Patent ID: 7853470
Filing Date: 2010-12-14
Classification: G06Q

Abstract:
1. A computer-implemented method for assigning tangible assets to workplaces, the method comprising: receiving input data provided at an input interface of a computer system, the input data comprising information about a situation that requires updating a structure of current assignments of specific tangible assets to specific workplaces; selecting, dependent upon the information of the received input data, a workplace profile from a profile database associated with the computer system, wherein the workplace profile corresponds to a workplace type and includes a predefined set of asset types, of which types specific tangible assets are to be assigned to a specific workplace of the workplace type, wherein at least one of the specific tangible assets has a different specific tangible asset assigned to it; retrieving, from an assignment database associated with the computer system, assignment data comprising information about the current assignment structure; comparing, via a processor associated with the computer system, the selected workplace profile with the retrieved assignment data; determining, via a processor associated with the computer system, an update proposal for updating the current assignment structure, the update proposal including a plurality of update proposals generated by the computer system, wherein at least one of the update proposals is for performing at least one action with at least one of the specific tangible assets, wherein determining the update proposal is based upon computer-implemented methods for minimizing costs of performing actions related to specific tangible assets in accordance with the updating of the current assignment structure, while the updating satisfies the requirement by the situation, wherein the computer-implemented methods for minimizing costs and/or investments of performing actions related to specific tangible assets account for costs related to transport of the specific tangible assets and at least one specific tangible asset is assigned to an inventory including goods for at least one of reuse, scrap, or resale; providing, via a processor associated with the computer system, output data to an output interface of the computer system, the output data comprising information options about the plurality of update proposals from which a user may select and including information about the at least one action; and performing the at least one action with at least one of the specific tangible assets wherein the specific tangible asset is software and the at least one action includes installing the software on a workplace computer.