The total cost of ownership (TCO), was developed over 20 years ago in the United States, and has since been used by many companies. Considering TCO helps to understand better the costs over and above the purchase price and also – when suppliers have differing offers – to compare them and ultimately to substantiate the investment decision. What is critical here is that the method is oriented in each case to the circumstances of the industry and the company. This also applies to the field of dynamic checkweighers.