JP6781825B2 - Goods management system and goods management method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to article management such as mixed loading and storage instructions of inventory in a distribution warehouse or distribution center, for example.

In order to improve the utilization efficiency of the frontage of the storage area in the warehouse, inventory items with a small quantity may be combined and stored in a single location. In addition, inventories with a small amount of items stored in the storage area may be collected in one location (hereinafter referred to as shelving).

Here, there is a technique described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-222455 (Patent Document 1) as a technique for combining a plurality of in-stock articles and performing shelving.

Patent Document 1 states, "In the determination of cargo handling work in the target warehouse, the product is currently stored based on the inventory information indicating at least the storage position of the product currently stored in the target warehouse and the shipping product information indicating the shipping conditions. The products are divided into groups of products with similar shipping conditions, and the area where each product in the group is collected and placed is determined for each group based on the constraint conditions and inventory information of the target warehouse. " There is.

Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-222455

In the storage area of the warehouse, the received products are held in the storage area and shipped according to the order from the delivery / shipping destination. In the storage work in the storage area, generally, the products after the arrival inspection are loaded on a pallet (hereinafter referred to as PL) in an amount that can be stored in one location (hereinafter referred to as location) and then stored.

Depending on the received product, the quantity of the received product may be less than 1 PL, or the quantity of the received product may exceed 1 PL but include a fraction less than 1 PL. In such a case, a plurality of types of products are mixedly loaded and loaded on 1PL before being stored in the storage area. This is because there is a limit to the number of frontages in the storage area, so by increasing the amount of goods that can be loaded in 1PL as much as possible to improve the utilization efficiency of each frontage, a large number of out-of-stock locations (hereinafter referred to as empty locations) will be secured. Because. In addition, for the same purpose, shelving may be performed to consolidate small inventories stored in the storage area into one location. Hereinafter, a PL in which a plurality of types of products are mixedly loaded is referred to as a mixed loading PL.

Here, in the mixed loading PL, the number of days until each product is consumed (shipped) varies due to the difference in the shipping tendency of each product on the PL. Here, the number of days from a certain day (the day when the storage period is measured) until the quantity of the product is consumed is referred to as the storage period. In a mixed loading PL, if products with a large variation (deviation) in the storage period are mixedly loaded, the shipment of each product on the PL progresses, so that only the products having a long storage period remain on the PL and are filled. The rate (volume of goods loaded on the location / volume of a certain location) is low. Hereinafter, a location in which a product having a quantity less than 1 PL remains on the mixed PL is referred to as a tooth chipping (low filling rate) location. In addition, tooth chipping (low filling rate) location will occur if shipping progresses even in locations where a single product is stored, but after that, tooth chipping (low filling rate) caused by the difference in the storage period of loaded products in mixed loading PL ) Handle location as a target.

In the tooth chipping (low filling rate) location, another PL cannot be stored unless all the products in the same location are consumed, and if this occurs in large numbers, the utilization efficiency and turnover rate of the frontage will decrease. In addition, if the inventory of missing teeth (low filling rate) locations can be shelved on a daily basis, the problems of frontage utilization efficiency and turnover rate reduction can be solved, but in an actual distribution warehouse, the number of workers and working hours Is limited, and it is difficult to shelve daily.

The technique of Patent Document 1 relates to optimization of a mixed loading combination in the case of shelving products stored in a warehouse. With this technology, by inputting shipping product information, it is possible to secure an empty location in the storage area by deriving a mixed loading instruction that collects and arranges inventories with similar shipping times and destinations in one or more locations. We are trying to improve the efficiency of subsequent shipping work. However, as described above, since it is difficult to carry out the shelving work on a daily basis, it is desirable to mix products whose shipping times are as close as possible at the stage of warehousing and storage.

Here, in order to generate a mixed loading combination at the stage of warehousing and storing by utilizing the technique of Patent Document 1, shipping product information is required. However, especially in DC (Distribution Center: storage type) warehouses, the storage period is long and lasts for several weeks, so it is said that the shipping product information is confirmed and available at the stage of warehousing and storage. Is not always. The technology of Patent Document 1 cannot be utilized in a situation where the shipped product information is not available.

As described above, even if the shipping product information is not available, it is necessary to formulate a mixed loading / storing instruction method that predicts the storage period at the stage of warehousing and storing and optimizes the combination of mixed products.

In order to solve the above problems, the article management system of the present invention determines whether or not to load the articles of other items together with the articles of other items and store them in the storage area for each item. A storage unit that holds the quantity of articles stored in the storage area, the order in which the articles are carried out from the storage area, and the record of carrying out the goods from the storage area, and information stored in the storage unit. Based on the above, for each item, the combination of the period calculation unit that predicts the time when the delivery of the mixed loading candidate article from the storage area is completed and the mixed loading candidate article whose predicted time is close to each other is stored. It is characterized by having a mixed loading combination determining unit that is determined as a mixed loading combination stored in the same section of the area, and an output unit that outputs the determined mixed loading combination.

Even if there is no shipping product information, it is possible to derive a mixed loading combination between products with similar storage periods, and store by suppressing the occurrence of tooth chipping (low filling rate) location caused by the difference in storage period of mixed products. It is possible to improve the utilization efficiency and turnover rate of the frontage of the area.

Issues, configurations, and effects other than those described above will be clarified by the following description of the embodiments.

It is explanatory drawing of the layout of the warehouse in which the mixed loading / storage instruction apparatus of Example 1 of this invention is used. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware structure of the mixed loading / storage instruction apparatus of Example 1 of this invention. It is a functional block diagram which shows the structure of the mixed loading / storage instruction apparatus of Example 1 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows one form of the input part in Example 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the processing procedure of the whole mixed loading / storing instruction apparatus of Example 1 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the arrival schedule list held by the mixed loading / storing instruction apparatus of Example 1 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the mixed loading candidate product list held by the mixed loading / storage instruction apparatus of Example 1 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the recommended mixed loading combination list output by the mixed loading / storage instruction apparatus of Example 1 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows another example of the recommended mixed loading combination list output by the mixed loading / storage instruction apparatus of Example 1 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the product master held by the mixed loading / storing instruction apparatus of Example 1 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the inventory data held by the mixed loading / storing instruction apparatus of Example 1 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the inventory consumption record held by the mixed loading / storage instruction apparatus of Example 1 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the concept of the storage period calculated by the mixed loading / storage instruction apparatus of Example 1 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the classification rule held by the mixed loading / storage instruction device of Example 1 of this invention, and the mixed loading candidate product classification list generated by the mixed loading / storage instruction device. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the constraint condition held by the mixed loading / storage instruction apparatus of Example 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the detailed process which the mixed loading / storing instruction apparatus of Example 1 of this invention executes in step S9. It is a figure explaining the effect of Example 1 of this invention. It is a figure explaining the effect of Example 1 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the location master held by the mixed loading / storage instruction apparatus of Example 2 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the constraint condition held by the mixed loading / storage instruction apparatus of Example 2 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the mixed loading candidate product / inventory PL classification list generated by the mixed loading / storage instruction apparatus of Example 2 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the packing storage recommended list output by the mixed loading / storage instruction apparatus of Example 2 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the inventory PL classification list generated by the mixed loading / storage instruction apparatus of Example 3 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the shelving instruction list output by the mixed loading / storage instruction apparatus of Example 3 of this invention.

Hereinafter, the details of the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a layout of a warehouse in which the mixed loading / storing instruction device of the first embodiment of the present invention is used.

The warehouse 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a storage area 101 and an active area 102. The storage area 101 includes a plurality of locations 103, and the products arriving at the arrival berth 104 are stored in one of the locations 103 after being loaded on the PL. That is, each location is a section in the storage area 101 and is a storage position for goods.

The minimum unit of goods to be shipped is a piece (Pcs), but in the storage area 101, a predetermined number of Pcs are usually collected in a case (CS), and may be shipped for each CS. When the goods are shipped for each CS (this is called CS shipping), the CS taken out from the location 103 is carried to the shipping berth 105 and shipped. When the goods are shipped in units of PCs, the goods are replenished in the active area 102 as needed, and the goods in the required number of PCs are carried to the shipping berth 105 and shipped. That is, the active area 102 is an area for storing Pcs (single item) products.

The layout shown in FIG. 1 is an example, and the present invention can be applied to a warehouse having an arbitrary layout. For example, the positional relationship between the storage area, the active area, the arrival berth, and the shipping berth is arbitrary, and the number of locations included in the storage area is also arbitrary.

In the first embodiment, one PL is stored for each location 103 in the storage area 101. Further, it is assumed that one or more SKU (Stock Keeping unit) products are listed in 1PL, and 1 SKU corresponds to one lot name of one product. Further, in the warehouse 100 assumed in the first embodiment, CS shipment and replenishment are allocated for the same product in the order of the Japanese syllabary (descending order) of the lot name (that is, the shipment and replenishment are performed in that order). ..

However, the scope of application of the apparatus of the present invention is not limited to products for which lot management is performed. The device of the present invention is applicable when the same product is stored in a plurality of locations and the allocation order of the product is determined in the operation of the warehouse.

Here, the allocation order is the order in which the products stored in the storage area are carried out from the storage area for at least one of shipping and replenishment. In this embodiment, the products are arranged in the order of lot name as described above. It is carried out. However, the lot name is an example of information for determining the allocation order, and in reality, the allocation order can be determined based on various information. For example, the storage unit 11 holds information indicating the order in which the products arrive, and the order may be used as it is as the allocation order. Alternatively, when the expiration date of the product is set, for example, when the product is a food product, the storage unit 11 holds information indicating the expiration date of the product, and the products are stored in the order in which the expiration date arrives earlier. It may be carried out.

In the following description, the PL in which the products after arrival in the arrival berth are loaded and stored from now on is referred to as "inventory PL", and the PL in which the stock products stored in the storage area are loaded is referred to as "inventory PL".

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the mixed loading / storing instruction device 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

The mixed loading / storing instruction device 10 shown in FIG. 2 is an example of a system that performs processing for managing articles such as mixed loading / storing instructions of articles in a warehouse or the like, and is an example of a storage unit 11 and interconnected storage units 11. It is a computer having a calculation unit 12. The storage unit 11 is, for example, a semiconductor storage device, a magnetic disk device, or a combination thereof, and stores a program executed by the calculation unit, data referred to when processing the calculation unit, and the like. The arithmetic unit 12 is a processor that executes various processes described later in accordance with the instructions described in the program stored in the storage unit 11.

An input unit 13 and an output unit 14 are connected to the mixed loading / storing instruction device 10. The input unit 13 is a device that accepts information input, such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a handy terminal, and the output unit 14 is a device that outputs information, such as an image display device, a printer, and a handy terminal. ..

Here, in recent years, mechanization has progressed in warehousing operations, and machines such as automatic loading robots and automatic transfer robots are seen to perform loading and storage operations of products on PL. In preparation for such a case, it is desirable that the output unit 14 has a function capable of outputting the recommended mixed loading combination list 19 in a form that can be read by a machine performing warehouse operations. This makes it possible to realize a combination of mixed loading and loading with high utilization efficiency and turnover rate of the frontage of the storage area even when the mixed loading and storage work is performed by the machine.

The mixed loading / storing instruction device 10 is further connected to the warehouse network via the network interface connected to the calculation unit 12. FIG. 2 shows a network configuration when the mixed loading / storing instruction device 10 of the first embodiment of the present invention is connected to the network in the warehouse. Generally, a database 15 and an application server 16 of a warehouse management system called WMS (Warehouse Management System), which manages inventory of products, are connected to the warehouse network. The form of the network may be either wired or wireless. Further, the mixed loading / storing instruction device 10 of the first embodiment can be used even if it is not necessarily connected to the warehouse network as long as it can read the latest data in the warehouse management system database 15. is there.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the mixed loading / storing instruction device 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 3, it is assumed that the mixed loading / storage instruction device 10 is mounted and operates on a computer independent of the warehouse management system database 15 and the warehouse management system application server 16. However, the embodiment of the present invention does not have to be limited to this embodiment. For example, the function of the mixed loading / storing instruction device 10 described later may be realized in the form of one application running on the warehouse management system application server 16.

The storage unit 11 of FIG. 3 reads and holds the warehouse inventory data 111 and the past inventory consumption record 112 from the warehouse management system database 15 of FIG. In addition, the storage unit 11 holds the product master 110, the classification rule 113, the constraint condition 114, and the location master 115 together.

The "consumption" in the above inventory consumption record 112 and the inventory consumption CS number 112c (see FIG. 12) described later means that the product is carried out from the storage area 101 for shipping or replenishment, and as a result, the storage area. It means that it no longer exists in 101.

The calculation unit 12 of FIG. 3 derives the recommended mixed loading combination list 19 by using the arrival schedule list 17 read by the input unit 13 and the various data 110 to 115 read from the storage unit 11. The calculation unit 12 of FIG. 3 is a program module called a mixed loading candidate extraction unit 120, a total inventory number calculation unit 121, an average inventory consumption number calculation unit 122, a storage period calculation unit 123, a storage period comparison unit 124, and a mixed loading combination determination unit 125. Holds. As will be described later, the mixed loading candidate extraction unit 120 generates a mixed loading candidate product list 18 including the mixed loading candidate product (product name) 181. The total inventory quantity calculation unit 121 calculates the total inventory quantity 20 up to the mixed loading candidate product. The average inventory consumption number calculation unit 122 calculates the average inventory consumption number 21 of the mixed loading candidate product. The storage period calculation unit 123 calculates the storage period 22. The storage period comparison unit 124 generates the mixed loading candidate product classification list 23.

Here, the program modules 120 to 125 are actually written as programs in the storage unit 11. Therefore, the arithmetic unit 12 reads those programs and executes the processes of steps S1 to S10 described with reference to FIG. 5, but in the present specification, for convenience, the main body of the processes of each step is any one of the above 120 to 125. It is assumed that it is a program module of.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing one embodiment of the input unit 13 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Here, the input unit 13 will be described as a GUI (Graphical User Interface) displayed on the display unit of the computer.

The user of the mixed loading / storing instruction device 10 selects any one of the functions from the mode selection field 501 of the input unit 13. In the example of FIG. 4, in the mode selection field 501, any of the mixed loading instruction 501a, the packing storage instruction 501b, and the shelving storage instruction 501c can be selected.

Here, the mixed loading instruction 501a in the mode selection column 501 is an instruction to operate the function of deriving the mixed loading combination of the received products 171 at the stage of receiving and storing, and this function will be described in the first embodiment. The stuffing storage instruction 501b is an instruction to operate a function of issuing a stuffing storage instruction to a location where inventory exists in a storage area for an in-stock product 171 that is less than one PL. Details of this function will be described in Example 2. Finally, the shelving instruction 501c is an instruction to operate the function of combining the stocks in the storage area to generate the mixed loading combination. Details of this function will be described in Example 3.

The input unit 13 further includes an arrival schedule list name input field 502 and an execution button 503. When the user inputs information for identifying the arrival schedule list in the arrival schedule list name input field 502, instructs one of the functions in the mode selection field 501, and operates the execute button 503, the mixed loading / storage instruction device In No. 10, the function instructed in the mode selection field 501 is executed for the arrival schedule list identified by the information input in the arrival schedule list name input field 502.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the entire mixed loading / storing instruction device 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

Step S1 (FIG. 5): The calculation unit 12 acquires various data 110 to 115 from the storage unit 11.

Step S2 (FIG. 5): The mixed loading candidate extraction unit 120 ends the operation of the entire device if there is an end input from the input unit 13. If there is no input, continue waiting for input. However, when an execution instruction including the arrival schedule list and the mode designation is input, S3 described later is executed.

Step S3 (FIG. 5): In the mixed loading candidate extraction unit 120, the mixed loading instruction 501a is specified in the mode selection field 501 of the input unit 13, and the arrival schedule list 17 (arrival product name 171) is specified in the arrival schedule list name input field 502. When the lot name 172, the scheduled arrival date and time 173, the number of arrival CS 174, and the category 175) are input, and the execution instruction is input via the execution button 503, the process proceeds to step S4. If there is no input, continue waiting for input.

The arrival schedule list 17 includes the arrival product name 171 and the lot name 172, the arrival date and time 173, the number of arrival CS 174, and the category 175. Here, the category 175 is for the user to specify which products in the arrival schedule list 17 are to be mixed. In this embodiment, a mixed loading combination is derived between those having the same wording (that is, the same value) in the column of category 175. For example, the user may specify products whose expected arrival date and time is close to each other (for example, the difference between the expected arrival date and time 173 is smaller than a predetermined value) and products which are received by the same arrival truck flight in the same category. is assumed. If you try to mix products that arrive at different times, you cannot store the products in the storage area 101 from the arrival of the first arrival until the later arrival of the products, but as mentioned above, they will arrive soon. By deriving the mixed loading combination within the range of the products to be produced, it is possible to efficiently store the arrival of goods.

If the arrival products having the same arrival truck flight number or arrival date and time are in the same category, the same value as the arrival truck flight number or arrival date and time 173 column may be entered in the category 175 column. Details of the arrival schedule list 17 will be described later with reference to FIG.

Here, the input unit 13 may be realized by, for example, the screen of a handy terminal. In this case, for example, a column in which a barcode is printed is added to each row of the arrival schedule list 17, and the user inputs the arrival schedule list 17 by reading the barcode of each row with a handy terminal or the like. Is also good. In such a form, when the worker of the arrival berth 104 of the warehouse uses this device 10, the recommended mixed loading combination is collated with the arrival product name displayed on the actual product and the arrival product name 171 of the arrival schedule list 17. The list 19 can be output, and the efficiency of the arrival inspection work and the loading work on the PL can be improved.

Step S4 (FIG. 5): The mixed loading candidate extraction unit 120 extracts the mixed loading candidate product by referring to the arrival schedule list 17 and the product master 110, and generates the mixed loading candidate product list 18. Details of the mixed loading candidate product list 18 will be described later with reference to FIG. 7.

Here, the PL conversion in-stock quantity 182 included in the mixed loading candidate product list 18 is a value obtained by converting the in-stock quantity of each product (for example, the number of in-stock CS) into the PL number (in other words, in order to stack the in-stock products). The number of required PLs), which is calculated by the equation (1) using the number of loadable CSs 110b per PL defined in the product master 110.

PL conversion arrival quantity 182
= Number of CSs in stock 174 / Number of CSs that can be loaded per PL 110b Formula (1)

Further, the mixed loading target quantity 183 included in the mixed loading candidate product list 18 is the remainder obtained by dividing the received CS number 174 by the CS number 110b that can be loaded per PL (that is, the portion after the decimal point of the calculation result of the formula (1)). Applies to. In addition, the received product in which the amount of the object to be mixed is 183 corresponds to the candidate product 181 for mixed loading. In this embodiment, the quantity of the mixed loading candidate product 181 indicated by the mixed loading target quantity 183 calculated as described above is the target for determining whether or not to be mixed with the products of other items and stored in the storage area 101. Become.

Step S5 (FIG. 5): From the mixed loading candidate product list 18 and the inventory data 111, the total inventory quantity calculation unit 121 refers to the product having the same name as the mixed loading candidate product name 181 and the lot name 111c, and the lot name. Based on the inventory quantity of the products for each (that is, for each allocation order), the inventory CS number 111d of the same product having an early allocation order is acquired, and the total inventory quantity 20 up to the mixed loading candidate product is calculated. The total inventory number 20 up to the mixed loading candidate product is calculated as the sum of the total number of CS stocks of all the same products whose allocation order is earlier than that of the mixed loading candidate product, plus the CS number of the mixed loading candidate product. In other words, the total inventory number 20 up to the mixed loading candidate product is the mixed loading candidate product when the product having the same name as the mixed loading candidate product name 181 (that is, the same item) is carried out from the storage area 101 according to the allocation order. It corresponds to the number of goods of the item to be carried out by the time the carry-out of the item is completed. By calculating this, it is possible to accurately predict when the delivery of the mixed loading candidate products will end.

Step S6 (FIG. 5): The average inventory consumption number calculation unit 122 calculates the average inventory consumption number 21 of the mixed loading candidate product from the mixed loading candidate product name 181 and the inventory consumption record 112. Here, inventory consumption means that each product is consumed from the storage area 101 for CS shipment or replenishment to the active area 102 (that is, as a result of each product being carried out from the storage area 101, the storage area 101 is included. It is a general term for (which does not exist in). For example, the inventory consumption record includes the CS shipment record and the replenishment record. The average inventory consumption number 21 is an average of inventory consumption per unit time (for example, one day), and is calculated by the formula (2).

Average inventory consumption 21
= Σ Total number of inventory consumption for a certain period for each inventory consumption pattern / Number of days for a certain period Equation (2)

Step S7 (FIG. 5): The storage period calculation unit 123 calculates the storage period 22 of each mixed loading candidate product 181 from the total inventory number 20 and the average inventory consumption number 21 up to the mixed loading candidate product by the formula (3).

Storage period 22
= Total inventory number up to mixed loading candidate products 20 / Average inventory consumption number 21 Formula (3)

The storage period 22 is the length of the period until all the mixed loading candidate products 181 are carried out from the storage area 101. By evaluating the storage period 22 in this way, assuming that the mixed loading candidate product 181 is consumed at the same speed as the actual results so far according to the allocation order, what is stored in the storage area 101? It is possible to predict whether the product will be consumed from the PL in a day. The starting point of the storage period 22 is the time when the storage period 22 is calculated (more accurately, the time when the inventory data 111 which is the basis of the calculation of the total inventory number 20 up to the mixed loading candidate product is acquired). The end point is the time when all the mixed loading candidate products 181 are unloaded from the storage area 101. Therefore, for example, the fact that the lengths of the storage periods 22 calculated for the products of two items are close to each other indicates that the times when the items are finished to be carried out from the storage area 101 of the mixed loading candidate products 181 are close to each other. There is.

Step S8 (FIG. 5): The storage period comparison unit 124 classifies the mixed loading candidate products 181 by the category 175 and the classification rule 113 with reference to the storage period 22 of each mixed loading candidate product 181, the category 175, and the classification rule 113. The mixed loading candidate product classification list 23 is generated. That is, the storage period comparison unit 124 collates the storage period 22 with the storage period width 113b of the classification rule 113 and classifies each mixed loading candidate product 181 for each category 175 into the corresponding category 113a. Details of the mixed loading candidate product classification list 23 will be described later with reference to FIG.

Step S9 (FIG. 5): The mixed loading combination determination unit 125 refers to the mixed loading candidate product classification list 23, the constraint condition 114, and the mixed loading target amount 183 of each mixed loading candidate product 181, and is classified into the same classification in step S8. A recommended mixed loading combination is derived between the candidate products 181. Further, the mixed loading combination determination unit 125 generates the recommended mixed loading combination list 19 when the recommended mixed loading combination has been derived for all the mixed loading candidate products 181 of the mixed loading candidate product list 18. Details of the recommended mixed loading combination list 19 will be described later with reference to FIG. The details of the process executed in step S9 will be described later with reference to steps S91 to S94 (FIG. 16).

Step S10 (FIG. 5): The output unit 14 outputs the recommended mixed combination list 19 input from the mixed loading combination determining unit 125. When the output is completed, the process returns to step S2 and waits for the input of the user instruction again.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an arrival schedule list 17 held by the mixed loading / storing instruction device 10 of the first embodiment of the present invention.

The arrival schedule list 17 is composed of the arrival product 171, the lot name 172, the arrival date and time 173, the number of arrival CS 174, and the category 175. The received product 171 is information (for example, a product name) that identifies the product to be received. The lot name 172 is information for identifying a lot of goods to be received. Lot name 172 is not required in warehouses where lot management is not performed. The scheduled arrival date and time 173 is the scheduled arrival date and time of the products to be received. The number of received CSs 174 indicates the quantity of the received products. The unit of the number of received CSs 174 does not necessarily have to be CS, and may be displayed in units of Pcs.

Category 175 is information given to the user to specify products that allow mixed loading, as described with reference to FIG. In the example of FIG. 6, the same category "1" is given to the three kinds of products identified by the product names "A", "B" and "C" that arrive at 10:00 on January 24th. Products identified by the product name "D" that arrive at 15:00 on January 24th are given a category "2" different from the above.

For example, products that arrive at the same time (or in the near time zone) are likely to be mixed, but if products that arrive in a distant time zone are to be mixed, the products that arrived first are loaded on the PL and then later. It is not suitable for mixed loading because it is necessary to wait for the arrival of products that arrive at. Therefore, for example, products that arrive at the same time (or in a close time zone) may be classified into the same category, and products that arrive in a distant time zone may be classified into different categories.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a mixed loading candidate product list 18 held by the mixed loading / storing instruction device 10 of the first embodiment of the present invention.

The mixed loading candidate product list 18 is composed of mixed loading candidate products 181, lot name 172, category 175, PL conversion arrival quantity 182, mixed loading target quantity 183, and mixed loading target CS number 184. The mixed loading candidate product list 18 is displayed by extracting only the mixed loading candidate product 181 from the received products 171 of the arrival schedule list 17 through the process of step S4.

Specifically, the mixed loading candidate product 181 is information (for example, a product name) for identifying the mixed loading candidate product. Lot names 172 and categories 175 correspond to those included in the upcoming list 17, respectively. The PL-converted arrival quantity 182 is calculated by the formula (1) for each product. The amount of the mixed object 183 is a fraction (that is, after the decimal point) of the calculation result of the equation (1). The number of CSs to be mixed-loaded 184 is a value obtained by converting the amount of objects to be mixed-loaded 183 into the number of CSs.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a recommended mixed loading combination list 19 output by the mixed loading / storing instruction device 10 of the first embodiment of the present invention.

The recommended mixed loading combination list 19 is composed of a mixed loading candidate product 181, a lot name 172, an estimated arrival date and time 173, a category 175, a total number of arrivals 191, a recommended loading PL192, a recommended loading amount 193, and an expected storage period 22.

Among them, the total number of arrivals 191 is displayed by quoting both the number of arrivals CS 174 in the arrival schedule list 17 and the PL conversion arrival amount 182 in the mixed loading candidate product list 18.

The recommended loading PL192 represents which PL the mixed loading candidate product 181 should be loaded on, and is determined in step S94 described later. The recommended load amount 193 represents the load amount with respect to the recommended load PL192 of the mixed loading candidate product 181 by both the CS number and the corresponding PL number.

Here, the mixed loading / storing instruction device 10 of the present invention basically does not divide and stack a product having the same product name and lot name 172 of the mixed loading candidate product 181 into a plurality of PLs. It shall be. That is, the recommended loading amount 193 is basically the same value as the mixed loading target product amount 183 in the mixed loading candidate product list 18. This is because if it is allowed to divide into a plurality of PLs, the same lot name of the same product will be dispersed in a plurality of locations, which will increase the burden on the shipping worker and the work man-hours.

The recommended mixed combination list 19 may be output, for example, one sheet for each line of the recommended mixed combination list 19 so as to issue a label printed with the information of each column of FIG.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the recommended mixed loading combination list 19 output by the mixed loading / storing instruction device 10 of the first embodiment of the present invention.

Specifically, FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example in which each line of the recommended mixed combination list 19 is printed on the label. The label shown in FIG. 9 is printed with the same information as the recommended mixed combination list 19 shown in FIG. However, on one label, one line of the recommended mixed loading combination list 19 shown in FIG. 8 has a mixed loading candidate product name 181 and a lot name 172, an estimated arrival date and time 173, a category 175, a recommended loading PL192, and a total number of arrivals 191. , The expected storage period 22 and the recommended load amount 193 are printed.

In the case of this form, it can be expected that the user can put the label on the actual product of the mixed loading candidate product 181 so that the loading worker can load the product on the PL without making a mistake. Further, if the recommended mixed loading combination list 19 is output in a form that can be read by a machine such as an automatic loading robot, the loading operation can be automated.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a product master 110 held by the mixed loading / storing instruction device 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

The product master 110 is composed of the product name 110a, the number of CSs that can be loaded per PL 110b, and the product attribute 110c. The number of CSs that can be loaded per 1 PL 110b can be calculated by dividing the PL volume (that is, the volume of products that can be loaded on the PL) by the volume per CS of each product. In this embodiment, since the section where 1 PL is placed is set to 1 location, the number of CSs 110b that can be loaded per 1 PL corresponds to the number of products that can be stored in 1 location.

The product attribute 110c is a column for describing the properties of the product, and the value of the product attribute 110c includes, for example, a cold-required product (specifically, fresh food and dairy products), a dangerous product (specifically, for example, for example). Poisonous substances, etc.) are possible. In the warehouse, items requiring cold storage are stored in an air-conditioned area, and dangerous items are stored in a dedicated area where entry and exit control is performed. In addition, it is common to mix products having the same product attributes 110c. Therefore, in steps S92 and S93 (FIG. 16) described later, first, a mixed loading combination is derived between products having the same product attribute 110c, and then, for a product for which the mixed loading combination could not be generated, mixed loading is performed under the constraint condition 114. Only the combination of the product attribute 110c specified as possible (True) is generated. In addition, although some product attribute 110c is basically defined for each product 110a, a name such as "general product" may be defined for a product having no particular property.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of inventory data 111 held by the mixed loading / storing instruction device 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

The inventory data 111 may be information as long as the product name, lot name, and quantity of the inventory products stored in each location of the storage area 101 are separated, and at least the location code 111a, the product name 111b, the lot name 111c, and the number of stocks ( For example, the inventory CS number 111d) may be included. However, in a warehouse where lot management is not performed, the lot name 111c is unnecessary. The example of inventory data 111 shown in FIG. 11 further includes a PL-converted inventory number 111e obtained by converting the inventory number into a PL number, and an inventory PL111f such as a PL name that identifies each PL.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an inventory consumption record 112 held by the mixed loading / storing instruction device 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

It is desirable that the inventory consumption record 112 covers all patterns in which the inventory from the storage area 101 is consumed (for example, both CS shipment from the storage area 101 and replenishment to the active area 102). The inventory consumption record 112 may include at least the date and time 112a when the inventory consumption was performed, the product name 112b, and the number of inventory consumption CS 112c.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of the concept of the storage period 22 calculated by the mixed loading / storage instruction device 10 of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 shows each storage period 22 when it is assumed that there are three mixed loading candidate products A, B, and C. The horizontal axis represents the number of days from the present (date when the device of the present invention was used). Further, the end of the storage period 22 (that is, the allocation end date) of each mixed product calculated in step S7 is indicated by a black circle in FIG. The broken line portion in FIG. 13 represents the allocation period for the inventory PL of the same product with a different lot name, which has an earlier allocation order than each mixed loading candidate product.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a classification rule 113 held by the mixed loading / storage instruction device 10 of the first embodiment of the present invention and a mixed loading candidate product classification list 23 generated by the mixed loading / storage instruction device 10. is there.

The classification rule 113 is necessary for deriving the recommended mixed loading combination in step S9, and divides the storage period 22 by a certain number of days. One line of the division rule 113 corresponds to one division.

In step S8, the mixed loading / storing instruction device 10 of the present embodiment sets the storage period 22 of the mixed loading candidate product 181 and the upper limit and the lower limit of the number of days of the storage period width 113b specified in each category 113a. By comparison, it is determined which category 113a each mixed-loading candidate product 181 corresponds to. In the example of FIG. 14, as described in the product name 23a of the product to be mixed, the products A, B, and C having the storage period 22 of 5 days, 10 days, and 4 days, respectively, have numbers 2, 3, and so on. It shows that it has been decided on two categories. The mixed loading candidate product classification list 23 is created for each category 175.

Here, the number of the divisions 113a specified in the division rule 113 and the value of the storage period width 113b specified for each division are arbitrary, but the storage period width 113b specified between the divisions 113a is prevented from overlapping. Further, if the number of categories 113a is too large, it becomes difficult to classify a plurality of products into one category, so that it becomes difficult to derive a mixed loading combination. On the other hand, if the number of categories 113a is too small, products having different storage periods are likely to be mixedly loaded, and there is a concern that the effect of the present invention may not be exhibited. Therefore, for example, the distribution of the storage period of each product is examined, and the number of categories 113a and the storage period width 113b are taken into consideration by adding the statistical values (mean value, median value, mode value, variance, standard deviation, etc.) of the distribution. It is desirable to determine.

In this embodiment, as described above, the storage period is divided into a plurality of categories, and products having a storage period belonging to the same category are selected as mixed loading candidates, but the length of the storage period is close (that is, mixed loading candidates). This is an example of a method of specifying a combination of products (the time when the delivery of products is near). By using such a classification, it is possible to easily classify the products according to the length of the storage period. However, the mixed loading / storage instruction device 10 may specify a combination of products having similar storage periods by a method other than the above, and use them as mixed loading candidates.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the constraint condition 114 held by the mixed loading / storing instruction device 10 of the first embodiment of the present invention.

In the example of FIG. 15, as the constraint condition 114, the product attribute 1 (114a), the product attribute 2 (114b), and the mixed loading 114c are described. Here, the product attribute 1 (114a) and the product attribute 2 (114b) are described with the same wording (value) as the product attribute 110c of the product master 110. In the example of FIG. 15, in a warehouse where there are three types of general products, cold products, and dangerous goods, each combination pattern (cold goods and general goods, cold goods and dangerous goods, dangerous goods and general goods) is described. , Whether to allow mixed loading is described in TRUE / FALSE in mixed loading 114c.

In the example of FIG. 15, each line is designated as FALSE, which means that mixed loading is not allowed in any combination pattern. However, for example, when the amount of goods in the storage area is large, it is conceivable to mix general products and cold-requiring products and store them in the cold-requiring area. In such a case, the mixed loading combination of the cold-required product and the general product can be derived by rewriting the mixed loading 114c in the row of the combination of the cold-required product and the general product to TRUE.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a detailed process executed by the mixed loading / storing instruction device 10 of the first embodiment of the present invention in step S9. Hereinafter, each step will be described.

Step S91 (FIG. 16): In the mixed loading candidate product classification list 23 of each category 175, the mixed loading combination determination unit 125 includes the product name 23a of the mixed loading target product classified into the same category and the mixed loading corresponding to each product name. The object quantity 183 and the product attribute 110c are acquired.

Step S92 (FIG. 16): The mixed loading combination determination unit 125 is a product identified by the product name 23a of the mixed loading target product registered in the mixed loading candidate product classification list 23 of each category 175 (hereinafter, also simply referred to as product 23a). Among them, a combination of a plurality of products 23a having the same category 113a and the same product attribute 110c is extracted, and the total amount of the mixed object amount 183 of each of the extracted products 23a is 1 PL or less, and the mixed product PL is used. Generate a combination of goods to be loaded. As a result, a combination of products that contributes to the improvement of the turnover rate of the location and can be actually loaded is generated.

Here, the method of generating the combination of the mixed loading PL is not particularly limited, but since it is considered that the number of stored PLs should be as small as possible at the warehouse site, the mixed loading PL generated by using an algorithm such as the knapsack problem is used. It is advisable to generate a mixed loading combination that minimizes the number.

However, if the number of products (SKUs) to be loaded on one PL is too large, the packaging may be unstable, such as loading another SKU product on one product SKU, making it difficult to transport during storage work. It may cause erroneous picking during shipping work. In order to avoid such a situation, a limit on the number of SKUs that can be loaded on 1 PL may be set, and the combination of products may be determined so that the products can be loaded on the PL within that range.

Step S93 (FIG. 16): The mixed loading combination determination unit 125 is the product 23a of the mixed loading candidate product classification list 23 of each category 175, and among the products not included in the mixed loading combination in step S92, the category 113a is common. In addition, referring to the product attribute 110c and the constraint condition 114 of the product, the mixed loading is limited to the combination in which the column of 114c that can be mixed is specified in True, and the total of the mixed loading target amount 183 is 1 PL or less. Generate a combination.

In the example of FIG. 14, the product A and the product C are registered as the products of the mixed loading target product corresponding to the value “2” of the category 113a. Since the amount of mixed objects 183 of these products is 0.5 PL, the total of them is 1 PL. Moreover, all of those product attributes 110c are "general products". Therefore, the mixed loading combination determination unit 125 can generate the combination of the product A and the product C as the mixed loading combination in step S92.

In the above example, if the product attributes 110c of the product A and the product C are different, the combination thereof is not generated as a mixed loading combination in step S92. However, if the value of the mixed loading 114c corresponding to the combination of the product attributes 110c is True, the mixed loading combination determination unit 125 can generate those combinations as the mixed loading combination in step S93.

Step S94 (FIG. 16): The mixed loading combination determination unit 125 assigns the same recommended loading PL name 192 to the mixed loading candidate product 23a determined to be loaded on the same PL in any of steps S92 and S93. To do.

17A and 17B are diagrams illustrating the effects of Example 1 of the present invention.

The horizontal axis of the graphs shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B represents the storage period, and the vertical axis represents the number of CSs of the product on the PL. FIG. 17A shows how the inventory of a mixed-loading PL in which a product A having a storage period of 5 days and a product B having a storage period of 10 days are mixedly loaded without using the present invention is reduced in the storage area. In FIG. 17A, since the product B remains on the PL for 5 days from the consumption of the product A to the consumption of the product B, the location where the PL is placed is missing teeth (low filling) for these 5 days. Rate) It becomes a location, and it is difficult to store another PL in this location.

Here, the tooth chipping (low filling rate) location is a location where products are sparse, that is, a location where PLs in which a quantity of products less than the stackable quantity is loaded is placed.

For the tooth chipping (low filling rate) location, it is possible to store the stuffing as shown in Example 2, but in this case, the product to be stuffed and stored is stored in the stored inventory PL. Additional work such as relocating and cleaning up the PL on which the stored products have been placed will occur. Further, as described in the problem to be solved by the invention, if the shelving work is performed, the tooth chipping (low filling rate) location can be removed, but it is difficult to perform the shelving work on a daily basis. Therefore, it is desirable to suppress the occurrence of tooth chipping (low filling rate) location by performing a mixed loading combination of products with similar storage periods at the warehousing and storage stage. According to this embodiment, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of tooth chipping (low filling rate) location at the warehousing and storing stage.

FIG. 17B shows how the inventory is reduced when the product A having a storage period of 5 days and the product C having a storage period of 6 days are mixedly loaded using the present invention. In this case, the period of occurrence of tooth chipping (low filling rate) location is reduced to one day. As a result, it is possible to suppress a period of unnecessary tooth missing location, and improve the utilization efficiency and turnover rate of the frontage of the storage area.

Further, the worker who performs the storage work can easily ship the mixed loading PL of products having a short expected storage period 22 by referring to the expected storage period 22 of the recommended mixed loading combination list 19 output by the present device (example). : On the first shelf near the shipping berth), the mixed loading PL of products with a long expected storage period 22 is stored in a location such as a moving shelf that is difficult to ship but emphasizes storage efficiency. Locations that are easy to handle can always maintain a high turnover rate, and can be expected to improve the efficiency of the entire shipping work.

Next, Example 2 of the present invention will be described. Except for the differences described below, each part of the system of Example 2 has the same function as each part of the same reference numeral of Example 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 17, and thus the description thereof. Is omitted.

In the first embodiment, a case where a fractional arrival SKU (1 product, 1 lot) less than 1PL is mixedly loaded and then stored at the arrival stage has been described. However, in actual warehousing operations, in-stock products with a quantity less than 1 PL may be packed into the inventory PL of the storage area. Such storage is referred to as jamming storage.

In this case as well, it can be considered as a mixed loading combination of the product to be packed and stored and the product on the inventory PL (that is, the product that has already been loaded and has not been consumed yet), as in the case of the first embodiment. Similarly, the same effect as in Example 1 can be obtained by mixing and loading similar products having a storage period of 22.

That is, in the second embodiment, in addition to the mixed loading candidate product 181 (step S4) of the quantity indicated by the mixed loading target quantity 183 calculated in the same manner as in the first embodiment, a quantity of products less than the storable quantity is stored. The products stored in the location (more specifically, the location where the PL with the quantity of products less than the stackable quantity is placed) are stored together with the products of other items. It is a target for determining whether or not to store in the area 101.

The processing executed by the mixed loading / storing instruction device 10 of this embodiment is as shown in FIGS. 5 and 16 except for the changes described below.

Step S3 (FIG. 5): In the mixed loading candidate extraction unit 120, the packing storage instruction 501b is specified in the mode selection field 501 of the input unit 13, the arrival schedule list 17 is input and executed in the arrival schedule list name input field 502. When the execution instruction is input via the button 503, the process proceeds to step S4. If there is no execution instruction, it continues waiting for input. Here, category 175 of the arrival schedule list 17 is not necessary in the second embodiment.

Step S5 (FIG. 5): The total inventory quantity calculation unit 121 calculates the total inventory quantity 20 up to the mixed loading candidate product, and similarly for the inventory PL111f on the inventory data 111, each product 111b corresponding to the location. On the other hand, the total inventory quantity (not shown) up to the product of the inventory PL is calculated. In other words, the total inventory quantity up to the product of the inventory PL calculated here is that the product with the same name (that is, the same item) as the product loaded in the inventory PL is carried out from the storage area 101 according to the allocation order. In that case, it corresponds to the number of the products to be carried out by the time all the goods loaded in the inventory PL are carried out.

Step S7 (FIG. 5): The storage period calculation unit 123 calculates the storage period 22 of each mixed loading candidate product and the storage period 22b of each inventory PL by the equations (4) and (5).

Storage period of mixed-loading candidate products 22 = Total number of stocks up to mixed-loading candidate products 20 / Average number of stock consumption 21 Equation (4)

Inventory PL storage period 22b = Total inventory number up to inventory PL product / Average inventory consumption number 21 Equation (5)

Here, if the inventory PL is mixedly loaded, the storage period 22b of the inventory PL adopts the maximum value of the storage period calculated for each product 111b on the inventory PL.

Step S8 (FIG. 5): The storage period comparison unit 124 refers to the storage period 22 of the mixed loading candidate product, the storage period 22b of the inventory PL, and the classification rule 113, and separates the mixed loading candidate product 181 and the inventory PL. The mixed loading candidate product / inventory PL classification list 33 is generated by dividing by. Details of the mixed loading candidate product / inventory PL classification list 33 will be described later with reference to FIG.

Step S9 (FIG. 5): The mixed loading combination determination unit 125 includes the mixed loading candidate product / inventory PL classification list 33, the constraint condition 214 (described later with reference to FIG. 19), the mixed loading target amount 183 of the mixed loading candidate product 181 and the inventory PL. With reference to the PL conversion inventory quantity 111e of the above, the recommended storage destination location 292 of the mixed loading candidate product 181 is derived, and the packing storage recommended list 29 is generated. Details of step S9 will be described in steps S91 to S94. Here, when the inventory PLs are mixedly loaded, the PL conversion inventory number 111e is the sum of the PL conversion inventory numbers 111e of each product on the same inventory PL.

Step S10 (FIG. 5): The output unit 14 outputs the packing storage recommendation list 29. When the output is completed, the process returns to step S2 and waits for the input of the user instruction again. Here, the packed storage recommended list 29 may be issued as a label line by line as shown in FIG. 9 of the first embodiment. Further, if the output is in a format that can be read by a machine such as an automatic transfer robot, the packing storage work can be mechanized and automated, and the storage work in the warehouse can be made more efficient.

Hereinafter, the detailed processing of step S9 of the second embodiment will be described.

Step S91 (FIG. 16): In the mixed loading candidate product / inventory PL classification list 33, the mixed loading combination determination unit 125 includes the product name 33a of the mixed loading candidate product classified into the same category 113a and the mixed loading corresponding to each product name. Target quantity 183, product attribute 110c, storage destination location code 111a of inventory PL33b classified in the same category, location attribute 115b of storage destination location identified by the location code, and PL conversion inventory quantity 111e of the storage destination location. To get.

Step S92 (FIG. 16): The mixed loading combination determination unit 125 determines each product identified by the product name 33a of the mixed loading candidate product registered in the mixed loading candidate product / inventory PL classification list 33 (hereinafter, also simply referred to as product 33a). On the other hand, the column of the storable 214c of the constraint condition 214 is specified in True with reference to the product attribute 214a, the location attribute 115b corresponding to the storage destination location code 111a of the inventory PL33b of the same category, and the constraint condition 214. The mixed loading combination of each product 33a and the inventory PL33b is generated within a range in which the total sum of the amount of the mixed loading target of each product 33a and the PL-converted inventory number 111e of the inventory PL33b is 1PL or less. Here, the value of the storage destination location code 111a of the inventory PL combined with each product 33a is the recommended location 292 of each product 33a.

Step S93 (FIG. 16): The mixed loading combination determination unit 125 sets the storage destination location of the product attribute 214a of the product 33a and the inventory PL of the same category for the product 33a and the inventory PL 33b not included in the mixed loading combination in step S92. With reference to the location attribute 115b and the constraint condition 214 corresponding to the code 111a, the column of the relaxable 214d of the constraint condition 214 is limited to the combination specified in True, and the mixed load target amount 183 of the product 23a and the inventory PL A mixed loading combination of each product 23a and inventory PL33b is generated within a range in which the total of the PL-converted inventory number 111e is 1PL or less. Here, the value of the storage destination location code 111a of the inventory PL33b combined with each product 23a is the recommended location 292 of the product 23a.

Here, as in the first embodiment, the number of SKUs to be loaded in 1PL may be limited, and the combination of products may be determined so that the mixed loading candidate product 33a is loaded in the inventory PL33b within that range. As a result, it is possible to ensure safety during transportation and storage during storage work and reduce the risk of erroneous picking during shipping work.

Step S94 (FIG. 16): The mixed loading combination determination unit 125 generates a packing storage recommended list 29 in which the recommended locations 292 are described.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a location master 115 held by the mixed loading / storing instruction device 10 of the second embodiment of the present invention.

The location master 115 defines the location attribute 115b for each location code 115a. The relationship between the value of the location attribute 115b and the attribute of the product that can be stored in the location is constrained by the constraint condition 214 shown in FIG.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the constraint condition 214 held by the mixed loading / storing instruction device 10 of the second embodiment of the present invention.

Constraint 214 is composed of product attribute 214a, location attribute 214b, storable 214c, and relaxable 214d. Here, the column of storable 214c is a value indicating whether or not the product of the attribute indicated by the value of the product attribute 214a can be stored in the location of the attribute indicated by the value of the location attribute 214b (TRUE: storable, FALSE: not storable). ) Is held. The column of mitigable 214d is used to give priority to the storage destination location (location attribute 214b) of the product of each product attribute 214a. For example, the storage location of a product whose product attribute 214a is a "general product" is first searched from the locations where the location attribute 214b is a "general product", and if there is no storage destination in that location, then the location attribute 214b There are times when you want to find a storage location from among the locations that are "cold items". In such a case, as shown in the first line of FIG. 19, "storable 214c = TRUE" is described corresponding to "product attribute 214a = general product" and "location attribute 214b = general product", and further, 2 As shown in the line, "storable 214c = FALSE" and "relaxable 214d = TRUE" may be described corresponding to "product attribute 214a = general product" and "location attribute 214b = cold required product". ..

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a mixed loading candidate product / inventory PL classification list 33 generated by the mixed loading / storing instruction device 10 of the second embodiment of the present invention.

The mixed loading candidate product / inventory PL classification list 33 is composed of a classification 113a, a storage period width 113b, a mixed loading candidate product (product name) 33a, and an inventory PL 33b. In the example of FIG. 20, the storage period width 113b corresponding to the value “2” of the category 113a is “3 days to 7 days”, and “A” and “C” are the inventory PL33b as the mixed loading candidate products 33a of this category. "PL11" and "PL13" are registered as. This means that the length of the storage period of the products A and C extracted as mixed loading candidates from the received products and the stock products loaded on PL11 and PL13 is within the range of 3 to 7 days. Is shown.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a packing storage recommended list 29 output by the mixed loading / storing instruction device 10 of the second embodiment of the present invention.

The packed storage recommended list 29 includes the mixed loading candidate product name 181 and the lot name 172, the expected arrival date and time 173, the recommended storage amount 291 and the expected storage period 22, the recommended location 292, the recommended location product name 293, and the recommended location product quantity 294. And includes the expected storage period of 295 for products on recommended locations. Here, the recommended storage amount 291 is the quantity of the mixed loading candidate product recommended to be stored in the recommended location. The recommended location 292 is a location where it is recommended to pack and store the mixed loading candidate products. The product name 293 of the recommended location and the product quantity 294 of the recommended location are the product name that identifies the product currently stored in the recommended location and the quantity of the product currently stored, respectively. The expected storage period 295 of the products on the recommended location is the period expected to be required until all the products currently stored in the recommended location are consumed, and the PL of the recommended location was calculated by the formula (5). It corresponds to the storage period 22b of the inventory PL.

In the example of the first record of the packed storage recommendation list 29 in FIG. 21, it is recommended that the mixed loading candidate product A extracted from the newly arrived products be mixed with the product E already stored in the location 1. There is. This shows the result of the mixed loading combination determination unit 125 determining the combination of these products as the mixed loading combination. The location 1 in which the product E is stored is output as the recommended location 292.

By the above method, even when the packing is stored, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of tooth chipping (low filling rate) location of the mixed loading PL generated as a result of the packing storage, and the utilization efficiency and rotation of the frontage can be suppressed. The rate improves.

Further, when the storage worker refers to the recommended location 292, the trouble of searching for the location of the storage destination can be saved, and the efficiency of the storage work can be improved. In addition, since each product can be stored in a location that meets the constraint condition 214, temperature-controlled products and dangerous goods can be stored in an appropriate area, and inventory quality (for example, food products that require refrigeration management) can be stored. Quality etc.) is improved.

Next, Example 3 of the present invention will be described. Except for the differences described below, each part of the system of Example 1 is labeled with the same reference numerals as those of Example 1 shown in FIGS. 1-17 and 2 shown in FIGS. 18-21. Since each part has the same function as each part, the description thereof will be omitted.

In the first embodiment, the fractional arrival SKUs (1 product, 1 lot) less than 1PL are mixed and stored at the arrival stage, and then in the second embodiment, the arrival SKUs in the quantity less than 1PL are stored in the storage area. The case where the product is packed in the location in combination with the stock PL of the above was explained.

However, in the warehousing business, mainly for the purpose of securing the number of free locations in the storage area, the stored product SKUs in the storage area with a quantity less than 1 PL are combined, and the products loaded in one PL are combined with the other. It may be moved to PL. Such a process is called a shelving process.

In this case as well, it can be considered as a mixed loading combination of inventories, and as in the case of the first embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained by mixing the similar products having the storage period 22. it can.

That is, in the third embodiment, instead of the mixed loading candidate product 181 (step S4) of the quantity indicated by the mixed loading target quantity 183 calculated as in the first embodiment, a quantity of products less than the storable quantity is stored. The products stored in the location (more specifically, the location where the PL with the quantity of products less than the stackable quantity is placed) are stored together with the products of other items. It is a target for determining whether or not to store in the area 101.

The processing executed by the mixed loading / storing instruction device 10 of this embodiment is as shown in FIGS. 5 and 16 except for the changes described below.

Step S3 (FIG. 5): The mixed loading candidate extraction unit 120 proceeds to step S4 when the shelving instruction 501c is specified in the mode selection field 501 of the input unit 13 and the execution instruction is input via the execution button 503. If there is no input, continue waiting for input. In the third embodiment, the arrival schedule list 17 is unnecessary.

Step S5 (FIG. 5): From the inventory data 111, the total inventory quantity calculation unit 121 has a product with the same name as the product name 111b and a young lot name with respect to the product name 111b corresponding to each location (FIG. 5). The inventory CS number 111d of the same product (the allocation order is early) is acquired, and the total inventory quantity up to the inventory PL product is calculated. In other words, the total inventory quantity up to the product of the inventory PL calculated here is the case where the product with the same name (that is, the same item) as the product loaded in the inventory PL is carried out according to the allocation order. In addition, it corresponds to the number of products of the item to be carried out by the time all the goods loaded in the inventory PL are carried out.

Step S7 (FIG. 5): The storage period calculation unit 123 calculates the storage period 22b of the inventory PL by the formula (5) in the same manner as in step S7 of the second embodiment.

Step S8 (FIG. 5): The storage period comparison unit 124 divides the inventory PL by the classification rule 113 with reference to the storage period 22b of the inventory PL and the classification rule 113, and generates the inventory PL classification list 34. Details of the inventory PL classification list 34 will be described later with reference to FIG.

Step S9 (FIG. 5): The mixed loading combination determination unit 125 divides the inventory PL classification list 34 into the same classification in the inventory PL classification list 34 by adding the inventory PL classification list 34, the constraint condition 114, and the PL conversion stock quantity 111e of the inventory PL. A mixed loading combination is derived from the stock PL34a that have been obtained, and the shelving instruction list 39 is generated. Details will be described in steps S91 to S94.

Step S10 (FIG. 5): The output unit 14 outputs the shelving instruction list 39. When the output is completed, the process returns to step S2 and waits for the input of the user instruction again. Here, if the shelving instruction list 39 is output in a format that can be read by a machine such as an automatic transfer robot, the shelving work can be mechanized and automated, and the efficiency of the shelving work in the warehouse can be improved.

Hereinafter, the detailed processing of step S9 of the third embodiment will be described.

Step S91 (FIG. 16): In the inventory PL classification list 34, the mixed loading combination determination unit 125 sets the product on the PL identified by the storage location location code 111a and the product name 111b of the inventory PL34a classified in the same category 113a. The product attribute 114a of the above and the PL conversion inventory number 111e of the location are acquired.

Step S92 (FIG. 16): The mixed loading combination determination unit 125 refers to the product attribute 214a of the product 111b on the PL with respect to the inventory PL 34a classified into the same category in the inventory PL classification list 34, and has the same product attribute. Limited to combinations of 114a, a mixed loading combination of inventory PLs is generated within a range in which the sum of the PL-converted inventory numbers 111e of the products 23a on the two inventory PLs is 1 PL or less.

Step S93 (FIG. 16): The mixed loading combination determination unit 125 refers to the product attribute 214a of the product 111b on the PL with respect to the inventory PL 34a classified into the same category in the inventory PL classification list 34, and sets the constraint condition 114. A mixed loading combination of inventory PLs is generated within the range where the sum of the PL-converted inventory numbers 111e of the products 23a on the two inventory PLs is 1 PL or less, limiting the columns of 114c that can be mixed and loaded to the combination specified in True. To do.

Here, as in the first and second embodiments, the number of SKUs to be loaded in 1 PL may be limited, and the combination of products may be determined so as to load the products in the PL within the limit. As a result, it is possible to ensure safety during transportation and storage during shelving work and reduce the risk of erroneous picking during shipping work.

Step S94 (FIG. 16): The mixed loading combination determination unit 125 outputs a shelving instruction list 39 in which the mixed loading combinations generated in steps S92 and S93 are described line by line.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an inventory PL classification list 34 generated by the mixed loading / storing instruction device 10 of the third embodiment of the present invention.

In the inventory PL classification list 34, the storage period width 113b and the inventory PL34a that fits within the storage period width are listed for each division 113a.

FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a shelving instruction list 39 output by the mixed loading / storage instruction device 10 of the third embodiment of the present invention.

The shelving instruction list 39 shows the shelving candidate PL name 391, the current storage location 392, the recommended shelving amount 393, the expected storage period 22, the shelving destination location 394, the shelving destination PL name 395, and the product quantity of the shelving destination location. It consists of 396 and the expected storage period of 397 for the products on location.

The shelving candidate PL name 391 is a PL name that identifies the PL of the candidate to be shelved. The current storage location 392 indicates the location where the PL is currently stored. The recommended shelving quantity 393 is the quantity of goods currently loaded in the PL (that is, the quantity of goods that would be moved to another PL if shelving is performed). The shelving destination location 394 and the shelving destination PL name 395 indicate the location of the shelving destination (that is, the destination of the goods loaded in the PL of the shelving candidate) and the PL placed there, respectively. .. The quantity of goods in the shelving destination location 396 indicates the quantity of goods currently stored in the shelving destination location. The expected storage period of the products at the shelving destination location 397 is the period expected to be required until all the products currently stored at the shelving destination location are consumed, and the formula for the PL of the shelving destination location ( It corresponds to the storage period 22b of the inventory PL calculated in 5).

In the example of FIG. 23, an example of a mixed loading combination in which the inventory of PL11 is moved to PL13 (shelfing) and the inventory of PL12 is moved to PL14 (shelfing) is shown. In this method, the mixed loading combination determination unit 125 determines the combination of the product loaded on the PL11 of the location 5 and the product loaded on the PL13 of the location 1 as the mixed loading combination, and further, the PL12 of the location 6. It is shown that the combination of the product loaded on the location 2 and the product loaded on the PL14 of the location 2 was determined as the mixed loading combination. Here, in the mixed loading combination of the inventory PLs generated in steps S92 and S93, there are several conceivable methods for determining which inventory PL34a is the shelving candidate PL391 or the shelving destination PL395. For example, it is conceivable that the PL-converted inventory number 111e on the inventory PL34a or the inventory PL34a with a small number of mixed SKUs is the shelving candidate PL391, and the inventory PL with a large number is the shelving destination PL395. Alternatively, the constraint condition 214 of the second embodiment is added as an input, the combination of the product attribute 214a of the product on the inventory PL and the location attribute 214b of the storage destination location is evaluated, and the constraint condition 214 can be stored 214c is FALSE. It is conceivable that the stock PL34a of the above is used as the shelving candidate PL391 and the other is used as the shelving destination PL395. The mixed loading / storing instruction device 10 outputs the moving source (that is, the current storage location 392) and the moving destination (that is, the shelving destination location 394) of the product, and the worker refers to the moving source (that is, the current storage location 392) to move the worker to the shelving. Work is streamlined.

By the above method, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of tooth chipping (low filling rate) location of the mixed PL generated as a result of shelving even when shelving work is performed, and the utilization efficiency and turnover rate of the frontage are improved. To do.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. For example, in each embodiment, a warehouse is assumed in which products are loaded on the PL and then stored, but it is not always necessary to load the products on the PL. For example, when it is necessary to mix a plurality of SKUs in one location of the shelves for shelves that store in CS (case) or container units instead of PL, the inventory data 111 of Examples 1 to 3 And, if it is carried out in units of 1 SKU of the arrival schedule list 17, the same effect described in this specification can be obtained.

Further, not only in a distribution warehouse but also in a production site, for example, it is required to store a plurality of parts in a mixed manner on the same parts shelf. If the present invention is applied to a production site, parts having the same storage period can be arranged, and it is possible to improve the utilization efficiency of the parts shelves by suppressing the occurrence of parts shelves with missing teeth (low filling rate). That is, the present invention can be applied not only to goods in a distribution warehouse but also to any kind of goods.

The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned examples, and includes various modifications. For example, the above-mentioned examples have been described in detail for a better understanding of the present invention, and are not necessarily limited to those having all the configurations of the description. Further, it is possible to replace a part of the configuration of one embodiment with the configuration of another embodiment, and it is possible to add the configuration of another embodiment to the configuration of one embodiment. Further, it is possible to add / delete / replace a part of the configuration of each embodiment with another configuration.

Further, each of the above configurations, functions, processing units, processing means and the like may be realized by hardware by designing a part or all of them by, for example, an integrated circuit. Further, each of the above configurations, functions, and the like may be realized by software by the processor interpreting and executing a program that realizes each function. Information such as programs, tables, and files that realize each function can be stored in non-volatile semiconductor memories, hard disk drives, storage devices such as SSDs (Solid State Drives), or computers such as IC cards, SD cards, and DVDs that are not readable. It can be stored in a temporary data storage medium.

In addition, the control lines and information lines are shown as necessary for explanation, and not all control lines and information lines are shown in the product. In practice, it can be considered that almost all configurations are interconnected.

Claims (14)

Goods management system
For each item, the quantity of mixed-loading candidate articles for which it is determined whether or not to be mixed with other items and stored in the storage area, the quantity of articles stored in the storage area, the above-mentioned article. A storage unit that holds the order of unloading from the storage area and the record of unloading the article from the storage area.
Based on the information stored in the storage unit, a period calculation unit that predicts when the delivery of the mixed loading candidate article from the storage area will be completed for each item.
A mixed loading combination determination unit that determines a combination of mixed loading candidate articles whose predicted times are close to each other as a mixed loading combination stored in the same section of the storage area.
An article management system characterized by having an output unit that outputs the determined mixed loading combination. The article management system according to claim 1.
The storage unit further holds the quantity of articles that can be stored in one section of the storage area for each item.
The mixed loading combination determination unit is an article management system characterized in that a combination of mixed loading candidate articles whose total quantity can be stored in one section of the storage area is determined as the mixed loading combination. The article management system according to claim 1.
The storage unit further holds a constraint condition indicating an attribute of the article for each item and a combination of the attributes that can be mixedly loaded.
The mixed loading combination determination unit is an article management system characterized in that a combination of mixed loading candidate articles having the above attributes capable of mixed loading is determined as the mixed loading combination. The article management system according to claim 1.
The period calculation unit
Based on the order of carrying out the goods for each item from the storage area, the quantity of the goods to be carried out from the storage area before the mixed loading candidate goods is specified.
Based on the actual unloading of goods from the storage area for each item, the number of unloading per unit period is calculated for each item.
For each item, based on the number of items to be carried out per unit period, the goods to be carried out from the storage area before the mixed loading candidate articles and the articles to be carried out from the storage area until the mixed loading candidate goods are carried out from the storage area. An article management system characterized in that by calculating the length of a period, it is possible to predict when the delivery of the mixed loading candidate article from the storage area will be completed. The article management system according to claim 4.
The storage unit further holds information that defines a division of the length of time until the mixed loading candidate article is carried out of the storage area.
The mixed loading combination determination unit determines that the predicted times are close to each other when the period lengths calculated by the period calculation unit for the two items of the mixed loading candidate articles belong to the same category. A featured article management system. The article management system according to claim 1.
The storage unit further holds the quantity of articles that can be stored in one section of the storage area and the quantity of articles that arrive for each item.
The article management system further includes a mixed loading candidate extraction unit that calculates the remainder obtained by dividing the quantity of the received articles by the quantity that can be stored in one section of the storage area as the quantity of the mixed loading candidate articles for each item. An article management system characterized by this. The article management system according to claim 6.
The storage unit further holds the scheduled arrival time of the mixed loading candidate article,
The mixed loading combination determination unit is an article management system characterized in that a combination of the mixed loading candidate articles whose difference in scheduled arrival time is smaller than a predetermined value is determined as the mixed loading combination. The article management system according to claim 1.
The storage unit further holds the quantity of articles that can be stored in one section of the storage area and the quantity of articles that arrive for each item.
The article management system further has a mixed loading candidate extraction unit.
The mixed loading candidate extraction unit
For each item, the articles that generate a remainder when the quantity of the received articles is divided by the quantity that can be stored in one section of the storage area are extracted as the mixed loading candidate articles, and the generated remainder is the mixed loading candidate articles. Calculated as the quantity of
Among the sections of the storage area, for a section in which a quantity of articles less than the number of items that can be stored is stored, the articles stored in the section are extracted as the mixed loading candidate articles and stored in the section. The quantity of the goods being mixed is calculated as the quantity of the goods of the mixed loading candidate,
The mixed loading combination determination unit determines a combination of the mixed loading candidate article extracted from the incoming article and the mixed loading candidate article extracted from the article stored in the storage area as the mixed loading combination. An article management system characterized by doing. The article management system according to claim 8.
The storage unit further holds the attributes of the article for each item, the attributes of each section of the storage area, and the attributes of the article that can be stored in the sections of the respective attributes.
The mixed loading combination determination unit is extracted from the mixed loading candidate article extracted from the incoming article and the article stored in the storage area capable of storing the mixed loading candidate article extracted from the incoming article. An article management system characterized in that a combination with the mixed loading candidate article is determined as the mixed loading combination. The article management system according to claim 9.
The storage unit further retains the attributes of the article that can be stored in the respective attribute compartments when the conditions are relaxed.
The mixed loading combination determination unit selects the articles that are not determined as the mixed loading combination and the articles that are not determined as the mixed loading combination when the conditions are relaxed, among the articles that are candidates for mixed loading extracted from the received articles. An article management system characterized in that a combination with the mixed loading candidate article extracted from the articles stored in a storable storage area is determined as the mixed loading combination. The article management system according to claim 8.
The output unit uses the section storing the articles stored in the storage area determined as the mixed loading combination as a storage destination of the articles extracted from the arriving articles determined as the mixed loading combination. An article management system characterized by outputting instructional information. The article management system according to claim 1.
The storage unit further holds the quantity of articles that can be stored in one section of the storage area for each item.
The article management system further has a mixed loading candidate extraction unit.
The mixed loading candidate extraction unit uses the articles stored in the section as the mixed loading candidate articles in the section in the storage area in which the number of articles stored is less than the number of items that can be stored. An article management system characterized in that the quantity of articles extracted and stored in the section is calculated as the quantity of articles of the mixed loading candidate. The article management system according to claim 12.
The output unit provides information indicating that one of the two compartments storing the articles of the two items determined as the mixed loading combination is the moving source of the articles and the other is the moving destination of the articles. An article management system characterized by outputting. An article management method executed by a computer system having a calculation unit, a storage unit, and an output unit.
For each item, the storage unit is the quantity of the candidate articles for mixed loading, which is the target for determining whether or not to be mixed with the articles of other items and stored in the storage area, and the quantity of the articles stored in the storage area. , The order of carrying out the goods from the storage area and the record of carrying out the goods from the storage area are retained.
The article management method is
A procedure in which the calculation unit predicts when the delivery of the mixed loading candidate article from the storage area is completed for each item based on the information stored in the storage unit.
A procedure in which the calculation unit determines a combination of articles that are candidates for mixed loading whose predicted times are close to each other as a mixed loading combination stored in the same section of the storage area.
An article management method, characterized in that the output unit includes a procedure for outputting the determined mixed loading combination.

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