Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for managing article use and equipment maintenance. A facility can include one or more job zones. Each job zone can be associated with one or more equipment items located within that job zone. Likewise, each equipment item can be associated with one or more articles, such as parts or tools. Personnel can request articles for use in conjunction with a selected equipment item. Upon release of an article to a personnel member, information identifying the personnel member, the equipment item, the requested article type, the specific article, and the time and date of the transaction can be stored. The described systems can be used to, among other things, create maintenance records associated with equipment items, check articles in and out of inventory, track the location and condition of articles, and monitor who is in possession of articles.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for managing article allocation and distribution. A facility may be divided into a plurality of job zones and personnel members may be associated with one or more of the job zones. Each job zone may be associated with a predetermined list of articles or equipment suitable for use by personnel in the zone's environment. Personnel may order or request articles for use by selecting a body portion of a humanoid avatar. Available articles corresponding to the selected body portion and suitable for use in the job zone associated with the personnel member may then be displayed for further selection. The described systems and methods may also be used to, among other things, check articles in and out of inventory, track the location of articles, monitor who is in possession of articles, track the effectiveness of distributed articles, and record personnel's use of articles.