Patent ID: 7859692
Filing Date: 2010-12-28
Classification: G06Q

Abstract:
1. A system for forming a print shop configuration for a first print shop, the print shop configuration being capable of processing print jobs, comprising: (A) a first set of multiple pieces of equipment, wherein the first set of multiple pieces of equipment is compiled from a second set of multiple pieces of equipment and a third set of multiple pieces of equipment, the second set of multiple pieces of equipment having been corresponded with the first print shop prior to said compilation, wherein the third set of equipment corresponds with a second print shop and wherein the first set of equipment corresponds with a newly configured print shop or is distributed among at least two print shops, and wherein the compilation is performed by a processor; (B) a set of multiple print shop cells to be used in forming the print shop configuration; (C) a memory, wherein a value corresponding with the multiple print shop cells to be used in forming the print shop configuration is stored in said memory, and wherein each cell includes at least one piece of equipment from the first set of multiple pieces of equipment; and (D) a print shop configuration development manager communicating with said memory and including an application, said print shop configuration development manager and said application functioning cooperatively to (1) generate a list of at least some of all possible print shop configurations that could be formed with the total number of cells and at least some of the pieces of equipment from one or both of the second set of multiple pieces of equipment and the third set of multiple pieces of equipment, and (2) use a criterion to select, from the list of possible print shop configurations, the print shop configuration with the first set of multiple pieces of equipment,