Abstract: Method and apparatus inputting information identifying and classifying an article in an asset management database. A graphical user interface has a first screen showing a search field and a display window. A reference database has records, each record containing manufacturer, model and article type information for a respective class of articles. In response to the input of a manufacturer query in the search field, a list of entries is displayed in the display window. Each entry includes the same manufacturer identifier, a different model number, and one of multiple article types derived from the reference database. In response to selection of one of the list entries, a second screen appears having an empty data field for entry of an article identifier identifying an article made by a manufacturer identified by the manufacturer identifier and having the model number for the selected entry, and filled data fields containing the manufacturer identifier, model number and article type for said selected entry.