A method for maintaining a complex article, including retrieving maintenance
information
relating to maintenance of a component of a complex article from an electronically-accessible
tag coupled to the component and applying the retrieved maintenance information
to a determination regarding maintenance of the complex article. A device including
a complex article including a first component and a second component, the first
and second components being one of individually replaceable and maintainable. The
first component is tagged with a first tag that stores first computer accessible
information including a first identifier identifying the first component and first
maintenance information describing maintenance of the first component. The second
component is tagged with a second tag that stores second computer accessible information
including a second identifier identifying the second component and second maintenance
information describing maintenance of the second component.