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Total Cost Of Ownership

By F. John Reh, About.com

Definition: Total Cost of Ownership, usually abbreviated as TCO, is a calculation designed to help people make more informed financial decisions. Rather than just looking at the purchase price of an object, TCO looks at the complete cost from purchase to disposal.

See more at Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)

Also Known As: TCO
Examples: A less expensive asset that requires high maintenance and support may have a higher total cost of ownership than a more expensive asset that doesn't need as much support.
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