Patent ID: 8165968
Filing Date: 2012-04-24
Classification: G06Q

Abstract:
1. A method for evaluating costs associated with each of a plurality of maintenance approaches for at least one equipment module of a structure, comprising: receiving, via a client element, a plurality of parameters comprising parameters regarding the at least one equipment module, the structure, and economic factors related to at least one of the at least one equipment module and the structure, wherein receiving a plurality of parameters regarding the structure comprises receiving information regarding a lifetime of the structure, wherein receiving a plurality of parameters regarding the at least one equipment module comprises receiving at least one parameter regarding at least one first equipment module and at least one parameter regarding at least one second equipment module, wherein each second equipment module is an alternative for a respective first equipment module such that the structure includes only one type of equipment module selected from a group consisting of the first equipment module and the second equipment module; separately determining, by a processor, equipment module costs associated with each of at least two of the plurality of maintenance approaches for each equipment module based upon the received plurality of parameters, including the economic factors, wherein the plurality of maintenance approaches comprises a prognostic maintenance approach, a scheduled maintenance approach, and an operate-to-failure maintenance approach; receiving a selection of a maintenance approach for at least one first equipment module and a maintenance approach for at least one second equipment module; following the selection, determining non-recurring costs for each of the at least one first equipment module having the selected maintenance approach and the at least one second equipment module having the selected maintenance approach, wherein determining non-recurring costs comprises determining acquisition and training costs associated with each of the at least one first equipment module having the selected maintenance approach and the at least one second equipment module having the selected maintenance approach over the lifetime of the structure, and comparing by the processor, the equipment module costs and the non-recurring costs associated with the maintenance approach for the first equipment module with the equipment module costs and the non-recurring costs associated with the maintenance approach for the second equipment module, wherein comparing comprises separately presenting, via a display element, the equipment module costs and the non-recurring costs associated with each of the at least two maintenance approaches for each equipment module.