@ A system (128) wherein information relating to the performance and availability of equipment is utilized for purposes of appraising the future behavior of the equipment. One purpose, for instance, to which such an appraisal can be put is that of reaching decisions concerning the repair/replacement/refurbishment of the equipment. The subject system (128) includes performance means (130), availability means (132, degradation means (134) and updating means (136), all suitably connected in operative relation one with another. The performance means (130) is operative as a source of data pertaining to the performance of the equipment. The availability means (132), on the other hand, is operative as a source of data pertaining to the availability of the equipment. Continuing, the degradation means (134) is cross-linked to both the performance means (130) and the availability means (132), and is operative as a source of data pertaining to the degradation of the equipment. Lastly, the updating means (136) is operative as a source of data relating to the latest reported status of the equipment.