Asset management system for network-based and non-network-based assets and information
View Patent ↗A server on a network controls a database which functions as an “asset manager” for a large population of items or assets. For “network” assets which are capable of electronically communicating data about themselves, such as computers and digital printers, relevant data is gathered over the network and entered into the database. For “non-network” assets which are not capable of electronic communication, such as typewriters and furniture, information is gathered into the database by other means. Within the database, the distinction between network and non-network assets is largely hidden.
1. A method of retaining data about a plurality of assets in an effectively single database controlled by a computer, the assets including network assets and non-network assets, the data including network data and non-network data, the network data being obtainable over a network, comprising:
for each asset, associating the asset with a file in the database, the file including spaces for holding data, each space being associated with a type of data;
discovering a network asset, the network asset having a network address associated therewith;
as a result of discovering the network asset, creating a file and populating at least one predetermined space in the file with network data relating to the network asset;
inferring non-network data related to the network asset and populating at least one predetermined space in the file with the inferred non-network data relating to the network asset, the non-network data including data relating to at least one of a physical location of the asset, a person associated with the asset, a warranty associated with the asset, and a lease associated with the asset; and
for a non-network asset, associating the non-network asset with a file and populating a space in the associated file with non-network data.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one network asset is at least one of a group comprising a digital printer, copier, and facsimile machine.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one asset outputs prints and does not have a network address associated therewith.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising
for at least one type of data retained in a file, retaining a history of values of the data in the file.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein a type of data relates to a history of physical locations of the asset.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein a type of data relates to an identity of a vendor of the asset.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein a type of data relates to a fault experienced by the asset.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein a type of data relates to a history of faults experienced by the asset.
9. The method of ciaim 1 , further comprising translating a fault code generated by a network asset.
10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising
for each file associated with a subset of assets including at least one network asset and at least one non-network asset, updating data in one predetermined space for each file.
11. The method of claim 1 , further comprising
displaying a template whereby the data for the predetermined space in each file is updated in substantially one operation.