Process data and video data as pertains to the operation of an item of equipment is received and temporarily captured and stored in a rolling window that includes a plurality of different points in time. Upon detecting a predetermined operating condition of interest with respect to the item of equipment, at least a portion of the data as then presently appears in the rolling window is non-temporarily stored to render such data available for subsequent analysis. These steps are then preferably reset to permit automated and unattended capture of similar information as corresponds to future operating conditions of interest.