Pooling (resource management)

In resource management, pooling is the grouping together of resources (assets, equipment, personnel, effort, etc.) for the purposes of maximizing advantage or minimizing risk to the users. The term is used in finance, computing and equipment management.
Finance.
Pooling is the grouping together of assets, and related strategies for minimizing risk. Debt instruments with similar characteristics, such as mortgages, can be pooled into a new security, for example:
Computing.
Pooling IT (equipment and staff) resources involves virtualization of typical IT stacks server, storage and networking (but also on the level of datacenter power and cooling). Users benefit from lower individual investments since resources are shared. Although shared infrastructures have huge benefits potential issues on the environment have impact on the complete environment. A thorough analysis of the infrastructure is recommended to identify potential single point of failure (SPOF). One may opt for 'private' instances (private clouds) for specific needs or for specific reasons. On the level of resource pooling, bigger suppliers tend to have the benefit of being able to provide shared support environments with round the clock service. Do you prefer access to a service desk round the clock with potential less expertise or do you want to rely on a single support engineer (who is 'on duty' during off peak hours)"
The resource management concepts of pooling can easily be abstracted and virtualized:
Equipment.
Pooling of equipment is used to maintain "ready for use" equipment while damaged or dirty equipment is repaired and cleaned, by replacing it with an identical piece of equipment from the pool.
Airlines.
In the aviation industry pooling is set-up by IATP: from 1948 it support the Airlines operation at Worldwide level. 
The International Airlines Technical Pool (IATP) is a convention of airlines made up of over 100 member airlines. In the spirit of co-operation, members of the aviation industry gather twice yearly to discuss sharing of resources, reducing costs, while improving operating efficiency. Under its auspices, members share aircraft recovery kits, aircraft parts and tooling, ground handling equipment and manpower/facilities.
Within its 59 year history promoting unparalleled safety in the skies, this association has not only contributed immensely to the aviation industry as we know it today, but has also forged strong bonds between airlines around the world. Competing airlines are united in the technical field. This bond, which began in 1948, was originally based solely on a gentlemen's agreement. With the dawn of the 21st Century propelling IATP forward, its mission to provide excellent technical performance in aircraft operations is unmatched due to the high degree of mutual assistance from all member airlines.
IATP governance is assured by a Board of Directors.
Automotive.
Carpooling