JP2003196745A - System and method for managing sales price, computer readable recording medium with program recorded thereon and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide technology for automatically discriminating update timing of a sales price and updating a set price into a discount price in relation to a sales price management system for updating a PLU (price look up) table that stores the sales price of merchandise. <P>SOLUTION: A set price/discount price judging part 102 judges whether to use a discount price in each merchandise managed by the PLU table 101 on the basis of a set price maintaining condition stored in a magazine database 103. If it is decided that the discount price is used, a discount price setting part 105 calculates a discount price with a discount rate defined in each publishment form of a magazine and the discount price in the PLU table 101. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for updating a PLU (Price Look Up) table that stores the selling price of a product, and automatically determines the timing of updating the selling price, and changes from the list price to the discount price. Regarding technology to update.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art POS (Point Of Sale)
In a store system that manages sales using terminals, a selling price table usually called a PLU table is used to determine a selling price.

There are cases where a fixed price is set and a discount price is set for each product in this PLU table.
Whenever you change from the list price to the discounted price, P
LU must be updated. This work needs to be repeated in the cycle of reviewing the selling price, which is very complicated. In addition, it is easy to cause sales at an incorrect price due to a work mistake.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in order to eliminate the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art. The purpose of the present invention is to reduce the labor for updating the PLU table and to ensure the reliability. The challenge is to enable price management.

[0005]

A selling price management system according to the present invention includes a selling price table for storing a selling price for each product and a product database for storing a fixed price maintaining condition for maintaining a fixed price for each product. And a sales price management system having the following elements: (1) Based on a fixed price maintenance condition stored in a product database for each product whose sales price is stored in a sales price table A fixed price / discount price determination unit that determines whether or not to use a discount price (2) When a discount price is determined to be used, the discount price is set as the sales price on the sales price table for the determined product. Discount price setting section.

The fixed price maintenance condition is a condition that can specify the end period for maintaining the fixed price, and the fixed price / discount price judgment unit uses the discount price when the final period specified by the fixed price maintenance condition is exceeded. It is characterized by judging.

[0007] The product database further stores the release timing for each product, and the fixed price maintenance condition is a fixed price maintenance period that specifies the time length for maintaining the fixed price from the release timing. The price determination unit is characterized in that the final period is specified based on the sale timing stored in the product database and the fixed price maintenance period.

The product database further stores a classification for each product, and the sales price management system further includes a classification-based discount condition table that stores discount conditions for each classification, and the discount price setting unit determines the judgment. It is characterized in that the classification corresponding to the acquired product is acquired from the product database, the discount condition corresponding to the acquired classification is acquired from the classification-based discount condition table, and the discount price is obtained according to the acquired discount condition.

The fixed price / discount price judgment unit judges that the fixed price is used when the discount price is not used, and the sales price management system judges the sales price of the determined product when the fixed price is used. It is characterized by having a fixed price setting unit for setting a fixed price as the selling price on the table.

The product database further stores a list price for each product, and the list price setting unit acquires the list price corresponding to the determined product from the product database.

The selling price management system has a product-specific discount price table capable of selectively storing the discount price for each product, and when the discount price setting unit determines to use the discount price, When the discount price for the product is stored in the discount price table, the discount stored in the product-specific discount price table is replaced with the discount price obtained according to the discount condition acquired from the classification-based discount condition table. The feature is that the price is set as the selling price on the selling price table.

The sales price management system has a product-specific discount condition table in which discount conditions for each product can be selectively stored, and when the discount price setting unit determines to use the discount price, When the discount condition for the product is stored in the discount condition table, the discount stored in the product-based discount condition table is replaced with the discount price obtained according to the discount condition acquired from the classification-based discount condition table. It is characterized in that the discount price obtained according to the conditions is set as the selling price on the selling price table.

When setting a discount price, the discount price setting unit stores history information including a pre-update sale price before being updated on the sale price table and a post-update sale price after being updated. It is characterized by

The sales price management system is a store server connected to a POS terminal requesting a sales price of a product by a network, and reads out the sales price of the product from the sales price table, and reads out the sales price. It is characterized in that it is transmitted to.

The sales price management system is an ASP (App) that connects to a system on the shop side via the Internet.
license Service Provide
r) A server, which is characterized by transmitting at least a part of the information of the selling price management database to the system on the dealer side.

In the selling price management method according to the present invention, the selling price table for storing the selling price for each product and the product database for storing the fixed price maintenance condition for maintaining the fixed price for each product can be accessed. A sales price management method using a price management system, characterized by having the following elements: (1) For each product whose sales price is stored in the sales price table, based on the fixed price maintenance condition stored in the product database, Fixed price / discount price determination step of determining whether to use the discount price (2) When it is determined that the discount price is used, the discount price is set as the sales price on the sales price table for the determined product. Discount price setting process.

A computer-readable recording medium in which the program according to the present invention is recorded is a sales price table that stores the selling price of each product, and a product database that stores a fixed price maintenance condition for maintaining a fixed price for each product. Is a computer-readable recording medium in which a program for executing the following processing is recorded on a computer which is a selling price management system accessible to (1) The selling price is stored in a selling price table. Price / Discount price determination processing for determining whether to use the discount price based on the price maintenance condition stored in the product database for each product to be processed (2) It is determined when it is determined to use the discount price A discount price setting process that sets a discount price as the sales price on the sales price table for the product.

The program according to the present invention can access a selling price table for storing a selling price for each product, and a selling price management system for accessing a product database for storing a fixed price maintenance condition for maintaining a fixed price for each product. It is a program for causing a computer to execute the following procedure (1) Discount for each product whose sales price is stored in the sales price table based on the fixed price maintenance condition stored in the product database Fixed price / discount price determination procedure for determining whether or not to use price (2) If a discount price is determined to be used, the discount is set as the sales price on the sales price table for the determined product. Pricing procedure.

[0019]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiment 1. The present invention will be described below based on embodiments shown in the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a first example of a network configuration in the present invention. 1 is
A bookstore server, 2 is a POS terminal, and 3 is a bookstore network. The bookstore network 3 is a network provided in the bookstore, and is, for example, a LAN (Local).
Area Network). PO
The S terminal 2 is the bookstore server 1 via the bookstore network 3.
When the book code is specified from the POS terminal 2 and the selling price is requested, the selling price corresponding to the book code is specified from the PLU table managed by the bookstore server 1 and is returned to the POS terminal 2. Is configured. As a result, the bookstore server 1 can always perform sales processing using an appropriate selling price. Books are examples of products. Therefore, it is also effective to apply this selling price management system to other products.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the bookstore server according to the first embodiment. 101 is a PLU (Pric)
e Look Up) table, 102 is a fixed price / discount price determination unit, 103 is a magazine database, 104 is
A fixed price setting unit 105, a discount price setting unit, and a publication condition discount condition table 106. PLU table 10
1 is an example of a selling price table that stores the selling price of each product. The magazine database 103 is an example of a product database that manages information for each product. The publication-type discount condition table 106 is an example of a classification-based discount condition table that stores discount conditions for each product category.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the PLU table. Each of the records 351 to 353 is provided for each magazine, and stores the selling price 302 in association with the magazine code 301. The magazine code 301 is
It is information specifying a magazine and is an example of a product code specifying a product. The selling price 302 is a price when actually sold. In this example, a fixed price may be set and a discount price (discounted price) may be set. The present embodiment has a magazine registration unit (not shown) for preregistering a magazine whose sales price is to be managed, and the magazine registration unit stores the magazine code of the specified magazine in the PLU table. It is configured.
The magazine registration unit is an example of a product registration unit that identifies a magazine that is a product and stores the magazine code that is the product code in the sales price table. In addition, by the magazine registration department, PL
The magazine code stored in the U table can be erased or invalidated.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a magazine database. Each of the records 451 to 453 is provided for each magazine, and is associated with the magazine code 401 so as to correspond to the publication form 40.
2, magazine information (an example of product information) such as the sale date condition 403, the fixed price maintenance days 404, and the fixed price 405 is stored. The publication form 402 stores data specifying the publication form of a magazine such as weekly publication, monthly publication, biweekly publication, and the like. It should be noted that the publication form is an example of classification, and it is also effective to use classification such as genres such as boys 'comics, girls' comics, literary arts, and hobbies. The release date condition 403 is a condition for specifying a release date (an example of a release timing). The release date is regularly specified according to the publication format such as the day of the week and the date. The list price maintenance days 404 is an example of the list price maintenance period, and is also an example of the list price maintenance condition. The price maintenance period is the timing of the release (release date and /
Or, at the time of release), it is information that specifies the time length for maintaining the list price, and can be specified by minute, hour, day, month, quarter, half year, year, etc. The fixed price maintenance condition is a condition that includes the concept of a fixed price maintenance period and can specify the end of the period for maintaining the fixed price (the last day in this example). It is possible that the price maintenance period is divided as a price maintenance condition. In this case, for example, like a discount service for a limited time, the list price is changed to the discount price, and then the list price is restored again. The list price 405 is a resale price determined by the publisher for each magazine. However, regardless of this example, a price determined by a person other than the provider, such as a price determined for each store, may be treated as the fixed price. Such a product database is stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM. Alternatively, it is possible to download from a server via a network and store it in a secondary storage device such as a hard disk.

As described above, when the product information forming the product database is obtained by downloading, it is effective to download only the necessary product information (in this example, magazine information). In that case, it operates as follows. First, the bookstore server 1 acquires all magazine codes from the PLU table. Further, it requests the magazine information about the acquired magazine code group from the magazine database server. On the other hand, the magazine database server extracts the magazine information corresponding to the requested magazine code group from the magazine database in the magazine database server and sends it back to the bookstore server 1. The bookstore server 1 stores these collectively, and the magazine database 10 in the bookstore server 1 shown in the previous figure.
Processing is performed in the same manner as in 3.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a discount condition table for each publication form. Each of the records 551 to 553 is provided for each publication form, and is associated with the publication form 501 to have a discount rate of 5
02 is stored. Discount rate 502
Is an example of a discount condition. As the discount condition, a selling price rate (= 1-discount rate), a discount amount (amount discounted from the list price), and the like can be considered. In the present embodiment, a discount rate registration section for each publication form (not shown) that sets a discount rate for each magazine in advance is provided, and the discount entered by specifying the publication format by the publication rate discount rate registration section. The rate is stored in the publication-type discount condition table 106. The publication form discount rate registration unit is an example of a classification discount condition registration unit that registers discount conditions for each classification in the classification discount condition table.

Next, the processing will be described. Figure 6
It is a figure which shows the whole process flow of PLU table update.
Magazine codes are sequentially acquired from the PLU table 101, and the following processing is repeated (S601). First, in the fixed price / discounted price judgment processing (S602), it is judged whether the fixed price or the discounted price is used as the selling price. This processing will be described later. When the fixed price is used, the fixed price is set in the PLU table 101 by the fixed price setting process (S603), and when the discounted price is used, the discount price is set in the PLU table 101 by the discounted price setting process (S604). The processing ends when all magazine codes have been processed (S605).

The above-mentioned fixed price / discount price determination processing will be described in detail. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a list price / discount price determination processing flow in the first embodiment. This processing is performed by the fixed price / discount price determination unit 102. The list price / discount price determination unit 102 first acquires the release date condition corresponding to the magazine code from the magazine database 103 (S701).
Next, the date of the current day is acquired, and the release date is specified according to the release date condition (S702). Specifically, before the date of the current day, the latest date among the dates that meet the sale date condition is specified as the sale date. As the processing, for example, the dates which are sequentially traced back by one day from the current day are acquired, the judgment in light of the sale date condition is repeated, and the date which first meets the sale date condition is set as the sale date.

Subsequently, the list price / discount price determination unit 102 acquires the list price maintenance days corresponding to the magazine code from the magazine database 103 (S703), and determines the list price based on the release date and the list price maintenance days. The last day of the maintenance period is calculated (S704). In this example, the last day is calculated by adding the fixed price maintenance days to the release date in accordance with the stored calendar.

The date and time of the day are acquired and the business date is specified (S705). If the acquired time is outside the business hours, the day when the next business start time arrives is specified as the business date. When the business hours are only during the daytime, the date of the next day is specified as the business date from the business end time to 24:00. From 0:00 to the business start time, the date of the current day is specified as the business date. Also, if the specified date is a holiday, it is effective to defer until the next business day. Not depending on this example, the business date may be specified only by the date. For example, in a system in which this processing is always performed before the start of business on the business day, the acquired date may be used as the business date. Further, in a system that always performs this process on the day before the business day, the business day may be the day after the acquired date.

Next, the business date specified in S704 is compared with the previously acquired final price maintenance end date. If the business date is before the final price maintenance day or on the same day as the regular price maintenance day (S706), it is determined to use the regular price (S707).
If the business date is after the last day of the list price maintenance (S70
6) It is determined that the discount price is used (S708). That is, it is determined that the discount price is used when the final price for maintaining the fixed price specified by the fixed price maintenance condition is exceeded.

The above-mentioned fixed price setting process will be described in detail. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a list price setting process flow in the first embodiment. This process is performed by the fixed price setting unit 104.
The fixed price setting unit 104 acquires the fixed price corresponding to the magazine code from the magazine database 103 (S801). Then, the acquired list price is set to the selling price corresponding to the magazine code on the PLU table (S802).

Next, the above-mentioned discount price setting process will be described in detail. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a discount price setting process flow in the first embodiment. This processing is performed by the discount price setting unit 105. The discount price setting unit 105 acquires the publication form and the list price corresponding to the magazine code from the magazine database 103 (S901). Further, the discount rate (an example of discount condition) corresponding to the publication form is acquired from the publication form-based discount condition table (S902). Then, the discount rate is subtracted from 1 to obtain the sales price rate, and the obtained sales price rate (=
1-discount rate) is multiplied by the list price to calculate the discount price (S
903). Not according to this example, when the discount condition is the selling price rate, the fixed price is multiplied by the selling price rate to obtain the discount price.
When the discount condition is a discount amount, the discount amount is subtracted from the list price to obtain the discount price. And the discount price setting unit 10
5 sets the calculated discount price to the selling price corresponding to the magazine code on the PLU table 101 (S90).
4).

A sales price output unit (not shown) inputs a sales price request including a magazine code (in this example, the POS terminal 2).
Then, the selling price corresponding to the magazine code is read from the PLU table 101 and output (in this example, transmitted to the POS terminal 2). When the PLU table is stored in the POS terminal 2, the bookstore server 1
Has a PLU table transmission unit for transmitting the PLU table to the POS terminal.

Embodiment 2. In the present embodiment, the discount price calculated based on the above-described publication mode is prioritized, and the discount price individually set for each magazine can be used.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the bookstore server according to the second embodiment. 101 to 106 are the same as those in the first embodiment. Reference numeral 107 is a discount price table for each magazine. The magazine-specific discount price table 107 is an example of a product-specific discount price table that stores a discount price for each product.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of a discount price table for each magazine. Each record 1151-1153 is
It is provided for each magazine and is associated with the magazine code 1101.
The discount price 1102 is stored. In the present embodiment, there is a magazine-specific discount price registration unit (not shown) that sets a discount price for each magazine in advance, and the magazine-specific discount price registration unit identifies the magazine and inputs the discount price. The special discount price table 107 is configured to be stored. The magazine-specific discount price registration unit is an example of the product-specific discount price registration unit that registers the discount price for each product in the product-specific discount price table. In addition, it is not necessary to set discount prices for all magazines, and select only those magazines that use individual discount prices prior to the discount price calculated based on the publication format, and select any magazine. Discount prices can be set in the separate discount price table 107.

Next, the processing will be described. In the present embodiment, the discount price setting process is different from that in the first embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a discount price setting process flow in the second embodiment. This processing is performed by the discount price setting unit 105. Discount price setting unit 105
Searches for a record with a matching magazine code on the discount price table for each magazine 107 (S1201). If there is a record with the same magazine code (S1202), the discount price of the record is acquired (S1207). PL
The acquired discount price is set to the selling price corresponding to the magazine code on the U table 101 (S1208). On the other hand, if there is no record with the same magazine code (S1202), the discount price is calculated based on the publication form (S1203 to S1206). Incidentally, S12
The processing of 03 to S1206 is performed by S901 to S904 of FIG.
Is the same as.

In the above-mentioned example, it is premised that all the records having the same magazine code are treated as valid records. However, if each record is provided with a flag or the like for discriminating between valid and invalid, Even if the magazine code matches, invalid records are not treated as matching the magazine code.

Embodiment 3. The present embodiment uses a discount rate for each magazine (an example of a discount condition) instead of the discount price for each magazine in the second embodiment. That is, the discount rate based on the publication form shown in the first embodiment is given priority,
The discount rate set individually for each magazine can be used.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the bookstore server according to the third embodiment. 101 to 106 are the same as those in the first embodiment. Reference numeral 108 is a magazine-based discount condition table. The magazine-based discount condition table 108 is an example of a product-based discount condition table that stores discount conditions for individual products.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a discount condition table for each magazine. Each record 1451 to 1453 is
It is provided for each magazine and is associated with the magazine code 1401.
The discount rate 1402 is stored. The present embodiment has a magazine-specific discount rate registration unit (not shown) that sets a discount rate for each magazine in advance. The magazine-specific discount rate registration unit identifies the magazine and inputs the discount rate to the magazine. The special discount condition table 108 is configured to be stored.
The magazine-based discount rate registration unit is an example of a product-based discount condition registration unit that registers discount conditions for each product in the product-based discount condition table. The discount rate is an example of the discount condition, and the discount condition may be a sales price rate (= 1−discount rate), a discount amount (amount discounted from the list price), and the like.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a discount price setting processing flow in the third embodiment. This processing is performed by the discount price setting unit 105. Discount price setting unit 105
Searches for a record with a matching magazine code on the discount condition table for each magazine (S1501), and if there is a corresponding record (S1502), acquires the discount rate of the corresponding record (S1507), and further from the magazine database. , The fixed price corresponding to the magazine code is acquired (S1508). Then, the discount price is calculated by multiplying the list price by (1-discount rate) (S1509). The method for calculating the discount price under the other discount conditions is as described above. The discount price setting unit 105 sets the calculated discount price to the selling price corresponding to the magazine code on the PLU table (S151).
0). On the other hand, if there is no record with the matching magazine code in the discount rate table for each magazine (S150
2) The process of calculating the discount price based on the publication form is performed (S1503 to S1506). Incidentally, S1503 to S1
The process of 506 is the same as S901 to S904 of FIG.

Fourth Embodiment In the present embodiment, magazine information is acquired by communication from a magazine database server having a magazine database via a network.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a second example of the network configuration according to the present invention. 1 to 3 are the same as those in the first embodiment. 4 is a router, 5 is the Internet, 6
Is a magazine database server. Bookstore server 1
It is configured to acquire magazine information from the magazine database server 6 via the bookstore network 3, the router 4, and the Internet 5. In this example, the communication environment between the bookstore server 1 and the magazine database server 6 is not limited to this example, and another network or communication line may be used. The magazine information may be a form in which the magazine information about one magazine is transferred or a form in which the magazine information about a plurality of magazines is collectively transferred. The range of magazine information to be transferred includes a form in which items included therein (for example, 401 to 405 shown in FIG. 4) are individually transferred, a form in which these items are selectively combined and transferred, and all items are transferred. It is conceivable that the data is transferred collectively.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the bookstore server according to the fourth embodiment. 101 to 107 are the same as those in the above-described embodiment. A bookstore server-side communication unit 109 is provided. On the other hand, the magazine database server 6 includes the magazine database server side communication unit 110 and the magazine database 1.
Has 03. The bookstore server-side communication unit 109 and the magazine database server-side communication unit 110 are connected via a network, and in response to a request from the bookstore server-side communication unit 109 (a magazine code is included when a magazine is specified). The magazine database server-side communication unit 110 is configured to transfer magazine information to the bookstore server-side communication unit 109. The magazine database server-side communication unit 110 is configured to read the requested magazine information from the magazine database 103. The magazine database 103
Has the same configuration as in the first embodiment.

Next, the processing will be described. FIG.
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a fixed price / discounted price determination processing flow in the fourth embodiment. This processing is performed by the fixed price / discount price determination unit 102. List price / discount price determination unit 102
Operates so as to obtain the sale date condition and the fixed price maintenance days (both are part of the magazine information) from the magazine database 103 by communication via the bookstore server side communication unit 109.

First, the fixed price / discounted price judgment unit 102 determines from the magazine database 13 of the magazine database server 6 that
Obtain the release date condition corresponding to the magazine code (S180
1). At this time, the bookstore server side communication unit 109 specifies the book code and transmits the magazine information request. The magazine database server side communication unit 110 receives the magazine information request,
Bibliographic information corresponding to the book code is stored in the magazine database 10
3 and returns it to the bookstore server-side communication unit 109. Next, the date of the current day is acquired and the release date is specified (S1802). Further, the fixed price / discount price determination unit 102
Acquires the fixed price maintenance days corresponding to the magazine code from the bookstore server side communication unit 109 (S1803). Below, S1
804 to S1808 are S704 to S70 in FIG.
Similar to 8.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a fixed price setting process flow in the fourth embodiment. This process is performed by the fixed price setting unit 1
04. The fixed price setting unit 104 communicates with the magazine database 1 via the bookstore server-side communication unit 109.
It operates so as to obtain the list price (a part of the magazine information) from 03.

The fixed price setting unit 104 acquires the fixed price corresponding to the magazine code from the magazine database 103 of the magazine database server 6 (S1901). At this time, the bookstore server side communication unit 109 specifies the book code and transmits the magazine information request. Magazine database server side communication unit 1
10 receives the magazine information request, acquires the bibliographic information corresponding to the book code from the magazine database 103, and returns it to the bookstore server-side communication unit 109. S1902 is
The processing is the same as the processing in S802 of FIG.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a discount price setting processing flow in the fourth embodiment. This processing is performed by the discount price setting unit 105. Discount price setting unit 105
Operates so as to obtain the publication form and the fixed price (both are part of the magazine information) from the magazine database 103 by communication via the bookstore server-side communication unit 109. The processes of S2001 and S2002 are the same as S1201 and S1202 of FIG.
The process is the same as that of. In S2003, the discount price setting unit 105 acquires from the magazine database 103 of the magazine database server 6 the publication form and the fixed price corresponding to the magazine code. At this time, the bookstore server side communication unit 109
Specifies the book code and sends a magazine information request. The magazine database server-side communication unit 110 receives the magazine information request, acquires the bibliographic information corresponding to the book code from the magazine database 103, and returns it to the bookstore server-side communication unit 109. The processing of S2004 to S2006 is the same as the processing of S1204 to S1206 of FIG.
The processes of S2007 and S2008 are the same as S1207 of FIG.
And the process of S1208.

In this example, an example in which the configuration for acquiring magazine information via the network is applied to the processing of the second embodiment is shown, but it is also effective to apply it to the first or third embodiment. .

Embodiment 5. In the present embodiment, the functions of the first to third embodiments are combined with the ASP (Application).
A system realized by using a Service Provider) server will be described.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a second example of the network configuration according to the present invention. 1-5 are the same as that of FIG. Reference numeral 7 is an ASP server. In this example, ASP
The server 7 constitutes a selling price management system according to the present invention.

When the functions of the first embodiment are realized by the ASP server, the ASP server 7 has the configuration of the bookstore server shown in FIG. Similarly, when the functions of the second embodiment are realized by the ASP server, the ASP server has the configuration of the bookstore server shown in FIG. Further, when the functions of the third embodiment are realized by the ASP server, the ASP server has the configuration of the bookstore server shown in FIG.

The ASP server 7 further includes the above-mentioned magazine registration unit, publication mode discount rate registration unit, magazine discount price registration unit,
It also has a discount rate registration department for each magazine. However, each registration unit
It is configured to receive information specifying a magazine and information specifying a discount price or a discount rate via the network. Specifically, it has a screen transmission unit that transmits screen data (for example, described in a page description language) that configures a screen for prompting input of information to be received to a request source in response to a request. It should be noted that processing is described in the screen data so that when the necessary information is input on this screen and the transmission is instructed, the information input to the ASP server 7 is transmitted.

The ASP server 7 provides the service to a plurality of bookstores, so that the PLU table 1 is provided for each bookstore.
01, publication-type discount condition table 106, magazine-specific discount price table 107, and magazine-specific discount condition table 108, which are stored in association with the bookstore code for identifying the bookstore.

The ASP server 7 sets the above-mentioned P at a predetermined timing or a designated timing.
Performs LU table update processing. The timing may be set for each bookstore or may be set collectively.
The update instruction may be given by the administrator of the ASP server 7, or may be given from any device on the bookstore side via the network. The process of updating the PLU table is similar to that of the above-described embodiment, but the table corresponding to the common bookstore code is selected and the process is performed.

The ASP server 7 receives the request for the selling price (including the magazine code) via the network, reads the selling price corresponding to the magazine code from the PLU table 101, and transmits the read selling price. It has an output section. In this example, a request for a selling price is received from one of the devices (bookstore server 1 or POS terminal 2) on the bookstore side, and the selling price is transmitted to the requesting device.

Sixth Embodiment In the fifth embodiment, an example of requesting the selling price for each magazine and transferring the selling price for each magazine has been shown, but in the present embodiment, as in the fifth embodiment, A
A mode in which the PLU table is updated using the SP server and the updated PLU table itself is downloaded will be described.

This embodiment differs from the fifth embodiment only in the method of transferring the selling price. The ASP server 7 performs the above-mentioned PLU table transfer processing at a predetermined timing or an instructed timing. The timing may be set for each bookstore or may be set collectively. The transfer instruction is issued by the ASP server 7.
May be instructed, or may be instructed from any device on the bookstore side via the network. The transfer timing may be synchronous with the update or asynchronous.

The transfer destination address is stored in advance in association with the bookstore code, and P corresponding to the bookstore code is stored.
It is effective to transfer the LU table to the transfer destination address corresponding to the bookstore code. Not according to this example,
If the device that has sent the PLU table transfer request receives the PL
Returning the U table is also effective. Also, the PLU
It is also effective to receive the transfer destination address together with the table transfer request and transfer to the received transfer destination address.

The system on the bookstore side (bookstore server 1, POS terminal 2 or the like) stores the received PLU table and operates to determine the selling price according to the PLU table. The PLU table may be stored in the bookstore server 1 or the POS terminal 2. When stored in the bookstore server 1, the PLU table is referred to from the POS terminal 2 via the bookstore network 3.

The PLU table to be transmitted is effective even if it is a part of the PLU table stored in the bookstore system. Prior to updating the PLU table in the ASP server 7, the PLU table stored in the bookstore system is transmitted to the ASP server 7, and the ASP server 7 temporarily stores the received PLU table and stores it in the stored PLU table. It is also effective to perform an update process. In this manner, the PLU table is uploaded and the uploaded PLU table is updated.
The PLU table stored in the P server 7 may be deleted after the transfer. That is, it may be a temporary memory.

Embodiment 7. In the fifth or sixth embodiment based on the configuration of FIG. 2, prior to the update of the PLU table in the ASP server 7, the discount condition table 106 for each publication form stored in the system on the bookstore side is
The ASP server 7 stores the received discount condition table 106 according to publication form, and the ASP server 7 uses the stored discount condition table according to publication form 106 to store the PLU table 10.
It is also effective to perform the update process of 1. In this way, in the form in which the discount condition table 106 for each publication form is uploaded and updated, after the above-described update processing, the AS
Publication-type discount condition table 10 stored in the P server 7
6 may be deleted. That is, it may be a temporary memory.

Embodiment 8. In the fifth or sixth embodiment based on the configuration of FIG. 10, publication stored in any device (bookstore server 1 or POS terminal 2) on the bookstore side prior to updating the PLU table in the ASP server 7. The form-specific discount condition table 106 and the magazine-specific discount price table 107 are transmitted to the ASP server 7. The ASP server 7 stores the received publication-form-specific discount condition table 106 and the magazine-specific discount price table 107, and the stored publication form. Separate discount condition table 106 and magazine-specific discount price table 1
It is also effective to use 07 to update the PLU table 101. Thus, the discount condition table 106 according to publication form and the discount price table 107 according to magazine
In the form of uploading and updating, the publication-type discount condition table 106 and the magazine-specific discount price table 107 stored in the ASP server 7 may be deleted after the above-described update processing. That is, it may be a temporary memory. In this example, both the publication-type discount condition table 106 and the magazine-specific discount price table 107 are uploaded, but it is also possible to upload only one of them.

Ninth Embodiment In Embodiment 5 or Embodiment 6 based on the configuration of FIG. 13, publication stored in any device on the bookstore side (bookstore server 1 or POS terminal 2) prior to updating the PLU table in the ASP server 7. The form-specific discount condition table 106 and the magazine-specific discount condition table 108 are transmitted to the ASP server 7, and the ASP server 7 stores the received publication-form-specific discount condition table 106 and magazine-specific discount condition table 108, and the stored publication form. Separate discount condition table 106 and magazine-specific discount condition table 1
It is also effective to use 08 to update the PLU table 101. As described above, the publication-type discount condition table 106 and the magazine-specific discount condition table 108
In the form of uploading and updating, the publication-type discount condition table 106 and the magazine-specific discount condition table 108 stored in the ASP server 7 may be deleted after the above-described update processing. That is, it may be a temporary memory. In this example, both the publication-type discount condition table 106 and the magazine-specific discount condition table 108 are uploaded, but it is also possible to upload only one of them.

Tenth Embodiment In the present embodiment, a case will be described in which, when a discount price is used, history information regarding the update of the selling price is recorded.

In the discount price setting processing by the discount price setting unit 105 shown in FIG. 9, history recording processing of discount price setting is performed. For example, this history storage processing is performed during the processing of S904. The history information table in which history information is recorded by the history storage process is provided in a storage medium such as a hard disk. The history information table is provided with a record as history information for each magazine whose sales price has been updated. For example, the update date, business date, magazine code, pre-update selling price, and post-update selling price are set. Is associated.

Details of the processing will be described. The date of the day is acquired and stored in the history information table. Furthermore, FIG.
The business date specified in S705 of the list price / discount price determination process shown in is acquired and stored in the history information table. Further, the pre-update sale price corresponding to the magazine code is read out on the PLU table 101 and stored in the history information table as the pre-update sale price. The discount price calculated in S903 is stored in the history information table as the updated selling price. After that, the discount price is set in the PLU table shown in S904.

S12 of the discount price setting process shown in FIG.
06 and S1208, S1506 and S1510 of the discount price setting process shown in FIG. 15, and S2006 and S2008 of the discount price setting process shown in FIG. 20 are effective. In this case, the discount price calculated before each processing step (S1205, S15
05, S1509, S2005) or the acquired discount price (S1207, S2007) is stored in the history information table as the updated selling price.

The history information table is output by the history information output unit. The form of output may be transmission, printing, display, writing to a storage medium, or the like.

Eleventh Embodiment In each of the above-described embodiments, an example in which a magazine is used as a product has been described.
It is also effective to apply to other products. For example, it can be applied to books. An example of the configuration of the table when applied to books is shown below.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of a PLU table for books. Each record 2251 to 2253
Is provided for each magazine and stores the selling price 2202 in association with the book code 2201. The book code 2201 is information that specifies a book and is an example of a product code that specifies a product.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of a book database. The book database is an example of a product database and corresponds to the magazine database 103 in FIG. 2, FIG. 10, or FIG. Each record 2351
2353 are provided for each book, and the book code 2301
The genre 2302, the sale date 2303, the fixed price maintenance months 2304, and the fixed price 2305 are stored in association with. In the genre 2302, comics,
Data that specifies the genre of books such as paperbacks and children is stored. The genre is an example of classification. Release date 23
03 is a date that specifies the release date, and can be understood as a release date condition that directly specifies the release date. The list price maintenance months 2304 is an example of the list price maintenance period, and is also an example of the list price maintenance condition. It is also effective to use the number of years as the fixed price maintenance period. The list price 2305 is a resale price determined for each book by the publisher. However, regardless of this example, a price determined by a person other than the provider, such as a price determined for each store, may be treated as the fixed price.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of a genre discount condition table. The genre discount condition table is an example of a categorized discount condition table, and is shown in FIGS.
0, or the discount condition table for each publication form 106 in FIG. 13. Each record is provided for each genre, is associated with the genre 2401, and has a discount rate of 240.
2 is configured to be stored. Discount rate 2402
Is an example of a discount condition. As the discount condition, a selling price rate (= 1-discount rate), a discount amount (amount discounted from the list price), and the like can be considered.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of a discount price table for each book. The book-based discount price table is an example of a product-based discount price table, and corresponds to the magazine-based discount price table 107 in FIG. Each record 2
551 to 2553 are provided for each book, and the book code 2
The discount price 2502 is stored in association with 501.

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of a discount condition table for each book. The book-based discount condition table is an example of the product-based discount condition table, and corresponds to the magazine-based discount condition table 108 in FIG. Each record 2
651 to 2653 are provided for each book, and the book code 2
The discount rate 2602 is stored in association with 601. Discount rate 2602 is an example of a discount condition.
As the discount condition, a selling price rate (= 1-discount rate), a discount amount (amount discounted from the list price), and the like can be considered.

The operation is similar to that of the above-mentioned embodiment,
The book code is used instead of the magazine code, and the genre is used instead of the publication form. Moreover, since the release date itself is used as the release date condition, the process of S702 in FIG. 7 is substantially unnecessary.

Each of the bookstore server 1, the POS terminal 2, the magazine database server 6, and the ASP server 7 is a computer, and each element can execute processing by a program. Further, the program can be stored in a storage medium and can be read by the computer from the storage medium. Further, any storage medium may be used as the area for storing each table.

[0079]

According to the present invention, it is determined for each product managed in the PLU table whether or not to use the discount price based on the fixed price maintenance condition stored in the product database, and it is determined that the discount price is used. In this case, since the discount price is set as the selling price on the PLU table for the product, the discount price can be automatically set for the product that does not satisfy the condition for maintaining the fixed price. As a result, the sales price is reviewed every day and P
The work of modifying the LU table is automated and errors are eliminated. It is particularly effective in a system in a store with a large number of products such as magazines and books.

Since it is determined that the discount price is used when the end period specified by the price maintenance condition is exceeded, it is possible to reliably find a product that does not need to be maintained at the price and replace it with the discount price. it can. If the end of maintaining the fixed price is unified as a common rule for each store, if the change to the discounted price is delayed, the price race with other stores will be delayed. Therefore, especially for products for which common rules are established, such as the time-limited resale price system, there is a great merit that the price can be surely shifted to the discount price and the price race can be appropriately handled.

Since the end period for maintaining the fixed price is specified based on the release timing and the fixed price maintenance period provided as product information, it is not necessary to input the end period for each product, and the effort for system maintenance is Significantly reduced.

Since the discount conditions are acquired from the discount condition table for each classification according to the classification corresponding to the product and the discount price is obtained according to the discount condition, uniform discount price reflecting the characteristics of the product can be set. it can. This allows
Dealers with a large number of products will be able to deal with discounted prices in a unified manner, making it possible to reliably provide a price system that is easy for consumers to understand. Further, it becomes possible to automate a high-level judgment that leads to an appropriate discount price in consideration of the characteristics of the product.

When the discount price is not used, it is determined that the list price is used, and the list price is set as the sale price on the sale price table. Therefore, even when the discount is canceled due to a change in the list price maintenance condition or the like, It can be automatically returned to the list price. Further, even in the case of a discount service in which the fixed price maintenance period is divided, the resetting to the fixed price is automated, and the labor of maintaining the PLU table can be saved.

Since the list price is acquired from the product database, the list price can be set reliably.

If a discount price table for each product which can selectively store the discount price for each product is provided and the discount price is stored in the discount price table for each product, it is set in the sales price table. It is also possible to set a discount price for a specific product. With regard to products that have a situation that affects the discount price more than the characteristics of the product by classification, such as products that are particularly topical, the discount price can be set individually, and thus flexible price management becomes possible.

If a discount condition table for each product that can selectively store the discount price for each product is provided, and the discount condition is stored in the discount condition table for each product, the discount price is calculated based on the condition. Since it is set in the selling price table in accordance with the sales price table, it is possible to set a discount condition for a specific product group. Products that are expected to be unsold,
It is possible to set a discount price under certain conditions for a product group that has a reason to affect the discount price more than the characteristics of the product by classification, so fine-grained price management for the product group of the category including individual elements Is possible.

Since the history information including the pre-update sale price and the post-update sale price is stored, the update contents of the sale price can be collectively confirmed by the history information.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a first example of a network configuration in the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a bookstore server according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a PLU table.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a magazine database.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a discount condition table for each publication form.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an overall processing flow of updating a PLU table.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a list price / discount price determination processing flow according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a fixed price setting process flow in the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a discount price setting process flow in the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a bookstore server according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a discount price table for each magazine.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a discount price setting process flow in the second embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a bookstore server according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a discount condition table for each magazine.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a discount price setting process flow in the third embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a second example of a network configuration according to the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a bookstore server according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a list price / discount price determination processing flow according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a list price setting process flow in the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a discount price setting process flow in the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a second example of the network configuration according to the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a PLU table regarding a book.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a book database.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a genre-based discount condition table.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a discount price table for each book.

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a discount condition table for each book.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 bookstore server, 2 POS terminal, 3 bookstore network, 4 router, 5 internet, 6 magazine database server, 7 ASP server, 101 PLU table, 102 fixed price / discount price judgment unit, 103 magazine database, 104 fixed price setting unit, 105 discount Price setting unit, 106 publication form discount condition table, 107 magazine discount price table, 108 magazine discount condition table, 109 bookstore server side communication unit, 110 magazine database server side communication unit.

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Michio Wakatsuki             2-3 2-3 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo             Ryoden Information Systems Co., Ltd.             In the company F term (reference) 3E042 CC06 CD02 CD07 CD08

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. A sales price management system that is accessible to a sales price table that stores a sales price for each product and a product database that stores a fixed price maintenance condition that is a condition for maintaining a fixed price for each product. (1) Judgment as to whether or not to use the discount price based on the list price maintenance condition stored in the product database for each product whose sales price is stored in the sales price table Fixed price / discount price determination unit (2) A discount price setting unit that sets a discount price as a sales price on the sales price table for the determined product when it is determined to use the discount price. 2. The fixed price maintenance condition is a condition that can specify the end period for maintaining the fixed price, and the fixed price / discount price judgment unit determines the discount price when the final period specified by the fixed price maintenance condition is exceeded. The selling price management system according to claim 1, characterized in that it is determined to be used. 3. The product database further stores the release timing for each product, and the fixed price maintenance condition is a fixed price maintenance period that specifies a time length for maintaining the fixed price from the release timing. 3. The sales price management system according to claim 2, wherein the discount price determination unit specifies the end period based on the sale timing stored in the product database and the fixed price maintenance period. 4. The product database further stores a classification for each product, and the sales price management system further has a classification-based discount condition table that stores discount conditions for each classification, and the discount price setting unit includes: Characterized in that the classification corresponding to the determined product is acquired from the product database, the discount condition corresponding to the acquired classification is acquired from the classification-based discount condition table, and the discount price is obtained according to the acquired discount condition. The selling price management system according to claim 1. 5. The regular price / discount price determination unit determines to use the regular price when the discount price is not used, and the selling price management system determines that the determined relevant product is used when the regular price is used. The selling price management system according to claim 1, further comprising a fixed price setting unit that sets a fixed price as a selling price on the selling price table. 6. The product database further stores a list price for each product, and the list price setting unit acquires a list price corresponding to the determined product from the product database.
The listed selling price management system. 7. The sales price management system has a product-specific discount price table capable of selectively storing the discount price for each product, and the discount price setting unit determines that the discount price is used, When the discount price for the product is stored in the product-based discount price table, it is stored in the product-based discount price table instead of the discount price obtained according to the discount condition acquired from the classification-based discount condition table. The sales price management system according to claim 4, wherein the discount price is set as a sales price on a sales price table. 8. The sales price management system has a product-specific discount condition table capable of selectively storing discount conditions for each product, and the discount price setting unit determines to use the discount price, When the discount condition for the product is stored in the product-based discount condition table, the discount condition is stored in the product-based discount condition table instead of the discount price obtained according to the discount condition acquired from the classification-based discount condition table. The sales price management system according to claim 4, wherein the discount price obtained according to the discount condition is set as the sales price on the sales price table. 9. The discount price setting unit, when setting a discount price, includes history information including a pre-update sale price before being updated on the sale price table and a post-update sale price after being updated. The selling price management system according to claim 1, wherein the system is stored. 10. The selling price management system is a store server connected to a POS terminal requesting the selling price of a product by a network, reading the selling price of the product from the selling price table, and reading the read selling price. The selling price management system according to claim 1, wherein the system is transmitted to a POS terminal. 11. The selling price management system is an ASP (A
application Service Provid
The sales price management system according to claim 1, wherein the sales price management database is a server for transmitting at least a part of the information of the sales price management database to the system on the dealer side. 12. A selling price management method by a selling price management system capable of accessing a selling price table storing a selling price of each product and a product database storing a fixed price maintenance condition for maintaining a fixed price for each product. A sales price management method characterized by having the following elements: (1) For each product whose sales price is stored in the sales price table, the discount price is used based on the fixed price maintenance condition stored in the product database. Fixed price / discount price determination step for determining whether or not (2) Discount price setting step for setting the discount price as the sales price on the sales price table for the determined product when it is determined to use the discount price . 13. A computer serving as a selling price management system, which is accessible to a selling price table that stores a selling price of each product and a product database that stores a fixed price maintenance condition for maintaining a fixed price for each product. A computer-readable recording medium in which a program for executing the following processing is recorded (1) For each product whose sales price is stored in the sales price table, the discount price is used based on the fixed price maintenance condition stored in the product database Fixed price / discount price determination processing for determining whether or not (2) Discount price setting processing for setting the discount price as the sales price on the sales price table for the determined product when it is determined to use the discount price . 14. A computer serving as a selling price management system that is accessible to a selling price table that stores a selling price for each product and a product database that stores a fixed price maintenance condition that is a condition for maintaining a fixed price for each product. Program for executing the following procedure (1) For each product whose sales price is stored in the sales price table, based on the fixed price maintenance condition stored in the product database Discount price determination procedure (2) A discount price setting procedure for setting a discount price as a sales price on the sales price table for the determined product when it is determined to use the discount price.