JP2002288415A - Agent support device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an agent support device which not only easily recognizes customers but also supports sales activity of an agent. SOLUTION: An agent 12 not only deals with a customer 28 as conventional but also sells restaurant implements manufactured by a maker 22 on commission. A VC 16 opens an agent support site 114 to support sales on commission of the agent 12. The agent support site 14 provides commodity information of restaurant implements or the like, sales suggestion information for customers, sales promotion leaflet information, or the like. The agent 12 transmits customer information related to customers 28 to the VC 16 through the agent support site 14 and registers it in a customer database 44D. Each time the agent 12 acquires a new customer, it transmits customer information to the VC 16. Thus, customer information of each agent is successively accumulated in the customer database 44D.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an agent support apparatus, and more particularly to an agent supporting apparatus for selling goods to a customer by using a retailer or the like closely connected to the customer as an agent. Related to an agent support device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, business-use refrigerators, ice makers, dishwashers, and other canteen equipment used in, for example, private shops such as restaurants, are sold by salespeople of the manufacturers to the shops individually. Had been sold.

[0003] In recent years, with the development of information and communication technology, the purchase and sale of merchandise using networks such as the Internet.
Online shopping that can make payments is attracting attention. If you use online shopping, you can give and receive information and trade on products on an individual basis, but it will involve complicated work until the user reaches the target product, and the product provider will need to connect from the user. He was leaning on passive processes of waiting and sending and receiving information.

By the way, liquors and the like sold in such stores are often supplied by retailers specialized in restaurants called so-called commercial liquor stores, and the ties between the stores and commercial liquor stores are strong. Further, the store also has a customer, and the relationship between the store and the customer is close.

[0005]

However, the information of the store and the liquor store for business use, and the information of the store and the customer are independent and difficult to use each other. For this reason, it is not easy to grasp customers who actually need the product.

[0006] When selling canteen equipment to a private store or the like, it is necessary to carry out sales activities such as explanation of the product. However, since a commercial liquor store is primarily a retailer of liquor and the like, such a business is required. Often unfamiliar with sales activities.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above facts, and has as its object to provide an agent support device which can easily grasp customers and can support the sales activities of agents. Aim.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, agent information on an agent capable of mediating sales of goods between a customer and a goods supply side is stored. A predetermined agent database, a customer database for storing customer information relating to a customer who is a sales broker of the product in association with the agent information, and a product database for storing product information regarding the product. Server-side storage means including: a registration means for receiving customer information transmitted from the agent-side terminal device connected to the network via the network and registering the customer information in the customer database; Sales support information related to goods to be provided by the agent based on the It is generated and comprising a, a sales support information providing unit to be transmitted to the agent terminal device through the network.

The agent-side terminal device is provided on the agent side capable of mediating sales of goods between the customer and the goods supply side. Note that the product also includes equipment. The agent only needs to have a customer in some form. For example, the agent has a business relationship with a plurality of customers for a product different from the product corresponding to the product information exchanged with the server, and has a connection with the customer. Is preferably strong.
For example, when the customer is a restaurant, a business liquor store or the like that retails liquor and the like to the restaurant can be an agent that mediates sales of devices such as refrigerators used in the restaurant.
In addition, an individual customer or an acquaintance of the restaurant may be the customer.

[0010] When the customer has a customer-side terminal connectable to a network, the agent-side terminal device transmits the merchandise information to be exchanged with the server. Transaction information of a product different from the corresponding product can be exchanged with a customer terminal provided on the customer side.

[0011] The agent-side terminal device transmits customer information relating to a customer who is a sales brokerage product through a network such as the Internet to the server. Customer information, for example, in addition to the address and telephone number of the customer's store,
Includes information useful for conducting sales activities, such as the size of the store and the model number of the equipment already installed.

The server has server-side storage means. The server-side storage means includes a predetermined agent database for storing agent information about the agent, a customer database for storing customer information in association with the agent information, and a product for storing product information about the product. A database is stored. The agent information includes information for managing the agent, such as the address and telephone number of the agent. Customer information is stored in the customer database in association with the agent information. This makes it possible to manage customer information for each agent. The merchandise information includes detailed information such as the size, performance, and price of the merchandise for which the agent mediates sales.

[0013] The server further includes a registration unit that receives the customer information transmitted from the agent side terminal device via the network and registers the customer information in the customer database.
For this reason, the customer information is accumulated in the customer database by transmitting the customer information to the server every time the agent acquires a new customer. As described above, since the customer information transmitted from the agent-side terminal device is registered in the customer database, the customer can be easily grasped.

[0014] The sales support information providing means selects a product to be provided by the agent, that is, a product to be proposed to the customer, based on information on the store size and the already installed equipment included in the customer information, for example. For example, if a customer uses an old product by using a table in which a new product model number and an old product model number are associated with each other, a new product corresponding to the old product is selected as a product to be proposed. be able to. Then, sales support information is generated from the product information of the selected product and transmitted to the agent-side terminal device.

[0015] The sales support information may include at least one of catalog information of the product, sales promotion information of the product, and proposal know-how of the product. The proposal know-how information includes, for example, a sales talk and the like.

The agent-side terminal device performs sales activities for customers using such sales support information. As described above, since the sales support information can be obtained via the network, the agent can quickly and smoothly perform the sales activity.

[0017] As described in claim 4, a quotation request for the product transmitted from the agent-side terminal device via the network is received, and quotation information corresponding to the received quotation request is generated. And a quotation information generating means for transmitting to the agent-side terminal device via the network, an order request for the product transmitted from the agent-side terminal device via the network, and receiving the received order request. Order receiving means for transmitting the product to a manufacturer terminal connected to the network.

According to the present invention, it is possible to receive an estimate of a product from the agent side terminal device via the network, and to receive an order for the product via the network. Thus, the agent can easily obtain a quote for the product and place an order, so that the sales activity can be performed quickly and smoothly.

Further, as set forth in claim 5, the customer information includes result information on sales activities for the customer by the agent, and the server stores the result information, the quote request, and the order request. Point registering means for registering the sales activity points for the agent corresponding to the agent into the agent database.

According to the present invention, the customer information transmitted from the agent-side terminal device includes the result information regarding the sales activity, for example, information such as the degree of progress. The point registering means registers the sales activity points for the agent corresponding to the result information, the quote request, and the order request in the agent database, so that the agent can be given a privilege corresponding to the points. For this reason, sales activities by the agent can be promoted. The sales activity points may be transmitted to the agent terminal device.

[0021]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. This embodiment is, for example, a customer side that is a restaurant, an agent side that has a transaction with the customer, such as liquor, and that sells, for example, canteen equipment to the customer, and a maker that manufactures canteen equipment The present invention is applied to a network system that supports sales of agents on a network between the two. Note that the relationship between the customer and the agent is not limited to these, and the individual customer of the restaurant may be the customer, and the restaurant may be the agent.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration of a network system 90 according to the present embodiment to which the present invention can be applied. FIG. 1 schematically shows a state where exchange of product information, customer information, and the like and ordering of products are performed in network system 90 of the present embodiment.

Although the details of each configuration will be described later, as shown in FIG. 2, the network system 90 is a virtual company (hereinafter simply referred to as a “company”) that opens an agent support site 14 for providing sales support for the agents 12 shown in FIG. Server computer 9 provided on the 16 side
1. An agent computer 92 provided on the agent 12 side, an eMP computer 93 provided on the operating company 20 side for opening an e-market site 18 for trading goods on the network, and a manufacturer 22 side for manufacturing goods. A maker computer 94 provided, a logistics company computer 95 provided at the logistics company 26 for transferring goods to the equipment company 24 in accordance with an order instruction from the maker 22, and a customer 2
8, a computer 96 provided at the equipment company 24 for installation, construction, maintenance, etc.
Are connected to a network (for example, a telephone line or the Internet) 97 via connection devices such as a modem, a router, and a TA (Terminal Adapter). These computers are
Information can be exchanged via the network 97 by mutual communication.

The server computer 91 corresponds to the server of the present invention, and the agent computer 92
Corresponds to the agent terminal device of the present invention, and the maker computer 94 corresponds to the maker terminal device of the present invention. Further, the network 97 corresponds to the network of the present invention.

In this embodiment, a case where the Internet is applied as a network will be described. In this case, a case where the Internet is applied as a network will be described. In this case, the server computer 91 is connected to WWW (Wo
rld Wide Web), and the other computers may function as WWW clients. In detail, a WWW browser is installed in each computer, and this WWW browser is activated,
It becomes possible to arbitrarily access another computer (for example, a server) via a network. At this time, the access position (the data composed of the position of the access destination computer and the position of the information in the computer) is a URL.
(Uniform Resource Locator).

In general, data is stored in an HTTP (Hype
r Text Transfer Protocol). Computers are identified by IP (Internet Pro
Tocol) address can be used, and input of the user himself or a user ID such as a predetermined code can be used to identify the user who operates the computer.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic configuration of the server computer 91. The server computer 91 is a computer belonging to the VC 16 that opens an agent support site for providing sales support for agents.
A PU 32A, a ROM 32B, a RAM 32C, and an input / output port (I / O) 32D are provided, and are connected to each other via a bus such as an address bus, a data bus, and a control bus. The input / output port 32D includes a communication device 34, various input / output devices such as a mouse 36, which is a pointing device, a keyboard 38, a display 40 including a CRT and an LCD, and reading and writing of data and commands to and from a storage medium. A recording device (R / W) 42 for performing at least one of them, and a storage device 44 such as a hard disk device for storing various data and databases described later are connected to each other. The communication device 34 is connected to a network 97 so that information can be exchanged with another computer by mutual communication. The communication device 34 includes, for example, a modem, a router, and a TA (Terminal Adapter: Terminal A) for enjoying a telephone line or the Internet.
dapter).

The recording device 42 has a floppy disk unit (FDU) into which a floppy (registered trademark) disk 46 as a recording medium can be inserted and removed. A processing routine and the like described later can be read from and written to the floppy disk 46 using the FDU. Therefore, the processing routine described later does not need to be stored in the ROM 32B.
The processing program recorded on the floppy disk in advance may be executed via the FDU and the processing program recorded on the floppy disk may be executed.

In the present embodiment, the server computer 9
A processing program recorded on a storage medium such as a floppy disk is stored (installed) in a large-capacity storage device 44 such as a hard disk device provided in 1 and the corresponding processing is executed. The recording medium is a CD-RO
There are disks 48 such as M, MD, MO, and DVD, and magnetic tapes such as DAT.
A CD-ROM device, an MD device, or
An MO device, a DVD device, a DAT device, or the like may be used.

In the storage device 44, a processing program 44A such as a processing routine to be described later, the agent support site 1
4, a format database 44B storing a display screen format for displaying information provided by the agent 4, an agent database 44C storing agent information on the agent 12 for each agent, and a customer 2
A customer database 44D that stores customer information on the products 8 for each customer and a product database 44E that stores product information on products manufactured by the manufacturer 22 for each product are stored.

The storage device 44 corresponds to server-side storage means provided in the server of the present invention, the agent database 44C corresponds to the agent database of the present invention, and the customer database 44D corresponds to the customer database of the present invention. The product database 44E corresponds to the product database of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows an agent computer 92.
Is schematically shown. The agent computer 92 is a computer belonging to the agent 12 that sells liquor and the like to the customer 28 and sells canteen equipment such as a refrigerator manufactured by the maker 22. The CPU 52A is substantially similar to the server computer 91 described above. ,
ROM 52B, RAM 52C, input / output port (I / O)
52D, which are connected to each other via buses such as an address bus, a data bus, and a control bus. A communication device 54, a mouse 56, a keyboard 58, a display 60, a recording device (R / W) 6
2, a printer 63, and a storage device 64 are connected to each other.

The storage device 64 includes a processing program 64A such as a processing routine described later, agent data 64B relating to the agent 12 such as data relating to sales activities to the customer 28, and a customer database 64C storing customer information relating to the customer 28 for each customer. Is stored.

FIG. 5 shows a schematic configuration of the maker computer 94. The maker computer 94 is a VC
16 is a computer belonging to the maker 22 that receives an order request from the server 16 and includes a CPU 72A, a ROM 72B, a RAM 72C, and an input / output port (I / O) 72D almost in the same manner as the server computer 91. , Are connected to each other via a bus such as a control bus. The communication device 7 is connected to the input / output port 72D.
4, mouse 76, keyboard 78, display 80,
A recording device (R / W) 82 and a storage device 84 are connected to each other.

Stored in the storage device 84 are a processing program 84A such as a processing routine to be described later, maker data 84B relating to the maker 22 such as order contents from the VC 16 and order contents from the e-market site 18, and a product manufactured by the maker 22. A product database 84C is stored. This product database contains, for example, product performance and size,
It also includes detailed data such as price, the number of stocks, and data such as the number of days for delivery from order to delivery.

Since the eMP computer 93, the distribution company computer 95, and the equipment company computer 96 have substantially the same configuration as the above-mentioned computers, detailed description will be omitted.

The computer has various configurations in addition to the above configuration, but since it is a general-purpose and general configuration, detailed description is omitted.

FIG. 1 schematically shows a state in which product information and customer information are exchanged and a product order is placed in network system 90 of the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the agent 12
It is a business liquor store or the like that has conventionally traded liquor and the like with the customer 28, and also has a role as an agent that mediates sales of cafeteria equipment such as refrigerators manufactured by the manufacturer 22.

The VC 16 has such an agent 12
Has established an agent support site 14 for supporting the sales intermediation by the company. This agent support site 1
4, the manufacturer 22 based on the product database 44E.
Provides information on products such as cafeteria equipment manufactured by.
As a result, the agent 12 can easily obtain information on the handled product.

Further, the agent 12 transmits customer information relating to the customer who is dealing with the agent 12 to the VC 16 through the agent support site 14.

The customer information includes, for example, store name, customer address, telephone number, business type, store size, model number of installed equipment,
Information provided by the agent, such as business history, and information provided by the manufacturer, such as sales proposal information on products to be proposed to the customer, are also included.

The VC 16 stores the received customer information in an agent database 44 C storing agent information for each agent registered in advance by the manufacturer 22.
Is registered in the customer database 44D in association with the corresponding agent information. When a new customer is acquired, the agent 12 transmits the customer information to the VC 16 each time.
Send to As a result, customer information for each agent is successively stored in the customer database 44D.

The agent information includes, for example, an agent support site 14 provided in advance by the manufacturer 22.
The information includes information such as a user ID and a password, an agent name, an address, a telephone number, and the like for using, and point information given according to a sales activity described later.

The manufacturer 22 makes a sales strategy for each customer by referring to the agent database 44C and the customer database 44D, and registers sales proposal information on products to be proposed to the customer in the customer database 44D through the agent support site 14, for example. I do.
The sales proposal information includes, for example, information on products to be proposed and know-how information such as sales talk examples.

By referring to the sales proposal information through the agent support site 14, the agent 12 can easily grasp what kind of product and how to propose to the customer.

Further, a table in which the model numbers of the new product and the old product are associated with each other is stored in the storage device 44 of the server computer 91, and when the model number of the installed device included in the customer information is the old product. Automatically selects a corresponding new product as a product to be proposed by using this table, generates corresponding sales support information, that is, the above-mentioned sales proposal information in the server computer 91, and transmits it to the agent 12. You may make it.

Further, the agent support site 14 can provide sales promotion information of a product to be proposed by the agent 12. Thereby, the agent 12 can easily obtain the sales promotion flyer by receiving and printing the sales promotion flyer information, and can smoothly carry out sales activities.

When the customer 28 inquires about the product to be handled, the agent 12
Can also make an inquiry to the manufacturer 22 through the agent support site 14.

Further, if the customer 28 wishes to confirm the quote, stock, and delivery date of the product, the agent 12
Can obtain quotation information including inventory, delivery date, etc. from the agent support site 14, and when the customer 28 desires to purchase a product, can place an order with the manufacturer 22 through the agent support site 14. it can.

When the manufacturer 22 receives an order request through the agent support site 14, the distribution company 2
6 and instruct the equipment company 24 to install products. Accordingly, the distribution company 26 transports the product to the equipment company 24, and the equipment company 24 transports the transported product to the customer 28 to perform installation work and the like.

The manufacturer 22 sends a bill for the product price to the customer 2
8 and the customer 28 pays for the goods. The payment may be made by electronic payment.

The VC 16 gives a sales activity point according to the sales activity of the agent 12, and registers the sales activity point in the agent database 44C. For example, points are given according to the stage of the sales activity, such as when a sales promotion flyer is distributed, when an estimate is requested, or when an order is requested. The maker 22 pays, for example, a business agency fee corresponding to the number of points to the agent 12.

The maker 22 may pay a certain amount of money to the agent 12 for each predetermined period as a service agent fee, and give a privilege corresponding to the number of points to the agent 12 or to the customer 28, for example. . For example, an amount corresponding to the number of points may be paid to the agent 12, or the manufacturer 22 may be paid according to the number of points.
May be specified, and the specified product may be given to the customer 28 according to the number of points. Thereby, the satisfaction of the agent 12 and the customer 28 is improved, and the sales activity is promoted.

If the customer 28 has a computer connectable to the network 97, the agent 12
The exchange of sales flyer information and merchandise information, inquiry and ordering of merchandise between them may be performed via a network. In addition, by registering as a member who uses the e-market site 18 in the member database 19, it is possible to purchase products from the manufacturer 22 using the e-market site 18. Since this e-market site 18 is similar to a known shopping site,
Detailed description is omitted.

Next, the operation of the server computer 91 and the agent computer 92 of the VC 16 in the network system 90 will be further described.

First, when an access request to the agent support site 14 is made from the agent computer 92 to the server computer 91, the server computer 91 executes a processing routine shown in FIG. Specifically, the CPU 32 of the server computer 91
A, the processing program 4 stored in the storage device 44
4A is executed.

In step 200 shown in FIG. 6, the format information of the login screen 100 as shown in FIG. 9 is generated based on the format database 44B and transmitted to the agent computer 92. As a result, the login screen 100 is displayed on the display 60 of the agent computer 92.

The login screen 100 has an input area 10 for inputting a user ID of the agent support site 14.
2. It has an input area 104 for inputting a password, and a login button 106 to be clicked (pressed) when logging in.

An operator of the agent computer 92 inputs a user ID and a password, and enters a login button 1
When 06 is clicked with the mouse 56, the agent computer 92 transmits the input user ID and password to the server computer 91.

As a result, the server computer 91
In step 202, it is determined that the user ID and the password have been input, and in the next step 204, the received user ID and password and the
Check the user ID and password included in 4C,
It is determined whether the user ID and the password match. If they match, it is determined in step 204 that the collation is OK, that is, the agent support site 14
And the process proceeds to step 206.

On the other hand, if they do not match, step 20
In step 208, it is determined that the verification is NG.
G processing is performed. Specifically, for example, the fact that the ID and the password are wrong is notified to the agent computer 92.
The data to be displayed is generated and transmitted to the agent computer 92. This process is repeated until a normal ID and password are input.

In step 206, the format information of the menu screen 108 as shown in FIG. 10 is generated and transmitted to the agent computer 92. Thus, the display 60 of the agent computer 92 shows
A menu screen 108 is displayed.

The menu screen 108 is used to contact or make inquiries to the customer management button 110 to be clicked when performing customer management processing, the product catalog button 112 to be clicked when referring to a product catalog, and the maker 22. Contact button 114 to be clicked in case
It has.

When the operator of the agent computer 92 clicks the customer management button 110, the agent computer 92 sends a signal indicating that the customer management button 110 has been clicked to the server computer 91.
Send to As a result, the server computer 91 determines in step 210 that the customer management button 110 has been clicked, and performs a customer management process as shown in FIG.

In step 300 shown in FIG. 7, customer information corresponding to the received user ID is extracted from the agent database 44C and the customer database 44D, and the format information of the customer list screen 116 as shown in FIG. 11 is generated. To the agent computer 92. As a result, the customer list screen 116 is displayed on the display 60 of the agent computer 92.

On the customer list screen 116, a customer name 118 is displayed.
And a new business button 120 to be clicked when newly registering customer information while the list of business types 120 is displayed.
22, a return button 124 to be clicked when returning to the previous screen is provided. Note that the customer name 118 can be clicked to refer to detailed information.

When the operator of the agent computer 92 clicks on the customer name 118 whose detailed information is desired to be referred, the agent computer 92 sets the customer name 1
A signal indicating that the button 18 has been clicked is transmitted to the server computer 91. Accordingly, the server computer 91 determines in step 302 that the customer name 118 has been clicked, and in the next step 304,
As shown in FIG. 12, the format information of the customer data screen 126 for displaying the detailed information of the selected customer is generated based on the customer database 44D and transmitted to the agent computer 92. As a result, the customer data screen 126 is displayed on the display 60 of the agent computer 92.

The customer data screen 126 displays the detailed information 128 of the selected customer. In addition, when a sales activity is performed on the customer, an input area 130 for inputting a result report is input. A transmission button 132 to be clicked when transmitting a result report, a sales proposal button 134 to be clicked when referring to sales proposal information for the customer, and a return button 136 to be clicked when returning to the previous screen are provided. ing.

When the return button 136 is clicked, the agent computer 92 displays the previous screen, that is, the customer list screen 116, and
A signal indicating that the return button 136 has been clicked is transmitted to the server computer 91. As a result, the server computer 91 makes a positive determination in step 305 and returns to step 302.

When the operator of the agent computer 92 inputs a sales activity result report in the input area 130 and clicks the send button 132, the agent computer 92 sends the input result report data to the server computer 91. I do. Thus, the server computer 91 determines in step 306 that the input data, that is, the result report data, has been received, and performs the input data processing in the next step 308. Specifically, the received result report data is registered as a business history in the customer database 44D. Thus, the next time the customer data is referred to, the business history is displayed as the detailed information 128.

In the maker 22, the customer database 4
The points given to the agent 12 are registered in the agent database 44C with reference to the business history included in 4D. The points may be registered automatically each time a result report is received, or the points may be automatically registered according to the contents of the received result report.

On the other hand, when the operator of the agent computer 92 clicks the sales proposal button 134, the agent computer 92 sends a signal to the server computer 91 indicating that the sales proposal button 134 has been clicked. Thus, the server computer 91 determines in step 310 that the sales proposal button 134 has been clicked, and in the next step 312, displays the sales proposal information for the selected customer as shown in FIG. The format information of the screen 138 is generated based on the customer database 44D, and transmitted to the agent computer 92. As a result, the sales proposal screen 138 is displayed on the display 60 of the agent computer 92.

On the sales proposal screen 138, a product name 140 to be proposed for the selected customer, a sales talk example 142, a sales promotion flyer button 144 to be clicked when printing a sales promotion flyer for the product with the product name 140, A return button 146 to be clicked when returning to the previous screen is provided.

When the operator of the agent computer 92 clicks the sales promotion flyer button 144, the agent computer 92 sets the sales promotion flyer button 144
Is transmitted to the server computer 91. Thereby, the server computer 91
Then, in step 314, the sales promotion flyer button 14
4 is clicked, and in the next step 316, as shown in FIG. 14, the format information of the sales promotion flyer screen 148 that displays the sales promotion flyer of the product to be proposed to the selected customer is based on the product database 44E. Generated and transmitted to the agent computer 92. As a result, the sales promotion flyer screen 148 is displayed on the display 60 of the agent computer 92.

On the sales promotion flyer screen 148, a display area 150 for displaying an image of a product to be proposed to the selected customer,
A promotion flyer area 154 including a display area 152 for displaying detailed information of the product is displayed, a print button 156 to be clicked when printing the promotion flyer area 154, and a click when returning to the previous screen. A return button 158 to be provided is provided.

Here, when the operator of the agent computer 92 clicks the print button 156, the format information of the sales promotion flyer area 154 is output to the printer 63 as print data. Thereby, the sales promotion flyer is printed. In this way, since the sales promotion flyer screen of the product to be proposed is presented to the customer, the agent can easily obtain the sales promotion flyer simply by printing it, and the sales activity can be performed quickly and smoothly. Becomes

The processing in steps 312 and 316 is as follows.
It corresponds to the sales support information providing means of the present invention.

When the return button 158 is clicked, the agent computer 92 displays the previous screen, that is, the sales proposal screen 138, and sends a signal indicating that the return button 158 is clicked to the server computer 91. Send. As a result, the server computer 91 determines in step 318 that the return button 158 has been clicked, and returns to step 314.

When return button 146 is clicked on sales proposal screen 138, agent computer 92 returns to the previous screen, that is, customer data screen 12
6 and sends a signal to the server computer 91 indicating that the return button 146 has been clicked. As a result, the server computer 91 determines that the return button 146 has been clicked in step 320, and returns to step 305.

On the other hand, when the return button 124 is clicked on the customer list screen 116, the agent computer 92 displays the previous screen, that is, the menu screen 108, and outputs a signal indicating that the return button 124 is clicked. It is transmitted to the server computer 91. As a result, the server computer 91 executes step 32
In step 2, it is determined that the return button 124 has been clicked, and the process returns.

When the new registration button 122 is clicked, the agent computer 92 transmits to the server computer 91 a signal indicating that the new registration button 122 has been clicked. Thus, the server computer 91 determines in step 324 that the new registration button 122 has been clicked, and in the next step 326, the format information of the new registration screen 160 for inputting customer data as shown in FIG. Is generated and transmitted to the agent computer 92. As a result, a new registration screen 160 is displayed on the display 60 of the agent computer 92.

On the new registration screen 160, an input area 162A for inputting the customer name, an input area 162B for inputting the address of the customer, an input area 162C for inputting the telephone number of the customer, and the business type of the customer are displayed. An input area 162D for inputting, an input area 162E for inputting a customer's store scale, an input area 162F for inputting equipment installed in the customer's store, a registration to be clicked when registering customer data A button 164 and a return button 166 to be clicked when returning to the previous screen are provided.

Here, when the operator of the agent computer 92 clicks the return button 166, the agent computer 92 displays the previous screen, that is, the customer list screen 116, and the return button 166.
Is transmitted to the server computer 91. Thereby, the server computer 91
Then, it is determined in step 328 that the return button 166 has been clicked, and the process returns to step 302.

On the other hand, when the operator of the agent computer 92 inputs information on the new customer in each input area and clicks the registration button 164, the agent computer 92 converts the data input in each input area into the new customer. The data is transmitted to the server computer 91 as data. Accordingly, the server computer 91 receives the new customer data, determines in step 330 that the registration button 164 has been clicked, and proceeds to the next step 33
In 2, the new customer data received is registered in the customer database 44D. The agent 12 performs this process every time a new customer is acquired. As a result, customer data of the agent 12 is accumulated in the customer database 44D. Note that the process of step 332 corresponds to the registration unit of the present invention.

When the operator of agent computer 92 clicks product catalog button 112 on menu screen 108 shown in FIG. 10, agent computer 92 sends a signal indicating that product catalog button 112 has been clicked to the server computer. Send to 91. Thereby, in the server computer 91,
In step 214, it is determined that the product catalog button 112 has been clicked, and a product catalog process as shown in FIG. 8 is executed.

As shown in FIG. 8, in step 400, the format information of the product list screen 168 for displaying the product list as shown in FIG.
And transmits it to the agent computer 92. As a result, the product list screen 168 is displayed on the display 60 of the agent computer 92.

The product list screen 168 displays a list of the product names 170 and product types 172 of the products handled by the manufacturer 22, and has a return button 166 to be clicked when returning to the previous screen. Product name 1
70 is clickable.

Here, when the operator of the agent computer 92 clicks an arbitrary product name 170, the agent computer 92 transmits the clicked product name to the server computer 91. Accordingly, the server computer 91 determines in step 402 that the product name has been clicked, and in the next step 404, the product details for displaying the detailed data of the product corresponding to the received product name as shown in FIG. The format information of the screen 176 is generated based on the product database 44E and transmitted to the server computer 91. This allows
On the display 60 of the agent computer 92, a product detail screen 176 is displayed.

The product details screen 176 includes a display area 178 for displaying an image of the selected product and a display area 180 for displaying detailed information of the product, and an order button to be clicked when ordering the product. 182, an estimate button 184 to be clicked when requesting a quote for the product, and a return button 186 to be clicked when returning to the previous screen.

As described above, the details of the product can be easily confirmed online. Note that the processing in step 404 corresponds to the sales support information providing means of the present invention.

Here, when the operator of the agent computer 92 clicks the quote button 184, the agent computer 92 sends a signal indicating that the quote button 184 has been clicked to the server computer 91. As a result, the server computer 91 determines in step 406 that the estimate button 184 has been clicked, and performs estimation processing in the next step 408. Specifically, it extracts the stock, delivery date, price, and the like of the corresponding product from the product database 44E, generates format information of an estimate confirmation screen (not shown) for displaying these, and transmits the format information to the agent computer 92. In addition, a predetermined point given to the agent 12 in response to a quotation request from a customer is registered in the agent database 44C (corresponding to a point registration unit of the present invention). Thus, an estimate confirmation screen (not shown) is displayed on the display 60 of the agent computer 92. In this case, it is necessary for the manufacturer 22 to register the data of the stock quantity and the delivery date of each product in the product database 44E. Also, a request signal for requesting an estimate is transmitted to the maker computer 94, and the maker computer 94 transmits the data of the stock number and the delivery date of the corresponding product extracted from the product database 84C, and receives this. The format information of the estimate confirmation screen may be generated.

As described above, since the quote can be easily obtained online, the agent 12 can quickly and smoothly perform the sales activity.

On the other hand, when order button 182 is clicked, agent computer 92 sends a signal to server computer 91 indicating that order button 182 has been clicked. Thereby, in the server computer 91, in step 410, the order button 1
It is determined that 82 has been clicked, and in the next step 412, order processing is performed. Specifically, the name of the ordered product is transmitted to the manufacturer computer 94. The processing in step 412 corresponds to the order receiving means of the present invention.
The maker computer 94 is a computer 9 of the logistics company.
5 and a signal for requesting the installation company computer 96 to request the installation. In addition, a predetermined point given to the agent 12 in response to an order request from a customer is registered in the agent database 44C (corresponding to a point registration unit of the present invention). As a result, the product specified by the distribution company 26 is transported to the equipment company 24, and the product is transported to the customer 28 by the equipment company 24 and installed.

As described above, since the order can be easily placed online, the agent 12 can carry out the sales activities quickly and smoothly.

When the return button 186 is clicked on the product detail screen 176, the agent computer 92 displays the previous screen, that is, the product list screen 168, and indicates that the return button 186 is clicked. The signal is transmitted to the server computer 91. Accordingly, the server computer 91 determines that the return button 186 has been clicked in step 414, and proceeds to step 416.

Then, on the product list screen 168,
When the back button 174 is clicked, the agent computer 92 displays the previous screen, that is, the menu screen 108 shown in FIG.
A signal indicating that the button 74 has been clicked is transmitted to the server computer 91. As a result, the server computer 91 determines that the return button 174 has been clicked in step 414, and returns.

When the contact button 114 is clicked on the menu screen 108, the agent computer 92 transmits a signal indicating that the contact button 114 has been clicked to the server computer 91. Thereby, the server computer 91 executes step 218.
In step 220, it is determined that the contact button 114 has been clicked, and contact / inquiry processing is performed.
Specifically, first, format information of an input screen (not shown) having an input area for inputting the contents of contact / inquiry to the maker 22 is generated and transmitted to the agent computer 92. When the operator of the agent computer 92 inputs a message in the input area of the input screen and transmits the message, the server computer 91
Transmits the received message to the manufacturer computer 94. The maker 22 sends a reply to the content of the received message to the agent 12 by e-mail, for example.
Send to It should be noted that a telephone or F
You may reply directly by AX or the like.

As described above, since contact and inquiry can be made online, the agent 12 can quickly and smoothly perform sales activities.

[0100]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The customer information transmitted from the agent terminal device via the network can be received and registered in the customer database, and sales support information relating to the product to be provided by the agent is generated and transmitted to the agent terminal device. Since it is possible to transmit, it is possible to obtain the effect that the customer can be easily grasped and the sales activity of the agent can be supported.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing merchandise information in a network system in a network system according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram schematically showing a state in which customer information is exchanged and a product is ordered.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a network system according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a server computer.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an agent computer.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a maker computer.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a main routine executed by the server computer.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a customer management process executed by a server computer.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a product catalog process executed by a server computer.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a login screen.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a menu screen.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a customer list screen.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a customer data screen.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a sales proposal screen.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sales promotion flyer screen.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a new registration screen.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a product list screen.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a product detail screen.

[Explanation of symbols]

 12 Agent 14 Agent Support Site 18 eMarket Site 20 Operating Company 22 Maker 24 Equipment Company 26 Logistics Company 28 Customer 90 Network System 91 Server Computer 92 Agent Computer 93 Computer 94 Maker Computer 95 Distribution Company Side Computer 96 Equipment Company Side Computer 97 Network

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A predetermined agent database for storing agent information relating to an agent capable of mediating sales of goods between a customer and a product supply side, and a predetermined agent database relating to a customer to be mediated for sales of the goods. Server-side storage means including a customer database for storing customer information in association with the agent information and a product database for storing product information on the product; Registering means for receiving the customer information transmitted via the PC and registering the customer information in the customer database; and generating sales support information relating to a product to be provided by the agent based on the customer information and the product information. The agent-side terminal device via the network Agents assisting device including a sales support information providing means for transmitting, the. 2. The agent-side terminal device transmits / receives transaction information of a product different from a product corresponding to product information transmitted / received to / from the server to / from a customer-side terminal device provided at the customer side. 2. The agent support device according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The sales support information according to claim 1, wherein the sales support information includes at least one of catalog information of the product, sales promotion information of the product, and proposal know-how information of the product. Agent support equipment. 4. A quotation request for the product transmitted from the agent side terminal device via the network is received, and quotation information corresponding to the received quotation request is generated, and the agent side via the network is generated. Quotation information generating means for transmitting to the terminal device, an order request for the product transmitted from the agent-side terminal device via the network, and a maker of the product connected to the network which receives the received order request. 4. An order receiving means for transmitting to the side terminal device, further comprising:
The agent support device according to any one of claims 1 to 7. 5. The customer information includes result information on sales activities for the customer by the agent,
5. The agent support apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a point registration unit that registers sales activity points for the agent in response to the result information, the estimate request, and the order request in the agent database.