Method of creating a comprehensive manufacturing, shipping and location history for pipe joints

A method of determining the number of a plurality of pipe joints that can be shipped on a transportation means without exceeding a predetermined weight by use of a bar code reader coupled to a computer, said method comprising the steps of:

• (a) determining a weight for one of said plurality of pipe joints;
• (b) creating a bar code label for said one of said plurality of pipe joints, said bar code label containing at least said weight of said one of said plurality of pipe joints;
• (c) attaching said bar code label to said one of said plurality of pipe joints;
• (d) repeating steps (a) through (c) for each of said plurality of pipe joints;
• (e) entering said predetermined weight for said transportation means in said computer;
• (f) scanning said bar code for one of said plurality of pipe joints which is capable of being shipped on said transportation means with said bar code reader;
• (g) calculating a shipment weight in said computer, said shipment weight being the summation of said weights of said plurality of pipe joints scanned by said bar code scanner;
• (h) comparing said shipment weight to said predetermined weight;
• and
• (i) repeating steps (f) through (h) for each of said plurality of pipe joints until said shipment weight exceeds said predetermined weight.