SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ASSISTING A CONTRACTOR TO EFFICIENTLY SERVICE AN EQUIPMENT
First Claim
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1. A method for assisting a contractor to efficiently service an equipment, the method being implemented by a computing device including a processor and a memory, the method comprising:
- receiving a request for equipment information from a contractor servicing an equipment at a job site, wherein the contractor requests the equipment information using the computing device;
accessing, through the computing device and using a network and a manufacturer web server, manufacturer application servers located in a private network, wherein the equipment information is related to the equipment to be serviced and includes distributor data stored in a manufacturer database;
providing the requested equipment information to the contractor from one source using the network;
locating a nearby distributor using the computing device;
checking inventory of the nearby distributor using the computing device;
reserving a part or replacement equipment using the computing device; and
updating the distributor data related to the equipment in the manufacturer database using the network and a manufacturer database server.
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Abstract
A method and system are disclosed for assisting a contractor to efficiently service an equipment. The method and system enable contractors, such as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) contractors, dealers, and technicians, to improve efficiency in providing services to their customers. The method and system formalize the repair planning execution tasks, and provide data in useful formats immediately available at a work site to contractors, thus reducing avoidable errors and improving efficiency in repairing or replacing equipment.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method for assisting a contractor to efficiently service an equipment, the method being implemented by a computing device including a processor and a memory, the method comprising:
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receiving a request for equipment information from a contractor servicing an equipment at a job site, wherein the contractor requests the equipment information using the computing device; accessing, through the computing device and using a network and a manufacturer web server, manufacturer application servers located in a private network, wherein the equipment information is related to the equipment to be serviced and includes distributor data stored in a manufacturer database; providing the requested equipment information to the contractor from one source using the network; locating a nearby distributor using the computing device; checking inventory of the nearby distributor using the computing device; reserving a part or replacement equipment using the computing device; and updating the distributor data related to the equipment in the manufacturer database using the network and a manufacturer database server. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A system for assisting a contractor to efficiently service an equipment, comprising:
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a computing device that receives a request for equipment information from a contractor servicing an equipment at a job site and transmits the request to a manufacturer system, wherein the equipment information is related to the equipment to be serviced and includes distributor data stored in a manufacturer database; and the manufacturer system, comprising; a manufacturer web server that accepts the request from the computing device; manufacturer application servers located in a private network; and a database server accessing the manufacturer database to obtain the equipment information; wherein the computing device accesses, using a network, the manufacturer web server and the manufacturer application servers to obtain the requested equipment information from one source, locates a nearby distributor, checks inventory, and reserves a part or replacement equipment, and wherein the distributor data related to the equipment is updated in the manufacturer database using the network and a manufacturer database server. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A computer readable medium providing instructions for assisting a contractor to efficiently service an equipment, the instructions comprising:
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receiving a request for equipment information from a contractor servicing an equipment at a job site, wherein the contractor requests the equipment information using a computing device; accessing, through the computing device and using a network and a manufacturer web server, manufacturer application servers located in a private network, wherein the equipment information is related to the equipment to be serviced and includes distributor data stored in a manufacturer database; providing the requested equipment information from one source to the contractor using the network; locating a nearby distributor using the computing device; checking inventory of the nearby distributor using the computing device; reserving a part or replacement equipment using the computing device; and updating the distributor data related to the equipment in the manufacturer database using the network and a manufacturer database server.
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Specification