JP2004338926A

JP2004338926A - Stock management, system for providing guarantee service for stock amount at delivery destination, and its method

Info

Publication number: JP2004338926A
Application number: JP2003140660A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Atsushi Goto; 淳後藤
Original assignee: NEC Corp
Current assignee: NEC Corp
Priority date: 2003-05-19
Filing date: 2003-05-19
Publication date: 2004-12-02
Anticipated expiration: 2023-05-19
Also published as: JP4386163B2

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide stock management, a system for providing guarantee service for stock amount at delivery destination, and its method for achieving efficiency of stock management at a delivery destination customer and a delivery company and eliminating waste to ensure profit of both of them by letting the delivery company have a burden concerning performance and responsibility of stock management. <P>SOLUTION: A commodity storage vessel 20 is provided at a use place of service user, and the delivery company guarantees management of commodities in stock and predetermined stock amount. A commodity distinguishing radio tag 51 storing commodity information is added to the commodity 50. The commodity distinguishing radio tag 51 of the commodity 50 stored in the commodity storage vessel 20 is read by an antenna of a radio tag reader 21 provided in the commodity storage vessel 20 to transmit the commodity information read through a communication network 60 to a stock management server 41 of the delivery company, update data base 42 by the server, and output information of replenishment and exchange of the commodity 50 by comparison with reference number of stock and reference period of use set in advance. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は在庫管理および納入先在庫量保証サービスの提供システムとその方法に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
近年、各業界において業態のサービス業的要素の比重が増加し、デフレの進行に伴う価格競争の激化と顧客志向の必要性の増加により、サプライチェーンの中で最終消費者に近い業者の力が相対的に向上して来ており、川上の供給業者はその厳しい要請への対応を迫られている。一方、一般消費者のニーズの多様化とめまぐるしく変化する消費行動によって最終商品の商品寿命は短命化している。商品寿命の短命化は流通側の在庫リスクを増大させる。このような環境の中、消費財の中間納入業者には価格低減の圧力と需要に対応した商品調達能力の確保という二つの側面で圧力が強まっている。特に、外食産業のように原材料の鮮度管理が重要となるような業界などでは、原材料納入業者および小売業者の在庫リスクはより高まっている。
【０００３】
【特許文献１】
特表２００１−５２３６３１号公報
【特許文献２】
特開２００２−１９３４４８号公報
【０００４】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
在庫リスクを軽減するための適切かつ敏速な在庫管理に対応するため、特表２００１−５２３６３１号公報には、マイクロプロセッサとＲＦ回路が仕込まれた電波識別タグを用いた電子在庫管理システムが開示されている。正確な在庫調べを短時間で行うことができるので航空産業の小荷物取り扱いなどには適しているが、タグにはタグＩＤと製造者番号が割り当てられているだけなので一般流通産業、特に多品種の商品の期限管理を含めた在庫管理にそのまま適用することには問題がある。
【０００５】
また、特開２００２−１９３４４８号公報には、非接触型ＩＣタグを用いた在庫管理システムが開示され、特に誤認を防ぐために簡単な仕組みで物品搬出口の開閉情報を収集し正確な在庫情報の管理を行う方法の記載はあるが、無駄を排して効率的に在庫管理を行う具体的な方法には触れられていない。
【０００６】
本発明の目的は、在庫管理の実行と責任を納入業者が負担することで納入先顧客と納入業者の在庫管理を効率化し、無駄を排することで双方に利益を確保できるような在庫管理および納入先在庫量保証サービスの提供システムとその方法を提供することにある。
【０００７】
【課題を解決するための手段】
本発明の在庫管理および納入先在庫量保証サービスの提供システムは、
サービス利用者の利用場所に、そのサービス利用者が自由に商品の搬出ができる商品保管庫を設け、在庫商品の管理と所定の在庫量の保証を納入業者が行う在庫管理および納入先在庫量保証サービスの提供システムであって、商品には、その商品の個体の識別、製造年月日、利用期限が記憶された商品識別無線タグが付加され、商品保管庫内に設けられた無線タグリーダのアンテナによるその商品保管庫に格納されている商品の商品識別無線タグの読み取り、通信ネットワークを介して読み取った商品情報の納入業者の在庫管理センターのサーバへの送信、そのサーバによるデータベースの更新が可能で、かつ、予め設定されている基準在庫数および基準利用期限との対比によって商品の補充および交換の情報の出力が可能であることを特徴とする。
【０００８】
さらに、サービス利用者の利用場所にはそのサービス利用者が操作可能な管理用端末が設置されており、在庫管理サーバは通信ネットワークを介してサービス利用者が管理用端末で閲覧可能なサービス利用者専用のホームページを開設しており、そのホームページには現在の契約保証量と過去の商品の利用状況が表示されており、サービス利用者はホームページを用いて契約保証在庫量の更新が可能であってもよい。
【０００９】
サービス対象となる商品の納入先である納入先顧客店舗と、納入業者のシステム全体を管理する納入サービス拠点として設置された在庫管理センターとを有し、納入先顧客店舗内には、無線タグリーダを備え商品識別無線タグが付加された商品が格納されている商品保管庫と通信サーバとが設けられ、在庫管理センターには在庫管理サーバとデータベースとが設けられ、通信サーバと在庫管理サーバとは通信ネットワークで接続され、商品識別無線タグは、その商品識別無線タグが付加された各商品の個体を識別できる情報、製造年月日、消費期限が格納され、無線タグリーダは、商品識別無線タグに格納された情報を無線で随時読み出すことができる読み出し用アンテナを有し、通信サーバは、無線タグリーダが収集した商品識別無線タグの情報を通信ネットワークを通じて在庫管理サーバへ送信し、在庫管理サーバは、無線タグリーダによって収集された在庫情報をデータベースに格納する機能、外部からのアクセスによりデータベースに格納されたデータの検索管理を行う機能を有し、データベースは、納入先の商品保管庫の在庫・入出庫情報、保証在庫量、保証経過日数を保持する機能を有してもよい。
【００１０】
さらに、管理用端末は通信ネットワークを介して在庫管理サーバに接続され、その在庫管理サーバが開設する専用ホームページの閲覧が可能であり、専用ホームページは、納入業者が運営するインターネット上のサイトであって、各サービス利用者の納入先顧客店舗毎に個別のページが設けられ、今までの商品使用履歴や商品の契約保証量の履歴などの情報をデータベースから読み出し表示する機能と、サービス利用者が管理用端末によって入力した契約保証量の更新を受理する機能と、更新された情報を基に在庫管理サーバを通じてデータベースのデータを更新する機能を有してもよい。
【００１１】
本発明の在庫管理および納入先在庫量保証サービスの提供方法は、
サービス利用者の利用場所に、そのサービス利用者が自由に商品の搬出ができる商品保管庫を設け、在庫商品の管理と所定の在庫量の保証を納入業者が行う在庫管理および納入先在庫量保証サービスの提供方法であって、サービス利用者は納入業者との間で、納入対象商品、保証在庫量、保証確認期間に併せて、商品保管庫から商品が搬出された時点で商品を利用したものとして代金支払い義務が発生し、商品保管庫内の商品およびその利用期限管理の責任は納入業者が負う内容の基本契約を締結し、納入業者は、契約が成立したサービス利用者の店舗に商品保管庫を設置し、納入業者は、商品の個体の識別、製造年月日、利用期限が記憶された商品識別無線タグが付加された商品を商品保管庫に搬入し、サービス利用者は、商品を使用するために商品を商品保管庫から搬出し、商品保管庫に設置された無線タグリーダは、所定のタイミングでアンテナを通じて商品識別無線タグと通信し、個体識別情報、製造年月日、利用期限を読み取って、読み取った商品情報を通信サーバを経由して在庫管理サーバへ送信し、その在庫管理サーバは、受け取ったデータにより格納されたデータを更新し、在庫管理サーバは予め設定された在庫チェックのタイミングを監視し、タイミングとなったら、データベースから商品情報と商品別保証在庫量のデータを読み出し、実在庫量と商品別保証在庫量との比較を行い、実在庫量が商品別保証在庫量を下回る商品について予め定められた補充基準に従って納入業者に対する補充指令を発行し、補充指令を受け取った納入業者は商品を商品保管庫に納入し、さらに、在庫管理サーバは予め設定された鮮度チェックのタイミングを監視し、タイミングとなったら、データベースから商品情報のデータを読み出して在庫商品の使用期限のチェックを行い、使用期限が経過した在庫商品について予め定められた交換基準に従って納入業者に対する交換指令を発行し、交換指令を受け取った納入業者は新しい商品を商品保管庫に納入し、使用期限が経過した在庫商品を商品保管庫から搬出することを特徴とする。
【００１２】
さらに、サービス利用者は、そのサービス利用者の利用場所に設けられた管理用端末より在庫管理サーバにより開設された専用ホームページにアクセスして、その専用ホームページで登録されている契約保証在庫量と商品の現在までの利用量をサーチし、専用ホームページは在庫管理サーバに通知し、在庫管理サーバは問い合わせ内容についてデータベースを検索して検索結果を専用ホームページの画面に表示し、サービス利用者は、表示された現在までの契約保証在庫量と商品の利用量および経験から、将来の需要予測を立て、契約保証在庫量を専用ホームページ上で更新し、在庫管理サーバは更新通知を受けてデータベースに対して将来の契約保証在庫量の更新を指示し、データベースが更新されてもよい。
【００１３】
また、基本契約には、商品の代金とその支払方法とともに、契約在庫量や在庫量の測定間隔に対応した契約料金の支払方法が記載されていてもよい。
【００１４】
【発明の実施の形態】
次に、本発明の実施の形態について図面を参照して説明する。図１は本発明の第１の実施の形態の在庫管理および納入先在庫量保証サービスの提供システムの模式的ブロック構成図である。
【００１５】
本発明は、商品の納入業者が納入先に自社専用の倉庫を設けてそこの商品の在庫管理を行うとともに最低在庫量を保証するサービスを提供するものである。
【００１６】
本発明の第１の実施の形態の在庫管理および納入先在庫量保証サービスの提供システムは、図１に示されるように、納入先顧客店舗１０と在庫管理センター４０とを有し、納入先顧客店舗１０内には内部に無線タグリーダ２１を備えた商品保管庫２０と通信サーバ３０とが設けられ、在庫管理センター４０には在庫管理サーバ４１とデータベース４２とが設けられ、通信サーバ３０と在庫管理サーバ４１とはインターネット等の通信ネットワーク６０で接続されている。商品保管庫２０内にはそれぞれに商品識別無線タグ５１が付加された商品５０が多種多数格納されている。
【００１７】
納入先顧客店舗１０は、サービス対象となる商品の納入先であり、納入された商品を消費する店舗である。在庫管理センター４０は、納入先顧客店舗１０に商品およびサービスを提供する納入業者の施設として設置され、システム全体を管理する。商品保管庫２０は、商品・サービスを提供する納入業者専用の商品保管庫であり、商品識別無線タグ５１が添付された商品５０が格納されている。
【００１８】
商品５０は、納入先顧客店舗１０に提供される商品で、商品一つ一つに商品識別無線タグ５１が付加され無線タグリーダ２１を通して商品情報が管理される。商品識別無線タグ５１は、商品５０の一つ一つにつけられた情報記憶装置で、各商品の個体を識別できる情報、製造年月日、消費期限等を格納できる。無線タグリーダ２１は、商品識別無線タグ５１に格納された商品情報を無線で随時読み出すことができ、読み出し用アンテナを有する。
【００１９】
通信サーバ３０は、無線タグリーダ２１が収集した商品識別無線タグ５１の情報をインターネット等の通信ネットワーク６０を通じて在庫管理サーバ４１へ送信する。
【００２０】
在庫管理サーバ４１は、インターネット等の通信ネットワーク６０を介して通信サーバ３０と接続され、無線タグリーダ２１から収集された在庫等の商品情報をデータベース４２に格納する機能、外部からのアクセスによりデータベース４２に格納されたデータの検索管理を行う機能を有し、ワークステーション・サーバ等の情報処理装置によって構成される。
【００２１】
データベース４２は、各納入先の商品保管庫２０の在庫状況などのすべての商品情報を保持する機能を有し、それらの商品情報は在庫管理サーバ４１を通じて外部からアクセスすることができる。
【００２２】
インターネット等の通信ネットワーク６０は、通信サーバ３０、在庫管理サーバ４１間のデータ転送を行うもので、専用線、インターネット等の通信ネットワークで構成される。
【００２３】
商品の納入業者は、納入する商品５０のすべてに個体を識別できる情報、製造年月日、利用期限等の商品情報を格納した商品識別無線タグ５１を付加する。商品識別無線タグ５１は情報を処理し記憶する処理記憶部と変復調部とアンテナと電源部を有するが、電源は電池を内蔵しているアクティブ型でも無線入力を電力に変換するパッシブ型であってもよい。商品の納入先顧客店舗１０には納入業者専用の倉庫または商品保管庫２０を一つ以上用意し、その納入業者が納入先顧客店舗１０に納入する商品５０はすべてそこに保管される。商品保管庫２０内の商品５０に付加された商品識別無線タグ５１を一度に読み取るのに適当な位置に、商品識別無線タグ５１の商品情報を読み取る無線タグリーダ２１のアンテナが所要数設置され、商品保管庫２０内に保管されている商品に付加された商品識別無線タグ５１に格納されている商品情報はすべてこのアンテナによって無線タグリーダ２１で読み取ることができる。無線タグリーダ２１は通信サーバ３０を経由して無線または有線の通信ネットワーク６０に接続されて、倉庫内の商品５０の量や状態などの商品情報を納入業者の在庫管理センター４０の在庫管理サーバ４１に逐次送信する。
【００２４】
納入業者は、納入先顧客と商品保管庫２０の最低限の在庫数を保証する契約を結び、商品保管庫２０の在庫の管理に関しては、納入業者が管理責任を負う。商品保管庫２０の保証在庫量の測定は日次、週次、月次、など様々な確認期間レベルでの契約候補を用意することで、納入先顧客のニーズに応じたサービスレベルでの契約を提案できる。納入先顧客は、商品５０を商品保管庫２０から搬出した時点で利用したとみなされ代金支払い義務が発生する。また、納入先顧客は利用した商品の代金と同時に、保証在庫量の確認期間および保証在庫量に応じたサービス料を支払う。例えば、保証在庫量の確認が日次の場合はサービス料は高くなり、週次、月次と期間が延びるのに従いサービス料が安くなる、また保証在庫量が多いほうがサービス料も高くなるなど条件によって設定される。納入先顧客は商品の在庫に気を使う必要がなくなり、納入業者は商品保管庫２０内の商品５０の状態を常に把握できるため、数量、鮮度管理などきめ細かい在庫管理が可能となり、きめ細かなサービスの提供および不良在庫の発生の抑制によるコスト削減が可能となる。
【００２５】
次に本発明の第１の実施の形態の在庫管理および納入先在庫量保証サービスの提供システムとその方法の流れについて図１、図２を用いて説明する。図２は本発明の第１の実施の形態の在庫管理および納入先在庫量保証サービスの提供方法の流れを示す模式的フローチャートである。ここでは納入先顧客をサービス利用者と呼ぶ。
【００２６】
サービス利用者は、納入業者と納入対象商品、保証在庫量、保証確認期間を含む基本契約を締結する。ここで保証在庫量とは、納入先に設置した商品保管庫２０内に実在する商品５０の在庫量のことを表し、納入業者はサービス利用者に対し、商品保管庫２０内に実在する商品５０の在庫量が保証確認期間ごとに保証在庫量を下回らないことを確約する。
【００２７】
保証確認期間とは、上述の在庫量の確認間隔を表す。例えば、保証確認期間が１ヵ月の場合、月に一度予め双方で取り決めた日付の時点で現在の在庫量が保証在庫量を上回っていればよいものとし、保証確認期間が１週間の場合は、週に一度双方で予め取り決めた特定の曜日に現在の在庫量が保証在庫量を上回っていればよいものとする。同様に保証確認期間は１時間、１日など様々な単位で契約できるものとする。
【００２８】
納入業者は、契約が成立したサービス利用者の店舗１０に商品保管庫２０を設置する。サービス利用者は、商品保管庫２０から商品５０を搬出した時点で商品を利用したものとし、代金支払い義務が発生する。また、商品保管庫２０内の商品５０の鮮度管理等の責任は納入業者が負うものとする。
【００２９】
このような取り決めの下で納入業者は、商品識別無線タグ５１の付加された商品５０を商品保管庫２０に搬入する（ステップＦ１、ステップＡ１）。すべての商品５０には商品識別無線タグ５１が添付されているので、商品保管庫２０に搬入されると無線タグリーダ２１がそれを検知可能となる。
【００３０】
また、サービス利用者が商品５０を利用する場合、商品５０を商品保管庫２０から搬出する（ステップＡ２、ステップＧ１）。納入業者も商品５０を交換しあるいは引き取る場合商品５０を商品保管庫２０から搬出するが（ステップＡ２、ステップＦ２）、この場合売上から除外するために在庫管理サーバ４１を経由してデータベース４２に記録する（ステップＦ３、ステップＤ１０、Ｅ２）。
【００３１】
無線タグリーダ２１は予め設定され、あるいは別に指示された時刻になると（ステップＢ１Ｙ）、アンテナにより商品識別無線タグ５１と通信し、個体識別情報、製造年月日、利用期限などの商品情報を商品識別無線タグ５１から読み取る（ステップＢ２）。この場合商品保管庫２０内の全商品５０の商品識別無線タグ５１の情報を読み取るが、複数の無線タグを読み取る方法としては例えば公知の時分割多重方式（ＴＤＭＡ）を用いることができる。読み取りの時刻はサービス利用者との保証確認期間や納入業者の配送に合わせて予めデータベース４２に設定しておき、在庫管理サーバ４１から通信サーバ３０を経由して無線タグリーダ２１に指示するが、納入業者やサービス利用者の指示により在庫管理サーバ４１から随時指示することもできる。
【００３２】
商品情報を読み取った無線タグリーダ２１は、通信サーバ３０へデータを送信する（ステップＢ３）。通信サーバ３０は、受け取ったデータをインターネット等の通信ネットワーク６０を通じて在庫管理サーバ４１へ送信する（ステップＣ１）。在庫管理サーバ４１は、受け取ったデータをデータベース４２に格納し（ステップＤ１）、データベース４２は格納されたデータに基づいてデータを更新する（ステップＥ１）。
【００３３】
納入業者は在庫管理サーバ４１を通してデータベース４２に格納されたデータを確認することで、商品保管庫２０および商品５０の状態を管理できる。これは随時行ってもよいが、チェックのタイミングを予め在庫管理サーバ１４に記憶させ、そのタイミングで行うことが好ましい。
【００３４】
在庫管理サーバ４１は予め設定された在庫チェックのタイミングを監視し（ステップＤ２）、タイミングとなったら（ステップＤ２Ｙ）、データベースから商品情報と商品別保証在庫量のデータを読み出し（ステップＤ３）、実在庫量と商品別保証在庫量との比較を行い（ステップＤ４）、実在庫量が商品別保証在庫量を上回っている場合は（ステップＤ４Ｎ）、ステップＤ２に戻ってタイミングの監視を行い、実在庫量が商品別保証在庫量を下回る商品について（ステップＤ４Ｙ）、予め定められた補充基準に従って納入業者に対する補充指令を発行し（ステップＤ５）、補充指令を受け取った納入業者は商品５０を商品保管庫２０に納入する（ステップＦ１、Ａ１）。在庫チェックのタイミングの少なくとも１回は契約の確認期限より配送に要する時間を考慮した事前の時期に行われることが望ましい。
【００３５】
また、在庫管理サーバ４１は予め設定された鮮度チェックのタイミングを監視し（ステップＤ６）、タイミングとなったら（ステップＤ６Ｙ）、データベースから商品情報のデータを読み出し（ステップＤ７）、在庫商品の使用期限のチェックを行い、（ステップＤ８）、在庫商品の使用期限が未経過の場合は（ステップＤ８Ｙ）、ステップＤ６に戻ってタイミングの監視を行い、使用期限が経過した在庫商品については（ステップＤ８Ｎ）、予め定められた交換基準に従って納入業者に対する交換指令を発行し（ステップＤ９）、交換指令を受け取った納入業者は新しい商品５０を商品保管庫２０に納入し（ステップＦ２、Ａ１）、使用期限が経過した在庫商品を商品保管庫２０から搬出する（ステップＡ２、Ｆ２）。納入業者は引き取った商品名と数量を在庫管理サーバ４１に送信し（ステップＦ３）、在庫管理サーバ４１は引き取った商品名と数量のデータをデータベース４２に格納を指示し（ステップＤ１０）、データベース４２は格納を実行し（ステップＥ２）、清算時にサービス利用者の引き取り量から差し引かれる。これによって商品保管庫２０内の商品の鮮度保持が図られる。
【００３６】
次に、本発明の第２の実施の形態について図面を参照して説明する。図３は本発明の第２の実施の形態の在庫管理および納入先在庫量保証サービスの提供システムの模式的ブロック構成図である。第２の実施の形態で第１の実施の形態と同じ要素については同じ符号で表示する。
【００３７】
第１の実施の形態では、保証在庫量、保証確認期間は基本契約で設定され固定したものとして説明したが、第２の実施の形態では、サービス利用者自体が常時過去の商品の利用状況と経験から需要予測を立て、在庫管理センター４０のデータベース４２に登録されている契約保証在庫量を需要予測に従って変更して設定できることが異なっている。変更は、納入先顧客店舗１０に設置された管理用端末７１を利用して在庫管理サーバ４１上に実現された該当サービス利用者専用ホームページ７２上で行う。一方、納入業者は商品保管庫２０内の商品を無駄なく管理し利用する顧客に対しては契約料を割り引く。以上のような点で第１の実施の形態と異なる。これにより、サービス利用者側は契約料の割引というメリットを、納入業者側はきめ細かな客先の予測在庫量に基づく契約を行うことで余剰在庫や無駄になる在庫を抱えるリスクを低減でき、両者ともトータルコストの削減を実現できる。
【００３８】
第２の実施の形態で追加された構成要素を説明する。その他の構成要素とその動作は第１の実施の形態と同じなので説明を省略する。
【００３９】
専用ホームページ７２は、納入業者が運営するインターネット上のサイトであり、各サービス利用者の納入先顧客店舗１０毎に個別のページを設け納入先顧客店舗１０に対し個別にパスワードを発行し、今までの商品使用履歴や商品の契約履歴などの情報をデータベース４２から読み出し表示する機能と、サービス利用者がそれに対し契約保証量を更新する機能と、更新された情報を基に在庫管理サーバ４１を通じてデータベース４２のデータを更新する機能を有する。管理用端末７１は、インターネット等の通信ネットワーク６０を介して在庫管理サーバ４１と接続し、専用ホームページ７２にアクセスする機能を有する情報処理装置で、パーソナルコンピュータ，携帯端末，携帯電話やその他あらゆるインターネット端末が考えられる。
【００４０】
第２の実施の形態の在庫管理および納入先在庫量保証サービスの提供方法の動作を図１〜図４を用いて説明する。図４は本発明の第２の実施の形態の管理用端末とホームページに関連する動作を説明するための模式的フローチャートである。
【００４１】
サービス利用者は、納入先顧客店舗１０の管理用端末７１より専用ホームページ７２にアクセスして、専用ホームページ７２で登録されている契約保証在庫量と商品５０の現在までの利用量を問い合わせる（ステップＨ１）。専用ホームページ７２はアクセスする顧客ごとに個別のものが用意されパスワード等で個別認証を行うことでセキュリティーが確保されている。専用ホームページ７２が問い合わせ要求を受け付けると在庫管理サーバ４１に通知され（ステップＪ１）、在庫管理サーバ４１は問い合わせ内容についてデータベース４２を検索する（ステップＤ１１）。データベース４２は問い合わせ内容についての検索結果を在庫管理サーバ４１に回答し（ステップＥ３）、在庫管理サーバ４１は検索結果を専用ホームページ７２に回答し（ステップＤ１２）、専用ホームページ７２は検索結果を画面に表示する（ステップＪ２）。サービス利用者は、問い合わせの結果として表示された現在まで契約保証在庫量と商品５０の利用量および経験から、余剰在庫や在庫不足が極力起こらないよう将来の需要予測を立て、それに従い将来の契約保証在庫量をできる限り細かい期間毎に設定する。それに従って契約保証在庫量を管理用端末７１により専用ホームページ７２上で更新する（ステップＨ２）。専用ホームページ７２が更新を受け付けると変更された契約保証在庫量が在庫管理サーバ４１に通知され（ステップＪ３）、在庫管理サーバ４１はデータベース４２に対して将来の契約保証在庫量の更新を指示し（ステップＤ１３）、データベース４２の更新が実行される（ステップＥ４）。以降の商品５０の搬入、搬出および在庫状態管理などは、第１の実施の形態と同じなので説明を省略する。
【００４２】
本発明の在庫管理および納入先在庫量保証サービスの提供システムおよび方法は、鮮度管理ができるので、例えば外食産業など常時新鮮な商品や素材となる加工食品の在庫を確保する必要がある事業に対して最も有効に利用できるが、これに限定されるものではなく、例えば医薬品などの有効期限のあるものや、最近製造業でも利用の増加している製造拠点の倉庫を部品・資材メーカーに開放して在庫資産を移管し、一日に必用な分だけ調達するベンダー・マネージメント・インベタリー（ＶＭＩ）と呼ばれる手法に対しても有効に適応させることができ、この場合鮮度管理の手法は長期在庫の防止に利用が可能である。
【００４３】
【発明の効果】
以上説明したように本発明によって、外食産業など常時新鮮な商品や素材となる加工食品の在庫を確保する必要がある事業では、必要なときに必要な分だけ材料を使用することができ、代金も利用した分と若干の契約量を支払えばよいので原料費の効率的な削減を実現できるという効果がある。これは倉庫を店舗内に持ちながら在庫管理責任を納入業者に任せることによる。
【００４４】
一方、納入業者は顧客店舗に設置された管理責任を負う商品保管庫の在庫状態をリアルタイムに知ることが可能となり、効率的な在庫管理を実現できる。また、遠隔地に保管されている商品の個体管理が可能となるので、商品の鮮度管理まで可能となる。また、納入業者は、各顧客店舗と月次保証在庫量、週次保証在庫量、日次保証在庫量など様々なレベルでの契約が可能となり、顧客に応じた契約を提供でき、契約のレベルに応じたサービスを提供することで適切な利益を確保できるという効果がある。
【００４５】
さらに、納入先顧客側は商品の利用履歴から需要予測を立てることで保証在庫量をこまめに変更することにより契約料金を低減させることができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の第１の実施の形態の在庫管理および納入先在庫量保証サービスの提供システムの模式的ブロック構成図である。
【図２】本発明の第１の実施の形態の在庫管理および納入先在庫量保証サービスの提供方法の流れを示す模式的フローチャートである。
【図３】本発明の第２の実施の形態の在庫管理および納入先在庫量保証サービスの提供システムの模式的ブロック構成図である。
【図４】本発明の第２の実施の形態の管理用端末とホームページに関連する動作を説明するための模式的フローチャートである。
【符号の説明】
１０納入先顧客店舗
２０商品保管庫
２１無線タグリーダ
３０通信サーバ
４０在庫管理センター
４１在庫管理サーバ
４２データベース
５０商品
５１商品識別無線タグ
６０通信ネットワーク
７１管理用端末
７２専用ホームページ
Ａ１、Ａ２、Ｂ１〜Ｂ３、Ｃ１、Ｄ１〜Ｄ１３、Ｅ１〜Ｅ４、Ｆ１〜Ｆ３、Ｇ１、Ｈ１、Ｈ２、Ｊ１〜Ｊ３ステップ[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a system and a method for providing a stock management and delivery destination stock guarantee service.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, in each industry, the weight of the service industry component of the business format has increased, the price competition has intensified due to the progress of deflation, and the need for customer orientation has increased, so that the power of vendors close to the final consumer in the supply chain has increased. With relative improvement, upstream suppliers are being forced to respond to their demanding requirements. On the other hand, the diversification of general consumers' needs and the rapidly changing consumption behavior have shortened the lifespan of final products. Shorter product life increases the inventory risk on the distribution side. In this environment, there is increasing pressure on intermediate suppliers of consumer goods in two aspects: pressure to reduce prices and securing the ability to procure products to meet demand. In particular, in industries such as the food service industry where the control of freshness of raw materials is important, the risk of inventory of raw material suppliers and retailers is increasing.
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-T-2001-523631
[Patent Document 2]
JP-A-2002-193448
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Japanese Patent Publication No. 2001-523631 discloses an electronic inventory management system using a radio frequency identification tag equipped with a microprocessor and an RF circuit in order to cope with appropriate and prompt inventory management to reduce inventory risk. ing. It is suitable for handling small parcels in the aviation industry because accurate inventory checks can be performed in a short time. However, since tags are only assigned with tag ID and manufacturer number, general distribution industry, especially multi-product There is a problem in applying it to the inventory management including the time limit management of the product as it is.
[0005]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-193448 discloses an inventory management system using a non-contact type IC tag. In particular, in order to prevent erroneous recognition, information on opening / closing of an article exit is collected by a simple mechanism, and accurate inventory information is collected. Although there is a description of a method for performing management, there is no mention of a specific method for efficiently managing inventory while eliminating waste.
[0006]
An object of the present invention is to improve efficiency of inventory management of a customer and a supplier by carrying out the responsibility and execution of the inventory management by the supplier, and to reduce the waste and secure the profit to both sides. It is an object of the present invention to provide a delivery destination stock guarantee service providing system and method.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The inventory management and delivery destination inventory guarantee service providing system of the present invention includes:
Inventory management and assurance of delivery-destination inventory where suppliers provide the product storage at the service user's location where the service user can freely carry out the product, and the supplier manages the inventory and guarantees the specified inventory. A service providing system, wherein a product is provided with a product identification wireless tag storing identification of the product, date of manufacture, and expiration date, and an antenna of a wireless tag reader provided in a product storage. It is possible to read the product identification wireless tag of the product stored in the product storage, send the read product information to the server of the supplier's inventory management center via the communication network, and update the database by the server. In addition, it is possible to output information on replenishment and replacement of commodities by comparison with a preset reference stock quantity and reference expiration date. To.
[0008]
Furthermore, a management terminal that can be operated by the service user is installed at the service user's location, and the inventory management server is a service user that the service user can view on the management terminal via the communication network. A dedicated homepage has been set up, and the homepage displays the current contract guarantee amount and the past product usage status. The service user can update the contract guarantee stock amount using the homepage. Is also good.
[0009]
It has a customer store that is the destination of the products to be serviced, and an inventory management center that is set up as a delivery service base that manages the entire system of the supplier. A commodity storage in which commodities to which the commodity identification wireless tag is added is stored and a communication server are provided. The inventory management center is provided with an inventory management server and a database. The communication server communicates with the inventory management server. Connected by a network, the product identification wireless tag stores information that can identify the individual of each product to which the product identification wireless tag is added, the manufacturing date, expiration date, and the wireless tag reader stores the product identification wireless tag. The communication server has a readout antenna that can read out the read information wirelessly at any time, and the communication server stores the product identification wireless tag collected by the wireless tag reader. The information is transmitted to the inventory management server via the communication network, and the inventory management server has a function of storing the inventory information collected by the wireless tag reader in the database, and a function of searching and managing the data stored in the database by external access. The database may have a function of holding stock / in / out information of a merchandise storage at a delivery destination, a guaranteed stock amount, and a guaranteed elapsed days.
[0010]
Further, the management terminal is connected to an inventory management server via a communication network, and can browse a dedicated homepage established by the inventory management server. The dedicated homepage is a site on the Internet operated by a supplier. An individual page is provided for each customer store to which each service user is delivered, a function to read and display information such as the history of product use and the history of the contract guarantee amount of the product from the database, and the service user manages It may have a function of receiving an update of the contract guarantee amount input by the terminal for use, and a function of updating data in the database through the inventory management server based on the updated information.
[0011]
The method of providing the inventory management and delivery destination stock guarantee service of the present invention is as follows.
Inventory management and assurance of delivery-destination inventory where suppliers provide the product storage at the service user's location where the service user can freely carry out the product, and the supplier manages the inventory and guarantees the specified inventory. A service provision method in which the service user used the product at the time the product was unloaded from the product storage with the supplier, along with the product to be delivered, the warranty stock, and the warranty confirmation period. As a result, the supplier is responsible for the management of the products in the product vault and the expiration date of the product, and concludes a basic contract with the contents of the supplier, and the supplier stores the product in the store of the service user who has signed the contract A warehouse is set up, and the supplier carries in the product storage with the product identification wireless tag, which stores the identification of the product, the date of manufacture, and the expiration date, and the service user removes the product. use The product is removed from the product storage, and the wireless tag reader installed in the product storage communicates with the product identification wireless tag through the antenna at a predetermined timing, and reads the individual identification information, manufacturing date, expiration date. Then, the read product information is transmitted to the inventory management server via the communication server, the inventory management server updates the stored data with the received data, and the inventory management server determines a preset inventory check timing. Monitor and, when the timing comes, read out the product information and the guaranteed stock amount for each product from the database, compare the actual stock amount with the guaranteed stock amount for each product, and check the products whose actual stock amount is lower than the guaranteed stock amount for each product. Issues a replenishment order to the supplier in accordance with the replenishment criteria set in advance, and the supplier who receives the replenishment order delivers the goods to the product storage. Further, the inventory management server monitors a preset freshness check timing. When the timing comes, the inventory management server reads the data of the product information from the database and checks the expiration date of the stocked product, and checks the expiration date of the stocked product. Issue a replacement order to the supplier in accordance with the predetermined exchange standard for the product, and the supplier who receives the replacement order delivers the new product to the product storage and removes the expired stock from the product storage. It is characterized by the following.
[0012]
In addition, the service user accesses the dedicated homepage established by the inventory management server from the management terminal provided at the place of use of the service user, and obtains the contract guarantee stock amount and the product registered on the dedicated homepage. Search the amount of usage up to now, the dedicated homepage notifies the inventory management server, the inventory management server searches the database for the content of the inquiry, displays the search results on the dedicated homepage screen, and the service user is displayed Based on the contract guarantee stock, product usage and experience to date, a future demand forecast is set, the contract guarantee stock is updated on a dedicated website, and the inventory management server receives the update notification and sends May be updated, and the database may be updated.
[0013]
In addition, the basic contract may include a method of paying the contract fee corresponding to the contract stock amount and the measurement interval of the stock amount, along with the price of the product and the payment method.
[0014]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a system for providing a stock management and delivery destination stock quantity guarantee service according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
[0015]
The present invention provides a service in which a product supplier establishes a warehouse dedicated to the company at the delivery destination, manages the stock of the product there, and guarantees the minimum stock amount.
[0016]
As shown in FIG. 1, a system for providing inventory management and a delivery destination stock amount guarantee service according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes a delivery destination customer store 10 and an inventory management center 40, and In the store 10, a product storage 20 having a wireless tag reader 21 therein and a communication server 30 are provided. In the inventory management center 40, an inventory management server 41 and a database 42 are provided. The server 41 is connected to a communication network 60 such as the Internet. In the product storage 20, a large number and variety of products 50 each having a product identification wireless tag 51 added thereto are stored.
[0017]
The delivery destination customer store 10 is a delivery destination of the product to be serviced, and is a store that consumes the delivered product. The inventory management center 40 is installed as a facility of a supplier that provides products and services to the customer store 10 of the delivery destination, and manages the entire system. The product storage 20 is a product storage dedicated to a supplier that provides products and services, and stores a product 50 to which a product identification wireless tag 51 is attached.
[0018]
The product 50 is a product provided to the destination customer store 10, and a product identification wireless tag 51 is added to each product, and product information is managed through the wireless tag reader 21. The product identification wireless tag 51 is an information storage device attached to each of the products 50, and can store information for identifying an individual of each product, manufacturing date, expiration date, and the like. The wireless tag reader 21 can wirelessly read out the product information stored in the product identification wireless tag 51 at any time, and has a reading antenna.
[0019]
The communication server 30 transmits the information on the product identification wireless tag 51 collected by the wireless tag reader 21 to the inventory management server 41 via a communication network 60 such as the Internet.
[0020]
The inventory management server 41 is connected to the communication server 30 via a communication network 60 such as the Internet, stores the product information such as inventory collected from the wireless tag reader 21 in the database 42, and stores the product information in the database 42 by external access. It has a function of performing search management of stored data, and is configured by an information processing device such as a workstation server.
[0021]
The database 42 has a function of holding all product information such as the stock status of the product storage 20 of each delivery destination, and such product information can be accessed from outside through the stock management server 41.
[0022]
The communication network 60 such as the Internet performs data transfer between the communication server 30 and the inventory management server 41, and is constituted by a communication network such as a dedicated line or the Internet.
[0023]
The supplier of the product adds a product identification wireless tag 51 storing information for identifying the individual, product information such as date of manufacture, expiration date, etc. to all of the products 50 to be delivered. The product identification wireless tag 51 has a processing storage unit for processing and storing information, a modulation / demodulation unit, an antenna, and a power supply unit. The power supply is an active type with a built-in battery and a passive type for converting wireless input to electric power. Is also good. One or more warehouses or merchandise storages 20 dedicated to the supplier are prepared in the customer store 10 to which the goods are to be delivered, and all the goods 50 delivered by the supplier to the customer store 10 to be delivered are stored there. A required number of antennas of the wireless tag reader 21 for reading the product information of the product identification wireless tag 51 are installed at appropriate positions for reading the product identification wireless tag 51 attached to the product 50 in the product storage 20 at a time. All the product information stored in the product identification wireless tag 51 added to the product stored in the storage 20 can be read by the wireless tag reader 21 by this antenna. The wireless tag reader 21 is connected to a wireless or wired communication network 60 via the communication server 30 and sends product information such as the quantity and status of the products 50 in the warehouse to the inventory management server 41 of the inventory management center 40 of the supplier. Transmit sequentially.
[0024]
The supplier signs a contract with the customer to guarantee the minimum number of stocks in the merchandise storage 20, and the supplier has management responsibility for managing the stock in the merchandise storage 20. The measurement of the guaranteed stock amount of the product storage 20 is performed by preparing contract candidates at various confirmation period levels such as daily, weekly, monthly, etc., so that the contract at the service level according to the needs of the customer to be delivered can be made. Can suggest. The customer at the delivery destination is deemed to have used the product 50 at the time of taking it out of the product storage 20, and is obliged to pay the price. In addition, the delivery destination customer pays a service fee according to the guaranteed stock amount confirmation period and the guaranteed stock amount at the same time as the price of the used product. For example, if the check of the guaranteed stock is daily, the service fee will be higher, the service fee will be lower as the period is extended to weekly and monthly, and the service fee will be higher if the guaranteed stock is larger. Is set by Delivery customers do not have to worry about the inventory of products, and the supplier can always keep track of the status of the products 50 in the product storage 20, so that detailed inventory management such as quantity and freshness management can be performed, and detailed services can be provided. It is possible to reduce costs by suppressing provision and occurrence of defective inventory.
[0025]
Next, a flow of a system and a method for providing a stock management and delivery destination stock quantity guarantee service according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a schematic flowchart showing a flow of a method of providing a stock management and delivery destination stock amount guarantee service according to the first embodiment of this invention. Here, the delivery destination customer is called a service user.
[0026]
The service user concludes a basic contract with the supplier, including the goods to be delivered, the warranty stock, and the warranty confirmation period. Here, the guaranteed stock amount indicates the stock amount of the product 50 existing in the product storage 20 installed at the delivery destination, and the supplier provides the service user with the product 50 existing in the product storage 20. Is guaranteed that the inventory quantity will not fall below the guaranteed inventory quantity for each warranty confirmation period.
[0027]
The guarantee check period indicates the above-described check interval of the stock amount. For example, if the warranty check period is one month, it is sufficient that the current stock amount exceeds the guaranteed stock amount at the date determined by both parties once a month, and if the warranty check period is one week, It is assumed that the current stock amount should exceed the guaranteed stock amount on a specific day of the week that has been negotiated beforehand once a week. Similarly, the warranty confirmation period can be contracted in various units such as one hour and one day.
[0028]
The supplier installs the product storage 20 in the store 10 of the service user for whom the contract has been established. It is assumed that the service user has used the merchandise at the time when the merchandise 50 has been carried out of the merchandise storage 20, and is obliged to pay the price. The supplier is responsible for the freshness management of the product 50 in the product storage 20.
[0029]
Under such an agreement, the supplier loads the product 50 with the product identification wireless tag 51 added into the product storage 20 (step F1, step A1). Since the product identification wireless tag 51 is attached to all the products 50, the wireless tag reader 21 can detect it when the product 50 is carried into the product storage 20.
[0030]
When the service user uses the product 50, the product 50 is carried out of the product storage 20 (step A2, step G1). When the supplier also exchanges or picks up the product 50, the product 50 is unloaded from the product storage 20 (step A2, step F2). In this case, the product 50 is recorded in the database 42 via the inventory management server 41 to be excluded from the sales. (Step F3, Step D10, E2).
[0031]
At a preset time or at a separately designated time (step B1Y), the wireless tag reader 21 communicates with the product identification wireless tag 51 via an antenna to identify the product information such as individual identification information, manufacturing date, expiration date, and the like. It reads from the wireless tag 51 (step B2). In this case, information of the product identification wireless tags 51 of all the products 50 in the product storage 20 is read. As a method of reading a plurality of wireless tags, for example, a known time division multiplexing (TDMA) can be used. The reading time is set in the database 42 in advance in accordance with the warranty confirmation period with the service user and the delivery of the supplier, and the inventory management server 41 instructs the wireless tag reader 21 via the communication server 30. An instruction can be given from the inventory management server 41 at any time by an instruction of a trader or a service user.
[0032]
The wireless tag reader 21 that has read the product information transmits the data to the communication server 30 (Step B3). The communication server 30 transmits the received data to the inventory management server 41 via the communication network 60 such as the Internet (Step C1). The inventory management server 41 stores the received data in the database 42 (step D1), and the database 42 updates the data based on the stored data (step E1).
[0033]
The supplier can manage the state of the product storage 20 and the product 50 by checking the data stored in the database 42 through the inventory management server 41. This may be performed at any time, but it is preferable to store the check timing in advance in the inventory management server 14 and perform the check at that timing.
[0034]
The inventory management server 41 monitors a preset inventory check timing (step D2). When the timing comes (step D2Y), the inventory management server 41 reads out the product information and the data of the guaranteed stock amount by product from the database (step D3), and The stock amount is compared with the guaranteed stock amount for each product (step D4). If the actual stock amount exceeds the guaranteed stock amount for each product (step D4N), the process returns to step D2 to monitor the timing. For products whose stock amount is less than the guaranteed stock amount for each product (step D4Y), a replenishment order is issued to the supplier according to a predetermined replenishment standard (step D5), and the supplier receiving the replenishment order stores the product 50 in the product storage. Delivery to the storage 20 (step F1, A1). It is desirable that at least one time of the inventory check is performed in advance of the contract confirmation deadline considering the time required for delivery.
[0035]
Further, the inventory management server 41 monitors the preset freshness check timing (step D6), and when the timing comes (step D6Y), reads out the product information data from the database (step D7) and sets the expiration date of the stock product. (Step D8), if the expiration date of the inventory product has not passed (Step D8Y), the process returns to Step D6 to monitor the timing, and the inventory product whose expiration date has passed is checked (Step D8N). Issue a replacement command to the supplier according to a predetermined replacement standard (step D9), and the supplier receiving the replacement command delivers the new product 50 to the product storage 20 (step F2, A1), and the expiration date is expired. The passed inventory items are unloaded from the product storage 20 (steps A2 and F2). The supplier sends the received product name and quantity to the inventory management server 41 (step F3), and the inventory management server 41 instructs the database 42 to store the received product name and quantity data (step D10). Executes the storage (step E2), and is deducted from the service user's picked-up amount at the time of settlement. As a result, the freshness of the product in the product storage 20 is maintained.
[0036]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of a system for providing a stock management and delivery destination stock guarantee service according to the second embodiment of this invention. In the second embodiment, the same elements as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.
[0037]
In the first embodiment, the warranty stock amount and the warranty confirmation period are set and fixed in the basic contract. However, in the second embodiment, the service user himself or herself constantly checks the past usage status of the product. The difference is that a demand forecast can be set based on experience, and the contract guarantee stock amount registered in the database 42 of the stock management center 40 can be changed and set according to the demand forecast. The change is made on the corresponding service user dedicated homepage 72 realized on the inventory management server 41 by using the management terminal 71 installed in the destination customer store 10. On the other hand, the supplier discounts a contract fee for a customer who manages and uses the products in the product storage 20 without waste. This is different from the first embodiment in the above points. As a result, the service user can take advantage of the discount of the contract fee, and the supplier can reduce the risk of having excess or wasted inventory by contracting based on the detailed forecasted inventory of the customer. In both cases, total cost reduction can be realized.
[0038]
Components added in the second embodiment will be described. The other components and their operations are the same as those in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.
[0039]
The dedicated homepage 72 is a site on the Internet operated by the supplier, sets up a separate page for each destination customer store 10 of each service user, issues a password to the destination customer store 10 individually, A function for reading and displaying information such as product use history and product contract history from the database 42, a function for the service user to update the contract guarantee amount thereto, and a database through the inventory management server 41 based on the updated information. It has a function of updating 42 data. The management terminal 71 is an information processing device having a function of connecting to the inventory management server 41 via the communication network 60 such as the Internet and accessing the dedicated homepage 72, and includes a personal computer, a mobile terminal, a mobile phone, and any other Internet terminals. Can be considered.
[0040]
The operation of the method for providing the stock management and delivery destination stock amount guarantee service according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a schematic flowchart for explaining operations related to the management terminal and the home page according to the second embodiment of this invention.
[0041]
The service user accesses the dedicated homepage 72 from the management terminal 71 of the delivery destination customer store 10, and inquires about the contract guarantee stock amount registered on the dedicated homepage 72 and the usage amount of the product 50 up to the present (step H1). ). The dedicated homepage 72 is individually prepared for each accessing customer, and security is secured by performing individual authentication using a password or the like. When the dedicated homepage 72 receives the inquiry request, it is notified to the inventory management server 41 (step J1), and the inventory management server 41 searches the database 42 for the content of the inquiry (step D11). The database 42 responds to the inventory management server 41 with a search result regarding the contents of the inquiry (step E3), and the inventory management server 41 replies the search result to the dedicated homepage 72 (step D12), and the dedicated homepage 72 displays the search result on the screen. It is displayed (step J2). The service user sets a future demand forecast based on the contract guarantee stock amount and the use amount and experience of the product 50 displayed up to the present as a result of the inquiry so as to minimize surplus stock and stock shortage. Set the guaranteed stock amount for every possible period. In accordance therewith, the contract guarantee stock is updated on the dedicated homepage 72 by the management terminal 71 (step H2). When the dedicated homepage 72 receives the update, the changed contract guarantee stock amount is notified to the stock management server 41 (step J3), and the stock management server 41 instructs the database 42 to update the future contract guarantee stock amount ( (Step D13), the database 42 is updated (step E4). Subsequent loading, unloading, and inventory status management of the product 50 are the same as in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.
[0042]
The system and method of the present invention for providing inventory management and delivery destination stock guarantee services can perform freshness management, so that it is necessary to secure stock of processed foods that are always fresh products and materials, such as the restaurant industry. It can be used most effectively, but is not limited to this.For example, warehouses with expiration dates, such as pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing bases, which are increasingly used in the manufacturing industry, are opened to parts and material manufacturers. Can be effectively adapted to a method called Vendor Management Inventory (VMI) that transfers inventory assets and procures only what is needed per day. In this case, the freshness management method prevents long-term inventory It is possible to use it.
[0043]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, in a business such as the food service industry, where it is necessary to secure an inventory of processed foods that are always fresh products and materials, it is possible to use only the necessary amount of materials when needed, and It is only necessary to pay a small contract amount for the amount used, so that there is an effect that the material cost can be efficiently reduced. This is due to the fact that inventory management responsibilities are left to the supplier while having the warehouse in the store.
[0044]
On the other hand, the supplier can know in real time the stock status of the merchandise storage that is installed in the customer store and has responsibility for management, and can realize efficient stock management. In addition, since individual management of commodities stored in a remote place becomes possible, it is possible to manage freshness of commodities. In addition, suppliers can contract with each customer store at various levels such as monthly guaranteed stock, weekly guaranteed stock, daily guaranteed stock, and can provide contracts according to customers, and contract level There is an effect that by providing a service according to the above, an appropriate profit can be secured.
[0045]
Further, the delivery customer side can reduce the contract fee by frequently changing the guaranteed stock amount by making a demand forecast from the use history of the product.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic block configuration diagram of a system for providing a stock management and delivery destination stock quantity guarantee service according to a first embodiment of this invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic flowchart showing a flow of a method of providing a stock management and delivery destination stock quantity guarantee service according to the first embodiment of this invention.
FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of a system for providing a stock management and delivery destination stock quantity guarantee service according to a second embodiment of this invention.
FIG. 4 is a schematic flowchart for explaining operations related to a management terminal and a homepage according to the second embodiment of this invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Delivery customer store
20 goods storage
21 Wireless tag reader
30 Communication server
40 Inventory Control Center
41 Inventory management server
42 Database
50 products
51 Product identification wireless tag
60 Communication Network
71 Management terminal
72 Dedicated Homepage
A1, A2, B1 to B3, C1, D1 to D13, E1 to E4, F1 to F3, G1, H1, H2, J1 to J3 steps

Claims

Inventory management and assurance of delivery destination inventory where suppliers provide a product storage at the service user's location where the service user can freely carry out the product, and the supplier manages the inventory and guarantees the specified inventory amount. A service providing system,
The product is provided with a product identification wireless tag storing identification of the product, date of manufacture, and expiration date. The product is stored in the product storage using an antenna of a wireless tag reader provided in the product storage. Reading of the stored product identification wireless tag of the product, transmission of the product information read via a communication network to a server of the supplier's inventory management center, the database can be updated by the server, and A system for providing inventory management and a delivery destination inventory guarantee service, characterized in that it is possible to output information on replenishment and replacement of the product by comparison between a preset reference inventory number and a reference expiration date.

Further, a management terminal operable by the service user is installed at the use place of the service user, and the inventory management server allows the service user to browse the management terminal via the communication network. The company has set up a dedicated home page for the service user, which displays the current contract guarantee amount and the past product usage status. The service user can use the home page to check the contract guarantee stock. 2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the quantity can be updated.

A customer customer store that is a delivery destination of the product to be serviced, and an inventory management center installed as a delivery service base that manages the entire system of the supplier,
In the delivery destination customer store, the commodity storage provided with the wireless tag reader and storing the commodity to which the commodity identification wireless tag is added and a communication server are provided. A server and the database are provided, the communication server and the inventory management server are connected by the communication network,
In the product identification wireless tag, information for identifying an individual of each product to which the product identification wireless tag is added, manufacturing date, expiration date are stored, and the wireless tag reader is stored in the product identification wireless tag. A readout antenna that can read out the information at any time wirelessly,
The communication server transmits the information of the product identification wireless tag collected by the wireless tag reader to the inventory management server through the communication network,
The inventory management server has a function of storing inventory information collected by the wireless tag reader in the database, a function of performing search management of data stored in the database by external access,
2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the database has a function of holding stock / in / out information of the merchandise storage at the delivery destination, a guaranteed stock amount, and a guaranteed elapsed days. .

The management terminal is connected to the inventory management server via the communication network, and can browse a dedicated homepage established by the inventory management server,
The dedicated homepage is a site on the Internet operated by the supplier, and a separate page is provided for each of the destination customer stores of each of the service users, and the product use history and the contract guarantee of the product up to now are provided. A function of reading and displaying information such as a history of the amount from the database, a function of receiving the update of the contract guarantee amount input by the service user through the management terminal, and a function of receiving the update of the contract guarantee amount through the inventory management server based on the updated information. 4. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a function of updating data in the database.

Inventory management and assurance of delivery destination inventory where suppliers provide a product storage at the service user's location where the service user can freely carry out the product, and the supplier manages the inventory and guarantees the specified inventory amount. A method of providing a service,
The service user has an obligation to pay with the supplier assuming that the product was used at the time the product was unloaded from the product storage in accordance with the product to be delivered, the warranty stock amount, and the warranty confirmation period. Occurs, and is responsible for the management of the product and its expiration date in the product storage, and concludes a basic contract with the contents of the supplier,
The supplier installs a product storage at the service user's store where the contract has been established,
The supplier, the identification of the product, the date of manufacture, the product to which the product identification wireless tag with the expiration date is stored is carried into the product storage,
The service user unloads the product from the product storage to use the product,
The wireless tag reader installed in the product storage communicates with the product identification wireless tag through an antenna at a predetermined timing, reads the individual identification information, the date of manufacture, and the expiration date, and sends the read product information to the communication server. Via an inventory management server, the inventory management server updates the stored data with the received data,
The inventory management server monitors a preset inventory check timing, and when the timing comes, reads out the product information and the data on the guaranteed stock amount for each product from the database, and compares the actual stock amount with the guaranteed stock amount for each product. Perform a replenishment order to the supplier in accordance with a predetermined replenishment standard for products whose actual stock is less than the guaranteed stock for each product, and the supplier receiving the replenishment order stores the product in the product storage. Delivered,
Further, the inventory management server monitors the preset freshness check timing, and when the timing comes, reads out the data of the product information from the database and checks the expiration date of the inventory product, and checks the expiration date of the inventory product after the expiration date. Issues a replacement order to the supplier in accordance with a predetermined exchange standard, and the supplier receiving the replacement order delivers the new product to the product storage, and stores the expired stock product in the product storage. A method of providing inventory management and delivery destination inventory guarantee services, characterized by being unloaded from the warehouse.

Further, the service user accesses a dedicated homepage established by the inventory management server from a management terminal provided at the place of use of the service user, and obtains a contract guarantee stock amount registered on the dedicated homepage. And the amount of use of the product up to the present, the dedicated homepage notifies the inventory management server, the inventory management server searches the database for the content of the inquiry, and displays the search result on the screen of the dedicated homepage, The service user sets up a future demand forecast based on the displayed contract guarantee stock amount and the used amount and experience of the product, updates the contract guarantee stock amount on the dedicated homepage, and the inventory management server Upon receiving the update notification, the database is instructed to update future contract guarantee stock, and the database New is the method of providing inventory control and delivery destination inventory warranty service of claim 5.

7. The inventory according to claim 5, wherein the basic contract describes a method of paying a contract fee corresponding to a contract stock amount and a measurement interval of the stock amount, together with a price of the product and a payment method thereof. How to provide management and delivery inventory guarantee services.