Patent ID: 9076110
Filing Date: 2015-07-07
Classification: G06F,G06Q

Abstract:
1. A system for improving resource usage in a print shop, the system comprising: a plurality of resources in a print shop, wherein the resources comprise one or more of the following: a printer, a collator, a cutter, a binder, an inserter, a shrink wrapping device of a postage meter; and a workflow management system comprising a processor and a processor-readable storage medium in communication with the processor, wherein the processor readable storage medium comprises one or more programming instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to: receive a plurality of first type print jobs for processing at the print shop, determine a cost per item for processing the plurality of first type print jobs based on economic data associated with the plurality of first type print jobs, determine whether the cost per item will be reduced by adding a second type print job to the plurality of first type print jobs or removing a first type print job from the plurality of first type print jobs, and determine a set of the resources to be used to process each remaining first type print job and a sequence in which the determined resources will be used to process each remaining first type print job, and direct the determined resources in the print shop to process each remaining first type print job.