JP2003345807A - Electronic catalog providing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize an electronic catalog providing system which provides an electronic catalog consisting of image data, text data, moving picture data, and audio data by using a network. <P>SOLUTION: The electronic catalog consisting of the image data, text data, moving picture data and audio data is proposed to a customer even during a negotiation at a going-out destination by extracting the latest accurate information and a catalog of proposed products which are different by customers is easily generated. Product catalog data such as the image data and text data are sent in facsimile or converted into the portable document format (PDF) and transmitted to be obtained at the negotiation place. The catalog data consisting of the moving picture data, audio data, text data, etc., can be obtained through high-speed package communication. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic catalog providing system for providing an electronic catalog composed of image data, text data, moving image data, and audio data using a network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In conventional business transactions using catalogs, information such as the appearance, functions, and quotes of the product is transmitted to the customer by sending or showing a previously created product catalog to the customer. Was. However, with such a conventional method, it has been difficult to speedily propose a product using a product catalog with contents according to a customer's request during a business trip or a business trip. Further, when a new product is added, the product catalog that has already been created cannot be handled, so that the time and money costs for replacing the new catalog are enormous.

[0003] On the other hand, homepages are increasingly used for product advertisements. For example, a method of posting photos, prices, explanatory texts, and the like of products on the homepage and allowing the customers to browse them. Have been. As a related invention, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-344279 provides an electronic catalog system in which a moving image catalog and a related still image catalog are simultaneously displayed on a display screen using a network. In addition, catalog data can be easily created in a short period of time.
There is JP-A-2001-325525. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-162081 discloses a method of using multimedia product information in a plurality of media. in addition,
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Hei 10-240830 discloses a method for efficiently searching a catalog. As an invention for interactively providing product data, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open
No. 306945.

[0004]

However, according to the technique disclosed in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-344279, the service provider must create a catalog in advance, and the customer needs to create information in advance. Had to search for and order the product by himself. for that reason,
It has been difficult for a salesperson to collect and create custom-made information on the go or during business negotiations for each customer, and to make business proposals on the spot.

Further, in the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-325525, a layout conversion is manually performed by a person upon receiving a data creation request from a customer via the web. The technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-162081 can only browse product information via a web. The technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 10-240830 merely provides a simple search method.
For this reason, as described above, it has been difficult for a salesperson to collect and create custom-made information on the go or during business negotiations for each customer, and to make business proposals on the spot.

In the invention disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-306945, the intended product configuration can be arbitrarily selected. However, the invention focuses on the product order processing on the user side. The latest and accurate information for each customer cannot be extracted. In other words, there has been a continuing demand that catalogs of proposed products that differ for each customer can be easily created on demand, and that an estimate should be created instantaneously. In addition, there was a demand for collecting necessary product data and creating catalogs on the spot at business negotiations with customers. In addition, there were still comments that printing costs would be enormous if a catalog was created each time a new product was announced.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and makes it possible to take out the latest and accurate information and propose to a customer even while away from home or during negotiations, and to easily create a catalog of a proposed product different for each customer. It aims to realize a possible electronic catalog providing system.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, an electronic catalog providing system according to a first aspect of the present invention provides an electronic catalog composed of image data and text data using a network. In an electronic catalog providing system, an electronic catalog server includes a product database that stores image data and text data of products listed in a catalog, and an electronic catalog server that searches, extracts, and distributes product data stored in the product database. The catalog server includes a catalog generation unit that generates catalog data of a product according to a customer's request, and transmits the catalog data generated by the catalog generation unit by facsimile transmission or portable document format (PDF) according to a request from a catalog provider. Convert to format and send Characterized in that it has a log transmission unit.

[0009] This makes it possible to quickly obtain the image data and text data of the latest product that has been requested by the customer even while away from home or during business negotiations, by using a facsimile installed in the customer's office or a salesperson's own laptop computer. It is possible, and by presenting the obtained catalog data to the customer, a speedy product proposal becomes possible.

Another embodiment of the electronic catalog providing system according to the second aspect of the present invention is an electronic catalog providing system for providing an electronic catalog composed of moving image data, audio data and text data using a network. A product database that stores image data and text data of products listed in the catalog,
An electronic catalog server for searching, extracting, and distributing product data stored in a product database, wherein the electronic catalog server generates catalog data of a product requested by a customer via a user terminal; When,
A catalog transmitting unit for transmitting catalog data generated by the catalog generating unit by high-speed packet communication in response to a request from a catalog provider is provided. As a result, electronic catalogs consisting of video data, audio data, and text data can be distributed to mobile phones and other devices via high-speed packet communication, so that the degree of freedom in product sales activities is further improved and speedy product proposals are made. Becomes possible.

Further, the electronic catalog server may have a customer database for registering, changing and browsing customer data.

The electronic catalog server may further include a product category database for registering, changing, and deleting product categories and associating product categories with products.

[0013] The search of the catalog data of the product by the electronic catalog server may be either a search by product category or a free keyword search.

Further, the catalog data may include estimation data of a product.

Further, the catalog data may include bar code data.

Further, the catalog transmitting section for transmitting the high-speed packet communication includes a W-CDMA (WIDEBAND C).
ODE DIVISION MULTIPLE ACC
Data transmission corresponding to the (ESS) method may be performed.

Further, the catalog data of the searched product may be distributed by mail to a customer managed in a customer database.

Further, a plurality of disclosure levels are set for the search result of the product catalog data by the electronic catalog server according to the customer. Even if the search result is converted to the catalog data based on the disclosure level of the information, good.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an electronic catalog providing system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a conceptual configuration of an electronic catalog providing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The electronic catalog providing system 1 of the present embodiment includes a facsimile machine 2, a personal computer 3, or a portable information terminal 4 via the Internet IN.
Is connected to The electronic catalog providing system 1 includes a catalog server 11, a product database 12, a customer database 13, and a product category database 14. The catalog server 11 searches for product data in the product database 12, customer database 13, and product category database 14 based on the access of the sales person via the personal computer 3 or the portable information terminal 4,
Create catalog data that meets customer needs. The catalog data created by the catalog server 11 is output to the facsimile machine 2, the personal computer 3, or the portable information terminal 4 according to the instruction of the sales representative.

Although the portable information terminal 4 is not particularly limited here, it is a so-called third-generation portable telephone, which is a W-CD certified by the international standard IMT-2000 or the like.
MA (WIDEBAND CODE DIVISION)
(MULTIPLE ACCESS) method is adopted, and high-speed data communication with a maximum receiving speed of 384 kbps or more is possible. Therefore, it is also possible to receive catalog data by moving images or audio. The high-speed packet communication referred to in the present invention is communication performed by such a W-CDMA system of a third-generation mobile phone.

On the other hand, the product database 12 and the customer database 13 store not only still images but also CAs.
Files in formats such as D, 3D, panorama, zoom, audio, and moving images can be registered, and settings are made to maximize the features of the product. For example, it is only necessary to introduce the appearance structure of a product in which a customer has shown interest during a negotiation with a 3D image, and read out the drawing data of a part necessary for design in a CAD format. In addition, when used in various showrooms or model rooms of real estate, the panoramic format may be used when it is desired to show the inside of each room or the surrounding environment of the building. Further, when it is desired to enlarge and show details of the inside of the car, a zoom format may be used. Such a display format can be variously selected from applications corresponding to each format, and a sales representative selects the display format each time. By adopting such a configuration, the latest and accurate information can be taken out while going out or during negotiations, so that the speed of responding to customers can be dramatically improved.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a conceptual configuration of the catalog server 11 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The catalog server 11 includes a catalog generation unit 21 and a catalog transmission unit 22
And exchanges data with the product database 12 described above. Further, a management terminal 23 is provided between the catalog server 11 and a data storage unit such as the product database 12, and can directly access the catalog server 11 at the time of data maintenance described later.

Here, the catalog generation section 21 reads information from the product database 12, the customer database 13 and the like and processes it in accordance with the format of the requested catalog. Further, the catalog transmitting unit 22 includes a catalog generating unit 21.
The catalog data generated in step (1) is converted into a format usable for facsimile transmission, portable document format (PDF) or high-speed packet communication according to a customer's request, and transmitted.

For example, when a sales representative of an automobile supply retailer is negotiating with a customer and the customer requests a manual transmission for a small truck or RV, the automobile supply retailer owns the product. Among the transmissions that have been used, those that are for manual use and that correspond to vehicle types with higher horsepower are searched through the electronic catalog providing system of the present invention.

In this case, first, the catalog server 11 is accessed to search for a product, and the image data of the hit product, general description data of the product, and the CAD design drawing are stored in one.
The catalog is generated by the catalog generation unit 21 as a single catalog. After that, the catalog transmitting unit 22 transmits the catalog data converted into the portable document format (PDF) to the notebook computer at the negotiation destination. A sales representative of an automotive supply retailer can collect necessary product data and create catalogs at business negotiations with customers, can respond to the latest product information and price information, and create catalogs with new product announcements. Since there is no need to create them, printing costs can be reduced. Hereinafter, a specific procedure for performing the above-described operation will be described.

FIG. 3 is a diagram conceptually showing a flow of generating an electronic catalog in the electronic catalog providing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. That is, in the electronic catalog generation system according to the present embodiment, the flow of electronic catalog generation differs depending on the terminal used by the customer or the catalog provider.

In FIG. 3, the catalog provider is the personal computer 3
When the user logs in to the electronic catalog providing system 1 through, a product search is performed, a product is selected, a form is selected, the content to be input to the catalog header is adjusted, and a PDF is automatically generated and generated. The user attaches the PDF file to the facsimile machine 2, the on-demand printer 5, or the e-mail 6 and transmits the PDF file to obtain a catalog.

In this case, the catalog provider logs in to the electronic catalog providing system 1 (S310) by using the ID and the password registered in the customer database 13 at the time of logging in (S310) and uses this system. Then, in the next product search (S311), a target product is searched by a category hierarchy search, a free keyword search, a full-text search, or the like.

Further, from the list of searched products, PD
A product to be output to F is selected (S312). Then
In the next form selection (S313), for example, a catalog form, a simple quotation form, a barcode form, a direct mail form, a POP advertisement form, or the like is selected. In the adjustment of the content to be input to the header of the catalog (S314), for example, the date, address, comment, price correction, quantity input, etc. are input.

Then, the catalog server 11 extracts only necessary information from the database and automatically generates a PDF, and automatically generates a catalog, a simple estimate, a barcode, and a direct mail (S300). Then, the generated information is transmitted to the facsimile 2 as necessary, or a file is attached to the on-demand printer 5 or e-mail 6 and transmitted (S301). As described above, desired information is searched from the information registered in the electronic catalog providing system 1 and converted into a template according to the catalog provider's request, and the creation from one catalog can be made extremely inexpensively and quickly. It can be carried out.

On the other hand, the catalog provider operates the portable information terminal 4
If the user has logged in (S320), a product search is performed (S321), and a product is selected (S322).
F is automatically generated (S300), and the generated PDF file is attached to the facsimile machine 2, the on-demand printer 5 or the e-mail 6 and transmitted to obtain a catalog (S301). When the catalog provider logs in with the portable information terminal 4, the selection of the form (S313) and the header input (S314) are deleted to simplify the system. 3 may be the same as when logging in to the electronic catalog providing system 1.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the login of the flow of the electronic catalog generation shown in FIG. When the catalog provider logs in to the electronic catalog providing system 1 via the personal computer 3 or the portable information terminal 4 (S31)
0, S320), this screen is displayed first. Then, when the catalog provider inputs the ID number and the password, the catalog server 11 refers to the customer database 13. If there is no ID number or password entered by the catalog provider in the customer database 13, an error message is displayed to the catalog provider. Then, if the ID number or password entered by the catalog provider exists in the customer database 13, the next product search screen is displayed.

FIG. 5 is a view for explaining a free keyword search in the flow of generating an electronic catalog shown in FIG. There are two types of product search (S311 and S321): free keyword search and product category search. FIG. 5 shows a free keyword search screen. In the free keyword search according to the present embodiment, a condition is specified by a character string, a list, or a range, and a product that satisfies the condition is extracted from the product database 12. If the product satisfying the condition is not in the product database 12, an error screen is displayed on the screen. If the product satisfying the condition is in the product database 12, the next product is selected (S312, S3).
Proceed to 22).

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a product category search in the flow of generating the electronic catalog shown in FIG. In the product category search according to the present embodiment, a product registered in the product category association database 60 in advance can be searched in detail. This product category association database 6
0 stores information in which information between the product database 12 and the product category database 14 is associated with each other. Then, information of the product database 12 and the product category database 14 is extracted based on the information of each of the large category, the medium category, and the small category. If the product satisfying the condition is not in the product database 12 and the product category database 14, an error screen is displayed on the screen. If the product satisfying the condition is in the database, the next product is selected (S312, S322). Proceed to.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining product selection in the flow of generating an electronic catalog shown in FIG. This screen is a screen that displays products searched by either the product free keyword search or the product category search. From the displayed items, select the product that you want to output as PDF. Then
The selected product is displayed as a selected product list screen on the left side of the drawing. When the selection is completed, the user clicks the selection end button, and proceeds to the next form selection (S313). In addition,
In the present embodiment, login from portable information terminal 4 (S
For 320), since only one form is set, if the selection end button is pressed, the process proceeds to PDF automatic generation (S300).

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the form selection in the flow of the electronic catalog generation shown in FIG. On this screen,
Select from a catalog form, a simple quotation form, a barcode form, a direct mail form, a POP advertisement form, etc. for outputting in PDF (S31)
3). In the present embodiment, the selected product information is stored in the catalog server 11 and the next header input (S3
14).

FIG. 9 is a view for explaining the header input in the flow of generating the electronic catalog shown in FIG. Here, the company name of the proposal destination, the date and time, the number, etc. are individually input (S3
14). In the present embodiment, the selected product information and header input information are stored in the catalog server 11 and passed to the next PDF automatic generation (S300).

FIG. 10 is a view for explaining PDF automatic generation in the flow of electronic catalog generation shown in FIG. This PD
F automatic generation (S300) is a form selection (S313)
Product selection (S312, S312)
322) The product input information includes header input information (S31).
4) is generated. And this information is P
After being processed into the DF format, the providing medium of the electronic catalog providing system of the present embodiment is completed.

FIG. 11 is a view for explaining the One to One mail function of the electronic catalog providing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. Here, the one-to-one mail function is one of the characteristic functions of the electronic catalog providing system 1. The target customer is extracted based on either the user attribute or the access log statistics.
This function is for sending an e-mail to each customer's e-mail address by creating an e-mail text on the e-mail transmission screen and clicking the send button.

Specifically, a predetermined ID is displayed on the manager screen.
And access by password, Onet
o One mail transmission screen is displayed. Then, when the accessor clicks the user attribute button, a screen for searching for a customer who meets conditions such as gender and address is displayed. When a condition is input on the condition search screen, the catalog server 11 searches for a customer having a condition that matches the customer database 13 and extracts a target customer. Then, the extracted customers are displayed in a list, and the accessor creates an e-mail text to be sent to this customer and distributes the e-mail.

On the other hand, when the accessor clicks the access log statistics button, a screen for searching for a customer is displayed according to the number of accesses and the product viewed. When a condition is entered on this condition search screen, the catalog server 11
Accesses the LOG management database 110, searches the customer database 13 for the customer information of the corresponding condition, and extracts the target customer. Here, the LOG management database 110 stores information on the number of accesses for each customer and which products have been browsed. Then, the extracted customers are displayed in a list, and the accessor creates an e-mail text to be sent to this customer and distributes the e-mail.

The electronic catalog providing system 1 having such a one-to-one mail function enables a consistent operation from analysis to mail transmission. Furthermore, since it cooperates with a log collection / analysis system described later, information specialized for a customer can be immediately delivered by data analysis. And by the email,
By re-introducing the information of the customers who have visited the site, it is possible to collect the cyclical customer information. In particular, since customer information stored in the customer database 13 is used, it is possible to eliminate the need for duplicating an address or name each time mail is delivered.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining an ID password authentication system of the electronic catalog providing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. The ID password authentication system of the electronic catalog providing system according to the present embodiment is a system capable of providing services suitable for each user level by limiting the functions that can be used and the product items that can be browsed depending on the user level. is there.

For example, FIG. 12 shows various levels of users, from left to right: manager, employee, primary dealer, secondary dealer, and general consumer. It is assumed that such a user browses the same A product. The information of the product to be displayed is different for each user, and the authority to use the available functions can be different. In this embodiment, the user level is divided into five, and when each of them accesses the product database 12,
Product information is different. For example, the administrator
For the product, the product price, list price, cost, sales price 1, sales price 2, detailed data 1 and detailed data 2 can be viewed, but general consumers can only view the product description and the fixed price for product A.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the authority to use available functions is given as shown in the table of FIG. For example, the administrator can use management functions, product display, PDF creation, log collection analysis, and One to O
You can use all functions of the e-mail function. In contrast, retailers and general consumers have limited authority to use the functions, and can only use the functions for displaying products.

These functions are merely examples, and the electronic catalog providing system 1 has various functions. For example, a PDF moving image / audio output function, a high-speed packet communication option, a voice recognition catalog function, a catalog format selection / history / mail function.

The PDF moving image / audio output function can transmit the moving image and the sound to the PDF so that the attractiveness of the product can be transmitted in detail, and the pleasure of creating a catalog by the customer can be improved. More specifically, the moving image and audio data are compressed to about 1/10, and are taken into PDF.
When the viewer opens the electronic catalog or clicks the audio description button, the description of the product starts with voice, and the video information of the product starts to function.

The high-speed packet communication option is to transmit moving image and audio data to the portable information terminal 4 together with text catalog information. Then, the catalog provider can obtain a catalog to which the moving image and the audio information are added while conducting negotiations on the spot, and can use the catalog as a sales promotion tool.

The voice recognition catalog function is to provide a voice search function in the product database 12 of the present embodiment and to proceed with a search based on voice input information of a catalog provider. By adding a voiceprint registration function to this voice recognition catalog function, the catalog provider can log on to this system based on the voice input information.
The user level is determined by the voiceprint registration, and the authority to use the available functions is also determined.

The catalog format selection / history / mail function outputs a product catalog in various formats.
This function allows you to use the catalog once created many times. That is, when it becomes necessary for the catalog provider to change the data format according to the party to whom the catalog is distributed, the same product data is converted into a plurality of data formats registered in advance by the catalog provider.

For example, the catalog provider of the present system once creates a catalog in a data format for the distributor even if the recipient of the catalog is various data formats such as PDF, Microsoft Word format, and JPEG format. Then, after that, the catalog can be created in the format desired by the distribution destination. This allows
Since the catalog can be created by referring to the history once created, the catalog of the same product can be updated one after another in a data format according to the distribution destination.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an access main menu of the electronic catalog providing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. That is, when accessing the catalog server 11, the screen of FIG. 13 is displayed after the ID password authentication. The main menu in FIG. 13 includes “view product”, “create PDF / fax”, and “change ID registration information”, and is executed by clicking an execution button on the right. For example, when searching for a product required at a business negotiation with a customer, the sales representative of the above-mentioned automobile supply retailer first clicks the "view product" execution button.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a search menu which is a lower menu of the search menu of FIG.
That is, the screen shown in FIG. 13 is displayed after clicking the "view product" execution button. This search screen is "Search by product category""Search by free keyword"
Consists of However, this search screen is an example, and various changes can be made depending on the application and the product. For example, here, it is assumed that the sales representative of the above-mentioned automobile supply retailer clicks the execution button of “Search by product category”.

FIG. 15 shows an example of a large category selection menu which is a lower layer menu of the search menu shown in FIG. The classification method of the large category has been improved only for those related to the user. That is, the user is required to enter an ID number and a password before accessing the catalog server 11 of the present invention, and only the product data required by the user is disclosed by this information. Further, even for the same product data, the degree of disclosure of the specifications is different, and the data is hierarchically disclosed according to the contents of the ID number and the password. That is, a plurality of disclosure levels according to customers are set in advance, and the search result is converted into catalog data based on the disclosure level of the information.
For example, here, it is assumed that the sales representative of the above-mentioned automobile supply retail store clicks the execution button of “auto parts”.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a middle category selection menu which is a lower layer menu of the large category selection menu of FIG. Here, for example, it is divided into “transfer”, “transmission”, and “other”. However, such a classification is merely an example, and various changes can be made depending on applications and products. Then, when "transmission" is selected, there is a sub-category (not shown), and the sales representative of the above-mentioned automobile supply retailer has selected a manual transmission compatible with high horsepower.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of the above-mentioned transmission product information. In this case, a sales representative at an automotive supply retailer has chosen a menu to convert to Portable Document Format (PDF),
The catalog transmitting unit 22 transmits the catalog data converted into PDF to the notebook computer. The product catalog of FIG.
It consists of image data representing the appearance of the product, text data representing main features, a table of product specifications, and a CAD drawing of a design drawing. As described above, since the latest and accurate information can be taken out while going out or during business negotiations, the speed of responding to the customer of the sales representative of the automobile supply retail store is dramatically improved.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of a free keyword search menu which is a lower layer menu of the search menu of FIG. This screen is a case where the execution button of "search by free keyword" is clicked in FIG. In this way, you can freely search for products with free keywords, and in the above example, "transmission"
A search may be performed by inputting a keyword such as "manual" or "high horsepower".

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of an electronic catalog according to the embodiment of the present invention. In this example, when a customer in a furniture showroom wants four antique chairs, a salesperson in a furniture showroom searches for all kinds of antique chairs stored in the warehouse on the spot and finds four. You can also create a catalog by estimating the price of minutes.
In the catalog shown in FIG. 19, image data, dimensions, model numbers, and prices of four chairs are output in portable document format (PDF).

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of an electronic quotation according to the embodiment of the present invention. That is, even if the request is not in the catalog format as shown in FIG. 19, there may be a case where only a quote is requested depending on the customer. In such a case, the data is corrected and output for the quote. FIG. 20 is a quote when the customer is asked to request five stainless steel casters each. In this case, since the image of the caster is not important, information such as the product code, unit price, quantity, and consumption tax is output according to the appropriately selected items. The quote is in a format requested by the customer during the negotiation, delivered to the customer's facsimile, and output.

FIG. 21 shows a POS according to an embodiment of the present invention.
It is a figure showing an example of the input form for use. The barcode information is attached to the seven stainless steel casters described in FIG. 20 so that the customer can read it with a barcode reader. This POS input form is also requested by a customer during a negotiation, is distributed to a facsimile of the customer, and is output. By performing a business transaction that can be received during a business negotiation by the customer's facsimile as shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, it is possible to instantly create catalogs and quotes for proposed products that are different for each customer. Service can be provided.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an administrator function according to the embodiment of the present invention. The electronic catalog providing system 1 of the present embodiment is provided with an administrator function.
The administrator function is a function that allows a person registered as an administrator to register, change, delete, and collectively process product information, customer information, category information, and the like in a predetermined data format from the administrator screen. Since the information stored in the database is directly operated, the information can be updated easily and speedily.

Specifically, the electronic catalog providing system 1
Recognizes the administrator based on the ID and password registered for the administrator, and permits access to the administrator screen. The manager screen can perform batch processing of new registration, change, deletion, or conversion of information in the product database 12, customer database 13, and product category association database 60. This administrator screen will be described below.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of a maintenance menu of the electronic catalog providing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. This maintenance menu is a menu for managers and cannot be accessed by ordinary catalog providers.
It can be accessed from the management terminal 23 described above. The maintenance menu displayed in FIG. 23 includes “product category management”, “product data management”, “customer data management”, “access log statistics”, “administrator / person in charge management”, and “material request data management”. Each menu is as described in the right column and is accessed by clicking.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an example of a product category management menu which is a lower menu of the maintenance menu of FIG. That is, when "product category management" in FIG. 23 is clicked, this screen is displayed. In this product category management, registration, change, and deletion of each product and setting of association between a product category and a product are performed.

First, in this product category management, a product category that has already been registered, for example, in the above-described example, an automobile part as a large category, and a transfer, a transmission, and the like as a middle category have already been registered by product category processing. . Similarly, the small categories are registered in the respective product category processes. In addition,
To change a category that has already been registered, select “change” in the process for each product category.

Next, each product data is associated with the registered product category. This process is performed in the “product category / product association process” in FIG. More specifically, the product data registered in FIG. 25 is made to correspond to the product category registered in the above-described process for each product category. Note that both the product category processing and the product category / product association processing can be performed as “batch processing”. For example, CSV (COMMA-SEPARATED VAR)
A group of data created in the IABLE) format can be uploaded collectively to register and change the contents. At this time, the user can also download the program by designating conditions.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing an example of a product data management menu which is a lower layer menu of the maintenance menu of FIG. The product data management menu is a menu for registering product data.
Image data representing the appearance of a product, text data representing main features, a table of product specifications, a CAD drawing of a design drawing, and the like are stored.

It is to be noted that the already registered product data can be changed or deleted, and CSV (COMMA-SE
(PARATED VARIABLE) format, upload the data group at once and register the content
Can be changed. In the example of FIG. 25, the number of registered products is 5
2 is displayed so that the current amount of product data can be grasped at a glance. In addition, as an indication of how much product data can be registered, the number of registrable products is displayed to indicate that 99,948 items can be registered in this example.

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing an example of a customer data management menu which is a lower menu of the maintenance menu of FIG. This customer data management menu performs browsing, registration, change, and deletion of customer data, approval of ID, batch processing, and one-to-one mail transmission. Customer data, for example, in the example above, a salesperson at an automotive supply retailer may be required to provide essential data, such as the name of the customer, when a customer requests a manual transmission for a light truck or RV. other,
Information collected from past sales activities and purchase results can also be entered.

In addition, campaigns, questionnaires, etc.
It can also store information on customers who have attracted customers for various purposes, information on prospective customers, and the like. Then, a customer category (not shown) is assigned to each of the various customers, and based on the accumulated data, new product information or seminar information that has a need for each customer category is provided.
Information is distributed in the field of to One mail. In addition, ID
In the approval, the level of information to be distributed can be changed for each ID level.

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing an example of a manager / person in charge management menu which is a lower menu of the maintenance menu of FIG. This menu is a menu for setting administrators and persons in charge who can access the maintenance menu. IDs and passwords are assigned to the persons set in the manager / personnel management menu. And what was made accessible,
For example, a business partner may be able to access this maintenance menu by using his / her own laptop computer or mobile phone by inputting an ID and a password.

FIG. 28 is a diagram showing an example of a material request management menu which is a lower menu of the maintenance menu of FIG. In this menu, when there is a request for materials, the requested materials are created, and One to On
Information can be delivered by e-mail.

FIG. 29 is a diagram showing an example of a log collection / analysis system according to the embodiment of the present invention. When a customer logs in to the electronic catalog providing system 1 and tries to browse a product catalog, the log collection / analysis system LOGs at any time what type of product has been browsed through what category. Information is collected in the management database 110. Then, the collected information is transmitted to the catalog server 1
1 converts the information and analyzes the information in a graph so that it is easy to see.

The graph shows customers and categories (large, medium, small)
Or display the number of access logs for each product,
Time-series analysis such as week, month, and year is also possible. Then, the displayed access log is, for example, CSV (COM
MA-SEPARATED VARIABLE) format.

FIG. 30 shows one embodiment according to the present invention.
It is a figure showing an example of utilization of to One mail. According to the electronic catalog providing system 1 of the present embodiment, it is possible to perform a consistent operation from the manager screen to the analysis to the mail. In particular, in FIG. 30, it is linked with the log collection analysis system. Specifically, a case where the present system is used by a cosmetics manufacturer will be described with reference to FIG.

First, a cosmetics manufacturer performs a product-oriented analysis of a customer using a log collection and analysis system. Then, using the log collection and analysis system, the attributes of the customer are analyzed by name, address, age, gender, and the like. Whether the customer has visited the site operated by the present system by such a route is specified using the log collection / analysis system. Next, the material request database 300 is searched for what kind of material was requested. In that case, the name, address, age, etc. of the customer who made the request are also collected.

When the user attributes, access log statistics, and material request buttons are clicked using the One-to-One mail function, information matching the respective conditions is called from the database. The extracted customers are displayed in a list, and new product information, cosmetics information provision, sales information, and the like tailored to the customers are distributed by e-mail. Then, the customer who has received the e-mail purchases a product or fills out a questionnaire on the homepage of the cosmetics manufacturer. Then, such information is again taken into the electronic catalog providing system 1 as customer information.

According to the electronic catalog providing system 1 having such a function, it is possible to perform a consistent operation from analysis to transmission of an e-mail, and it is possible to immediately deliver information specialized for a customer by data analysis. Then, by using the e-mail to re-introduce the information of the customers who have visited the site, it is possible to collect the circulating customer information.
In particular, since customer information stored in the customer database 13 is used, it is possible to eliminate the need for duplicating an address or name each time mail is delivered.

FIG. 31 is a diagram showing an example of the Oneto One management menu which is a lower menu of the maintenance menu of FIG. This menu is based on the O
Specify conditions for distributing information by net to one mail. The maintenance menu also includes an access log statistics menu, and a log collection and analysis system can collect and analyze a product log and a product category log for each ID. Therefore, by such ID management, it is possible to perform detailed log analysis such as who viewed what product information and when. Then, the information can promote sales activities such as sales promotion activities and new customer development.

[0080]

As described above, according to the electronic catalog providing system of the present invention, the latest and accurate information can be taken out while going out or during negotiations, so that the speed of responding to customers is dramatically improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a conceptual configuration of an electronic catalog providing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a conceptual configuration of a catalog server 11 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram conceptually showing a flow of generating an electronic catalog in the electronic catalog providing system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating login of the flow of generating an electronic catalog shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a free keyword search in the flow of generating an electronic catalog shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a product category search in the flow of generating an electronic catalog shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating product selection in the flow of generating an electronic catalog shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating form selection in the flow of generating an electronic catalog shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 9 is a view for explaining the header input in the flow of the electronic catalog generation shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 10 is a PD showing the flow of the electronic catalog generation shown in FIG. 3
It is a figure explaining F automatic generation.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a One to One mail function of the electronic catalog providing system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an ID password authentication system of the electronic catalog providing system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an access main menu of the electronic catalog providing system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a search menu which is a lower menu of the search menu of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a large category selection menu which is a lower menu of the search menu of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a middle category selection menu which is a lower layer menu of the large category selection menu of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a PDF version of transmission catalog data.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of a free keyword search menu which is a lower menu of the search menu of FIG. 14;

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of an electronic catalog according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of an electronic quotation according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a view showing an example of a POS input form according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an administrator function according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of a maintenance menu of the electronic catalog providing system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an example of a product category management menu which is a lower menu of the maintenance menu of FIG. 23.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing an example of a product data management menu which is a lower menu of the maintenance menu of FIG. 23.

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing an example of a customer data management menu which is a lower menu of the maintenance menu of FIG. 23.

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing an example of a manager / person in charge management menu which is a lower layer menu of the maintenance menu of FIG. 23;

FIG. 28 is a diagram showing an example of a material request management menu which is a lower menu of the maintenance menu of FIG. 23.

FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating an example of a log collection / analysis system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 30 shows One to On according to an embodiment of the present invention.
It is a figure showing an example of e-mail utilization.

FIG. 31 is a diagram showing an example of a One to One management menu which is a lower layer menu of the maintenance menu of FIG. 23.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Electronic catalog providing system 2 Facsimile 3 PC 4 Mobile information terminals 5 Printer 6 e-mail 11 Catalog server 12 Product Database 13 Customer Database 14 Product Category Database 21 Catalog Generator 22 Catalog transmission section 23 Management terminal 60 Product Category Association Database 110 LOG management database 300 Document Request Database

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. An electronic catalog providing system for providing an electronic catalog composed of image data and text data using a network, comprising: a product database for storing image data and text data of products listed in the catalog; Search for product data stored in the product database,
An electronic catalog server that performs extraction and distribution, wherein the electronic catalog server generates a catalog data unit that generates catalog data of a product requested by a catalog provider; and a catalog data generated by the catalog generation unit. Facsimile transmission or portable document format (PD
F) An electronic catalog providing system having a catalog transmitting unit for converting the data into a format and transmitting the converted data. 2. An electronic catalog providing system for providing an electronic catalog composed of moving image data, audio data and text data by using a network, wherein a product database for storing image data and text data of products listed in the catalog. Searching for product data stored in the product database;
An electronic catalog server that performs extraction and distribution, wherein the electronic catalog server generates a catalog data of a product requested by a catalog provider via a user terminal; and a catalog generation unit that generates the catalog data. An electronic catalog providing system, comprising: a catalog transmitting unit that transmits, through a high-speed packet communication, catalog data obtained in response to a request from a catalog provider. 3. The electronic catalog providing system according to claim 1, wherein said electronic catalog server further comprises a customer database for registering, changing and browsing customer data. 4. The electronic catalog according to claim 1, wherein said electronic catalog server further comprises a product category database for registering, changing, and deleting product categories and associating product categories with products. Delivery system. 5. The electronic catalog providing system according to claim 1, wherein the search of the catalog data of the product by the electronic catalog server is either a search by product category or a free keyword search. 6. The electronic catalog providing system according to claim 1, wherein said catalog data includes estimation data of a product. 7. The electronic catalog providing system according to claim 5, wherein the catalog data includes bar code data. 8. A catalog transmitting unit for transmitting by high-speed packet communication, comprising: a W-CDMA (WIDEBAND CODE).
DIVISION MULTIPLE ACCES
3. The electronic catalog providing system according to claim 2, wherein data transmission corresponding to the S) method is performed. 9. The catalog data of the searched product includes:
4. The electronic catalog providing system according to claim 3, wherein the electronic catalog is delivered to a customer managed by the customer database. 10. A search result of catalog data of a product by the electronic catalog server, a plurality of disclosure levels are set according to a customer, and the search result is converted into catalog data based on the disclosure level of the information. The electronic catalog providing system according to claim 5, wherein: