task, and performing a report process to a higher-level system.

The work instruction file 12 stores the order processing unit 11
2 has a function of instructing the work developed in the process and keeping the progress thereof. As shown in FIG.
1 includes a work reception table 19 for receiving work from receiving data and a work instruction table 20 for giving work instructions.

In the work instruction file 12, the order processing unit 1
When the data is received at 1, the work reception table 1
9 、 Received date and time, information code to develop the process, among the information related to the logistics business of the received data, in the case of delivery and delivery business, information such as the destination, in the case of warehousing and receiving business Is registered with the information of the delivery source and the warehouse information of the receiving destination.

The work instruction table 20 is provided with a progress level (STS) indicating the current progress level. This progress is updated from 0 to Z. When work returns, this progress may decrease.

The work instruction table 20 stores, in the work instruction file 12, work instructions for goods to be shipped, goods to be delivered, goods to be inspected, and goods to be stored, based on the information on the goods in the information related to the logistics work of the received data. Will be expanded to.

As shown in FIG. 2B, the process master 13 includes a process table 21, a process class table 22, a process procedure table 23, and a related process table 24.
Consists of four tables. Process master 13
Is a work instruction table 20 of the work instruction file 12
According to the degree of progress, what work is to be performed next at which stage is defined.

Here, the relationship between the process, the process class, and the process procedure in the present invention will be described. A process is a basic unit of a business flow, and means the largest business of logistics such as receiving, receiving, dispatching, shipping, leaving, and delivering, and a process class means a business flow in each of the above processes. A procedure means an individual process in each of the process classes, and a progress is associated with the procedure.

The process table 21 is used for receiving, storing, dispatching,
Define logistics operations such as shipping, shipping, and delivery. Timing of increase / decrease for each inventory item, creation timing of the history of the inventory file 16, type of business (arrival, shipment, accident)
Etc. are also defined here.

The process class table 22 defines a series of processes when the flow of the system business is developed from a receiving request, a shipping request or a transportation request. In the reception process in the order receiving unit, the work instruction is automatically developed based on the information code defined here. For example, in the case of shipment from a warehouse, it is defined that there are two processes of "shipment" and "allocation".
As a result, instruction data for “shipping” and “allocation” is created from the shipping instruction to the warehouse.

The process procedure table 23 defines a flow for each process defined in the process class table 22. The flow can define progress up to a maximum of 36 steps, and each progress can define up to 99 processes. The process procedures include incoming allocation, shipping allocation, delivery vehicle allocation, collection vehicle allocation, next, receiving instruction, receiving inspection, receiving completed, etc. For example, receiving location allocation is executed for incoming allocation. Such a procedure is defined in this table.

The related process table 24 defines a necessary context between processes caused by progress. What the progress status of a certain process does with respect to other processes as a result of a previous and subsequent transition. Is defined. For example, if there are two processes defined as “shipping” and “allocation”, there is an essential context of “allocation” and “shipping”. In this case, when the “allocation” transitions from “closed” to “fixed”, “shipment” is advanced from “before” to “permitted”. Such a definition is made in the related process table 24.

The work progress management unit 14 checks the degree of progress in the process procedure table 23 of the work instruction file 12 and
The work performed at the time of the progress is referred to the process master 13 and an instruction is issued to the standard component group 15 to advance the progress.

The standard component group 15 is composed of a plurality of standard components each of which performs a standard unit process.
In the early days, it was created and increased each time the work increased,
Once it reaches a certain number, it will not increase any more. This is because all work consists of simple multiple standard unit processes.

Next, the processing of each task of the physical distribution control system will be described with reference to the drawings. First, the flow of processing in the case of “arrival” is shown in FIG. In step S301, the order receiving unit 11 of FIG. 1 receives data from a higher-level system. Upon receiving this data, it is checked in step S302 whether or not there is an arrival. When it is determined in this step that the product is received, the process proceeds to step S303, and it is confirmed whether or not to perform the inspection process. Inspection processing refers to confirming the number of unloaded packages when unloading them. Normal,
Inspection processing is performed, but the number may be omitted when entering the warehouse in the next storage processing, and may be omitted.

If it is confirmed in step S303 that the inspection processing is performed, the number of packages is actually confirmed in step S304. Then, in step S305, the completion of the receiving inspection process is recorded in the work instruction file 12, and
In step S306, the process moves to step S307 of the next warehousing process.

Regardless of whether or not the inspection processing is performed in step S303, next, the storage processing is performed in step S307. The warehousing process is to confirm whether or not the baggage can be put into the warehouse, and the actual putting into the warehouse is performed in a later inventory update. When the storage processing is completed, it is checked in step S308 whether the same package as the received package is in stock. If there is a similar type of luggage, a recommended location is allocated in step S309. Recommended location
Provision of an application is to determine where it is appropriate to put the luggage and secure that space.

When the allocation of the recommended location is completed, the reservation of the location is recorded in the work instruction file 12 in step S310.

Next, a stock update process is performed in step S311, and the actual increase in stock is recorded in the stock file 16 in step S312.

On the other hand, if it is confirmed in step S308 that there is no stock of the same type of luggage, a search for an empty location is made in step S313.

Next, the "shipment" process will be described with reference to FIG. If the data is received in step S301 in FIG. 3 and the data is not received in step S302, it is confirmed in step S401 in FIG. 4 whether the data is shipping. If it is confirmed that the shipment is made, the process proceeds to step S402, and whether or not there is a vehicle dispatch is performed.
That is, it is confirmed whether there is a car that carries the luggage. If there is a vehicle allocation, the process proceeds to step S403, and sorting is performed for each area, that is, sorting is performed for each area. Then, in step S404, it is recorded in the work instruction file 12 that the sorting has been performed for each area, and as in the case where there is no vehicle allocation in step S405, the leaving process is performed in step S406.

The unloading process is a process of unloading the ordered number of packages from the warehouse for shipping. In step S407, it is checked whether the number of packages is in stock. If there is no such stock, the exit from the warehouse is suspended in step S408, and the fact is recorded in the work instruction file 12 in step S409.

On the other hand, if there is a stock in step S407, a location is allocated in step S410, the process proceeds to step S412, and the stock is updated. Record.

Next, the transportation process will be described with reference to FIG. The received data in step S301 of FIG.
If it is not detected in step S501 that the shipment has been made, it is confirmed in step S501 whether the shipment is transportation. If it is confirmed that the transportation is performed, the process proceeds to step S502, and it is confirmed whether or not there is collection. In this step, if it is determined that there is a pickup, sorting is performed for each area in step S503, and in step S504, this is indicated in the work instruction file 1.
2 is written.

Thereafter, the process returns to step S505 when there is no pickup, and it is confirmed in step S506 whether delivery has been made. If it is determined in this step that there is a delivery, sorting is performed for each area in step S507, and in step S508, the work instruction file 12 is notified.
Is written to.

Next, the work progress status will be specifically described with reference to the work instruction file 12. Work instruction file 12
Has a work instruction table 20 having a structure as shown in FIG. This table uses the work instruction number as a primary key, a process code that defines the type of work such as receiving inspection, receiving, and shipping, a progress (STS), a product code, a product name, a quantity,
It has those meanings.

The process master 13 defines a process corresponding to the process code in the work instruction table. That is, the name of the process code and the instruction in the process are defined for the process code. Also, as shown in FIG. 8, the process procedure table 23 in the process master 13 defines a process code and a completion status as to where the progress after the process is to be advanced according to the process code and the progress. ing.

Therefore, for example, in the work instruction table 20 shown in FIG. 6, when the work instruction number is 10000001, when the process code is 22 and the degree of progress is 0, there are not 10 liquor inspection products of the product code S901. It means a state of processing. According to the process master, as shown in FIG. 7, the process code 22 is an inspection, and when the process is completed, a process of increasing the commercial inventory is performed. According to the process procedure table 23, as shown in FIG. 8, when the degree of progress is 0 in the process code 22, an inspection instruction is created,
After the inspection instruction is created, it is defined that the progress is advanced to 1. After this processing, the process code is 2
At 2 the progress becomes 1 and the inspection is completed. Then, after the inspection is completed, the degree of progress is advanced to Z.

According to the process procedure table, as shown in FIG. 8, when the process code is 23 and the progress is 0, the storage location is allocated and the progress is advanced to 1. Then, it will be in the state of progress 1 with the same process code,
A receipt slip is created, and then a process of advancing the progress to 2 is performed. Then, since the progress is 2 with the same process code (23), the storage is completed. When the storage is OK, the progress is advanced to 3.

In this way, the contents of the work can be defined by the process code, and the processing can be advanced according to the degree of progress.

In the above description, when the process code is 22, the process is related to the inspection, and the inspection is performed after the arrival. However, the inspection process can be omitted by rewriting the process code in the process procedure table. In this case, as shown in FIG. 9, it is defined that the process code 22 of the process procedure table is completed when the progress is 0, and the completion status is advanced to the progress Z (complete). As a result, the inspection process of the process code 22 is immediately treated as completed,
Completion processing can be skipped.

As described above, it is possible to deal with a change in the business by rewriting the definition contents of the process procedure table without changing the program.

The work progress management unit 14 stores the work instruction file 1
2, the specific work is instructed to the standard parts group 15 with reference to the contents defined by the process master 13.

The standard component group 15 is made up of a plurality of standard components that perform standard unit processing. Basic processing is performed by combining the processing of these standard components.

Each of the standard parts for performing the standard unit processing performs a fine and simple processing, and the present invention thus conceives that all the operations of the logistics consist of a finite number of these standard unit processings. Based on In addition, since the processing performed by the work instruction file is defined by the process master, the contents of the processing can be flexibly changed.

[0052]

As described above, even if the work routine in the system is changed, it is possible to cope with the change without changing the main program, and it is possible to obtain a physical distribution control system and a method thereof which can flexibly cope with the routine change.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a work instruction file and a process master in the configuration of FIG. 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a view for explaining a flow of processing related to arrival in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary view for explaining the flow of processing related to shipping in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a view for explaining a flow of processing related to transportation in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a view for explaining the contents of a work instruction table in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the contents of a process master in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a view for explaining the contents of a process procedure table in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a view for explaining a case where the contents of a process procedure table are changed in one embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

11: Order processing unit, 12: Work instruction file,
13: process master, 14: work progress management unit,
15 ... Standard parts group, 16 ... Stock file, 19
... Work reception table, 20 ... Work instruction table, 21 ... Process table, 22 ... Process class table, 23 ... Process procedure table, 24
..Related process table.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Yoshinobu Minade 1-10-14 Hamamatsucho, Minato-ku, Tokyo Inside Toshiba Logistics Consulting Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hiroyuki Suzuki 1-10 Hamamatsucho, Minato-ku, Tokyo No. 14 Toshiba Logistics Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hiroyuki Maki 386-37 Oba-cho, Aoba-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture Utopia Planning F-term (reference) 3F022 MM07 MM11 MM28 MM35 MM43 MM49 MM59

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. An order processing unit for receiving data related to a physical distribution, a work instruction file for expanding the operations related to the physical distribution based on the data received by the order processing unit, and holding the operations, and an operation specified by the operation instruction file. A standard component group consisting of a plurality of standard components that perform standard unit processing to be performed, a process master that defines the content of work held in the work instruction file, and a content defined in the process master. A logistics control system comprising: a work progress management unit that manages the next work; and performing a basic task by combining the processes of the standard parts of the standard parts group according to the instruction of the work progress management unit. . 2. An order processing unit for receiving data related to physical distribution, a work instruction file for expanding the operations related to physical distribution based on the data received by the order processing unit, and retaining the operations and the degree of progress, and the contents of the work instruction file. An inventory file that changes the status of inventory, a standard parts group consisting of a plurality of standard parts that perform a standard unit process performed for performing the operation indicated by the operation instruction file, and an operation that is held in the operation instruction file. A process master that defines the content of the process in accordance with the degree of progress, and manages the next operation according to the degree of progress of each operation held in the work instruction file with reference to the content defined in the process master. A work progress management unit, and combining the processes by each standard part of the standard parts group according to an instruction of the work progress management unit. A logistics control system characterized by performing basic tasks. 3. The physical distribution control system according to claim 1, wherein the work instruction file includes a work reception table and a work instruction table. 4. The process master includes: a process table;
Process class table, process procedure table,
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a related process table.
4. The physical distribution control system according to any one of claims 1 to 3. 5. A step of receiving data related to physical distribution, a step of developing a work related to physical distribution from the data received in this step, and a step of storing the operations in a work instruction file; A step of defining a process master; a step of managing the next work with reference to the contents defined in the process master; anda step of performing the work specified by the work instruction file based on the management of this step. Performing a basic task by combining processes of a standard component group consisting of a plurality of standard components for performing a standard unit process. 6. A step of receiving data related to physical distribution, a step of developing a work related to physical distribution from the data received in this step, and storing the work and the degree of progress in a work instruction file; Defining the content of the process in the process master according to the progress, and referring to the content defined in the process master, and performing the next operation according to the progress of each job held by the work instruction file. And performing the work specified by the work instruction file based on the management of this step by combining the processing by a standard parts group including a plurality of standard parts for performing a standard unit processing to be performed. And changing the status of the stock held by the stock file according to the contents of the work instruction file. Distribution control method characterized by a step for. 7. A step of receiving data relating to physical distribution, a step of confirming whether the data received in this step is data relating to receipt, and a step of confirming that the data is receipt by this step.
A step of confirming whether or not to perform inspection processing; and, if it is confirmed by this step that inspection processing is to be performed, a step of performing inspection processing, recording that the inspection processing has been performed in a work instruction file, and performing a storage processing. After carrying out the warehousing process in this step, a step of confirming whether there is stock of the same type of luggage, and when it is confirmed by this step that there is a stock of the same type of luggage, the location is allocated and A logistics control method, comprising: a step of recording the fact in the work instruction file; and a step of updating stock after this step. 8. A step of receiving data relating to physical distribution, a step of confirming whether the received data is data relating to shipping, and a step of confirming that the data is shipping by this step.
A step of confirming whether or not the vehicle can be dispatched; and a step of, when it is confirmed that the vehicle can be dispatched, performing sorting in each direction and recording that the sorting has been performed in the work instruction file in this step; After carrying out, the step of carrying out the warehousing process, the step of carrying out the warehousing process in this step, and the step of checking whether there is stock of the same type of package, and the step of confirming that the same type of package is in stock. A step of allocating a location when the location is allocated and recording the fact in the work instruction file; and performing a stock update after this step. 9. A step of receiving data relating to physical distribution, a step of confirming whether the data received in this step is data relating to transportation, and a step of confirming that the data is transportation in this step.
A step of confirming whether or not collection is possible; a step of, when it is confirmed that the collection is possible, performing sorting in each direction and recording in the work instruction file that the sorting has been performed in the work instruction file; After performing, the step of confirming whether the package is delivered, and the step of performing sorting according to the direction when it is confirmed that the package is delivered by this step, and recording the fact in the work instruction file. A distribution control method characterized by comprising: