JP3970870B2 - Server apparatus and control method thereof - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for managing delivery.

  The following are related arts related to delivery. The first prior art is a method of creating a plan for reducing the cost at a high speed, including the transshipment of luggage at a relay base, in creating a transportation plan (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In addition, the second prior art is advantageous and inexpensive for the shipper side by providing the transport service of the most suitable transporter for the cargo transportation when the cargo application is made by the shipper. This is a technique for providing an optimal transport service that allows an optimal transporter to enjoy a transport service easily and quickly (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

In addition, as a third conventional technology, contracts with transportation companies, mainly major companies, or own trucks and carry out regular operations, so-called in-house flights are used to carry packages between locations around the country and between sales locations. However, there are also cases where so-called parcel delivery is used to deliver small packages to customers in a hurry.
JP2000-276688 JP2003-2439

  However, in the first prior art, the departure time of the truck from the transportation base is adjusted to efficiently create a load transshipment plan between the transportation flights, but the cost is not necessarily effectively reduced. There is a problem that it cannot be suppressed.

  In the second conventional technology and the third conventional technology, the shipper can select the most suitable carrier with low cost and high quality from multiple carriers. The optimal combination in cannot be determined.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technique for determining an optimal delivery method in a company or the like that uses both in-house mail and home delivery.

  In order to achieve the object of the present invention, for example, a server apparatus of the present invention comprises the following arrangement.

That is, a server device that manages delivery in a company that delivers by in-house mail between multiple sites,
Request including at least shipper information, delivery source information, delivery date / time information, package information including package appearance and package weight, desired arrival date / time information, ship-to address information, and consignee information Request information storage means for storing information;
A loading information storage means for storing at least an in-house flight number and a total loading capacity and a total loading weight in an in-house flight corresponding to the in-house flight number;
A delivery time storage means for storing a delivery source, a delivery destination, an in-house mail / transport method, a closing time, an arrival date and time, and a required time for delivery;
Management information storage means for storing a base name, a base address, and an external carrier at the base,
Based on the delivery source information, the delivery date and time information, the shipping destination address information, and the base name and base address stored in the management information storage means included in the request information, a relay base in an in-house flight As well as
The delivery source information included in the request information, the delivery date and time information, the shipping destination address information, the delivery source stored in the delivery time storage means, the delivery destination, and the in-house mail / combined transportation method; An arrival time prediction means for predicting the arrival time based on the closing time and the arrival date and time;
Is the delivery date and time calculated from the carry-in date and time information, the closing time, and the required time compared with the desired arrival date and time information, and can delivery satisfy the desired arrival date and time indicated by the desired arrival date and time information? First judging means for judging
A transport method determining means for determining a transport method corresponding to the request information based on a determination result by the first determining means;
Registration means for registering transportation method information indicating the transportation method determined by the transportation method determination means in the request information storage means,
The package information includes the total weight,
The transportation method determining means includes
Second determination means for determining whether or not the delivery destination matches the base address and determining whether there is room for loading in-house flights by comparing the total loaded weight and the total weight Prepared,
The second determining means determines that the delivery method matches only the in-house flight when the delivery destination matches the base address and there is room for loading in-house flights, and the delivery destination matches the base address. If it is determined that there is room for loading internal flights, the transportation method is determined to be a combination of internal flights and external carriers, and if there is no room for internal flights, the transportation method is determined to be external carriers. It is characterized by.

  In order to achieve the object of the present invention, for example, a method for controlling a server device of the present invention comprises the following arrangement.

In other words, manage delivery in companies that deliver by in-house flights between multiple locations,
Request including at least shipper information, delivery source information, delivery date / time information, package information including package appearance and package weight, desired arrival date / time information, ship-to address information, and consignee information Request information storage means for storing information;
A loading information storage means for storing at least an in-house flight number and a total loading capacity and a total loading weight in an in-house flight corresponding to the in-house flight number;
A delivery time storage means for storing a delivery source, a delivery destination, an in-house mail / transport method, a closing time, an arrival date and time, and a required time for delivery;
Management information storage means for storing a base name, a base address, and an external carrier at the base,
A method of controlling a server device comprising:
Based on the delivery source information, the delivery date and time information, the shipping destination address information, and the base name and base address stored in the management information storage means included in the request information, a relay base in an in-house flight As well as
The delivery source information included in the request information, the delivery date and time information, the shipping destination address information, the delivery source stored in the delivery time storage means, the delivery destination, and the in-house mail / combined transportation method; An arrival time prediction step for predicting the arrival time based on the closing time and the arrival date and time;
Is the delivery date and time calculated from the carry-in date and time information, the closing time, and the required time compared with the desired arrival date and time information, and can delivery satisfy the desired arrival date and time indicated by the desired arrival date and time information? A first determination step of determining
A transportation method determination step for determining a transportation method corresponding to the request information based on the determination result of the first determination step;
A registration step of registering the transportation method information indicating the transportation method determined in the transportation method determination step in the request information storage means, and
The package information includes the total weight,
In the transportation method determination step,
A second determination step of determining whether or not the delivery address matches the base address and determining whether there is room for loading in-house flights by comparing the total loaded weight and the total weight. Prepared,
In the second determination step, when it is determined that the delivery destination matches the base address and there is room for loading in-house flights, the transportation method is determined to be only in-house flights, and the delivery destination matches the base address. If it is determined that there is room for loading internal flights, the transportation method is determined to be a combination of internal flights and external carriers, and if there is no room for internal flights, the transportation method is determined to be external carriers. It is characterized by.

  With the configuration of the present invention, it is possible to determine an optimal delivery method in a company or the like that uses both in-house delivery and home delivery.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail according to preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a rough configuration of a system for creating a delivery plan for delivering a delivery target to a desired delivery destination.

  In the figure, reference numeral 110 denotes a transportation method determination device, which is a device for creating a delivery plan corresponding to a transportation (delivery) request requested from a transportation request terminal 120 described later.

  Reference numeral 120 denotes a transportation request terminal, which is a device for setting conditions for delivery and requesting the transportation method determination device 110 to create a delivery plan.

  Reference numeral 130 denotes a slip printing printer which prints on a recording medium by a printing method such as an inkjet printer, and is a printer for printing a slip described later.

  Reference numeral 140 denotes a shipping instruction print printer which prints on a recording medium by a printing method such as an ink jet printer, and is a printer for printing a shipping instruction described later.

  Reference numeral 100 denotes a LAN as a network connecting the above-described devices. The network is not limited to a wired network as described above, and may be a wireless network.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of a computer applicable to the transportation method determination device 110 and the transportation request terminal 120. In this embodiment, the basic configuration of the transportation method determination device 110 and the transportation request terminal 120 is the same, but an execution unit that executes processing and a memory unit that temporarily stores data, programs, and the like. As long as an input unit for inputting various instructions to the execution unit and a communication unit for performing data communication with an external device are provided, the configuration of each device may not be the same.

  Reference numeral 21 denotes a CPU which controls the entire computer using programs and data stored in the RAM 22 and the ROM 23 and executes processing described later which should be performed by each device to which the computer is applied.

  Reference numeral 22 denotes a RAM, an area for temporarily recording programs and data loaded from the hard disk 28 and the CD-ROM drive 29, programs and data received from an external device via the LAN adapter 24, and various processes performed by the CPU 21. An area such as a work area used when executing is provided.

  Reference numeral 23 denotes a ROM which stores a boot program and setting data for each device to which the computer is applied.

  Reference numeral 24 denotes a LAN adapter that functions as an I / F unit for connecting the computer to the LAN 100 in FIG. 1. The computer performs data communication with external devices via the LAN 100 via the LAN adapter 24. be able to. As described above, a network form other than a LAN is applicable as a network form between the devices. In this case, the LAN adapter 24 needs to be changed to a network adapter corresponding to the type of the network. .

  Reference numeral 25 denotes a display device, which includes a CRT, a liquid crystal screen, and the like, and can display the processing results of the CPU 21 with images, characters, and the like.

  Reference numerals 26 and 27 respectively denote a keyboard and a mouse, which function as user interfaces for inputting various instructions to the CPU 21. The device as the user interface is not limited to this.

  Reference numeral 28 denotes a hard disk, which stores an OS (operating system) and application programs and data for causing the CPU 21 to execute processes described later that should be performed by a device to which the computer is applied. All of them are read into the RAM 22 under the control of the CPU 21 and are processed by the CPU 21.

  A CD-ROM drive 29 reads out programs and data recorded on the CD-ROM and outputs them to the RAM 22 and the hard disk 28.

  Reference numeral 20 denotes a bus connecting the above-described units.

  Next, a series of processes for creating a delivery plan for delivering a delivery target to a desired delivery destination by each apparatus shown in FIG. 1 will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a series of processes performed by the transportation method determination device 110 and the transportation request terminal 120 to deliver a delivery target to a desired delivery destination. In the flowchart of the figure, programs and data for causing the CPU 21 of the transportation method determination device 110 to execute each process to be performed by the transportation method determination device 110 are stored in the hard disk 28 of the transportation method determination device 110. This is read into the RAM 22 of the transportation method determination device 110 under the control of the CPU 21 of the transportation method determination device 110, and is executed by the CPU 21 of the transportation method determination device 110, whereby the transportation method determination device 110 executes each process described below. Will do.

  Similarly, in the flowchart of FIG. 6, programs and data for causing the CPU 21 of the transportation request terminal 120 to execute each process to be performed by the transportation request terminal 120 are stored in the hard disk 28 of the transportation request terminal 120. This is read into the RAM 22 of the transport requesting terminal 120 under the control of the CPU 21 of the transport requesting terminal 120, and is executed by the CPU 21 of the transport requesting terminal 120, whereby the transport requesting terminal 120 performs each process described below. Will be executed.

  When a company wants to deliver a delivery target to a desired delivery destination, an operator of the transport requesting terminal 120 (hereinafter may be simply referred to as “terminal”) uses a GUI ( In order to display a graphical user interface) on the display screen of the display device 105 of the terminal 120, an instruction to that effect is input to the CPU 21 using the keyboard 26 and the mouse 27. Upon receiving this instruction, the CPU 21 reads the GUI program and data from the hard disk 28 or the CD-ROM drive 29 to the RAM 22, and the CPU 21 uses this to display a GUI as shown in FIG. Display on the display screen.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a GUI for inputting information relating to delivery.

  In the figure, reference numerals 601, 602, and 603 denote areas for inputting a delivery target package (introduction date and time) to a package delivery location in the company. Reference numeral 604 denotes an area for inputting where the delivery target is to be carried in the shipping source company. Reference numeral 605 denotes an area for inputting what the delivery target is.

  Reference numerals 606, 607, and 608 are areas for inputting the address and company name of the delivery destination. Reference numerals 609 and 610 are areas for inputting the name and telephone number of the recipient of the delivery destination. Reference numerals 611, 612, and 613 denote areas for inputting desired arrival dates and times for delivery. Reference numerals 614 and 617 are areas for inputting the material and size of a box for packing the items to be delivered, and 615 and 618 are areas for inputting the number of boxes.

  Reference numeral 616 denotes an area for inputting an advance payment or cash on delivery, and 619 is an area for inputting the weight of the delivery object.

  Therefore, since the operator of the terminal 120 inputs information to be input to these areas using the keyboard 26 and the mouse 27, the CPU 21 of the terminal 120 stores the input information in the RAM 22 of the terminal 120 (step S301). .

  When the operator of the terminal 120 designates the button image 620 with the keyboard 26 or the mouse 27, the CPU 21 detects this and collects the inputted information group as “package request information” as a transportation method determination device 110 (hereinafter referred to as “package request information”). It may be simply referred to as “server device” (step S302).

  Upon receiving this package request information, the server apparatus 110 stores it in its own RAM 22 (step S321). Then, when delivering the delivery target specified by the GUI in FIG. 6 from the delivery source to the delivery destination, the internal flights operated by the delivery source company (other than the delivery source company operate part or all of them) However, it is at least a service provided by a company that has contracted with the delivery source company, and a delivery cost such as a courier service that is generally cheaper than the transportation service provided by another company. ) And the case of using a courier service, the time required for delivery (required time) is obtained (step S322).

  Here, the process in step S322 will be described in more detail.

  The required time is obtained with reference to the table shown in FIG. FIG. 13 shows the time required for delivery from the Shinagawa head office to the delivery destination (the address specified in the areas 606 to 608 in FIG. 6) using both the in-house mail and the courier service. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the table which showed the time required when delivering to the branch (Nagoya branch) suitable previously for every dispatch date.

  For convenience, the delivery destination for in-house flights is described as each branch. However, the delivery destination for in-house flights is not limited to a branch, but may be a laboratory, a branch office, a sales office, a factory, a factory, or a company base. I do not care. In this case, needless to say, the table of FIG. 13 stores the closing time of delivery to the bases of these companies, the arrival date, the arrival time, and the like.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 17, when delivering from a delivery source company 901 to a desired delivery destination 904, if this desired delivery destination 904 is a branch (902, 903) of the delivery source company 901, only in-house flights are used. If the desired delivery destination 904 is a company other than the delivery source company (typically a business partner, but not limited to a company), the delivery is made only by in-house flights. I can't. Therefore, in the present embodiment, when delivery to this desired delivery destination 904 is impossible only by in-house flights, one of the branches (902, 903) of the delivery source company 901 (branch 902 or branch 903). To the desired delivery destination 904 using an outside flight (in this embodiment, a home delivery service). FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the relationship of delivery methods among the delivery source, branch, and delivery destination.

  Therefore, in the table shown in FIG. 13, the delivery source is “Shinagawa head office”, the desired delivery destination is the address specified in the area 606 to 608 in FIG. The branch to be delivered using the service is the “Nagoya Branch”. When delivering from the Shinagawa head office to the Nagoya branch by using only in-house flights, the time that can be shipped at the Shinagawa head office, The date and time of arrival at the branch office, and the time that can be shipped from the Shinagawa head office to the desired delivery destination using both in-house and courier services. Shows the date and time of arrival at the delivery destination.

  For example, in the case of delivery from the Shinagawa head office to the Nagoya branch (of course, delivery is made using only in-house flights), a shipment sent out from the Shinagawa head office at 10:00 arrives at the Nagoya branch at 18:00 on that day. Also, items shipped from the Shinagawa head office at 12:00 will arrive at the Nagoya branch at 9:00 the following day. In the figure, “arrival date” indicates how many days after the arrival date and time, “+1” indicates the next day, and “+2” indicates two days later. “0” indicates that the date is the same as the shipping date.

  On the other hand, when delivering from the Shinagawa headquarters to the desired delivery destination (of course, delivery using both in-house and courier services), the items sent from the Shinagawa headquarters at 10:00 will be sent to the desired delivery destination the next day. Arrives at 15:00. In addition, items sent out from the Shinagawa head office at 12:00 arrive at the desired delivery destination at 17:00 on the next day.

  Such a table is created in advance by checking the time that can be sent between the head office and the branch or between the branch offices, and the arrival time when it is sent at this time. Similarly, for the address that has been sent, the time when it can be sent from the head office or the branch, the arrival time at this address when it is sent at this shipping time, is checked and registered in this table.

  In particular, it is preferable to create such a table for each branch. In this case, in step S22, the table of the branch in the area designated as the delivery destination may be referred to. In this table, delivery destinations other than the branch can be delivered via the branch registered in this table.

  The data of such a table is stored in the hard disk 28 of the server device 110, read out to the RAM 22 of the server device 110 as necessary, and referred to by the CPU 21.

  Therefore, in step S322, the date and time input to the areas 601 to 603 in FIG. 6 is first acquired with reference to the package request information, and the shipping time closest to the acquired date and time (naturally after the date and time input to the areas 601 to 603). Is retrieved from the table of FIG. In the table shown in FIG. 13, the time of arrival (arrival time) at the arrival place (in the case of FIG. 13, the Nagoya branch or the desired delivery destination) is entered in the areas 611 to 613 when the delivery is made at the searched delivery time. A delivery method (delivery classification) that is earlier than the date and time (desired arrival date and time) is searched. There may be a plurality of delivery methods obtained as search results.

  In this case, since there is a time difference (for example, about 15 to 20 minutes) between the carry-in time and the shipping time input to the areas 601 to 603, the time difference is stored in the table of FIG. When the loading time is entered on the screen as 9:50, for example, a message such as “If you can carry it in by 9:45 can be shipped by 10 o'clock” is displayed in step S325 described later. It may be displayed on the screen.

  Then, the result of this search does not exist (steps S323, S324), that is, only the in-house flights at the shipping time closest to the date and time input in the areas 601 to 603 (naturally after the date and time input in the areas 601 to 603). If you do not arrive at the desired delivery destination on the desired arrival date and time even if you ship by shipping or a combination of in-house mail and courier, check that the requested delivery using the GUI in FIG. 6 is impossible A message for notifying the terminal 120, for example, text data “Please change the desired arrival date / time or the package delivery date / time because it is not in time for the desired arrival date / time” is read from the hard disk 28 of the server device 110, and the terminal 120 (Step S325).

  The terminal 120 receives this message data and displays it on the display screen of the display device 105 (step S303). Since the current delivery plan is an error, the process returns from step S304 to step S301, and the desired arrival date and time and the package delivery date and time are changed again.

  On the other hand, as a result of the search in step S322, if the delivery method is in-house delivery or combined use of in-house delivery and courier delivery, the process is performed via either step S323 or step S324. Proceeding to step S326, which delivery method is used for delivery from the delivery source to the desired delivery destination (delivery by in-house delivery only, delivery by courier only, delivery by combination of in-house delivery and courier delivery) A plan for whether or not to deliver is prepared (step S326). Details of the processing in step S326 will be described later.

  In step S327, information relating to delivery is registered in each database described below. First, information relating to delivery input using the GUI of FIG. 6 including the delivery method previously determined in step S326. Is registered in the package request database (DB). FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the package request database.

  As shown in the figure, information relating to a delivery source, a delivery destination, and delivery conditions is roughly registered in this package request database. Since the layout of the database in FIG. 7 shows one record divided into four parts, for convenience of explanation, reference numerals 701 to 704 are given to the respective areas in FIG.

  In the areas 701 and 702, information mainly related to the delivery destination is registered. In the area 703, information related to the delivery source is registered. In the area 704, delivery conditions are registered. When referring to information related to one delivery, the same line may be referred to in each area. Hereinafter, information registered in each area will be described.

  In a region 701, a unique management number assigned in response to one package request and information on the location of the delivery destination are registered, and a telephone number, a postal code (〒), a shipping address ( Addresses 1, 2) are registered.

  In the area 702, the consignee organization name, consignee name, box No. , Transportation methods, and relay locations are registered in association with each other. Here, the “transport method” is the delivery method determined in step S326, and the determined delivery method is registered with a code in the package request database. Each code will be described later. Further, the “relay location” indicates a base that relays when delivery is performed using both in-house delivery and home delivery. For example, when delivering a certain delivery target from the X point to the Z point, the X point In the case of delivering from the point Y to the point Y by in-house flight and delivering from the point Y to the point Z by courier, the point Y corresponds to the “relay location” here. The relay point is preferably a base in the same prefecture as the delivery destination or in an adjacent prefecture.

  Returning to FIG. 7, information relating to the delivery source is registered in the area 703, the consignor employee code (consignor), the consignor name (first and last name), the department code, the packing form, the number, and the total. The weight is registered. “Packing style” means the size of the box, and “5” means that “No. 5 box”.

  In the area 704, delivery conditions are registered, and the carry-in date and time of the parcel, the parcel delivery location, the desired arrival date and time, the contents, the fee, and the cost burden source (former payment or cash on delivery) are registered. The fee is determined with reference to the table shown in FIG. 8 according to the size and weight of the box. FIG. 8 is a table for determining a delivery fee according to the size and weight of the box. Therefore, in order to determine the fee, the CPU 21 may determine the fee by referring to the table of FIG. 8 based on the packing form and the total weight, or the operator of the server apparatus 110 may determine the size and weight of each box 8 may be displayed, and the table of FIG. 8 may be displayed on the display screen of the display device 105, and the fee may be input using the keyboard 26 or the mouse 27 while seeing this.

  The data of the package request database having the above configuration and the data of the table of FIG. 8 are registered in the hard disk 28 of the server apparatus 110, read out to the RAM 22 as necessary, and when there is a new delivery Information relating to the delivery is added to the package request database, and in this case, the data in the table of FIG. 8 is read out and referred to the RAM 22 and stored again in the hard disk 28 after the addition is completed.

  Note that the contents to be added to the package request database in step S327 are the items shown in FIG. 7 and the charges among the items set in the GUI of FIG.

  In addition, the server device 110 manages the total weight and the total load capacity of each flight when delivering from the delivery source company to each branch. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a database for managing the total weight and the total load amount in each flight when delivering from the delivery source (Shinagawa head office in the figure) to each branch. That is, the database shown in FIG. 15 is for managing the total weight and the total load capacity of each flight when delivered to each branch by in-house flights.

  As shown in the figure, since the layout diagram of this database shows one record divided into two parts, for convenience of explanation, the areas of FIG. The information registered in the area will be described. In the area 1501, a unique in-house flight number assigned for each in-house flight is displayed. And the time of shipping to each branch, the store name of the delivery source, the arrival time, the branch name of the delivery destination, and the ID (vehicle number) unique to the flight (vehicle in the figure) used for the delivery. In the area 1502, the currently registered load amount (registered load amount) and weight (registered weight) are registered as the capacity and weight of the load loaded on the delivery service.

  Therefore, when new delivery information is input using the GUI of FIG. 6, the CPU 21 of the server apparatus 110 refers to the box number included in this information, and the box specified by the referenced number. Is determined with reference to the table shown in FIG. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a table in which a box number and a size are associated with each other.

Therefore, since the size (loading capacity) of the box instructed this time is known, this and the weight input in the area 619 in the GUI of FIG. Add to the registered weight. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 15, for a flight having a maximum loading capacity of 16 m ³ and a maximum loading weight of 4 t, the loading capacity is currently 8.3 m ³ and the loading weight is 1.856 t. Of course, the registered load capacity and the registered weight cannot exceed the maximum load capacity and the maximum load weight, respectively.

  Therefore, it is possible to manage how many loads and weights of delivery targets are currently registered for which flights by the database shown in FIG.

  15 and 16 are stored in the hard disk 28 of the server apparatus 110, read out to the RAM 22 as needed, and referred to by the CPU 21.

  As described above, in step S327, a process for updating the loading capacity and weight of each in-house flight is performed in the database as shown in FIG.

  Returning to FIG. 3, when the information related to the current delivery is registered in each database, a message screen for notifying the terminal 120 that the registration is completed, for example, the date and time of loading the baggage, the location for loading the baggage, the contents, the load The screen data including the appearance, the number of pieces, the estimated arrival date and time, the shipping address, the consignee, the charge, the message text of the completion of reception such as “reception has been completed” and the like are transmitted to the terminal 120 (step S328). Such screen data is stored as a part of the application program in the hard disk 28 of the server apparatus 110, and the CPU 21 reads it and transmits it to the terminal 120.

  The terminal 120 receives the screen data and displays a screen according to the data on the display screen of the display device 105 (step S305).

  On the other hand, on the server device 110 side, after sending the data of the message screen, in order to cause the slip printing printer 130 to print the slip, the slip print data is created and sent to the slip printing printer 130 (step S329). ).

  FIGS. 10 and 11 show printing of a slip to be printed when delivering from a shipping source (ABC sales at Shinagawa headquarters here) to a delivery destination (a company that is not an ABC sales branch) indicated by the GUI in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example. Here, delivery is performed from ABC sales to Nagoya branch, which is its own branch, using in-house flights, and delivery is delivered from Nagoya branch to XYZ Kogyo Co., Ltd. (delivery destination indicated by the GUI in FIG. 6) as the final delivery destination. Assume that delivery is performed using a flight.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a print example of a slip for delivering a delivery target from ABC sales to Nagoya branch by in-house flight. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a print example of a slip for delivering a delivery target from the Nagoya branch to XYZ Kogyo Co., Ltd. by courier. It is preferable that at least a part of the slip is printed in different colors for the home delivery service and the in-house service, so that identification is easy.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a print example of a slip to be printed when a delivery source (here, ABC sales which is the Shinagawa head office) is delivered to a delivery destination which is a branch of ABC sales. Here, it is assumed that delivery is performed from ABC sales to Nagoya branch, which is its own branch, using in-house flights.

  Returning to FIG. 3, when the process of transmitting the print data to the slip printing printer 130 is completed, notification data is generated to transmit a message for notifying the delivery destination person in charge of shipping (step S330). ). In this embodiment, the notification form is e-mail.

  In this embodiment, e-mail is used as the notification means, but the present invention is not limited to this, and message transmission using FAX or messaging software may be used. In that case, a FAX number is used instead of the mail address. In the case of messaging software, information for connecting to the other party is used. Further, e-mail and FAX may be used together. For example, when e-mail times out due to a network failure or the like, FAX may be used.

  Next, the shipping instruction is printed. The shipping instruction is printed a predetermined time before the shipping time (for example, 10 minutes before). Hereinafter, printing of the shipping instruction will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a series of processes for creating print data of a shipping instruction and transmitting it to the shipping instruction printing printer 140 so that the shipping instruction printing printer 140 can print the shipping instruction. Note that programs and data for causing the CPU 21 of the transportation method determination device 110 to execute each process according to the flowchart of FIG. 10 are stored in the hard disk 28 of the transportation method determination device 110, and this is stored in the transportation method determination device 110. The CPU 21 of the transportation method determination apparatus 110 reads out the data to the RAM 22 of the transportation method determination apparatus 110 and executes it by the CPU 21 of the transportation method determination apparatus 110, whereby the transportation method determination apparatus 110 executes each process described below.

  A timer (not shown) is provided in the CPU 21 of the transportation method determination device 110, and always keeps the current time (step S401). Then, referring to the data in the table of FIG. 15, it is determined whether or not the current time is a predetermined time before any shipping time (processing start time, for example, 11 minutes before the shipping time) (step S402). .

  If the current time is the processing start time, the process proceeds to step S403, and the notification data created in step S330 is sent as an e-mail to the person in charge at the relay point and the person in charge at the courier (step) S403). For example, as described above, when delivering from the Shinagawa head office to the Nagoya branch by in-house flight and delivering from the Nagoya branch to XYZ Kogyo Co., Ltd. to the courier, the person in charge of the Nagoya branch and the person in charge of the courier Send an email to The mail address of each person in charge is acquired with reference to the table shown in FIG.

  FIG. 14 shows the address, name, and email address of the person in charge at each branch (base), and the person in charge of each courier, the company name of the courier, the mail address of the person in charge, and the delivery to the delivery destination. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the table which manages the area (prefecture name) which a courier company can cover as a relay point when using a flight together. The data in the table of FIG. 3 is stored in the hard disk 28 of the server apparatus 110, read out to the RAM 22 by the control of the CPU 21 as necessary, and is referred to by the CPU 21.

  Therefore, when acquiring the mail address of the person in charge of the relay point, the CPU 21 specifies the person in charge of the relay point of the flight sent after the predetermined time from the processing start time with reference to the database of FIG. The mail address of the person in charge is specified by referring to the table of FIG. On the other hand, the mail address of the person in charge of the courier service is determined in advance as the courier service to be shipped after the predetermined time from the processing start time, so by referring to the table of FIG. The email address of the person in charge can be specified.

  Then, the notification data is transmitted to the transmission destination specified by each determined mail address (step S403). Next, print data of the shipping instruction is created based on the information of the package request DB (step S404), and the created print data is output to the shipping instruction print printer 140 (step S405). FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a print example in which a delivery instruction for a flight delivered from ABC sales to a Nagoya branch is printed. As shown in the figure, the shipping instructions include the delivery destinations of all in-house flights sent from the delivery source (Shinagawa head office in the figure) and the in-house flights sent from the delivery source (Shinagawa head office in the figure). The delivery destination of the courier service after delivery to the relay point is printed.

  Next, the details of the process in step S326, that is, the process for determining the delivery method will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing details of the processing in step S326. In the processing according to this flowchart, a transportation method that satisfies the desired arrival time and minimizes the cost is determined.

  First, the package request information is referred to and it is checked whether or not the delivery is cash on delivery (step S501). If it is cash on delivery, the process proceeds to step S508, and a code indicating that the delivery method is “courier” (“3” in the present embodiment) is recorded in the RAM 22 (step S508). A code indicating a delivery method (transport method) is registered in the database of FIG. 7, and this is a code recorded in the RAM 22 in the processing according to this flowchart.

  On the other hand, if it is not cash on delivery, the process proceeds to step S502, and it is checked whether or not the delivery destination is a branch of the delivery source company (step S502). This check is made by searching for the address of each branch of the delivery source company shown in FIG. 13 that matches the address of the delivery destination included in the package request information.

  If the results of the search match, that is, if the delivery destination is one of the branch offices, the process proceeds to step S503, and the table of FIG. The difference in weight (loading margin weight) and the difference between the maximum loading amount and the registered loading amount (loading margin volume) are calculated (step S503). Here, “each flight” is delivered to a flight whose delivery destination is the address specified in the areas 606 to 608 in the GUI of FIG. 6 or to which the delivery destination is specified in the areas 606 to 608 in the GUI of FIG. As a relay point for this purpose, a flight which is an address registered in the table is inserted as shown in FIG.

  Then, the process proceeds to step S504, and each flight (a flight whose delivery destination is the address designated in the areas 606 to 608 in the GUI of FIG. 6 or the delivery destination is the address designated in the areas 606 to 608 in the GUI of FIG. 6). 13) as a relay point for delivery to the destination, the weight of the delivery target loaded this time is smaller than the weight of the room for loading, or the capacity of the delivery target loaded this time is It is checked whether or not the capacity is smaller than the loading capacity, and it is checked which flight can be loaded with the delivery object to be loaded this time (step S504). The weight of the delivery target to be loaded this time can be obtained by referring to the information specified in the area 619 in the GUI of FIG. 6, and the capacity of the delivery target to be loaded this time can be obtained by referring to the table of FIG. As described above, the capacity of the delivery target loaded this time can be acquired.

  Also, in the check in step S504, the delivery destination is delivered to the flight designated by the area 606 to 608 in the GUI of FIG. 6, or the delivery destination is delivered to the address designated by the area 606 to 608 in the GUI of FIG. As shown in FIG. 13, as the relay points for the check, the flights whose addresses are registered in the table are checked in order from the flight with the earliest delivery time.

  On the other hand, as a result of the check in step S502, if the delivery object loaded this time cannot be loaded for any flight (the weight of the delivery object loaded this time is larger than the weight of the loading space, or the capacity of the delivery object loaded this time is the loading space) If it is larger than the capacity, the process proceeds to step S508, and a code (“3” in this embodiment) indicating that the delivery method is “courier service” is recorded in the RAM 22 (step S508).

  On the other hand, as a result of this check, if a flight that can be loaded by the delivery target loaded this time can be searched (the weight of the delivery target loaded this time is smaller than the weight of the loading space, and the capacity of the delivery target loaded this time is the loading space) If it is smaller than the capacity, the process proceeds to step S505, and the arrival date and time at the delivery destination by “in-house flight” for the searched flight is obtained with reference to the table of FIG. 13 (step S505).

  Then, it is checked whether or not the obtained arrival date and time is earlier than the desired arrival date and time (the date and time input in the areas 611 to 613 in the GUI of FIG. 6) included in the package request information (step S506).

  As a result of this check, if the arrival date and time is later than the desired arrival date and time, the process proceeds to step S508, and a code (“3” in this embodiment) indicating that the delivery method is “courier” is recorded in the RAM 22. (Step S508). On the other hand, if the arrival date / time is earlier than or equal to the desired arrival date / time, the process proceeds to step S507, and a code (“1” in this embodiment) indicating that the delivery method is “in-house flight” is recorded in the RAM 22. (Step S507).

  If it is determined in step S502 that the delivery destination is not a branch of the delivery source company, that is, the delivery destination is not any of the branches, the process proceeds to step S509, and the remaining load weight is the same as in step S503. Then, the room capacity for loading is obtained (step S509), and in step S510, a flight having room is specified in the same manner as in step S504 (step S510). As a result, if the flight cannot be specified, the process proceeds to step S514, and the delivery method is determined as “courier service” (step S514).

  On the other hand, if the flight can be specified, the process proceeds to step S511, and the arrival date and time is obtained in the same manner as in step S505. In this step, the arrival date and time at the delivery destination by "combination" is obtained (step S511).

  Next, in step S512, it is checked whether or not the arrival date and time obtained in step S511 is earlier than the desired arrival date and time (the date and time input in the areas 611 to 613 in the GUI of FIG. 6). (Step S512).

  As a result of this check, if the arrival date and time is later than the desired arrival date and time, the process proceeds to step S514, and a code (“3” in this embodiment) indicating that the delivery method is “courier service” is recorded in the RAM 22. (Step S514). On the other hand, if the arrival date and time is earlier than or equal to the desired arrival date and time, the process proceeds to step S513, and a code indicating that the delivery method is “delivery using a combination of in-house flight and home delivery” (in this embodiment, “ 2 ") is recorded in the RAM 22 (step S513).

  Then, the process returns to step S327 in FIG. Note that the result of the processing according to the flowchart of FIG. 5, that is, which section is to be delivered by which delivery method (in-house delivery or courier service) is displayed on the display screen of the display device 105 of the server device 110. Anyway.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, whether the delivery destination can be delivered only by an in-house flight, whether the delivery destination is delivered together with the courier, or only delivered by the courier, the time limitation, delivery Can be determined in view of the status of the flight to be performed.

  In the present embodiment, the printer that prints the shipping instruction and the printer that prints the slip are described as separate ones. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a single printer may be used.

  Also, the GUI configuration, table configuration, and database configuration described in the present embodiment are not limited to the above configuration, and the configuration is not limited to this as long as it has similar functions.

[Second Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, when delivery is performed using both in-house delivery and home delivery at the delivery destination, the relay point is determined in advance as shown in FIG.

  However, the latitude and longitude of each branch and the latitude and longitude of the delivery destination are stored as a table in the hard disk 28 of the server apparatus 110, and by referring to this, the distance between each branch and the delivery destination is determined by the respective latitude and longitude. Therefore, the branch nearest to the delivery destination can be specified. Further, when a problem occurs in a branch, a process for specifying a branch serving as a relay point may be performed in the same manner except for this branch.

  For example, in the case where a predetermined branch or a situation in which delivery to this branch is difficult occurs, the first embodiment cannot cope with this, so that inconvenience occurs in delivery. Thus, such a problem can be dealt with by searching according to the situation without determining a branch in advance. Further, the method for identifying the branch nearest to the delivery destination is not particularly limited.

  Also, when specifying a relay point, in addition to the index “closest to the delivery destination”, the relay point is specified by another index, for example, “can be used together with other requirements”. There are a variety of types.

[Other Embodiments]
An object of the present invention is to supply a recording medium (or storage medium) that records software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus, and the computer of the system or apparatus (or CPU or MPU). Needless to say, this can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in the recording medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the recording medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the recording medium on which the program code is recorded constitutes the present invention.

  Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an operating system (OS) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.

  Furthermore, after the program code read from the recording medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion card inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function is based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the CPU or the like provided in the expansion card or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

  When the present invention is applied to the recording medium, program code corresponding to the flowchart described above is stored in the recording medium.

It is a figure which shows the rough structure of the system which produces the delivery plan for delivering a delivery object to a desired delivery destination. It is a block diagram which shows the basic composition of the computer applicable to the transportation method determination apparatus 110 and the terminal 120 for transportation requests. It is a flowchart of a series of processes performed in order to deliver a delivery object to a desired delivery destination by the transportation method determination apparatus 110 and the transportation request terminal 120. 6 is a flowchart of a series of processes for creating print data of a shipping instruction and sending it to the shipping instruction printing printer 140 so that the shipping instruction printing printer 140 can print the shipping instruction. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the process in step S326. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of GUI for inputting the information which concerns on delivery. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a package request database. It is a table for determining the delivery charge according to the size and weight of a box. It is a figure which shows the example of a printing of the slip which should be printed, when delivering to the delivery destination which is a branch of ABC sale from a shipping origin (here ABC sale which is Shinagawa headquarters). It is a figure which shows the example of a printing of the voucher for delivering a delivery object from ABC sales to a Nagoya branch by in-house mail. It is a figure which shows the example of a printing of the voucher for delivering a delivery object from a Nagoya branch to XYZ Kogyo Co., Ltd. by courier service. It is a figure which shows the example of a print which printed the delivery instruction | indication about the flight delivered to the Nagoya branch from ABC sales. The time required for delivery from the Shinagawa head office to the delivery destination (the address specified in the areas 606 to 608 in FIG. 6) using both in-house and courier services. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the table which showed the time required when delivering to a branch (Nagoya branch) for every dispatch date. In-house and courier are used for delivery to the address, name, and email address of the person in charge at each branch (base), and the person in charge of each courier, the company name of the courier, the mail address of the person in charge, and the delivery destination. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the table which manages the area (prefecture name) which the company of a parcel delivery service can cover as a relay point in a case. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the database for managing the total weight in each flight at the time of delivering to each branch from a delivery origin (Shinagawa head office in the figure). It is a figure which shows the structural example of the table which linked | related the number of boxes and the size. It is a figure which shows the relationship of the delivery method between each of a delivery origin, a branch, and a delivery destination.

Claims (5)

It is a server device that manages delivery in a company that delivers in-house flights between multiple locations ,
Request including at least shipper information, delivery source information, delivery date / time information, package information including package appearance and package weight, desired arrival date / time information, ship-to address information, and consignee information Request information storage means for storing information;
A loading information storage means for storing at least an in-house flight number and a total loading capacity and a total loading weight in an in-house flight corresponding to the in-house flight number;
A delivery time storage means for storing a delivery source, a delivery destination, an in-house mail / transport method, a closing time, an arrival date and time, and a required time for delivery;
Management information storage means for storing a base name, a base address, and an external carrier at the base,
Based on the delivery source information, the delivery date and time information, the shipping destination address information, and the base name and base address stored in the management information storage means included in the request information, a relay base in an in-house flight As well as
The delivery source information included in the request information, the delivery date and time information, the shipping destination address information, the delivery source stored in the delivery time storage means, the delivery destination, and the in-house mail / combined transportation method; An arrival time prediction means for predicting the arrival time based on the closing time and the arrival date and time;
Is the delivery date and time calculated from the carry-in date and time information, the closing time, and the required time compared with the desired arrival date and time information, and is delivery capable of satisfying the desired arrival date and time indicated by the desired arrival date and time information? First judging means for judging
A transport method determining means for determining a transport method corresponding to the request information based on a determination result by the first determining means;
Registration means for registering transportation method information indicating the transportation method determined by the transportation method determination means in the request information storage means;
With
The package information includes the total weight,
The transportation method determining means includes
A second judging means for judging whether or not the delivery address matches the base address, and judging whether or not there is room for loading of in-house flights by comparing the total loaded weight and the total weight. Prepared,
The second determining means determines that the delivery method is only an in-house flight when the delivery destination matches the base address and there is room for loading in-house flights, and the delivery destination matches the base address. If it is determined that there is room for loading internal flights, the transportation method is determined to be a combination of internal flights and external carriers, and if there is no room for internal flights, the transportation method is determined to be external carriers. A server device. The said management information storage means memorize | stores the delivery destination in charge of the said outside carrier, The said loading information storage means further memorize | stores unique ID for specifying the vehicle used. The server apparatus of description. Manage delivery in a company that delivers in-house flights between multiple locations,
Request including at least shipper information, delivery source information, delivery date / time information, package information including package appearance and package weight, desired arrival date / time information, ship-to address information, and consignee information Request information storage means for storing information;
A loading information storage means for storing at least an in-house flight number and a total loading capacity and a total loading weight in an in-house flight corresponding to the in-house flight number;
A delivery time storage means for storing a delivery source, a delivery destination, an in-house mail / transport method, a closing time, an arrival date and time, and a required time for delivery;
Management information storage means for storing a base name, a base address, and an external carrier at the base,
A method of controlling a server device comprising:
Based on the delivery source information, the delivery date and time information, the shipping destination address information, and the base name and base address stored in the management information storage means included in the request information, a relay base in an in-house flight As well as
The delivery source information included in the request information, the delivery date and time information, the shipping destination address information, the delivery source stored in the delivery time storage means, the delivery destination, and the in-house mail / combined transportation method; An arrival time prediction step for predicting the arrival time based on the closing time and the arrival date and time;
Is the delivery date and time calculated from the carry-in date and time information, the closing time, and the required time compared with the desired arrival date and time information, and can delivery satisfy the desired arrival date and time indicated by the desired arrival date and time information? A first determination step of determining
A transportation method determination step for determining a transportation method corresponding to the request information based on the determination result of the first determination step;
A registration step of registering in the request information storage means transport method information indicating the transport method determined in the transport method determination step;
With
The package information includes the total weight,
In the transportation method determination step,
A second determination step of determining whether or not the delivery address matches the base address and determining whether there is room for loading in-house flights by comparing the total loaded weight and the total weight. Prepared,
In the second determination step, when it is determined that the delivery destination matches the base address and there is room for loading in-house flights, the transportation method is determined to be only in-house flights, and the delivery destination matches the base address. If it is determined that there is room for loading internal flights, the transportation method is determined to be a combination of internal flights and external carriers, and if there is no room for internal flights, the transportation method is determined to be external carriers. A control method of a server device characterized by the above. A computer program for causing a computer to execute the control method according to claim 3 . And characterized by storing a computer program according to claim 4, a computer-readable storage medium.

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