JP3987018B2 - Integrated business software introduction and operation support system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a system for supporting introduction of an ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) package.

  The ERP package is package software for integrating and managing a company's core business. In the ERP package, various modules or components such as inventory purchasing management, sales management, financial accounting, management accounting, and personnel management are prepared for each field of the core business such as logistics, accounting, and human resources. Data handled by these modules is not managed on a module-by-module basis, but is logically managed on a single database. When each module accesses this database in cooperation with each other in real time, a series of processes related to a plurality of modules such as inventory management to financial accounting are automatically performed. This means that the ERP package provides specific and timely evaluation materials for optimization within and across businesses.

A company that intends to introduce an ERP package appropriately selects a module to be used from various modules in accordance with its own business. The selected module may not be adapted to the company-specific process as it is, but by preparing a number of customization items, the ERP package can cope with various types of industries, business formats, countries and cultures. If the parameters are set for the customization items and the business process of the company is adapted, there is no need to develop a new program, and the information system can be built and maintained by the company. Compared to the cost and cost burden. If there is still a gap between the functions provided by the ERP package and the business process of the company even after setting the parameters, an additional program is developed or the ERP package itself is changed to eliminate the gap. can the child both or. However, development of additional programs and changes to the ERP package itself mean that the merit of reducing the burden of introduction or maintenance is impaired, so it is preferable to avoid it.

  For this reason, when an ERP package is introduced, a business process is analyzed to determine whether to develop an additional program or change the ERP package itself. This determination requires know-how for parameter setting of the ERP package in addition to business process analysis ability. Although an introduction guide is prepared in the ERP package for appropriately setting parameters, the number of customization items is enormous, and the relationship between business requirements and customization items is generally complicated. In the introduction guide, the explanation of each customization item is described hierarchically according to the hierarchical structure of the customization items, but it is a hard work for the end user just to obtain fragmentary knowledge about the customization items from the explanation. . It is even more difficult to reflect business requirements in parameter settings while taking into account the relationship between customization items. Therefore, when examining the relationship between business requirements and parameter settings or reflecting business requirements in parameter settings, the consultant know-how is often relied upon.

  Consultants are trained separately by the ERP package module system. On the other hand, since business requirements are related to a plurality of module systems, a plurality of consultants usually participate in a project for introducing an ERP package. When setting parameters, each consultant individually examines the modules in charge, and adjustments are made between the module systems according to the results.

  Such parameter setting may be done by trial and error, and if the information about the parameter setting of the person involved in the project is lost, what kind of parameter setting was done in that project is It becomes difficult. For this reason, the parameter setting result is usually described in a document in preparation for system maintenance operation. When the ERP package is introduced, various documents such as business procedure manuals, manuals, development program functional specifications and technical specifications are created. These documents are stored in the form of paper or electronic data. For example, electronic data of a document is classified into a directory created hierarchically according to the type and content of the document.

  This allows end users and others who were not involved in the implementation project to share some information about the project. For example, if a problem occurs after the system is operational, use these documents to solve the problem. can do.

  However, even if various documents are stored, not all of the participants' knowledge about the project is described in those documents, so not all people get the necessary information from those documents. . In particular, it is difficult for many people to confirm according to the document what parameter setting satisfies a certain business requirement. As described above, the relationship between business requirements and parameter settings is complicated. For this reason, even if information on business requirements and customization items can be obtained from documents and implementation guides, if there is no consultant's personal know-how, the confirmation will be local and insufficient. Requires a lot of labor and time. Therefore, in this case, if know-how that is not directly described in the document cannot be shared, there are many tasks such as changing parameter settings in accordance with changes in business requirements and rolling out projects to group companies. It becomes difficult for the person.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems in the conventional technology, and provides a system that allows many people to share knowledge that complements a document stored with respect to an ERP package relatively easily. It is for the purpose.

This onset Ming, provides the introduction operating system of integrated business software to support by a computer to introduce the operation of the integrated business software. In this system, a document management unit manages the data of the relevant document of ERP software, including workflow diagram describing the flow of work. The database is expressed by concatenating a document ID for identifying a related document including a business flow diagram and a description element of the business flow diagram, and connecting a number of numeric strings corresponding to the hierarchy to which the description element belongs. A first table for associating the identification data with the identification information of the customization item of the integrated business software and the data of the location of the customization item , and the document type ID for identifying the type of the related document with the document ID of the related document A second table, and a third table associating the document type ID with a flag indicating whether or not to link the document ID in the first table and the document ID in the second table. The retrieval unit retrieves the identification data of the designated description element and the identification information of the customized item associated with the identification data partially matching the identification data and the data of the location from the database. Then, the output unit outputs the search result.

Since the output of the search result includes the location of the customization items corresponding to the description elements of the workflow diagram , if the user appropriately specifies the description elements according to the business requirements, the user will be placed under the description element. It is possible to easily know the location of customization items related to business requirements, including customization items corresponding to a description element. If you know where the customization item is, you can get an explanation of the customization item from the introduction guide. As a result, the user of the system, the relationship between the business requirements and customize items can be easily grasped, as well as related documents, knowledge that is not described in the relevant document also Ru are shared.

In this system, when the identification information of the customization item is designated, the retrieval unit may retrieve the identification data of the description element corresponding to the customization item from the database. As a result, the user can easily know the business elements related to the customization items, and understand what business requirements the impact of changing the parameter settings for the customization items will affect. it can. Combining search for customization items from business elements and search for business elements from customization items makes it easier to understand the relationship between business requirements and customization items.

Further, if the identification information of the customization item is associated with the classification of the application area by the database, the search unit can also search the classification of the application area corresponding to the identification information of the customization item for which the location is searched. The area of application area is given as global, regional, or local, for example. By knowing the classification of such application areas, the user can grasp the size of the influence range when the customization item is changed.

The retrieval unit retrieves the document ID of the related document corresponding to the identification data of the specified description element and the identification data partially matching the identification data from the database instead of the location of the customization item. Also good. As a result, the user can easily specify the document corresponding to the business requirement even if there are many related documents.

Further, the database includes a fourth table that associates the ID of development information for identifying development information and the document ID of the development document, the document ID of the workflow diagram, and the identification data of the description element of the workflow diagram. And a fifth table for associating document IDs of the development documents in the fourth table. Search unit can search the ID of the development information corresponding to the identification data and the identification data partially coincident identification data of the specified description element, from the database instead of the location of the customized items . As a result, the user can easily specify the development information corresponding to the business requirements.

Further, the retrieval unit may retrieve the document ID of the development document corresponding to the retrieved development information ID . As a result, the user can easily know not only which program corresponds to the business requirement but also the functional specifications and technical specifications of the program.

In addition, if the related document includes an outline description of the program, and the database also associates the outline description of the program with the document ID of the workflow diagram and the identification data of the description element of the workflow diagram , the search unit Instead of the location of the customization item, an outline description of the program corresponding to the identification data of the designated description element and the identification data partially matching the identification data may be retrieved. As a result, the user can easily refer to the outline description of the program corresponding to the business requirement.

  The system may further include a setting control unit that performs control to display a setting screen corresponding to the item on the integrated business software in accordance with the location of the customization item selected from the search results. . By providing this setting control unit, even a user who is not familiar with the integrated business software can easily and reliably find an appropriate customization item on the software.

  Further, the information processing apparatus further includes a registration update control unit that performs control for registering data in the database managed by the integrated business software or updating the database based on the content of data registration in the database or the content of updating the database. You may do it. By providing this registration update control unit, if the predetermined data is registered or updated in the database of the system of the present invention, the same is automatically applied to the database managed by the integrated business software. Processing is performed. Therefore, the maintenance procedure for both databases can be simplified.

  In another aspect, the present invention provides a program for causing a computer to function as the above-described system. This program may be provided to the market through an electric communication line such as the Internet, or may be provided to the market in a state recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM.

  In the present invention, since the location of the customized items corresponding to the business elements described in the business flow diagram and the business elements below the business elements is provided to the user, the relationship between the business requirements and the customized items is shown to the user. Is easy to grasp, can introduce integrated business software and perform maintenance operations, and is very useful for governance.

(Embodiment 1)
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 1, in the system according to this embodiment, a client computer 2 is connected to a server computer 1 through a local area network 3.

  A web server 11 is operating on the server computer 1. A user of this system can browse a web page from the web server 11 using the web browser 21 on the client computer 2.

  The client computer 2 includes an input unit 22 and an output unit 23 as a user interface. The user gives an instruction to the web browser 21 using the input unit 22 and browses the web page output by the output unit 23. A keyboard or a mouse can be used for the input unit 22, and a liquid crystal display or a CRT display can be used for the output unit 23.

  In accordance with the user instruction received by the input unit 22, the web browser 21 transmits a web page transfer request to the web server 11 through the network 3. Depending on the requested URL, the web server 11 processes a script on the server side to dynamically generate a web page. Although the script may be processed by an external program like CGI, in the following, it is assumed that the web server 11 having an execution environment processes the script.

  The dynamically generated web page represents a list of shared documents of users stored in the server computer 1 and a search result by the search unit 12. Electronic data of the user's shared document is stored in the storage device 13 of the server computer 1. This storage device 13 is, for example, a hard disk drive. The shared document stored in the storage device 13 includes an ERP package related document. The related documents of the ERP package are a business flow diagram (BFD), development documents such as technical specifications and functional specifications of programs, manuals, and the like. The BFD represents a business flow in a business area managed by the ERP package as a hierarchical business element. In FIG. 2, business elements are represented by rectangular symbols, and the relationship between the business elements is represented by arrows. If the business area is a stock order, the business flow is expressed by business elements such as planning and sales orders. Business elements are hierarchized as necessary. For example, one business element called planning can be expressed using a plurality of business elements as shown in FIG. In this embodiment, a plurality of business elements expressing a certain business element are described in another document, such as the document of FIG. 2 and the document of FIG.

  The document management unit 14 manages shared documents including related documents of such an ERP package. In response to a call from the web server 11, the document management unit 14 reads stored document data from the storage device 13, stores document data in the storage device 13, and stores documents stored in the storage device 13. Create a list of data. The document management unit 14 can be realized by a program or software component having these functions cooperating with hardware such as a CPU or a memory of the server computer 1. Data read by the document management unit 14 and data of a list of created documents are passed to the web server 11. When the web browser 22 requests a shared document or a list of documents, the web server 11 transmits data passed from the document management unit 14 or a web page generated according to the data to the web browser 22.

  The search unit 12 searches the database 15 in response to a call from the web server 11 and returns the search result to the web server 11.

  The database 15 associates ERP package customization items and their locations, and related documents with business areas and business elements. The customization item of the ERP package is a parameter setting target. Each customization item has a hierarchical structure. For example, in the case of SAP R / 3, which is a typical ERP package, customization items are located at Enterpise Structure \ Assignmnet \ Human Resources Management \…, Cross-Application Components \ Classification System \…, Financial Accounting \ Financial Accounting Global It can be expressed by the path to the customization item, such as Settings \ Document \ ... In the introduction guide (IMG), explanations of each customization item are described hierarchically. If the user can know the location of the customization item, the user can obtain the explanation from the IMG.

  In this embodiment, IMG identification information for identifying a customization item is assigned to each customization item. As shown in FIG. 4, the database 15 associates IMG identification information for each customization item with an IMG path indicating the location of the customization item. As in this example, an address of a web page indicating an IMG note describing a summary description of a customization item and a simple setting reason may also be associated with identification information of the IMG.

  Also, IDs for identifying each document are given to all related documents including BFD, and further, BFD numbers for identifying them are given to business elements described in each BFD. Even if the same BFD number is given to a plurality of business elements described in different BFDs, the business elements can be uniquely specified by a combination of the document ID and the BFD number.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the document ID and the BFD number are associated with the version number, the project number, and the IMG identification number by the database 15. The above-mentioned IMG identification information is a combination of the version number, project number, and IMG identification number, and the combination in FIG. 5 corresponds to the IMG identification information in FIG. The version number is a number indicating the version of the ERP package, and the project number is a number indicating the project. The IMG number is a number for identifying a customization item in the corresponding project. As described above, since the IMG identification information is associated with the IMG path, the document ID and the BFD number are associated with the IMG identification information and further the IMG path.

  In this embodiment, the BFD number specifies not only a business element but also a hierarchical business element path. In FIG. 5, the BFD number is represented by only a three-digit number string or two or more three-digit number strings connected by a hyphen. The number of numeric strings indicates the number of business elements corresponding to the BFD number in which the business element corresponding to the BFD number is counted from the top. When the BFD number is expressed only by a numeric string, the BFD number specifies a business element belonging to the top layer. When the BFD number is expressed by combining a plurality of numeric strings, each numeric string specifies a business element in each hierarchy. In FIG. 5, a number string corresponding to a layer one level lower than a layer corresponding to the number string is coupled to the right side of the number string. In this figure, a BFD number is represented only by a combination of one numeric string or two numeric strings, but a BFD number may be represented by a combination of three or more numeric strings. Among a plurality of number strings representing one BFD number, the leftmost number string indicates a business element belonging to the uppermost layer. The number sequence on the right side indicates business elements belonging to a layer in which the number when counting the number sequence from left to right and the number when counting the hierarchy from the top layer are the first. By combining numeric strings in this way, not only business elements but also upper-layer business elements expressed using the business elements are specified. Further, not only the business element but also the business element below the business element is specified.

  A business area ID for identifying the business areas managed by the ERP package is also assigned. In the example of FIG. 6A, the business area ID is associated with the document ID together with the document name and the document type ID by the database 15. The document type ID is used to identify a BFD or other document type. As shown in FIG. 6B, the database 15 associates the document type ID with a flag. This flag is used to determine a document ID to be linked to the document ID of the table of FIG. 5 among the document IDs included in the table of FIG. 6A. Here, a value of 1 is given only for a flag corresponding to a BFD that links document IDs, and a value of 0 is given for a flag corresponding to a document type other than BFD that does not link document IDs. When concatenating document IDs for document types other than BFD, the value of the flag corresponding to the document type may be set to 1. As described above, since the document ID and the BFD number are associated with the identification information of the IMG, if the document ID is connected, the business area ID is associated with the identification information of the IMG and further with the path of the IMG. Become.

  When receiving a search request designating a BFD number from the web server 11, the search unit 12 searches the database 15 for an IMG path corresponding to the designated BFD number. The search result is returned from the search unit 12 to the web server 11. The search unit 12 can be realized by a program or software component having such a function cooperating with hardware such as a CPU or a memory of the server computer 1.

  When the search result is obtained, the web server 11 dynamically generates a web page according to the search result. When the user wants to refer to such a search result, first, the URL for designating the search form is given to the web browser 21. Upon receiving the instruction, the web browser 21 transmits a transfer request for the search form to the web server 11.

  In response to this transfer request, the web server 11 returns a form as shown in FIG. This form includes an input field for inputting a business area ID, an input field for inputting a BFD number, a search button for instructing search execution, and a cancel button for canceling search execution. Yes. Using this form, the user can perform a search by specifying only the business area ID or the business area ID and the BFD number. Which business area ID or BFD number is designated may be determined by the user according to business requirements.

  Assume that the user inputs the business area ID and the BFD number using the input unit 22 in the input field of the form displayed by the output unit 23 and presses the search button. At this time, the web browser 21 designates a server-side script, and transmits a request to post the business area ID and the BFD number in the input field to the web server 11. When the web server 11 receives this request, the web server 11 processes the designated script. As a result, a search request for the specified business area ID and BFD number is made from the web server 11 to the search unit 12.

  Upon receiving the search request, the search unit 12 searches for an IMG path corresponding to the business area ID and the BFD number. Since the document ID is determined from the business area ID, it is possible to search for an IMG path using a combination of the document ID and the BFD number. This search is performed not only for the designated BFD number but also for the BFD number where the designated BFD number and the numeric string corresponding to the uppermost layer match. For example, even if the designated BFD number is given only by the numeric string 010, the search is performed not only on the BFD number but also on 010-010, 010-020, 010-010-010, 010-010-030, 010. This is also done for BFD numbers such as -020-010. If the specified BFD number is given by the concatenation of the numeric strings 010-010, the search is also performed for BFD numbers such as 010-010, 010-010-010, 010-010-030. The search unit 12 searches the database 15 for document IDs and IMG identification information corresponding to these BFD numbers, thereby obtaining business area IDs and IMG paths corresponding to these BFD numbers.

  As described above, the search result is returned to the web server 11, and a web page is dynamically generated according to the result. When the web browser 21 receives the web page from the web server 11, the web page is output by the output unit 23. As a result, the search result is output.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the output web page includes a list of business area IDs, BFD numbers, and BFD numbers including the same numeric strings as the BFD numbers and IMG paths corresponding to those BFD numbers. . In FIG. 8, L10 is designated as the business area ID. Also, 010 is designated as the BFD number, and the list includes IMG paths corresponding to the BFD numbers such as 010, 010-010, 010-030-030, and 010-040. As in this example, a single BFD number may correspond to a plurality of IMG paths.

  By browsing this web page, the user can know the IMG path corresponding to the business area ID and the BFD number. The user does not need to know the contents of many customization items in order to know what customization items the business element corresponds to. If the user can easily obtain the knowledge to keep track of, this knowledge will be shared with many people. Further, in this system, the IMG path is searched not only for the business element corresponding to the designated business area ID and BFD number, but also for the business element below the business element. For this reason, even if the user can specify only a rough business element based on the business requirements, it is possible to roughly determine the related IMG path. In this example, the searched IMG path is output in combination with the corresponding business area ID and BFD number. As in this example, if the search result is output in combination with the corresponding business element, the user can also know what business element the specified business element is expressed in. .

  The search unit 12 may return not only the combination of the business area ID and the BFD number and the IMG path corresponding to the combination, but also the IMG identification number and identification information as a result of the search. In this case, as shown in FIG. 9, the IMG identification number can be included in the web page dynamically generated according to the search result. Further, the URL of a web page indicating an IMG note may be returned. In this case, the web server 11 adds a link to the URL of the web page indicating the note corresponding to the identification number to the identification number of the IMG, and dynamically generates a web page as a search result. If the link is added to the web page in this way, the user can easily know the outline of the customization item and the simple setting reason.

  When the user inputs only the business area ID in the input field of the search form, the search unit 12 searches the database 15 for the document ID corresponding to the business area ID and obtains the document obtained thereby. A BFD number corresponding to the ID and identification information of the IMG are obtained. Accordingly, the search unit 12 can obtain an IMG path as in the case where the BFD number is input.

  Since the database 15 associates the BFD number and the business area ID with the document ID, the search unit 12 stores the document ID of the related document corresponding to the BFD number or the business area ID in place of the IMG path. 15 can be searched.

  Further, the search unit 12 may search for the ID of the development information corresponding to the BFD document ID and the BFD number instead of the IMG path. In this case, the database 15 has a table for associating the ID of the development information with the document ID. As the ID of the development information, a development request ID assigned by the developer with respect to the development request can be used to identify the program that has requested the development. As shown in FIG. 10A, in the table, one development request ID can be associated with a plurality of document IDs, and one document ID can be associated with a plurality of development request IDs. Here, the document corresponding to the document ID associated with the development request ID is a development document such as a technical specification or a functional specification of the program among the documents managed by the document management unit 14. The database 15 also includes a table for associating a combination of a BFD document ID and a BFD number with a reference document ID. The document ID of the reference destination is a document ID associated with the development request ID. As shown in FIG. 10B, in the table, one combination can be associated with a plurality of reference destination document IDs, and one reference destination document ID can be associated with a plurality of combinations.

  The combination of the BFD document ID and the BFD number is associated with the development request ID via the reference destination document ID. Therefore, if the user specifies the document ID and BFD number of the BFD, the search unit 12 can search for the development request ID corresponding to the combination.

  In order to select which of the IMG path, the related document, and the development request ID is searched, a selection field is provided in the search form as shown in FIG. 11, for example. The user designates in this selection column whether to search for an IMG path, a related document, or a development request ID. A value indicating which of these is selected is posted from the web browser 21 to the web server 11 in the same manner as the BFD number or the like. When making a search request to the search unit 12, the web server 11 also passes this value to the search unit 12. The search unit 12 determines which of the IMG path, the related document, and the development request ID is to be searched according to this value.

  When searching for the development request ID, since the development request ID is associated with the document ID of the development document, the search unit 12 can also search for the document ID of the development document corresponding to the searched development request ID. . A directory in which the development document is stored may be specified from the document ID, and a link to the development document may be added to the search result web page.

  A user who uses such a system can easily specify not only an IMG path corresponding to a business requirement but also a related document and a development request, and can further utilize a shared document.

  Further, when the document describing the outline of the development program is included in the shared document, the outline ID of the program is set to the document ID and the BFD in the same manner as the development request ID and the document ID of the development document. The number may be associated with the database 15. If the ID of the program summary description is associated with the document ID and the BFD number, the search unit 12 can also search for the program summary description instead of the IMG path.

  The outline of the program is explained about the outline of the function of the program, a functional block diagram, a list of related objects, an interface screen, a list of variables, a description of modifications, and the like. If an ID is assigned to each description, the search unit 12 can also search each description corresponding to the ID of the outline description of the searched program as necessary.

  As a result, the user can easily refer to the outline description of the program corresponding to the business requirement.

(Embodiment 2)
In the first embodiment, the search unit 12 searches the database 15 for the IMG path corresponding to the BFD number. However, the search unit 12 can also search the database 15 for the BFD number corresponding to the identification information and the identification number of the IMG.

  In this case, for example, a search form as shown in FIG. 12 is used. This search form is provided with not only an input field for inputting a business area ID and a BFD number but also an input field for inputting IMG identification information.

  The user performs an operation of inputting only the identification information of the IMG in the input field of the form and pressing the search button. For the input IMG identification information, information already known by the user may be used, or information appearing in the search result in the first embodiment may be used.

  When the operation is performed, the web browser 21 designates a server-side script and transmits a request for posting IMG identification information in the input field to the web server 11. When the web server 11 receives this request, a search request is made to the search unit 12 as in the first embodiment. The search unit 12 searches the database 15 for a combination of a document ID and a BFD number corresponding to a combination of a version, a project, and an IMG identification number that matches the specified IMG identification information. In this example, since the business area ID and the BFD number are not specified, all combinations of the document ID and the BFD number are targeted for the search.

  The search result is returned to the web server 11 as in the first embodiment, and a web page is dynamically generated according to the result. When the web browser 21 receives the web page from the web server 11, the web page is output by the output unit 23. The output web page includes a list of IMG identification information and business area IDs and BFD numbers corresponding to the identification information.

  The user can know the business area ID and the BFD number corresponding to the specified identification information of the IMG by browsing the web page. Therefore, if the user has knowledge about the customization item, the user can easily specify the business requirement corresponding to the customization item even if the user does not grasp the business requirement in detail. As a result, it is also easy to grasp the details of parameter setting when the project is rolled out to a group company. In addition, even if the user has not grasped both the customization item and the business requirement in detail, by repeating the search for the customization item corresponding to the business requirement and the search for the business requirement corresponding to the customization item, You can easily deepen your understanding of both.

(Embodiment 3)
When related documents of the ERP package are managed collectively for a plurality of companies, the company code may be associated with the document ID by the database 15 as shown in FIG. 13A. As the company code, a code unique to each company defined between the companies can be used. As shown in FIG. 13B, the company code is associated with a company name or the like in the master table. Here, although described as a company code, if the business entity that manages the business by the ERP package is not a company, a code for identifying a business entity other than the company may be used instead of the company code. Good. If the company code is associated with the document ID, a search specifying the company code can also be performed.

  When searching only for a specific company, the user designates the company code or company name of the company in the search form. In the example of FIG. 14, an input field for inputting a company code is provided on the search form. The user inputs the company code of the company in this input field as necessary. When the user is authenticated before the search form is transmitted from the web server 11 to the web browser 21 and the user ID is associated with the company code, it is used in the search form input field in advance. It is also possible to automatically insert the company code of the company to which the person belongs.

  If the company code has been input when the search button is pressed, the web browser 21 transmits a request to post the company code to the web server 11 together with the other input values. If the company code and the BFD number are specified, the search unit 12 searches for the document ID corresponding to the specified company code, and the specified BFD number among the BFD numbers associated with the searched document ID. The identification information and path of the IMG corresponding to is searched.

  The search unit 12 returns a company code, a BFD number, an IMG path corresponding to the BFD number, and the like to the web server 11 as a search result. As shown in FIG. 15, the web server 11 dynamically generates a web page that expresses an IMG path in combination with a company code, a business area ID, and a BFD number according to the search result.

  When the business area ID is specified without specifying the BFD number and the company code, the search unit 12 searches all document IDs corresponding to the company code and the specified business area ID, and the retrieved document ID All the BFD numbers and IMG identification information and paths corresponding to are obtained.

  In this case, the company code returned to the web server 11 as a result of the search includes the company codes of all companies having documents corresponding to the designated business area ID. The search result includes all the BFD numbers and IMG paths corresponding to those documents. Therefore, the BFD numbers representing the business flow in the business area corresponding to the designated business area ID and the corresponding BFD numbers are also included. An IMG pass will be obtained for each company.

  Since the web page expressing the search result is output by the output unit 23, the user can view what business elements the business area is composed of by viewing the web page. It is possible to compare the customization items related to each company.

  Even if there are many common business elements in multiple companies, even if there are many common business elements in those business areas, some business elements are in those companies as a result of considering the business processes unique to each company. Sometimes it doesn't fit. If the comparison as described above is possible, the user can easily grasp those common points and differences.

  Even when the company code can be specified as in the third embodiment, as described in the first embodiment, not only the IMG path but also related documents and development request IDs can be searched.

(Embodiment 4)
Even if a project is rolled out to a group company, some customization items have the same parameter settings, and some customization items have different parameter settings in that group company to absorb differences in countries and cultures. . If parameter settings common to many group companies are changed, the possibility of the change being applied to other group companies must be considered.

  However, since the application area of the parameter setting for each customization item is unique to the group company, the application area is not described in the introduction guide.

  Therefore, in the system according to this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 16, the identification information of the IMG is associated not only with the IMG path and note but also with the classification ID of the application area by the database 15. Here, the application area is classified into, for example, global, regional, and local. Global indicates that it applies to the entire group company. The regional indicates that it applies to all companies belonging to one of the regional divisions in the group companies such as Asia, Europe and the United States. And local indicates that it applies only to a specific company. In the database 15, for each section, a section ID is given by, for example, a single letter alphabet such as G, R, and L.

  As described above, if the classification ID is associated with the identification information of the IMG, the search unit 12 not only returns the BFD number and the corresponding IMG path as a result of the search, but also the classification ID is sent to the web server 11. Can return.

  If the category ID is included in the search result, the web server 11 dynamically generates a web page of the search result including the category ID.

  As shown in FIG. 17, if the category ID is shown for each IMG path on the search result web page, the user can refer to the web page to change the scope of influence when the customization item is changed. The size can be grasped.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the search unit 12 and the document management unit 14 provide data to the client computer 2 through the web server 11 and the web browser 21. Thus, the display device of the client computer 2 functions as the output unit of the present invention, but is not limited to this. For example, if a web page is directly output to a display device connected to the server computer 1, the system of the present invention can be constructed with only one computer. Further, if the search unit 12 and the database 15 are distributed on a computer different from the server computer 11, the system of the present invention can be constructed with three or more computers. It is also possible to provide the program corresponding to the search unit 12 and the document management unit 14 and the web server 11 as a single program.

  Further, each computer is connected via the local area network 3, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the client computer 2 may be connected to the server computer 1 via the Internet.

(Embodiment 5)
The system of the present invention can be used with an information system based on an ERP package. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 18, a server computer 100 that realizes the information system is connected to a server computer 1 and a client computer 2 through a local area network 3.

  In the server computer 100, an application server 101 using an ERP package is operating. The application server 101 provides clients with various applications related to each field of basic business such as logistics, accounting, and human resources. Data related to these operations is centrally managed on the database 102. When there is a processing request or other trigger from the client, the application server 101 accesses the database 102 and performs data input / update, result output, and the like. Various business transactions such as order registration and warehousing are reflected on the database 102 when the application server 101 accesses the database 102 in accordance with their contents.

  In this embodiment, the application server 101 has a communication interface with a web browser, and can accept a request from the web browser 21 on the client computer 2 and return a response thereto. A user interface for operating the information system is provided using the web browser 21.

  Corresponding to the ERP package used in the application server 101, the database 15 performs the association as described in each embodiment.

  A user operates a plurality of web browsers 21 on the client computer 21 to perform operations on the information system while searching for customization items and the like. You can search for and so on. For example, it is assumed that the location of the customization item “... / Database / table structure setting” is obtained as a result of the search specifying the BFD number. On the screen for selecting customization items of the information system, as shown in FIG. 19, the customization items are hierarchized as obtained as a result of the search. Therefore, the user can easily select the customization item on the screen according to the location of the customization item obtained as a result of the search. When the customization item “setting of table structure” is selected, a setting screen corresponding to the item as shown in FIG. 20 is displayed. When making settings on this screen, if the user wants to check what business elements other than the business elements corresponding to the BFD number specified by the user are related to the settings, the user can You can also search. This type of usage is very useful for introducing integrated business software into a new business entity and performing operation and maintenance by making use of past project settings.

  As described above, it is possible not only to operate the system of the present invention in parallel with the information system but also to link it with the information system.

  In the server computer 1 in this embodiment, the interlock control unit 16 controls the cooperation with the information system. The interlock control unit 16 includes a setting control unit 161 and a registration update control unit 162.

  The setting control unit 161 requests the ERP server 101 to automatically display a setting screen corresponding to the item on the user interface of the information system according to the location of the customization item selected from the search results. In addition, the registration update control unit 162 registers data in the database 102 managed by the information system or updates the database 102 based on the data registration content in the database 15 or the database 15 update content. Requests the ERP server 101 for processing. The registration of data in the database 15 and the update of the database 15 are managed by the management unit 17, and the management unit 17 gives the registration contents and the update contents of the data to the registration update control unit 162.

  The ERP server 101 has an interface to the setting control unit 161 and the registration update control unit 162 for cooperation with the system of the present invention. Then, a processing request from the interlock control unit 161 is received via the interface, and the processing result is returned to the client designated by the request.

  Normally, when an information system is used, user authentication is required. When linking with the information system, the authentication information input when logging on to the system of the present invention can be used for the authentication.

  When logging on to the system of the present invention, for example, a web page as shown in FIG. 21 is transmitted from the web server 11 to the web browser 21. Displayed by the output unit 23. This logon screen has fields for entering a user name, password, and company code. The user inputs the correct combination in these fields using the input unit 22 and logs on to the system of the present invention. The input information is transmitted from the web browser 21 to the web server 11 and temporarily stored in the management unit 17.

  When it is confirmed that the information input by the management unit 17 is correct, a web page as shown in FIG. 22 is transmitted from the web server 11 to the web browser 21 and displayed by the output unit 23. On this menu screen, items for selecting processing such as search and maintenance are arranged.

  When the user selects search on this menu screen, a search form transfer request is transmitted from the web browser 21 to the web server 11. In response to this request, the web server 11 returns a search form as shown in FIG. 7 or FIG. A search is performed using the search form as described in the above embodiments, and the result is output by the output unit 22. Here, it is assumed that a result as shown in FIG. 23 is output. The web page for outputting this result has almost the same form as that shown in FIG. 15 except that a selection box 2301 and a cooperation activation button 2302 are provided.

  When a user of the system of the present invention desires a cooperative operation with the information system, the user gives an instruction using the selection button 2301 and the cooperative activation button 2302.

  A selection box 2301 is provided for the location of each retrieved customization item. The user can use the selection box 2301 to select one of the locations of the searched customization items.

  When selection is performed using the selection box 2301 and the user operates the cooperation activation button 2302, a request including information for specifying the location of the selected customization item is transmitted from the web browser 21 to the web server 11.

  Upon receiving this request, the web server 11 gives the specific information to the setting control unit 161 of the interlock control unit 16. The setting control unit 161 obtains a user name and password from the management unit 17 and logs on to the information system instead of the user using them. This logon request is transmitted to the ERP server 101 via the web server 11, and the ERP server 101 performs authentication. When the authentication is performed by the ERP server 101, the corresponding application is activated and the setting control unit 161 is notified via the web server 11 that the authentication has been normally performed. Upon receiving this notification, the setting control unit 161 transmits a processing request including information for specifying the location of the selected customization item to the ERP server 101. Upon receiving this processing request, the ERP server 101 dynamically generates a web page for performing settings corresponding to the item based on the specific information. Then, the web page is transferred to the web browser 21. This web page is for displaying a setting screen as shown in FIG.

  By providing the setting control unit 161 as described above, the setting screen is automatically displayed. Therefore, the user can easily and reliably find an appropriate customization item without referring to a screen for selecting the customization item of the information system.

  When the user selects to perform maintenance on the menu screen shown in FIG. 22, the registration update control unit 162 realizes cooperation between the system of the present invention and the information system.

  Here, it is assumed that registration of data in the database 15 is selected. Instead of registering data, updating of the database 15 such as change or deletion of data registered in the database 15 may be used. When the user selects to register data from the menu screen, a request including the data registration content is transmitted from the web browser 21 to the web server 11.

  Upon receiving this request, the web server 11 gives the contents to the registration update control unit 162 and the management unit 17 of the interlock control unit 16. The management unit 17 registers the data in the database 15 based on the contents. Similarly to the setting control unit 161, the registration update control unit 162 obtains a user name and password from the management unit 17, and uses them to log on to the information system instead of the user. Upon receiving a notification that the authentication has been normally performed, the registration update control unit 162 transmits a processing request including the data registration content to the ERP server 101. Upon receiving this processing request, the ERP server 101 accesses the database 102 based on the contents and registers the data in the database 102 as well. When the update contents of the database 15 are given, the ERP server 101 updates the database 102 based on the contents. Then, a web page informing the database 102 of the processing result is transmitted to the web browser 21.

  By providing the registration update control unit 162 in this way, when data registration or database update is performed in the system of the present invention, the contents are automatically reflected in the information system database. For this reason, the maintenance procedure of both systems can be simplified, and the consistency of information between both systems can be easily ensured.

  The integrated business software introduction and operation support system according to the present invention has an effect that the user can easily grasp the relationship between the business requirements and the customization items, and can be used for the introduction, maintenance operation, and governance of the integrated business software. Useful.

The figure which shows schematic structure of the system in embodiment of this invention Diagram showing an example of a business flow diagram Diagram showing another example of business flow diagram The figure which shows the table which associates the identification information and path | pass of IMG. The figure which shows the table which matches document ID and BFD number, and the identification information of IMG. The figure which shows the table which links | relates document ID and business area ID Figure showing an example of a search form The figure which shows an example of the web page which expressed the search result as a pair with the BFD number and the business area ID The figure which shows an example of the web page expressed by adding the identification number of IMG to the search result The figure which shows the table which links | relates a BFD number and development request ID The figure which shows the search form provided with the selection column for selecting which of IMG path | pass, a related document, and development request ID is searched. The figure which shows the search form provided with the input column which inputs the identification information of IMG The figure which shows the table which matches the identification information of IMG, an application area, and the path | pass of IMG. Figure showing a search form with an entry field for entering a company code The figure which shows an example of the web page which expressed the search result as a pair with the BFD number and the company code The figure which shows the table which associates the identification information of IMG with an application area. A diagram showing an example of a web page that expresses search results in pairs with business areas The figure which shows schematic structure of the system in embodiment of this invention The figure which shows an example of the screen for selecting the customization item of an information system The figure which shows an example of the setting screen of an information system The figure which shows an example of the web page for displaying the logon screen The figure which shows an example of the web page for displaying the menu screen The figure which shows an example of the web page which can instruct | indicate cooperation with an information system

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Server computer 2 Client computer 3 Network 11 Web server 12 Search part 13 Storage device 14 Document management part 15 Database 16 Interlocking control part 17 Management part 21 Web browser 22 Input part 23 Output part 100 Server computer 101 ERP server 102 Database 161 Setting control Unit 162 Registration update control unit

Claims (11)

An integrated business software introduction and operation system that supports the introduction and operation of integrated business software using a computer,
The computer is
A document management unit for managing the data of the relevant document of ERP software, including workflow diagram describing the flow of work,
Document ID for identifying a related document including the business flow diagram, and identification data given to the description element of the business flow diagram and expressed by concatenating a number of numeric strings corresponding to the hierarchy to which the description element belongs A first table for associating the identification information of the customization item of the integrated business software and the data of the location of the customization item , and a document type ID for identifying the type of the related document to the document ID of the related document. A database having a table 2 and a third table associating a document type ID with a flag indicating whether or not to link the document ID in the first table and the document ID in the second table ;
A search unit for searching the identification data of the designated description element and the identification information of the customized item associated with the identification data partially matching the identification data and the data of the location from the database;
An integrated business software introduction and operation support system comprising an output unit for outputting the search result. The integrated business software introduction and operation support system according to claim 1, wherein, when identification information of a customization item is designated, the search unit searches the database for identification data of a description element corresponding to the customization item. The database associates the classification of the application area with the identification information of the customization item,
The integrated business software introduction and operation support system according to claim 1, wherein the search unit also searches for a classification of an application area corresponding to identification information of a customization item searched for a location. Claim wherein the search unit, the document ID of the associated document corresponding to the identification data identifying the data and the identification data and the partial match of the specified description elements, searches from the previous SL database instead of customizing item location The integrated operation software introduction and operation support system according to 1. The database includes a fourth table for associating development information IDs for identifying development information and document IDs of development documents, document IDs of the workflow diagram, and identification data of description elements of the workflow diagram, A fifth table associating a document ID of the development document in the fourth table;
Claim wherein the search unit, the ID of the development information corresponding to the identification data to the identification data and the identification data and the partial match of the specified description elements, searches from the previous SL database instead of the location of the customized items The integrated operation software introduction and operation support system according to 1. 6. The integrated business software introduction and operation support system according to claim 5 , wherein the retrieval unit also retrieves a document ID of a development document corresponding to the retrieved development information ID . The related document includes an outline description of the program,
The database, the identification data description elements of the document ID and the business flow diagram of the workflow diagram, also associated summary Description of programs,
The integrated operation according to claim 1, wherein the search unit searches for an outline description of a program corresponding to identification data of a specified description element and identification data partially matching the identification data , instead of the location of a customization item. Software installation and operation support system.   2. The integrated business software according to claim 1, further comprising a setting control unit configured to perform control to display a setting screen corresponding to the item on the integrated business software in accordance with a location of the customization item selected from the search result. Introduction operation support system.   A registration update control unit configured to perform control of registering data in the database managed by the integrated business software or updating the database based on the content of data registration in the database or the content of update of the database; An integrated business software introduction and operation support system according to claim 1. A computer-readable recording medium on which an integrated business software introduction and operation support program for causing a computer to function as the system according to claim 1 is recorded. An integrated business software introduction and operation support program for causing a computer to function as the system according to claim 1 .

Images