JP2004152154A - Order receipt management system and order receipt management program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To optimize the amount of sales stock of stock components and products regardless of specification changes and order acceptance cancelations, etc. after the assembling of products. <P>SOLUTION: Components for manufacturing predetermined products are registered as stocks items in stock component data 21. A virtual assembling processing means 32 assembles a product in a virtual manner using the registered components and registers in virtual stock product data 22; to create the state of storage in a virtual stockroom. When an order is accepted, an instruction to start assembling is given taking into consideration the actual assembling period of the product. When an order is canceled, the virtually assembled product is disassembled and is returned to the stock component data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an order management system and an order management program capable of optimizing inventory of parts and products using the parts.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The progress of personal computers, both hardware and software, is extremely rapid. For example, paying attention to a personal computer in a standard price range, the arithmetic processing speed of the CPU, the storage capacity of the HDD, and the like continue to be rapidly upgraded. It's not unusual for a personal computer, which had the best features a few months ago, to be outdated. If a manufacturer or retailer has an outdated personal computer in stock, it must be disposed of at a low price. Therefore, a technology for minimizing the inventory of surplus parts and products has been developed (Patent Document 1).
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2001-337714
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, the conventional techniques as described above have the following problems to be solved.
For example, even if an attempt is made to sort the inventory just before new product sales, if the order is cancelled, the inventory cannot be sorted in time. In other words, it is necessary to disassemble the assembled product and divert what can be used for new products, and during dismantling and returning parts to inventory, another new part or product must be replaced. It has to be replenished to meet new orders, and inventory adjustment may not be performed properly.
The present invention has been made in view of the above points, without preparing inventory of finished products, by using a computer program to virtually assemble products using parts registered as inventory, It is an object of the present invention to provide an order management system and an order management program capable of optimizing the number of parts and products in stock.
[0004]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention solves the above problem by the following configuration.
<Configuration 1>
Means for registering parts for manufacturing a predetermined product as inventory, means for virtually assembling a product using the part registered as inventory, and virtual warehouse for assembling the product as inventory And a means for generating an assembly start instruction for a product stored in the virtual warehouse in response to a shipping request.
[0005]
Products are not actually assembled and stored in a warehouse, but are virtually assembled and stored in a virtual warehouse. The predetermined product is a product to be subjected to virtual assembly management, and its type is arbitrary. The type and configuration of the parts are arbitrary. It is preferable that the component is a unit that can be relatively easily assembled as compared with a minimum unit component such as a screw or a circuit element. Parts are registered as inventory, and those that have been virtually assembled are not used for parts of other products. The virtual warehouse is set on a storage device of a computer. When there is a request to ship the inventory in the virtual warehouse, the actual assembly of the products stored in the virtual warehouse is performed. Since the virtual assembly has been completed before the shipment request, there is no shortage of parts, and the assembly can be performed quickly and on schedule. Further, since the parts are not actually incorporated in the product, even if the order is canceled, for example, the process of disassembling the assembled product is not required. Since this product has not actually been assembled yet, even if the shipment is decided, the shipment timing is delayed by the time necessary for the actual assembly. Since the parts are available and the assembly days are clear, the actual shipping date can be calculated accurately.
Products are lined up on the shelf. As commodities are sold more and more on this virtual merchandise shelf, virtual assembly is performed so that the sold commodities are replenished. In this way, even if the product is not actually assembled, the product can be sold using the virtual product shelf. In addition, when a product is short on the virtual product shelf, the state becomes clear, and it is possible to take measures such as immediately replenishing the assembly of the product.
[0006]
<Configuration 2>
The order management system according to Configuration 1, further comprising means for outputting an assembly start instruction on a day after the order for the product has been obtained by back-calculating the number of assembly days from the delivery date of the product. And order management system.
[0007]
When a product is ordered, the delivery date of the product is specified. By outputting the assembly start instruction on the day obtained by calculating the assembly days back from the delivery date of the product, the actual assembly process of the product can be delayed as much as possible.
[0008]
<Configuration 3>
In the order management system described in the configuration 1, the allowable number of assembly days is specified for each product, and the parts are unitized in advance and registered as stock parts so that the actual assembly can be performed within the allowable number of days. An order management system characterized by:
[0009]
By specifying the allowable assembly days, the maximum value of the number of days from when the assembly start instruction is output to when the actual assembly of the product is completed can be limited. To unitize each part means to assemble a part of the part into a semi-finished product so that the assembly of the product is completed in a short time. As a result, the time from the product assembly start instruction to the shipment can be reduced as much as possible. Further, the period from the product assembly start instruction to the shipment can be made uniform regardless of the type of the product.
[0010]
<Configuration 4>
In the order management system according to the first aspect, there is provided an order receiving system, wherein a unit for changing a period required for an actual assembly process of the product and an output timing of the assembly start instruction for each product is provided for each product. Management system.
[0011]
The period from the product assembly start instruction to the shipment may be uniform regardless of the type of the product, but may be freely selected for each product. In this case, a period required for the actual assembling process of the product may be selected for each product and stored in table data or the like. This makes it possible to output a product assembly start instruction at an appropriate timing for various products having different component configurations and the like.
[0012]
<Configuration 5>
In the order management system described in Configuration 1, parts used for virtual assembly of a product are allocated for the corresponding product, and are not allowed to be used for assembly of another product, and the order is canceled. Is a means for canceling the above-mentioned allocation processing, so that it can be used as a part of an arbitrary product.
[0013]
The parts are allocated for the corresponding product by virtual assembly and become dedicated parts for each product. As a result, the parts are prohibited from being diverted in the same way as after the actual assembling, and the shortage of the parts can be prevented no matter when the product is requested to be shipped.
[0014]
<Configuration 6>
In the order management system according to Configuration 1, when a product order is received, a delivery date is calculated based on a means for allocating the product stored in the virtual warehouse and a period required for an actual assembly process, and the calculation result is calculated. And an output means.
[0015]
The result of the delivery date calculation is used for answering a customer or the like. Since all parts of the product stored in the virtual warehouse are available, the delivery date can be calculated immediately from the period required for assembling and unloading. This makes it possible to promptly reply to the delivery date of the product according to the order.
[0016]
<Configuration 7>
In the order management system described in the configuration 1, a means for virtually assembling a maximum number of products that can be assembled by using parts registered as stocks and storing them in a virtual warehouse as stocks is provided. Order management system characterized by the following.
[0017]
Virtually assemble the maximum number of products that can be assembled, using all possible parts. Thereby, unnecessary inventory of parts can be reduced.
[0018]
<Configuration 8>
In the order management system according to the first aspect, when there is a part that can be used for assembling two or more types of products, there is provided a means for use in virtual assembly of a high-priority product. .
[0019]
The priority is determined based on actual results such as the sales volume of each model. Even with virtual assembly, many products with high priority are assembled, and few products with low priority are assembled. As a result, the products to be ordered can be arranged in the virtual warehouse in accordance with the order forecast.
[0020]
<Configuration 9>
[0021]
Since it is a virtual assembled product, it can be easily disassembled and assembled with other products. Thus, when there is a product using the common part, it is possible to disassemble one and replenish the other. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a wasteful increase in parts inventory.
[0022]
<Configuration 10>
A process for registering parts for manufacturing a predetermined product as inventory, a process for virtually assembling a product using the components registered as inventory, and a process for assembling the assembled product in a virtual warehouse as inventory. An order management program that causes a computer to execute a process of storing and a process of generating an instruction to start assembling a product stored in a virtual warehouse in response to a shipping request.
[0023]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described using specific examples.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a specific example of the order management system.
A computer 10 is connected to the network 1 shown in FIG. The network 1 is a network such as the Internet or an intranet. In general, an order management system is configured by connecting a management computer 10 and terminal devices 11 and 12 that input and output order information and the like to each other through a network 1. The computer 10 executes the following order management. The computer 10 includes, for example, a personal computer or a workstation including a display 3, a main body control unit 4, a mouse 5, a keyboard 6, and the like. Thus, input / output of data for order management is performed.
[0024]
The computer 10 is connected to a printer 7 for outputting and printing the result of the arithmetic processing. Further, a storage device 20 and an arithmetic processing device 30 are provided. The storage device 20 and the arithmetic processing device 30 may be built in the computer 10 or may be externally attached. The storage device 20 stores data such as inventory component data 21, virtual inventory product data 22, common component data 23, and product-specific delivery date data 24. The arithmetic processing unit 30 includes a parts inventory management unit 31, a virtual assembly processing unit 32, a product inventory management unit 33, an order management unit 34, an assembly start instruction unit 35, an output unit 36, and the like. Each of these means is constituted by a computer program that executes a certain process in the computer 10.
[0025]
Although the details of the stock parts data 21 will be described later, the stock parts data 21 is a list of parts necessary for assembling a predetermined product to be managed, and data indicating the allocation status and the like. The virtual stock product data 22 is a list of products that have been virtually assembled using stock parts, and is data that indicates stocks in a virtual warehouse. The common part data 23 is data indicating the types of products that can be assembled using the same common parts, and is used for purposes such as determining whether another product can be manufactured when a certain product is disassembled. Used. The product-specific delivery date data 24 is data indicating how long it takes to actually assemble a product when an order is allocated to a product that has been virtually assembled. An assembly start instruction is output in consideration of this period. When the actual assembly period differs for each product, the product-specific delivery date data 24 is provided for each product.
[0026]
The parts inventory management means 31 has a function of managing the allocation of the inventory parts data 21. The virtual assembly processing means 32 has a function of controlling a process of virtually assembling a product using the components of the inventory component data 21. The product inventory management means 33 has a function of managing the contents of the virtual inventory product data 22. The order management means 34 has a function of executing processing for assigning the virtual inventory product data 22 to the order when the order is received. The assembly start instruction means 35 has a function of calculating an assembly start instruction date from a shipping date and an actual product assembling period when an order is received for each product. The assembly start instruction and the like are printed on the instruction slip and distributed to the manufacturing department and the like. The output unit 36 has a function of controlling the printer 7 and outputting this instruction.
[0027]
[Schematic operation]
The parts inventory management means 31 registers parts for manufacturing a predetermined product to be managed as inventory. The parts are registered in the stock parts data 21. The virtual assembly processing unit 32 virtually assembles a product using the components registered in the inventory component data 21. The product inventory management unit 33 registers the virtually assembled product in the virtual inventory product data 22. For each product, parts used for virtual assembly are individually allocated. The allocated parts are not used for parts of other products. If the part has no other use, it is advisable to virtually assemble as many products as possible. The hypothetically assembled product is kept in stock so that it can be shipped to a virtual warehouse at any time. The stock items in the virtual warehouse are managed by the virtual stock product data 22. Therefore, the data of the virtual warehouse is not provided in the example in the figure.
[0028]
When a product order is received, the order management means 34 allocates the stock product stored in the virtual warehouse. Even if the order is confirmed, the product will be kept in the virtual warehouse until assembly starts. Since this product has not been actually assembled yet, even if the shipping instruction is suddenly issued, the shipping timing is delayed by the time necessary for the actual assembly. Parts are secured by allocation and the number of days for assembly and transportation is clear. Therefore, an assembly start instruction is output on the date calculated backward from the specified shipping date. The assembly start instructing means 35 sets the actual assembly of the product on a date as late as possible by such processing.
[0029]
For example, the order may be canceled at a later date among the orders received. In this case, the corresponding product that has been virtually assembled is allocated to another order or disassembled into parts and returned to the inventory part data 21. The virtual assembly process of the product may be performed according to a certain priority. The priority may be determined based on actual results such as the sales volume of each product. A high priority product has a large number of stocks, and a low priority product has a small stock quantity. As a result, the number of cases of disassembling and reassembling after virtual assembly is reduced. Of course, the disassembly of the virtually assembled product and the assembling process of another product can be easily and quickly performed, so that the reassembly may be appropriately performed.
[0030]
When an order is assigned to a product that has been virtually assembled and registered as a stock, the stock gradually decreases. In this case, virtual assembly processing may be performed at an appropriate timing to secure the quantity of stock items. As products are more and more ordered, virtual assembly processing is performed to replenish the remaining inventory. In this way, proper inventory management can be performed even when the product is not actually assembled. In addition, the actual assembling of the product can be delayed from the date of shipment to the last minute calculated backward, so that processing in the event of an order cancellation is also facilitated. Further, for example, when the configuration of a certain product is changed by changing the specifications, the virtually assembled product can be immediately disassembled and reassembled with a new configuration very quickly.
[0031]
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a specific procedure from virtual assembly processing to shipping.
As shown in the figure, a large number of components a1 to a100 are stored in the component shelf 40. The parts shelf 40 is virtual, and actual data is recorded in the inventory parts data 21. Here, various kinds of parts are picked up and a product A or a product B is assembled. This assembly is performed by the virtual assembly processing means 32. That is, instead of actually assembling the product, the parts used for each product are specified on the data and assigned to each other, so that the parts are linked to the product, and the product is stored in the virtual warehouse 50 in that state. Store A and product B. The component configuration of each product is recorded in the virtual inventory product data 22.
[0032]
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of inventory part data, virtual inventory product data, and the like.
As shown in FIG. 3A, the stock component data 21 is composed of, for example, a list in which a component code is compared with a component assignment destination. With respect to the same component a, a component code capable of distinguishing each component from one to another is assigned. In this example, it can be seen that components a having component codes 10011 and 10012 are used for the product A with the product code 50111. A part whose assignment destination is blank is a part that has not been used for assembling a product yet. By providing the inventory part data 21 in this way, it is possible to clarify information such as to which product the parts of the actual parts shelf are used and whether there is a part that has not been used for assembling the product yet. .
[0033]
FIG. 3B shows a specific example of the virtual inventory product data 22. The virtual inventory product data includes a product code of the product A and a list of parts used for the product. Many types of parts are used in assembly. The component codes of all the components are referenced from the stock component data 21. This product A is assembled by these parts, and these parts are not diverted to other products. In this way, the parts are allocated to each product, and the virtually assembled product is kept in stock in a virtual warehouse. The virtual inventory product data 22 also records whether or not an order has been reserved for this product. The order number 3591216 displayed in the left column of the figure indicates that this product has already been allocated to a certain order. Without this assigned indication, it is clear that this product is a stock that can accommodate new orders.
[0034]
FIG. 3C shows an example of the common component data 23. The common component data 23 is, for example, data in which a component code is associated with product codes of two or more types of products. Note that this component code is not a code that specifies individual components, but a code that specifies the type of component. The product code is also a code that specifies the type of product. That is, the information indicates that a certain type of component can be used for two or more types of products. This displays information as to whether a corresponding part can be used for assembling another product when a certain product is disassembled.
[0035]
Returning to FIG. 2 again, when an order is received, the order management means 34 executes the allocation process 63 by writing necessary data to the virtual inventory product data 22. As a result, the assignment display as shown in FIG. The allocated product remains stored in the virtual warehouse 50 until the assembly start instruction is given. When there is an instruction from the assembly start instructing unit 35, the output unit 36 outputs an assembly start instruction, and the actual product assembling process 65 is executed. Thereafter, the shipment 66 is reached.
[0036]
FIG. 4 shows an explanatory diagram in which processes such as upper virtual assembly are displayed in chronological order.
The vertical axis in the figure is time. First, a virtual assembly process is executed at a timing T1, and when an order is received at a timing T2, a process of allocating a product in a virtual inventory is performed at a timing T3. Delivery of the actual product is performed at the timing of T5. At a certain timing T4 calculated backward from the delivery date, an assembly start instruction is output. L2 in the figure is a period corresponding to a product assembling time. The assembling time may include time for shipping and transportation. In the period of L1 in the figure, even though the virtual inventory exists, the actual assembly has not been performed yet. The longer the period of L1, the higher the effect of this embodiment. That is, since the assembly is not actually performed, it is possible to easily cope with a change in the assembly or cancellation of the order. FIG. 4B shows the timing when the order is canceled. Assume that virtual assembly processing is performed at timing T11, and that an order is received at timing T12. Thereafter, when the order is canceled at the timing T13, the disassembly processing is immediately performed because the actual assembly of the product has not been started yet. Of course, if another order is received for the same product, the disassembly process is not required. This eliminates the need for an instruction to start assembling at timing T14 and other processing, and makes it possible to perform post-processing extremely quickly as compared with the case where the product is actually assembled. The product assembling period for determining the timing as described above may be different for each product. For example, as shown in (c) of the figure, the product-specific delivery date data 24 corresponding to the product code and the product assembly period L2 may be provided.
[0037]
FIG. 5 is a specific operation flowchart of the virtual assembly process and the order receiving process. First, in step S1, an assembly product is selected, and in the next step S2, the stock of parts is checked with reference to the stock part data 21. If there is a stock, the process proceeds from step S3 to step S4, and the virtual assembly processing unit 32 executes virtual assembly. In step S4, an allocation process is performed to allocate the code of the component to the code of the assembled product. In step S5, the stock part data 21 is updated, and in step S6, the virtual stock product data is updated. This process is repeated by the number of products to be virtually assembled.
[0038]
Thereafter, when an order is received in step S7, the virtual warehouse, that is, the virtual inventory product data 22 is searched, and it is determined whether or not the product is in stock (step S8). If it is determined that there is a stock, the process proceeds from step S9 to step S10, where an order is allocated to the corresponding product. Then, in step S11, the virtual inventory product data 22 is updated. That is, an indication that the allocation has been completed is added to the virtual inventory product data 22.
[0039]
FIG. 6 is an operation flowchart of the output of the assembly start instruction or the disassembling process.
First, in step S21, a search is made for an assigned product. In step S22, the assembly period is calculated for all the allocated products. If there is an assembly start instruction time, the process proceeds from step S23 to step S24 to output an assembly start instruction. Now, the products for which orders have been placed in the virtual warehouse are actually assembled in time for shipment. On the other hand, it is assumed that an order cancellation request has been received in step S25 before the actual assembly. In step S26, a search is made for a product that has already been assigned, and if a corresponding product is found in step S27, the product is disassembled. In step S28, the stock component data after the disassembly process is updated. In other words, the parts that have been allocated to any product are returned to the parts that have not been allocated again. Further, in step S29, the virtual inventory product data is updated.
[0040]
FIG. 7 shows a processing operation flowchart in a state where the stock is insufficient when an order is received.
First, when it is determined in step S31 that there is no stock corresponding to the order, in step S32, a product using the common part is searched. Then, in step S33, virtual inventory product data is searched. If it is determined in step S34 that a product having parts that can be disassembled and used is available, disassembly processing of the product is performed (step S35). Next, in step S36, the stock of the remaining necessary parts is confirmed. Then, in a step S37, it is determined whether or not the product can be assembled. If it is determined that the assembly is not possible, the product using the common part is searched again, another product is disassembled, and the product is reexamined. When necessary parts are obtained by repeating such processing, in step S38, the parts are allocated to a new product. Then, the stock component data is updated in step S39, and a product allocation process is executed in step S40. That is, this new order is allocated to the newly assembled product. In step S41, the virtual inventory product data 22 is updated, and the process ends. Through the above processing, even a virtually assembled product can be easily disassembled and used for assembling another product.
[0041]
For example, when a personal computer is used as a product, the parts include a main body case, a CPU board, a power board, a keyboard, a display, a mouse, an HDD (hard disk drive), an FDD (flexible disk drive), a sound board, a USB interface port, It is preferable to target unitized components such as a modem board and a LAN (local area network) board. Of course, the packing material and the like may be included in the parts for allocation. The work of assembling a personal computer by collecting these parts can be performed in a relatively short time. Therefore, there is no significant difference in terms of delivery from holding the assembled personal computer as inventory. Moreover, by having the virtual inventory of the personal computer, each component can be held in a state where it can be incorporated into another product at any time until just before delivery of the personal computer. Therefore, inventory reduction and the like can be realized, and an extremely large effect can be expected.
[0042]
In addition, the computer programs installed in the arithmetic processing device may be configured by combining independent program modules, or may be configured by an integrated program as a whole. All or part of the processing controlled by the computer program may be configured by hardware having equivalent functions. Further, the above-described computer program may be used by being incorporated into an existing application program. The computer program for realizing the present invention as described above can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, and installed and used in an arbitrary information processing apparatus. In addition, it can be downloaded and used in the memory of any computer through a network.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a specific example of an order management system.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a specific procedure from virtual assembly processing to shipping.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of inventory part data, virtual inventory product data, and the like.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing processes such as upper virtual assembly displayed in chronological order.
FIG. 5 is a specific operation flowchart of virtual assembly processing and order receiving processing.
FIG. 6 is an operation flowchart of an output of an assembly start instruction or a disassembly process.
FIG. 7 is a processing operation flowchart in a state where inventory is insufficient when an order is received.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 network, 7 printers, 10 computers, 11 terminals
12 terminals, 20 storage devices, 21 stock parts data
22 Virtual inventory product data, 23 Common parts data
24 Delivery date data by product, 30 Processing unit, 31 Parts inventory management means
32 virtual assembly processing means, 33 product inventory management means

Claims (10)

Means for registering a part for manufacturing a predetermined product as an inventory,
Means for virtually assembling a product using parts registered as inventory,
Means for storing the assembled product in a virtual warehouse as inventory,
Means for generating an assembly start instruction for a product stored in the virtual warehouse in response to a shipping request. In the order management system according to claim 1,
An order management system, comprising: means for outputting an assembly start instruction after a product order has been received, and on a date obtained by calculating the assembly days back from the delivery date of the product. In the order management system according to claim 1,
An order management system, wherein an allowable number of assembly days is specified for each product, and each part is pre-unitized and registered as a stock part so that actual assembly can be performed within the allowable number of days. In the order management system according to claim 1,
An order management system, characterized in that the order management system comprises means for enabling a period required for an actual assembly process of a product and an output timing of an assembly start instruction to be changed for each product. In the order management system according to claim 1,
Parts used for virtual assembly of the product are allocated for the corresponding product, prohibited from being used for assembling other products, and if there is an order cancellation, cancel the allocation process, An order management system comprising means for enabling use as a part of an arbitrary product. In the order management system according to claim 1,
It is characterized by comprising means for assigning a product stored in a virtual warehouse when a product order is received, and means for calculating a delivery date and outputting a calculation result based on a period required for an actual assembly process. And order management system. In the order management system according to claim 1,
An order management system, comprising: means for virtually assembling a maximum number of products that can be assembled using parts registered as inventory, and storing the products in a virtual warehouse as inventory. In the order management system according to claim 1,
An order management system comprising: means for use in virtual assembly of a high-priority product when there is a part that can be used for assembling two or more types of products. In the order management system according to claim 1,
When there are parts that can be used to assemble two or more types of products and the inventory of the products to be ordered is insufficient in the virtual warehouse, the other products using the parts are disassembled and the inventory is insufficient. An order management system comprising means for executing virtual assembly of a product and accepting an order. A process of registering parts for manufacturing a predetermined product as inventory products;
A process of virtually assembling a product using parts registered as inventory,
A process of storing the assembled product in a virtual warehouse as inventory,
An order management program for causing a computer to execute a process of generating an instruction to start assembling a product stored in a virtual warehouse in response to a shipping request.

Images