Abstract: A method in a data processing system of tracking tools in a power plant service environment is disclosed where a plurality of power plant facilities (14) are interconnected in a Web-based environment (22) over a communications medium (10) with a tool depot 16 and wherein the tool depot (16) houses a tool inventory (17) used for providing a plurality of service activities to the plurality of power plant facilities (14). The method may include providing (30) a database (20) containing information associated with respective tools in the tool inventory (17) and including in the database (20) information uniquely associated with at least a first tool in the tool inventory (17). The first tool may be assigned (42) to a person at a power plant facility (14) and data may be recorded at the power plant facility that associates the person with the first tool.