Physical distribution system using communication network

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD [Detailed description of the invention]

【0001】

[Technical field to which the invention belongs]

The present invention relates to a physical distribution system using a communication network, and more particularly to a physical distribution system for receiving an order for a product via the Internet, a telephone, or the like and delivering the product to a user's home.

【0002】

[Conventional technology]

In recent years, online shopping on the Internet has become widespread in addition to telephone orders for products listed in catalogs. In such a purchasing method, the processing related to purchasing and the processing related to delivery of goods are generally performed separately. For example, a product ordered at an online shop is delivered to a user's home from an actual store or the like of an online shop operator by an ordinary home delivery company or the like.

【0003】

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

When the processing related to purchasing and the processing related to delivery of goods are separate as described above, the following problems occur.

【0004】

First, when products are purchased at a plurality of stores, the products are packed and delivered in each store, so that the shipping fee is high for the user. In addition, since each order is delivered separately, this also increases the shipping fee for the user.

【0005】

Further, in the conventional technology, delivery management is usually performed by a logistics company, so it is necessary to contact the logistics company to know the delivery status of the product, which is troublesome for the user.

【0006】

In addition, since it is difficult to notify the user of the exact number of products in stock with the prior art, an order may be accepted even when the product is out of stock, and the user may have to wait for the product for a long period of time.

【0007】

Further, when a normal shipping company is used for delivery, there is a problem that the delivery fee becomes high and the delivery time is limited.

【0008】

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and even if a plurality of products are purchased at a plurality of different stores, they can be delivered to the user's home as a single package, which is inexpensive and meets the user's request. The purpose is to provide a distribution system that enables delivery.

【0009】

[Means for solving problems]

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention can be configured as follows.

【0010】

The invention according to claim 1 is a distribution system in which a center device, a delivery store terminal used in a delivery store, and a warehouse terminal used in a warehouse are connected via a network, and the center device is a product from a user. Means for receiving order information, means for identifying a delivery store from information about the user, means for transmitting shipping request information to a warehouse terminal based on the order information, and delivery request information to the delivery store terminal of the delivery store. The shipping request information is information for delivering the product from the warehouse to the delivery store, and the delivery request information is for delivering the product from the delivery store to the user. It is assumed that the information is.

【0011】

According to the present invention, it is possible to collect products for each user into one in a warehouse, and it is possible to carry out delivery at low cost by utilizing a delivery store such as a delivery store. In addition, the user can grasp the delivery status by notifying the center device of the delivery status at the warehouse or the delivery store.

【0012】

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the center device has the same delivery number for one order and another order of the user based on predetermined information in the order of the user. And a means for transmitting the delivery number and the information of the corresponding product to the warehouse terminal by the shipping request information.

【0013】

According to the present invention, for example, by using the above-mentioned predetermined information as a user name and a delivery time, it is possible to collectively deliver products to be delivered at the same delivery time of a specific user.

【0014】

The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein the center device has a means for receiving an order for a product at a plurality of stores from the user and an order for a plurality of products at a plurality of stores from a certain user. At that time, it has a means for collecting the information of the plurality of products based on the predetermined information and transmitting the collected information to the warehouse terminal by the shipping request information.

【0015】

According to the present invention, it is possible to pack products purchased at a plurality of stores together in a warehouse, which is convenient for users and reduces shipping charges.

【0016】

The invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein the warehouse terminal has a means for transmitting a shipping notification to the center device when the shipment of goods is completed, and the delivery store terminal is a delivery store terminal. When a product arrives at the delivery store, it has a means for transmitting an arrival notification to the center device, and the center device holds the shipping notification and the warehousing notification for each user, and the shipping notification and the warehousing. It has a means for notifying the user of the delivery status based on the notification.

【0017】

According to the present invention, the center device can manage the delivery status of the product and notify the user of the delivery status. The user can know the delivery status simply by accessing the center device without having to contact the shipping company or the like.

【0018】

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the warehouse terminal has a means for calculating an inventory quantity of a product based on the shipping request information and transmitting the inventory quantity to the center device. The center device shall have means for transmitting the inventory quantity to the user.

【0019】

According to the present invention, the user is notified of the stock quantity, and the user can place an order for a product while checking the stock quantity.

【0020】

The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein the distribution system further has a product supplier terminal, and the product information is registered in the center device from the product supplier terminal.

【0021】

According to the present invention, product information can be obtained directly from a product supplier.

【0022】

In the invention of claim 7, it is assumed that the store is an online shop on the Internet in the description of claim 3.

【0023】

According to the present invention, for example, products from a plurality of stores can be put in the same shopping cart and purchased together.

【0024】

According to the invention of claim 8, in the description of any one of claims 1 to 7, the delivery store is a store of a food delivery company.

【0025】

According to the present invention, it is possible to deliver the goods at low cost, and it is possible to deliver the goods even at midnight at the time when the delivery company delivers the goods.

【0026】

The inventions according to claims 9 to 15 are center devices suitable for use in the above-mentioned distribution system, and the inventions according to claims 16 to 22 are recording media on which a program for executing processing in the center device is recorded. is there. The invention according to claims 23 to 29 is a program for executing processing in the center device.

【0027】

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows an outline configuration of a physical distribution system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the distribution system of the present invention includes a center device 1 that controls the distribution according to the present invention, a payment system 2 that performs payment, and a user terminal 3 that purchases products using the distribution system. It has a call center 4 that accepts orders over the phone, a warehouse terminal 5 in a warehouse that stores products from product suppliers, a product supplier terminal 6 that is a product supplier, and a delivery store terminal 7 that is a delivery store that delivers products. The above-mentioned delivery stores in this embodiment are stores of food delivery companies such as pizza.

【0028】

Each device in this distribution system is connected to network 8. The communication network 8 may be the Internet or a network connected to a dedicated network used by each organization. The delivery store terminal 7 is connected to the center device 1 via the delivery store network 9.

【0029】

As will be described later, the center device 1 has a Web function and the like, and operates, for example, a shopping mall including a plurality of online shops (hereinafter referred to as stores). The above-mentioned product supplier is, for example, a manufacturer, a department store, an online shop operating company, or the like.

【0030】

Next, the outline of processing in the distribution system of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

【0031】

The product supplier provides the product information to the user in advance (step 1). Product information will be posted on the center equipment website. Alternatively, the delivery company that is listed in the catalog and is in charge of delivering the product delivers the catalog to the user's home. In addition, each product supplier sends a predetermined number of products to the warehouse and stores the products in the warehouse (step 2).

【0032】

Next, the user accesses the website in the above center device using the user terminal and orders the product (step 3). Alternatively, look at the above catalog information and call the call center to order the product. The products stored in the warehouse are inventoried, and the information is notified to the center device, so that the user can place an order while checking the inventory. The user can also specify the delivery time in units of 60 minutes, for example.

【0033】

The center device that received the order sends the information for product delivery to the warehouse terminal (step 4). In the warehouse, goods are packed according to the information. The packed product is then delivered to a delivery store in the delivery area of the product (step 5). Information on which product is delivered to which delivery store is notified from the center device. This delivery should be done on a regular basis, for example once a day.

【0034】

At the delivery store that received the product delivery, the product is delivered to the user's home at the specified time using a means such as a motorcycle (step 6). At the delivery store, the product can be delivered together with the delivery of the food that the delivery store originally handles. Further, as described above, it is also possible to distribute the catalog together with the delivery of the product.

【0035】

After ordering the product, the user can grasp the delivery status of the product (for example, waiting for shipment at the delivery store) by accessing the center device. Further, the center device may notify the user by e-mail that the product has been delivered.

【0036】

The user pays the fee by credit card or cash on delivery, and the payment is made (step 7). In addition, settlement will be carried out between the product supplier and the operator of this distribution system (step 8).

【0037】

As described above, in the distribution system of the present invention, the products of each store are collected in a warehouse, and the products are packed and delivered according to the order from there. Therefore, it is possible to collectively deliver the products of different stores to the user. .. In addition, since the delivery network of existing delivery stores and the like is utilized, it is possible to reduce the delivery cost.

【0038】

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing in detail the configuration of the distribution system of the present invention.

【0039】

As shown in FIG. 3, the center device 1 mainly has a WWW server 10, a mail server 11, and a business management application server 12. The function of the business management application server 12 may be provided in the WWW server 10. The WWW server 10 displays an order screen (screen in a shopping mall) to the user, and performs processing such as accepting an order from the user. The mail server 11 sends, for example, a shipping notification mail. The business management application server 12 performs inventory management, order management, customer management, EC stores, call center support, various statistics, accounting, reporting, and the like. Further, the center device 1 has various databases such as a product DB, an inventory management DB, an ordering / delivery management DB, a customer management DB, and a purchase history management DB. These databases may be held by providing a database server in the center device, or may be held by the business management application server. The process of the present invention is executed by a program installed in each server. The program can be stored in a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, and the center device of the present invention can be configured by installing the program according to the present invention in a computer using the recording medium. The program can also be transferred over the network.

【0040】

The payment system 2 is connected to the center device 1. Payment processing such as credit / payment is performed on the payment system 2 by the payment function in the business management application server.

【0041】

The call center 3 has a terminal 13 for accepting telephone orders, a PBX 14, and a terminal 15 for payment. When a telephone order is received from the user, the order information is notified to the business application server 12 by using the outgoing ID or the like by the function of the terminal 13. In addition, the payment terminal 15 can perform payment processing on the payment system 2.

【0042】

In the warehouse, the product code is scanned by a barcode or the like at the time of warehousing of the product, and it is recorded that the product has been warehousing. In addition, data instructing delivery is transmitted from the center device, and they are launched as a list. At the time of delivery, a collection list is launched and the individual delivery code affixed on the warehouse side is read by the terminal. As a result, the center device is notified of the completion of shipment.

【0043】

The product supplier can register the product information in the center device 1 from the product supplier terminal 6. In addition, the product supplier terminal 6 accepts an order for a product to be stored in the warehouse from the center device 1 when the product is out of stock.

【0044】

In this embodiment, the delivery of products from the warehouse to each delivery store is performed by a delivery company affiliated logistics company (referred to as an intermediate logistics company). Delivery management is carried out independently within the logistics company affiliated with the delivery company.

【0045】

At each delivery store connected to the center device 1 via a dedicated network 9 such as VPN, the delivery code is read when the product is delivered. As a result, the center device 1 is notified that the product has been delivered to the delivery store. In addition, a delivery schedule list is set out and delivery is performed to each user. When delivery is complete, the delivery code and, if necessary, the cash on delivery instruction code are read.

【0046】

In addition, the system operation center 16 operates the system of the center device 1 and recovers from a system failure. Furthermore, the logistics system operation secretariat 17 performs EC store management such as content update and DB update, customer management, member management, accounting processing, tax processing, and the like. In addition, the delivery company's headquarters 4 is connected to the center device 1, and reporting for clearing, tax processing, accounting processing, etc. is performed.

【0047】

Next, the detailed configuration of the center device is shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the center device 1 has a configuration in which the WWW server 10, the mail server, the database server 21, and the FTP server are connected by LAN and connected to the network via the router 23. In the configuration example shown in FIG. 4, the WWW server 10 has the function of the application server 12. In this configuration, the WWW server 10 receives a view request from a user, starts a business application, and processes an order and an order. The database server stores various DBs shown in Fig. 3. For example, product data, order data, inventory inquiry data, backyard business data, and the like are stored. The FTP server 22 is used for transmitting and receiving information between the terminal of the warehouse terminal and the terminal of the delivery store. In addition, the mail server notifies consumers by e-mail that an order has been received, and receives returns and complaint e-mails.

【0048】

In the distribution system of the present invention, products having the same delivery destination and delivery time are packed together, and even products purchased at different stores are packed together and delivered. In addition, these products will be delivered to the user's home by utilizing the delivery store 18. In addition, it is possible to notify the user of the number of stocks. Furthermore, delivery management is performed so that the user can grasp the delivery status. These feature points will be described in detail next.

【0049】

(Delivery of products with the same delivery destination and delivery time together) In the distribution system of the present invention, the purchaser, delivery destination, and delivery time are the same for a plurality of products ordered by the user by a predetermined closing time. Will be delivered together. In the past, for example, items ordered twice on the same day were delivered separately, so there was a problem that shipping costs were also required twice, but according to the present invention, multiple orders are combined into one, so consumers Pays only one shipping fee.

【0050】

A sequence chart of this process is shown in FIG.

【0051】

When the user sends a purchase request notification of a certain product to the center device (step 11), the center device has the same user name, delivery address, and delivery time information as the purchase requester in the order information of the purchase history management DB. Check if (step 12). If there is the same thing, send the information to the user terminal and ask the user whether to combine them into one (step 13). When the user instructs to combine the products into one by clicking a predetermined button on the screen (step 14), the instruction information is notified to the center device (step 15).

【0052】

The center device then determines the charge (step 16). The shipping fee is added to the price of the item at the time of the first order, but in step 16, since the shipping fee is added at the time of the past order, the shipping fee is not added and the user is notified of the price of the newly purchased item. Determined as a fee. However, if the weight of a plurality of items combined by this order exceeds a predetermined value, the shipping fee will be increased from the previous shipping fee, and the increased shipping fee will be added. Once the fee is determined, the user is notified of the payment fee (step 17).

【0053】

When the user who sees the charge decides to purchase (step 18), he / she inputs necessary information such as payment method and sends it to the center device (step 19). The center device that has received the purchase instruction information stores the order number (reception number) of the product ordered this time in the order delivery management DB by associating it with the same delivery number as other products to be combined into one. As a result, a plurality of order numbers are associated with one delivery number, and a plurality of products can be packed and delivered in one.

【0054】

(Batch delivery of products purchased at different stores) As described above, in the distribution system of the present invention, even products purchased by users at different stores can be packed together and delivered together. It is possible. That is, when a user purchases a product at a shopping mall, the shopping cart can be shared across different stores. This process will be described with reference to the sequence chart of FIG.

【0055】

In the center device, the information of the products to be handled is centrally managed in the product DB, and the product information is presented to the user according to the access from the user (step 21). The user terminal notifies the center device of the desire to purchase the product by, for example, putting the product in the shopping cart on the screen of the terminal (step 22). The center device that receives the purchase request adds the information to the shopping cart DB (step 23). The user ID or the order number in the order can be used as a key for summarizing the shopping of the user in the shopping cart DB. After that, the above process is repeated every time the user puts the product in the shopping cart.

【0056】

After that, according to an instruction from the user or the like, the center device presents the contents of the shopping cart DB of the user to the user (step 24). When the user who confirms the contents of the shopping cart makes a purchase decision, the center device is notified to that effect (step 25). Upon receiving that information, the center unit sends a shipping request to the warehouse (step 26). In the shipping request, each product name, each quantity, delivery destination, etc. are described for each user.

【0057】

FIG. 7 shows an example of a shopping cart screen displayed on the user's terminal when purchasing products in bulk. FIG. 8 shows an example of a payment method confirmation screen displayed on the user's terminal when purchasing products in bulk.

【0058】

(Delivery processing using a delivery store) Next, a delivery process using a delivery store will be described.

【0059】

As described above, the distribution system of the present invention uses the distribution network of the delivery store to deliver the product to the user's home. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently deliver the product. Hereinafter, the method will be described in detail using the sequence chart of FIG.

【0060】

After ordering the goods from the user, the center device identifies the delivery store that can be delivered by the method described later (step 31). Then, the delivery request is sent to the delivery store (step 32). Although not shown, the warehouse includes information on the delivery store in the shipping request. The delivery request includes the entry information of the product, and the delivery store confirms whether the product has been entered correctly by collating the entry information with the product actually delivered from the warehouse (step). 33). After confirmation, the confirmation result is transmitted to the center device (step 34). As a result of the confirmation, if there is a misdelivery of the product, etc., it will be taken promptly.

【0061】

At the delivery store, the product is delivered to the user's home based on the delivery request (step 35). When the delivery is completed, a delivery completion notification is sent to the center device (step 36).

【0062】

In the above process, for example, the following method is used to identify the delivery store that delivers the product to the user's home.

【0063】

The center device has a zip code DB and an address DB as shown in FIG. 10, and is included in the user's registration information or based on the zip code in the delivery address information that the user inputs when purchasing a product. Search the DB and identify the delivery store. If the delivery store cannot be specified by the zip code, the address DB is searched using the user's address to specify the delivery store. In this way, since the postal code DB and the address DB are used, it is possible to efficiently identify the delivery store.

【0064】

(Delivery management) Next, delivery management will be described.

【0065】

Conventionally, delivery management has been left to the logistics company, and it has been necessary for the user to contact the server of the logistics company in order to check the delivery status of the product ordered by the user. That is, in order to confirm the delivery status in the prior art, it is necessary to notify the EC server or the like of the order acceptance number, have the corresponding delivery number given, and inform the distribution company of the delivery number.

【0066】

On the other hand, in the present invention, the order number issued at the time of purchase is used as the delivery number as it is, and the user can check the delivery status by accessing the same site as the site where the product was ordered. Hereinafter, the processing related to delivery and the processing of delivery management will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 14.

【0067】

FIG. 11 is a sequence chart showing the flow of information related to delivery management.

【0068】

According to the user's order (step 41), the center device issues a reception number to the user (step 42). In addition, the center device sends a shipping request to the warehouse (step 43), sends a delivery request to the intermediate distribution company that delivers the goods from the warehouse to the delivery store (step 44), and delivers the goods. Send the delivery request to the corresponding delivery store (step 45).

【0069】

After that, the warehouse sends a shipping completion notification to the center device when the shipment to the delivery store is completed (step 46). When the delivery to the delivery store is completed, the intermediate logistics company sends a delivery completion notification to the center device (step 47). In addition, when the delivery store completes the delivery, a delivery completion notification is sent to the center device (step 48).

【0070】

The transmission and reception of information between the center device and the warehouse will be described in more detail with reference to FIG.

【0071】

The center device creates aggregated data for each delivery (delivery date, client ID, item number, number of ordered items) and delivery slip data (order number, delivery date and time, zip code, address, name, telephone number, ordered item details). , Send to the warehouse terminal as the above shipping request.

【0072】

The warehouse terminal receives aggregated data for each delivery and delivery slip data, and issues picking instructions (instructions for subdividing products) and delivery instructions. Then, picking and packing are performed based on the picking instruction, and when packing is completed, packing data (packing number, order number / child number, store ID, box size, product details) is transmitted to the center device. After that, a delivery slip is issued, and when the delivery is completed, the delivery data (packing number, delivery date and time) is transmitted to the center device.

【0073】

The center device that has received the packing data and the shipping data registers the packing data in the order delivery management DB as shown in FIG. 13 as the original data for tracking the package. In addition, as will be described later, inventory information is updated based on the issue data.

【0074】

As shown in FIG. 13, when the center device receives an inquiry from the user terminal, it searches the order delivery management DB based on the packing number and presents the contents to the user (steps 49, 50, 51). FIG. 14 shows an example of a screen for checking the delivery status. The delivery status is described in the "Current status" column.

【0075】

Although not shown, it is also possible for the center device to grasp the delivery status of the intermediate logistics company and present it to the user by receiving the data from the delivery management system of the intermediate logistics company.

【0076】

(Inventory management) Next, inventory management will be described.

【0077】

In the distribution system of the present invention, by receiving inventory data from the warehouse, it is possible to present an accurate inventory quantity to the consumer. This solves the conventional problem of accepting an order even though it is out of stock. Further, the user side can place an order while checking the inventory status. Hereinafter, this processing method will be described with reference to the sequence chart of FIG.

【0078】

From the warehouse, for example, the number of stocks for each product is transmitted to the center device at the timing of closing once a day (step 61). This can be transmitted as the above-mentioned issue data. The center device that has received the inventory quantity registers the inventory quantity of each product in the inventory management DB (step 62).

【0079】

Since the inventory quantity is registered in the database, the center device can also display the inventory quantity together with the product display, and as shown in steps 63 and 64 of FIG. 15, in response to an inquiry from the user. You can also display the number of stocks.

【0080】

When a user places an order for an item with the center device (step 65), the center device counts the number of orders and calculates the number of stocks by reducing the number of orders from the number of items in stock (step 65). 66) Notify the user of it (step 67).

【0081】

The center device sends a shipping request to the warehouse, for example, at the timing of tightening once a day (step 68). When shipping from the warehouse is made, the number of shipments is subtracted from the number of stocks at the warehouse terminal (step 69) to obtain the number of stocks. After that, the process from step 61 is repeated on a daily basis.

【0082】

FIG. 16 shows an example of a screen including inventory information. For example, when the inventory becomes less than the predetermined safety inventory, "Inventory is low" is displayed in the inventory status column.

【0083】

The present invention is not limited to the above examples, and various modifications and applications can be made within the scope of the claims.

【0084】

[Effect of the invention]

According to the present invention, the products of each store are stored in the warehouse, and the products are delivered by using the existing delivery means such as the delivery store according to the order, so that the products can be delivered at low cost. In addition, even at midnight, delivery can be performed at the time when the delivery store delivers, so that delivery can be performed according to the user's request.

【0085】

In addition, since it is possible to pack a plurality of products purchased at different stores into one in a warehouse, the user can receive the products in a batch and the shipping fee is low. Furthermore, even if the products are ordered separately by the closing time, the products with the same delivery destination and delivery time can be delivered together, so that the user can receive the products together and the delivery fee is low. Become.

【0086】

Further, since the inventory quantity is grasped in the warehouse and the information is notified to the center device, the user can easily grasp the inventory quantity. This solves the conventional problem of accepting an order even though it is out of stock.

【0087】

Further, since the center device manages the delivery at the warehouse, the intermediate distribution company, and the delivery store, the user can grasp the delivery status only by accessing the center device.

【0088】

[Simple explanation of drawings]

[Figure 1]

The outline configuration of the distribution system in the Example of the present invention is shown. [Figure 2]

It is a figure for demonstrating the processing outline in the distribution system of this invention.

[Fig. 3]

It is a figure which shows the structure of the distribution system of this invention.

[Fig. 4]

It is a figure which shows the system configuration of a center apparatus.

[Fig. 5]

It is a sequence chart of the process of collectively delivering products having the same delivery time and the like.

[Fig. 6]

It is a sequence chart of the process of collectively delivering products purchased at different stores.

[Fig. 7]

It is a figure which shows the screen example of the shopping cart displayed on the user's terminal when the products are purchased in bulk.

[Fig. 8]

It is a figure which shows the example of the confirmation screen of the payment method displayed on the user's terminal when the products are purchased in bulk.

[Fig. 9]

It is a sequence chart of delivery processing using a delivery store.

[Fig. 10]

It is a figure which shows the postal code DB and the address DB.

[Fig. 11]

It is a sequence chart for explaining delivery management.

[Fig. 12]

It is a figure which shows the processing in a center apparatus and a warehouse, and the transmission and reception of information between a center apparatus and a warehouse.

[Fig. 13]

It is a sequence chart which shows the process for notifying a user of a delivery status.

[Fig. 14]

It is a figure which shows the screen example for confirming a delivery status.

[Fig. 15]

It is a sequence chart of inventory management processing.

[Fig. 16]

It is a figure which shows the example of the screen which contains the inventory information.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Center device 2 Payment system 3 User terminal 4 call center 5 Warehouse terminal 6 Product supplier terminal 7 Delivery store terminal 7 8 network 9 Delivery store network 10 WWW server 11 Mail server 12 Business management application server 13 terminals 14 PBX 15 Payment terminal 16 System Operations Center 17 Logistics system management office 18 Delivery store 21 database server 22 FTP server 23 router