U.S. patent application number 10/321118 was filed with the patent office on 2003-07-24 for method and system for leased asset management.
Invention is credited to Thomas, Shawn, Woodfin, Michael.
Application Number | 20030140057 10/321118 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 23340034 |
Filed Date | 2003-07-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030140057 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Thomas, Shawn ; et
al. |
July 24, 2003 |
Method and system for leased asset management
Abstract
The method and system of the present invention provides an
improved technique for leased asset management. 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. Each lease for each leased asset is
monitored so that, upon the expiration or termination of the lease,
the leased assets may be returned to the vendor in strict
compliance with the terms of the lease.
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.: |
10/321118 |
Filed: |
December 17, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60342031 |
Dec 18, 2001 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 ;
707/999.102 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 40/166 20200101;
G06Q 40/02 20130101; G06F 16/951 20190101; G06Q 10/06 20130101;
G06Q 30/02 20130101; G06F 16/00 20190101; Y10S 707/99948 20130101;
G06Q 99/00 20130101; G06F 40/103 20200101; G06F 9/4451
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
707/102 |
International
Class: |
G06F 007/00 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A method for improved equipment lease management comprising the
steps of: creating a computerized database, said computerized
database containing information on leased assets; transitioning one
or more of said leased assets; recording new information concerning
said transition in said computerized database during the
implementation of said transition; updating said computerized
database concurrently therewith; monitoring the end of each lease
for each of said leased assets; and returning each of said leased
assets in compliance with the provisions of each said lease.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein said computerized database is a
relational database.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein said leased 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 transition.
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 and
asset maintenance.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein said information is selected from
the group consisting of term of lease, software applications
installed on said leased assets, peripherals included with said
leased assets, financial information, location of said leased
assets, event history information, and usage information.
10. The method of claim 1 wherein said updating is conducted on a
continuous basis and said changes are made to said computerized
database in real-time.
11. The method of claim 1 wherein said monitoring provides a means
for generating reports detailing which of said leases is expiring
for which of said leased assets and the requirements which must be
fulfilled for compliance with said lease.
12. A system for leased asset management comprising: a computerized
database; leased assets electronically connected to said
computerized database; means for recording information concerning
said leased assets during a transition of said leased assets; means
for updating said computerized database concurrently therewith;
means for monitoring the end of each lease for each of said leased
assets; and means for returning each of said leased assets in
compliance with the provisions of each of said leases.
13. The system of claim 12 wherein said computerized database is a
relational database.
14. The system of claim 12 wherein said leased assets are selected
from the group consisting of desktop computers, laptop computers,
handheld computers, printers, scanners, networking devices and
storage devices.
15. The system of claim 12 wherein said computerized database is
located remotely from the location of said transition.
16. The system of claim 12 wherein said information is transmitted
to said computerized database through the Internet.
17. The system of claim 12 wherein said information is transmitted
to said computerized database through a local area network.
18. The method of claim 16 or claim 17 wherein said information is
transmitted to said computerized database through secure, encrypted
transmission.
19. The system of claim 12 wherein said transition is selected from
the group consisting of asset installation, asset relocation and
asset maintenance.
20. The system of claim 12 wherein said information is selected
from the group consisting of term of lease, software applications
installed on said leased assets, peripherals included with said
leased assets, financial information, location of said leased
assets, event history information, and usage information.
21. The system of claim 12 wherein said means for updating is
conducted on a continuous basis and said changes are made to said
computerized database in real-time.
22. The system of claim 12 wherein said means for monitoring
provides a means for generating reports detailing which of said
leases is expiring for which of said leased assets and the
requirements which must be fulfilled for compliance with said
lease.
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 Ser. 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 leased asset management. More particularly,
the present invention provides a means for aggregating information
into a computerized database and using the information to track the
status of leased assets. Information in the computerized database
is updated simultaneously with any asset transition so that the
information in the computerized database is continuously
up-to-date. At the expiration or termination of each lease, the
computerized database contains information by which the leased
assets can be returned to the leasing company in strict compliance
with the terms of the lease.
[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.
[0006] Many enterprises have made the decision to lease equipment
to better provide their users with the latest in technology.
However, once leased equipment enters the enterprise, it is often
treated as if it is owned by the enterprise. For example, when a
leased system such as a computer, monitor and printer first arrives
at the enterprise's office, it is typically installed in one
location. However, by the end of the lease term, the computer,
printer and monitor may have been separated and may no longer be
located in the same office.
[0007] If leased assets cannot be accurately tracked, it will be
difficult to monitor and return them at the end of the lease. If
the leased equipment is not returned to the leasing company in
strict accordance with the terms of the lease, there are often
penalties that must be paid by the enterprise. For example, if the
printer is not returned with the system described earlier, the
leasing company may charge the enterprise for the price of a new
printer to replace it. However, if the enterprise can locate the
printer when the lease terminates, it can avoid paying this
premium. Alternatively, if the enterprise is aware that the printer
cannot be returned when the lease terminates, it can purchase a
replacement printer at a much lower cost than that which would be
charged by the leasing company. Accordingly, there is a need,
therefore, for an improved method and system for leased equipment
management.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention addresses the need for an improved
method and system for leased asset management. The method and
system of the present invention provides an improved technique for
leased asset management. Information regarding the leased assets 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. Each lease for each leased asset is
monitored so that, upon the expiration or termination of the lease,
the leased assets may be returned to the vendor in strict
compliance with the terms of the lease.
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 leased asset
management; and
[0011] FIG. 2 illustrates the preferred system for leased asset
management.
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 diagram of the preferred
method for the present invention for improved equipment lease
management. The initial step is the creation of a computerized
database 101. The computerized database 101 contains information on
leased assets of the enterprise and may, for example, be a
relational database. The assets may be such assets as desktop
computers, laptop computers, hand-held computers, printers,
scanners, networking devices and storage devices.
[0014] As asset transitions 102 occur, information regarding each
transition is input into the computerized database 101. Asset
transitions may include asset installations, asset relocations, and
asset maintenance activities. The asset transition 102 may occur
remotely from the computerized database 101. In such case,
information may be transmitted relating to each asset transition
102 to the computerized database 101 through the Internet or a
local area network and may be made in a secure, encrypted
manner.
[0015] Information contained in the computerized database 101 may
include such information as the term of the lease, software
applications installed on the leased assets, peripherals included
with each leased asset, financial information regarding the lease,
the location of the leased assets, event history regarding each
transition and leased asset usage information. As each asset
transition 102 occurs, information regarding the transition is
recorded 103 in the computerized database. Concurrently therewith,
the computerized database is updated 104 to provide a current,
accurate status of each leased asset.
[0016] The method provides a means for monitoring the end of each
lease 105 so that the appropriate party can be provided advanced
notice of the exploration or termination of the lease. The present
invention also may provide a means for generating reports detailing
which of the leases is expiring for which leased asset and the
requirements which must be fulfilled for compliance with the lease.
It is then possible for the enterprise to return the leased assets
106 in strict compliance with the terms of the lease.
[0017] FIG. 2 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a system for
approved lease asset management. In this system, a series of assets
201, 202, 203 and 204 are electronically attached 211, 212, 213 and
214 to a computerized database 200. The leased assets may be such
assets as desktop computers, laptop computers, handheld computers,
printers, scanners, networking devices or storage devices. The
electronic attachment 211, 212, 213 and 214 to the computerized
database 200 may be through the Internet or a local area network
and transmission through such attachment may be made in a secure
encrypted manner. Computerized database 200 may be, for example, a
relational database.
[0018] The present system provides a means for recording
information relating to the leased assets 201, 202, 203 and 204
during any transition of the assets. Such a transition may include,
for example, a new installation, relocation or maintenance of any
of the leased assets 201, 202, 203 and 204. Concurrently with the
recording of such information, the computerized database 200 is
updated. The term of each leased asset 201, 202, 203 and 204 is
monitored so that, upon the expiration of the lease, appropriate
asset and configuration can be returned to the leasing company.
* * * * *