What is the difference between an asset and a unique equipment ID?
An asset is simply a physical resource. This may include a broad range of items (i.e. tables, chairs, buildings, etc.). The unique equipment ID is reserved for maintainable assets. This means that you would only issue a unique equipment ID for an asset if the asset is one that you would generate maintenance work orders for. Traditionally, computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) have focused on equipment, and specifically on equipment requiring planned/preventive maintenance actions. This limitation is voluntary, and nothing would prevent you from including all physical resources in your system if you choose. Simply put, every unique equipment ID will have a corresponding asset ID; but not every asset ID has to have a corresponding unique equipment ID.
