Patent ID: 7660812

Claim:
A method comprising: generating a non-proprietary media tracking database for tracking a set of data storage media; populating one or more fields of the non-proprietary media tracking database with manufacturer-assigned unique identification numbers for each of the data storage media, wherein the manufacturer-assigned unique identification numbers are unique for all media manufactured by a media supplier, and wherein the unique identification numbers for each of the data storage media are stored in readable radio frequency identification (RFID) tags affixed to or within housings of the data storage media, the RFID tags being selected from a group consisting of international organization for standardization (ISO) 18000 tags and AutoID Center electronic product code (EPC) tags; populating one or more fields of the non-proprietary media tracking database with VolSer numbers for each of the data storage media, wherein the VolSer numbers are not unique for all media manufactured by the media supplier; populating one or more fields of the non-proprietary media tracking database with purchase order numbers for each of the storage media; populating one or more fields of the non-proprietary media tracking database with manufacturing data for each of the data storage media; populating one or more fields of the non-proprietary media tracking database with one or more performance data, usage data, and physical inventory data; defining the manufacturer-assigned unique identification numbers as primary keys of the non-proprietary media tracking database for each of the data storage media such that the manufacturer-assigned unique identification numbers are relationally linked to the VolSer numbers, the purchase order numbers and the manufacturing data for each of the data storage media; and selling the set of data storage media with the non-proprietary media tracking database to an end user.