JP2002342627A - Device, system and program for managing order reception information and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To manage order reception information of merchandise and parts and also to conveniently present the states of ordered merchandise and parts to an ordering side through a network. SOLUTION: A customer computer 85 transmits the order number 41 of an ordered part, an order receiving number 45 and order contents information 43 to a maker computer 81. The maker computer 81 stores the order number 41 of the ordered part, the order receiving number 45 and the order contents information 43 in an order reception database 36H and also notifies a carrier side of the order number 41 of the ordered part, the order receiving number 45 and the order contents information 43. A delivery computer 87 of the carrier issues a tag 53 on the basis of the received information, attaches tag information 49 including a tag number and carrying state information representing a carrying state to the received information and transmits the tag information 49 to the maker computer 81. The maker computer 81 updates web display with the received information. Thus, a customer can grasp the carrying state of the ordered part only by notifying the order number.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an order information management device, an order information management system, an order information management program,
And storage media. In particular, information on orders received at least for parts to be distributed to customers such as corporations (companies) and individuals for the purpose of product distribution is used as data.
Order receiving information management device, order receiving information management system, order receiving information management program for providing via a network,
And a storage medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when a supplier that supplies a product including parts to an end user places an order for the product or part with a manufacturer, the ordered product or part is transferred to the transport department of the manufacturer or another manufacturer. Delivered to the supplier by the supplier. At this time, for example, when a part is delivered to a supplier by a supplier, a tag on which the address of the supplier, the part name, the tag number, and the like are printed is attached to a part packing box and delivered. On the other hand, the manufacturer manages the order contents such as the destination and the part name of the supply manufacturer together with the order number for specifying the order contents.

[0003]

Conventionally, when a supplier wants to grasp the state of transport of ordered parts, that is, the status of ordered parts, such as whether the parts have been shipped or not shipped by the supplier, the conventional method is to The manufacturer was informed of the order number and inquired. In this case, the manufacturer specifies the contents of the order from the order number, specifies the tag number from the slip of the delivered part, notifies the specified tag number to the supplier, inquires about the transport status, and supplies the reply from the supplier. Because it is necessary to inform the manufacturer, it is not possible to respond quickly to the inquiry from the supplier, and the operation is extremely inefficient.

[0004] The present invention takes into account the above facts and manages order information of commodities and parts, and can easily present the status of ordered commodities and parts to the ordering side via a network. It is an object to obtain an apparatus, an order information management system, an order information management program, and a storage medium.

[0005]

In recent years, with the development of the information communication infrastructure, it has become possible to obtain various kinds of information by participating in a network using a personal computer (PC) as an information terminal. Recently, the Internet has been known as a network that can be easily used, and information can be easily transmitted / received, that is, interactive information can be transmitted / received only by preparing a PC including a communication device. The present inventor has taken advantage of an apparatus that makes it possible to refer to the state of products and parts such as industrial equipment via a network such as the Internet and easily presents information related to the state of parts using the advantages of this network. did.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an order receiving information managing apparatus for managing order receiving information relating to at least ordering of parts of a product, wherein the customer side terminal belonging to a customer who orders the parts receives the information via a communication line. Receiving means for receiving an order number given by the customer for the order of parts, and receiving the order number based on the received order number, generating order information representing the order content corresponding to the order number, and the order number and the order number Storage means for storing a correspondence relationship with order information representing order contents corresponding to the order information; presentation means for presenting status information relating to the order number stored in the storage means to the outside; Sending means for sending information to a trader's terminal belonging to a trader who handles the component via a communication line.

[0007] The order information management apparatus of the present invention manages order information relating to an order for at least parts of a product. When ordering parts, the customer assigns an order number for management on the customer side to the order, and sends the order to the order information management device via the communication line by the terminal on the customer side. The receiving means receives, via a communication line, an order number given by the customer for the order of the parts.

[0008] The storage means generates order information representing the order content corresponding to the order number based on the received order number, and stores the correspondence between the order number and the order information representing the order content corresponding to the order number. I do. This makes it possible to easily specify the order information indicating the contents of the order based on the order number.

Since the order number is an identifier assigned by the customer, it may be difficult to manage the order number if the order number is used as it is on the order receiving side. Therefore, as described in claim 2, the order information may include an order number and order content information assigned by the order information management device. As a result, the customer can easily grasp the order content from the order number, and the order receiving side can easily grasp the order content from the order number. In addition,
The order number and the order number can be composed of numbers, characters, symbols, and combinations thereof.

[0010] Further, the storage means can store status information relating to the order number. This status information indicates the status of the component, for example, the transport status. The presenting means externally presents state information on the order number stored in the storage means. This allows the customer to quickly and easily grasp the state of the ordered part from the order number of the ordered part.

The sending means sends the order number and the order information to a trader who handles parts, for example, a trader terminal belonging to a shipping trader via a communication line. The trader side terminal issues a tag to be attached to the packaging box of the parts to be conveyed based on the received order number and order information, for example. When issuing a tag to be used for transporting parts on the trader side, it is convenient to manage with the tag number. Further, it is convenient for the customer to be able to confirm the transport state of the ordered parts, that is, whether the parts have not been shipped, are being shipped, or have been shipped.

Therefore, as described in claim 3, the tag information including the tag number of the tag used for transferring the part corresponding to the order number from the trader side terminal and the transfer state information indicating the transfer state of the part. May be further provided, including: tag information receiving means for receiving the tag via the communication line; and updating means for updating the storage means based on the tag information received by the tag information receiving means.

[0013] The trader issues a tag based on the received order number and order information, affixes the tag to the packing box of the parts and conveys it to the customer. The tag information including the tag number of the tag used for transport and the transport status information indicating the transport status of the parts is transmitted to the order information management device via the communication line. Further, the trader side terminal sends out the tag information even when the transport state changes.

The tag information receiving means receives the tag information including the tag number and the transport status information via a communication line. The updating means updates the storage means based on the tag information received by the tag information receiving means. That is,
The status information corresponding to the order number is specified from the order number, and is updated with the received transport status information. Since the updated information is presented by the presentation means, the customer can quickly and easily grasp the transport state of the ordered component.

The above invention can be applied to the following systems. In detail, the invention according to claim 4 is an order information management system for managing order information relating to at least an order for parts of a product, wherein the parts belonging to a customer who orders the parts and ordered through a communication line. A customer terminal that sends out the order number of the customer, receiving means for receiving an order number given by the customer for the order of the parts from the customer terminal via a communication line, and an order based on the received order number. Storage means for generating a correspondence relationship with order information representing the contents of an order corresponding to a number, and storing the correspondence relationship, and presentation for externally presenting state information on the order number stored in the storage means; Means for sending the order number and the order information to the communication line, and an order information management device comprising the means for receiving the order information and recording the received order information. And the trader side terminal,
It is characterized by having.

Further, the function of the order receiving information management device can be easily achieved by executing the following program by a computer. More specifically, the invention according to claim 5 is an order information management program executed on an order information management computer provided on a management side for managing order information relating to an order for at least parts of a product, Receiving an order number given by the customer for the order of the parts from a customer terminal belonging to the customer who orders the order via the communication line; and, based on the received order number, the order contents corresponding to the order number. Generating a correspondence relationship with the received order information, and storing the correspondence relationship; presenting state information relating to the order number stored in the storage means to the outside; Sending the information to a vendor terminal belonging to a vendor that handles the component via a communication line.

Further, by storing the program in the following storage medium, it can be easily carried and introduced into any computer. More specifically, the invention according to claim 6 is a storage medium storing an order information management program that is executed by an order information management computer provided on a management side that manages order information relating to an order for at least parts of a product. Receiving the order number assigned by the customer for the order of the part from a customer terminal belonging to the customer who orders the part via a communication line, and corresponding to the order number based on the received order number A correspondence relationship with order information representing order contents to be generated is generated, and the correspondence relationship is stored, state information on the order number stored in the storage unit is presented to the outside, and the order number and the order information are displayed. And an order information management program for transmitting the parts to a trader terminal belonging to a trader who handles the parts via a communication line.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to a network system for exchanging information about a product on a network between a customer using a product or a part and a maker manufacturing and managing the product or part. is there.

In this embodiment, a vending machine and parts related to the vending machine are employed as an example of a product or a part. Further, in the present embodiment, an individual or a corporation (company) that can be a user of a product handled by a manufacturer as a customer is targeted, and for example, a vending machine handling company can be targeted.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration of a network system to which the embodiment of the present invention can be applied. The network system 80 includes a plurality of computers 84 on the side of a user who wants to exchange information related to a product such as a vending machine operated by the same or different user (for example, information on the transport state of the ordered product). The same or different computers 82 that create and publish various types of information for each are connected to a modem, a router, and a TA (Terminal Adapter: Terminal A).
It is connected to a network (for example, the Internet) 88 via a connection device such as a dapter. The plurality of computers 82 and 84 are connected to the network 8
8, information can be exchanged by mutual communication.

In the following description, a plurality of computers 82
Function as server computers, and each of the plurality of computers 84 functions as a client computer. A computer (hereinafter, referred to as a client) belonging to an individual, a group, a company, or the like who wants to present (refer to) information on the transport state of goods and parts ordered by at least one computer 84 among the computers 84 functioning as client computers. (Referred to as “customer computer”) 85.

At least one computer 82 among a plurality of computers 82 functioning as a server computer is provided at a maker that manufactures a product or part, and information on the manufacturing side regarding the product or the transport state of the ordered product or part is provided. In order to provide information on the information, the computer functions as a computer (hereinafter, referred to as “manufacturer computer”) 81 that creates and posts various information for information transfer. The maker computer 81 has a virtual inventory management function and an order management function on the network 88, and manages one or a plurality of products and parts, manages customers, and manages customer trends. (The details will be described later).

At least one of the other computers 82 is provided on the side of a company that directly delivers goods to the maker or the customer or installs the goods according to an order instruction from the maker. It functions as a computer (hereinafter, referred to as “commercial computer”) 83.

In this embodiment, each of the above computers will be described as one computer. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of computers may be provided for various functions.

For example, the manufacturer computer 81 can be classified according to its function. For example, at least one of the other computers 82 functions as a computer (hereinafter, referred to as a “repair computer”) 81A provided on the repair management side for managing parts repair, repair, and warranty parts on the manufacturer side. Alternatively, it can function as a computer (hereinafter, referred to as “in-house computer”) 81B provided on the in-house side that manages parts and the like manufactured inside the maker.

The customer computer 85 corresponds to the customer terminal of the present invention, and the trader computer 83 corresponds to the trader terminal of the present invention. In addition, the manufacturer / computer 81
Corresponds to a computer that includes and executes each unit of the order information management apparatus of the present invention. Further, the network 88 corresponds to a communication line of the present invention.

In this embodiment, a case where the Internet is applied as a network will be described. In this case, at least one computer is a World Wide Web (WWW).
eb) It can function as a server, and other machines can also function as WWW clients.

Specifically, a WWW browser is installed in each computer, and by activating the WWW browser, the server computer can be arbitrarily accessed via the network 88. At this time, the access location (the location of the access destination computer,
And data consisting of the location of information in the computer)
Is specified by 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 maker computer 81. The manufacturer computer 81
A computer device 30 belonging to a manufacturing and supplying maker that presents product information according to the present embodiment includes a CPU 32A, a ROM 32B, and a RAM.
32C and an input / output port (I / O) 32D, which are connected to each other via a bus such as an address bus, a data bus, and a control bus. Although not shown, an output device such as a printer device can be connected to the input / output port 32D so that various information can be output (printed).

A communication device 32 is connected to the input / output port 32D.
E, as various input / output devices, a mouse 32F, a keyboard 32G, a CRT or a L which is a pointing device
A display 32H composed of a CD, a recording device (R / W) 32J for performing at least one of reading and writing of data and commands to and from a storage medium, and a storage device 32K such as a hard disk device for storing various data and databases to be described later are provided respectively. It is connected. The storage device 32K includes a file 34 storing a processing program such as a processing routine described later, and a database 36 (described later) storing various data. The communication device 32E is connected to a network 88 so that information can be exchanged with another computer by mutual communication. The communication device 32E includes, for example, a connection device such as a modem, a router, and a TA (Terminal Adapter) for connecting to a telephone line or the Internet.

The recording device 32J has a floppy disk unit (FDU) into which a floppy (registered trademark) disk as a recording medium can be inserted and removed. Note that processing routines and the like described later can be read from and written to a floppy disk using the FDU. Therefore, a processing routine to be described later may be recorded on a floppy disk in advance without storing it in the ROM 32B, and the processing program recorded on the floppy disk via the FDU may be executed. In the present embodiment, a large-capacity storage device 32K such as a hard disk device
Then, the processing program recorded on a storage medium such as a floppy disk is stored (installed) and the corresponding processing is executed. The recording medium is a CD-ROM, M
There are disks such as D, MO, DVD, etc., and magnetic tapes, such as DAT. When these are used, they can be used in place of the above-mentioned FDU or in addition to CD-ROM devices, MD devices, MO devices,
A DVD device, a DAT device, or the like may be used.

As shown in FIG. 4, the database 36 stored in the storage device 32K includes a stock main database 36A and a customer box database 36B. The inventory main database 36A is a database that stores data such as codes, names, quantities, inventory times, and remarks for all products and parts handled by manufacturers. By accessing the stock main database 36A, it is possible to grasp the stock status of each product and part handled by the manufacturer.

The customer box database 36B stores codes, names, quantities, inventory periods, remarks, and the like for only products and parts handled by the customer, that is, those ordered in the past and those expected to be ordered in the future. It is a database that stores data. The customer box database 36B is configured independently for each customer,
In the present embodiment, the first to n-th customers are assumed as arbitrary customers, and the customer box database 3
6B is a customer box database 36B1 to 36Bn
(N is a natural number).

In many cases, products and parts used by customers are only a part of products and parts handled by manufacturers. For this reason, if the inventory information indicating the inventory of products and parts is presented to the customer side in a unified manner, the customer must selectively refer to the necessary inventory information from the inventory information including unnecessary products and parts. No. For this reason, in the present embodiment, customer box databases 36B1 to 36Bn storing stock information of products and parts for each customer are constructed.

This customer box database 36B is
A list is created from the products and parts presented in advance by the customer side or the products and parts selected by the manufacturer side, and the stock information of the products and parts included in this list is constructed as a database unique to the customer. Here, the customer box database 36B may be configured from data extracted from the inventory information stored in the inventory main database 36A according to the above list. For example, the stock information is moved between the stock main database 36A and the customer box database 36B. Thereby, the cooperation between the inventory main database 36A and the customer box database 36B becomes possible.

The databases other than the above-mentioned databases include the overseas box database 36C, the repair box database 36D, the ASSY box database 36E, the emergency emergency box database 36F, and the warranty stock / repair stock box database 36G. These databases are classified into items for each function for managing products or parts.

The overseas box database 36C mainly stores inventory information on commodities and parts used overseas, and the repair box database 36D stores inventory information on repaired items.
The box database 36E stores ASSY components, that is, inventory information on assembled components. The countermeasure emergency box database 36F stores inventory information on commodities and parts used in an emergency.
G stores inventory information on emergency products for guaranteed products and emergency products for repaired products.

In this embodiment, when managing products and parts, the products and parts are managed by any of the box databases described above. Each of these box databases is configured to be linked with the inventory main database 36A (details will be described later).

Various masters are included in addition to the database. Various masters include the parts master 37
A, a customer parts master 37B, an index master 37C, an entry / exit master 37D, a supply master 37E, and an inventory adjustment master 37F. These masters classify items for each function for managing products or parts, and are constructed for each product or part.

The parts master 36A stores necessary stock quantities, order points, order quantities, automatic order flags,
It is composed of data such as unscheduled order quantity, ASSY flag, countermeasure parts, warranty stock flag and the like. The required stock quantity indicates the minimum quantity for stocking the target product or part. The order point indicates the time or cycle of ordering, and the order quantity indicates the total quantity to be ordered at a time. The automatic order flag indicates whether the target product or part is to be subjected to the automatic order described below. The unscheduled order amount indicates the unscheduled order of the target product or part. The ASSY flag indicates whether the target product or component is an ASSY, that is, an assembled composite component, and the countermeasure component indicates whether the target product or component is a countermeasure component for a predetermined item. The stock flag indicates whether the target product or part is a part for dealing with the product or part during the warranty period.

The customer parts master 37B stores, for each product or part, customer information for identifying a customer who uses the product, a necessary stock amount for securely securing the product or part to be used on the customer side, and an order point. , Order quantity, automatic order flag, etc.

The index master 37C is composed of data such as a failure rate, an operation rate, a shipping result, and a seasonal variation index. The failure rate indicates a failure rate of a target product or component, and can be replaced with an average life or the like. The occupancy rate is a ratio based on the temporal frequency of warehousing and warehousing of a target product or part, and represents the current occupancy rate.
The shipment result indicates the quantity or the frequency of the delivery of the target product or part, and the seasonal variation index indicates the change tendency of the release of the target product or part depending on the season.

The entry / exit master 37D is composed of data such as an entry address, entry / exit status, and a direct delivery address. The warehousing destination indicates a shelf or the like at a place where the product or part should be stocked when the target product or part is received. The presence or absence of warehousing indicates whether or not the target product or part is stored on the shelf. Represents a destination when the target product or part is directly sent without being stored.

The supply master 37E includes a provisional delivery date, a supply year,
Consists of data such as market price supply and registration year. The tentative delivery date represents a predetermined period from when the target product or part is ordered to when it is delivered. The supply year indicates the year in which the target product or part was supplied (shipped), and in particular, may indicate the supply deadline. Market value supply means supply at the market price when the unit price of the target product or part is not set or when changing the unit price.The registration year is the year in which the target product or part was registered. Represent.

The stock adjustment master 37 includes data such as a three-year no demand flag and a ten-year elapsed flag. 3
The annual demand no flag indicates that the target product or part has not been issued for a predetermined period (for example, three years), and the ten-year elapsed flag indicates that the target product or part has not been in stock for a predetermined period (for example, ten years). Indicates that it is continuing.

Although not shown, the storage device 32K includes a database storing display screen format data for displaying information to be provided to the outside, and a database storing format data for transmitting information. It can also be stored.

The storage device 32K corresponds to storage means provided in the order information management device of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a schematic configuration of the trader computer 83. The trader computer 83 is a computer belonging to a trader who actually manufactures or purchases goods and parts. Like the manufacturer computer 83, the CPU 42A, the ROM 42B, the RAM 42C,
An input / output port (I / O) 42D is provided, and these are connected to each other via a bus such as an address bus, a data bus, and a control bus. The communication device 4 is connected to the input / output port 42D.
2E, mouse 42F, keyboard 42G, display 42H, recording device (R / W) 42J, and storage device 42
K are connected to each other. The storage device 42K includes a file 44 storing a processing program such as a processing routine, and a database 46 storing various data. Although not shown, an output device such as a printer device can be connected to the input / output port 32D so that various information can be output (printed).

FIG. 6 shows a schematic configuration of the customer computer 85. The customer computer 85 is a computer device 50 belonging to the customer as viewed from the maker side, which is a collective of individuals and corporations that exchange and trade information on products, and the computer device 50 is configured by the CPU 52A substantially in the same manner as described above. , ROM 52B, RAM 52C,
An input / output port (I / O) 52D is provided, and these are connected to each other via a bus such as an address bus, a data bus, and a control bus. The communication device 5 is connected to the input / output port 52D.
2E, mouse 52F, keyboard 52G, display 52H, recording device (R / W) 52J, and storage device 52
K are connected to each other.

The storage device 52K stores a processing program 54 such as a processing routine, and customer-side data 56 such as data handled by a supplier such as a vending machine as a customer or a component supplier.

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

FIG. 22 conceptually and schematically shows exchange of stock information mainly in a storage device storing stock information of commodities and parts in the network system 80 of the present embodiment. In FIG. 22, the transfer between the manufacturer and the customer will be described as an example.

First, a customer who wants to give and receive stock information of goods and parts, that is, an inquiry about goods and parts, makes an inquiry to the maker. In this case, on the manufacturer side,
In order to easily and centrally manage the inventory of commodities and parts, a database for managing inventory is constructed and the inventory information is provided to customers. However, the centralized management of a wide variety of products and parts is complicated from the viewpoint of the customer. That is, among the products and parts managed by the manufacturer, some of the products and parts used by one customer are used. Therefore, it is not necessary to present all inventory information as inventory information provided by access from the customer side, and unnecessary processing is involved. For this reason, it is conceivable to construct a database dedicated to customers, but products and parts are scattered in many databases. Therefore, inventory cannot be centrally managed, and processing on the manufacturer side becomes complicated.

Therefore, the present embodiment proposes a network system configured so that it is possible to give and receive advantageous information to each of a customer and a maker from a standpoint.

The concept of transfer of stock information shown in FIG. 22 is to realize the following basic items. Inventories are managed in a fluid manner. Always stock the goods or parts that you use. Unused products or parts are deleted. We do not stock products and parts that have not been in demand for the past three years. Goods or parts whose use (maintenance of stock) has passed 10 years or more correspond to market prices.

In order to realize the above basic matters, a conceptually schematic network system uses a database managed by the manufacturer, that is, the main inventory information stored in the database 36 of the manufacturer computer 81 as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, the storage system is classified into an inventory main database 36A and at least a plurality of customer databases 36B1 to 36Bn. Multiple customer databases 36B
Each of the customer databases 36B1 to 36Bn is a dedicated database for each customer.
Is linked to the inventory main database. These databases are subjected to inventory adjustment by an inventory adjustment task 38. The inventory adjustment task 38 includes an inventory main database 36A and at least a plurality of customer databases 36.
It is a processing block that adjusts inventory information such as the inventory amount of B1 to 36Bn and uses both hardware resources and software resources of the maker computer 81 (details will be described later).

A plurality of customer databases 36B1 to 36B
n corresponds to the customer-side data 56 stored in the customer-side storage device 52K. In the example of FIG. 22, customer-side data 56-1 to 56-n included in the storage device correspond to the manufacturer-side customer databases 36B1 to 36Bn as the first to n-th customers. That is, the customer side data 56-1 functioning as a database operated by the first customer side includes the operating vending machine database 56-1A and the parts database 56-1B. The operating vending machine database 56-1A stores data on vending machines in operation of the first customer, which are in operation. Also, the parts database 5
6-1Bn stores data on parts related to vending machines handled by the first customer.

The inventory adjustment task 38 obtains the operation vending machine information 39 such as the required type and quantity from the customer side data 56-1 operated by the first customer side, and executes the inventory main database 36A and the customer database The stock information such as the stock amount with 36B1 is adjusted.

It should be noted that the customer side data 56-1 shows an example of a case where the stock data 56-1C for each person managed for each charge on the customer side and the stock data 56-1D for each OH which manages repair and overhaul cooperate. Was. Also, the first
Although the description has been given of the second customer, the same applies to the second and subsequent customers, and therefore detailed description is omitted.

In the above, an example has been described in which the database operated by the manufacturer, that is, the database 36 of the manufacturer computer 81, is classified and configured with the stock main database 36A and the plurality of customer databases 36B1 to 36Bn. More detailed information stored in the storage device 32K of the maker computer 81 includes an overseas box database (see FIG. 4). An example of transfer between a maker including these other databases and a customer will be described.

As shown in FIG. 7, an inventory main database 36A and a plurality of customer databases 36B1 to 36B.
n, overseas box database 36C, repair box database 36D, ASSY box database 36
E, measures emergency box database 36F, warranty stock
It can be configured by being classified into the repair stock box database 36G. These databases cooperate, and inventory adjustment is performed by the inventory adjustment task 38. Each of these databases can present inventory information to a customer.

In FIG. 7, a sub-stock database 36S is included as another database whose stock is adjusted by the stock adjustment task 38. The sub-stock database 36S is a database independent of the stock main database 36A. For example, base stock databases 36Sa to 36Sm (m is a natural number, m ≠ n) for commodities and parts managed at sales offices and bases. )
Is a database that manages and manages the information separately from the main inventory. Therefore, this base stock database 3
Stock information can be presented to the customer from 6Sa.

Thus, the exchange of information between the customer side and the maker side becomes smooth. That is, since an independent database is constructed for each customer, it is possible to present only inventory information that is valid for the customer side, instead of simply leaking inventory information to the customer side. Therefore, the customer can refer to necessary stock information. For this reason, it is possible for the manufacturer to build a relationship with the customer while improving customer satisfaction.

Next, with respect to the presentation of the stock information in the network system 80, the functional operation of the maker computer 81 will be further described. Here, the functional operation refers to a task which is a processing block using both hardware resources and software resources of the maker computer 81.

As shown in FIG. 8, in the network system 80 of the present embodiment, the databases operated on the maker side can be classified and configured into an inventory main database 36A, a customer database 36B, and a sub inventory database 36S. The inventory adjustment task 38, the order receiving task 60, the inventory display task 62, the production machine information task 64, the semi-automatic order task 66, and the non-delivery date answer task 68 operate on these databases.

Although the details of each task will be described later, the inventory adjustment task 38 is a function part for performing inventory adjustment of each database, and the order receiving task 60 is a function part for performing processing upon receiving an order for goods and parts. is there. The stock display task 62 is a function part for presenting stock information of commodities and parts to the customer side, and the production machine information task 64 is a functional part for presenting information on a production machine, that is, a vending machine. The semi-automatic ordering task 66 is a functional part for automatically ordering products and parts under predetermined conditions, and the non-delivery date answering task 68 performs a process of giving a delivery date for undelivered products and undelivered parts. It is a functional part.

When the customer issues a demand instruction 74 to the maker computer 81, the maker computer 81 generates public information 70 from the customer database 36 B and presents it to the customer computer 85. Further, when an order for a product or part is made, the order receiving task 60 is operated to act on the sub-inventory database 36S that manages the bases and also on the stock main database 36A, and as a result, the product or part is shipped (shipment). 72). At this time, the undelivered date reply task 68 is activated to answer the deadline of the undelivered parts.

Next, with respect to the presentation of stock information in the network system 80, the operations of the customer computer 85 and the maker computer 81 will be further described.

The processing routine shown in FIG. 9 is executed in the customer computer 85 on the customer side. First, in step 200, a login process is performed. Step 200
Then, a login process is executed. In this login process, first, a connection request is notified from the customer computer 85 to the maker computer 81. In response to this, the manufacturer computer 81 outputs data for authentication.
The customer computer 85 receives the data for authentication and outputs the data of the user ID and the password (reciter number). In response to this, the maker computer 81 performs an authentication process, and if permitted, outputs data for display.

In the next step 202, the customer computer 85 waits for reception of display data sent out after the authentication process in the maker computer 81 is permitted. That is, in step 202, the negative is repeated until the display data from the maker computer 81 is received. In step 204, the received display data, that is, the data relating to the stock of goods and parts, is displayed, and the customer sends an instruction request for display data (stock information) desired to be referred to, that is, a stock reference request.

In the next step 206, the above step 2
The stock information (response signal) requested in step 04 is received. In this step 206, the denial is repeated until some signal is received from the maker computer 81, and the reception is affirmed, and the process of receiving the content data of the received signal and displaying the received content data (stock information) is performed. Contains.

In the next step 208, it is determined whether or not the stock information received and displayed from the maker computer 81 is the requested stock information. This determination is made by determining whether a predetermined affirmative key (for example, a “Y” key) is pressed on an input device such as a keyboard of the customer computer 85. If negative in step 208, the process returns to step 204; if affirmative, the process proceeds to step 210, where a corresponding process is executed. This response processing is processing for instructing the customer to take some action on a product or part based on the received inventory information. For example, the response processing includes part order processing and arrangement processing.

As described above, the customer computer 85 receives the stock information from the maker computer 81 and performs processing. However, since the referenced database is dedicated to the customer side (described later), unnecessary processing is continuously performed. No need to do. Therefore, when information is exchanged between the customer computer 85 and the maker computer 81, even if the process shifts to the process of referring to various stock information, there is no burden on the customer in the operation.

Next, the maker computer 8 on the maker side
1 will be further described.

The processing routine shown in FIG. 10 is executed by the manufacturer computer 81. First, step 2
At 20, it is determined whether an access request has been made to the maker computer 81 from another computer. Until there is an access request, the determination in step 220 is negative and the determination is repeated. If there is an access request, the determination in step 220 is affirmative, and the process proceeds to step 222.

At step 222, a log-in process of the computer requesting access is executed. Here, it is determined whether or not the access request is for a customer. This determination is made by referring to the customer information table stored in the maker computer 81 in advance and determining whether the identifier of the accessed computer is registered in the customer information table. . That is, the customer information table stores at least the correspondence between information representing the customer such as the customer name, the identifier of the computer at the time of access, and the password such as the personal identification number. If the computer requesting access is a customer, login is permitted.

Whether the login is permitted or not is determined in step 22.
The decision is made at 4. If the login permission is set as a result of the processing in step 222, the result is affirmative in step 224, and the process proceeds to step 226. On the other hand, if the login permission has not been set, the determination in step 224 is denied, and this routine ends without performing the following processing.

In step 226, the customer whose login is permitted is specified. This process can be executed by extracting information representing a customer such as a customer name registered in the customer information table used in step 222. Next step 2
At 28, a corresponding box is set. That is, of the customer database 36B, the customer database 3 storing the inventory information relating to only the customer specified in step 226.
6Bi (1 ≦ i ≦ n) is selected and set. When the setting of the customer database 36Bi is completed, the next step 23
At 0, data is sent in order to present the set customer database 36Bi, that is, to present customer-specific inventory information.

As described above, on the maker side, a customer database in which dedicated stock information is stored for each customer in advance is constructed, the customer who has requested access (login) is specified, and the stock information of only that customer is specified. Is presented, so that prompt information can be provided to the customer who has been requested to present.

In the above description, the case where data for presenting inventory information, that is, data for presenting customer-specific inventory information has been described, may be set so that the customer database 36Bi can be referred to from the customer side. In this case, since there is a possibility that another customer may refer to the data, it is preferable to add a prohibition function for prohibiting the other customer from referring to the data. As a prohibition function, there is a processing function of adding a process of performing user authentication when accessing a database and permitting access only to an authenticated user (customer).

In the above description, a typical example of the exchange between the maker and the customer has been described. However, the customer is an internal department of the maker or a customer related to a part of products and parts. Can be replaced by In other words, manufacturers and customers have different types of departments, and each department requires different products and parts. Therefore, the transfer of the stock information will be described conceptually and schematically mainly with respect to the storage device storing the stock information of the products and parts with respect to the other databases described in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 11, an example of processing that operates on the inventory main database 36A is an order processing 100 for an order of an ASSY part, an order processing 102 for an order of an exceptional part such as a specially ordered product or a countermeasure product, an overseas part. And an order process 106 for repair parts such as warranty parts. In these order processes, various instructions are given to the inventory main database 36A.

The order process 100 is a process for receiving an order of an ASSY component composed of a combination of a plurality of components, and corresponds to an ASSY box database 36E for managing the inventory of the ASSY component. Order processing 102
This is a process for receiving an order for an exceptional part such as a special order product or countermeasure product, and a countermeasure emergency box database 36F for managing the inventory of the special order product or countermeasure product is supported. The order process 104 is a process for an order for an overseas part, and corresponds to the overseas box database 36C for managing the inventory of products and parts procured overseas. The order process 106 is a process for receiving an order for repair parts such as warranty parts, and corresponds to the repair box database 36D.

In response to the order processing 100, the stock main database 36A to the ASSY box database 3
6E, the ASSY box database 36E issues the stock for the target ASSY parts inventory information,
ASSY parts are provided. At this time, since the ASSY part is composed of a combination of a plurality of parts,
The delivery is performed after the assembly process is performed as No. 8, and the shipment 72 to the supplier is performed. For the ASSY box database 36E, automatic storage and automatic ordering are performed by a semi-automatic ordering task 66 described in detail below.

The order processes 102 to 106 are handled as single items. In the flow corresponding to the order process 100 described above, except that the assembly / delivery 108 is not required, the order processes 102 to 106 function in the same manner as the corresponding database.

Next, a task which is a processing block using both hardware resources and software resources of the maker computer 81 will be described in detail.

FIG. 12 conceptually shows the information flow of the non-delivery date answer task 68.
This is performed for the trader computer 83 and the customer computer 85. In the non-delivery part answer task 68, non-delivery part information 110 indicating that there is an undelivered product or part generated by an order from the customer computer 85 is generated, and the non-delivery part information 110 is derived with reference to the supply master 37E. The provisional delivery date is sent to the customer computer 85.
The provisional delivery date is sent to the trader computer 83 as a notice of ordering the product or part. As a result, the customer computer 85 can confirm the delivery time of the order at an early stage. The trader computer 83 receives the order notice and can know in advance that a product or part will be ordered.

The actual order is placed after the semi-automatic order task 66. The undelivered parts information 110 is also sent to the semi-automatic order task 66, and the semi-automatic order task 66 derives the actual order quantity for the undelivered parts information 110 and issues an order quantity instruction 114 to the trader computer 83. Here is the actual order. Order quantity instruction 1 at the supplier computer 83
In response to the request 14, the actual delivery time of the ordered product or part is derived, and sent out to the customer computer 85 and the non-delivery part answering task 68 (non-delivery part information 110) as the undelivered part formal answer 116.

The semi-automatic order task 66 also sends an order quantity instruction 114 to the delivery date management task 112. The delivery date management task 112 is a task for managing the delivery date of the ordered product or part, and manages the order placed on the dealer computer 83. For example, the delivery date management task 112
Transmits the data prompting the delivery automatically to the trader computer 83 when the delivery date approaches. The non-delivery date answer task 68 includes a semi-automatic order task 66 and a delivery date management task 11.
2 is included, a configuration in which the semi-automatic order task 66 and the due date management task 112 are separated may also be used.

Next, the manufacturer computer 8 on the manufacturer side
1 will be further described.

The processing routine shown in FIG. 13 is executed by the maker computer 81. In step 240, unpaid parts information 110 indicating that there are unpaid products and parts generated by the order from the customer computer 85 is collected. The unpaid parts information 110 is generated when an order from a customer is received, and in the next step 242, a product or a part is specified. This unpaid parts information 11
The supply master 37E belongs to 0. Supply master 37
E includes the provisional delivery date in the item. The tentative delivery time represents a predetermined period from when the target product or part is ordered to when it is delivered, and stores a period provided by the trader, a past delivery period, and an average value thereof. Accordingly, in the next step 244, the supply master 37E is referred to, and in the next step 246, the provisional delivery date of the undelivered goods or parts (hereinafter, specific parts) generated by the above order is derived.
And a notification of order notice is sent to the trader computer 83.

In the next step 252, order processing is performed for the semi-automatic order task 66. As will be described later, the semi-automatic order task 66 derives the actual order quantity and issues an order quantity instruction 114 to the trader computer 83. The trader computer 83 receives the order quantity instruction 114, derives the actual delivery time of the ordered product or part, and sends it as the undelivered part formal answer 116 to the customer computer 85 and the maker computer 81, that is, the undelivered deadline answer task 68. I do.

In the next step 254, a formal response from the trader computer 83, that is, the unanswered parts formal response 11
The determination is repeated until a 6 is received. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 256. In step 256, the provisional delivery date derived in step 246 is changed to the formal response received in step 256. Therefore, the trader computer 83
Is also an instruction to change the delivery date to the maker computer 81.

In the next step 258, a delivery date change instruction is issued to the semi-automatic order task 66 with the changed delivery date. As a result, the semi-automatic order task 66 sends a delivery date change instruction to the delivery date management task 112. Delivery date management task 112
Changes the tentative delivery date of the currently managed ordered product or part to the delivery date according to the change instruction from the semi-automatic ordering task 66, and manages the delivery date.

As described above, in the non-delivery date answer task 68,
In response to the order from the customer side, the delivery date is answered immediately (real time). Therefore, without waiting for the customer to place an order and then deliver or asking for a delivery date,
A standard delivery date answer can be obtained at the time of ordering. Further, when there is a change in the actual delivery date, the changed delivery date is also notified, so that the customer can reliably grasp the delivery date of the ordered product or part.

Further, on the side of the trader who substantially handles the goods or parts, before the actual order is placed from the manufacturer, a notice is given with the provisional delivery date of the goods or parts. For this reason, the trader can grasp the order from the manufacturer side in advance,
It is possible for the manufacturer to prepare in advance for the actual order.

FIG. 14 conceptually shows a flow of information of the semi-automatic order task 66. The semi-automatic order task 66 is a process that is executed on the dealer computer 83 that is generated due to periodic stock reservation or the order 120. The semi-automatic ordering task 66 receives an order 120 generated by an order from inside or outside of the manufacturer and receives an order receiving task 60.
Operates to order goods or parts from the dealer computer 83 with reference to the base inventory database 36Sa. Delivery for this order is managed by the delivery date management task 112. Further, when the target product or part is an ASSY part, an assembling operation is involved, so that it is extracted as data 124 indicating that it is an ASSY part, and the processing 126 for developing the part is executed. Order each part.

In the semi-automatic ordering task 66, while referring to the databases 36A to 36G and the predetermined condition 122, a product or part that matches the condition is automatically extracted, and based on the part master 37A. Automatically order goods or parts from the trader computer 83.
Regarding the delivery for this order, the delivery date management task 11
It is managed by 2.

Next, the manufacturer computer 8 on the manufacturer side
The operation of the semi-automatic order task 66 in FIG.

The processing routine shown in FIG. 15 is executed by the maker computer 81, and in step 260, it is determined whether or not an order has occurred due to an order for a product or part. In step 260, when it is determined that an order has been received using the monitoring result of the order monitoring function performed in the order receiving task 60 as the determination data, the result is affirmative, and the process proceeds to step 262 to determine whether or not the ordered item is an ASSY part. to decide. This determination is based on the AS included in the component master 37A.
The determination can be made based on the value of the SY flag. For example, when the value of the ASSY flag is set to "1", AS
Indicates that the part is a SY part.
This can indicate that the component is not an SSY component.
If a negative determination is made in step 262, the process proceeds to step 270. On the other hand, if affirmative in step 262, step 2
After developing the ASSY part into a single part at 64, the process proceeds to step 276.

If a negative decision is made in step 260, the flow advances to step 266 to refer to the database. For example, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4, the stock main database 36A and the customer database 36B are referred to. In the next step 268, the condition is read, and it is determined whether or not data (stock information) meeting the condition exists. This condition includes, for example, a stock amount equal to or less than a predetermined inventory amount of the product or part, or a non-delivery part included in the above-described non-delivery part information. Note that the necessary stock amount and order point included in the component master 37A can also be used.

If the result of the determination in step 268 is negative, there is no need to place an order for a product or part. Therefore, this routine is terminated as it is. If the result is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 270. In step 270, a product or part that meets the conditions is specified. In the next step 272, step 27
With reference to the component master 37A of the component specified by 0, at least the automatic order flag is referenced. Next step 274
Then, it is determined whether the specific part is an automatic order or a manual order based on the value of the automatic order flag. This determination is based on the parts master 37A.
Can be determined based on the value of the automatic order flag included in. For example, when the value of the automatic order flag is set to "1", it indicates that the product or part can be ordered automatically, and when the value is set to "0", it is an article or part that is manually ordered. Can be represented.
In the case of an automatic order, an affirmative determination is made in step 274 and the flow advances to step 276. On the other hand, in the case of a manual order, a negative determination is made in step 274 and the process proceeds to step 280.

In step 276, the order quantity to be ordered from the trader is derived. In this step 276, the necessary stock amount and order amount included in the parts master 37A can be used. It can also be determined from the following rules. The first rule derives the order quantity to be ordered at present from the relationship between the number of operating vending machines, the failure rate, and the delivery date. As an example,
The total number or the multiplied value obtained by weighting each of the number of operating vending machines, the failure rate, and the delivery date with a predetermined coefficient is derived as the order quantity. The second rule is to manually specify the order amount, and the manual specification will be described later. The third rule is to derive the order quantity to be ordered at present from the relationship between the actual number of products and parts shipped and the delivery date. As an example, a total sum or a multiplied value obtained by weighting each of the actual number of shipments and the delivery date with a predetermined coefficient is derived as the order quantity.

In the next step 278, the above step 2
Order the goods or parts of the order quantity derived in 76 from the supplier,
That is, data representing the product or part and data representing the order quantity are transmitted to the customer computer 85. In this way, a product or part is automatically ordered.

On the other hand, in step 280, an instruction for a manual order is prompted. In step 280, a screen for prompting a manual order instruction is displayed on the display 32H of the maker computer 81, or an e-mail is sent to a predetermined operator. In response to the instruction for the manual order, in the next step 282, a manual process is performed. Step 2
At 82, the operator operates the maker computer 81 or sends out data to input the order quantity to be ordered at present. Then, it orders the merchandise or parts of the input order quantity from the trader, that is, transmits data indicating the merchandise or parts and data indicating the order quantity to the customer computer 85. In this way, a product or part is manually ordered. The second rule is a manual specification of the order quantity, which is set at the time of the process of step 282.

As described above, in the semi-automatic order task 66,
In response to an order from the customer side, it is possible to automatically order or manually order products and parts.
In addition, products or parts can be replenished without excess or deficiency while always referring to the stock.

FIG. 16 conceptually shows the flow of information of the inventory adjustment task 38. The inventory adjustment task 38 is a process of appropriately securing inventory of commodities and parts, that is, adjusting inventory. Although the details will be described later, parts that do not have demand are discarded from the stock, or the stock management form of the parts is changed while the supply to the customer is continued. In the inventory adjustment task 38,
In order to facilitate the cooperation with the stock owned by the customer, the information is exchanged with the customer computer 85.

First, in the inventory adjustment task 38, a production machine information task 64 for obtaining information related to a production machine generated by an order from inside or outside of the maker side is operated, and the process 130 is executed, so that the stock information is stored. A new part is registered and updated. This processing 130 updates the registration year of the parts used for the production machine, and newly establishes or updates the production index. As these data, data included in the supply master 37E and the index master 37C can be used. In the production machine information task 64, various data 132 is taken. The various data 132 includes data such as component data of the final production machine and the number of production units of the production machine.

As a result, with respect to the production machine such as a vending machine supplied to the customer side, the parts used from the start of production to the final production machine (for example, the final production machine up to the present time or the production of which has been cut off) can be used. The registered year and production index can be newly established or updated in the stock information. The production index is an index indicating the number of units produced and the production ratio within the fiscal year or within the month.

In the stock adjustment task 38, the stock is periodically reviewed based on the stock adjustment master 37F. This review processing is processing 134 for deciding not to stock parts for which there is no demand for a certain period (for example, three years), and determining whether or not to supply parts that have been used for a certain period (for example, ten years) or more. Process 13 for determining whether to switch from supply at a fixed price to supply at a current price
6 is performed.

This makes it easy to determine whether or not to stock a part for which there has been no demand for a certain period of time or continuous use for a long period of time.

Here, the customer side data 56 of the customer computer 85 stores customer-specific part data.
The customer can refer to his / her own stock information as described above, but the individual data should be constantly updated. Therefore, in the present embodiment, by obtaining the number of operating production machines (number of operating vending machines) and the used component information (such as product name and quantity) presented by the customer, Then, the type and quantity of the necessary parts are set (setting processing 140), and the parts are registered in the customer database 36B (parts registration processing 138). As a result, in the customer database 36B, all of the commodities and parts used by the customer can be registered and maintained in the best condition for those currently used.

When information on the operating vending machine from the customer side (operating vending machine information 144), for example, the name and the number, is obtained, the optimal stock amount can be predicted using the operating vending machine information. As an example of this prediction rule, the stock amount to be stocked at present can be derived from the relationship among the number of operating parts, the number of operating vending machines, the failure rate, and the delivery date. For this derivation, a total value or a multiplied value obtained by weighting each of the number of operating vending machines, the failure rate, and the delivery date by a predetermined coefficient can be derived as the stock amount. As another rule, it is possible to derive the stock amount to be currently stocked from the shipment results of the products and parts. For this derivation, the amount of inventory to be invented can be derived from the relationship between the actual number of shipments of products and parts and the delivery date. For example, the total number or the multiplication value obtained by weighting each of the actual number of shipments and the delivery date with a predetermined coefficient Can be derived as the inventory amount.

As a result, it is possible to maintain an inventory that is optimal for the customer side, that is, a production machine such as a vending machine that is currently operating so that products and parts can be supplied promptly and appropriately.

Next, the maker computer 8 on the maker side
1 will be further described.

The processing routine shown in FIG. 17 is executed by the maker computer 81, and in step 300, it is determined whether or not the customer database 36B is adjusted. This determination may be made by setting a flag in advance or by an instruction from the customer side. If the result in step 300 is negative, the process proceeds to step 312 to collect production machine information. Here, regarding the parts used for the production machines such as vending machines on the customer side from the start of production to the final production machine (for example, the final production machine that has been discontinued until now or after production), its component data and production volume The data is fetched, and in the next step 314, the registered year or production index is newly established or updated with respect to the stock information.

On the other hand, if the result in step 300 is affirmative, the flow advances to step 302 to determine whether or not the processing is for vending machine information and parts information related to vending machines handled by the customer. If it is related to the registration of parts in the customer database 36B, the result in step 302 is negative, and the processing proceeds to step 308, where the number of operating production machines (number of operating vending machines) presented by the customer side and the used parts information (article name) The customer sets the type and quantity of parts required by the customer (setting processing 140 in FIG. 16), and in the next step 310, registers the parts in the customer database 36B (parts registration processing in FIG. 16). 138). As a result, in the customer database 36B, all of the commodities and parts used by the customer can be registered and maintained in the best condition for those currently used.

If the determination in step 302 is affirmative, the flow advances to step 304 to obtain information on the operating vending machine from the customer side (operating vending machine information 144), for example, the name and number, and in the next step 306, the operating vending machine information is obtained. To adjust to the optimal stock quantity. This adjustment can make use of the predictions described above.

At step 316, the stock adjustment master 37
Referring to F, in the next step 318, it is determined whether or not there is a product or part that meets the conditions. For this condition, the above-described rule of the inventory review process can be adopted. This review processing rule may use no demand (determination rule of process 134) for a certain period (for example, three years) or continuation of use for a certain period (for example, ten years) (determination rule of process 136). If a negative determination is made in step 318, the present routine ends.

On the other hand, if the result in step 318 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 320, in which parts for which there is no demand for three years (non-demand parts) are extracted. In the next step 322, it is determined whether or not non-demand products have been extracted. If a negative determination is made in step 322, the process proceeds directly to step 326. on the other hand,
If affirmative in step 322, the flow advances to step 324 to output an instruction to discard the stock of the corresponding product or part (non-demand product).

The output of the instruction for discarding the non-demand products may be directly adjusted in the database, or a screen for prompting the discard of non-demand products to be discarded may be displayed on the display 32H of the maker computer 81. A mail may be transmitted to a predetermined operator. As a result, it is possible to automatically determine whether to stock a part for which there is no demand for a certain period of time or which has been used continuously for a long period of time, and to easily deal with it.

In step 326, a part (a long-term used product) which has been used for a certain period (for example, 10 years) or more is extracted. In the next step 328, it is determined whether or not a long-term use product has been extracted. If a negative determination is made in step 328, the present routine ends. Step 3
If affirmative in step 28, the flow advances to step 330 to output an instruction to discard the stock of the corresponding product or part (long-term use product).

The instruction output for discarding the stock of long-term used products is as follows:
Executed conditionally. That is, since the long-term used products include those continuously used by the customer at present, discarding the immediate stock may make it difficult for the customer to procure parts. Therefore, in the present embodiment, whether or not to continue supplying long-term used products can be automatically determined based on the frequency of use, or a request can be made to a customer or a person in charge, and the response can be used to make a determination. . In addition, even when the stock is continued, it is possible to switch from supply at a fixed price to supply at a current price.

Thus, the inventory of parts that are not frequently ordered for a long period of time, such as long-term used products, is reviewed,
The amount can be suppressed.

FIG. 18 conceptually shows a flow of information of the order receiving task 60. The order receiving task 60 is an order receiving process generated by an order from the ordering side 86. This ordering side is not limited to customers other than the manufacturer. In the present embodiment, the repair management department inside the manufacturer, that is, the repair computer 81
A, and order information from the in-house computer 81B of the in-house section where the manufacturer makes parts internally (order 120 in FIG. 14).
Including the receipt of Therefore, the order receiving task 60
Is a customer computer 85, a repair computer 81A,
This processing is executed for the in-house computer 81B, and is also executed for the trader computer 83 generated by the order 120.

In the order receiving task 60, the order receiving unit 120 receives orders from the inside and outside of the maker, executes a process 150 for monitoring the quantity of the order points, and sends a response such as a delivery date for the order and inquiry information 152. Processing 1
At 50, a database that manages the inventory of goods or parts according to the order 120 is sorted and monitored (at process 154). For the order 120, the semi-automatic order task 6
6 (FIG. 14), and an order for goods or parts is made to the trader computer 83.

When the procurement of the ordered goods or parts is completed, the trader side delivers the goods or parts according to the destination of the goods or parts. That is, when the ordering side 86 is the related department 164 of the manufacturer (when the order is from the repair computer 81A or the in-house computer 81B), the order is directly sent to the related department 164 without stocking.
In other cases, the merchandise 156 is commercialized as merchandise at this time based on the delivery information from the trader computer 83, and the warehousing process 158 or the packing / shipping instruction 160 is performed as it is. As a result, the stock information of the target database is updated. At this time, the target product or part is delivered to the manufacturer.

After the storage management by the database updated in this way, after the stock information of the target database is updated, the target product or part is delivered and delivered to the ordering side 86.

Next, the maker computer 8 on the maker side
1 will be further described.

The processing routine shown in FIG. 19 is executed by the maker computer 81, and in step 340, it is determined whether or not an order has occurred due to an order for a product or part. In step 340, when it is determined that an order has been received using the monitoring result of the order monitoring function performed in the order receiving task 60 as the determination data, the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 342, and if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 352.

In step 342, the type of the ordered product or part is specified. This step 342 is processing for specifying the order form of the product or part, such as whether the target part is a new order or an order for repair. In the next step 344, a master corresponding to the type of product or part of the type specified in step 342,
That is, the target box database is set in the next step 346 with reference to the database. For example, when the order is from the customer, the customer database 36B is set.

In the next step 348, an answer or an inquiry to the order is made. The processing in step 348 is
There are processes such as delivery date response and inventory information presentation. In the next step 350, monitoring of the box database specified in step 346 is started.

In the next step 352, it is determined from the data from the trader computer 83 whether or not the delivered goods or parts are ASSY parts. This determination can be made based on the value of the ASSY flag included in the component master 37A. For example, the trader computer 83
When the ID or name of the product is transmitted as data from, and when the ASSY component is set to "1" in the value of the ASSY flag included in the component master 37A, the result is affirmative in step 352. If a negative determination is made in step 352, the process proceeds to step 356. On the other hand, if affirmative in step 352, the process proceeds to step 354, in which the storage process for the ASSY component is performed, and then the process proceeds to step 356.

At step 356, it is determined whether or not the goods or parts to be delivered need to be stored. This determination can be made by referring to the entry / exit master 37D. If negative in step 356, the process proceeds to step 360 to instruct shipping of the product or part as it is, and if affirmative, in step 358, instructs to once stock, and then receives the shipping instruction and in step 360, receives the product or part. Instruct shipping of parts.

As described above, in the order receiving task 60, it is possible to order a product or part in response to an order from the customer side, monitor the order, and deliver it to the ordering side.

Next, a description will be given of a Web process for enabling reliable information provision including the immediate response of the state (information) of a product or part in response to an order from a customer. Here, a case will be described in which a delivery computer 87 for exchanging information is provided to a carrier that delivers goods or parts.
The delivery computer 87 is connected to a printer (not shown) for issuing (printing) a tag 53 described later.

FIG. 20 conceptually shows the flow of information in Web processing 170. The Web processing 170 is a processing executed for the customer computer 85 itself, the trader computer 83, and the delivery computer 87 generated by ordering parts from the customer computer 85. Here, the maker / computer 81 is handled and the department 172 and the Web
The display side 174 is classified and configured. Web processing 1
At 70, the department side 172 handles an order generated by an order from inside and outside of the manufacturer side, and the Web display side 174 operates, and the data of the above-described provisional delivery date response and the unanswered product formal response is handled and transmitted to the department side 172. . In response to this, the handling section 172 transmits the answer data to the customer computer 85. Therefore, on the Web display side 174, a process including the non-delivery date answer task 68 is executed.

As described in the non-delivery date answering task 68 (FIG. 12), in response to the order from the customer side, the response of the provisional delivery date is sent to the customer side and the trader side. The transmission to the trader side may be data transmission to the trader computer 83 or transmission of an electronic document using facsimile or the like. In addition, delivery date management is performed on the ordered item, and when the delivery date is approaching, the non-delivery date answer task 68 automatically sends reminder data (data transmission or electronic document transmission). Further, when a change occurs in the actual delivery date on the trader side, this fact is notified and sent to the customer side.

Here, goods and parts ordered by customers are often transported by carriers. For this reason, if the location of the product or part during transportation is clear, that is, the transportation state,
It is easy to grasp the condition of products and parts, which is convenient for customers. Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is possible to present to the customer the transport status of the goods and parts ordered by the customer.

FIG. 1 shows the Web processing 17 shown in FIG.
In the information flow of No. 0, a part that presents the transport status of ordered products and parts to the customer is conceptually shown.

When ordering a product or part, the customer sends an order number 41 and order content information 43 relating to the order content corresponding to the order number to the maker computer 81.
This order number is a number used for management on the customer side. The order content information 43 includes, for example, a component code, a component name, a destination, and the like.

The maker computer 81 generates an order number 45 corresponding to the received order number 41 and used for management on the maker side.
The order information 47 including the order information 43 and the order information 4
1 is stored in the order receiving database 36H and transmitted to the delivery computer 87 of the carrier. The order database 36H is stored in the storage device 32K.

Upon receiving the order number 41 and the order information 47, the carrier stores them in an internal storage device (not shown) and issues (prints) a tag 53. On the tag 53, the tag number used for management by the carrier is printed, and the contents of the order number 41 and the order information 47, that is, the order number, order number, part code, part name, destination, and the like are indicated. Printed. The carrier attaches the tag 53 to the ordered product or part and delivers it to the destination, that is, the customer. As described above, not only the destination but also the part name and the order number are printed on the tag 53.
The contents of the package can be easily grasped only by looking at the package tag 53 attached to the delivered package.

When the carrier receives the order number 41 and the order information 47, the carrier issues a tag 53 and transmits the tag information 49 including the tag number of the issued tag 53 and the transport status information indicating the transport status. It is sent to the maker computer 81 as information 51 in addition to the received information. The maker computer 81 stores this in the order receiving database 36H, and further details will be described later.
b The display is updated on the display side 174.

The transport state includes, for example, already dispatched, not yet dispatched, and currently being dispatched, and may include the scheduled date of dispatch.
When the customer specifies the order number and requests the status display of the ordered product or part, the information 51 notified from the carrier is presented to the customer computer 85. As a result, the customer can easily grasp the transport state of the ordered product or part.

On the transporter side, if there is a change in the transport state, for example, if the state has changed from a non-shipped state to a shipping state, (the transport state information of) the tag information 49 is updated and the information is updated. 51 is sent to the maker computer 81. As a result, the display is updated on the Web display side 174 of the maker computer 81. As described above, when the transport state is changed, the display is updated in real time, so that the customer can always easily obtain the latest information.

In the above description, the carrier sends the tag information 49 and the information 51 to which the information notified from the manufacturer is added to the manufacturer. However, only the tag information 49 is notified to the manufacturer. Is also good. In this case, the manufacturer may add the order number 41 and the order information 47 corresponding to the tag information 49, and display this information on the Web display side 174. Note that the Web display side 174 corresponds to the presentation unit of the present invention.

Next, the maker computer 8 on the maker side
1 will be further described.

The processing routine shown in FIG. 21 is executed by the manufacturer computer 81. Here, Web processing 17
0 is executed by the function part of the maker computer 81 which is in charge of “0”. First, in step 370, it is determined whether or not an order has been received due to an order for a product or part.
If a negative determination is made in step 370, the process proceeds to step 382. In step 370, if it is determined that an order has been received using the monitoring result of the order monitoring function performed in the order receiving task 60 as the determination data, the result is affirmative, and step 372 is performed.
Then, the order processing is executed.

In the order receiving process, the order number 45 is generated, the order number information 43 is associated with the order number information 47, and the order number 41 is associated with the order number 41 and stored in the order receiving database 36H. At the same time, the order number 41 and the order information 47 are sent to the delivery computer 87 of the carrier.
Send Note that the processing in step 374 corresponds to the receiving means and the sending means of the present invention.

The carrier has the order number 41 and the order information 4
7 is received, a tag number is generated to issue a tag 53, and the generated tag number, order number 41, and order information 4
A tag 53 on which the number 7 is printed is issued. Then, the issued tag 53 is affixed to the packing box of the ordered product or part and delivered to the destination, that is, the customer. Further, the tag 53 is issued, and the tag information 49 including the issued tag number and the transport state of the issued tag 53 is added to the order number 41 and the order information 47, and is notified to the Web display side 174 as information 51.
Further, when a change occurs in the transport state, the tag information 4
9 is notified to the Web display side 174.

At the next step 374, the intra display is updated. The intra display is a process of displaying information related to an order from a customer on a maker's intra (internal network). In step 374, for example, an order number for the ordered item is generated and associated with the order number from the customer side. As a result, the order item can be specified using either the order number or the order number, and the correspondence with the customer can be facilitated. In this intra display, order number 4
1, the order number 45, and the order content information 43 are stored in a format that can be referenced from any computer connected to the network (intra) on the manufacturer side, and data stored by a reference request from any computer is stored. Displayed on any computer.

At the next step 376, a non-delivery date answer process is executed. The processing of step 376 is the processing of the above-mentioned non-delivery date answer task 68. Then, in the next step 378, various data for the non-delivery date answer are obtained, and the display data is updated for intra display. That is, in addition to the above data, the data is stored in a format that can be referred to from any computer connected to the network (intra) on the manufacturer side as data corresponding to the ordering company, the shipping company, the provisional delivery date, the regular delivery date, and the like. Thereby, the data stored by the reference request from any computer can be displayed on any computer. In the next step 380, various data links are performed periodically. That is, since various accesses occur to one identification number, it is necessary to frequently update the update. Step 380 is a process for this.

In the next step 382, it is determined whether or not data has been received from the delivery computer 87. If a negative determination is made in step 382, this routine ends. On the other hand, if affirmative in step 382, the flow advances to step 384 to receive the tag information 47.

In this step 384, the information 51 is received, and the state regarding the transport is grasped from the received information 51 (the tag information 49 of the information 51). Note that the processing in step 384 corresponds to the tag information receiving means of the present invention.

In the next step 386, step 384
The display data is updated for the intra display and the Internet display based on the data grasped in the above. That is,
The display data is stored in a format that can be referred to from any computer connected to the network (intra) on the maker's side and the Internet, as data in which items of the transport state in the carrier correspond to the display data. Thereby, the data stored by the reference request from any computer can be displayed on any computer. When the customer connects to the Internet and specifies the order number, the transport state of the product or part corresponding to the order number is presented on the Web display 170, so that the customer can easily and easily determine the transport state of the ordered product or part. It can be grasped quickly. Also,
Whenever the transport state changes, the information 51 is sent from the carrier to the manufacturer each time, so that the latest transport state can be always grasped. Step 386
Corresponds to the updating means of the present invention.

As described above, in the Web processing 170, in response to an order from a customer, it is possible to display the current state of the product or part from the order including delivery to the delivery. . Therefore, the current state of the order can be quickly and reliably grasped.

In this embodiment, a case has been described in which a product or part of an apparatus such as a vending machine is used as a product. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention may be applied to any management system.

[0160]

As described above, according to the present invention, the receiving means changes the order number given by the customer to the order of the parts from the customer terminal belonging to the customer who orders the parts via the communication line. Receiving and generating order information representing the order content corresponding to the order number based on the received order number, and storing a correspondence relationship between the order number and the order information representing the order content corresponding to the order number; Since the presenting means presents the state information on the order number stored in the storage means to the outside, it manages the order information of the products and parts,
There is an effect that the status of ordered products and parts can be easily presented to the customer side via the network.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an image diagram conceptually showing a part of a flow of information of Web processing.

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 maker computer.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing various databases stored in a maker computer.

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

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a customer computer.

FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram conceptually and schematically showing transfer of product information in the network system of the present embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration in which a customer, a maker, and a maker can obtain advantageous information exchange states in the network system of the present embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing of a customer computer.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing of a maker computer.

FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram in which various databases are configured for transfer of inventory information in the network system of the present embodiment.

FIG. 12 is an image diagram conceptually showing a flow of information of a non-delivery time answer task.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of a non-delivery date answer task executed by a maker computer.

FIG. 14 is an image diagram conceptually showing a flow of information of a semi-automatic ordering task.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a flow of a semi-automatic ordering task executed by a maker computer.

FIG. 16 is an image diagram conceptually showing a flow of information of an inventory adjustment task.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a flow of an inventory adjustment task executed by a maker computer.

FIG. 18 is an image diagram conceptually showing a flow of information on an order receiving task.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a flow of an order receiving task executed by a maker computer.

FIG. 20 is an image diagram conceptually showing a flow of information of Web processing.

FIG. 21 is a Web executed by a maker computer.
It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process.

FIG. 22 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a relationship between a customer and a maker in the network system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 36H: Order receiving database 36B: Customer database 53: Tag 81: Manufacturer computer 85: Customer computer 87: Delivery computer 170: Web processing

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An order information management device for managing order information related to at least an order for parts of a product, wherein the order is received from a customer terminal belonging to a customer who orders the parts via a communication line. Receiving means for receiving the order number given by the side, and generating order information representing the order content corresponding to the order number based on the received order number, and representing the order number and the order content corresponding to the order number Storage means for storing a correspondence relationship with the order information; state information relating to the order number stored in the storage means; presenting means for presenting to the outside; and the order number and the order information via a communication line. Sending means for sending to a trader terminal belonging to a trader who handles the parts. 2. The order information management device according to claim 1, wherein the order information includes an order number assigned by the order information management device and order content information. 3. A tag for receiving, via the communication line, tag information including a tag number of a tag used for transporting a component corresponding to the order number and transport status information indicating a transport status of the component from the vendor terminal. 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an information receiving unit; and an updating unit configured to update the storage unit based on the tag information received by the tag information receiving unit.
Described order information management device. 4. An order receiving information management system for managing order information relating to at least ordering of parts of a product, wherein the customer belongs to a customer who orders the parts and sends out an order number of the ordered parts via a communication line. Side terminal, receiving means for receiving an order number given by the customer side for the order of the parts from the customer side terminal via a communication line, and an order content corresponding to the order number based on the received order number. Storage means for generating a correspondence relationship with the order information to be represented, and storing the correspondence relation, state information relating to the order number stored in the storage means, a presentation means for presenting to the outside, the order number, An order information management device including a sending unit that sends the order information to the communication line; and a trader-side terminal that receives the order information and stores the received order information. An order information management system equipped with 5. An order information management program which is executed on an order information management computer provided on a management side for managing order information relating to at least an order for parts of a product, wherein the order belongs to a customer who orders the parts. Receiving the order number given by the customer for the order of the parts from the side terminal via the communication line, and the correspondence relationship with the order information representing the order content corresponding to the order number based on the received order number And storing the correspondence, status information on the order number stored in the storage means, and presenting the status information to the outside, and the order number and the order information via a communication line. Sending an order to a trader terminal belonging to a trader who handles parts. 6. A storage medium storing an order information management program executed on an order information management computer provided on a management side for managing order information relating to at least order reception of parts of a product, the order medium comprising: Receiving the order number given by the customer for the order of the parts from the customer terminal belonging to the customer via the communication line, and receiving the order number representing the order content corresponding to the order number based on the received order number And the correspondence is generated, and the correspondence is stored.State information on the order number stored in the storage unit is presented to the outside.The order number and the order information are transmitted via a communication line. A storage medium storing an order information management program, wherein the order information management program is sent to a trader terminal belonging to a trader who handles parts.