Equipment Provider and Purchaser Program

• US 20080065457A1
• Filed: 08/28/2006
• Published: 03/13/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
• Original Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
• Inventors: Hundt, Douglas Roger, Byram, Michael Charles, Nichols, Christopher Lee, Rieckhoff, Mark Armstrong, Roose, Kristi Rane
• Application Number:
  US11/467,765
• Publication Number:
  US 20080065457A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/9
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06311 Scheduling, planning or task assignment for a person or group
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/20 Administration of product repair or maintenance
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/012 Providing warranty services
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/016 After-sales
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/80 Management or planning

Abstract

Systems and methods for an equipment manufacturer to form a program with an equipment purchaser. The method can include enrolling the equipment purchaser in the program, having historical losses and potential risks for the equipment purchaser assessed, and facilitating an insurance package for the equipment purchaser if the equipment purchaser qualifies based on the assessment of the historical losses. The method also includes having workforce needs for the equipment purchaser assessed, and facilitating recruitment, training, and hiring of workers to meet the workforce needs of the equipment purchaser. The method further includes having service needs of the equipment purchaser assessed, facilitating periodic service for the equipment purchaser'"'"'s equipment, and facilitating replacement or substitution if the equipment fails.

Claims

1. A method for an equipment manufacturer to form a program with an equipment purchaser, the method comprising:

enrolling the equipment purchaser in the program;

facilitating an insurance package for the equipment purchaser;

facilitating recruitment, training, and hiring of workers to meet the workforce needs of the equipment purchaser;

having service needs of the equipment purchaser assessed;

facilitating periodic service for the equipment purchaser'"'"'s equipment; and

facilitating replacement or substitution if the equipment fails.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising establishing a relationship with an insurance provider to offer the insurance package.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising establishing a relationship with a workforce provider to recruit, train, and hire the workers.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising establishing a relationship with a training provider to train the workers.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing incentives for the equipment purchaser to enroll in the program.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein facilitating replacement or substitution further comprises establishing a relationship with a local service provider to review the failed equipment, provide loaner equipment for the equipment purchaser if the failed equipment cannot be fixed within a specified period of time, and repair the failed equipment.

7. A method for forming a program with a tree care equipment manufacturer and an equipment purchaser, the method comprising:

enrolling the equipment purchaser if the equipment purchaser qualifies for the program;

providing an insurance package for the equipment purchaser;

recruiting, training, and placing workers to meet the workforce needs of the equipment purchaser;

assessing service needs of the equipment purchaser;

providing periodic service for the equipment purchaser'"'"'s equipment; and

providing replacement or substitution if the equipment fails.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising providing incentives for the equipment purchaser to enroll in the program.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein providing replacement or substitution further comprises:

reviewing the failed equipment;

providing loaner equipment for the equipment purchaser if the failed equipment cannot be fixed within a specified period of time; and

repairing the failed equipment.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein providing loaner equipment further comprises providing the loaner equipment only if the failed equipment has been serviced according to a service plan.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein providing loaner equipment further comprises providing the loaner equipment according to a graduated payment scale correlating to a degree of deviation by the equipment purchaser from the service plan.

12. A system for forming a program with an equipment provider and an equipment purchaser, the system comprising:

an insurance service including an insurance package that is provided for the equipment purchaser;

a workforce service including recruitment and training of workers for the equipment purchaser; and

a maintenance service including periodic servicing of the equipment purchaser'"'"'s equipment, and, upon failure of the equipment, loaner equipment for the equipment purchaser if repairs to the failed equipment cannot be made in a specified period of time.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the equipment provider is a manufacturer of tree care equipment.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the equipment purchaser is a provider of tree care services.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the equipment provider manufactures tree care equipment, and the equipment purchaser purchases the tree care equipment from the equipment provider.

16. The system of claim 12, wherein the equipment provider establishes a relationship with an insurance provider to facilitate the insurance service.

17. The system of claim 12, wherein the equipment provider establishes a relationship with a workforce provider to facilitate the workforce service.

18. The system of claim 12, wherein the equipment provider establishes a relationship with a training provider to provide training services to facilitate the insurance service and the workforce service.

19. The system of claim 12, further comprising an enrollment program including an assessment of the equipment purchaser'"'"'s qualifications for enrollment in the program.