by the handheld device 210 a and the decoded data is sent to the database 250 as outgoing database information 212 a the maintainer 220 may also be recognized for example by scanning scan label 120 a information sent from the database 250 to the handheld devices 210 a c is incoming database information 213 a c respectively incoming database information 213 may be directed to the maintainer 220 the user 230 and or the observer 240 the information in database 250 can include instructions tools list and maintenance logs the data in the database 250 may describe each person 39 s role authorization security access or other information for example after receiving the decoded data from the handheld device 210 a incoming database information 213 a sent to the maintainer 220 would include instructions and a list of tasks which may be customized to the specific maintainer 220 as identified e g by scan label 120 a the maintainer 220 may receive information about the parts on or in the identified space equipment 200 the maintainer 220 may also receive instructions on how to perform the maintenance and the tools necessary the maintainer 220 may be shown a video series on the handheld device 210 a showing each of the steps of the required maintenance a local handheld device e g 210 a may detect whether or not the proper steps were performed the observer 240 may be in a remote location and may receive information about the maintainer 220 or the user 230 information on progress updates and visual data pictures.