Some of these are very specific to what we do in physical asset management, others are more general and applicable to other areas - but I am convinced that all of these are great ideas. (Entrepreneurs take notice!)

Feel free to add additional ideas if you think it would help.

1. A SMART CARD - Because I cannot keep on putting loyalty cards, credit cards, debit cards, store cards and ID cards into my already suffering wallet!

Why do we not have one card to rule them all? Business 2.0 (Great magazine by the way) had a recent article on this theme, but it still seems a long way off for me living out here in the Middle East.

2. A web based, on demand, suite of reliability software. So every organization can implement reliability, not just those who have millions of dollars to spend.

3. A web based benchmarking program. So that every company in the world can enter their data and see how they stack up against everybody else.

4. A Reliability Centered Maintenance system that incorporates HEART and Weibull Analysis at the right stages. So that analysts can perform RCM, integrate Human error analysis and integrate quantified analytical techniques where relevant.

5. A program, Enterprise model or SaaS, that can do all areas related to Asset Management. So that companies do not have to purchase an ERP, then bolt on an APM or try to weave the data between a dozen niche applications or so. (Inventory etcetera)

6. An IT manager who understands the complexity and severe consequences of physical asset management. (Okay, maybe this guy exists today - but he is hiding)

7. A consulting job board. Where companies can go direct to consulting resources without going through intermediaries such as agencies etcetera.

8. An agreed global standard on Asset Management and Asset Performance Management. Today there are many of these, recent adventures by the IAM in the UK have come up with a process heavy, results limited and bureaucratic tool. And nobody agrees that this is the tool for use.

Even when a water mark tool like the RCM standard was produced, every consultancy and publisher with a vested commercial interest came out against it. Even though this meant potentially raising the level of risk that companies experienced!

I have a heap more of these, but these are a good starting point. Please feel free to add any that you think are relevant.


Equipment, Maintenance and Technology is part of the Lassiter Group. (C) Lassiter 2007.