Usage Rate Analysis

This page provides data you can use to tune your usage rate for a need and its assets. You can view usage rate data for assets used now and in the past, see average usage rates, and change the usage rates of current and future assets covering a need.

You can use this page to improve your usage rates. To use the page:

1. First get a list of past usage rates (the "Past Usage Rates" list):
   1. Select a date range of assets to retrieve.
   2. Check whether to use only accu-Track assets (recommended) or all assets.
   3. Then press "Go" to retrieve this list.
2. Use this data to determine the usage rate you want to assign to your current and future assets:
   1. The first column shows the asset status.
   2. The second column shows quantity of the asset used in standard units.
   3. The third column shows the dates the asset was activated and deactivated (or the last checked date, if the asset is still active).
   4. The fourth column shows the total lifetime of the asset in days (unless it's still active).
   5. The fifth column shows your stated usage rate (what you said it was), your actual usage rate, and the percentage difference between the two. This may be useful to determine whether you tend to overestimate or underestimate your usage rate for this need. The average of the rates selected (checked off in the rightmost column) is calculated at the bottom.
   6. The sixth column shows the asset name and purchase history. Click on the asset name to see the Asset Properties page. The asset notes and purchase history may reveal useful information about how the asset was used (and whether to factor its usage rate into any analysis).
   7. The seventh column shows the cost per day of the asset.
   8. In the eighth and last column, you indicate whether you would like this asset's usage rate to be included in the averages included on the page. Check (or uncheck) the assets you want include (or exclude), and click at the bottom to recalculate the averages based on the set you've selected.
3. Use the "New Usage Rates" section at the bottom of the page to update your usage rate for this need, any assets currently covering it, and any future assets already purchased. Note that the usage rate for assets not yet purchased will be inherited from the need itself. This is one simple way that MakeLifeEasy learns about how you use your assets, and stores the data for future use.
   1. The first row in the list is the need. To set the new usage rate for the need, enter the desired value in the field, check the "Set to New Rate" check box, and press "OK".
   2. The remaining rows in the list are remaining assets you've already purchased to cover the need. To set the new usage rate for any asset, enter the desired value in the "New Use Rate" field for that asset, check the "Set to New Rate" check box for that asset, and press "OK".
   3. Of course, you can set up multiple needs and assets and save all the data at once by pressing "OK".