An online distribution system by which the time required for a downloading procedure in a shop can be performed in a short time by a download terminal connected to a search server through a data distribution server which is connectable to a personal terminal. The search server stores a plurality of titles of distribution information, searches the titles for a title designated for subscription from the personal terminal, and stores the searched out title and identification information transmitted from the personal terminal. The download terminal acquires identification information inputted from the outside, reads out, based on the acquired identification information, the title which corresponds to the identification information from the search server, reads out the distribution information corresponding to the read out title from the data distribution server, and records the read out distribution information onto a recording medium.
An "inventory free" approach for managing rental items across a plurality of distribution locations includes sending at least some rental items that are not needed by two or more distribution locations to a designated distribution location. Rental items sent to the designated distribution location may be permanently stored at the designated distribution location, returned to the distribution location from which they were sent, or sent to other distribution locations, depending upon where the rental items are needed. In situations where particular rental items are not currently needed by customers at a distribution location, but there is a high likelihood that the particular rental items will be needed by the customers within a specified time, the particular rental items may be maintained at the distribution location as "float" and not sent to the designated distribution location. The float is re-processed as returned rental items prior to being again rented to customers. The determination of whether customers need, or do not need, a particular rental item may be made based upon a wide variety of criteria such as time criteria, actual and predicted customer demand for rental items, actual and predicted returns of rental items, Net Ships and predicted loss and breakage of rental items.
