Enterprise asset management system and method

Abstract

A system and method for managing enterprise assets located at geographically distributed sites. The method includes storing in a database information relating to each asset, wherein the stored information includes cost of each asset and cost of service for each asset. The method further includes tracking and storing information relating to servicing of the assets, including the cost of servicing. Information relating to the assets is then displayed to a user of the system.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)[0001]This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09 / 883,779 filed Jun. 18, 2001, which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Nos. 60 / 212,234, filed Jun. 16, 2000, and 60 / 288,827, filed May 5, 2001. application Ser. Nos. 09 / 883,779, 60 / 212,234, and 60 / 288,827 are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]This invention relates to a method and system for managing enterprise assets. More particularly, the invention relates to a method and system for the comprehensive management of enterprise assets dispersed over a plurality of distributed sites.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]It is frequently useful to determine the total cost of ownership (meaning the total cost of owning one or more assets) and to track components of the total cost of ownership for an asset within an enterprise for accounting purposes and for making future purchasing decisions. However, tracking costs attributed...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011]In one embodiment, the subject invention includes a web site hosted on a server in communication with a computer network, such as the internet. The embodiment also includes a database in communication with the web site for storing asset information. In this embodiment, various users of the system (e.g., enterprise personnel, service providers, and equipment manufacturers) are allowed differing levels of access to applications located within the web site so that asset information can be easily inputted or downloaded through a client processor or kiosk.

[0014]In yet another embodiment, the subject invention also includes a compact menu configuration that allows the various users to quickly and easily navigate the various screens displayed on the client processor. This configuration includes upper and lower horizontally-disposed sections that houses multiple levels of functions while consuming minimal space on the user interface screen.

Problems solved by technology

However, tracking costs attributed to each specific asset in a large, distributed environment (an enterprise that has many facilities at differing locations, as well as one or more central headquarters) can be a difficult task.

However, tracking costs incurred in repairing and maintaining these assets can be an onerous task.

Tracking part and labor costs in highly distributed enterprises thus becomes very difficult using the existing process described above.

Matching paperwork with assets may become exceedingly difficult due to the sheer volume of assets and the large amounts of paperwork generated in servicing and maintaining the assets.

Another potential problem with the process described above is that service providers may be able to overbill for service calls or parts without full knowledge by the enterprise of the nature of the service call.

The lack of overview on a regional or national level may prevent an enterprise from determining if the costs incurred by distributed sites for an asset is reasonable.

Because it is time consuming and expensive to collect paper work from numerous sources to even have the capability of accurately calculating the total cost of ownership for an asset, the cost of ownership of many assets is frequently a guess that may vary greatly from the actual cost of ownership.

Moreover, in a highly distributed environment, there are many assets to manage, and current systems do not provide feasible and efficient methods and systems for managing such assets.

In particular, current systems do not provide for an efficient manner to determine the costs of servicing and maintaining assets or the total cost of ownership of an asset.

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