Personal computer lifecycle management / personal computer validation tool

• US 8,694,381 B1
• Filed: 11/27/2002
• Issued: 04/08/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ent Services Development Corporation LP (DXC Technology Company), Steven L. Page
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Wigginton, Richard T., Nolan, Andrew L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ade, Garcia
• Application Number:
  US10/305,419
• Time in Patent Office: 4,150 Days
• Field of Search: 705/22, 705/28
• US Class Current: 705/22
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/20 Administration of product repair or maintenance

Abstract

A PC lifecycle management (PCLCM) program assists an organization or set of organizations in the tracking and managing a PC inventory. At least one PC in the inventory is assigned to a primary user. The responsibilities regarding PC inventory tracking and maintenance are decentralized such that the primary user is responsible for tracking and maintaining accurate information regarding the PC assigned to the primary user. To support the decentralization, a computer-based tool is provided. The tool includes a database of information related to the PC inventory. The database has one or more records containing information regarding the PC assigned to the primary user. The tool also includes a PC validation component. The PC validation component includes processes and interfaces for accessing the database such that the primary user can view and update information in the database regarding the PC assigned to the primary user.

Claims

1. A computer-based tool for supporting a PC (personal computer) lifecycle management program for a PC inventory of personal computers, the tool comprising:

a computer processor;

a database of information related to the PC inventory, the database having one or more records containing information regarding each of the personal computers in the PC inventory, wherein each of the personal computers in the PC inventory is assigned for primary use by a corresponding one of a plurality of users; and

a PC validation component executable on the computer processor and that includes processes and interfaces configured to permit the users to access the database, wherein each user in the plurality of users is permitted to view and update information in the database regarding the personal computer assigned to the corresponding user,

wherein the PC validation component is configured to receive, from a particular one of the users, updated information regarding the personal computer assigned to the particular user.

2. The tool of claim 1 wherein the PC validation component is further configured to accept periodic verification messages from the users regarding the information in the database regarding the personal computers assigned to the respective users.

3. The tool of claim 1 wherein the information regarding the personal computer assigned to each of the users includes any one or more of type of personal computer, serial number, order number, whether the personal computer is a fixed asset or leased, and lease-end information.

4. The tool of claim 1 wherein the information regarding the personal computer assigned to each of the users includes lifecycle status history.

5. The tool of claim 1 wherein each of the one or more records has a status field that indicates the status of the corresponding personal computer or information in the record.

6. The tool of claim 1 wherein external data sources are used for loading information in the database related to the PC inventory.

7. The tool of claim 1 further comprising an inventory query and update component that includes processes and interfaces configured to accept querying and updating of the information related to the PC inventory contained in the database.

8. The tool of claim 1 further comprising a procurement planning component that includes processes and interfaces configured to provide flagging of personal computers in the PC inventory for replacement with new personal computers and designating a replacement personal computer type for the new personal computers.

9. The tool of claim 1 further comprising a procurement processing component that includes processes and interfaces configured to create new records in the database for newly ordered personal computers.

10. The tool of claim 1 further comprising a standard report component that includes processes and interfaces for generation of standard reports using preset queries of the database.

11. The tool of claim 1 further comprising:

an inventory query and update component that includes processes and interfaces configured to accept querying and updating of the information related to the PC inventory contained in the database;

a procurement planning component that includes processes and interfaces configured to provide flagging of personal computers in the PC inventory for replacement with new personal computers and designation of a replacement personal computer type for the new personal computers;

a procurement processing component that includes the processes and interfaces configured to create new records in the database for newly ordered personal computers;

a standard report component that includes the processes and interfaces for generation of standard reports using preset queries of the database.

12. The tool of claim 11 wherein:

the PC validation component is further configured to accept periodic verification messages from the users relating to the information in the database regarding the personal computer assigned to the respective user;

wherein the tool is configured to permit leaders, management or a central support group access to use the inventory query and update component to generate ad-hoc reports based on the information related to the PC inventory, make updates to the information related to the PC inventory, and determine whether each user has verified the information in the database regarding the personal computer assigned to the corresponding user;

wherein the tool is configured to permit the leaders or management to use the procurement planning component to flag the personal computer assigned to a given one of the users for replacement with a new personal computer and to designate a replacement personal computer type for the new personal computer;

wherein the tool is configured to permit the central support group to use the procurement processing component to generate a new record in the database for the new personal computer; and

wherein the tool is configured to permit the leaders and management to use the standard report component to generate standard reports based on the information related to the PC inventory.

13. The tool of claim 12 wherein the information regarding the personal computer assigned to each user includes any one or more of type of personal computer, serial number, order number, whether the personal computer is a fixed asset or leased, and lease-end information.

14. The tool of claim 13 wherein the information regarding the personal computer assigned to the each user includes lifecycle status history.

15. The tool of claim 11 wherein the tool is web-based.

16. The tool of claim 1 wherein the tool is web-based.

17. The tool of claim 1 wherein the PC validation component is configured to preclude access by a given one of the users to information regarding personal computers not assigned to the given user.

18. The tool of claim 1, further comprising at least one monitoring component for monitoring updates and verification messages made by the plurality of users to information in the database regarding personal computers assigned to the users, wherein access to the at least one monitoring component is permitted for leaders, management, or a central support group.

19. The tool of claim 1, wherein the updated information from the particular user validates receipt of a new personal computer by the particular user to replace a previously assigned personal computer.

20. The tool of claim 19, wherein the updated information includes a serial number of the new personal computer.

21. The tool of claim 1, wherein the updated information from the particular user indicates that the personal computer assigned to the particular user was transferred from another user.