JP6884315B2 - Logistics support methods, systems and programs - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a physical distribution support method and system suitable for direct sales.

Today, it is thought that the more intermediate distribution there is, the higher the cost of purchasing a product is, and in order to reduce the cost, direct sales that omit intermediate distribution are becoming more widespread. However, direct sales may be more costly. For example, if an intermediate distributor purchases a large amount of a product of 50 yen at a time and sells one of the products face-to-face to a consumer for 100 yen, the consumer can acquire the product for 100 yen. On the other hand, if only one product of the same 50 yen is purchased directly and the shipping fee is 500 yen, the consumer needs a cost of 550 yen to acquire one of the same products. In this case, the latter results in a higher cost for purchasing the product than the former.
However, the times are moving toward direct sales and distribution. Therefore, the inventor of the present application considers that it is necessary to create a new distribution form in consideration of the case where a small amount of products are purchased directly as described above.
For example, Patent Document 1 and the like are prior art documents that have an issue of reducing distribution costs.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2005-215952

An object of the present invention is to provide a new distribution form capable of reducing the cost of acquiring a product as compared with the case of purchasing a small amount of low-priced products directly, as compared with the case of purchasing the product through intermediate distribution.

When using direct sales on an individual scale, the quantity of individual products purchased is usually small. However, if we consider the total amount of various products consumed or used in a day even on an individual scale and assume that there is a total amount of physical distribution, the amount of physical distribution is not small even on an individual scale. I can say. For example, considering the physical distribution of a private store, by analogy with the principle of three-sided equivalence, it can be considered that the physical distribution of the store and the physical distribution of the entire individual house are almost equal. Until now, distribution has been carried out using individual "things" as the key, but the inventor of the present application has changed this to distribution using "people (destination)" as the key, in order to acquire products in direct sales. We thought that such costs could be reduced more than ever.
In the present invention, a plurality of packages having the same destination are mixedly loaded on the distribution route to increase the flow rate of the packages delivered to the destination at one time. This will reduce distribution costs.

Therefore, the present invention adopts the following configuration.
At least in a distribution support system including a distribution information system that communicates with a transportation base terminal via a computer network, the transportation base terminal is provided at each of a plurality of transportation bases.
The physical distribution information system stores at least transportation information in a storage device, and the transportation information includes at least baggage identification information that can uniquely identify a package and destination identification information that can uniquely identify the destination of the package. It is information associated with transportation-related information related to the transportation of the baggage, and a plurality of the transportation information is stored for each package.
By comparing the plurality of transportation information, the physical distribution information system is expected to match the destination identification information and simultaneously stay at the same transportation base or stay at the same transportation base from the viewpoint of the transportation-related information. In order to search a plurality of transportation information corresponding to a plurality of packages corresponding to the plurality of packages from the storage device and to mix the packages corresponding to the searched plurality of transportation information on one flight, each package included in the respective transportation information. The identification information is transmitted to the transportation base terminal provided at the transportation base where the person stays at the same time.

According to the present invention, for example, even when a small amount of low-priced products are purchased directly, it is possible to realize a new distribution form capable of reducing the cost of acquiring the products as compared with the conventional case.

Configuration diagram of the logistics support system according to the embodiment of the present invention Order information flow chart Luggage flow chart Structural diagram of transportation information

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a physical distribution support system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the computer network 6, a plurality of orderer terminals 2, a plurality of product provider terminals 3, a plurality of transportation base terminals 4, a plurality of destination terminals 5, and logistics information communicating with each of these terminals 2 to 5. It is connected to system 1.

The orderer terminal 2 is a terminal operated by a person who orders a product or an agent thereof, and since there are a plurality of orderers who use this system, there are a plurality of orderer terminals 2.

The product provider terminal 3 is a terminal operated by a person who provides the product or its agent, and since there are a plurality of product providers who use this system, there are a plurality of product provider terminals 3. A product provider is a person who provides a product on the downstream side of distribution, and includes not only producers but also wholesalers and retailers.

The transportation base terminal 4 is a terminal operated by an operator of the transportation base or an agent thereof, and since there are a plurality of transportation bases that use this system, there are a plurality of transportation base terminals 4. Each transportation base is not limited to the transportation base of a specific trader, and may include the transport bases of different traders. The carrier that transports between transportation bases is not limited to a specific carrier, and may include different carriers. In addition, the bases of wholesalers and retailers can also be transportation bases. When a product provided from the upstream of distribution is distributed to a downstream base via a wholesaler or retailer's base, the wholesaler's or retailer's base is also considered as a transportation base. Therefore, there are companies such as wholesalers and retailers that also serve as product providers and transportation bases, and there are transportation bases that have inventories of products.

The destination terminal 5 is a terminal operated by a person who is the destination of the product or its agent, and since there are a plurality of destinations that use this system, there are a plurality of destination terminals 5.

The computer network 6 includes the Internet in the present embodiment, and the physical distribution information system 1 has a server function in which terminals 2 to 5 are clients. Each terminal 2 to 5 and the physical distribution information system 1 are computers, and include an input device, an output device, a storage device, a processing device, and a communication device. The processing device of each computer executes various processes by executing the program stored in the storage device. The communication device of each terminal 2 to 5 may be a wireless communication device. Further, each terminal 2 to 5 may be a tablet terminal, a smartphone or the like. The computer network in the present invention may not include the Internet.

The distribution information system 1 and the product provider terminal 3 acquire the order information transmitted from the orderer terminal 2 and store it in their respective storage devices. There are two possible routes for acquiring order information.

The first route is a route indicated by a solid arrow in FIG. 2, in which order information is first received from the ordering party terminal 2 to the distribution information system 1, and then the distribution information system 1 places an order with a predetermined product provider terminal 3. This is a route for transferring information.

The second route is a route shown by a dotted line in FIG. 2. First, the ordering information is received from the ordering party terminal 2 to the product provider terminal 3, and then the ordering information is transferred from the product provider terminal 3 to the distribution information system 1. It is a route to do.

Here, the order information to be transferred does not have to exactly match the order information before transfer, and only the information required by the transfer destination may be extracted and transferred.

When adopting the first route, the physical distribution information system 1 needs to select a product provider to which the order information is transferred or a transportation base having inventory (hereinafter referred to as "product provider or the like"). When the ordering information includes the identification information of the product provider or the like, the ordering information may be transferred to the terminals 3 and 4 of the product provider or the like specified by the identification information. On the other hand, when the ordering information does not include the identification information of the product provider or the like, the distribution information system 1 selects the product provider or the like that provides the product based on the product identification information included in the ordering information. In this case, the physical distribution information system 1 stores in advance the transfer destination information in which the product identification information of the product is associated with the identification information of the product provider or the like that stocks the product. Then, the physical distribution information system 1 searches the storage device for the transfer destination information corresponding to the product identification information included in the order information, and acquires the identification information of the product provider or the like that stocks the product from the search result. The physical distribution information system 1 stores information necessary for push distribution or pull distribution to terminals 3 and 4 of a product provider or the like in a storage device in association with identification information of the product provider or the like.

In FIG. 3, when a package containing a product arrives from the product provider A to the transportation base E based on the ordering information, the transportation base terminal 4 of the transportation base E transmits the invoice information of the package to the distribution information system 1. The physical distribution information system 1 stores the invoice information in the storage device. The invoice information includes at least the package identification information (invoice number, etc.) that can uniquely identify the package corresponding to the invoice, the identification information (base code, etc.) of the transportation base E that sent the invoice information, and the package. It shall include the invoice identification information (address or code that can uniquely identify the address, etc.) that can uniquely identify the invoice.

The logistics information system 1 sets the route (transportation route information) of the transportation base through which the package passes from the transportation base E to the delivery destination based on the received invoice information, and also sets the package to each transportation base on the route. The date and time to be received and the date and time to be shipped from each transportation base (transportation schedule information) are set, and the transportation route information and the transportation schedule information are stored in the storage device in association with the baggage identification information. Further, the physical distribution information system 1 stores the current status information that the package is currently staying at the transportation base E and the destination identification information of the package in the storage device in association with the package identification information of the package. .. As a result, the storage device of the physical distribution information system stores the transportation information having the structure shown in FIG. 4 for each cargo. Here, it is desirable that the transportation route information and the transportation schedule information are automatically set by the arithmetic processing of the computer. As an example of automatically setting the transportation route information and the transportation schedule information, for example, there is a technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 08-235263. Here, "transportation route information", "transportation schedule information", and "current status information" correspond to "transportation-related information" described in the claims, respectively.

In FIG. 3, when the package from the product provider B arrives at the transportation base E, the invoice information of the package is similarly transmitted from the transportation base terminal 4 to the distribution information system 1, and the distribution information system 1 receives the package. Transport information is generated and stored in a storage device. Similarly, when a package from an arbitrary product provider arrives at an arbitrary transportation base, the invoice information of the package is transmitted from the transportation base terminal 4 to the distribution information system 1, and the distribution information system 1 transports the package. Generates information and stores it in a storage device.

Further, in FIG. 3, when the transportation base E is a transportation base having an inventory and the inventory is shipped as a product, the invoice information of the package is similarly transmitted from the transportation base terminal 4 to the distribution information system 1. , The physical distribution information system 1 generates transportation information for the package and stores it in the storage device. Similarly, when an arbitrary transportation base ships the inventory as a product, the invoice information of the package is transmitted from the transportation base terminal 4 to the distribution information system 1, and the distribution information system 1 generates transportation information for the package. Store in a storage device.

As the first mixed loading determination process, the physical distribution information system 1 searches the transportation information stored in the storage device for transportation information in which both the current status information and the destination identification information match. If you find transportation information that matches both the current status and the destination identification information, that is, if you find that there is a package with the same destination at the same transportation base, the transportation base terminal of the transportation base will be charged with the corresponding package. Sends package identification information to notify that multiple packages with the same destination are staying.

Upon receiving the notification, the transportation base terminal 4 outputs the package identification information of the package of the same destination currently staying at the transportation base to the output device. At the transportation base, a worker who confirms the package identification information output to the output device loads a plurality of packages corresponding to the package identification information on the same flight. The product providers may be different for the plurality of packages.

As a case where packages of the same destination stay at one transportation base at the same time, in the example of FIG. 3, in addition to the case where the package shipped by the product provider A and the package shipped by the product provider B stay at the same time, the product The parcel shipped by the provider A or B and the parcel arriving at the transport base E from the upstream transport base C or D may stay at the same time. Further, the packages from A, B, C, and D and the packages when the inventory held by the transportation base E is shipped as a product may stay at the same time.

Further, in the physical distribution information system 1, as the second mixed loading determination process, the destination identification information is common from the plurality of transportation information stored in the storage device, and at least one transportation base on the transportation route is common. , Search for multiple packages that are expected to stay at the transportation base at the same time. Whether or not at least one transportation base on the transportation route is common is determined by comparing the values of the transportation route information included in the comparison transportation information. Whether or not to stay at the transportation base at the same time depends on the period during which the package stays at the transportation base among the transportation schedule information included in each transportation information to be compared (date and time when the package should arrive at the transportation base (stay start time)). Judgment is made based on whether or not there is an overlapping period between the date and time of shipment (the period from the end of stay) to

When the logistics information system 1 finds a plurality of packages that have common destination identification information, common at least one transportation base on the transportation route, and are expected to stay at the transportation base at the same time, the transportation base The package identification information of the plurality of packages is transmitted to the transportation base terminal of the above, and the package is notified that multiple packages of the same destination are expected to stay at the same time.

Upon receiving the notification, the transportation base terminal 4 outputs the package identification information of the packages of the same destination that are expected to stay at the transportation site at the same time to the output device. At the transportation base, a worker who confirms the package identification information output to the output device loads a plurality of packages corresponding to the package identification information on the same flight. The product providers may be different for the plurality of packages.

Further, in the physical distribution information system 1, as the third mixed loading determination process, there are a plurality of packages having common destination identification information and common at least one transportation base on the transportation route, but the packages are common. If you do not stay at the same transportation base at the same time, the difference between the end time of the stay of the luggage that stays at the transportation base first and the start time of the stay of the luggage that stays at the transportation base later is set in advance. If it is within the optional period (for example, within 2 days), the destination terminal 5 corresponding to the destination identification information of the package is informed that "the end time of the stay of the package that stays first at the transportation base is set to the transportation base. Send an inquiry message "whether to postpone the luggage to be stayed later after the start of stay". When the logistics information system 1 receives a message to the effect of "postponing" the inquiry from the destination terminal 5, the end time of the stay of the luggage staying at the destination is later than the start time of the stay of the luggage staying after the above by a predetermined period. The time will be changed, and the transportation schedule information for the luggage staying at the destination will be recalculated and updated. The physical distribution information system 1 executes the above-described second mixed loading determination process based on the updated transportation schedule information.

Then, the stool containing the packages of the same delivery destination is shipped from the current transportation base to the next transportation base or the delivery destination. At the time of shipping, the transportation base terminal 4 of the current transportation base transmits the package identification information of the package to be shipped to the distribution information system. Upon receiving this information, the physical distribution information system updates the current status information of the transportation information whose baggage identification information matches.

In FIG. 3, when a package arrives from the current transportation base E to the next transportation base, the above processing is repeated with the landing transportation base as the transportation base E in FIG. The same process as above is repeated at each transportation base.

As a result, the same packages with the same delivery destination shipped from various product providers at various timings are mixedly loaded on the same flight as much as possible at each transportation base on the transportation route, and are collectively delivered to the delivery destination. By gradually consolidating the distribution to the same destination from the upstream side of the distribution route in this way, it is possible to reduce the transportation cost as compared with the case where each package is transported by the individual distribution route. Therefore, even when an individual or the like purchases a small amount of products directly, the cost of acquiring the products can be reduced as compared with the conventional case.

Here, in the above embodiment, it is described that the physical distribution information system 1 selects a product provider or the like that provides the product based on the product identification information included in the ordering information. In this case, the physical distribution information system 1 stores in advance the transfer destination information in which the product identification information and the identification information of the product provider or the like that provides the product are associated with each other. The transfer destination information may be one product identification information associated with identification information of a plurality of product providers and the like.

As the structure of the transfer destination information, the identification information of a plurality of product providers, etc. is associated with one product identification information, and the inventory information of each product provider, etc. of the product corresponding to the one product identification information is used for each product. Associate with the identification information of the provider, etc. In addition, the identification information of each product provider, etc. is associated with the identification information of the shipping location of each product provider, etc., and the shipping location information associated with the identification information of the nearest transportation base of each product provider, etc. is registered in advance. Keep it. The physical distribution information system 1 stores these transfer destination information and shipping location information in a storage device in advance.

There are various possible methods for acquiring product inventory information (inventory status, inventory quantity) at each product provider, etc., but for example, distribution is based on the arrival quantity and shipment quantity of the product at a certain product provider, etc. In the information system 1, the current inventory quantity of the product can be calculated by the product provider or the like. The quantity of the product A that arrives at the product provider, etc. B is stored in the storage device in association with the order information of the package and the transportation information, so that the quantity of the product A included in the order information and the transportation information can be stored. It can be confirmed from the current status information indicating the delivery completion included. Further, the quantity of the product A shipped from the product provider or the like B is stored in the storage device by associating the order information of the package with the transportation information, so that the quantity of the product A included in the order information and the said product A can be obtained. It can be confirmed from the current status information that represents the acceptance received included in the transportation information. Of course, the distribution information system 1 may acquire the inventory data by transmitting the inventory data recorded in the company's inventory management computer to the distribution information system 1.

When the logistics information system 1 selects a product provider or the like that provides the product based on the product identification information included in the order information, the first method is based on the destination identification information included in the order information. You may select the product provider or the like that is closest to the address of the delivery address obtained in the above and the shipping place of the product provider or the like that actually stocks the product. The physical distribution information system 1 determines the inventory status of the product based on the inventory information included in the transfer destination information, and determines the address of the shipping location based on the identification information of the shipping location included in the shipping location information. Whether or not the delivery address and the shipping address are closest to each other may be determined by the linear distance on the map between the addresses, or as a result of searching the road from the shipping address to the shipping address. It may be determined by the distance, or it may be determined by the estimated time required for transportation by the searched route from the shipping place to the delivery destination.

In this way, the ordered product is shipped from the inventory of the product provider closest to the delivery destination, so that the shortest transportation route can be obtained and the transportation cost can be further reduced.

Further, when the logistics information system 1 selects a product provider or the like that provides the product A based on the product identification information included in the order information, as a second method, the destination identification information included in the order information is used. Matching transportation information is searched from the storage device, each transportation base to be passed in the future is specified from the transportation route information included in the searched transportation information, and product A is selected from the product providers, etc. who are closest to each transportation base. The product provider, etc. closest to the nearest transportation base may be selected from among the product providers, etc. in stock. The information of "each transportation base to be passed in the future" can be specified based on the transportation route information included in the transportation information and the current status information. In addition, information on the "nearest transportation base" can be obtained based on the above-mentioned "shipping location information". The determination of whether or not it is "closest" can be performed in the same manner as in the first method described above.

According to this, packages having a common delivery destination can be promptly delivered to the transportation base through which the packages being transported first pass, and can be mixedly loaded. In addition, in some wholesalers, etc., the inventory is left unsold and becomes old and discarded, but according to this embodiment, the chances of shipping the old inventory in the market increase, the number of discarded products decreases, and wholesale. The turnover of inventory of traders etc. improves. Inventory can be easily renewed with new ones, and the expiration date of food can be suppressed. In addition, by improving inventory turnover, there are more opportunities for wholesalers to order products, and there are more opportunities for products that were previously ordered independently to be ordered together with other products and sent together. Contributes to efficiency and reduction of distribution costs.

Further, as a modification of the above embodiment, "destination area identification information" is used instead of "destination area identification information", and this "destination area identification information" is assigned to a plurality of neighboring destinations, and the destination area identification information is common. The packages to be loaded may be mixedly loaded on the transportation route. In this way, packages to nearby destinations can be mixedly loaded on the transportation route, and a larger physical distribution to the destination area can be collectively transported compared to the physical distribution to one destination. Therefore, it is possible to further improve the distribution efficiency and reduce the distribution cost.

Here, the invention of the present application is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but is within the scope of the invention described in the claims. For example, the association of a plurality of information is not limited to the case where the plurality of information is associated by one table, and the form of the association does not matter as long as the plurality of information are in the associated state. Further, in the above embodiment, the description is made from the stage of generating the ordering information, but the effect of mixedly loading the packages to be delivered to the same destination or the neighboring destinations in the distribution process can be obtained regardless of the handling of the ordering information. The handling of ordering information is not an essential requirement of the present invention.

1 Logistics information system 2 Ordering party terminal 3 Product provider terminal 4 Transportation base terminal 5 Destination terminal 6 Computer network

Claims (6)

It is a logistics support method for a logistics information system that communicates with a product provider terminal via a computer network.
The physical distribution information system stores transportation information in a storage device, and the transportation information includes baggage identification information such as an invoice number that can uniquely identify a package and destination identification information that can uniquely identify the destination of the package. , Information related to transportation-related information (including transportation route information) related to the transportation of the cargo, and a plurality of the transportation information is stored for each cargo.
The logistics information system further
Each product provider inventory information in each product provider or the like of the product corresponding to the product identification information included in the order information with associating the identification information such as a plurality of product provider for goods identification information included in the order information The transfer destination information of the ordering information associated with the identification information such as, etc., and the identification information of each product provider, etc. are associated with the identification information of the shipping location of each product provider, etc., and the nearest transportation base of each product provider, etc. is identified. The shipping location information associated with the information is stored in the storage device,
The logistics information system
A step to search the storage device for transportation information that matches the destination identification information included in the ordering information, and
Steps to identify the transportation base to be passed in the future from the transportation route information included in the searched transportation information,
Based on the forwarding destination information and the shipping location information, the nearest product provider, etc. that has the products included in the ordering information among the product providers, etc. that are closest to the specified transportation base. Steps to select the product provider closest to the transportation base, and
In order to deliver the parcel with the same delivery destination to the transport base through which the parcel being transported first and to load it together, the parcel containing the product is delivered to the nearest transport base to the terminal of the selected product provider or the like. A logistics support method including a step of notifying along with the transfer of the ordering information. The logistics support method according to claim 1, wherein the delivery destination area of the package is used as the destination area identification information that can be uniquely specified instead of the destination identification information that can uniquely identify the destination of the package. It is a logistics support system equipped with a logistics information system that communicates with the product provider terminal via a computer network.
The physical distribution information system stores transportation information in a storage device, and the transportation information includes baggage identification information such as an invoice number that can uniquely identify a package and destination identification information that can uniquely identify the destination of the package. , Information related to transportation-related information (including transportation route information) related to the transportation of the cargo, and a plurality of the transportation information is stored for each cargo.
The logistics information system further
Each product provider inventory information in each product provider or the like of the product corresponding to the product identification information included in the order information with associating the identification information such as a plurality of product provider for goods identification information included in the order information The transfer destination information of the ordering information associated with the identification information such as, etc., and the identification information of each product provider, etc. are associated with the identification information of the shipping location of each product provider, etc., and the nearest transportation base of each product provider, etc. is identified. The shipping location information associated with the information is stored in the storage device,
The processing device of the physical distribution information system
The process of searching the storage device for transportation information that matches the destination identification information included in the order information, and
Processing to identify the transportation base to be passed in the future from the transportation route information included in the searched transportation information,
Based on the forwarding destination information and the shipping location information, the nearest product provider, etc. that has the products included in the ordering information among the product providers, etc. that are closest to the specified transportation base. The process of selecting the product provider closest to the transportation base, and
In order to deliver the parcel with the same delivery destination to the transport base through which the parcel being transported first and to load it together, the parcel containing the product is delivered to the nearest transport base to the terminal of the selected product provider or the like. A logistics support system that executes a process of notifying along with the transfer of the order information. The logistics support system according to claim 3, wherein the destination area of the package is uniquely identified as the destination area identification information instead of the destination identification information that can uniquely identify the destination of the package. A logistics support program for logistics information systems that communicates with product provider terminals via a computer network.
The physical distribution information system stores transportation information in a storage device, and the transportation information includes baggage identification information such as an invoice number that can uniquely identify a package and destination identification information that can uniquely identify the destination of the package. , Information related to transportation-related information (including transportation route information) related to the transportation of the cargo, and a plurality of the transportation information is stored for each cargo.
The logistics information system further
Each product provider inventory information in each product provider or the like of the product corresponding to the product identification information included in the order information with associating the identification information such as a plurality of product provider for goods identification information included in the order information The transfer destination information of the ordering information associated with the identification information such as, etc., and the identification information of each product provider, etc. are associated with the identification information of the shipping location of each product provider, etc., and the nearest transportation base of each product provider, etc. is identified. The shipping location information associated with the information is stored in the storage device,
In the processing device of the physical distribution information system
The process of searching the storage device for transportation information that matches the destination identification information included in the order information, and
Processing to identify the transportation base to be passed in the future from the transportation route information included in the searched transportation information,
Based on the forwarding destination information and the shipping location information, the nearest product provider, etc. that has the products included in the ordering information among the product providers, etc. that are closest to the specified transportation base. The process of selecting the product provider closest to the transportation base, and
In order to deliver the parcel with the same destination to the transport base through which the parcel being transported first and to load it together, the parcel containing the product is delivered to the nearest transport base to the terminal of the selected product provider or the like. A logistics support program that executes a process of notifying along with the transfer of the order information. The logistics support program according to claim 5, wherein the destination area of the package is uniquely identified instead of the destination identification information that can uniquely identify the destination of the package.

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