JP2005259159A - Substitution information management device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve a problem wherein, in a conventional device for managing information of a substitute, particular consideration is taken about an acquisition method of information of a substitute, so that information is not necessarily adequately collected and a large amount of work is necessary for the collection. <P>SOLUTION: This substitution information management device is provided with a substitution information database for storing a replaced material code for identifying a replaced material being a material to be replaced, and a substitution material code for identifying a substitution material being a material to be substituted by relating them with each other. The device is also provided with a substitution information registration part for outputting information for facilitating confirmation of adequacy of the registration before registering the replaced material code and the substitution material code by relating them with each other, and for registering them in the substitution information database when confirmation that the registration is appropriate is inputted. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an alternative information management apparatus that manages information related to substitution of materials to be purchased, and relates to a technique for promoting collection of substitution information and supporting reasonable substitution.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an apparatus that manages information on alternative products, such as a global parts procurement system (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-11305), has been considered. The conventional apparatus can manage the information of substitutes in an integrated manner, and is effective in securing advantageous procurement conditions for cost reduction.

However, in the conventional apparatus, since no special consideration is given to the method of acquiring information on substitutes, information is not always collected sufficiently. In addition, collection requires a lot of labor.
JP2000-11305

  The present invention has been made to eliminate the above-described drawbacks of the prior art, and its purpose is to facilitate collection of information by receiving provision of alternative information from a material provider. It is to be.

  In addition, by making public the purchasing standards established by the purchaser (quotation requester) and the alternative conditions restricted by the material provider, it contributes to creating a wide range of alternative opportunities and ensuring the quality of alternatives. The purpose is to do.

The alternative information management device according to the present invention has the following elements.
(1) An estimate request input unit for inputting estimate request information including an estimate object material code for specifying an estimate object material that is an estimate object material,
(2) Alternative to the subject alternative materials code identifying the object alternative materials which are materials which, alternative information database that stores in association with alternative materials code specifying alternative materials are materials that substitute for,
(3) Search the substitute information database for a substitute material code that matches the quote target material code included in the quote request information entered by the quote request input unit, and substitute material associated with the matched substitute material code Alternative material search part that reads the code,
(4) An alternative information output unit that outputs information about the alternative material specified by the alternative material code read by the alternative material search unit.

The alternative information management device can be connected to the material provider system,
The alternative information management device further includes an estimate request transmitting unit that transmits the estimate request information including the estimate target material code to the material provider system,
An estimate response receiving unit that receives estimate response information for the estimate request information and an alternative material code for specifying an alternative material for the estimated material specified by the estimate target material code from the material provider system;
The estimated target material code as the alternative material code, in association with alternative materials code received by estimation reply receiving unit, and having an alternative information registration unit that registers with the replacement information database.

The alternative information management device can be connected to the material provider system,
The alternative information management device further includes an alternative information receiving unit that receives the substitute material code and the substitute material code in association with each other from the material provider system,
An alternative information registration unit that registers the substitute material code and the substitute material code received by the substitute information receiving unit in association with the substitute information database.

  The alternative information registration unit outputs information prompting confirmation of the suitability of registration before registering in the alternative information database, and registers in the alternative information database when confirmation that registration is appropriate is input It is characterized by that.

Further, the replacement information management apparatus further every material provider that sent in association with the object to be alternative material code and the alternative material code to said alternative information reception unit, and the object to be alternative material code and the alternative material code An alternative information provision number storage unit that stores the number of alternative information provisions that is the number of times of transmission in association with each other,
When the alternative information output unit outputs the information about the alternative material, the alternative information provision number of the material provider who transmitted the alternative material code for identifying the alternative material in association with the substitute material code is the number of alternative information provision times. A display screen for information on alternative materials is generated according to the number of alternative information provisions read out from the storage unit.

Further, the alternative information management device can be connected to a purchase standard database that stores purchase standard information about the material to be estimated in association with the material code to be estimated,
The replacement information database stores a purchase standard code that specifies purchase standard information related to the material to be replaced specified by the material to be replaced in association with the material code to be replaced,
The substitute material search unit reads the purchase standard code associated with the substitute material code matched by the search,
The alternative information output unit reads purchase standard information associated with the read purchase standard code from the purchase standard database, and outputs the read purchase standard information.

The alternative information database further stores alternative conditions in association with alternative material codes,
The alternative material search unit further reads alternative conditions associated with the alternative material code,
The alternative information output unit further outputs the alternative condition read by the alternative material search unit.

The alternative information management method according to the present invention has the following elements.
(1) A step of storing an alternative material code that specifies an alternative material that is a substitute material and an alternative material code that specifies an alternative material that is a substitute material, in association with each other;
(2) a step of inputting quotation request information including a quotation target material code for specifying a quotation target material that is a material to be estimated;
(3) A step of searching for an alternative material code that matches the target material code included in the request for quotation information from the alternative information database and reading an alternative material code associated with the matched alternative material code;
(4) A step of outputting information about the alternative material specified by the read alternative material code.

Computer readable recording medium recording a program according to the invention is characterized in that alternate in the information management apparatus to become a computer, a computer-readable recording medium recording a program for executing the following processes .
(1) and the alternative materials code identifying the object to be alternate materials, which are materials to be replaced, the process of storing in association with alternative materials code specifying alternative materials are materials that substitute for,
(2) A process of inputting estimate request information including an estimate target material code for specifying an estimate target material that is a target of estimate,
(3) A process of searching for an alternative material code that matches the target material code included in the request for quotation information from the alternative information database, and reading an alternative material code associated with the matched alternative material code,
(4) A process of outputting information about the alternative material specified by the read alternative material code.

The program according to the present invention is a program for causing a computer serving as an alternative information management apparatus to execute the following procedure.
(1) A procedure for storing a replacement material code for specifying a replacement material that is a material to be replaced and an alternative material code for specifying a replacement material that is a replacement material in association with each other;
(2) A procedure for inputting quotation request information including a quotation target material code for identifying a quotation target material which is a material to be estimated;
(3) A procedure for searching for an alternative material code that matches the target material code included in the request for quotation information from the alternative information database and reading the alternative material code associated with the matched alternative material code,
(4) A procedure for outputting information about the alternative material specified by the read alternative material code.

  In the present invention, the substitute information is presented to the estimate requester using the substitute information database, so that the purchase target can be selected from a wide range. This makes it easier to obtain advantageous purchase conditions.

  Alternative information is acquired and stored together with estimate response information from the material provider, making it easier to collect alternative information. The collection of alternative information on materials with specific demand is promoted.

  Since the substitute information is acquired from the material provider regardless of the estimate and accumulated, the substitute information is easily collected by the opportunity of the material provider. For example, when a new product can be used as an alternative material, there is an advantage that the alternative information can be accumulated together with the release of the new product information.

  Prior to registration of the substitute information, the suitability of the registration is confirmed, so that the occurrence of problems due to the substitute can be eliminated in advance. For example, when there is a possibility that quality problems may occur due to substitution, the substitution information can be eliminated and quality management can be performed. Moreover, it can cope with a problem in the supply capacity of the material provider.

  For each material provider, the number of times that alternative information is provided is managed, and the display screen for information on alternative materials is generated according to the number of times, so the material provider actively replaces information to ensure a trading advantage. Providing information and promoting the collection of information.

  Since the purchase standard information is provided together with the substitute information, it is easy to consider the use of substitute materials.

  Since the alternative condition is acquired together with the alternative material code and provided to the requesting department, it is easy to determine whether the alternative is appropriate. In particular, there is a merit in that a request specification which is not disclosed to the material provider side can be examined by the requesting department.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of the entire system.
The alternative information management server 1 (an example of an alternative information management apparatus) is connected to the systems 101 to 103 of the request for quotation department via an in-house network (intranet). Moreover, it connects with the system 201-203 of a material provider via the internet. However, the present invention is not limited to these networks, and other networks may be used.

  The quotation request department systems 101 to 103 transmit the quotation request information of materials that are candidates for purchase to the alternative information management server 1, and the alternative information management server 1 provides the materials provider systems 201 to 203 that provide the materials. To request as quotation request information. On the other hand, the material provider systems 201 to 203 return the estimated response information about the material and the substitute information regarding the substitute material of the material to the substitute information management server 1. The alternative information management server 1 operates so as to transfer the estimate reply information to the system of the estimate request department that has transmitted the estimate request information, and accumulate the substitute information in the database.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the alternative information management server in the first embodiment.
11 (example of RFQ input unit) RFQ receiver, 12, alternative materials search section, 13, replacement information database, 14, alternative information transmission unit (example of an alternative information output unit), 15, An estimate request transmission unit, 16 is an estimate response reception unit, 17 is an alternative information registration unit, and 18 is an estimate response transmission unit.

Subsequently, the operation will be described.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a main flow in the first embodiment.
The quotation request receiving unit 11 receives the quotation request information and the material provider code from the quotation request department system (S301). In this example, estimation request information, and estimated target material code specifying the material is a estimate of the target, and desired delivery date, and hope amount includes the CPCs. The material provider code is information for specifying a material provider that provides a material to be estimated. However, when the alternative information management server 1 can identify the material provider corresponding to the material to be estimated, it is not necessary to input the material provider code. The alternative information management server 1 can manage the material provider code in advance in association with the quotation target material code, and can specify the material provider code from the quotation target material code included in the quotation request information.

  Next, the alternative information transmission unit 14 presents the alternative information to the system of the quotation request department that has transmitted the quotation request information (S302). This is a process for presenting such information and promoting the examination as a purchase candidate when there is a substituteable material (for example, compatible parts) in the material that the initial quotation request department makes as a purchase candidate. It is.

Here, the process of S302 will be described in detail.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a processing flow relating to presentation of alternative information in the first embodiment.
The alternative material search unit 12 searches for an alternative material from the alternative information database 13 (S401). Alternatively the information database 13, and the alternative materials code identifying the object to be alternate materials, which are materials that are alternative to, an alternative material code specifying alternative materials are materials that substitute for is associated. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an alternative information database. For example, the first record shows a relationship that the material “XXX-00001” can be used instead of the material “XYZ-00001”.
Alternative Material searching unit 12 as a key estimate target material code to be included in the estimation request information, locate the record having matching the alternative materials code, obtains the alternative materials code included in the record. When there are a plurality of records having matching substitute material codes, those substitute material codes are acquired. For example, in this example, when “XYZ-00001” is input as an estimation target material code, three alternative material codes “XXX-00001”, “YYY-00001”, and “ZZZ-00001” are obtained.

If the alternative materials is was not, the process ends, if there is an alternative material performs transmission of alternative information to the RFQ department system (S402, S403). The substitute information includes information about the material to be estimated and information about the substitute material. In this example, as the information about the estimated target materials, using a quote object material code and estimated target material name, as the information about the alternative materials and using alternative materials name and alternate materials codes. However, only the code or the name may be used. The material code and the material name are associated by a database (not shown). The alternative information transmission unit 14 incorporates these pieces of information in the display screen and transmits them to the system of the request for quotation section. It is also effective to describe the display screen in a page description language such as HTML.
If there is no substitute material, it is also effective to send a message indicating that no substitute material has been registered to the system of the quotation request department.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the estimate requester who has obtained information about the alternative material in this way can add an estimate request for the alternative material (S303). In this case, the alternative information management server 1 selects the alternative material displayed by the above-mentioned HTML document, and transmits the information to the alternative information management server 1 from the system of the request for quotation section. Generate quotation request information by replacing the quotation target material code included in the request information with an alternative material code. It is good also as a structure which uses the material provider code | cord | chord received previously as a code | cord | chord of the material provider used as the transmission destination of the newly produced estimation request information. Or you may make it receive a material provider code anew. Further, the material provider code may be registered in advance in association with the alternative material.

  Next, an estimate reply and alternative information are acquired from the material provider system specified by the material provider code (S304).

Here, the process of S304 will be described in detail.
FIG. 6 is a processing flow relating to an estimate reply and alternative information acquisition in the first embodiment. The estimate request transmission unit 15 transmits the estimate request information to the material provider system specified by the material provider code (S601). The estimate request information includes the same content as the estimate request information.

  Thereafter, the estimate response receiver 16 receives the estimate response information. The estimated response information includes an answer delivery date, an answer quantity, an answer unit price, and the like in addition to the estimate target material code. If there is an alternative material, the material provider's system also transmits the alternative material code, and therefore receives the alternative material code as alternative information (S602).

  The estimate response information is transmitted from the estimate response transmission unit 18 to the system of the estimate request department (S603).

  When an alternative material code, which is alternative information, is also received, alternative information registration processing is performed (S604, S605). If the alternative information has not been received, the process ends.

Here, the process of S605 will be described in detail.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a substitute information registration process flow.
The alternative information registration unit 17 acquires the quotation target material code and the alternative material code in association with each other from the estimate response reception unit 16, and outputs a confirmation screen that prompts the user to determine whether or not to register as alternative information (S701). . In this example, this screen is transmitted to the system of the request for quotation section. However, the information may be output to the console of the alternative information management server 1 to prompt the system administrator to confirm.
As a result, evaluation of alternative products is added.

  The alternative information registration unit 17 inputs confirmation of registration suitability as an answer (S702). In this example, confirmation information is received from the system of the requesting department. When the system administrator confirms as described above, input from the console.

If the confirmation result is NO, the process is terminated without registration (S703). If the confirmation result is appropriate, the estimation target material code is registered in the replacement information database 13 in association with the replacement material code as the material to be replaced, and the process ends. However, registration is not performed if there are duplicates.
In this way, the substitute information provided together with the estimate reply from the material provider is accumulated.

  In the above-described example, an example in which the requester of the estimate accesses via the network is shown, but it is also effective to directly access from the console of this server.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
In the present embodiment, a description will be given of a form in which alternative information is provided from a material provider and stored separately from the estimate reply.
FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of an alternative information management server according to the second embodiment. In this configuration, an alternative information receiving unit 19 is added. Other configurations are the same as those in FIG. The estimated response receiving unit 16 and the estimated response transmitting unit 18 are omitted.

FIG. 9 is a processing flow regarding acquisition of alternative information according to the second embodiment.
The alternative information receiving unit 19 receives the alternative information alone (S901). The substitute information is information in which the substitute material code and the substitute material code are associated with each other. The alternative information registration unit 17 performs a registration process similar to the process of FIG. 7 described above (S902).

Embodiment 3 FIG.
In the present embodiment, a description will be given of a mode in which the number of times of provision of alternative information is managed for each material provider as a cumulative number, and the handling is advantageous for a material provider with a large number of times.
FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of an alternative information management server according to the third embodiment. In the present embodiment, an alternative information provision count storage unit 20 is added.

  FIG. 11 is a processing flow relating to an estimate reply and alternative information acquisition in the third embodiment. S601 to S604 are the same as the processing of FIG. In S605, in addition to the processing of FIG. 6, the material provider code is also registered in association with it.

  The substitution information registration unit 17 adds the substitution information provision count of the substitution information provision count storage unit 20 one by one each time the substitution information is registered (S1101). Thereby, the frequency | count of alternative information provision for every material provider can be managed.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the alternative information provision count storage unit. For each material provider, a material provider code and the number of alternative information provisions are stored in association with each other.

Next, the use of alternative information provision times will be described.
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a processing flow regarding presentation of alternative information in the third embodiment. S401 is the same as the processing of FIG. 4, but the material provider code is also acquired.

  The alternative information transmission unit 14 receives the material provider code together with the alternative material code, and reads the alternative information provision count corresponding to the material provider code from the alternative information provision count storage unit 20 (S1301). When there are a plurality of alternative materials, the number of alternative information provisions corresponding to the material provider code is read for each.

  The substitute information transmitting unit 14 generates a display screen so as to display information about the substitute material in a format corresponding to the number of times of providing the substitute information (S1302). For example, information on alternative materials is arranged from the top in the order of the highest number of alternative information provisions. Alternatively, it is also effective to display information about substitute materials or to perform modification for items with a large number of substitute information provisions. In addition, it is also possible to display the name of the material provider and the number of times of providing alternative information in association with information about the alternative material. As described above, these screens are described in, for example, a page description language.

  The information thus made is transmitted in the same manner as in the process of FIG. 4 (S403).

  In addition to such utilization, it is also effective to provide the number of times that alternative information is provided when deciding whether to accept an estimate.

Embodiment 4 FIG.
In the present embodiment, a description will be given of a mode in which the number of times of providing alternative information is updated when receiving and accumulating alternative information from a material provider separately from the estimate reply.
FIG. 14 is a configuration diagram of an alternative information management server according to the fourth embodiment. Similar to FIG. 10, an alternative information provision number storage unit 20 is provided.

  FIG. 15 is a processing flow regarding acquisition of alternative information according to the fourth embodiment. S901 and S902 are the same as those in FIG. 9, but in S902, the material provider code is also registered in association with each other.

  Further, the substitute information registration unit 17 updates the number of times of providing substitute information (S1501), as in the third embodiment.

  The use of the alternative information provision frequency is the same as in the third embodiment.

Embodiment 5. FIG.
In the present embodiment, by managing the purchase standard code replacement information database 13 in association with the alternate material code, when transmitting the alternative information is described embodiment to simultaneously transmit purchase standard information.

  FIG. 16 is a configuration diagram of an alternative information management server according to the fifth embodiment. It is configured to be connected to the purchase standard database 30 so that purchase standard information corresponding to the purchase standard code can be referred to. The purchase standard information is information on standards such as product specifications such as appearance dimensions and electrical characteristics, and materials such as acceptance conditions such as a defect rate.

The replacement information database 13 is configured to register a purchase standard code in association with the material to be replaced. The purchase standard code can be registered at the time of the request for quotation or separately from the request for quotation.
FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a second configuration example of the alternative information database.

  The substitute material search unit 12 acquires the purchase standard code together with the search for the substitute information, and the substitute information transmission unit 14 reads the purchase standard information corresponding to the purchase standard code from the purchase standard database 30 and replaces the substitute information. And send it together.

  Note that the purchase standard information may be disclosed to the material provider. As a result, there is an advantage that the material provider can examine the validity of the alternative information.

Embodiment 6 FIG.
In addition to the estimate reply, it is effective to present purchase standard information even in a configuration in which substitute information is provided and stored by a material provider.

  FIG. 18 is a configuration diagram of an alternative information management server according to the sixth embodiment. The operation is performed in the same manner as in the fifth embodiment.

Embodiment 7 FIG.
In the present embodiment, a description will be given of a mode in which, when obtaining substitute information from a material provider, a substitute condition is also obtained, and the condition is disclosed to an estimate request department.
FIG. 19 is a configuration diagram of an alternative information management server according to the seventh embodiment. The substitute information database 13 is configured to store substitute conditions in association with substitute material codes. FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a third configuration example of the alternative information database.

  Subsequently, the operation will be described. The estimate response receiving unit 16 receives the alternative condition together with the alternative material code when receiving the estimate response. The substitution information registration unit 17 registers substitution conditions together when the substitution information is registered.

  The substitute material search unit 12 acquires a substitute condition together with the substitute material code when searching for a substitute material, and the substitute information transmission unit 14 transmits the substitute condition together.

Embodiment 8 FIG.
In the present embodiment, a configuration in which alternative information is provided from a material provider separately from an estimate reply and an alternative condition is also acquired will be described.
FIG. 21 is a configuration diagram of an alternative information management server according to the eighth embodiment. The alternative information database 13 is configured in the same manner as in the seventh embodiment.

  The substitute information receiving unit 19 receives the substitute condition together with the substitute material code when receiving the substitute information. The substitution information registration unit 17 registers substitution conditions together when the substitution information is registered.

  The presentation of alternative information is the same as in the seventh embodiment.

  The above-mentioned alternative information management server is a computer, and each element can execute processing by a program. Further, the program can be stored in a storage medium so that the computer can read the program from the storage medium.

It is a block diagram of the whole system. 2 is a configuration diagram of an alternative information management server in Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a main flow in the first embodiment. 6 is a diagram showing a processing flow regarding presentation of alternative information in Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the structural example of an alternative information database. 6 is a processing flow relating to an estimate reply and alternative information acquisition in the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows the registration process flow of alternative information. FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of an alternative information management server in a second embodiment. 10 is a processing flow regarding acquisition of alternative information in the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of an alternative information management server in a third embodiment. It is a processing flow regarding estimate reply and alternative information acquisition in the third embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structural example of an alternative information provision frequency storage part. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a processing flow regarding presentation of alternative information in the third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of an alternative information management server in a fourth embodiment. 10 is a process flow relating to acquisition of substitute information in the fourth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of an alternative information management server in a fifth embodiment. It is a figure which shows the 2nd structural example of an alternative information database. FIG. 20 is a configuration diagram of an alternative information management server in a sixth embodiment. FIG. 20 is a configuration diagram of an alternative information management server in a seventh embodiment. It is a figure which shows the 3rd structural example of an alternative information database. FIG. 20 is a configuration diagram of an alternative information management server in an eighth embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Quote request receiving part, 12 Alternative material search part, 13 Alternative information database, 14 Alternative information transmission part, 15 Quote request transmission part, 16 Quote response receiving part, 17 Alternative information registration part, 18 Quote reply transmission part, 20 Alternative information Provision number storage unit, 30 purchase standard database.

Claims (3)

An alternative information management device characterized by having the following elements: (1) An estimate request input unit for inputting estimate request information including an estimate target material code that specifies an estimate target material that is an estimate target material;
(2) and the alternative materials code identifying the object to be alternate materials, which are materials to be replaced, the replacement information database for storing in association with alternative materials code specifying alternative materials are materials that substitute for, (3) replacement information An alternative material that retrieves an alternative material code that matches the target material code included in the quotation request information entered by the quotation request input unit from the database and reads the alternative material code that is associated with the matched alternative material code Search part,
(4) An alternative information output unit that outputs information about the alternative material specified by the alternative material code read by the alternative material search unit;
(5) in association with the object to be alternative material code and the alternative material code, before being registered in the replacement information database, and outputs information urging to confirm the registration of the propriety, the confirmation of the registration is appropriate An alternative information registration unit that, when input, registers in the alternative information database. An alternative information management device that is connectable to a purchase standard database that stores purchase standard information about a material to be estimated in association with the material code to be estimated, and has the following elements: An estimate request input unit for inputting an estimate request information including an estimate target material code for specifying an estimate target material that is a material to be
(2) Substituted material code that identifies the material to be replaced that is the material to be replaced, an alternative material code that identifies the alternative material that is the material to be replaced, and a purchase standard code that identifies purchase standard information about the material to be replaced An alternative information database that associates and stores
(3) Search the substitute information database for a substitute material code that matches the quote target material code included in the quote request information entered by the quote request input unit, and substitute material associated with the matched substitute material code Alternative material search part that reads out codes and purchasing standard codes,
(4) the purchase standard information associated with purchasing standard codes read by alternative materials searching unit reads from the purchase standard database, and the read purchase standard information, read by alternative materials retrieval unit alternative An alternative information output unit that outputs information about the alternative material specified by the material code. An alternative information management device characterized by having the following elements: (1) An estimate request input unit for inputting estimate request information including an estimate target material code that specifies an estimate target material that is an estimate target material;
(2) An alternative information database that stores an alternative material code that specifies an alternative material that is an alternative material, an alternative material code that specifies an alternative material that is an alternative material, and an alternative condition;
(3) Search the substitute information database for a substitute material code that matches the quote target material code included in the quote request information entered by the quote request input unit, and substitute material associated with the matched substitute material code Alternative material search part that reads out codes and alternative conditions,
(4) An alternative information output unit that outputs information about the alternative material specified by the alternative material code read by the alternative material search unit and the read alternative condition.

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