JP2008250842A - Information notification device, information notification method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information notification device capable of notifying fault information to a customer using application software even if the customer does not have a support contract. <P>SOLUTION: A user computer notifies the use state of the software by executing a communication unit incorporated in the introduced software. The notified use situation is stored in a use result management DB 22. The contact to the customer is stored in a customer management DB 25, and the fault of the software is stored in a fault management DB 23. A management device extracts the customer who is using the software with which a fault is generated from the use situation stored in the use result management DB 22, and notifies the customer of the fault information on the software. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to an information notification device, an information notification device, and a program for notifying defect information of application software.
In recent years, computers have come to be used in many fields, and there are a wide variety of fields for using application software installed in computers. A defect in the application software is provided to the customer according to a support contract between the customer who uses the application software and the manufacturer that provides the software.

  Conventionally, when a problem occurs in application software executed on a computer, the defect information is sent from the manufacturer by e-mail according to the support contract concluded between the manufacturer and the customer. Be notified to customers via. In addition, defect information may be disclosed on a support page opened by the manufacturer, and the customer accesses the page according to the URL received via a sending means such as e-mail, or accesses the page voluntarily. Thus, it is possible to obtain defect information.

  By the way, a manufacturer that has created multiple types of application software from the manufacturer notifies customers who have signed a support contract of defects in all application software via email or Web, as well as application software version upgrade information, etc. Also notify. In other words, since the customer is notified of unnecessary information to the application software being used, the customer may spend a lot of time or overlook the necessary defect information.

  Also, much of the application software can be used after the support contract ends. In such a case, since the manufacturer does not notify the defect information, the customer cannot know the defect information.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide information notification capable of notifying a customer who uses application software, even if a customer does not have a support contract. An apparatus, an information notification method, and a program are provided.

  In order to achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 1 is an information notifying device for notifying a customer of information on a defect occurring in software installed in a user computer used by a customer, wherein the user computer Is to notify the usage status of the software by executing a communication unit incorporated in the installed software, and to the usage record storage means for storing the notified usage status, at least to the customer The customer who is using the software in which the defect has occurred is extracted from the customer storage means in which the contact information is stored, the defect storage means in which the software defect is stored, and the usage status stored in the usage record storage means Customer search means for performing, and defect information notification means for notifying the extracted customer of the software defect information. Those were example.

  According to this configuration, the user computer used by the customer notifies the usage status of the software every time the software is used. Since the information notification device notifies the customer of software defects based on the notified usage status, even if the customer does not have a support contract, the customer who uses the corresponding software will be informed about the software. Will be notified.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the information notification device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the information notification device includes a monitoring target reference storage unit in which a target range for monitoring the usage status of the software is stored. The use date and time of the software is stored, and the customer search means compares the use date and time of the use result storage means with the target range, and extracts customers who use the software within the target range.

  According to this configuration, since troubles are notified to customers who use software within the target range, customers who use software intermittently, or customers who manufacture products designed using software, etc. It is possible to notify various customers of defects. Further, when the target range is exceeded, it is determined that the software is not used, so that an unnecessary defect is not notified and the necessary defect can be easily determined.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the information notification device according to the first or second aspect, the defect storage means stores a degree of importance of the defect, and the customer storage means stores information related to software. Necessity is stored, and the defect information notifying means notifies the defect information to the customer regardless of necessity of the notification when the importance is serious, and when the importance is not significant. Notifies the defect information to the customer set as needing the notification and does not notify the customer set as the notification not necessary to the defect information.

  According to this configuration, even if the customer does not want information about the software, the customer is notified of important defects, and the customer who does not want to be notified of unimportant defects is not important. It is possible to easily know only the troubles.

  The invention according to claim 4 is an information notification method for notifying the customer of information on defects occurring in software installed in a user computer used by a customer, the user computer including the installed software Is used to notify the usage status of the software by executing the communication unit incorporated therein, and the usage record storage means for storing the notified usage status and at least the contact information to the customer are stored. Customer storage means, defect storage means for storing software defects, and a customer search step for extracting a customer who is using the software in which the defect has occurred, from the usage status stored in the usage record storage means, A defect information notification step of notifying the extracted customer of the software defect information.

  According to this configuration, the user computer used by the customer notifies the usage status of the software every time the software is used. Since the information notification device notifies the customer of a software defect based on the notified usage status, the information notification apparatus is notified of the problem of the software being used.

  The invention according to claim 5 is a program for causing a computer to function as an information notifying device for notifying the customer of information on a defect occurring in software installed in a user computer used by the customer, wherein the user The computer notifies the usage status of the software by executing a communication unit incorporated in the introduced software, and stores the usage history storage means for storing the notified usage status, at least the customer From the customer storage means in which contact information is stored, the defect storage means in which software defects are stored, and the usage status stored in the usage record storage means, the customer who is using the software in which the defect has occurred is selected. A customer search means for extracting, and a notification of notifying the extracted customer of the software defect information. And if the information notifying means, in which causes the computer to function as the information notifying apparatus which includes a.

  According to this configuration, the user computer used by the customer notifies the usage status of the software every time the software is used. Since the information notification device notifies the customer of a software defect based on the notified usage status, the information notification apparatus is notified of the problem of the software being used.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an information notification apparatus, an information notification method, and a program capable of notifying a customer who uses an application software of defect information, even if the customer does not have a support contract.

Hereinafter, an embodiment embodying the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration and connection form of a system.
The user computer 11 is connected to a manufacturer's server computer (hereinafter simply referred to as a server) 13 through a network 12 such as the Internet so as to be capable of mutual communication. A management device 15, developer computer 16, sales representative computer 17, and management database (DB) group 20 are connected to the server 13 via an in-house network 14.

  Application software (hereinafter simply referred to as software) provided by the manufacturer is installed in the user computer 11. As shown in FIG. 5, the software 31 includes a system unit 31a composed of one or a plurality of components used by the user for development and the like, and a communication unit 31b for notifying the manufacturer of the usage status of the software 31. ing. The communication unit 31 b is automatically executed by the user computer 11 whenever the user uses the software 31, that is, whenever the user computer 11 executes the software 31. The computer 11 transmits the usage information of the software 31 to the server 13 of the manufacturer shown in FIG. 1 by executing the communication unit 31b. When the server 13 receives the usage information, the server 13 stores the usage information in a predetermined management DB of the management DB group 20.

  The management DB group 20 stores information on customers who have sold the software 31, information on defects occurring in the software 31, and the like. For example, customer information is stored by a salesperson, and defect information is stored by a developer. When a sales contract is established with a customer, the sales representative registers the contracted software 31 information and customer information in the management DB group 20 by operating the computer 17. When a defect is found in the software 31, the person in charge of development registers information regarding the software 31 in which the defect has occurred, information on the defect, and the like in the management DB group 20 by operating the computer 16. The management device 15 as an information notification device notifies the customer of defect information corresponding to the software 31 installed in the customer user computer 11 based on various information stored in the management DB group 20.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the management device 15.
The management device 15 includes a computer used for general purposes such as a personal computer and a workstation, and includes a central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as CPU) 41, a memory 42, a storage device 43, an input / output device 44, a communication device 45, and Drive devices 46 are provided and are connected to each other via a bus 47.

  The CPU 41 executes a program using the memory 42 and realizes processing necessary for the decoupling cell arrangement. The memory 42 stores programs and data necessary for performing the decoupling cell arrangement process. The memory 42 usually includes a cache memory, a system memory, a display memory, and the like (not shown).

  The input / output device 44 includes a display device used for displaying a layout display, a parameter input screen, and the like, and an input device used for inputting a request or instruction from a user and parameters. A CRT, LCD, PDP or the like (not shown) is usually used for the display device. As the input device, a keyboard and a mouse device (not shown) are used.

  The communication device 45 is used for connection to the network 14, performs data conversion associated with communication, and transmits and receives programs and data to and from other information processing devices (server 13 or computers 16, 17).

  The storage device 43 normally includes a magnetic disk device, an optical disk device, a magneto-optical disk device, etc. (not shown). The storage device 43 stores program data for information notification processing shown in FIG. In response to an instruction from the input / output device 44, the CPU 41 appropriately transfers the program and data stored in various files to the memory 42, and sequentially executes the program. Then, the CPU 41 reads files and data necessary for executing the program and creates files and data by executing the program in the storage device 43. The storage device 43 may be used as a database.

  A program executed by the CPU 41 is provided on the recording medium 48. The drive device 46 drives the recording medium 48 and accesses the stored contents. The CPU 41 reads the program from the recording medium 48 via the drive device 46 and installs it in the storage device 43. What is stored and provided in the recording medium 48 is not limited to a program, and various data such as a library may be provided.

  As the recording medium 48, any computer-readable recording medium such as a memory card, a flexible disk, an optical disk (CD-ROM, DVD-ROM,...), A magneto-optical disk (MO, MD,. Can be used. A semiconductor memory, an externally connected hard disk device, or the like may be used. The above-described program can be stored in the recording medium 48 and loaded into the memory 42 for use as necessary.

  The recording medium 48 includes a medium on which a program uploaded or downloaded via a communication medium is recorded, a disk device, a storage device of a server device to which the management device 15 is connected via a communication medium, and the like. Furthermore, not only a recording medium that records a program that can be directly executed by a computer, but also a recording medium that records a program that can be executed by being installed on itself or another recording medium (such as a hard disk) or an encrypted program. Or a recording medium on which a compressed program is recorded.

Next, the configuration of the management DB group 20 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 2, the management DB group 20 includes a monitoring target standard management DB 21, a usage record management DB 22, a defect management DB 23, a contract management DB 24, a customer management DB 25, and a notification history management DB 26. Each of the DBs 21 to 26 stores a monitoring target standard, usage record, defect information, contract information, customer information, and notification history.

  FIG. 3A shows a data configuration example of the monitoring target standard. The monitoring target standard is composed of data items for the period until the judgment during use and distribution. The monitoring target criterion is a criterion for monitoring whether or not the customer who has purchased the software 31 is a customer who notifies the software 31 of a defect. The system administrator of the management device 15 sets the monitoring target standard management DB (monitoring target standard storage means) 21 as a target range management target standard for monitoring the usage status of software.

  A customer may not use the software by upgrading the version or installing other software including the function of the software. In addition, the customer may not be used temporarily for a long period of time, depending on the form and cycle of work. When the software is no longer used, it is not necessary to notify the customer of a defect that occurs in the software, and it becomes difficult to understand other necessary information (for example, defect information in software having a higher version). For this reason, it is determined whether or not the software is used, and the defect information about the software being used is notified. If it is not used temporarily, it is necessary to notify defect information. For this reason, for example, a period of the past year is set as a reference for determining whether or not the service is being used.

  In addition, a period until distribution is set. As an example of software targeted by the information notification apparatus of the present embodiment, there is software (CAD software) that generates design data of a semiconductor integrated circuit device (LSI). In the case of this software, when a defect occurs in the component of the system unit 31a, the defect may be inherent in the design data of the LSI designed by the software 31 or the operation of the LSI. A defect inherent in the design data and a defect in the operation of the LSI (for example, a calculation error) may appear after the actual chip is created. This chip is created after the elapse of a predetermined period from the creation of design data, that is, the use of the software 31. Further, the defects inherent in the chip appear after the chip is actually used, that is, after the chip is distributed. Therefore, the monitoring target standard is used even after the contract ends, and the time required for the distribution of the secondary product such as a semiconductor chip created by using the software 31 is not necessary even if it is outside the contract period. It is set to notify.

  FIG. 3B shows a data configuration example of the usage record. The usage record includes data items of product name, version, use date and time, use function, and license number. As described above, this usage record is notified from the user computer 11 to the server 13 by the communication unit 31b included in the software 31, and stored in the usage record management DB (use record storage unit) 22. The product name and version are the product name and version number of the software 31, respectively. The use date and time is the date and time when the software 31 was used, that is, executed by the user computer 11. The use function is information (name) for specifying a function (component) executed by the user computer 11 or utilized by the user computer 11. The license number is a number notified to the user by the support contract for the software 31.

  FIG. 3C shows an example data structure of defect information. The defect information is composed of data items of defect ID, product name, version, date of occurrence, defect function, importance, and content. The defect ID is an identification code for identifying the defect that has occurred, and the product name and version are the product name and version number of the software in which the defect has occurred. The occurrence date is the date when the defect occurred (date when the defect was found), and the defect function is information on the function (component) where the defect occurred. The importance is the degree of influence of the defect, and the content is the content of the defect. If a software product developer finds a defect in the software, the date and time of occurrence of the defect, the version in which the defect occurs, the degree of influence, the content of the defect, etc. are registered in the defect management DB (defect storage means) 23.

  FIG. 3D shows a data configuration example of the contract information. The contract information is composed of data items such as a license number, contract customer ID, contract period, product name, version, number, and usage. The license number is a number notified to the user by the support contract of the software 31, the contract customer ID is the identification number of the customer who has concluded the support contract, and the contract period is the period of the support contract. The product name and version are the product name and version number of the software subject to the support contract, the number is the number of software licensed to the customer, and the usage is the usage of the software.

  FIG. 3E shows a data configuration example of customer information. Customer information includes contract customer ID, company name, name, email address, telephone number, and notification data items. The contract customer ID is the identification number of the customer who has signed the support contract, the company name is the company name, and the name, email address, and phone number are the name, email address, and phone number of the other party that notifies the software information. . The notification indicates whether or not to notify information related to the software contracted by the customer when the support contract is concluded.

  When the sales contract of the software is concluded with the customer, the sales person registers the license number, the support contract period, the version information, the usage, etc. in the contract management DB (contract storage means) 24. At the same time, the customer's personal information, contact information, and necessity of notification of product information are registered in the customer management DB (customer storage means) 25.

  FIG. 3F shows a data configuration example of the notification history. The notification history is composed of data items of defect ID, notification customer ID, and notification date. The defect ID is an identification code for identifying the defect that has occurred, the notification customer ID is an identification code for identifying the customer who has notified the defect, and the notification date is the date when the defect is notified. When notifying the customer's computer 11 of the defect, the management device 15 registers the identification code for identifying the notified defect, the identification code of the notified customer, and the notified date in the notification history management DB (notification history storage means) 26. .

Next, information notification processing performed by the management device 15 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
First, in step 51 (monitoring target range setting step: monitoring target range setting means), the management device 15 refers to the monitoring target standard management DB 21 and sets an expiration date to be monitored.

  Next, in step 52 (utilization record acquisition process: utilization record acquisition means), the management device 15 refers to the utilization record management DB 22, compares the expiration date acquired in step 51 with the referenced use date and time, and is effective. Get the product name / version / license number of the software used within the time limit.

  Next, in step 53 (defect acquisition process: defect acquisition means), the management device 15 refers to the defect management DB 23 and uses the product name / version acquired in step 52 to determine the defect occurring in the software being used. Get information.

  Next, in step 54 (customer search step: customer search means), the management device 15 refers to the contract management DB 24 and identifies the customer in use from the license number acquired in step 52.

  Next, in step 55 (notification determination step: notification determination means), the management device 15 refers to the customer management DB 25 and determines whether notification to the customer specified in step 54 is necessary. At this time, based on the importance level of the defect acquired in step 53, the management device 15 determines that a notification with a high importance level is required regardless of the content of the “notification” item stored in the customer management DB 25. For a defect with low importance, it is determined that a defect notification is necessary for a customer set to be notified according to the content of the “notification” item.

  Next, in step 56, the management device 15 refers to the notification history management DB 26 and confirms whether or not the defect acquired in step 53 has been notified to the customer acquired in step 54. If it has been notified, the process is terminated.

  Next, in step 57 (defect information notification step: defect information notification means), the management device 15 notifies the defect information acquired in step 53 to the customer contact information (email address) acquired in step 54.

  Next, in step 58 (notification history storing step), the management device 15 registers a defect ID and a notification date for specifying the notified defect in the notification history management DB 26, and notifies the notified customer identification number as a notification customer ID. As registered in the notification history management DB 26.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) The user computer 11 notifies the usage status of the software 31 by executing the communication unit 31b incorporated in the installed software 31. The notified usage status is stored in the usage record management DB 22. The customer management DB 25 stores customer contact information, and the defect management DB 23 stores software defects. The management device 15 extracts a customer who is using the software in which the defect has occurred from the utilization state stored in the utilization result management DB 22 and notifies the customer of the defect information of the software. As a result, even a customer who does not have a support contract can notify a customer who uses the corresponding software of a defect related to the software.

  (2) The monitoring target standard management DB 21 stores a target range for monitoring the usage status of software, and the usage record management DB 22 stores the usage date and time of software. The management device 15 compares the usage date and time of the usage record management DB 22 with the target range, and extracts customers who use the software within the target range. Therefore, customers who use software within the target range are notified of defects, so various customers such as customers who use software intermittently or customers who manufacture products designed using software. Can be informed of the problem. Further, when the target range is exceeded, it is determined that the software is not used, so that an unnecessary defect is not notified and the necessary defect can be easily determined.

  (3) The defect management DB 23 stores the degree of importance of the defect, and the customer management DB 25 stores the necessity of notification of information regarding the software. The management device 15 notifies the customer of defect information regardless of the necessity of notification when the importance level is critical, and reports the defect information to the customer set to be notified when the importance level is not critical. , And not to notify defect information to customers who are set to not need notification. Therefore, even if a customer does not want information about the software, the customer is notified of important defects, and the customer who does not want to be notified of unimportant defects is not notified. It becomes possible to know easily.

In addition, you may implement each said embodiment in the following aspects.
In the above embodiment, the necessity of notification to the customer is determined (step 55). However, all defect information is notified to the customer regardless of the importance of the defect, that is, step 55 may be omitted. .

In the above embodiment, the defect information may be notified every predetermined period (for example, one week) based on the registered contents of the notification history management DB 26.
In the above embodiment, the necessity of notification is determined according to the content and importance of the “notification” item, but the necessity of notification is determined according to other information, for example, usage. Also good. Further, the necessity of notification may be determined based on a plurality of information such as usage purposes. For example, if the defect function matches the customer's usage function, it is judged that notification of the defect information is necessary regardless of the contents of the “notification” item. Based on the “degree” item and the “notification” item, the necessity of notification may be determined in the same manner as in the above embodiment.

The technical ideas that can be grasped from the above embodiments are described below.
(Appendix 1)
An information notification device for notifying the customer of information on defects occurring in software installed on a user computer used by the customer,
The user computer notifies the usage status of the software by executing a communication unit incorporated in the installed software,
A usage record storage means for storing the notified usage status;
At least customer storage means storing contact information for the customer;
Fault storage means for storing software faults;
A customer search means for extracting a customer who is using the software in which the malfunction has occurred, from the usage situation stored in the usage record storage means;
A defect information notifying means for notifying the extracted customer of the software defect information;
An information notification apparatus comprising:
(Appendix 2)
A monitoring target reference storage unit storing a target range for monitoring the usage status of the software;
The usage record storage means stores the use date and time of the software,
The information notification according to claim 1, wherein the customer search unit compares the use date and time of the use record storage unit with the target range, and extracts a customer who uses the software in the target range. apparatus.
(Appendix 3)
The defect storage means stores the importance of the defect,
The customer storage means stores the necessity of notification of information about software,
The defect information notifying means notifies the customer of the defect information regardless of necessity of the notification when the importance is serious, and the notification is necessary when the importance is not significant. The information notification apparatus according to appendix 1 or 2, wherein the defect information is notified to the customer set as, and the defect information is not notified to the customer set as not required.
(Appendix 4)
A notification history storage means for storing identification information for specifying the notified defect and notification identification information for specifying the customer who has notified the defect;
The defect information notification means searches the notification identification information in the notification history storage means with the customer identification information searched by the customer search means, and does not notify the customer that there is a notification history for the customer. The information notification apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when there is no notification history for the customer, the customer is notified of the malfunction.
(Appendix 5)
An information notification method for notifying the customer of information on defects occurring in the software installed on the user computer used by the customer,
The user computer notifies the usage status of the software by executing a communication unit incorporated in the installed software,
A usage record storage means for storing the notified usage status;
At least customer storage means storing contact information for the customer;
Fault storage means for storing software faults;
A customer search step for extracting a customer who is using the software in which the defect has occurred, from the usage situation stored in the usage record storage means;
A defect information notifying step of notifying the extracted customer of defect information of the software;
An information notification method comprising:
(Appendix 6)
A monitoring target reference storage unit storing a target range for monitoring the usage status of the software;
The usage record storage means stores the use date and time of the software,
The information notification according to appendix 5, characterized in that, in the customer search step, the use date and time of the use record storage means is compared with the target range, and a customer who uses the software is extracted within the target range. Method.
(Appendix 7)
The defect storage means stores the importance of the defect,
The customer storage means stores the necessity of notification of information about software,
In the defect information notification step, the defect information is notified to the customer regardless of the necessity of the notification when the importance is significant, and the notification is necessary when the importance is not significant. 7. The information notification method according to appendix 5 or 6, wherein the defect information is notified to a customer set to be notified and the defect information is not notified to a customer set to be unnecessary.
(Appendix 8)
A notification history storage means for storing identification information for specifying the notified defect and notification identification information for specifying the customer who has notified the defect;
In the defect information notification step, the notification identification information in the notification history storage unit is searched with the customer identification information searched by the customer search unit, and the customer who has a notification history for the customer is not notified of the defect. Thus, the information notification method according to any one of appendices 5 to 7, wherein when there is no history of notification to the customer, the customer is notified of the malfunction.
(Appendix 9)
A program for causing a computer to function as an information notifying device for notifying the customer of information on defects occurring in software installed in a user computer used by the customer,
The user computer notifies the usage status of the software by executing a communication unit incorporated in the installed software,
A usage record storage means for storing the notified usage status;
At least customer storage means storing contact information for the customer;
Fault storage means for storing software faults;
A customer search means for extracting a customer who is using the software in which the malfunction has occurred, from the usage situation stored in the usage record storage means;
A defect information notifying means for notifying the extracted customer of the software defect information;
A program for causing the computer to function as an information notification device comprising:
(Appendix 10)
A monitoring target reference storage unit storing a target range for monitoring the usage status of the software;
The usage record storage means stores the use date and time of the software,
The program according to appendix 9, wherein the customer search means compares the use date and time of the use record storage means with the target range, and extracts customers who use the software within the target range.
(Appendix 11)
The defect storage means stores the importance of the defect,
The customer storage means stores the necessity of notification of information about software,
The defect information notifying means notifies the customer of the defect information regardless of necessity of the notification when the importance is serious, and the notification is necessary when the importance is not significant. 11. The program according to appendix 9 or 10, wherein the defect information is notified to a customer set as "no" and the defect information is not notified to a customer set as "not required".
(Appendix 12)
A notification history storage means for storing identification information for specifying the notified defect and notification identification information for specifying the customer who has notified the defect;
The defect information notification means searches the notification identification information in the notification history storage means with the customer identification information searched by the customer search means, and does not notify the customer that there is a notification history for the customer. The program according to any one of appendices 9 to 11, wherein when there is no history of notification to the customer, the customer is notified of the malfunction.

It is a schematic block diagram of the network system of one Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the information notification process of one Embodiment. (A)-(f) is explanatory drawing which shows the data structural example of various information. It is a schematic block diagram of an information notification apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of application software.

Explanation of symbols

11 User computer 15 Management device (information notification device)
21 Monitoring standard management DB
22 Usage record management DB
23 Defect Management DB
24 Contract management DB
25 Customer Management DB
26 Notification history management DB
31 Software 31b Communication part

Claims (5)

An information notification device for notifying the customer of information on defects occurring in software installed on a user computer used by the customer,
The user computer notifies the usage status of the software by executing a communication unit incorporated in the installed software,
A usage record storage means for storing the notified usage status;
At least customer storage means storing contact information for the customer;
Fault storage means for storing software faults;
A customer search means for extracting a customer who is using the software in which the malfunction has occurred, from the usage situation stored in the usage record storage means;
A defect information notifying means for notifying the extracted customer of the software defect information;
An information notification apparatus comprising: A monitoring target reference storage unit storing a target range for monitoring the usage status of the software;
The usage record storage means stores the use date and time of the software,
The information according to claim 1, wherein the customer search unit compares a use date and time of the use record storage unit with the target range, and extracts a customer who uses the software in the target range. Notification device. The defect storage means stores the importance of the defect,
The customer storage means stores the necessity of notification of information about software,
The defect information notifying means notifies the customer of the defect information regardless of necessity of the notification when the importance is serious, and the notification is necessary when the importance is not significant. The information notification apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the defect information is notified to a customer set as “no”, and the defect information is not notified to a customer set as not required. An information notification method for notifying the customer of information on defects occurring in the software installed on the user computer used by the customer,
The user computer notifies the usage status of the software by executing a communication unit incorporated in the installed software,
A usage record storage means for storing the notified usage status;
At least customer storage means storing contact information for the customer;
Fault storage means for storing software faults;
A customer search step for extracting a customer who is using the software in which the defect has occurred, from the usage situation stored in the usage record storage means;
A defect information notifying step of notifying the extracted customer of defect information of the software;
An information notification method comprising: A program for causing a computer to function as an information notifying device for notifying the customer of information on defects occurring in software installed in a user computer used by the customer,
The user computer notifies the usage status of the software by executing a communication unit incorporated in the installed software,
A usage record storage means for storing the notified usage status;
At least customer storage means storing contact information for the customer;
Fault storage means for storing software faults;
A customer search means for extracting a customer who is using the software in which the malfunction has occurred, from the usage situation stored in the usage record storage means;
A defect information notifying means for notifying the extracted customer of the software defect information;
A program for causing the computer to function as an information notification device comprising:

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