CA2312193A1 - System and method for remote inventory management - Google Patents
System and method for remote inventory management Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2312193A1 CA2312193A1 CA002312193A CA2312193A CA2312193A1 CA 2312193 A1 CA2312193 A1 CA 2312193A1 CA 002312193 A CA002312193 A CA 002312193A CA 2312193 A CA2312193 A CA 2312193A CA 2312193 A1 CA2312193 A1 CA 2312193A1
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- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- inventory
- electronic communication
- data
- communication system
- target device
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F11/00—Error detection; Error correction; Monitoring
- G06F11/22—Detection or location of defective computer hardware by testing during standby operation or during idle time, e.g. start-up testing
- G06F11/2289—Detection or location of defective computer hardware by testing during standby operation or during idle time, e.g. start-up testing by configuration test
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q10/00—Administration; Management
- G06Q10/08—Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
- G06Q10/087—Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
- G06Q20/08—Payment architectures
- G06Q20/20—Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
- G06Q20/203—Inventory monitoring
Abstract
A system and method for remote inventory management includes an electronic message handling system for creating a client account with a host wherein the client account is defined as a group of data relating to software and hardware inventory assets associated with target devices that subscribe to the message handling system. In addition an inventory agent is installed in the target devices for detecting and compiling software and hardware inventory related to the target devices, and an electronic pulse is deployed through the message handling system for remotely requesting inventory data from the target device's inventory agent whereupon the inventory data is compiled into executable language statements for incorporation into a database. Once compiled, the inventory data is electronically delivered in executable language to a database associated with a remote host and is accessible by a remote client whereupon multiple reports may be generated incorporating the inventory data. The method and system provides a client with the ability to remotely request, compile, analyse and report inventory data from target devices which are not necessarily connected to an electronic message handling system at the time of the inventory request.
Description
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REMOTE INVENTORY MANAGEMENT
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to remote inventory management systems, and more specifically to methods and systems which provide the ability to obtain inventory information from selected remote devices through an electronic message handling system, and the ability to analyse the inventory information using multiple inventory analysis tools.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is desirable to have the ability to remotely access inventory data information from remote devices over an electronic network. It is further desirable to obtain this information quickly, and without the necessity of having the remote devices continually connected to the client by an electronic communication system such as the Internet or a local Intranet, or a local area network. It is further desirable to compile inventory data information into multiple readable forms wherein analyses of the inventory may be generated, and service providers may access the data inventory information in conjunction with providing services to the client.
Prior art systems have been devised to address these issued, however, each of these systems and devices has limitations and drawbacks which preclude their widespread use.
For example, it is known in the art to manually scan inventory data wherein the inventory information is stored within a hand-held, or self contained, device. The inventory data is then downloaded from this device to a central computer processor where the data information is compiled. The limitations and drawbacks of such prior art include the fact that a person must manually visit each target device and manually input the inventory information into the hand-held, or self contained, storage unit. In some versions of this system, bar code readers verify the identity of the selected hardware bearing the bar code identifier. In other systems an individual physically downloads the software inventory data as well the self contained device. This entails considerable time, and expense, and necessitates a manual inventory identification system which is prone to failure.
Furthermore, it precludes the ability to obtain an instant analysis of the target device inventory at any given time.
Other systems in the prior art include systems requiring the target devices to be continually connected, or connected at the moment of the inventory request, to an electronic communication system such as the Internet or a Local Area Network in order to obtain inventory information from the target device. Such systems typically require the end user of a given target device to manually input the inventory information associated with that target device in order for inventory information to be compiled and assessed. The limitations and drawbacks of such prior art include the fact that the target device must be continually connected, or connected at the time of the electronic inventory request, to the electronic communication system in order for the inventory management system to receive inventory data from that target device. In situations where target devices are intermittently connected to the electronic communication system, results obtained from this system are not reliable. Furthermore, the data collected is predicated on the end user being willing and able to supply accurate information respecting the particular target device. In situations involving large numbers of end users and target devices, the data collected from such an inventory management system is unreliable.
Furthermore, it requires the end user of the target device to spend time to manually reply to the request for inventory information and then submit the said inventory information to the requester. This precludes the ability to obtain an instantaneous, or near instantaneous, assessment of the inventory information from a large system with multiple users and target devices.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to remote inventory management systems, and more specifically to methods and systems which provide the ability to obtain inventory information from selected remote devices through an electronic message handling system, and the ability to analyse the inventory information using multiple inventory analysis tools.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is desirable to have the ability to remotely access inventory data information from remote devices over an electronic network. It is further desirable to obtain this information quickly, and without the necessity of having the remote devices continually connected to the client by an electronic communication system such as the Internet or a local Intranet, or a local area network. It is further desirable to compile inventory data information into multiple readable forms wherein analyses of the inventory may be generated, and service providers may access the data inventory information in conjunction with providing services to the client.
Prior art systems have been devised to address these issued, however, each of these systems and devices has limitations and drawbacks which preclude their widespread use.
For example, it is known in the art to manually scan inventory data wherein the inventory information is stored within a hand-held, or self contained, device. The inventory data is then downloaded from this device to a central computer processor where the data information is compiled. The limitations and drawbacks of such prior art include the fact that a person must manually visit each target device and manually input the inventory information into the hand-held, or self contained, storage unit. In some versions of this system, bar code readers verify the identity of the selected hardware bearing the bar code identifier. In other systems an individual physically downloads the software inventory data as well the self contained device. This entails considerable time, and expense, and necessitates a manual inventory identification system which is prone to failure.
Furthermore, it precludes the ability to obtain an instant analysis of the target device inventory at any given time.
Other systems in the prior art include systems requiring the target devices to be continually connected, or connected at the moment of the inventory request, to an electronic communication system such as the Internet or a Local Area Network in order to obtain inventory information from the target device. Such systems typically require the end user of a given target device to manually input the inventory information associated with that target device in order for inventory information to be compiled and assessed. The limitations and drawbacks of such prior art include the fact that the target device must be continually connected, or connected at the time of the electronic inventory request, to the electronic communication system in order for the inventory management system to receive inventory data from that target device. In situations where target devices are intermittently connected to the electronic communication system, results obtained from this system are not reliable. Furthermore, the data collected is predicated on the end user being willing and able to supply accurate information respecting the particular target device. In situations involving large numbers of end users and target devices, the data collected from such an inventory management system is unreliable.
Furthermore, it requires the end user of the target device to spend time to manually reply to the request for inventory information and then submit the said inventory information to the requester. This precludes the ability to obtain an instantaneous, or near instantaneous, assessment of the inventory information from a large system with multiple users and target devices.
Further prior art systems have employed inventory scanning technology which scans the inventory data of a target device and generates a proprietary computer file format. This proprietary file format must then be imported and translated into an executable language such as Structure Query Language (SQL) statements, which may be read and stored in a database. The limitation of such prior art is that it takes additional time and expense to translate the file from the proprietary file format into the format necessary for incorporation into a database.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is to provide an improved system and method for remote inventory management. In accordance with an aspect of the present invention there is provided a system and method comprising means for creating and maintaining an account relationship between a client and a host, a system for deploying an inventory request, an inventory agent for compiling software and hardware inventory data from target devices at least intermittently connected to an electronic communication system such as wired or wireless electronic message handling systems, and a system, database and tools for analysing and reporting inventory data, and providing same to the client upon selection of various fee for service structures.
The first step in the system and method for remote inventory analysis and management involves a client becoming a member of the host inventory management service by creating an account, where an account is defined as an exclusive grouping of data relating to the software and hardware and other assets associated with a target device, or target devices, which are intermittently or continually connected to message handling system such as e-mail, voice-mail, video mail, or other systems of a specific organization.
Software and hardware assets are those included with, associated with, or incorporated into a target device which includes a personal computer, telephone, personal digital assistant, automobile, aircraft, or other device owned by, or associated with, a particular organization, and connected to the organization's electronic message handling system.
A client may create multiple accounts for the same specific organization, or for several organizations, although membership in the account of a particular target device restricted to one account only.
In another embodiment, the client may invoke a permission - based access to specified accounts such that other clients or quests will have limited, restricted access, or unlimited access as the case may be, to specified accounts. In this case, the client may restrict the guests to one or all of the following functions within a specified account:
1. View reports 2. Create other Guests (limited to same permissions or sub-set thereof) 3. Invoke an Inventory Request(e-Pulse, see Account Inventory) 4. Other administrative functions The client may also define groups within an account in order to imitate any predefined groupings contained within an organization's message handling system such as predefined mail-lists for departments, project-groups, locations, etc.
Once an account has been created, the client can now request an inventory action via host through an electronic communication system such as Internet.
Upon successful receipt of request, Host will send an electronic message such as an e-mail to the client that contains executable code that will generate and return inventory data along with specific markers that indicate:
1. Account identity 2. Organization's message handling system identification (commonly the Organization's Internet domain) 3. Group identity (if enabled by the client; optional) 4. Sequential e-Pulse number for that Account, which will request an installed inventory agent to take an inventory of the target device.
The client then receives the above stated e-mail. If the client has groups identified for his/her account, the client will receive an e-mail for each requested group. It will be recognized by those in the art that an electronic communication may be employed other than e-mail, such as voice mail, video mail, or other electronic message handling system.
Client then forwards the e-mail to the entire subscriber list of the organization's message handling system or, if groups are requested, forwards each group-specific e-mail to the respective group-list in the message handling system subscription list (department, project, location, etc.) All target devices which are subscribers to the organization's message handling system receive and/or store the e-mail.
When the end user (or technology) reads this e-mail message, an electronic command, or e-Pulse, requests an Inventory from the previously installed host inventory agent within the target device.
If the host inventory agent isn't present, the e-mail agent proceeds to install the inventory agent by invoking a 'download' from the Host Web-site. An active connection -via the Internet- will be enabled for this download.
If requested by the Operating Systems (OS) security parameters, the end user may be involved in confirming allowing of the download and install. In the case of the multiple operating systems such as, for example, Windows~2000, Windows98, Windows95, WindowsNT~), the User will be shown a 'Certificate of Authenticity' from Verisign T""
(or other trusted verification agency).
As the host Inventory Agent is installed, it builds its identity by adopting the account, domain variables from the e-mail that catalyzed its installation.
The Host Inventory Agent will also further 'identify' itself by generating a Globally Unique Identity Number (GUID).
Once the Host inventory agent is installed -either automatically or via end-user confirmation- no further installation request (or other interaction with the Host website) is required by the end user.
The Host Inventory Agent - when activated by an inventory-requesting e-mail forwarded by the client - will first confirm that its 'identity' matches that of the e-mail by confirming that its 'account' and 'domain' variables are identical to that of the e-mail.
If the identity of the inventory agent doesn't exactly match the identity of the e-mail, then the inventory agent will not activate. This is a security measure to ensure data exclusivity for each account.
(Verisign is a trade-mark of Verisign, Inc.) (Windows and Windsow NT are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation) If the identity of the e-mail matches the identity of the Inventory Agent, then the Inventory will proceed to determine the following attributes of the target device:
1. Operating System 2. Software 3. Hardware (both of the target device and of any connected peripherals) The Inventory Agent outputs the inventory to a data file, where the inventory data is incorporated into native executable SQL (Structure Query Language) statements.
The outputted file is attached to an outbound e-mail that is intended for an account on the host message handling system. No involvement is required of the end user.
Once the e-mail is received by the host message handling system, the attached data file is opened and the contents - the SQL statements - are outputted directly to a SQL-compliant database, where they are immediately (and natively) interpreted as commands to include (or modify, or add, or any other type of data modification) the results of the inventory into the structure of the host database.
At any time after an account inventory action has been invoked, the client may access his/her account on the host Web-site. Through pre-built calculations -directly to the host database- the user will be able to see the numerical and graphical representation of the results of the account inventory action.
Such results will include (but not be limited to):
- Total number of target device - Operating System Distribution (dispersion, Mean, Median, Standard Deviation, Skew, etc.) - Software Distribution - Hardware Distribution As well as receiving aggregate statistics of the accounts target devices, the user will also be able to invoke the following types of Analysis Tools:
Replacement Analysis Engine By determining the processor speed and the CPU-ID of the CPU of the computer, host is able to determine probable purchase date of that target device. As such, host is able to postulate probable disposal date of that target device, through common accounting-based depreciation methods. By applying these calculations to all of the target devices of the Users account, host is able to determine statistics associated to the future target device replacement and disposal requirements (i.e. number of target devices to be replaced per Quarter for the next 3 years, Cost of replacement for year 2001, etc.) Furthermore, by applying a computer processor for comparing a company's population to that of larger (maturing) companies, host can postulate it's growth rate (smaller companies tend to grow at a faster rate than larger companies), and apply that growth rate to replacement and disposal calculations Migration Analysis Engine Companies are required to update or replace target devices to be compliant with newly introduced technologies (Network compliancy, Windows 95/98/NT/2000 compliancy, Internet compliancy, video-conferencing compliancy, etc.,) Whether the target devices are replaced or updated, their modification will include some or all of the following services:
1. Procurement 2. Deployment (including software installation, re-configuration to meet company specifications, and delivery to the customer location) 3. Removal/Storage (of target devices determined non-compliant to minimum requirements of new 'technology/threshhold) 4. Disposal (being relieved of ownership of the target device through destruction, re-sale, or charitable donation) Each of these services are labor, time and knowledge intensive. As such the client will use host to compare the company-internal cost and time of invoking each of these services (to target devices determined to receive these services via host) compared to the costs and time when contracting such services to external service providers (ESP) The client will be able to incorporate the labor costs and estimated time as authored by the electronic service providers on the host database by 3'd party external service providers.
In service scenarios where the cost of service is dependent upon understanding the configuration (age, components, etc.) of the target devices needed to be serviced (i.e.
resale estimates on disposal services), the client can anonymously and electronically send data elements relating to the target device configuration to the external service providers to facilitate the electronic service providers need to analyze target device configurations so that it can publish a Request For Quote (RFQ) in order to win the bid and service the clients target devices.
Host will facilitate this process by allowing the client to invoke a RFQ to multiple electronic service providers simultaneously by storing the associated costs variables (Resale values, processing costs, labor rates) for participating electronic service providers within the host database BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will further be described with reference to the attached drawings showing an embodiment thereof:
Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the system and method of creating an account between the client and the host in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the system and method of the remote inventory management system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 is a detailed schematic diagram of a system and method for remote inventory management in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to Figure 1, there is illustrated a schematic diagram in accordance with an embodiment of the invention comprising a first step wherein the client establishes a membership on the host electronic communication system such as an Internet website. A
second step follows wherein the host and client establish at least one account, where an account is an exclusive grouping of data relating to the software, hardware, and other assets associated with a particular target device that subscribes to a message handling system, or electronic communication system, such as e-mail, voice-mail, video mail, or other such system, of a specific organization. A target device may include a device connected intermittently or continually to the client's electronic communication system, and may include a computer, telephone, personal digital assistant, automobile, aircraft, or other device.
The client may create a single account, or multiple accounts for the same specific organization, or for several organizations. In one embodiment, a client may create groups that correspond to various group lists in a particular organization, such as departments in a company.
In a further embodiment, a client may invoke permission-based access to accounts which may restrict access to others. In this way, others may have restricted access to specific functions and specific accounts, including viewing reports, creating other guests to the account, invoking inventory requests, or other administrative functions.
Once these actions have been taken, the account creation process is completed.
It will be appreciated that access to sensitive information may be restricted to selected individuals, and further that groupings of target devices may be quickly established thus allowing the client to quickly access the inventory data for a specific group or groups, for example the subsidiaries of a company or the departments within a company.
The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the detailed specification, and thus, it is intended by the appended claim to cover all such features and advantages of the invention which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.
Further, since numerous modifications and variations will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to falling within the scope of the invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is to provide an improved system and method for remote inventory management. In accordance with an aspect of the present invention there is provided a system and method comprising means for creating and maintaining an account relationship between a client and a host, a system for deploying an inventory request, an inventory agent for compiling software and hardware inventory data from target devices at least intermittently connected to an electronic communication system such as wired or wireless electronic message handling systems, and a system, database and tools for analysing and reporting inventory data, and providing same to the client upon selection of various fee for service structures.
The first step in the system and method for remote inventory analysis and management involves a client becoming a member of the host inventory management service by creating an account, where an account is defined as an exclusive grouping of data relating to the software and hardware and other assets associated with a target device, or target devices, which are intermittently or continually connected to message handling system such as e-mail, voice-mail, video mail, or other systems of a specific organization.
Software and hardware assets are those included with, associated with, or incorporated into a target device which includes a personal computer, telephone, personal digital assistant, automobile, aircraft, or other device owned by, or associated with, a particular organization, and connected to the organization's electronic message handling system.
A client may create multiple accounts for the same specific organization, or for several organizations, although membership in the account of a particular target device restricted to one account only.
In another embodiment, the client may invoke a permission - based access to specified accounts such that other clients or quests will have limited, restricted access, or unlimited access as the case may be, to specified accounts. In this case, the client may restrict the guests to one or all of the following functions within a specified account:
1. View reports 2. Create other Guests (limited to same permissions or sub-set thereof) 3. Invoke an Inventory Request(e-Pulse, see Account Inventory) 4. Other administrative functions The client may also define groups within an account in order to imitate any predefined groupings contained within an organization's message handling system such as predefined mail-lists for departments, project-groups, locations, etc.
Once an account has been created, the client can now request an inventory action via host through an electronic communication system such as Internet.
Upon successful receipt of request, Host will send an electronic message such as an e-mail to the client that contains executable code that will generate and return inventory data along with specific markers that indicate:
1. Account identity 2. Organization's message handling system identification (commonly the Organization's Internet domain) 3. Group identity (if enabled by the client; optional) 4. Sequential e-Pulse number for that Account, which will request an installed inventory agent to take an inventory of the target device.
The client then receives the above stated e-mail. If the client has groups identified for his/her account, the client will receive an e-mail for each requested group. It will be recognized by those in the art that an electronic communication may be employed other than e-mail, such as voice mail, video mail, or other electronic message handling system.
Client then forwards the e-mail to the entire subscriber list of the organization's message handling system or, if groups are requested, forwards each group-specific e-mail to the respective group-list in the message handling system subscription list (department, project, location, etc.) All target devices which are subscribers to the organization's message handling system receive and/or store the e-mail.
When the end user (or technology) reads this e-mail message, an electronic command, or e-Pulse, requests an Inventory from the previously installed host inventory agent within the target device.
If the host inventory agent isn't present, the e-mail agent proceeds to install the inventory agent by invoking a 'download' from the Host Web-site. An active connection -via the Internet- will be enabled for this download.
If requested by the Operating Systems (OS) security parameters, the end user may be involved in confirming allowing of the download and install. In the case of the multiple operating systems such as, for example, Windows~2000, Windows98, Windows95, WindowsNT~), the User will be shown a 'Certificate of Authenticity' from Verisign T""
(or other trusted verification agency).
As the host Inventory Agent is installed, it builds its identity by adopting the account, domain variables from the e-mail that catalyzed its installation.
The Host Inventory Agent will also further 'identify' itself by generating a Globally Unique Identity Number (GUID).
Once the Host inventory agent is installed -either automatically or via end-user confirmation- no further installation request (or other interaction with the Host website) is required by the end user.
The Host Inventory Agent - when activated by an inventory-requesting e-mail forwarded by the client - will first confirm that its 'identity' matches that of the e-mail by confirming that its 'account' and 'domain' variables are identical to that of the e-mail.
If the identity of the inventory agent doesn't exactly match the identity of the e-mail, then the inventory agent will not activate. This is a security measure to ensure data exclusivity for each account.
(Verisign is a trade-mark of Verisign, Inc.) (Windows and Windsow NT are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation) If the identity of the e-mail matches the identity of the Inventory Agent, then the Inventory will proceed to determine the following attributes of the target device:
1. Operating System 2. Software 3. Hardware (both of the target device and of any connected peripherals) The Inventory Agent outputs the inventory to a data file, where the inventory data is incorporated into native executable SQL (Structure Query Language) statements.
The outputted file is attached to an outbound e-mail that is intended for an account on the host message handling system. No involvement is required of the end user.
Once the e-mail is received by the host message handling system, the attached data file is opened and the contents - the SQL statements - are outputted directly to a SQL-compliant database, where they are immediately (and natively) interpreted as commands to include (or modify, or add, or any other type of data modification) the results of the inventory into the structure of the host database.
At any time after an account inventory action has been invoked, the client may access his/her account on the host Web-site. Through pre-built calculations -directly to the host database- the user will be able to see the numerical and graphical representation of the results of the account inventory action.
Such results will include (but not be limited to):
- Total number of target device - Operating System Distribution (dispersion, Mean, Median, Standard Deviation, Skew, etc.) - Software Distribution - Hardware Distribution As well as receiving aggregate statistics of the accounts target devices, the user will also be able to invoke the following types of Analysis Tools:
Replacement Analysis Engine By determining the processor speed and the CPU-ID of the CPU of the computer, host is able to determine probable purchase date of that target device. As such, host is able to postulate probable disposal date of that target device, through common accounting-based depreciation methods. By applying these calculations to all of the target devices of the Users account, host is able to determine statistics associated to the future target device replacement and disposal requirements (i.e. number of target devices to be replaced per Quarter for the next 3 years, Cost of replacement for year 2001, etc.) Furthermore, by applying a computer processor for comparing a company's population to that of larger (maturing) companies, host can postulate it's growth rate (smaller companies tend to grow at a faster rate than larger companies), and apply that growth rate to replacement and disposal calculations Migration Analysis Engine Companies are required to update or replace target devices to be compliant with newly introduced technologies (Network compliancy, Windows 95/98/NT/2000 compliancy, Internet compliancy, video-conferencing compliancy, etc.,) Whether the target devices are replaced or updated, their modification will include some or all of the following services:
1. Procurement 2. Deployment (including software installation, re-configuration to meet company specifications, and delivery to the customer location) 3. Removal/Storage (of target devices determined non-compliant to minimum requirements of new 'technology/threshhold) 4. Disposal (being relieved of ownership of the target device through destruction, re-sale, or charitable donation) Each of these services are labor, time and knowledge intensive. As such the client will use host to compare the company-internal cost and time of invoking each of these services (to target devices determined to receive these services via host) compared to the costs and time when contracting such services to external service providers (ESP) The client will be able to incorporate the labor costs and estimated time as authored by the electronic service providers on the host database by 3'd party external service providers.
In service scenarios where the cost of service is dependent upon understanding the configuration (age, components, etc.) of the target devices needed to be serviced (i.e.
resale estimates on disposal services), the client can anonymously and electronically send data elements relating to the target device configuration to the external service providers to facilitate the electronic service providers need to analyze target device configurations so that it can publish a Request For Quote (RFQ) in order to win the bid and service the clients target devices.
Host will facilitate this process by allowing the client to invoke a RFQ to multiple electronic service providers simultaneously by storing the associated costs variables (Resale values, processing costs, labor rates) for participating electronic service providers within the host database BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will further be described with reference to the attached drawings showing an embodiment thereof:
Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the system and method of creating an account between the client and the host in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the system and method of the remote inventory management system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 is a detailed schematic diagram of a system and method for remote inventory management in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to Figure 1, there is illustrated a schematic diagram in accordance with an embodiment of the invention comprising a first step wherein the client establishes a membership on the host electronic communication system such as an Internet website. A
second step follows wherein the host and client establish at least one account, where an account is an exclusive grouping of data relating to the software, hardware, and other assets associated with a particular target device that subscribes to a message handling system, or electronic communication system, such as e-mail, voice-mail, video mail, or other such system, of a specific organization. A target device may include a device connected intermittently or continually to the client's electronic communication system, and may include a computer, telephone, personal digital assistant, automobile, aircraft, or other device.
The client may create a single account, or multiple accounts for the same specific organization, or for several organizations. In one embodiment, a client may create groups that correspond to various group lists in a particular organization, such as departments in a company.
In a further embodiment, a client may invoke permission-based access to accounts which may restrict access to others. In this way, others may have restricted access to specific functions and specific accounts, including viewing reports, creating other guests to the account, invoking inventory requests, or other administrative functions.
Once these actions have been taken, the account creation process is completed.
It will be appreciated that access to sensitive information may be restricted to selected individuals, and further that groupings of target devices may be quickly established thus allowing the client to quickly access the inventory data for a specific group or groups, for example the subsidiaries of a company or the departments within a company.
The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the detailed specification, and thus, it is intended by the appended claim to cover all such features and advantages of the invention which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.
Further, since numerous modifications and variations will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to falling within the scope of the invention.
Claims (20)
1. A system for remote inventory management comprising:
a. an electronic communication system for operation within a network;
b. an electronic communication device for establishing a client account with a host wherein said client account is a group of data relating to inventory assets associated with a target device at least intermittently connected to said electronic communication system;
c. an inventory agent for detecting and compiling software and hardware and other inventory data associated with said target device for incorporation of said inventory data into a database;
d. an electronic communication device for remotely requesting through an electronic communication system inventory data from said target device inventory agent;
e. an electronic communication device for delivering said inventory data to a remote host through an electronic communication system;
a. an electronic communication system for operation within a network;
b. an electronic communication device for establishing a client account with a host wherein said client account is a group of data relating to inventory assets associated with a target device at least intermittently connected to said electronic communication system;
c. an inventory agent for detecting and compiling software and hardware and other inventory data associated with said target device for incorporation of said inventory data into a database;
d. an electronic communication device for remotely requesting through an electronic communication system inventory data from said target device inventory agent;
e. an electronic communication device for delivering said inventory data to a remote host through an electronic communication system;
2. A system for remote inventory management as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said electronic communication system for operation within a network includes a message handling system.
3. A system for remote inventory management as claimed in Claim 2 wherein said message handling system includes an electronic mail system.
4. A system for remote inventory management as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the electronic communication system operates within a wireless network.
5. A system for remote inventory management as claimed in Claim 1 wherein said inventory agent includes a device which adopts unique identifiers of said target device and, when activated, will confirm the identity of said target device with the identify of the activator and, upon confirmation, will determine specific inventory attributes of said target device.
A system for remote inventory management comprising:
A system for remote inventory management comprising:
6. a. an electronic communication system for operation within a network;
b. an electronic communication device for establishing a client account with a host wherein said client account is as a group of data relating to inventory assets associated with a target device at least intermittently connected to said electronic communication system;
c. an inventory agent for detecting and compiling software and hardware and other inventory data associated with said target device directly into executable language statements for incorporation of said inventory data into a database;
d. an electronic communication device for remotely requesting through an electronic communication system inventory data from said target device inventory agent at least intermittently connected to said electronic communication system;
e. an electronic communication delivery device for delivering said inventory data to a remote host through an electronic communication system;
b. an electronic communication device for establishing a client account with a host wherein said client account is as a group of data relating to inventory assets associated with a target device at least intermittently connected to said electronic communication system;
c. an inventory agent for detecting and compiling software and hardware and other inventory data associated with said target device directly into executable language statements for incorporation of said inventory data into a database;
d. an electronic communication device for remotely requesting through an electronic communication system inventory data from said target device inventory agent at least intermittently connected to said electronic communication system;
e. an electronic communication delivery device for delivering said inventory data to a remote host through an electronic communication system;
7. A system for remote inventory management as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the executable language statements includes Structure Query Language.
8. A system for remote inventory management as claimed in Claim 1 wherein said electronic communication delivery device includes an e-mail automatically returned to said host with attached inventory data associated of said target device.
9. A system for remote inventory management as claimed in Claim 1 wherein said inventory agent is remotely installed in said target device through an electronic communication system.
10. A system for analysing inventory data comprising:
a. an electronic communication system for operation within a network;
b. an electronic communication device for establishing a client account with a host wherein said client account is as a group of data relating to inventory assets associated with a target device at least intermittently connected to said electronic communication system;
c. an inventory agent for detecting and compiling software and hardware and other inventory data associated with said target device for incorporation of said inventory data into a database;
d. an electronic communication device for remotely requesting through an electronic communication system inventory data from said target device inventory agent at least intermittently connected to said electronic communication system;
e. an electronic communication delivery device for delivering said inventory data to a remote host through an electronic communication system;
f. a computer processor for determining the age of said target device to determine the probable purchase date of said target device;
g. a computer processor for postulating the probable disposal date of said target device within a group requested by said client to determine information related to the replacement and disposal requirements of said target device;
a. an electronic communication system for operation within a network;
b. an electronic communication device for establishing a client account with a host wherein said client account is as a group of data relating to inventory assets associated with a target device at least intermittently connected to said electronic communication system;
c. an inventory agent for detecting and compiling software and hardware and other inventory data associated with said target device for incorporation of said inventory data into a database;
d. an electronic communication device for remotely requesting through an electronic communication system inventory data from said target device inventory agent at least intermittently connected to said electronic communication system;
e. an electronic communication delivery device for delivering said inventory data to a remote host through an electronic communication system;
f. a computer processor for determining the age of said target device to determine the probable purchase date of said target device;
g. a computer processor for postulating the probable disposal date of said target device within a group requested by said client to determine information related to the replacement and disposal requirements of said target device;
11. A system for analysing inventory data as claimed in Claim 10 wherein the computer processor will predict growth of said client group to determine future replacement and disposal rates for said target devices.
12. A system for remote inventory management comprising:
a. an electronic communication system for operation within a network;
b. an electronic communication device for establishing a client account with a host wherein said client account is as a group of data relating to inventory assets associated with a target device at least intermittently connected to said electronic communication system;
c. an inventory agent for detecting and compiling software and hardware and other inventory data associated with said target device for incorporation of said inventory data into a database;
d. an electronic communication device for remotely requesting through an electronic communication system inventory data from said target device inventory agent at least intermittently connected to said electronic communication system;
e. an electronic communication delivery device for delivering said inventory data to a remote host through an electronic communication system;
f. a computer processor for directing said inventory data from said client to an electronic portal wherein said client can remotely send said inventory data associated with said target devices to service providers to facilitate the procurement, deployment, removal, storage, and disposal of said target devices;
a. an electronic communication system for operation within a network;
b. an electronic communication device for establishing a client account with a host wherein said client account is as a group of data relating to inventory assets associated with a target device at least intermittently connected to said electronic communication system;
c. an inventory agent for detecting and compiling software and hardware and other inventory data associated with said target device for incorporation of said inventory data into a database;
d. an electronic communication device for remotely requesting through an electronic communication system inventory data from said target device inventory agent at least intermittently connected to said electronic communication system;
e. an electronic communication delivery device for delivering said inventory data to a remote host through an electronic communication system;
f. a computer processor for directing said inventory data from said client to an electronic portal wherein said client can remotely send said inventory data associated with said target devices to service providers to facilitate the procurement, deployment, removal, storage, and disposal of said target devices;
13. A system for remote inventory management as claimed in Claim 12 wherein the computer processor will allow the client to invoke a request for a quote to a plurality of service providers by storing the associated cost variables of participating service providers within a host database.
14. A system for remote inventory management comprising:
a. an electronic communication system for operation within a network;
b. an electronic communication device for establishing a client account with a host wherein said client account is as a group of data relating to inventory assets associated with a target device at least intermittently connected to said electronic communication system;
c. an inventory agent for detecting and compiling software and hardware and other inventory data associated with said target device for incorporation of said inventory data into a database;
d. an electronic communication device for remotely requesting through an electronic communication system inventory data from said target device inventory agent at least intermittently connected to said electronic communication system;
e. an electronic communication delivery device for delivering said inventory data to a remote host through an electronic communication system;
f. a communication delivery device for permitting the client to access its account and inventory data associated with selected target devices from the host.
a. an electronic communication system for operation within a network;
b. an electronic communication device for establishing a client account with a host wherein said client account is as a group of data relating to inventory assets associated with a target device at least intermittently connected to said electronic communication system;
c. an inventory agent for detecting and compiling software and hardware and other inventory data associated with said target device for incorporation of said inventory data into a database;
d. an electronic communication device for remotely requesting through an electronic communication system inventory data from said target device inventory agent at least intermittently connected to said electronic communication system;
e. an electronic communication delivery device for delivering said inventory data to a remote host through an electronic communication system;
f. a communication delivery device for permitting the client to access its account and inventory data associated with selected target devices from the host.
15. A system for remote inventory management as claimed in Claim 12 wherein said inventory data includes total number of target devices, software and hardware associated with said target devices.
16. A method for managing inventory comprising:
a. generating a request generated by a client for inventory data from at least a target device;
b. compiling inventory data associated with said at least a target device;
c. delivering said inventory data to a host for analysing said inventory data;
d. charging no fee for providing aggregate inventory data from said host to said client;
e. charging a fee for delivering specified inventory data from the host to the client.
a. generating a request generated by a client for inventory data from at least a target device;
b. compiling inventory data associated with said at least a target device;
c. delivering said inventory data to a host for analysing said inventory data;
d. charging no fee for providing aggregate inventory data from said host to said client;
e. charging a fee for delivering specified inventory data from the host to the client.
17. A method for managing inventory as claimed in Claim 16 wherein said aggregate data includes the total number of target devices as well as software, hardware and other attributes associated with said target devices.
18. A method for managing inventory as claimed in Claim 16 wherein said specified data is analysed to provide information associated with the replacement and disposal requirements of client specified target devices.
19. A method for managing inventory as claimed in Claim 16 wherein said specified data is analysed to provide information required to update or replace said target devices to be compliant with newly introduced technologies, wherein modification of said target devices includes procurement, deployment, upgrading, removal, storage and disposal of said target devices.
20. A method for managing inventory as claimed in Claim 16 wherein said specified data is analysed to provide information associated with service providers for bidding on services associated with the procurement, deployment, removal, storage, upgrade, disposal and replacement of said target devices.
Priority Applications (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002312193A CA2312193A1 (en) | 2000-06-23 | 2000-06-23 | System and method for remote inventory management |
| CA 2344008 CA2344008C (en) | 2000-06-23 | 2001-04-17 | Software and hardware component audit and inventory management system |
| US09/886,687 US7548878B2 (en) | 2000-06-23 | 2001-06-21 | Software and hardware component audit and inventory management system |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002312193A CA2312193A1 (en) | 2000-06-23 | 2000-06-23 | System and method for remote inventory management |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2312193A1 true CA2312193A1 (en) | 2001-12-23 |
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| CA002312193A Abandoned CA2312193A1 (en) | 2000-06-23 | 2000-06-23 | System and method for remote inventory management |
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| US (1) | US7548878B2 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2312193A1 (en) |
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| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| US20010056386A1 (en) | 2001-12-27 |
| US7548878B2 (en) | 2009-06-16 |
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