JP2013175050A - Order reception estimate plan creation support system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technology for achieving the efficiency of an operation to create a suitable estimate plan by a maker (person in charge) with respect to customer request specifications even concerning an object having the large number of candidates of specification items and complicate constraints.SOLUTION: In the system, a setting part 12 performs processing (S2) of generating a plurality of possible combination patterns constituting the specifications of an object product by using component information (21) and rule information (22), and storing those patterns in a DB (23). A GUI (Graphical User Interface) display processing part 11 performs processing (S5) of comparing the configurations of the specifications on the basis of customer request specification information and pattern information, and extracting the plurality of patterns as a plan in the order of a small difference section, processing (S6) of displaying the respective specification information (correction specification items) of a plurality of extracted plans as candidates on a screen; and processing (S7) of registering the specification information selected by a user on the screen as the elements of an estimate plan (alternate plan).

Description

  The present invention relates to information processing technology for managing information such as products and parts (parts and materials constituting the product), specifications, and the like, and relates to a technique for creating an estimate plan for an order specification product and its support.

  (1) There is a business of individual order production (individual order design) as one of the production forms (order production method). In this business, a customer creates a required specification (requirement specification, etc.) of a product (order specification product) and places an order with the manufacturer, and the manufacturer designs and produces the product (specification) based on the customer requirement specification.

  The manufacturer (individual order designer, person in charge of creating the estimate proposal, etc.) selects, for example, a product that satisfies the customer's required specifications from many standard parts (also called common parts) and other parts. Design), create a corresponding estimate (proposed specification), and present it to the customer. When the customer agrees to the estimate plan (proposed specification), the customer receives an order, and the manufacturer designs and produces a product based on the specification.

  Note that the standard parts are parts (types) when, for example, parts and materials necessary for the manufacturer to design and produce a product (specification) are managed as a standard in-house. As for standard parts, for example, existing designed and manufactured parts are sufficiently prepared in their own inventory, or manufacturing drawings and materials are prepared, so that they can be prepared immediately. Therefore, it is an advantageous component in terms of cost (price) and delivery time (lead time: LT). On the other hand, non-standard parts are parts that require new design and procurement, and are disadvantageous in terms of cost and delivery time (LT).

  When a manufacturer creates an estimate plan based on all customer-requested specifications, it will be a product with specifications as requested by the customer, but there is a high possibility that it will be disadvantageous in terms of cost and delivery time. In other words, when creating an estimate plan, for example, if all the parts that meet the customer request specifications can be selected from the standard parts on the manufacturer side, there is a high possibility that the cost, delivery time (LT), etc. may be relatively small. However, for example, when a manufacturer's standard part does not have a part that meets the customer's requirements, and a non-standard part (such as a newly designed part) is selected, the cost for the provision of the non-standard part is as described above. And delivery times are likely to increase.

  If the total cost or delivery date (LT) of the above-mentioned product estimate plan (proposed specification) becomes large, it is difficult to receive an order. Therefore, on the manufacturer's side, the estimated plan (hereinafter referred to as “alternative plan”) is changed (corrected) to a part (specification item, specification value, etc.) of the alternative (similar) while following the original customer requirement specification. ) Can improve values such as total cost and delivery date, and it will be easier for customers to receive orders. For example, by changing a non-standard part corresponding to a certain specification item / specification value to a standard part corresponding to another similar specification item / specification value satisfying the rule, the value of cost and delivery time can be reduced.

  For the sake of explanation, it is assumed that the “specification” of a product is determined by a combination of various specification items and their specification values (specification item values). Examples of specification items are pressure, temperature, voltage, material, and the like. The estimation plan (proposed specification) includes the above specification (combination) and the selection (combination) of components satisfying the specification.

  (2) In addition, when a manufacturer (person in charge) prepares an estimate plan according to the above-mentioned customer request specification, according to the target product, combinations and candidates of specification items / specification values for configuring the specification, The combinations and candidates of parts (including the standard parts and the like) for configuring the product of the specification are diverse and enormous. In particular, in the case of a large-scale system, for example, the number of candidate specification items may be thousands, and the number of candidate parts may be tens of thousands, which will continue to increase. Further, the total cost, delivery date, and the like vary depending on the combination (specification). Depending on the customer, the importance of the product (required specification), the desired cost (price), the delivery date, and the like are different. Conventionally, the above work relies heavily on human experience and knowledge.

  (3) As prior art examples related to the above, there are JP-A-2001-14021 (Patent Document 1), JP-A-2003-108879 (Patent Document 2), and the like.

  Patent Document 1 (“Ordering System”, etc.) provides customers with lower-cost, faster-delivery products by preferentially using standard parts when designing products that meet customer requirements. Issues such as to do are described. In addition, when the delivery date response system receives the required specification from the customer, the recommended specification search unit refers to the database (DB) in the production management system, searches for the recommended specification, and outputs the result. Solution means such as selecting a specification from the recommended specification group is described (see summary).

  In Patent Document 2 (“Proposal Creation Support System” etc.), a problem such as easy creation of a proposal to be created in response to a request from a customer, and a proposal creation support system in response to a customer request Solution means such as searching for a similar proposal from a database and selecting a similar proposal from presented (extracted) similar proposal candidates is described (see summary).

JP 2001-14021 A JP 2003-108879 A

  In the above background, when a manufacturer (person in charge) creates a proposal for a product (specification) according to the customer's required specification (and taking into account any desired cost / delivery date, etc.), the specification item / specification value In addition, it is necessary to select a suitable specification item / specification value or component from candidates and combinations related to the component and create a suitable estimate plan. In particular, as mentioned above, manufacturers can make proposals for cost reductions and shortened delivery times by selecting standard parts as much as possible (alternatives in which some specification items and specification values have been changed in response to customer requirements). By making it, the order rate can be improved.

  However, as described above, when there are a large number of candidates and combinations related to specification items / specification values and parts, the burden of human work is large, a long time is required, and the efficiency is low. In particular, when there is a target cost or delivery date according to the customer's request, it is necessary to consider a suitable specification item / specification value or combination of parts accordingly, so the load is large.

  In particular, a part corresponding to the specification information (specification item / specification value) is selected. At this time, it is necessary to satisfy a predetermined constraint (rule), which affects the load and the like. The above constraints (rules) restrict the relationship between the component parts and the combination of specification items and specification values. The restrictions on the combination of components, the combination of specification items (specification values), the specification items ( There is a restriction (specification-part selection rule) for selecting a part that meets the specification value), and the more complex the number of candidates, the more complicated it becomes.

  In the conventional system example, a mechanism for setting / managing a large number of parts information and a large number of specification information (specification items / specification values) in a DB, a mechanism for setting / managing information on the above constraints (rules) in a DB, etc. However, a mechanism for automatically extracting a suitable estimate plan (alternative plan) using them has not been realized.

  The above work tends to increase the number of candidate specification items, the number of parts, etc., so there is a limit to relying on the experience of a conventional person. In particular, when designing a product (specification) that has no or few cases in the past, such as individual order production / design, the load is large because there is no or little accumulated data information.

  The technique of Patent Document 1 is a small-scale product such as a PC as shown in the example screen for inputting required specifications (FIG. 3) and the recommended specification table (FIG. 6), and selects a combination of components. This is a technology that determines the total specifications. Since each candidate component is a component (product) in accordance with a standard (standard interface), the number of specifications (combinations) is limited. Therefore, the technology such as Patent Document 1 has a complicated restriction (rule) related to parts and specification items as the object of the present invention, and is selected from a combination (candidates) of many parts and specification items. It is unsuitable because it does not support the determination of the product (specification) of this product, or the creation of a suitable alternative by the user (manufacturer in charge).

  In the technique of Patent Document 2, since the past case is used, it is possible to extract a low-cost plan in real time by limiting to the past case, but there is no case as the subject of the present invention or Not suitable for few products. In the case of products with few cases, the number of specification items and specification values to be corrected increases and the load is high. Since this is an example, it is not a technique for creating and extracting alternatives in consideration of the specification items and specification values of the contents.

  As described above, as one of the problems (objectives) of the present invention, for example, with respect to a target product (specification) such as an individual order production / design with little or no past examples, particularly, specification items (and specification values) and parts Effective creation support and partial so that manufacturers (persons in charge) can create efficient estimation proposals for customer requirement specifications for targets with many candidates and complicated constraints (rules) I want to realize a mechanism and technology that realizes automation. In particular, even when a vast amount of specification information (specification items / specification values) or parts information exists as candidates, a suitable estimate plan (for customer-specification specifications) that can be as low-cost and short-delivery as possible according to customer requirements We would like to realize a technology that can easily create alternatives with as few changes as possible and reduce the workload and time required for work.

  In particular, when creating the above alternatives, there are differences (such as changed specification items and specification values) between the customer requirement specifications and the specifications of the alternatives. I want to realize a technology that can support a good balance between the two. In particular, a GUI (graphical user interface) for the above support is configured on the display screen of the computer operated by the person in charge on the manufacturer side, thereby reducing the above operations (including changing specification items) as much as possible. We would like to realize a technology that can be easily implemented, and that makes it possible to easily consider alternatives and trial and error.

  A representative form of the present invention is an order estimate proposal creation support system that performs information processing that supports creation of an estimate proposal for an order specification product by a user using a computer, and has the following configuration. Features.

  In this system, the computer includes an arithmetic device and a storage device, and the arithmetic device displays GUI information for the support on a screen viewed by the user and realizes a dialogue operation process, A setting unit that performs a process of storing setting information for the creation by the user in a DB of the storage device. The DB of the storage device stores data information including customer requirement specification information, component information, rule information, pattern information, and estimate plan information.

  The setting unit includes a first process for setting the customer requirement specification information, component information, and rule information in the DB by the user, and the component information and rule information as the DB setting information. A second process (pattern generation process) that uses data information to generate a pattern of a plurality of possible combinations based on the rule information, which constitutes the specification of the target product, and stores it in the DB as the pattern information And do.

  The GUI display unit compares the configuration of the specifications in the first process of inputting data information including the customer requirement specification information, the customer requirement specification of the input, and the pattern information. The second process (plan search process) for extracting a plurality of patterns as a plan (similar plan) in ascending order and the specification information indicating the configuration of each specification in the extracted plurality of plans in ascending order of the difference portion. In accordance with a third process (plan display process) displayed on the screen as a list to be displayed as a candidate with priority, and specifications of each plan in the list of specification information of the plurality of plans according to the user operation on the screen The specification information selected by the user among the specification information of the difference part constituting the information is registered (temporarily confirmed) as an element constituting the estimation plan (alternative plan), and a plurality of plans excluding the registered element of When the configuration of the specifications based on the registered elements is determined as an estimated plan according to the fourth process (plan editing process) for displaying the status information as the next candidate on the screen and the user operation on the screen, the estimate A fifth process of storing in the DB as plan information is performed.

  According to a typical embodiment of the present invention, for example, there are a large number of specification items (and specification values) and parts candidates and restrictions (rules) regarding a target product (specification) such as individual order production with no or few past cases. ) Is effective for supporting creation and partial automation so that the work of creating a suitable estimate plan by a maker (person in charge) for a customer requirement specification can be made more efficient. In particular, even when a vast amount of specification information (specification items / specification values) or parts information exists as candidates, a suitable estimate plan (for customer-specification specifications) that can be as low-cost and short-delivery as possible according to customer requirements On the other hand, it is possible to easily create alternatives with as few changes as possible, and to reduce the work load and shorten the time.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the system (order estimate plan creation assistance system) of Embodiment 1 of this invention. FIG. 2 is a flowchart of main processing in the system according to the first embodiment. 6 is a diagram illustrating a detailed example of GUI display processing in the system according to the first embodiment. FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a first screen example (G1) in the system of the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows the 2nd screen example (G2a). It is a figure which shows the 3rd example screen (G2b). It is a figure which shows the 4th example of a screen (G2c). It is a figure which shows the 5th example of a screen (G3). FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a pattern creation processing example in the system according to the first embodiment. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of component information in the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of rule information in the first embodiment. FIG. It is a figure which shows the data example 1 (specification combination table | surface) in the pattern generation process example. It is a figure which shows the data example 2 (component combination table | surface) of a pattern generation process example. It is a figure which shows the data example 3 (component combination pattern table) of the example of a pattern production | generation process. It is a figure which shows the data example 4 (specification combination pattern table | surface) of a pattern generation process example. It is a figure which shows the structure of the system (order estimate plan creation assistance system) of Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the 1st screen example (G11) in the system of Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a figure which shows the 2nd screen example (G12). It is a figure which shows the 3rd example screen (G13). It is a figure for the supplementary explanation of the basic concept in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for the supplementary explanation of the concept of the plan search in embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that components having the same function are denoted by the same reference symbols throughout the drawings for describing the embodiment, and the repetitive description thereof will be omitted. In the present embodiment, the target product is a product having a large number of huge candidate parts and specification items, and correspondingly a large number of complicated rules (constraints), such as a large-scale system. is there.

<Summary>
In this system (FIG. 1 etc.), when creating a proposal for a target product (specification) by a maker user (such as a person in charge of creating an order estimate proposal), according to the user operation on the computer screen (GUI), According to the input of customer requirement specifications (combination of specification items / specification values) and rule information, etc., there are as few changes (modifications) as possible to the customer requirement specifications (difference), cost, delivery time (LT), etc. It has a function of performing support processing for creating a suitable estimate plan (alternative plan) that is advantageous also in terms of points (evaluation index) (FIG. 2 and the like). The above functions include a function that allows a user to select and review elements (change specification items) constituting a plan (specification) step by step on a screen (FIG. 4 and the like).

  In FIG. 2, the offline pre-processing unit (setting unit) 12 sets the necessary information (part information, rule information, etc.) in the DB (S1), and patterns (specifications that are possible based on the DB information in advance) A combination pattern) is created and stored in the DB (S2), and an evaluation index value (cost, LT, etc.) corresponding to the pattern (specification) is calculated (S3). The GUI display processing unit 11 includes a customer requirement specification input process (S4), a plan (pattern) search process (S5), an alternative plan display process (S6), an alternative plan edit process (S7), and an alternative plan save / output process (S9). ) Etc.

  In this system, as a way of thinking, it is as standard as possible so that it is as similar as possible to the customer-requested specifications (with fewer changes) from among information on many specification items and parts that are candidates for drafting. A combination (pattern) such as a specification item (corresponding specification value) is automatically extracted so that the specification is used, and presented to the user (person in charge).

  Therefore, in the offline pre-processing, as the pattern generation processing (S2), specifications satisfying the constraints (rules) based on the reference / analysis processing (including rule search) of the component information DB (21) and the rule information DB (22). A plurality of (all) possible patterns relating to (including combinations of specification items and specification values) are generated and stored in the pattern DB (23). In particular, it includes generation and storage of standard specifications (standard specification combination patterns configured using standard parts) ideal for manufacturers. In addition, an evaluation index value (cost, LT, etc.) corresponding to the pattern is calculated and related to the pattern. High speed can be realized when displaying the GUI by offline pre-processing.

  When creating an estimate plan (alternative plan) for a customer request specification, in the plan (pattern) search process (S5), a pattern DB (for the input customer request specification (or a predetermined specification as a premise (comparison target)) is used. From 23), patterns (and corresponding evaluation index values, etc.) similar to the input specification are searched (extracted) as a similar proposal at high speed and presented to the user as a candidate proposal (alternative proposal) as follows: (Screen display). Of a number of patterns, for example, a pattern (plan) having only one specification item (corresponding specification value) having a minimum change (difference) with respect to the input specification is preferentially extracted.

  The number of combinations of specification items and specification values constituting the specification is assumed to be enormous when there are many candidates. Therefore, by creating a pattern of possible combinations by offline processing in advance and storing it in the DB, when the plan is displayed / edited by the user, it is possible to substitute only by matching the minimum unmatch between the required specification and the pattern group. Can be displayed in a short time.

  In the plan display / editing process (S6, S7), the extracted candidate plan and the corresponding evaluation index information are displayed on the GUI screen (eg, FIG. 4). On the screen, information on each proposal is displayed in comparison with the customer requirement specifications, and edits (selection of changed specification items, etc.) by the user with respect to the contents of the proposal (specification items / specification values) are accepted. The data contents and display contents are updated. In the plan display process (S6), a list of specification configurations (changed specification items) corresponding to the plurality of candidates as candidates and information on evaluation indexes (cost, LT, etc.) corresponding thereto are displayed in parallel on the screen. (Example: g1, g2, g3). In many cases, there are a large number of proposals, and not all of them can be displayed on the screen, so information on some proposals is displayed in order of priority. In other words, the evaluation index information is information indicating the effect of the proposal. The list of changed specification items (g1) indicates specification items (specification items that can be changed) to be changed (corrected) with respect to customer-specified specifications (other specification items may not be changed). This is a format that represents alternatives. Proposals based on a plurality of changed specification items are displayed with priority in the order of small differences from the input specifications. In this format, it is not necessary for the user to specify each of the elements (specification items, etc.) that make up the specification (combination), and if the change specification item is specified, the specification (combination) is indicated. Is small.

  Since information on a plurality of proposals (change specification items, evaluation index values) is automatically displayed in a priority-ordered list on the screen, it is easy for the user to perform comparative examination and trial and error. If the user wants to confirm (determine) one of the multiple proposals (change specification items) displayed on the screen as an estimation proposal, it can be performed as it is, and the editing operation of the proposal can be performed as described below. Is possible.

  In the alternative plan editing process (S7), a change specification item (for example, the first item) to be used as an alternative element is arbitrarily designated (selected) from the list of change specification items by a user operation on the above screen. (For example, FIG. 5). Then, the designated (selected) changed specification item (first item) is temporarily confirmed (presupposed, registered) as an element constituting the alternative (for example, displayed in the first column). Then, among all the candidate specification items, the other specification item groups excluding the presumed changed specification item (first item) are variable, and a list is configured and displayed in the same manner as the first time (for example, the first item) (Displayed in the second and subsequent columns) (for example, FIG. 6). Similarly, the user can specify and register a changed specification item (for example, the second item) from the list (for example, displayed in the second column), and similarly, a list of other candidates is displayed (for example, displayed in the third and subsequent columns). ). By repeating the same as described above, the change specification items can be selected and narrowed down one by one from the list (for example, FIG. 7). In the screen, a plurality of change specification items are displayed in the order of designation (registration). In addition, the change specification item that has been temporarily determined can be canceled by a user operation to return to the original (previous) state. It is also possible to select a plurality of change specification items together.

  When the changed specification item (draft) is displayed on the screen, the evaluation index information for each plan is displayed side by side. Therefore, the user can examine a suitable plan while confirming the evaluation index value. The user can also select the type of evaluation index information to be displayed (cost, LT, etc.). For example, it is possible to select a plan (change specification item) that is a suitable evaluation index value (low cost, quick delivery, etc.) while comparing with the target value. The target value can be variably set according to, for example, a desired value on the customer side. Therefore, it is possible to create a plan that balances the wishes of the customer and the manufacturer.

  As a result of simple examination work on the above screen, based on the user's judgment (for example, when the total cost falls below the target value), the alternatives registered (temporarily confirmed) on the screen (one for the required specification) The status of the above alternatives by changing the specification items and specification values) can be determined as an estimate plan and data can be stored. At that time, not only management of the ID (number) of the estimate plan for each target product, but also the history (history) of review of the estimate plan is managed with ID (number). The user can refer to the history (examination ID) of the past examination regarding the estimate plan of a certain product, re-edit the content of the examination plan, and output it as an adoption plan (for customer presentation).

[Supplement (1)]
FIG. 20 shows a supplementary explanation such as a basic concept regarding the present system. The customer requirement specification (input specification A) for a certain product A is composed of a combination of a plurality of specification items-specification values. For example, there are specification items A to D and the like and specification values a1 to d1. A, a1, etc. are symbols for explanation. There can be a plurality of specification values for one specification item. A specific example of a product is a large-scale system. Specific examples of specification items are pressure, temperature, voltage, material, and the like. In addition, the customer request specification may additionally include a value desired by the customer, such as cost and LT.

  As an estimate plan (alternative plan) A related to the product A on the manufacturer side, an alternative plan A is created by changing (correcting) some specification items (specification values) in the customer request specification (input specification A). The estimate plan (alternative plan) A is identified by an estimate ID (plan number), a study ID (review number), and the like. For example, an example in which the specification item B (b1) is changed (corrected) to the specification item B (bx) is shown. This changed portion (difference portion) is referred to as a changed specification item.

  Specifications and parts are related by rules (constraints). As rules (constraints), there are restrictions on the combinations of specification items (specification values) (restrictions between specification items), there are restrictions on the combinations of parts (restrictions between parts), and specification items (specification values) There is a restriction (specification-part selection rule) when selecting a component from

  From the combination of a plurality of specification items (specification values) in the estimate plan A for the specification of the product A, the combination of the components of the product A (part configuration A) can be derived according to the rules (specifically, specification-part selection rule). For example, the structure which consists of components 1-4 etc. is shown. Specific examples of components include various devices and members such as pumps, cases, pipes, and valves, modules, and subsystems. It should be noted that the target product and its parts can be composed of a plurality of lower-order products and parts, for example, in the case of a large-scale system. A similar control can be applied.

  The specification of the estimate plan A is related to the estimated value (total amount in specification unit) of the evaluation index value (cost, LT, etc.). Further, the manufacturer can set (variably) the target value of the evaluation index value in consideration of the desired cost on the customer side.

  As described above, this system processes specification information (specification items / specification values) as a basic unit. As described above, the mutual conversion between the specification information and the component information can be performed based on the rules, and the information display content on the screen can be switched as appropriate.

[Supplement (2)]
FIG. 21 shows a supplementary explanation of the concept of the plan (pattern) search related to this system. As a simple example, it is assumed that a customer request specification (input specification A) is composed of three specification items (specification values): A (a1), B (b1), and C (c1). On the maker side, specification items (specification values): A (a1), A (a2), B (can be specified as candidate specification items (especially standard specification items corresponding to the use of standard parts) managed in the DB. b1), B (b2), B (b3), C (c1), C (c2), and the like.

  A pattern is generated based on the rule information using these candidate specification items (specification values). Patterns 1 to 6 are shown as examples of all possible combinations of A to C that satisfy the rule. For example, in the pattern 1 {a1, b1, c1}, the specification item (specification value) is a combination of A (a1), B (b1), and C (c1), and there is no change specification item for the customer requirement specification. Pattern 2 {a2, b1, c1} is a combination of A (a2), B (b1), and C (c1) as the specification item (specification value). Is changed from a1 to a2. Similarly, pattern 3 {a1, b2, c1} (B (b1) → (b2)), pattern 4 {a1, b1, c2} (C (c1) → (c2)), pattern 5 {a1, b1, c3} (C (c1) → (c3)), pattern 6 {a2, b2, c2} ((A (a1) → (a2), B (b1) → (b2), C (c1) → (c2)) For example, the combination {a2, b2, c1} may not be possible based on the rules.

  At the time of similar plan extraction (S5), a plurality of patterns (for example, in priority order) in which the change specification item is the smallest (one) as described above from the pattern DB by the minimum unmatch search process of the specification item. Patterns 2 to 6) are extracted as similar plans (plans 1 to 5). In the plan display process (S6), the extracted similar plans (formats represented by the changed specification items) are displayed on the screen in the priority order of extraction. Further, for example, the evaluation index values (for example, total cost) for each plan are rearranged in the order of smallness and displayed on the screen. For example, the order is plan 5, 2, 1, 3 and 4.

  By generating and storing patterns satisfying the rules as described above (including standard specification combination patterns) in advance, high-speed processing is possible during display / editing. As an alternative, an alternative based on a standard specification combination pattern using standard parts (for example, parts whose type (priority) is “standard (high)”) as much as possible is preferentially used (extracted, displayed, etc.). A standard specification combination pattern is generated in advance and stored in the pattern DB, and extracted preferentially at the time of a plan search.

<Embodiment 1>
The system according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[work]
Examples of work in this system are as follows. The customer communicates the customer requirement specification to the manufacturer. The person in charge of the manufacturer uses this system (Fig. 1 etc.) to create an estimate plan (especially an alternative plan in which some specification items and specification values have been changed) according to the customer requirement specifications (create multiple plans) You may). The person in charge presents the created estimate plan (alternative plan) to the customer. If the customer agrees with the proposed plan, the customer places an order with the manufacturer, the manufacturer receives an order, and instructs the production of the product with the specifications of the estimated plan. If the customer does not agree with the proposed plan, the customer requests the manufacturer (person in charge) to review the estimate plan (consider other plans). The manufacturer person in charge creates another plan by referring to and editing the estimate plan and the past review plan (history), for example, using this system, and presents it to the customer.

  Note that the main function of this system (FIG. 1) is up to the creation of an estimate plan by a user (person in charge) on the manufacturer side. Presenting the created proposal to the customer, sending the proposal data, etc. are performed separately. The customer does not operate the system (screen).

[System (1)]
FIG. 1 shows the configuration of the system according to the first embodiment (including an order estimate proposal creation support system). The entire system has a configuration in which an order estimate proposal creation support system 100 (abbreviated as “system”, “support apparatus”, etc.) and another system 200 (production management system, etc.) are connected via a communication network or the like. The system (support apparatus) 100 performs processing for supporting a user's task of creating an estimate plan. A user (person in charge on the manufacturer side) operates (uses) the system (support apparatus) 100. The main functions of the system 100 can be realized by a computer device (PC or workstation) and its software program processing. Other forms such as a client / server system and a cloud system may be used.

  The other system 200 is an arbitrary system that holds existing parts information or the like to be used for processing in the system 100 in a DB, such as a production management system or a parts information management system. The system 100 may acquire the existing component information and the like in cooperation with the other system 200, or may store the information in a DB in the other system 200. Further, the present system 100 (main function) may be mounted as a part of the other system 200.

  The system (support device) 100 includes an arithmetic device 101 (CPU, etc.), a storage device 102 (memory, disk, etc.), a communication I / F device 103, an input / output I / F device 104, an input device 105, an output device 106, And general elements such as a bus. The communication I / F device 103 performs communication interface processing for the communication network. The input / output I / F device 104 is a driver that performs input / output interface processing for an input device 105 such as a keyboard / mouse and an output device 106 such as a display. The user can operate the input device 105 while looking at the screen of the output device 106 to create an estimate plan.

  The arithmetic device 101 includes a GUI display processing unit (interactive operation processing unit) 11 and an offline preprocessing unit (setting unit) 12 as main processing units (functions). The GUI display processing unit 11 includes a data input unit 51, a plan search unit 52, a plan display / editing unit 53, and a data output unit 54. The offline preprocessing unit 12 includes a pattern generation unit 55 and an evaluation index calculation unit 56.

  The storage device 102 stores various data information in a DB, a table, or the like. As the data information to be managed, for example, there are a required specification DB 20, a product / parts DB 21, a rule DB 22, a pattern DB 23, and a plan DB 24. In addition, the specification information DB, the evaluation index information DB, and the like may be managed depending on the detailed mounting configuration.

  The GUI display processing unit 11 performs GUI display processing (interactive operation processing with the user) of the screen of the system 100. The data input unit 51 performs processing for inputting / acquiring various data information including customer request specifications and storing it in a DB (storage device 102). The plan retrieval unit 52 performs a process of retrieving (extracting) a similar plan from the pattern DB 23 when creating a plan. The plan display / editing unit 53 performs a process of displaying plan information on the GUI screen, a process of editing the content of the plan by a user operation, and the like. The data output unit 54 stores various data information such as an estimate plan in the DB (including history management), and reads and outputs various data information from the DB (display, printing, input / output to other systems 200). Etc.).

  The offline preprocessing unit (setting unit) 12 performs various processes such as setting various data information in the DB (storage device 102) by the user as offline processing prior to the work of creating the estimate plan. The setting work can also be operated on the GUI screen. The pattern generation unit 55 generates a pattern based on information in the product / part DB 21 and the rule DB 22 and stores the pattern in the pattern DB 23. The evaluation index calculation unit 56 performs processing for calculating evaluation index information (value) such as cost and LT (delivery date) according to the pattern.

  The requirement specification DB 20 stores data information of input customer requirement specifications. The product / parts DB 21 stores various types of data information relating to products to be estimated and parts for constituting the parts (example: FIG. 10 described later). This part information also includes cost information and LT information for each part.

  The rule DB 22 stores rule (constraint) information (example: FIG. 11 described later). As described above, this rule information includes the specification item constraint, the component constraint, and the specification-component selection rule.

  The pattern DB 23 stores pattern information generated by the pattern generation unit 55 and evaluation index information related to the pattern (example of pattern information: described later, FIG. 15).

  The plan DB 24 stores data information of the estimate plan (including history management). The information of the estimate plan includes history management information such as an estimate ID and a review ID, specification configuration information, evaluation index information, and difference information with respect to customer request specifications. At the same time, the plan attribute / status information (for example, information indicating that the plan is a proposal to be presented to a customer or an adoption plan) may be managed.

  Note that a conventional technique may be applied to a technique for setting and managing component information, rule information, and the like by the setting unit 12 in the DB. A component designer or the like may set (input) rule information and component information in the DB.

[Main processing]
FIG. 2 shows an outline (flow) of characteristic processing in the system 100. S1 etc. indicate processing steps.

  (S1) First, in the processing of the left side, the offline pre-processing unit (setting unit) 12, the user (designer or the like) appropriately stores the part information (information of individual parts, cost and LT information) in the product / part DB 21 or the like. Etc.) are set. The part information includes information on standard parts in particular. The standard part is a part of a specific type (priority) that becomes low-cost or short LT by standardization in-house, for example. Further, various kinds of constraint information (rule information) including part information and specification information (information of individual specification items and specification values) are appropriately set in the rule DB 22 by the user. The constraint information (rule information) includes, in particular, inter-component constraint information, inter-specification item constraint information, specification-component selection rule information, and the like. In the first embodiment, the specification information is included in the rule information, but the specification information may be managed separately.

  (S2) In the pattern generation processing by the pattern generation unit 55, all possible pattern information (including standard specification combination patterns) based on the rules is generated using the information of the product / part DB 21 and the rule DB 22, and is stored in the pattern DB 23. Store. In other words, in the process of S2, parts information, specification information, rule information, etc. are analyzed in advance, and patterns (specification combination patterns / specification patterns) by combinations of a plurality of specification items / specification values that satisfy the rules are comprehensively included. calculate. This combination (pattern) includes a pattern based on a combination of standard specification items and specification values (corresponding standard parts).

  (S3) In the evaluation index calculation process by the evaluation index calculation unit 56, the cost corresponding to each pattern is calculated by aggregating the component cost and the LT value using the information in the product / part DB 21 and the pattern information in S2. And evaluation index values such as LT are calculated. Then, the evaluation index calculation unit 56 associates the obtained evaluation index information with the pattern and stores it in the pattern DB 23. An evaluation index information DB or the like may be provided separately.

  For example, 56 indicates the addition of the cost (estimated value) for each part and the combination cost (for example, the cost required for combining parts in the manufacturing process) for a certain pattern specification (combination of a plurality of specification items / specification values). The total cost for each pattern is calculated by adding the estimated value.

  Further, 56 calculates a total LT value for each pattern by adding a procurement LT value for each part, a manufacturing LT value, and the like for a certain pattern specification.

  Also, 56 is a method for calculating the overall priority (or recommendation level) of each pattern unit by weighting calculation or the like with reference to the value of the type (priority) for each part of the specification of a certain pattern. Good. For example, a pattern using a part whose type is a standard part (priority: high) has a high priority.

  (S4) On the other hand, in the process (interaction operation process) by the GUI display processing unit 11, on the basis of the user operation on the screen, first the customer input specification information (input specification d1) is input by the data input unit 51. And stored in the requirement specification DB 20 (or temporary memory or the like). Further, the user inputs an instruction to start creating an estimate plan (alternative plan) for the input specification d1 on the screen.

  In S4, the user can also execute a new design as usual (preparation of an estimation plan without using a pattern) and editing of a past review plan in the plan DB 24 (described later) on the screen (described later). This is a case where the creation of an estimate plan using a pattern is started.

  (S5) Next, a plan (pattern) search process by the plan search unit 52 is performed. The plan search unit 52 searches the pattern group in the pattern DB 23 using the input specification d1 as a condition, and extracts a pattern similar to the input specification d1 as a similar plan. In other words, the plan search unit 52 compares the input specification d1 with a plurality of patterns, and extracts a pattern with a small difference portion in which the specification items of both are unmatched (mismatched) in a priority order with a small difference portion. That is, a plurality of patterns are extracted as similar proposals (candidates for alternatives) in the order that minimizes the change (modification) of the specification items with respect to the customer request specifications. The plan retrieval unit 52 stores information on the extracted plurality of plans (candidates) (specifically, pattern numbers and change specification item ID information) and information on evaluation index values related to the patterns in the temporary memory or the plan DB 24. Hold and use in S6 and below.

  When a plan is extracted or displayed, since there may be a large number of plans, extraction and display processing is performed for each predetermined number (N) in priority order.

  (S6) Next, as an alternative plan display process by the plan display / editing unit 53, using the data of a plurality of patterns (plans) extracted in S5, the plan (substitute plan) is displayed on the GUI screen (described later, FIG. 4). Information for displaying a list or the like is displayed, the information is displayed on the screen, and the user is prompted to select a change specification item and receive an operation. In S6, not only the information on the revised specification items (corresponding specification values, etc.) representing the plan but also the information on the evaluation index (cost, LT, etc.) corresponding to each plan are displayed in a list in the screen (together together) Display).

  Here, in S5, in many cases, a large number of patterns (plans) are extracted. Therefore, in S6, information on the large number of plans cannot be displayed on the screen at a time. Therefore, priority is given to a pattern (plan) similar to the input specification d1 (combination of a plurality of specification items, etc.), that is, information on some plans is first displayed in the order in which there are few changed specification items (unmatched portions). To display. That is, the information on the alternative (candidate) that has only one change specification item with respect to the input specification d1 is displayed on the screen with the highest priority, and then the proposal that has two change specification items is displayed. And so on.

  In addition, for example, it is assumed that there are a large number of change specification items (unmatched portions) even with only one top priority plan. In this case, the plurality of proposals (change specification items) are displayed in a predetermined priority order (for example, the order of the following evaluation index values).

  For example, the plan display / editing unit 53 rearranges the list information of the corrected specification items of a plurality of plans by extraction in the order of the evaluation index value for each plan (corrected specification item) in good order (for example, the lowest total cost value). Display within.

  The display method (priority order) of the information in the screen may be displayed in a predetermined priority order based on the setting from the beginning, or once the display is performed, the user selects and sorts the display order (sort) It may be possible. Note that the user can refer to low priority information that is not initially displayed on the screen according to a slide operation on the GUI.

  (S7) Next, as an alternative plan editing process by the plan display / editing unit 53, an editing (correction) operation on the screen content (plan) of S6 by a user operation is accepted, and a plan (correction specification) is received according to the operation. Item) is edited, the display content of the screen is updated, and the data information (plan DB 24) of the corresponding plan is updated. For example, it is shown on a screen (FIGS. 5 to 7) described later.

  The plan display / editing unit 53 assumes the revised specification item selected (designated) on the screen by the user as a premise (temporarily confirmed) as an item constituting the alternative plan, and displays it at a predetermined position (“alternative plan completed” line). A list is similarly formed and displayed on the screen for a plurality of correction specification items (candidates) other than the selected correction specification item (display content update). Similarly, the user can select (specify) a correction specification item to be premised (temporarily determined) next. Further, it is possible to perform an operation of canceling the registered change specification item and returning it to the original state (the previous state or an arbitrarily designated past state).

  By repeating the above, the user can register and cancel the changed specification items step by step from among the multiple (many) candidates (change specification items), and can narrow down and review the alternatives (specification specifications). Configuration) can be created and edited. For example, if the evaluation index value corresponding to the plan exceeds the target value, the user can consider correcting the value to another specification item (substitution) and approaching the target value.

  (S8) After examining the contents of the plan on the screen, the user determines whether to end (determine) the plan as one estimate plan (alternative plan). The decision conditions include, for example, when there are no specification items that can be modified anymore in the proposal, when the proposal is configured using all standard parts (corresponding standard specifications), or the evaluation index of the proposal For example, the value falls below the target value.

  (S9) If not finished (determined) in S8, the process returns to, for example, S5 and can be reconsidered or saved in the middle of the examination. When ending (determining) in S8 (Y), for example, in response to an operation for determining a plan on the screen, the data output unit 54 performs processing for saving the plan as an estimated plan (data file) in the plan DB 24. The data output unit 54 stores the data information (plan ID, specification configuration (change specification item / specification value), corresponding part information, evaluation index value, etc.) of the estimation plan in the plan DB 24. At this time, the data output unit 54 manages the estimate plan with an examination ID as a history management function. Further, the data output unit 54 can output the stored estimate plan at any time. For example, it can be read out as a plan for presenting to a customer.

  As the history management function, the history (history) of a plurality of examinations is managed by the examination ID for each estimation (estimation ID) of one target product. Therefore, it is possible to select (reproduce, etc.) and edit each study plan (study ID). For example, the user can read a plan that has been reviewed in the past on the first screen by the GUI display processing unit 11, reproduce it, edit it, and save it as the latest study plan.

[GUI display processing]
FIG. 3 shows an example of detailed processing related to the plan display / editing processing by the GUI display processing unit 11 (corresponding to screens and functions described later). In the process 300, a basic GUI screen is displayed to the user, and input of data such as customer request specifications and various instructions are accepted. For example, when a plan creation instruction is received, processing corresponding to S5 (pattern DB search based on input specifications) is performed in 301. In 301, a correction specification item (difference part) is extracted for each pattern (plan) (a plurality of specification items (and specification values) are extracted in the order of least unmatch). Corresponding to 301, at 302, an evaluation index information (cost, LT, etc.) corresponding to the corrected specification item (difference part) for each pattern (plan) is extracted.

  In 303, a process of creating a display list (g1 to be described later) of a plurality of proposals 301 (modified specification items) is performed. These plural plans are rearranged in the order of the corresponding evaluation index values, and are made into a display list including a plurality that can be displayed on the screen. Correspondingly, in 304, similarly, a process of creating a display list (g2, g3 described later) of evaluation index information of a plurality of proposals (correction specification items) is performed. The display list is sorted in the order of evaluation index values and includes a plurality of items that can be displayed on the screen.

  In 305, the display list (g1) created in 303 is displayed on the screen. Correspondingly, in 306, the display list (g2, g3) created in 304 is displayed on the screen. These display lists are displayed in accordance with user designation (priority order).

  In 307, the screen display contents and the selection of the correction specification item by the user from the display list (g1) of 305 are received and the selected correction specification item is registered (temporarily determined) as a component of the plan. The data is updated, and the process such as 301 is repeated in the same manner. When the user receives an operation for referring to a plan (corrected specification item) that is not displayed in the display list 305, other processes with lower priority are performed by performing the processes 301 to 305 in the same manner. Extract and display information on the proposal.

  In 308, according to the setting of the target value of the evaluation index information by the user, the target value information is added to the display list (g2, g3) and displayed.

  In 309, when the user receives an instruction to determine an estimate plan (alternative plan) (plan determination) from the display list (g1) 305, the plan is determined and the data is saved, and the screen returns to the screen 300 or the like. When the user receives an instruction such as referring to a designated estimate plan (plan reference) on the screen 300, the data of the designated estimate plan is displayed on the screen and can be output at 310.

[Screen G1]
FIG. 4 shows a first GUI screen display example (G1) in the first embodiment. It is an example of a screen of the plan display process of S6. In this screen G1, as illustrated, information on a plurality of alternatives (candidates) regarding the estimated plan (plan number (estimated ID) = A001) is displayed. On the screen G1, information on a plurality of alternatives (corrected specification items) is displayed in a list or the like in parallel with the evaluation index information in the order in which the correction of the specification items with respect to the input specification d1 is minimized.

  g1 is a display column (list) of correction specification items (change specification items). g2 is a display column for the corresponding total cost. g3 is a display column of the corresponding total LT. g4 is a correction enable / disable button described later (FIG. 8), and can be set to enable / disable correction (change) for each specification item. g5 is a part for designating priority items for display (sorting). g6 is a designated portion when not only g1 but also evaluation index information (g2, g3, etc.) is additionally displayed. g7 is a button for moving or deleting an additional display item. Although not shown, buttons and menus for each operation are displayed.

  (G1) In the modified specification item display field, the user can select and operate the changed specification item as in S7. Each column (1, 2, 3,...) Stores correction specification items and specification value information one by one. For example, “design pressure” is a specification item, and “a1” is a specification value, and corresponds to A and a1 in FIG. 21 described above (note that A, a1, etc. are convenient symbols for identification). Each specification item can be linked to information such as the corresponding specification value and parts. The row a shows information on the customer requirement specification (input specification d1), and there is no correction specification item. The row b (“alternative proposal completed”) shows information on the proposal (corrected specification item) registered (temporarily confirmed) by the user (the state in FIG. 4 is not yet present). Each line of c displays information on the change specification items that are candidates for correction in priority order. d indicates information (name or ID) of the specification item. e indicates a cell whose value is not displayed. The user can refer to the information of each row and each column with a slide bar or the like.

  (G2) In the total cost display column, the total cost value corresponding to each line of g1 on the left side is displayed as a bar graph (bar) or the like as in g8. g9 is a target value related to the total cost value, and can be variably set by the user.

  (G3) In the total LT display field, similarly, the total LT value corresponding to each row of the left g1 is displayed by comparison with the target value.

  For example, in the case of the first plan (corrected specification item A), the total cost value is 14 and the total LT value is 36.

[Screen G2]
5 to 7 show examples of transition (G2a to G2c) from the screen G1 (g1). The user can select correction specification items one by one for narrowing down.

  On the screen G2a of FIG. 5, the correction specification item to be registered (temporarily confirmed) is selected by the user operation from among a plurality of candidate correction specification items (columns 2 to 7) shown in the first column at g1 ( It is specified. For example, “Pump material” in the second row is selected. Then, this specification item is registered in the row b as in the screen G2b in FIG. Based on the selected correction specification item “pump material”, the plan search unit 52 extracts the next candidate (correction specification item) in the pattern search (minimum unmatch search) as in S5, and displays the screen G2b. The list is displayed in the priority order as in the example of the second column and the third column. For example, the first row is a case where one candidate is “gas flow rate”, and the second row is a case where two candidates are a set of “supply pressure” and “supply temperature”.

  Similarly, when the user selects, for example, the fourth row “power supply voltage” and “power supply capacity” from the candidates in the second column and the third column on the screen G2b of FIG. As shown in the screen G2c of FIG. Thereafter, a plurality of modified specification items can be registered in the same manner.

  In the screen G2c of FIG. 7, when the user determines a plan based on the modified specification item registered in the row b as one estimate plan (S8), the user selects the plan row or a plan determination button (C) is executed, and the data output unit 54 performs processing for saving the plan.

[Screen G3]
FIG. 8 shows a fifth screen example (G3) relating to a part of the screen G1. As shown in this screen example, the user can perform settings (filtering) to facilitate handling of a large amount of information (such as candidate specification items). The user can set whether or not to change (modify) the units such as individual specification items and specification item groups (categories) on this screen G3. Of all the information, the target for which operations such as display / editing (correction) can be performed is limited to the unit set as “can be corrected”, so that the user can easily handle a lot of information and work easily.

  When the user executes the correction enable / disable button (g4) on the screen G3, for example, as shown in g11, a correction availability setting column for each specification item is displayed. In g11, the user can select (check) individual specification items that can be corrected, for example, a. Similarly, it may be a format in which the user selects (checks) a specification item that cannot be corrected.

  Further, as another example, as shown in g12, a setting column for whether or not correction is possible in units of specification item groups (categories) may be displayed. In g12, the user can select (check) individual specification item groups that can be modified, for example, b. The specification item group (Gr) is a group of a plurality of specification items.

  For example, when the g14 specification item Gr button is executed, a specification item group (Gr) setting field is displayed as in g13. In g13, the user can select the specification items constituting each group in the selection column of c. For example, specification items A, D, E, and F constituting the group Gr001 are selected. Then, it can be reflected (set) by the reflecting button.

  The setting unit 12 does not display items that are set to be uncorrectable as described above on the screen (GUI). Or, although it is displayed, a selection operation as a correction specification item by the user is not permitted. Thereby, the load of handling many specification items can be reduced. Although not shown in the drawings, the setting unit 12 can accept and set various filtering conditions (for example, component types) on the screen.

[Pattern generation processing]
Next, a detailed example of the pattern generation process (S2) of the first embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 10 to 15 show examples of data used in this pattern generation processing example (FIG. 9).

[Parts information]
FIG. 10 shows an example of a data table of component information in the product / component DB 21. In particular, an example of standard part information (D01) for creating a standard specification combination pattern is shown. This table has (a) part name, (b) part code (corresponding to part ID), (c) cost, (d) LT, (e) type, etc. as management items (columns). c is the value of the cost of the part, and d is the value of LT (delivery date, etc.) of the part. e indicates the type of the part. For example, A is a standard part (recommended, priority = high), and B is a non-standard part (not recommended, priority = low). The standard parts of A include, for example, permanent parts in stock at the manufacturer (factory), parts inventory, parts for manufacturing, and parts that do not require new design (existing design). Non-standard parts of B include, for example, parts that need to be purchased from the outside and parts that require a new design.

[Rule information]
FIG. 11 shows an example of a data table of rule information in the rule DB 22. In particular, an example of rule information (D02) including a specification-component selection rule for selecting a standard component from standard specification items and specification values is shown. This table has (a) rule number, (b) rule classification, (c) conditional expression, and (d) output as management items. a shows the number which identifies a rule. b indicates the classification (type) of the rule (constraint). For example, A indicates a restriction between specification items, B indicates a restriction between parts, and C indicates a specification-part selection rule. The row 1101 is an example of A, the row 1102 is an example of B, and the rows 1103 and 1104 are examples of C. c and d indicate that d is output when the conditional expression c is satisfied. The description format of c and d is “specification item (specification value)” or “part name (part code)”.

  e is, for example, in the row of category A in 1101, when the specification item (specification value) of the conditional expression (c) is “withstand voltage (standard)” and (&) “power frequency (50)”, or “withstand voltage” When (standard) and “power supply frequency (60)”, the specification item (specification value) of the output (d) is “operating voltage (400)”.

  Then, it is assumed that the user selects, for example, the power supply frequency (50) from the state of e (corrected specification item) (f). Then, as shown in the row of rule number 7 in the row of section C of 1104, since it corresponds to the “use voltage (400)” and “power supply frequency (50)” of the conditional expression (c), the output (d ) Part name (part code) is “pressure regulating valve (PCV1)”. That is, it indicates that the part (PCV1) is automatically selected according to the rule from the specification item / specification value specified by the user.

  As in the above example, the setting unit 12 (pattern generation unit 55) searches and processes not only the specification-component selection rule (section C) but also the inter-specification item constraint (A) and the inter-component constraint (B). (Rule expansion process described later). Since the specification item (specification value) in the conditional expression of a rule is the output of another rule, not only the specification-component selection rule (C) but also the inter-component constraint (B), the inter-specification item constraint (A ) Need to search.

[Pattern generation processing (S2)]
FIG. 9 shows an example of pattern generation processing (S2) by the pattern generation unit 55. The case where a standard specification combination pattern is generated will be described.

  (S201) First, the pattern generation unit 55 performs a specification-component selection rule expansion process. FIG. 12 shows a processing example and a data example (specification combination table T01). In this process, 55 extracts all the specification items and specification values for component selection from the specification-component selection rule (category C) based on the rule information (rule DB 22), and the inter-component constraint (B) While searching for the restriction (A) between specification items, possible combinations of specification items (specification values) and parts are extracted, and a specification combination table T01 shown in FIG. 12 is created. The specification items used in the specification-part selection rule (Category C) are determined from the inter-part constraints (Category B) and the inter-specification constraints (Category C).

  In the specification combination table T01 (corresponding to the expansion rule information) in FIG. 12, the information on the parts in the horizontal direction that can be combined with the information on the specification items (specification values) in the vertical direction is indicated by a circle. This is based on the component information in FIG. 10 and the rule information in FIG. For example, in the area 1201, the rule number 7 to 10 part (1104) which is the specification-component selection rule information (section C) in FIG. The portion (1101) is added. For example, the breakdown voltage (specification item D) is added as a restriction from the operating voltage (specification item A) due to the restriction between specification items (category A).

  From the table T01, it can be seen that, for example, when the operating voltage (A) is 400 V, the power supply frequency (B) is 50 Hz, and the withstand voltage (D) is standard, PCV1 can be selected as the pressure regulating valve (component A).

  (S202) Next, 55 performs parts combination table creation processing. FIG. 13 shows a processing example and a data example (part combination table T02). In this process, 55 extracts the specification information (specification item / specification value) common to the parts from the specification combination table T01 which is the expansion rule information (specification-part selection rule information) as a result of S201, and this rule A possible combination of parts satisfying the requirement is obtained and created as a part combination table T02 (FIG. 13).

  In the component combination table T02 of FIG. 13, the component information is shown in the vertical and horizontal directions, and those that can be combined are indicated by ◯. For example, component A and component B have the same specification item B (power supply frequency) as shown in FIG. 12. For example, when the specification value of B is 50, component B also uses B (50). There must be. That is, when the part A is PCV1 or PCV2, the combination must be such that the part B becomes PDM1. Possible combinations of parts are {PCV1, PDM1}, {PCV2, PDM1}, as illustrated. Further, for example, the parts B and X do not have a common specification item, so the combination is free ({PCV1, PDM1, XXX1}, {PCV2, PDM1, XXX2}, etc.).

  (S203) Next, 55 performs component combination pattern creation processing. FIG. 14 shows a processing example and a data example (component combination pattern table T03). In this process, 55 expands a component combination pattern from the component combination table T02 as a result of S202, and creates (stores) it as a component combination pattern table T03.

  In the component combination pattern table T03 of FIG. 14, the horizontal direction (b) indicates each component combination pattern (a pattern based on a combination of a plurality of components (component codes)) with respect to the component information in the vertical direction (a). For example, the part combination pattern 1 is {PCV1, PDM1, XXX1}.

  (S204) Next, 55 performs a specification combination pattern creation process. FIG. 15 shows a processing example and a data example (specification combination pattern table T04). In this processing, 55 is a specification combination pattern (standard specification combination pattern) by expansion (part-specification conversion) according to the expansion rule information (specification combination table T01) of the result of S201 from the component combination pattern table T03 of the result of S203. Is created (stored) as a specification combination pattern table T04. In this process, 55 obtains a combination of possible specification items and specification values by associating the component code of the component combination pattern table T03 with the component code of the expansion rule (T01).

  In the specification combination pattern table T04 of FIG. 15, the horizontal direction (b) indicates each specification combination pattern (pattern by a combination of a plurality of specification values) with respect to the specification information (specification items A to D) in the vertical direction (a). Show. For example, the specification combination pattern 1 is {use voltage (400), power supply frequency (50), rotation speed (3000), withstand voltage (standard)}.

  Relatedly, in the evaluation index calculation process of S3, the total cost value is calculated using information such as the cost value in the standard part information as shown in FIG. 10, for example, the pattern in the specification combination pattern table T04. Store it in relation to.

<Embodiment 2>
The system according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The basic function of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, but the overall system configuration and GUI screen configuration are different.

[System (2)]
FIG. 16 shows the system configuration of the second embodiment. In the entire system, an order estimate proposal creation support system 110 having a function substantially similar to that of the first embodiment and its DB 120 are connected to a rule base setting unit 30 (configurator), an input unit 31, an output unit 32, and a DB 34. It is the composition which is done. In particular, the rule base setting unit 30 and the system 110 are separated and linked. The DB 120 may be integrated into the DB 34.

  The input unit 31 inputs various data information such as customer request specification information by user operation. The output unit 32 outputs various data information such as an estimate plan by a user operation.

  The rule base setting unit 30 (configurator) performs processing for setting various data information in the DB 34 via the input unit 31 and the output unit 32 by a user operation. The rule base setting unit 30 has the same functions as the pattern generation unit 55 and the evaluation index calculation unit 56 in the setting unit 12 of the first embodiment. The rule base setting unit 30 stores various data such as product / part information, specification information (specification item information, specification value information), rule information, pattern information, evaluation index information (cost estimation information, LT estimation information) in the DB 34. Information (same as above) is managed in an integrated manner. Various tables at the time of pattern generation are also stored.

  The system 110 has the same functions as the processing units 51 to 54 in the GUI display processing unit 11 of the first embodiment, and the functions corresponding to the setting unit 12 of the first embodiment are on the rule base setting unit 30 side. Has been implemented. When the rule base setting unit 30 (including 31 and 32) has a GUI display function, the system 110 does not need the GUI display function and only performs necessary data processing. The system 110 receives data information such as input specifications (customer requirement specifications) from the rule base setting unit 30 (a). The system 110 performs data processing for creating an estimate plan, and outputs the resulting estimate plan information to the rule base setting unit 30 (b).

  As described above, the DB 120 of the system 110 manages data information such as customer requirement specification information and estimate plan information (item management information and a plurality of estimate plan files). The case management information is management information of a plurality of estimate plans (files) including the above-described history management.

[Screen G11]
FIG. 17 shows a first screen example (G11) in the second embodiment. For example, this screen G11 is displayed first. In the screen G11, the user selects a plan that is a target (a target for which an estimate plan is to be created) and inputs a plan creation instruction. For example, when a new alternative using a pattern is created, the [Create Alternative] button a is executed. In that case, it moves to the input of customer requirement specification information, and is linked to the above-described plan retrieval process. In addition, when creating an estimate plan as in the conventional method (a method in which the user selects individual specification items and composes a plan) without using a pattern, execute a button such as [Add new] in b. Can be created by conventional methods. In addition, when the user selects a target estimate plan from the list of estimate plans for e (for example, f) and executes buttons such as [reference] and [edit] for c, the estimate plan can be referred to / edited. it can. In addition, from [Input History] of d, it is possible to display / input history information of examination of the estimate plan. For example, by referring to the estimation ID and the examination ID, it is possible to refer to / edit the estimation plan for each examination plan. Note that the same estimate ID is inherited by a plurality of study proposals.

[Screen G12]
FIG. 18 shows a second screen example (G12). The screen G12 has a g21 examination history display field, a g22 correction availability display field, a g23 alternative display field, and the like regarding the display and editing of the g20 estimation plan (estimation ID example: A001).

  In the examination history display field of g21, information on past and new examination proposals regarding the estimation proposal of the estimation ID is displayed in order of history. a displays the study ID (review number) attached to the study plan in order of history. For example, the latest plan (eg R004) is at the top, and the first plan (eg R001) is at the bottom. b displays the cost value according to the examination plan (selection and display of the LT value and the like are possible as well). c displays the number of specification items (corrected specification items) that differ between the examination plan and the customer requirement specification.

  The user can select and operate a study plan (study ID) with g21. For example, information corresponding to the selected examination plan is displayed in g22 and g23. In the case of a new study, a screen / information for a new study is displayed.

  For example, the user performs the fourth review (R004) after the third review (R001 to R003) for a certain estimate plan (A001). Further, for example, at the time of the fifth examination, one can be selected (referenced) from the past history (R001 to R004), the contents thereof can be edited, and saved as the fifth examination plan (R005).

  In the g22 correction availability display field, setting information on whether or not the specification item can be modified is displayed, as in FIG. e is a pull-down menu for filter selection for display of specification items. For example, all / ■ / □ can be selected. f is a specification item selection button. Note that ■ indicates selection (can be corrected) of the specification item, and □ indicates non-selection (cannot be corrected). g indicates a button for switching to display in units of the specification item group (Gr) described above. h (+/−) enables switching between omission display (+) / development display (−) of unit information such as specification items for each element (for example, product).

  In the display field of the alternative plan of g23, the contents of the examination plan (alternative plan) are displayed in a format such as a combination of specification items (next FIG. 19).

[Screen G13]
FIG. 19 shows a third screen example (G13). On the screen G13, a display column corresponding to g23 is displayed regarding the display / editing of the a proposal (examination ID example: R004). In the display field of g23, the customer requirement specification (input specification) information as in the column of g31 and the information of a plurality of alternatives as in the column of g32 are displayed in comparison. A plurality of plans are displayed in the priority order as described above (for example, a predetermined number (N) of plans are displayed). Rows b and c display the same cost and the number of different items as b of g21. Each line of d displays information on a plurality of specification items constituting the specification. For example, the g31 required specification indicates that the specification items A1 to M and the like are composed of the specification values a1 to m1. On the other hand, for example, “alternative 1” in the column of g32 indicates that it includes the same part as the required specification and a different part (eg, M (m2)) as e. The difference part (corrected specification item (specification value)) such as e is highlighted. Similarly, different parts (modified specification items (specification values)) are also displayed for other proposals (such as “alternative 2” to “alternative 5”).

  The user can select from a plurality of alternatives displayed in the screen. For example, “alternative 1” to “alternative 4” include only one revised specification item (M (m2), I (i2), H (h2), D (d2)) for the required specification, respectively. “Alternative 5” is a proposal including two revised specification items (I (i3) and M (m3)) for the required specification. The user selects (temporarily confirms) a suitable alternative (estimation plan) from these. For example, the user checks the button f and selects “alternative 5”. Then, as shown in g, the display content is updated so that the selected column (alternative 5) is moved (lifted) to the first column (alternative 1) with the highest priority. In this case, other proposals having two or more correction specification items are searched (extracted) in the same manner as described above and displayed as the next candidate in each column.

  When the user decides (determines) the alternative in the screen, for example, selects the alternative to be decided (for example, “alternative 1”) and executes the h decision decision button to save the alternative Can do.

[Data structure example]
A configuration example of data used in Embodiment 2 is shown below. Note that existing data can be used for rule information, specification item information, specification value information, evaluation index information, and the like.

  Specification value / component information: management item {specification item ID, specification value ID, component ID, pattern number}: Management of specification item ID-specific value ID corresponding to component ID-pattern number.

  Component combination table: Management item {specification item ID, specification value ID, component ID, combination availability flag}: A combination availability flag is managed for each component ID.

  Component combination pattern: Management item {component ID, pattern number}: Manages a combination pattern of components.

  Specification combination pattern: management item {pattern number, specification item ID, specification value ID}: A specification combination pattern for each component combination is managed.

  Input specification: management item {specification item ID, specification value ID}: An input specification corresponding to the customer request specification is managed.

Estimated proposal information: Details include proposal information, consideration history information, changed specification item information, candidate proposal information, recruitment proposal information, etc. (below):
・ Proposal information: Management item {Estimation ID, Item ID, Proposed specification name}
・ Review history: Management item {Estimation ID, Review ID, Date and time information}
-Change specification item information: Management item {Estimation ID, Review ID, Change specification item ID (Specification item ID)}
・ Candidate information: management item {estimation ID, study ID, alternative plan ID (combination ID)}
-Adoption plan information: Management item {estimation ID, examination ID, employment plan ID (combination ID)}.

[Effects]
As described above, according to the system of each embodiment, for example, there are a large number of specification items (and specification values) and parts candidates for a target product (specification) such as individual order production with no or few past cases. In addition, effective creation support and partial automation are provided so that the maker (person in charge) can create a suitable estimate plan for the customer requirement specifications for the target with complicated constraints (rules). Realize. In particular, even when a vast amount of specification information (specification items / specification values) or parts information exists as candidates, a suitable estimate plan (for customer-specification specifications) that can be as low-cost and short-delivery as possible according to customer requirements On the other hand, it is possible to easily create alternatives with as few changes as possible, and to reduce the work load and shorten the time. This can improve the quality of estimates and improve the order rate.

  In particular, when creating the above alternatives, there are differences between the customer requirement specifications and the alternative specifications (changed specification items, specification values, etc.). On the other hand, it is possible to support a good balance between the customer side and the manufacturer side while referring to the evaluation index information.

  In particular, the GUI for supporting the above is configured on the display screen of the computer operated by the person in charge on the manufacturer side, and in this GUI, alternatives are selected step by step by selecting and narrowing down the specification items to be changed step by step.・ Can be created. As a result, the above work (including changing specification items) can be realized with as few operations as possible, and examination of alternatives and trial and error can be facilitated.

  In particular, the manufacturer can automatically and quickly display an alternative plan (a plan that is advantageous in terms of cost and LT) based on patterns based on standard specification items and specification values using standard parts as much as possible.

  In particular, even for products with no or few past cases (specifications), it is possible to create an estimate plan, and the information of the created estimate plan is stored and accumulated in a DB (plan DB 24, etc.) as a past case. it can.

  As mentioned above, the invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described based on the embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Needless to say.

  The present invention can be used for individual order production (individual order design), a production management system, a parts information management system, and the like.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... GUI display process part (interaction operation process part), 12 ... Offline pre-processing part (setting part), 20 ... Required specification DB, 21 ... Product / parts DB, 22 ... Rule DB, 23 ... Pattern DB, 24 ... Proposal DB: 51 ... Data input unit, 52 ... Plan search unit, 53 ... Plan display / editing unit, 54 ... Data output unit, 55 ... Pattern generation unit, 56 ... Evaluation index calculation unit, 100 ... Order estimate plan creation support system, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 ... Arithmetic unit, 102 ... Storage device, 103 ... Communication I / F device, 104 ... Input / output I / F device, 105 ... Input device, 106 ... Output device, 200 ... Other system.

Claims (12)

An order estimate proposal creation support system that performs information processing using a computer to support the creation of an estimate proposal for an order specification product by a user,
The computer has an arithmetic device and a storage device,
The arithmetic unit is:
A GUI display unit that displays the GUI information for support on the screen viewed by the user to realize interactive operation processing;
A setting unit that performs processing for storing setting information for creation by the user in a DB of the storage device,
The DB of the storage device stores data information including customer requirement specification information, component information, rule information, pattern information, and estimate plan information,
The setting unit
A first process for setting the customer request specification information, part information, and rule information in the DB by the user;
Using the data information including the component information and rule information as setting information of the DB, a pattern of a plurality of possible combinations based on the rule information, which constitutes the specifications of the target product, is generated, and the pattern Performing a second process of storing in the DB as information,
The GUI display unit
A first process of inputting data information including the customer request specification information;
A second process for comparing the configuration of the specifications between the input customer request specification and the pattern information, and extracting a plurality of patterns as a plan in the order of few differences between the two,
A third process for displaying the specification information indicating the configuration of each specification in the extracted plurality of proposals on the screen as a list that is displayed as a candidate preferentially in the order of few differences.
In accordance with the user operation on the screen, in the list of specification information of the plurality of proposals, the specification information selected by the user among the specification information of the different portions constituting the specifications of each proposal is configured as an estimate plan. A fourth process of registering as an element and displaying specification information of a plurality of proposals excluding the registered element as the next candidate on the screen;
In accordance with a user operation on the screen, when receiving a configuration of a specification based on the registered elements as an estimate plan, a fifth process is performed to store the estimate plan information in the DB as the estimate plan information. Estimated draft creation support system. In the order estimate draft creation support system according to claim 1,
The customer request specification information includes information on a combination of a plurality of specification items and specification values,
The rule information includes information that restricts the relationship between a plurality of individual specification items / specification values and a plurality of individual parts,
The pattern information includes information on a combination of a plurality of specification items and specification values,
The GUI display unit
In the second process, the configuration of specifications is compared between the input customer request specification and the pattern information, and a plurality of patterns are extracted as alternatives in the order of the specification items and specification values that are the difference between the two. And
In the third process, the specification information indicating the configuration of each specification in the plurality of extracted alternatives is expressed in a modified specification item that is a difference from the customer request specification, and the difference is small. Display on the screen as a list to be displayed as candidates with priority in order,
In the fourth process, in accordance with a user operation on the screen, the user selects a correction specification item of the difference portion constituting the specification of each alternative in the specification information list of the plurality of alternatives. The revised estimated specification item is registered as an element constituting the alternative, and the specification information of a plurality of alternatives excluding the registered element is displayed as the next candidate on the screen as an order estimate proposal Creation support system. In the order estimate draft creation support system according to claim 1,
The setting unit
In the first process, the user sets evaluation index information including cost or delivery date information related to the part in the DB,
Using the pattern information and data information including evaluation index information as the DB setting information, the cost or delivery date for each pattern is calculated, and the evaluation index information is related to the pattern information in the DB. Perform a third process to store,
The GUI display unit
In the second processing, the configuration of specifications is compared between the input customer request specification and the pattern information, and a plurality of patterns are extracted as a plan in ascending order of the difference between the two, and the extracted Perform processing to extract the evaluation index information related to the pattern,
In the third process, a process of displaying evaluation index information for each of the patterns corresponding to the plan in parallel with the specification information of the plurality of plans, and the specification information of the plurality of plans on the screen, An order estimate draft creation support system characterized by performing processing for rearranging the values of evaluation index information corresponding to proposals in order of preference and displaying them on the screen. In the order estimate draft creation support system according to claim 1,
The part information includes standard part information, cost information, and delivery date information.
The pattern information includes pattern information based on a combination of standard specifications preferentially using the standard parts,
In the second process, the GUI display section preferentially extracts pattern information of a combination of the standard specifications when extracting the plurality of plans from the pattern information. Support system. In the order estimate draft creation support system according to claim 2,
In the third and fourth processes, the GUI display unit displays the specification item information of the customer requirement specification on the first line when displaying the specification information of the plurality of alternatives in a list on the screen. , Displaying the information of the specification item by the registration in the second line, and displaying the information of the correction specification item which is a candidate for the correction to the customer request specification in the third line and below, system. In the order estimate draft creation support system according to claim 3,
When the GUI display unit displays the evaluation index information in parallel with the specification information of the plurality of plans on the screen in the third and fourth processes, the evaluation index value for each pattern corresponding to the plan And a target value set for the evaluation index value in comparison with each other. In the order estimate draft creation support system according to claim 3,
In the third and fourth processes, the GUI display unit displays the cost information list and the delivery date information list according to a selection operation by the user when displaying the evaluation index information on the screen. An order estimate creation support system characterized by displaying. In the order estimate draft creation support system according to claim 2,
The GUI display unit is a process for setting whether or not each of the plurality of specification items can be corrected based on a user operation on the screen, and a process for setting whether or not each group can be corrected based on the plurality of specification items. , A process of setting individual groups based on the plurality of specification items, and a process of displaying information on the specification items and groups set as correctable in the above settings on the screen so as to be correctable. Order estimate draft creation support system. In the order estimate draft creation support system according to claim 1,
The GUI display unit has a function of managing a history of examination related to creation / editing / saving of the estimate plan based on a user operation on the screen, and the function identifies an estimate plan of the target product. A first ID, a second ID for identifying the history of examination of the estimate plan, an evaluation index value for each plan of the second ID, and the number of revised specification items of the plan for the customer requirement specification An order estimate draft creation support system characterized by managing. In the order estimate draft creation support system according to claim 1,
In the third and fourth processes, when the GUI display unit displays the specification information of the plurality of proposals in a list on the screen, the specification item and specification value information of the customer requirement specification are displayed in the first column. Display the information of the combination of the specification item and the specification value indicating the configuration of the specifications of the plurality of plans in the second column and later, and select by the user from the plurality of plans in the second column and later An order estimate proposal creation support system characterized in that the proposed proposal is moved so as to be displayed in the second column, and information on the next candidate proposal is displayed in the third column and thereafter. In the order estimate draft creation support system according to claim 1,
The rule information includes first rule information for selecting parts from specification items and specification values, second rule information indicating restrictions on combinations between parts, and restrictions on combinations between specification items and specification values. And third rule information indicating
In the second process, when generating the pattern information based on the rule information, the setting unit searches for the first, second, and third rule information, and all possible specification items and An order estimate proposal creation support system characterized in that a pattern of a combination of specification values is created and used as the pattern information. In the order estimate draft creation support system according to claim 1,
The DB of the storage device stores data information including customer request specification information, parts information, specification information, rule information, pattern information, estimate plan information, and evaluation index information,
The customer request specification information includes information on specification items and specification values constituting the specification of the target product,
The part information includes information on parts constituting the target product,
The specification information includes information on candidate specification items and their specification values,
The rule information includes first rule information indicating a restriction for selecting a part from a specification item and a specification value, second rule information indicating a restriction on a combination between parts, and a combination between the specification item and the specification value. And third rule information indicating constraints,
The pattern information includes information on a combination of a plurality of specification items and specification values constituting the specification of the target product,
The estimate plan information includes information indicating a configuration of a specification of the estimate plan created by the user,
The evaluation index information includes cost or delivery date information regarding the part,
The setting unit performs processing for setting, by the user, the customer requirement specification information, part information, specification information, rule information, and evaluation index information in the DB. .

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