Patent ID: 8723653

Claim:
A method for identifying and managing an asset comprising: mounting a power distribution apparatus in an equipment rack, the power distribution apparatus including a reader; detecting a change in current at one or more electrical outlets in the power distribution apparatus; selectively enabling one or more antennas of a plurality of antennas coupled to the reader in response to detecting the change in current, wherein selectively enabling includes enabling an antenna associated with an electrical outlet at which a change in current is detected; reading, by the reader through the one or more antennas, identification data contained in a transponder attached to a power cord of the asset, each of the one or more antennas being mounted in proximate relation to the one or more electrical outlets in the power distribution apparatus, the power cord being coupled to one of the one or more electrical outlets; communicating information including the identification data through a network to a controller; and determining, by the controller, a control action based on the information.