U.S. patent application number 10/321036 was filed with the patent office on 2003-07-24 for method and system for asset transition quality control.
Invention is credited to Thomas, Shawn, Woodfin, Michael.
Application Number | 20030140052 10/321036 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 23340034 |
Filed Date | 2003-07-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030140052 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Thomas, Shawn ; et
al. |
July 24, 2003 |
Method and system for asset transition quality control
Abstract
The method and system of the present invention provides an
improved technique for asset transition quality control.
Information is aggregated from a variety of sources into a
centralized computerized database. Thereafter, as asset transitions
occur, information from such transitions are input into the
computerized database on a real-time basis. The information is used
to evaluate the efficacy of the transition.
Inventors: |
Thomas, Shawn; (Austin,
TX) ; Woodfin, Michael; (Austin, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
William D. Wiese
Jenkens & Gilchrist
A Professional Corporation
1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 3200
Dallas
TX
75202
US
|
Family ID: |
23340034 |
Appl. No.: |
10/321036 |
Filed: |
December 17, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60342031 |
Dec 18, 2001 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 ;
707/999.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 99/00 20130101;
G06Q 40/02 20130101; G06F 40/166 20200101; G06Q 30/02 20130101;
G06F 16/951 20190101; G06Q 10/06 20130101; G06F 9/4451 20130101;
G06F 40/103 20200101; Y10S 707/99948 20130101; G06F 16/00
20190101 |
Class at
Publication: |
707/100 |
International
Class: |
G06F 007/00 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A method for asset transition quality control comprising:
creating a computerized database, said computerized database
containing information relating to the assets of an enterprise;
transitioning one or more of said assets; inputting new information
concerning said transition in said computerized database during the
implementation of said transition; and evaluating the efficacy of
said transition based on said new information.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein said computerized database is a
relational database.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein said assets are selected from the
group consisting of desktop computers, laptop computers, handheld
computers, printers, scanners, networking devices and storage
devices.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein said computerized database is
located remotely from the location of said assets.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein said information is transmitted to
said computerized database through the Internet.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein said information is transmitted to
said computerized database through a local area network.
7. The method of claim 5 or claim 6 wherein said information is
transmitted to said computerized database through secure, encrypted
transmission.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein said transition is selected from
the group consisting of asset installation, asset relocation, asset
maintenance and asset disposition.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein said information is selected from
the group consisting of user information, legacy asset information,
new asset information, software application information, financial
information, site information, event history information,
logistical information, ownership information and usage
information.
10. The method of claim 1 wherein said evaluation includes a means
for evaluating the efficiency of the technician performing the
transition.
11. A system for asset transition quality control comprising: a
computerized database; assets electronically connected to said
computerized database; means for recording information concerning
said assets during a transition of said assets; means for
evaluating the efficacy of said transition based on said
information recorded during said transition.
12. The system of claim 11 wherein said computerized database is a
relational database.
13. The system of claim 11 wherein said assets are selected from
the group consisting of desktop computers, laptop computers,
handheld computers, printers, scanners, networking devices and
storage devices.
14. The system of claim 11 wherein said computerized database is
located remotely from the location of said assets.
15. The system of claim 11 wherein said information is transmitted
to said computerized database through the Internet.
16. The system of claim 11 wherein said information is transmitted
to said computerized database through a local area network.
17. The system of claim 15 or claim 16 wherein said information is
transmitted to said computerized database through secure, encrypted
transmission.
18. The system of claim 11 wherein said transition is selected from
the group consisting of asset installation, asset relocation, asset
maintenance and asset disposition.
19. The system of claim 11 wherein said information is selected
from the group consisting of user information, legacy asset
information, new asset information, software application
information, financial information, site information, event history
information, logistical information, ownership information and
usage information.
20. The system of claim 11 wherein said evaluation includes a means
for evaluating the efficiency of the technician performing the
transition.
Description
PRIORITY STATEMENT UNDER 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 119 & 37 C.F.R.
.sctn. 1.78
[0001] This non-provisional application claims priority based upon
prior U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/342,031
filed Dec. 18, 2001 in the names of Shawn Thomas, Gregory Gray,
Michael Woodfin, Warner Mizell and Brian Thomas, entitled "Method
and System for Deploying, Tracking and Managing Technology-Related
Resources."
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Technical Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates generally to an improved
method and system for asset transition quality control. More
particularly, the present invention provides a means for
aggregating information into a computerized database. Once an asset
transition occurs, information from such transition is input into
the computerized database and can subsequently be used to evaluate
the efficacy of the transition.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] Large enterprises are faced with a daunting task when it
comes to managing their information technology resources. Each user
within the enterprise demands up-to-date hardware devices. This
fact, coupled with the proliferation of new hardware devices, such
as PDAs, cell phones and laptops, creates an enormous problem when
it comes to tracking each device. This also makes it difficult to
determine whether the transition of a device, for example, the
installation, replacement, disposition or maintenance of the
device, is being conducted efficiently and properly.
[0006] Traditionally, the information technology department of an
enterprise may send a technician to the location of the device in
order to implement the device transition. In some cases, the
technician may be instructed to record information regarding his
installation activities. In those cases, the technician may forward
inaccurate information or may neglect to record any information at
all. As a result, the evaluation of the efficiency of the
technician is derived from information provided by the technicians
themselves. This is the drawback of the existing technology.
[0007] Even if the technician is providing accurate information
regarding the transition period, the typical method is for the
technician to deliver information regarding the transition in the
form of handwritten notes or information contained on a computer
diskette. Thereafter, the information may be input, compiled or
analyzed in order to determine whether the transition was conducted
properly and efficiently. However, no centralized record or
database is maintained in order to track trends in productivity or
transition efficacy. Accordingly, there is a need for an improved
method and system for asset transition quality control.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention addresses the need for an improved
method and system for asset transition quality control. The method
and system of the present invention provides an improved technique
for asset transition quality control. Information regarding the
enterprise's assets is aggregated from a variety of sources into a
computerized database. Thereafter, as asset transitions occur,
information from such transitions are input into the computerized
database on a real-time basis. Such information can then be used to
evaluate the efficacy of the transition.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The disclosed invention will be described with reference to
the accompanying drawings, which show important sample embodiments
of the invention and which are incorporated in the specification
hereof by reference, wherein:
[0010] FIG. 1 illustrates the preferred method of asset transition
quality control; and
[0011] FIG. 2 illustrates the preferred system for asset transition
quality control.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE
INVENTION
[0012] The numerous innovative teachings of the present application
will be described with particular reference to the presently
preferred exemplary embodiments. However, it should be understood
that these embodiments provide only a few examples of the many
advantageous uses of the innovative teachings herein. In general,
statements made in the specification of the present application do
not necessarily delimit any of the various claimed inventions.
Moreover, some statements may apply to some inventive features, but
not to others.
[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates a work flow process for the preferred
embodiment of the asset transition quality control method. The
first step in the method is the creation of a computerized database
101. The computerized database 101 will contain substantive
information concerning assets owned by the enterprise. The
computerized database 101 may be, for example, a relational
database. In addition, the database may be located remotely from
the location of the asset transition. Information included in the
computerized database may include, for example, asset ownership
information, usage information, user information, legacy asset
information, new asset information, software application
information, financial information, site information, event history
information and logistical information. The database may include
information on such assets as desktop computers, laptop computers,
hand-held computers, printers, scanners, networking devices and
storage devices.
[0014] Once a thorough, comprehensive computerized database 101 has
been created, an asset transition 102 occurs. An asset transition
102 may be an event such as an asset installation, asset
relocation, asset disposition or asset maintenance activity.
Information from the asset transition 102 may be transmitted to the
computerized database 101 through, for example, the Internet or a
local area network. In addition, the transition may occur by
secure, encrypted means. The information is transmitted to the
computerized database 101 concurrently with, and as a part of, the
asset transition 102.
[0015] Information from the asset transition 102 is recorded
directly into the computerized database 101 based on the real-time
recording of information 103 related to the asset transition 102.
By instantaneously and simultaneously recording information into
the computerized database 101, any delay in updating the database
is eliminated. Thereafter, the information in the database can be
used to evaluate the transition efficacy 104. The types of
transition efficacy that may be evaluated include the technician's
installation time, the accuracy of information installed on the
equipment, and whether the technician properly completed each
task.
[0016] FIG. 2 illustrates the preferred embodiment for a system for
asset transition quality control. A series of assets 201, 202, 203
and 204 are electronically connected 211, 212, 213 and 214 to the
computerized database 200. The computerized database 200 may be
located remotely from the assets 201, 202, 203 and 204. If so,
transmission of information from the computerized data base 200 to
the assets 201, 202, 203 and 204 may be through the Internet or
through a local area network. In addition, transmission of
information between the assets 201, 202, 203 and 204 may be made in
a secure, encrypted manner. The assets 201, 202, 203 and 204 may be
such assets as desktop computers, laptop computers, hand-held
computers, printers, scanners, network devices and storage devices.
When an asset transition occurs, such as asset installation, asset
relocation, asset disposition or asset maintenance activity, the
system provides a means for recording information related to the
transition activity to the computerized database 200. The system
then provides a means for evaluating the efficacy of the transition
activity based on the information recorded in the computerized
database.
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