Printing and finishing capability for customized document production system and method

A method of producing a customized document with a printing and finishing system includes registering a capability of the printing and finishing system, designing at least one intelligent template for the customized document based on the capability of the printing and finishing system, customizing the at least one intelligent template based on the capability of the printing and finishing system, including creating an intelligent document, and producing the customized document with the printing and finishing system based on the intelligent document.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is related to Non-Provisional U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/093,627, entitled “POINT-OF-NEED DOCUMENT PRODUCTION SYSTEM AND METHOD”, filed on even date herewith, assigned to the assignee of the present invention, and incorporated herein by reference; Non-Provisional U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/096,122, entitled “CUSTOMIZED DOCUMENT PRODUCTION SYSTEM AND METHOD”, filed on even date herewith, assigned to the assignee of the present invention, and incorporated herein by reference; and Non-Provisional U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/094,062, entitled “ADMINISTRATION OF CUSTOMIZED DOCUMENT PRODUCTION SYSTEM AND METHOD”, filed on even date herewith, assigned to the assignee of the present invention, and incorporated herein by reference.

THE FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to document production, and more particularly to printing and finishing capability for production of a customized document.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Typically, creation, production, and distribution of customized documents is often logistically complex, lengthy, expensive, and, in many instances, not feasible for small runs. As such, published documents such as marketing material or communications, for example, are created so as to appeal to large audiences of customers, produced in high volume runs for economies of scale, and widely distributed for ease of dissemination. Such approach, however, results in marketing material or communications which are often too general and/or untargeted for specific customers. For example, while only certain portions or sections of the marketing material or communication may be relevant to a customer, the customer must possess the entire document. Unfortunately, a user of the marketing material or communication, such as a sales representative interacting with the customer, is unable to customize and/or personalize the marketing material or communication for the customer.

According, a need exists for producing customized and/or personalized documents for a user and/or a customer at a point-of-need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention provides a method of producing a customized document with a printing and finishing system. The method includes registering a capability of the printing and finishing system, designing at least one intelligent template for the customized document based on the capability of the printing and finishing system, customizing the at least one intelligent template based on the capability of the printing and finishing system, including creating an intelligent document, and producing the customized document with the printing and finishing system based on the intelligent document.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A document production system according to the present invention is illustrated generally at10inFIG. 1. Document production system10facilitates design of one or more intelligent templates12, creation of an intelligent document14based on one of the intelligent templates12, and production of a customized and/or personalized document16from intelligent document14, as described in detail below. For clarity, intelligent template12and intelligent document14are referred to, hereinafter, as i-template12and i-doc14, respectively.

In one exemplary embodiment, document production system10includes an intelligent template design module20, an intelligent template enablement module30, an intelligent document creation module40, and a document production module50. Intelligent template design module20facilitates design of i-template12and intelligent template enablement module30enables use of itemplate12. As such, intelligent document creation module40facilitates retrieval of i-template12from intelligent template enablement module30and creation of i-doc14based on i-template12. Thus, document production module50produces customized/personalized document16based on i-doc14. For clarity, intelligent template design module20, intelligent template enablement module30, and intelligent document creation module40are referred to, hereinafter, as i-template design module20, i-template enablement module30, and i-document creation module40, respectively.

In one exemplary embodiment, a designer60interacts with i-template design module20to design one or more i-templates12. As such, i-templates12are enabled so as to be available for use by, for example, a user62of document production system10to create i-doc14which, in turn, is used to create customized/personalized document16, as described in detail below. To enable use of i-templates12by user62, i-templates12are registered with i-template enablement module30. As such, i-template enablement module30enables use of i-templates12by managing and maintaining i-templates12and forwarding i-templates12to i-document creation module40, as described in detail below. Thus, i-template design module20facilitates design of one or more i-templates12for customized/personalized document16.

In one exemplary embodiment, user62interacts with i-document creation module40to create i-doc14on behalf of and/or for a customer64requesting or desiring customized/personalized document16. It is, however, within the scope of the present invention for customer64to directly interact with i-document creation module40to create i-doc14.

Based on i-doc14, document production module50produces customized/personalized document16for user62and/or customer64. More specifically, document production module50produces a hard copy and/or an electronic copy of customized/personalized document16, as described in detail below.

In one exemplary embodiment, creation of i-doc14and production of customized/personalized document16are performed from and/or at a point-of-need, as defined by dashed line18. The point-of-need is defined, for example, as a location where customized/personalized document16is required. The point-of-need, therefore, includes, for example, a location of user62and/or a location of customer64. As such, i-document creation module40and document production module50are located at the point-of-need.

In one exemplary embodiment, i-template enablement module30and idocument creation module40communicate with each other via a communication network70. Communication network70, as used herein, is defined to include a local-area network (LAN) and/or a wide-area network (WAN). Communication network70, therefore, may include an intranet communication network, an Internet communication network, or a similar high-speed communication network including a wireless communication network.

In one exemplary embodiment, i-template enablement module30and i-document creation module40including, for example, the point-of-need are located remote from each other (i.e., at different locations). Thus, communications between i-template enablement module30and i-document creation module40are conducted over communication network70. It is, however, within the scope of the present invention for i-template enablement module30and i-document creation module40to be located at the same location. Thus, i-template enablement module30and i-document creation module40may communicate in other manners (e.g., a direct connection or communication link).

Components of document production system10, including i-template design module20, i-template enablement module30, i-document creation module40, and/or document production module50, can be implemented in hardware via a microprocessor, programmable logic device, or state machine, in firmware, or in software within a given device. In one exemplary embodiment, at least a portion of software programming for document production system10is written in JAVA programming language and each of the main components including, more specifically, i-template enablement module30and i-document creation module40communicate via communication network70using a communication bus protocol. For example, the present invention may or may not use a TCP/IP protocol suite for data transport. Other programming languages and communication bus protocols suitable for use with the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art after reading the present application.

As illustrated inFIG. 2, designer60interacts with i-template design module20via a computer61. Computer61may include, for example, an input device such as a keyboard and/or a mouse, and a display device such as a monitor, as is well known in the art. In addition, computer61may be an appliance such as a personal digital assistant (PDA), cellular phone, etc.

In one exemplary embodiment, computer61runs an operating system which can support one or more applications. The operating system is stored in memory and executes on a processor. The operating system is preferably a multi-tasking operating system which allows simultaneous execution of multiple applications, although aspects of the present invention may be implemented using a single-tasking operating system.

Designer60interacts with a user interface21of i-template design module20via computer61to create and/or design i-template12for customized/personalized document16and register i-template12with i-template enablement module30. In one exemplary embodiment, i-template design module20includes an i-template design tool22and a conversion tool23. I-template design tool22includes, for example, an i-template creation wizard which facilitates creation of i-template12by guiding designer60through the steps of designing i-template12.

I-template design tool22communicates with a raw template database24which maintains a plurality of raw templates25for use by designer60during the creation of i-template12. Examples of raw template database24include non-volatile memory (e.g., a hard disk drive or other persistent storage device) and may include volatile memory (e.g., random access memory (RAM)). Another example of raw template database24includes a relational database management server (RDBMS).

In one exemplary embodiment, i-template design module20also includes a proofing system27and an authorization system28. With proofing system27, designer60can review and proof i-template12, including soft and/or hard proofing of i-template12. At authorization system28, i-template12is reviewed and approved or authorized for use by, for example, designer60and/or management of document production system10.

In one exemplary embodiment, to manage and maintain i-template12, i-template enablement module30includes a file management system32and an i-template database34. File management system32provides file management services for i-template12, such as security and revision control, as well as access to i-template database34. I-template database34maintains or stores a plurality of i-templates12as designed by i-template design module20. Examples of i-template database34include non-volatile memory (e.g., a hard disk drive or other persistent storage device) and may include volatile memory (e.g., random access memory (RAM)). Another example of i-template database34includes a relational database management server (RDBMS).

As illustrated inFIG. 3, user62interacts with i-document creation module40via a computer63. Computer63may include, for example, an input device such as a keyboard and/or a mouse, and a display device such as a monitor, as is well known in the art. In addition, computer61may be an appliance such as a personal digital assistant (PDA), cellular phone, etc.

In one exemplary embodiment, computer63runs an operating system which can support one or more applications. The operating system is stored in memory and executes on a processor. The operating system is preferably a multi-tasking operating system which allows simultaneous execution of multiple applications, although aspects of the present invention may be implemented using a single-tasking operating system.

With document customization/personalization tool43, user62customizes and/or personalizes i-template12to create i-doc14. In one exemplary embodiment, user62customizes and/or personalizes i-template12based on customer data65of customer64. User62collects customer data65from customer64at, for example, the point-of-need. Collection of customer data65by user62includes submission of customer data65by customer64to user62. Customer data65includes, for example, identification of customer64, input of customer64, a specification of customer64, and/or a selection by customer64. User62may also customize and/or personalize i-template12by selecting and/or excluding a specific portion or portions of i-template12.

In one exemplary embodiment, customer data65and other data for creating i-doc14form variable data45for i-doc14. Variable data45includes, for example, text, an image, and/or a calculation for i-doc14. As such, document customization/personalization tool43merges variable data45, including customer data65, with i-template12to create i-doc14.

Variable data45, including customer data65, is stored or maintained, for example, by a variable data database46. Examples of variable data database46include non-volatile memory (e.g., a hard disk drive or other persistent storage device) and may include volatile memory (e.g., random access memory (RAM)). Another example of variable data database46includes a relational database management server (RDBMS).

In one exemplary embodiment, document customization/personalization tool43automatically modifies a format of i-template12for creation of i-doc14. Document customization/personalization tool43modifies, for example, a page layout of i-template12and/or a font of i-template12. Document customization/personalization tool43modifies the page layout of i-template12by modifying, for example, one or more margins of i-template12, paragraph justification of i-template12, hyphenation of i-template12, and/or orientation of i-template12. Document customization/personalization tool43modifies the font of i-template12by modifying, for example, a font size of i-template12, a font style of i-template12, a font type of i-template12, and/or font properties of i-template12. In addition, document customization/personalization tool43modifies variable data45of i-doc14. Document customization/personalization tool43modifies, for example, size, resolution, and/or orientation of an image for i-doc14.

In one exemplary embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 4, i-template12includes one or more variable data fields13. As such, i-doc14is customized and/or personalized by filling variable data fields13with variable data45, such as customer data65. More specifically, i-document creation module40merges variable data45, including customer data65, with i-template12to create i-doc14. Preferably, i-document creation module40automatically adjusts variable data fields13to accommodate variable data45and/or customer data65.

Returning toFIG. 3, based on i-doc14, document production module50produces customized/personalized document16. More specifically, document production module50produces a printed or hard copy of customized/personalized document16and/or an electronic copy of customized/personalized document16. To produce a hard copy of customized/personalized document16, document production module50includes a printing and finishing system52. In one exemplary embodiment, printing and finishing system52provides, for example, various printing and/or finishing options for customized/personalized document16such as single-sided, double-sided, portrait, landscape, stapled, side-stitched, etc.

InFIG. 5, a flow diagram illustrating one exemplary embodiment of a method of producing customized/personalized document16according to the present invention is illustrated generally at100. Reference is also made toFIGS. 1-4.

At step110, one or more i-templates12for customized/personalized document16are designed. In one exemplary embodiment, i-template12is designed, for example, by designer60via i-template design module20. As such, i-template12is designed by using i-template design tool22or conversion tool23of i-template design module20, as described above with reference toFIG. 2.

At step120, i-template12, as designed, for example, with i-template design module20, is enabled for use. More specifically, i-template12is made available electronically or e-enabled by i-template enablement module30, as described above with reference toFIG. 2.

At step140, i-template12is customized and/or personalized to create i-doc14. In one exemplary embodiment, i-template12is customized by modifying a format of i-template12such as a page layout and/or a font of i-template12. I-template12is modified, for example, by i-document creation module40, as described above with reference toFIG. 3.

At step150, i-template12is further customized and/or personalized by merging variable data45such as text, an image, and/or a calculation with i-template12to create i-doc14. In one exemplary embodiment, i-template12is modified to accommodate variable data45. As such, modifying the format of i-template12includes, for example, modifying a size, resolution, and/or orientation of the image merged with i-template12to create i-doc14.

At step160, a hard copy and/or an electronic copy of customized/personalized document16is produced based on i-doc14. A hard copy of customized/personalized document16is produced, for example, by printing and finishing system52of document production module50.

In one exemplary embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 6, enabling use of i-template12in step120includes registering of i-template12, as indicated in step122, and maintaining a database including i-template12, as indicated in step124. I-template12is enabled and maintained by file management system32and i-template database34of i-template enablement module30, as described above.

In one exemplary embodiment, steps110-160, including steps122-124, of method100are performed via computer-executable instructions of a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable medium, as used herein, is defined to include any kind of computer memory such as a floppy disk, conventional hard disk, CD-ROM, Flash ROM, non-volatile ROM, RAM, etc.

InFIG. 7, a flow diagram illustrating one exemplary embodiment of a method of producing customized/personalized document16for customer64at the point-of-need according to the present invention is illustrated generally at200. Reference is also made toFIGS. 1-4. As described above, production of customized/personalized document16for customer64may be initiated by user62on behalf of customer64as well as directly by customer64.

At step220, customer data65of customer64is merged with i-template12to create i-doc14. Customer data65is merged with i-template12by, for example, document customization/personalization tool43of i-document creation module40. In one exemplary embodiment, customer data65is merged with i-template12by filling variable data fields13of i-template12, as described above and illustrated, for example, inFIG. 4.

At step230, customized/personalized document16for customer64is produced at the point-of-need based on i-doc14. More specifically, a hard copy and/or an electronic copy of customized/personalized document16is produced by document production module50, as described above with reference toFIG. 3.

In one exemplary embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 8, producing customized/personalized document16for customer64in method200includes collecting customer data65from customer64at the point-of-need, as indicated in step215. As such, customer data65collected at the point-of-need is merged with i-template12in step220to create i-doc14. In one exemplary embodiment, customer data65, as a form of variable data45, is stored in variable data database46.

In one exemplary embodiment, steps210-230, including step215, of method200are performed via computer-executable instructions of a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable medium, as used herein, is defined to include any kind of computer memory such as a floppy disk, conventional hard disk, CD-ROM, Flash ROM, non-volatile ROM, RAM, etc.

In one illustrative embodiment, document production system10is used by user62to create customized and/or personalized marketing material or communication for customer64. As such, user62includes, for example, a sales representative interacting with customer64. Thus, the sales representative selects i-template12, as designed, for example, by designer60associated with the sales representative, and customizes and/or personalizes i-template12to create customized/personalized document16for customer64.

The sales representative customizes and/or personalizes i-template12by collecting and merging customer data65of customer64and/or other variable data45with i-template12via document customization/personalization tool43. As such, i-doc14is created by i-document creation module40with interaction by the sales representative. Thus, customized/personalized document16is produced for customer64at the point-of-need based on i-doc14.

System Administration

In one exemplary embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 9, document production system10includes an administration module80. Administration module80monitors and/or manages operation and/or activities of document production system10including, more specifically, i-template design module20, i-template enablement module30, i-document creation module40, and/or document production module50, as described in detail below.

Similar to that described above with reference to i-template design module20, i-template enablement module30, i-document creation module40, and/or document production module50, administration module80can be implemented in hardware via a microprocessor, programmable logic device, or state machine, in firmware, or in software within a given device. In addition, i-document creation module40and/or document production module50communicate with administration module80via communication network70using a communication bus protocol.

As illustrated inFIG. 10, administration module80monitors design and enablement of i-template12, retrieval and customization of i-template12, and/or production of customized/personalized document16. More specifically, at i-template design module20, administration module80monitors time and/or cost to design i-template12(FIG. 2). At i-template enablement module30, administration module80monitors, for example, support for maintaining i-template12and/or cost to enable i-template12(FIG. 2). At i-document creation module40, administration module80monitors, for example, frequency of retrieval of i-template12, location from which i-template12is retrieved, and/or an extent of customization of i-template12(FIG. 3). At document production module50, administration module80monitors consumables data, cost data, production data, and/or operational data for producing customized/personalized document16(FIG. 3). In one exemplary embodiment, administration module80monitors i-document creation module40and document production module50via communication network70. As such, monitored data of i-document creation module40and document production module50is communicated with administration module80via communication network70.

Consumables data monitored at document production module50includes, for example, print media level and/or print media usage of document production module50, such as paper, marking material level and/or marking material usage of document production module50, such as toner or ink, and/or finishing supplies usage of document production module50, such as staples, stitching, or bindings. Cost data monitored at document production module50includes, for example, equipment, material, and/or distribution costs of document production module50. Production data monitored at document production module50includes, for example, a status of producing customized/personalized document16, including time to produce customized/personalized document16, and/or a number of pages processed by document production module50, including a number of pages of customized/personalized document16. Operational data monitored at document production module50includes, for example, availability of document production module50to produce customized/personalized document16and/or turnaround or lead time of document production module50to produce customized/personalized document16.

In one exemplary embodiment, to monitor and manage document production system10, administration module80includes an administration management system82and an administration database84. Administration management system82receives and processes monitored information and/or data for document production system10. As such, administration database84stores monitored and/or processed information and/or data of document production system10. Examples of administration database84include non-volatile memory (e.g., a hard disk drive or other persistent storage device) and may include volatile memory (e.g., random access memory (RAM)). Another example of administration database84includes a relational database management server (RDBMS).

In one exemplary embodiment, administration module80manages document production system10based on monitored information and/or data. For example, based on consumables data of document production module50, administration module80maintains a consumables supply for producing customized/personalized document16. As such, administration module80forecasts a consumables supply for document production module50and replenishes the consumables supply as necessary. In addition, based on production and/or operational data of document production module50, administration module80distributes production of customized/personalized document16between or among different document production modules50, as described below.

In one exemplary embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 11, a capability54of printing and finishing system52(FIG. 3) of document production module50is registered with administration module80. In addition, capability54is registered or communicated with i-document creation module40. Capability54identifies printing and finishing attributes and/or options of printing and finishing system52, as described below. Preferably, capability54of printing and finishing system52is communicated with i-template design module20and/or i-template enablement module30via administration module80. In one exemplary embodiment, capability54is registered with administration module80via communication network70and communicated with i-template design module20and i-template enablement module30from administration module80, and registered or communicated with i-document creation module40directly from document production module50.

With capability54of printing and finishing system52communicated with i-template design module20, i-template enablement module30, and i-document creation module40, i-template12is designed, enabled, retrieved, and/or customized based on capability54. For example, design of i-template12is based on capability54of printing and finishing system52by including or identifying one or more options of printing and finishing system52with i-template12. For example, enablement of i-template12is based on capability54of printing and finishing system52by limiting i-template12for use with printing and finishing system52. For example, retrieval of i-template12is based on capability54of printing and finishing system52by selecting i-template12as specified for printing and finishing system52. For example, customization of i-template12is based on capability54of printing and finishing system52by selecting one or more options of printing and finishing system52from i-template12.

In one exemplary embodiment, administration management system82of administration module80receives and transfers capability54of printing and finishing system52to administration database84. As such, administration database84stores capability54of printing and finishing system52for subsequent retrieval and processing. More specifically, when administration management system82receives capability54from printing and finishing system52, capability54is stored as a data file in administration database84. Administration management system82, therefore, subsequently retrieves capability54from administration database84for processing.

In one exemplary embodiment, document production system10utilizes a network management protocol to register capability54of printing and finishing system52with administration module80. An example of a network management protocol suitable for use with document production system10includes a simple network management protocol (SNMP). As an SNMP-compliant device, printing and finishing system52stores data about itself, including, for example, capability54, and returns this data to administration module80, as an SNMP requester, when requested by administration module80. Another example of a network management protocol suitable for use with document production system10includes a remote monitoring (RMON) network management protocol.

In another exemplary embodiment, document production system10utilizes cookies to register capability54of printing and finishing system52with administration module80. More specifically, administration module80gathers information specifying capability54from document production module50and stores the information as cookies on document production module50such that when document production module50communicates with administration module80, document production module50sends the information to administration module80. Thus, capability54of printing and finishing system52is stored at printing and finishing system52.

In one exemplary embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 12, capability54of printing and finishing system52includes a plurality of capability attributes56which define characteristics of printing and finishing system52. Capability attributes56include, for example, a printing and finishing system identification attribute561, a print medium sizes attribute562, a print medium types attribute563, a printing quality options attribute564, a printing layout options attribute565, a color printing options attribute566, a finishing options attribute567, a printing speed attribute568, and a printer queue attribute569.

Printing and finishing system identification attribute561identifies, for example, a name and a location of printing and finishing system52. Print medium sizes attribute562identifies different sizes of print medium upon which printing and finishing system52is capable of printing. Examples of different print medium sizes include a Letter-size, a Legal-size, and an A4-size of print medium. Print medium types attribute563identifies different types of print medium upon which printing and finishing system52is capable of printing. Examples of different print medium types include Plain Paper, Bond Paper, and Transparencies.

Printing quality options attribute564identifies different printing qualities that printing and finishing system52is capable of printing. An example of printing quality includes different printing resolutions such as 1200 dpi, 600 dpi, 300 dpi, etc. Printing layout options attribute565identifies different printing layouts that printing and finishing system52is capable of printing. Examples of different printing layout options include Portrait and Landscape, and Single-Sided and Double-Sided. Color printing options attribute566identifies different color printing options that printing and finishing system52is capable of printing. Examples of different color printing options include Color Printing, Gray Scale Printing, and Monochrome Printing.

Finishing options attribute567identifies different finishing options that printing and finishing system52is capable of providing. Examples of different finishing options include Stapled, Bound, Side-Stitched, Three-Hole Punched. Printing speed attribute568identifies a printing speed of printing and finishing system52. Examples of different printing speeds include, for example, 17 pages per minute, 24 pages per minute, and 32 pages per minute. Printer queue attribute569identifies, for example, a wait time for printing at printing and finishing system52and an order of printing at printing and finishing system52.

It is understood that additional print medium sizes, print medium types, printing quality options, printing layout options, color printing options, finishing options, and printing speeds, as are well known in the art, may be identified with print medium sizes attribute562, print medium types attribute563, printing quality options attribute564, print layout options attribute565, color printing options attribute566, finishing options attribute567, and printing speed attribute568, respectively.

In one exemplary embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 13, document production system10is available from multiple points-of-need. As such, document production system10includes, for example, an i-document creation module40aand a document production module50alocated at a point-of-need18a, an i-document creation module40band a document production module50blocated at a point-of-need18b, an i-document creation module40cand a document production module50clocated at a point-of-need18c, etc. Thus, descriptions of i-document creation module40and document production module50provided above are also applicable to i-document creation modules40a,40b,40cand document production modules50a,50b,50c, respectively. Accordingly, the same and/or multiple users62(FIG. 3) can create one or more customized/personalized documents16at various points-of-need.

In one exemplary embodiment, administration module80monitors and manages i-document creation modules40a,40b,40cand document production modules50a,50b,50cof the respective points-of-need18a,18b,18cand has capability54of respective printing and finishing systems52of document production modules50a,50b,50cregistered therewith. As such, administration module80monitors consumables data, cost data, production data, and/or operational data of document production modules50a,50b,50c. Thus, administration module80can distribute production of customized/personalized document16among and/or to different document production modules50a,50b,50cprovided at different points-of-need18a,18b,18c, respectively, and maintain a consumables supply for producing customized/personalized document16at document production modules50a,50b,50c.

InFIG. 14, a flow diagram illustrating another exemplary embodiment of a method of producing customized/personalized document16, including administrating production of customized/personalized document16, according to the present invention is illustrated generally at100′. Reference is also made toFIGS. 1-13.

Method100′, similar to method100, includes steps110-160, as described above with reference toFIG. 5. As such, at steps110and120, one or more i-templates12for customized/personalized document16are designed and enabled for use. In addition, at steps130,140, and150i-template12is retrieved and customized and/or personalized to create i-doc14with variable data45being merged with i-template12and the format of i-template12being modified to accommodate variable data45. Furthermore, at step160, a hard copy and/or an electronic copy of customized/personalized document16is produced based on i-doc14.

Method100′, however, also includes steps170,180, and/or190, as described below. At step170, designing and enabling use of i-template12, retrieving and customizing i-template12, and/or producing customized/personalized document16, as performed in steps110and120, steps130,140, and150, and step160, respectively, is monitored. Monitoring is performed, for example, by administration module80, as described above with reference toFIG. 10. More specifically, administration module80monitors and/or manages operation and/or activities of i-template design module20, i-template enablement module30, i-document creation module40, and/or document production module50. For example, design time and/or design cost of i-template12is monitored at i-template design module20, support for and/or cost of enabling i-template12is monitored at i-template enablement module30, retrieval frequency and/or retrieval location for i-template12and/or extent of customization of i-template12is monitored at i-document creation module50, and/or consumables data, cost data, production data, and/or operational data for producing customized/personalized document16is monitored at document production module50.

At step180, production of customized/personalized document16is distributed based on an availability of document production module50to produce customized/personalized document16. More specifically, when multiple document production modules such as document production modules50a,50b,50care available, administration module80can distribute production of customized/personalized document16between document production modules50. For example, if user62interacts with i-document creation module40aassociated with document production module50ato create customized/personalized document16and document production module50ais unavailable, administration module80can distribute production of customized/personalized document16to document production module50band/or document production module50c. Administration module80can distribute production of customized/personalized document16based, for example, on a location of document production module50and/or capability54of printing and finishing system52of document production module50to produce customized/personalized document16.

At step190, a consumables supply for producing customized/personalized document16is maintained. More specifically, consumables for producing customized/personalized document16, such as print media, marking material, and/or finishing supplies for printing and finishing system52of document production module50are maintained by administration module80. In one exemplary embodiment, administration module80predicts or forecasts the consumables supply for document production module50, including the consumables supply for producing customized/personalized document16, and automatically reorders or replenishes the consumables supply for document production module50.

In one exemplary embodiment, steps170-190of method100′ are performed via computer-executable instructions of a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable medium, as used herein, is defined to include any kind of computer memory such as a floppy disk, conventional hard disk, CD-ROM, Flash ROM, non-volatile ROM, RAM, etc.

InFIG. 15, a flow diagram illustrating another exemplary embodiment of a method of producing customized/personalized document16, including registering capability54of printing and finishing system52, according to the present invention is illustrated generally at300. Reference is also made toFIGS. 1-14.

At step310, capability54of printing and finishing system52is registered. More specifically, capability54of printing and finishing system52of document production module50is communicated with i-template design module20, i-template enablement module30, and/or i-document creation module40. In one exemplary embodiment, capability54is registered with administration module80via communication network70, and communicated with i-template design module20and i-template enablement module30via administration module80, as illustrated and described above with reference toFIG. 11.

At step320, one or more i-templates12for customized/personalized document16are designed based on capability54of printing and finishing system52. I-template12is designed based on capability54by, for example, considering capability54and including or identifying one or more options of printing and finishing system52with i-template12.

At step330, i-template12is enabled for use based on capability54of printing and finishing system52. I-template12is enabled for use based on capability54by, for example, limiting i-template12for use with printing and finishing system52.

At step340, i-template12for customized/personalized document16is retrieved based on capability54of printing and finishing system52. I-template12is retrieved based on capability54by, for example, selecting i-template12as specified for printing and finishing system52.

At step350, i-template12is customized based on capability54of printing and finishing system52and i-doc14is created. I-template12is customized based on capability54by, for example, selecting one or more options of printing and finishing system52from i-template12.

At step360, a hard copy and/or an electronic copy of customized/personalized document16is produced based on i-doc14. A hard copy of customized/personalized document16is produced, for example, by printing and finishing system52of document production module50.

In one exemplary embodiment, steps310-360of method300are performed via computer-executable instructions of a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable medium, as used herein, is defined to include any kind of computer memory such as a floppy disk, conventional hard disk, CD-ROM, Flash ROM, non-volatile ROM, RAM, etc.

By including administration module80in document production system10, operations and/or activities of document production system10including, more specifically, i-template design module20, i-template enablement module30, i-document creation module40, and/or document production module50, can be monitored and/or managed. For example, expense tracking, consumables forecasting, automatic consumables re-ordering, and/or reporting can be performed by administration module80.