JP2010134750A - Inventory management system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inventory management system answering inventory conditions of spare articles, the system providing a consumer with predictive information about periods available of respective spare articles. <P>SOLUTION: The inventory management system collectively manages spare articles for maintaining multiple equipment and answers inventory conditions of spare articles in response to a query input from each equipment. The system includes a consumer terminal 2 to input a query about inventory conditions of required spare articles and a server device 1 including a stock database having inventory conditions stored therein and a shipment history database of respective spare articles. The server device retrieves the stock database in response to a query from the consumer terminal to acquire a stock condition including the present number of spare articles about which the consumer queries, and furthermore retrieves the shipment history database to acquire a past shipment history of the spare articles and calculates a period when the spare articles can be shipped, on the basis of the acquired inventory condition of the spare articles, the shipment history of the spare articles and the number of spare articles and provides the consumer terminal with the period as an answer. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an inventory management system, and more particularly to an inventory management system that manages spare parts commonly used by a plurality of consumers.

  Industrial or business devices, such as power plants, require stable operation over a long period of time. For this reason, it is important to secure consumables, spare parts, etc. necessary for maintenance inspection. In general, the system administrator considers consumables and spare parts that are important in consideration of ensuring safety and improving the operating rate, and within the scope of expenses allocated for maintenance and inspection. Parts are procured and stored.

  By the way, unlike consumables and periodic replacement parts, which can be planned in advance from the operation plan of the equipment, in the case of spare parts to be secured assuming replacement in the event of a part failure, what type of preliminary crystal is actually how much It is difficult to predict in advance whether the required quantity will be required. In particular, in the method in which spare parts are selected and secured in units of individual business operators, there are cases where the actual number of arranged parts is small and surplus is generated, or the actual usage is large and additional arrangement is required.

  In particular, in a device that is operated for a long time, it is often difficult to obtain a spare part from a certain point in the operation period. This occurs when, for example, the discontinuation of component production comes earlier than the end of the operation period, regardless of the useful life of the device itself. In such a case, depending on the type of component, the function of the apparatus may be degraded, the safety may be reduced, or the apparatus may be stopped.

  Some manufacturers that provide equipment support the continuation of operations by making proposals to update all or parts of the equipment, in conjunction with prior notification of the suspension of parts provision for such problems. However, the cost and period required for renewing the apparatus are often larger than the cost and period required for purchase and replacement when spare parts are available.

Therefore, a company with surplus items registers in advance the spare parts trading system for equipment maintenance in advance, and the part that has a shortage of parts designates a model in the spare parts trading system for equipment maintenance. When inquiring, a system has been proposed that introduces the names of businesses that have the same type of surplus goods (see Patent Document 1).
JP 2002-73832 A

  According to the prior art, a means for registering and retrieving surplus spare parts is provided. However, it takes a lot of labor to investigate and confirm how long the parts necessary for formulating a long-term maintenance plan for the apparatus can be obtained (estimated provision period).

  In the conventional technology, it is assumed that each consumer is connected to other consumers via a network, and each consumer stores and maintains spare parts by themselves. In this transaction, it is assumed that price negotiations will be conducted between consumers.

  On the other hand, a server that can be accessed by multiple consumers and spare parts manufacturers is arranged, and a mechanism for storing and maintaining spare parts jointly for multiple consumers using the server is prepared. However, if it is possible to provide the consumer with a predetermined unit price, the consumer can easily find other consumers with surplus goods, and other demand It is possible to easily obtain spare parts without having to negotiate with the buyer. In addition, such a spare part common management system (server) may be constructed by a manufacturer who manufactures parts, or by a consumer.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and in an inventory management system that collectively manages spare parts necessary for formulating a long-term maintenance plan for an apparatus, demand for speculative information about each spare part availability period is demanded. The inventory management system which can be provided to a person is provided.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention employs the following means.

  Inventory management system that collectively manages spare parts that can be commonly used for each equipment for the maintenance of multiple equipment, and responds to the inventory status of spare parts in response to inquiries from each equipment that requires spare parts A customer terminal that can input inquiries about the inventory status of spare parts that need to be obtained, an inventory database that stores the inventory status including the number of spare parts, and past shipping history of each spare part In response to an inquiry from the consumer terminal, the server apparatus searches the inventory database to determine the current number of spare parts that have been inquired. Including the inventory status, search the shipping history database, obtain the past shipping history of the inquired spare parts, the inventory status of the acquired spare parts, and the spare parts The number of members of the refrigerator history and spare parts and calculates the goods issue possible period of spare parts to the original answer to the consumed electric terminal.

  Since the present invention has the above-described configuration, the spare parts necessary for the development of the long-term maintenance plan of the apparatus are collectively managed, and the spare parts are in stock according to the inquiry input from each facility that requires the spare parts. In the inventory management system that answers the situation, it is possible to provide the consumer with speculative information about the availability period of each spare part.

  Hereinafter, the best embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an inventory management system according to the present embodiment that performs inventory management of spare parts. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a server device (stock management server device) that manages the inventory of spare parts, and a plurality of consumer terminals 2 (customer terminals) that consider purchasing spare parts via the network 3. Connected. In addition, it can connect with the manufacturer terminal which manufactures a spare part via the network 3. FIG.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the details of the inventory management server 1. As shown in the figure, the inventory management server device 1 includes a search extraction program unit 11, a database unit 12, and a registration calculation processing unit 13. The search extraction program unit 11 includes a part specification search unit 111, a compatible product search unit 112, an inventory product search unit 113, and a delivery history search unit 114.

  The database unit 12 in the inventory management server device includes a consumer name database 121, a manufacturer name database 122, a parts name database 123, a compatible product database 124, an inventory product database 125, and a delivery history database 126.

  The registration calculation processing unit 13 includes an information registration unit 131 for registering information in each database in the inventory management server device, a consumer interface unit 132, an estimated provisionable period calculation unit 133, and a record management for recording inventory fluctuations. Part 134.

  FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing a data format of each database in the database unit 12 in the inventory management server device.

  In FIG. 3, a consumer name database 121 is a database for the name of a business operator who is a consumer, and an attribute “customer ID” 401 that is a consistent customer number assigned to each consumer, and each consumer's name. An attribute “customer name” 402 which is a common name or a formal name is included.

  The manufacturer database 122 is a database for the manufacturer of each part, and has an attribute “manufacturer ID” 403 that is a consistent number assigned to each manufacturer and an attribute “manufacturer” that is a common name or official name of each manufacturer. "Person name" 404 is included.

  The part name database 123 is a database for each part. The attribute “part ID” 405 which is a part consistent number assigned to each part, the attribute “part type” 406 which is a part type, and the manufacturer of the part “ It includes a manufacturer ID “403”, an attribute “specification ID” 407 of the consistent number of the component technical specification that indicates the technical specification of the component, and a “part unit price” 413 that is the unit price of the component. In addition, it is desirable that one manufacturer is set so that data of other manufacturers (manufacturers with different manufacturer IDs) cannot be viewed.

  The compatible product database 124 is a database for parts compatible with each part. The “part ID” 405 of each part and the “part ID” 408 which is a different type part compatible with the part ID 405. Attribute “Modification Necessity” 409 indicating the presence or absence of modification work required when using a different type of part with a “Conversion Manual ID” that indicates the modification procedure when modification is required "410".

  The inventory database 125 is a database for inventory managed by the inventory management server. The inventory number attribute “inventory ID” 411, the “part ID” 405 of the part, and the number of parts owner attribute “Number of parts” 412 is included.

  The delivery history database 126 is a database about the past delivery history of each part. The “part ID” 405 of each part, the attribute “issue date” 414 of the date of delivery of the part, the number of parts delivered “ The number of outgoing members “415” and the “customer ID” 401 of the consumer who received the part are included. In addition, it is desirable that one consumer is set so that data of other consumers (customers with different customer IDs) cannot be viewed.

  When the search / extraction program unit 11 in the inventory management server apparatus shown in FIG. 2 receives an inquiry from the consumer terminal 2 as to whether or not spare parts are in stock, the part specification search unit 111 receives the inquiry “ Based on the “part ID” 405, the parts name database 123 and the manufacturer database 122 are searched to search and extract information on the inquired parts.

  The compatible product search means 112 also searches the compatible product database 124, the part name database 123, and the manufacturer database 122 based on the “part ID” 405, and is compatible with the inquired part. Search and extract the information.

  The inventory searching means 113 searches the inventory database 125 and the part name database 123 based on the “part ID” 405, and searches for and extracts information on the number of inventories of the inquired parts.

  The delivery history search means 114 searches the delivery history database 126, the inventory database 125, and the parts database 123 based on the “part ID” 405, and searches and extracts the past delivery history of the inquired parts.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing performed by the inventory management server device and the consumer terminal 2 via the network 3.

  First, the consumer inputs the required spare part part type via the consumer terminal 2. This input information is transmitted to the consumer interface unit 132 of the inventory management server device 1 through the network 3 (Sl).

  The part specification retrieval means 111 that has received the inputted spare part part type via the interface unit 132 of the inventory management server device 1 searches the part name database 123 and finds the part corresponding to the part type 406 of the inquiry part. ID 405 is extracted (S2).

  Next, the compatible product search means 112 searches the compatible product database 124 and extracts the compatible product part ID 408, the necessity of modification 409, and the modification instruction ID 410 based on the part ID 405 of the inquiry part (S3). . Note that when a plurality of compatible products are registered in association with one component, the component IDs of the plurality of compatible products are extracted.

  Next, the part specification retrieval unit 111 extracts the manufacturer name 404, the part model 406, and the specification ID 407 from the part name database 123 and the manufacturer name database 122 based on the part ID 405 of the inquired part and its compatible part. (S4). For the part specification, electronic data of an actual part specification document may be registered in the server and extracted instead of extracting only the specification document ID 407.

  Next, the inventory searching means 113 searches the inventory database 125, extracts the number 412 of the inventory corresponding to these parts based on the parts ID 405 of the inquired parts and the compatible parts, and for each model. Add together (S5).

  Next, the outgoing history search means 114 searches the outgoing history database 126 and extracts the part unit price 413, the outgoing date 414, and the outgoing number 415 of the inquired parts and the compatible parts.

  Next, the estimated provision period calculation unit 133 calculates an estimated provisionable period based on these pieces of information and the current inventory quantity 412 obtained in (S5) (S6).

  As an example of calculation of the estimated provision period by the estimated provision period calculation unit 133, the total number of issuers in the past one year is regarded as the estimated number of deliveries per year, and the value obtained by dividing the current inventory number by the estimated number of deliveries per year is estimated provision period And so on. In addition, as a calculation formula for the estimated provision period, a predetermined calculation method may be used, or a plurality of calculation methods may be prepared and a consumer may be selected.

  Next, the consumer interface unit 132 of the inventory management server apparatus 1 sends the inquiry name and the compatible product manufacturer name 404, the part ID 405, the part type 406, the specification ID 407, the modification to the consumer terminal 2 through the network 3. Response information including necessity / unnecessity 409, remodeling instruction ID 410, number of members 412, part unit price 413, and estimated availability period is transmitted (S7).

  The consumer terminal 2 that has received the reply information from the inventory management server device 1 presents the reply information to the consumer. The information provided to the consumer includes the number of parts in stock, the price, the estimated availability period, etc., and helps the consumer make an appropriate decision.

  The consumer who has obtained the above information inputs the ID of the part to be delivered and the required number to the consumer terminal 2 if he / she wants to issue the spare part. The input ID and number information is transmitted to the record management unit 134 via the network 3 via the consumer interface unit 132 of the inventory management server device 1 (S8).

  The record management unit 134 corrects the part ID and the number of parts in the inventory database 125 based on the input, and adds the input part ID 405, the date of delivery 414, the number of goods issued 415, and the customer ID 401 to the delivery history database 126. Is updated (S9).

  As described above, the inventory management server device estimates how long it is possible to provide parts in the future based on the number of stocks stored in the database and past shipping history, A function is provided for answering inquiries from consumers about the number of stocks and the estimated availability period.

  The inventory management server device also has a function of providing a history of the number of past transactions in response to an inquiry from a consumer through a consumer terminal. The inventory management server device also has a function of providing information related to a compatible product of an inquiry type (ID) part in response to an inquiry from a consumer through a consumer terminal.

  In this way, a consumer who needs spare parts can check the inventory status of spare parts. In addition, obtaining necessary information on spare parts that will cause discontinuation of production and make it difficult to obtain in the future by obtaining information on the history of delivery of spare parts to date and the estimated provision period. This can be reflected in future maintenance plans and used to improve the operating rate of the apparatus. In addition, the consumer can know the estimated information of the preliminary crystal inventory information that is expected to be difficult to obtain in the future, including the compatible parts, and how long it will be available in the future. And can be useful in formulating long-term maintenance plans for equipment.

It is a figure explaining the inventory management system concerning this embodiment. It is a figure explaining the detail of the inventory management server 1. FIG. It is the block diagram which showed the format of the data of each database. It is a figure which shows the procedure of the process which an inventory management server apparatus and a consumer terminal perform via a network.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Spare part inventory management server apparatus 2 Consumer terminal 3 Network 11 Search extraction program part 111 Parts specification search means 112 Compatible goods search means 113 Inventory goods search means 114 Outgoing history search means 12 Database part 121 Customer name database 122 Manufacturer name Database 123 Parts name database 124 Compatible product database 125 Inventory product database 126 Delivery history database 13 Registration calculation processing unit 131 Information registration unit 132 Consumer interface unit 133 Estimated available period calculation unit

Claims (6)

Inventory management system that collectively manages spare parts that can be commonly used for each equipment for the maintenance of multiple equipment, and responds to the inventory status of spare parts in response to inquiries from each equipment that requires spare parts Because
A consumer device that allows you to enter inquiries about the availability of spare parts that you need to obtain,
An inventory database that stores the inventory status including the number of spare parts, and a server device that has a delivery history database that stores past delivery history of each spare part,
In response to an inquiry from the consumer terminal, the server device searches the inventory database to obtain an inventory status including the current number of spare parts for which an inquiry has been made,
In addition, search the outgoing history database to obtain the past outgoing history of spare parts that were inquired,
A stock management system that calculates a spare part delivery period based on the acquired inventory status of the spare parts, the spare part delivery history and the number of spare parts, and responds to the consumer terminal. . The inventory management system according to claim 1,
The inventory management system according to claim 1, wherein the spare part is a spare part that the power plant stores for plant equipment maintenance. The inventory management system according to claim 1,
The server apparatus includes a management terminal for managing the database, and the terminal is arranged on a manufacturer side of the spare part. The inventory management system according to claim 1,
The inventory management system according to claim 1, wherein the number of spare parts is a number including surplus parts. Equipped with a server to manage the spare parts that can be commonly used for each equipment for the maintenance of multiple equipment, and to answer the inquiries from each equipment that needs the spare parts. An inventory management method,
Receiving the inquiry input of the inventory status of the spare parts that need to be obtained via the customer terminal and transmitting it to the server;
In response to an inquiry input from the consumer terminal, searching the inventory database to obtain an inventory status including the current number of spare parts inquired;
A process of searching a shipping history database to obtain a past shipping history of a spare part inquired;
A process of calculating the spare parts issue period based on the spare parts issue history and the current number of spare parts;
An inventory management method comprising a step of responding to the consumer terminal with the acquired inventory status of the spare part and a possible delivery period. The inventory management method according to claim 5, wherein
The inventory management method according to claim 1, wherein the spare part is a spare part that the power plant stores for plant equipment maintenance.

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