JP5803533B2 - Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for improving the efficiency of picking work.

  Currently, there are many total picking methods in which the total number of products for each product is collected from the shelves by primary picking from the shelf and then secondary picking is performed according to the destination when there are many items shipped to multiple destinations during shipment from the warehouse. It has been adopted. This method reduces the number of times she goes to the shelf, but it does not require secondary picking for shipments where only one item is handled as a rose that needs to be packed. In the case of many shipments, the number of steps for secondary picking, the collection location for collecting primary picking, and the waiting time until the start of secondary picking were wasted.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for providing a picking facility that can eliminate wasteful secondary sorting work and improve work efficiency in a facility that performs a collective picking work (primary sorting work) using a mobile vehicle. Yes.

JP 2002-284314 A

  However, although the technique of Patent Document 1 is a technique that can eliminate wasteful secondary sorting work, it is a technique that is limited to the case where one article to be sorted is one article, and is an item handled as a rose. No consideration has been given to this case. Therefore, for example, a case where there is one and a plurality of items that need to be packaged, such as ink for an ink jet printer, is required (when five red inks are delivered to Mr. A). I can't. That is, in such a case, the secondary sorting work cannot be eliminated.

  Therefore, the present invention solves the above-described problem, and makes it possible to extract a shipping instruction that can eliminate the secondary sorting operation even when there is a shipping instruction that includes items handled in bulk that require packing.

The present invention is an information processing apparatus for managing a plurality of shipping information including one or more items, out of the case classification is information specifying whether requiring packaging is assigned to each of the item management means for managing the load information, among the shipment information managed by said management means, a shipping information including an item that is the case segmented is assigned indicating that the item requiring packing only one And shipping information extracting means for extracting the shipping information in which the number of articles contained in the one item is one or more .

  According to the present invention, it is possible to extract a shipping instruction that can eliminate the secondary sorting operation even when there is a shipping instruction that includes loose items that require packing.

It is a block diagram which shows the information processing system in embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the main hardware constitutions of the server in embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the whole process in embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the extraction process in embodiment of this invention. It is an example of the screen which receives designation | designated of the warehouse in embodiment of this invention. It is an example of the shipping information screen in the embodiment of the present invention. It is an example of the search result in embodiment of this invention. It is an example of the leaving instruction | indication screen at any time in embodiment of this invention. It is an example of the shipping information table in the embodiment of the present invention. It is an example of the division | segmentation shipment information table in embodiment of this invention. It is an example of the shipping instruction | indication label in embodiment of this invention.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In the information processing system, a server (information processing apparatus) 101, a client terminal 102, and a handy terminal 103 are connected via a network 104 so that they can communicate with each other. The network 104 is a communication line such as a LAN or the Internet.

  The server 101 is a server that manages shipping information, and extracts shipping information that can eliminate the secondary sorting work in response to a request from the client terminal. For example, the client terminal may be provided as a web service using a web application, but may be in other forms.

  The client terminal 102 is a terminal operated by the user, and the user can operate the client terminal to remove the secondary sorting work from the shipping information managed by the server 101. Make a request to extract. When using a web application, it is assumed that a web browser is installed.

  The handy terminal 103 is a portable information terminal operated by a user, and includes a printing mechanism. The shipping information extracted by the client terminal 102 is received by the network 1040 or other communication line 105 (infrared communication, USB connection, etc.), and the information is recorded in the recording area. Using the recorded shipping information, a shipping instruction sheet and a destination label are printed.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a main hardware configuration of the server 101. The server 101 includes a CPU 21, a RAM 22, a ROM 23, a communication adapter 24, a display adapter 25, a keyboard 26, a mouse 27, an HDD (hard disk device) 28, and a DVD-RW 29, which are connected via a system bus 20.

  The CPU 21 controls the entire computer using programs and data stored in the RAM 22 and the ROM 23 and executes each process described later.

  The RAM 22 has an area for temporarily recording programs and data loaded from the HDD 28 and the DVD-RW drive 29. The RAM 22 also includes a program and data received from an external device via the communication adapter 24, and a work area used when the CPU 21 executes various processes.

  The ROM 23 stores a boot program, setting data for each hardware device constituting the server 101, and the like.

  The communication adapter 24 functions as an interface unit for connecting the server 101 to the network 104, and the server 101 performs data communication with an external device (for example, the client terminal 102) via the network 104 via the communication adapter 24. be able to. The type of the communication adapter 24 does not matter.

  The display adapter 25 can be connected to a CRT, a liquid crystal display or the like, and can display the processing result of the CPU 21 as an image or text.

  Reference numerals 26 and 27 are typical examples of an input device using a keyboard and a mouse, respectively, and function as a user interface for inputting various instructions to the CPU 21. Note that the types of input devices are not limited to these.

  An HDD (hard disk device, storage unit) 28 stores an OS (operating system), a web application, and table data described later.

  The DVD-RW drive 29 reads a program and data recorded on a CD-ROM or the like and outputs them to the RAM 22 or the HDD 28.

  The server 101 reads the installed operation system and each program into the RAM 22 and provides a web service.

  Subsequently, the flow of processing for extracting a shipping instruction that can eliminate the secondary sorting work even when there is a shipping instruction (shipment information) that includes items handled in bulk that require packing in the embodiment of the present invention. explain.

  In this embodiment, the case of a web application will be described as an example. However, the realization method is not limited to this method. For example, it can be similarly realized in a client server type system. is there.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the overall processing flow in the embodiment of the present invention.

  Here, a flow is described in which a general user operates a client terminal to extract predetermined shipping information from the server, and prints a shipping label from the handy terminal using the shipping information.

  First, a user operates a client terminal to start a browser, and then performs an operation of accessing a predetermined URL in order to receive a web service provided by the server. Then, after the login screen is displayed, the next process starts.

  In step S301, the client terminal makes a login request. Here, it is assumed that the user ID and password input by the user are transmitted.

  In step S302, the server accepts a login request. Then, user authentication is performed using the received user ID and password.

  In step S303, the server transmits shipping information screen data. In the embodiment of the present invention, it is assumed that there is one warehouse and the shipment information screen data is transmitted immediately after user authentication. However, when a plurality of shipment warehouses are provided, the user is requested before that. The embodiment may be such that the designation of the warehouse is received from and the shipping information screen data for the warehouse is transmitted. An example of a screen for receiving a warehouse is shown in FIG. A user selects a predetermined warehouse through the warehouse selection screen.

  In step S304, the client terminal receives the shipping information screen data.

  In step S305, the client terminal displays on the browser using the shipping information screen data. Here, first, all shipping information from the warehouse is displayed. A display example of the shipping information screen is shown in FIG.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, for shipping from a warehouse, for example, the shipping company may be different depending on the direction, and therefore, it is assumed that shipping instructions are put together for each shipping company and shipping work is performed. Also, the shipping company is referred to as “delivery mode”, and the combined shipping operation is referred to as “batch”. In the example of FIG. 6, there is shipping information of the shipping company “ABC flight (Kanto)” and “XX flight (Kanto)”.

  In step S306, the client terminal makes a search request using the specified search condition. Here, various search conditions can be input. In the embodiment of the present invention, a user requests a search by pressing a search button 603 after a predetermined code is entered in the delivery mode field 601 to narrow down to a predetermined shipping company. Continue to explain as a thing.

  In step S307, the server accepts a search request including a search condition. Then, a search process is performed using the received search condition.

  In step S308, the server transmits search result screen data including the search result.

  In step S309, the client terminal receives the search result screen data.

  In step S311, the client terminal displays on the browser using the search result screen data. A display example of the search result is shown in FIG.

  FIG. 7 shows that the shipping information of the shipping company “ABC flight (Kanto)” is narrowed down. Then, the user looks at the batch group name column 701 and clicks a numerical value in the order column 702 of a predetermined batch group name. This numerical value is changed to the next screen by a hyperlink. In the embodiment of the present invention, the description will be continued assuming that the numerical value “51” 703 is selected. Note that, after selection, screen information is communicated between the client and the server, but the description thereof is omitted here.

  After the numerical value is selected, an exit instruction screen as needed shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on the client terminal. On this screen, the user determines shipping information to be extracted. Specifically, in the threshold value column 801, numerical values of “weight” and “volume” are input. By default, an upper limit is entered, so any value can be entered. In addition, one of “No extraction”, “Rose only”, and “Include case” is selected from the extraction target classification column 802. Here, “rose only” means that the shipping information of only one item is extracted for the item whose case classification of the stock reserved for the item included in the order is rose. Further, “including cases” means that items including only one item in an order are extracted, including those shipped from case stock. In the exclusive output presence / absence column 803, any one of “none”, “present”, and “all” is selected. Note that a special biography is a special slip, and the work to attach a special slip has a large work load, which affects the work efficiency of the entire batch. The condition can be specified.

  Finally, the user presses the search button 804. When the search button 804 is pressed, the extracted results are reflected in the condition table 805 and the result table 806, respectively. During this time, communication of screen information is performed between the client and the server, but the description thereof is omitted here.

  In FIG. 8, the extraction result when the threshold weight is the upper limit value, the capacity is 45000 (cm 3), the exclusive output is “none”, and the extraction target category is “include case” is reflected in the result table 806. The user changes the extraction conditions with reference to the numerical values in the result table, and performs the work of finalizing the final extraction conditions.

  In step S312, the client terminal determines whether an extraction instruction has been accepted. If Yes, the process proceeds to S312. If No, the process returns to S305. In the example of FIG. 8, when the user inputs the code number to be assigned to the delivery mode to be extracted in the field 807 and the execute button 808 is pressed, it is determined Yes, and when the return button 809 is pressed, No Is determined.

  In step S312, the client terminal makes a request to extract shipping information.

  In step S313, the server accepts a request to extract shipping information.

  In step S314, the server performs an extraction process. A detailed description of the extraction process will be given with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a detailed processing flow of the extraction processing according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In step S401, the server extracts all target shipping information from the managed shipping information and receives it in the memory or the like. An example of the received shipping information is shown in FIG. In the shipment information table, the shipment acceptance header 901 includes “warehouse”, “order NO”, and “delivery mode”, and the shipment receipt details 902 includes “shipment slip NO”, “shipment slip detail NO”, “Special transmission light emission method category”, “item CD”, “number of goods issued”, “issue weight (Kg)”, and “issue volume (cm 3)” are included. The shipping receipt inventory allocation details 903 includes “allocation row NO”, “location”, and “case classification”. The case classification is information that identifies the type of inventory assigned to the item. The case is assigned to an item that does not require packaging, such as an inkjet printer, and the rose is assigned to an item that requires packaging, such as ink of an inkjet printer. The location master 904 includes “area”. The distribution item master 905 includes a “shipment amount rank”.

  In step S402, the server determines whether the delivery mode is the designated delivery mode. If Yes, the process proceeds to S403, and if No, the process ends. In the embodiment of the present invention, since batches are organized for each delivery mode, the target delivery mode is narrowed down here.

  The subsequent processing from step S403 to step S409 is performed by confirming all orders included in the shipping information table and extracting the corresponding shipping information.

  In step S <b> 403, the server determines whether there is one item whose case category of the stock allocated to the item included in the order is loose. If Yes, the process proceeds to S404, and if No, the process ends. For example, “ORDER001” corresponds to the case classification because “rose” is one item, but “ORDER002” does not correspond to the case classification because there is no “rose” item.

  Note that the order is a unit in which shipping instructions are grouped by destination. Here, the extraction of one item with loose stock is the target to be extracted because the efficiency is better when divided from the total picking. As a result, extraction is also performed when there are one or more items that need to be packaged, such as ink for inkjet printers (when five red inks are delivered to Mr. A). Therefore, even in such a case, the secondary sorting work can be eliminated.

  In step S <b> 404, the server determines whether the exclusive slip issue classification of the data included in the order matches the designated special transmission classification. In the case of Yes, it progresses to S405, and in No, it complete | finishes. For example, in the case of “ORDER001”, the exclusive division is “None”, so it is applicable, but in the case of “ORDER002”, the exclusive division is “Yes”, and is not applicable.

  Note that the work for attaching a dedicated slip affects the work efficiency of the entire batch because the work load is large. For this reason, in this process, which is extracted by the dedicated slip issue classification, orders that require attachment of a dedicated slip with a large work load are excluded, and the efficiency for the target is further increased.

  In step S405, the server determines whether the case category of the inventory reserved for the items included in the order matches the designated case category. In the case of Yes, it progresses to S406, and in No, it complete | finishes. For example, in the case of “ORDER001”, the case classification includes “case”, and in the case of “ORDER002”, the case classification does not include “case”. Here, the determination is made according to the contents designated by the extraction target section 802 in FIG.

  This condition is to determine whether to extract only one item in the order, including items shipped from case stock, from items shipped from bulk stock only. This is for further narrowing down the extraction target.

  In step S <b> 406, the server determines whether the shipping weight of the item whose case category of the reserved inventory is loose is within the specified weight. In the case of Yes, it progresses to S407, and in No, it complete | finishes. Here, the value specified by the threshold weight in FIG. 8 is used to narrow down the total weight of commodities to be shipped separately. This is to narrow down the extraction target because packing efficiency is reduced even if only one item is mixed if shipments that would result in very large packing are mixed when packing rose products. It is.

  In step S <b> 407, the server determines whether the shipment volume of the item whose case category of the allocated inventory is loose is within the specified volume. In the case of Yes, it progresses to S408, and in No, it complete | finishes. Here, the value specified by the threshold volume in FIG. 8 is used to narrow down the total volume of commodities to be shipped separately. This is to narrow down the extraction target because packing efficiency is reduced even if only one item is mixed if shipments that would result in very large packing are mixed when packing rose products. It is.

  In step S <b> 408, the server determines whether the area of the item whose case category of the allocated stock is different matches the designated area. In the case of Yes, it progresses to S409, and in No, it complete | finishes. Here, the determination is performed using area information designated by the user via a screen (not shown).

  Such determination is performed in order to prevent a reduction in work efficiency. In other words, warehouses generally store products with high shipment frequency near the packing area, and store products with low shipment frequency far away, so the shipping instructions include products in a remote storage area. If this is done, the work leads will become longer and work efficiency will be reduced. Therefore, here, it is possible to exclude, from the extraction target, a shipping instruction that includes a product stored in a storage area in a distant place where the work lead is lengthened.

  In step S409, the server determines whether or not the shipment quantity rank of the item whose case category of the allocated inventory is different matches the designated shipment quantity rank. In the case of Yes, it progresses to S410, and in No, it complete | finishes. Here, the determination is performed using rank information designated by the user via a screen (not shown).

  Such a determination is performed in order to prevent a reduction in work efficiency as in S408. In other words, as described above, warehouses generally store products with high shipping frequency near the packing area and store products with low shipping frequency far away. By registering in the master, based on the shipment quantity rank of the item, it is possible to exclude the shipping instruction for the product in the remote storage area from the extraction target.

  In step S410, the server performs processing for updating the delivery mode. Specifically, the corresponding shipping information and other shipping information are divided from the shipping information table, and the shipping mode is updated to the value input in the column 807 shown in FIG. 8 for the corresponding shipping information.

  FIG. 10 shows an example of the shipping information table after division. In this example, the shipping information table in FIG. 9 is divided into a shipping information table (1) and a shipping information table (2). Further, since the shipping information table (2) is a shipping information table extracted by the extraction process, the delivery mode is updated from “A01” to “A99”. Here, in the extracted shipping information, only one item with a loose shipment is extracted, and the packing size is roughly balanced with no exceptional size. For this reason, these are shipped by a multi-order picking method rather than a total picking method. Total picking is composed of primary picking work and secondary picking work, whereas multi-order picking is composed of picking work and inspection work.

  The detailed processing flow of the extraction processing according to the embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to FIG. 4, but the extraction processing is not limited to this method. In the embodiment of the present invention, the determination from step S403 to step S409 is performed, but an embodiment in which determination of any combination of these may be performed. However, the determination in step S403 is always performed because it is a premise of the present invention.

  In step S315, the server transmits the result extracted by the extraction process. Here, the shipping information table (2) shown in FIG. 10 is transmitted.

  In step S316, the client terminal receives the result extracted by the extraction process. Here, the user performs an operation of printing the instruction label using the received shipping information table (2). The printing process can be performed by an arbitrary printing apparatus. However, in the embodiment of the present invention, the extracted shipping information table (2) is transmitted to the hunty terminal and the printing process is performed at the handy terminal. Will be described.

  In step S317, the client terminal transmits the result extracted by the extraction process.

  In step S318, the handy terminal receives the result extracted by the extraction process.

  In step S319, the handy terminal performs a printing process using the result extracted by the extraction process. A user operating the handy terminal prints a shipping instruction label by using various types of information included in the shipping information table (2). An example of a shipping instruction label to be printed is shown in FIG.

  Here, in multi-order picking, first, a shipping instruction (picking instruction) is created for each storage location. Specifically, it is created for each location included in the shipping receipt stock allocation details 903 shown in FIG. Moreover, since all the extracted shipping information is composed of one item, for example, when shipping instructions for the product A are received from four delivery destinations, a shipping instruction to the location where the product A is stored is provided. (Picking instruction) includes four picking instructions as in the first picking instruction label shown in FIG. Specifically, a delivery number 1101, each quantity 1102, and a box size 1103 are described. The worker prepares boxes for four delivery destinations with reference to this information, goes to the warehouse, and performs boxing work. And picking is complete | finished by sticking the invoice for every delivery destination shown in FIG. 11 to the four boxes, respectively.

  Furthermore, by adding an inspection process next, reliable shipping work without mistakes becomes possible. There are only one item in the package, and the delivery destinations are disjoint. Therefore, no problem arises from whichever inspection is started. Specifically, the invoice attached to the box is scanned with a handy terminal, and one item in the box is scanned. When the system confirms the match, it is sealed and the work is finished.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to extract a shipping instruction that can eliminate the secondary sorting work even when there is a shipping instruction that includes loose-handling items that require packing.

  In other words, in the case of total picking, after picking 4 pieces, you must take them to the workplace, wait for other products in the same batch to gather, and then pick up and pack the products by destination, Compared with multiple order picking, a waiting time occurs. Therefore, the occurrence of waiting time can be prevented.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above, but the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiment, and within the scope of the present invention described in the claims,
Various modifications and changes are possible.

  The object of the present invention is achieved by the following. That is, a storage medium (or recording medium) in which a program code of software that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is recorded is supplied to the system or apparatus. Then, the central processing means (CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus reads and executes the program code stored in the storage medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium recording the program code constitutes the present invention.

  In addition, by executing the program code read by the central processing means of the system or apparatus, an operating system (OS) or the like operating on the system or apparatus performs actual processing based on the instruction of the program code. Do some or all. The case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing is also included.

  Further, it is assumed that the program code read from the storage medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion card inserted into the system or apparatus or a function expansion unit connected thereto. After that, based on the instruction of the program code, the CPU of the function expansion card or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing. It is.

  When the present invention is applied to the storage medium, the storage medium (computer-readable storage medium) stores program codes corresponding to the flowcharts described above.

101 Server 102 Client terminal 103 Handy terminal 104 Network 105 Communication line

Claims (9)

An information processing apparatus for managing a plurality of shipment information including one or more items ,
Managing means for managing shipment information case classification is information specifying whether requiring packaging is assigned to each of the item,
Of the shipment information managed by said management means, a shipment information including only the single item case classification is assigned indicating that the item requiring packing an article contained in the one item An information processing apparatus comprising: shipping information extracting means for extracting the shipping information whose number is one or more . The information processing apparatus is further communicably connected to a portable information terminal having a printing mechanism capable of printing a destination corresponding to the shipping information,
The portable information terminal further comprises transmission means for transmitting the portable information terminal together with the shipment information extracted by the shipment information extracting means to cause the portable information terminal to print information including a destination corresponding to the shipment information. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. The managing means manages the exclusive division, which is information specifying whether or not the corresponding shipping information requires attachment of a dedicated slip, in association with the shipping information;
An exclusive section receiving means for receiving designation of an exclusive section in order to extract specific shipping information from the shipping information;
Wherein among the shipping information extracted by shipping information extraction means, characterized by further comprising a specific専伝shipment information extracting means for extracting the shipping information that matches the 専伝segments received designation by the専伝segment receiving means The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 . The management means manages the weight of an article for each item of the shipping information in association with the item of the shipping information,
Weight receiving means for receiving a designation of the total weight of articles for each item in order to extract shipping information consisting of weights within a predetermined range of the weight for each item among the shipping information;
Wherein among the shipping information extracted by shipping information extraction means, designated by the sum of the weight of the article items are assigned information indicating that the item requiring packaging to the case section of the material is the weight receiving means 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: specific weight shipment information extraction means for extracting shipment information within a weight range in which the information is received . The management means manages the volume of articles for each item for each shipping information in association with the item for shipping information,
A volume receiving means for receiving designation of the total volume of articles for each item so as to extract shipping information consisting of volumes within a predetermined range of the volume of articles for each item among the shipping information;
Wherein among the shipping information extracted by shipping information extraction means, designated by the sum of the volume of the article items are assigned information indicating that the item requiring packaging to the case section of the material is the volume receiving means 5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a specific volume shipment information extracting unit that extracts shipment information within a volume range in which the information is received . The management means manages an area division that is information indicating a storage location for each item of the shipping information in association with the item of the shipping information,
Wherein among the shipping information extracted by shipping information extracting unit, division of the area of the items are assigned information indicating that the item requiring packaging to the case section of the item is a section of a predetermined area shipping The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a specific item area division shipment information extraction unit that extracts information. The management means manages a shipment quantity rank, which is information indicating the frequency of shipment of an item stored for each item to be shipped based on the shipment information, in association with the item of the shipment information,
Wherein among the shipping information extracted by shipping information extracting means, shipments rank of items are assigned information indicating that the item requiring packaging to the case section of the item is a predetermined delivery amount rank shipment The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising specific shipment amount rank shipment information extraction means for extracting information. An information processing method in an information processing apparatus for managing a plurality of shipment information including one or a plurality of items ,
A management step of managing means of the information processing apparatus, case classification is information specifying whether requires packaging to manage the shipment information that is assigned to each of the item,
Shipping information extraction means of the information processing apparatus, among the shipment information managed by said managing step, a material that the casing segment is assigned indicating that the item requiring packing shipment information including only one An information processing method comprising: a shipping information extracting step of extracting the shipping information in which the number of articles included in the one item is one or more . A program executable in an information processing apparatus that manages a plurality of shipment information including one or a plurality of items ,
The information processing apparatus;
Managing means for managing shipment information case classification is information specifying whether requiring packaging is assigned to each of the item,
Of the shipment information managed by said management means, a shipment information including only the single item case classification is assigned indicating that the item requiring packing an article contained in the one item A program for causing the information processing apparatus to function as shipping information extracting means for extracting the shipping information whose number is one or more .

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