Closed loop asset management process

Abstract

A method and system for managing assets used in business is disclosed. A central computer database has records of tracked items identified by a unique identifying code. A communications link is provided between a scanner and the central computer database at each point in a cycle of change in status of the item. The code is scanned or otherwise given to the database when the item status is changed and the information scanned is transmitted to the central computer database. This arrangement provides users real-time sharing of relevant information such as order status, stocking location, notifications, or any other special instructions. The unique identifier number is physically placed on the item wherever possible. The unique identifier is unique for all items tracked by the system. No two parts of different classes or within the same class possesses the same unique identification.

1 - 21 . (canceled)  
   
   
       22 . A system for managing physical assets, the system comprising: 
 a computer database to track statuses of physical assets based on a unique code embedded in a machine scannable identifying label attachable to the physical assets;    a plurality of scanners located in different geographic locations throughout the system, the scanners capable of reading the unique identifying codes and for sending status of the physical assets during management of the physical assets over a communications link between the plurality of scanners and the computer database.    
   
   
       23 . The system of  claim 22  wherein when a status of a physical asset changes during management of the physical asset the unique identifying label attached to the asset is scanned by one of the plurality of scanners and the unique identifying code is transmitted over the communications link to the computer database.  
   
   
       24 . The system of  claim 22  wherein location information is transmitted over the communications link to the computer database along with the unique identifying code every time the status of the physical asset changes.  
   
   
       25 . The system of  claim 22  wherein the unique identifying code assigned to a particular physical asset is associated with a unique record stored in the computer database.  
   
   
       26 . The system of  claim 25  wherein the record comprises information specific to the physical asset.  
   
   
       27 . The system of  claim 22  wherein the identifying label attached to a physical asset is scanned every time the physical asset changes geographic location.  
   
   
       28 . The system of  claim 27  wherein changes geographic location of the physical asset correspond to changes in statuses of the physical asset.  
   
   
       29 . The system of  claim 22  wherein changes geographic location of the physical asset correspond to changes in statuses of the physical asset.  
   
   
       30 . The system of  claim 22  further comprising a database server connected to the central computer database for facilitating communication between a user and the computer database.  
   
   
       31 . The system of  claim 22  wherein the location of the physical asset is updated in real-time to the central computer database.  
   
   
       32 . The system of  claim 22  wherein the communications link is wireless.  
   
   
       33 . The system of  claim 22  wherein the communications link includes the Internet.  
   
   
       34 . The system of  claim 22  wherein a vendor system is connected to the computer database over the communications link allowing the vendor to store information about a particular physical asset in the database.  
   
   
       35 . A method of asset management, the method comprising: 
 assigning physical assets to be tracked unique identifying codes;    providing the unique identification codes assigned to physical assets in identifying labels;    attaching the identifying label to the physical assets;    scanning the unique codes using a plurality of scanners that are located in a plurality of different geographic locations to transmit status update information and the unique identifying codes over a communications link to a central computer database when statuses of the physical assets change over the course of a cycle of change in status.    
   
   
       36 . The method of  claim 35  wherein the unique identification codes are unique for all assets to be tracked.  
   
   
       37 . The method of  claim 35  wherein the unique identification codes are unique for all assets to be tracked with no two assets belonging to different classes of physical assets and no two assets belonging to the same class of physical assets having the same identifying code.  
   
   
       38 . The method of  claim 35  further comprising: 
 storing status changes in a central computer database.    
   
   
       39 . The method of  claim 35  further comprising: 
 storing status changes in a central computer database having a plurality of records, with each record being associated with a particular physical asset and being identified by the unique identifying code associated with the asset, with the record including information specific to the asset.    
   
   
       40 . The method of  claim 35  wherein the central computer database provides real-time sharing of the information stored in the records of the central computer database.  
   
   
       41 . The method of  claim 39  further comprising: 
 transmitting information stored in the record corresponding to the asset from the central computer database over the communications link in response to the central computer database's receipt of the status update information and unique identifying code.    
   
   
       42 . The method of  claim 35  wherein the status of a physical asset is at selected from the group consisting of installed at a customer location, inventory, disposed of, and being repaired.  
   
   
       43 . The method of  claim 35  further comprising: 
 transmitting status update information and the unique identifying code over the communications link to a central computer database upon scanning the unique identifying label at each of the plurality of geographic locations; and    transmitting information stored in the record corresponding to the asset, from the central computer database over the communications link in response to receipt of the status update information and unique identifying code    
   
   
       44 . The method of  claim 35  wherein the status of a physical asset includes the location of the asset.  
   
   
       45 . The method of  claim 35  wherein the geographic locations correspond to at least one of an installation location, a maintenance location, and a disposal location.  
   
   
       46 . The method of  claim 35  wherein scanning the unique identifying label attached to physical assets occurs when a current status of the physical asset changes over the course of a cycle of change in status.