Internet print managing system and method with print services statistical analysis

A system and method of managing print services provided by a print provider includes defining a network communication link between the print provider and a print managing system controller having the print services provided by the print provider registered therewith. The print managing system controller collects data related to the print services provided by the print provider and analyzes the data related to the print services provided by the print provider.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is related to Non-Provisional U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/685,847, entitled “INTERNET PRINT MANAGING SYSTEM AND METHOD WITH PRINT JOB DISTRIBUTION”, filed on Oct. 10, 2000, assigned to the assignee of the present invention, and incorporated herein by reference; Non-Provisional U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/685,496, entitled “INTERNET PRINT MANAGING SYSTEM AND METHOD WITH PRINT SERVICES COST ACCOUNTING”, filed on Oct. 10, 2000, assigned to the assignee of the present invention, and incorporated herein by reference; Non-Provisional U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/686,848, entitled “INTERNET PRINT MANAGING SYSTEM AND METHOD WITH PRINT SERVICES CONSUMABLES MANAGEMENT”, filed on Oct. 10, 2000, assigned to the assignee of the present invention, and incorporated herein by reference; and Non-Provisional U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/685,396, entitled “INTERNET PRINT MANAGING SYSTEM AND METHOD WITH PRINT SERVICES HARDWARE/SOFTWARE UPGRADE MANAGEMENT”, filed on Oct. 10, 2000, assigned to the assignee of the present invention, and incorporated herein by reference.

THE FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to print services and, more particularly, to an Internet system and method of managing print services offered by a print provider, including print services statistical analysis.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Typically, management of print services offered by a print provider is conducted by a person or persons deemed knowledgeable of the print services offered by the print provider. More specifically, the person or persons managing the print services of the print provider is charged with understanding the capabilities and/or limitations of the print services offered by the print provider, including equipment, materials, labor, and other resources of the print provider. In addition, the person or persons managing the print services of the print provider must also recognize the demands of print jobs presented to the print provider.

To ensure efficient, profitable, and competitive operation of the print services of the print provider, the person managing the print services of the print provider must monitor and analyze financial and production information of the print services. Typically, the person managing the print services of the print provider must manually collect and analyze a vast quantity of data to be able to monitor and analyze key performance indicators of the print services, including financial and production aspects of the print services. Unfortunately, manually collecting and analyzing such a vast quantity of data is often a tedious and demanding task. Personal management of the print services of the print provider, therefore, may be inefficient and unproductive.

Accordingly, a need exists for automatically managing print services of a print provider such that the print services offered by the print provider are efficient, profitable, and competitive. More particularly, a need exists for efficiently monitoring, analyzing, and reporting key performance indicators of financial and production information of the print services.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention provides a method of managing print services provided by a print provider. The method includes defining a print managing system controller having the print services provided by the print provider registered therewith, defining a network communication link between the print provider and the print managing system controller, collecting data related to the print services provided by the print provider with the print managing system controller, and analyzing the data related to the print services provided by the print provider.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a system for managing print services provided by a print provider. The system includes a print managing system controller configured to have the print services provided by the print provider registered therewith. As such, the print managing system controller is adapted to collect data related to the print services provided by the print provider and analyze the data related to the print services provided by the print provider.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a system and method of managing print services offered by a print provider. The system and method utilizes a network communication link between the print provider, a system administrator, and a controller of the system to automatically collect data and report statistics of the print services to the print provider and/or the system administrator.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

An Internet print managing system according to the present invention is illustrated generally at10inFIG. 1. Print managing system10automatically manages print services12offered by a print provider14. In one exemplary embodiment, print managing system10automatically performs statistical analysis for print services12of print provider14. Print managing system10, for example, collects and analyzes data associated with providing print services12. Print services statistical analysis according to the present invention is described in detail later in the application.

In one exemplary embodiment, print managing system10automatically distributes a print job16a,16b,16ccreated or specified by a customer18a,18b,18cto at least one print provider14a,14b,14coffering print services12a,12b,12c, respectively. For clarity, print services12a,12b,12c, print provider14a,14b,14c, print job16a,16b,16c, and customer18a,18b,18care referred to hereinafter as print services12, print provider14, print job16, and customer18, respectively. As such, print provider14may be one of a plurality of print providers20each providing separate print services12. Customer18may be one of a plurality of customers22each having a separate print job16.

Print services12, as used herein, is defined to include printing services, finishing services, delivery services, and/or other print processing services including, for example, data conversion services. Print provider14, as used herein, is defined to include an entity or entities offering, providing, and/or assisting in printing services, finishing services, delivery services, and/or other print processing services. Print job16, as used herein, is defined to include a piece of work requiring production and/or reproduction of printed matter.

Customer18, as used herein, is defined to include an entity or entities such as a consumer, an employee, or another print provider requesting or soliciting printing services, finishing services, delivery services, and/or other print processing services.

In one exemplary embodiment, print managing system10includes a print provider interface24, a customer interface26, and a print managing system controller28. Print provider interface24, customer interface26, and print managing system controller28communicate with each other via a network communication link30. Network communication link30, as used herein, is defined to include an Internet communication link, an Intranet communication link, or similar high-speed communication link. In one preferred embodiment, network communication link30includes an Internet communication link32. While the following description only refers to Internet communication link32, it is understood that the use of other network communication links is within the scope of the present invention.

In one exemplary embodiment, print providers20, customers22, and print managing system controller28are all located remote from each other (i.e., at different locations). Thus, communications between print providers20and print managing system controller28, communications between customers22and print managing system controller28, and communications between print providers20and customers22are conducted over Internet communication link32. Preferably, customers22communicate with print managing system controller28via Internet communication link32. It is, however, within the scope of the present invention for customers22to communicate with print managing system controller28in other manners (e.g., a direct connection).

Print managing system10, including print managing system controller28, 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 aspect, at least a portion of the software programming is written in JAVA programming language, and each of the main components communicate via Internet communication link32using 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 print managing system10will become apparent to those skilled in the art after reading the present application.

Print managing system controller28includes hardware, software, firmware, or a combination of these. In one preferred embodiment, print managing system controller28includes a computer server or other microprocessor based system capable of performing a sequence of logic operations. In addition, print managing system controller28can include a microprocessor embedded system/appliance incorporating tailored appliance hardware and/or dedicated single purpose hardware.

As illustrated inFIG. 2, print provider14accesses print provider interface24of print managing system10via a computer terminal34. Computer terminal34includes, 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. As such, print provider14interacts with print provider interface24via computer terminal34to register a printing capability36with print managing system controller28via Internet communication link32. Printing capability36identifies attributes of print services12provided by print provider14, as described below.

Print provider14can re-register and/or update printing capability36with print managing system controller28. If, for example, print provider14modifies print services12by adding, deleting, and/or upgrading equipment, components, and/or services, print provider14can re-register printing capability36with print managing system controller28. In addition, if print provider14has excess capacity or, more specifically, the ability to take on additional work, print provider14can update printing capability36in print managing system controller28.

Re-registering and/or updating of printing capability36with print managing system controller28can be performed manually by print provider14and/or automatically by print managing system controller28and the equipment or components being added, deleted, or upgraded. In one exemplary embodiment, print managing system controller28communicates with print provider14via Internet communication link32so as to monitor print services12and, more particularly, printing capability36of print provider14. As such, print managing system controller28recognizes when equipment or components are added, deleted, or upgraded. Thus, printing capability36of print provider14is automatically updated by print managing system controller28when print services12of print provider14are modified or changed. Accordingly, print managing system10includes plug-and-play capabilities.

As illustrated inFIG. 3, customer18accesses customer interface26of print managing system10via a computer terminal38. Computer terminal38includes, 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. As such, customer18interacts with customer interface26via computer terminal38to generate a job ticket40for print job16and submit job ticket40to print managing system controller28via Internet communication link32. Job ticket40identifies attributes of print job16as specified by customer18. Job ticket40, as used herein, is defined to include a list and/or a description of a piece of work requiring production and/or reproduction of printed matter. One exemplary embodiment of job ticket40is described in detail later in this specification.

Print managing system controller28receives job ticket40from customer18, processes job ticket40, and distributes job ticket40to print provider14. Thus, print services12of print provider14interact with job ticket40to extract information for completing print job16. As such, print provider14completes print job16and delivers completed print job16to customer18. Delivery of completed print job16to customer18from print provider14is represented by dashed line19.

In one exemplary embodiment, a status of print job16is tracked by job ticket40which customer18can access via customer interface26and Internet communication link32and print provider14can access via print provider interface24and Internet communication link32. As such, configuration of job ticket40, including which information is accessible, may be tailored specifically to customer18or print provider14. Customer18and print provider14can interact with job ticket40via computer terminal38and computer terminal34, respectively, or an appliance such as a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA).

Customer18also interacts with customer interface26to register with print managing system10as well as submit billing and shipping information to print managing system10. Registering with print managing system10includes, for example, establishing an account by entering a user name and a user password. Submitting billing and shipping information to print managing system10includes, for example, submitting payment information such as a credit card or other account information and delivery information such as a shipping address.

In one exemplary embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 1, print managing system10includes a print managing data storage system42. Print managing data storage system42constitutes a database of one or more data files for print managing system10. Examples of print managing data storage system42include 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)). Data is transferred to and from print managing data storage system42via print managing system controller28.

In one exemplary embodiment, print managing system controller28communicates with and transfers printing capability36of print providers20to print managing data storage system42. As such, print managing data storage system42stores printing capability36of print providers20for subsequent retrieval and processing. More specifically, when print managing system controller28receives printing capability36from print provider14, printing capability36is stored as a data file in print managing data storage system42. Print managing system controller28, therefore, subsequently retrieves printing capability36from print managing data storage system42for processing.

In one exemplary embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 3, a data file44for print job16is associated with job ticket40. Thus, data file44of print job16is submitted with job ticket40and uploaded to print managing system controller28via Internet communication link32. As such, print managing system controller28stores data file44of print job16in print managing data storage system42for subsequent downloading to print provider14.

When print managing system controller28distributes job ticket40to print provider14, print managing system controller28also distributes data file44to print provider14. Data file44, therefore, is downloaded from print managing data storage system42and distributed to print provider14via Internet communication link32. Thus, print job16, including job ticket40and data file44, is submitted to print provider14through print managing system controller28. It is, however, within the scope of the present invention for data file44to be submitted directly to print provider14from customer18.

In one exemplary embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 4, print managing system controller28redistributes job ticket40when print provider14is unable to fulfill print job16, either wholly or partially. Print provider14may be unable to fulfill print job16if, for example, print provider14underestimated an ability to complete print job16and/or accepted print job16with an intention of subcontracting all or part of print job16to another print provider14. Thus, print provider14can transfer job ticket40and, therefore, print job16to another print provider14.

In one illustrative embodiment, print managing system controller28initially distributes job ticket40to print provider14aoffering print services12a. If, however, print provider14ais unable to complete print job16, either wholly or partially, job ticket40is resubmitted to print managing system controller28. Thus, print managing system controller28reprocesses job ticket40and redistributes job ticket40as a job ticket40′. Job ticket40′ (which may include data file44) is redistributed to another print provider14, such as print provider14boffering print services12b. Print provider14b, therefore, completes, either wholly or partially, print job16.

For print provider14to register printing capability36and customer18to create job ticket40, print provider14interacts with print provider interface24and customer18interacts with customer interface26, respectively. In one exemplary embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 5, a portion of customer interface26includes a plurality of input fields50with which customer18interacts to specify attributes of print job16. As such, customer18interacts with input fields50, via an input device such as a keyboard and/or a mouse of computer terminal38or an appliance such as a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), scanner, camera, etc., to generate job ticket40for print job16.

Input fields50include, for example, a customer identification field51, a file format field52, a print medium size field53a, a print medium type field53b, a number of copies field54, a printing quality option field55, a printing layout field56, a color printing option field57, a finishing option field58, and a delivery option field59. Input fields50each include at least one subfield providing data entry points or representing available options for generating and submitting job ticket40.

Customer identification field51includes, for example, subfields511and512which provide data entry points for a name and an address, respectively, of customer18. File format field52includes, for example, subfields521,522,523which represent different file formats for print job16. Print medium size field53aincludes, for example, subfields531,532,533which represent different sizes of print medium for print job16. Print medium type field53bincludes, for example, subfields534,535,536which represent different types of print medium for print job16. Number of copies field54includes subfield541in which a number of copies included in print job16is specified. Printing quality option field55includes, for example, subfields551,552, and553which represent different printing qualities, including different printing resolutions such as 1200 dpi, 600 dpi, 300 dpi, etc., for print job16. Printing layout field56includes, for example, subfields561,562,563, and564which represent different printing layouts for print job16. Color printing option field57includes, for example, subfields571,572, and573which represent different color printing options for print job16. Finishing option field58includes, for example, subfields581,582,583which represent different finishing options for print job16. Delivery option field59includes, for example, subfields591,592,593which represent different delivery options and turnaround times for print job16.

Additional file formats, print medium sizes, print medium types, printing quality options, printing layouts, color printing options, finishing options, and delivery options, as are well known in the art, may be represented by additional subfields of file format field52, print medium size field53a, print medium type field53b, printing quality option field55, printing layout field56, color printing option field57, finishing option field58, and delivery option field59, respectively. Selecting and/or completing various subfields of input fields50, therefore, identifies attributes of print job16as specified by customer18.

In one illustrative embodiment of customer interface26, subfields521,522, and523of file format field52represent a Portable Document Format (.PDF), a PostScript (.PS) format, and an AutoCAD Interchange File (.DXF) format, respectively. Selecting subfield521, therefore, identifies the file from which print job16is to be printed as a Portable Document Format (.PDF) file. Subfields531,532, and533of print medium size field53arepresent a Letter size, a Legal size, and an A4 size of print medium, respectively. Selecting subfield531, therefore, identifies the size of print medium upon which print job16is to be printed as Letter. Subfields534,535, and536of print medium type field53brepresent a Plain, a Gloss, and a Bond type of print medium, respectively. Selecting subfield534, therefore, identifies the type of print medium upon which print job16is to be printed as Plain. Subfields551,552, and553of printing quality option field55represent a Best, a Faster, and a Custom print quality, respectively. Selecting subfield551, therefore, identifies the Best print quality for print job16. Subfields561,562,563, and564of printing layout field56represent an orientation of print job16including Portrait and Landscape and an imposition of print job16including Single-Sided and Double-Sided, respectively. Selecting subfields561and563, therefore, identifies the orientation and the imposition of print job16as Portrait and Single-Sided, respectively. Subfields571,572, and573of color printing option field57represent Color Printing, Grayscale Printing, and Monochrome Printing, respectively. Selecting subfield571, therefore, identifies Color Printing for print job16. Subfields581,582, and583of finishing option field58represent No Finishing, 3-Hole Finishing, and Staple Finishing, respectively. Selecting subfield581, therefore, identifies no finishing option for print job16. Subfields591,592, and593of delivery option field59represent Pick-up, Standard Delivery, and Express Delivery, respectively. Selecting subfield591, therefore, identifies customer pick-up of print job16.

In one exemplary embodiment, input fields50include specific equipment and/or specific services which customer18can select for print job16. Specific equipment includes, for example, specific printing equipment or finishing equipment. Specific services include, for example, predefined types of print jobs such as business cards, leaflets, posters, etc. As such, specific subfields may be automatically selected and/or completed when customer18selects specific equipment and/or specific services. When customer18selects specific printing equipment, for example, printing quality and color printing options may be automatically selected. When customer18selects a predefined type of print job such as business cards, for example, print medium size and printing layout options may be automatically selected.

In one exemplary embodiment, input of specific input fields50dictates a selection of other input fields50. When customer18selects a specific subfield, for example, additional subfields may appear and/or existing subfields may be unavailable. In addition, when customer18selects a specific subfield, additional subfields may be automatically selected and/or completed. Furthermore, customer18may store preferences of various subfields as common default selections.

In one exemplary embodiment, print provider14may also interact with job ticket40to input comments and/or instructions necessary for fulfilling print job16. As such, specific input fields50are accessible by both customer18and print provider14. Other input fields50, however, are accessible only by customer18or only by print provider14.

In one exemplary embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 6, a portion of print provider interface24includes a plurality of input fields60with which print provider14interacts to specify attributes of print services12. Print provider14interacts with input fields60, via an input device such as a keyboard and/or a mouse of computer terminal34, to register printing capability36. Input fields60include, for example, a print provider identification field61, a file format options field62, a print medium size options field63a, a print medium type options field63b, a printing quality options field64, a printing layout options field65, a color printing options field66, a finishing options field67, and a delivery options field68. Input fields60each include at least one subfield providing data entry points or representing available options for registering printing capability36.

Print provider identification field61includes, for example, subfields611and612which provide data entry points for a name and an address, respectively, of print provider14. File format options field62includes, for example, subfields621,622,623which represent different file formats that print provider14supports and, more specifically, file formats from which print provider14is capable of printing. Print medium size options field63aincludes, for example, subfields631,632,633which represent different sizes of print medium upon which print provider14is capable of printing. Print medium type options field63b, includes, for example, subfields634,635,636which represent different types of print medium upon which print provider14is capable of printing. Print quality options field64includes, for example, subfields641,642, and643which represent different printing qualities that print provider14is capable of offering as print services12. Printing layout options field65includes, for example, subfields651,652,653, and654which represent different printing layouts that print provider14is capable of providing as print services12. Color printing options field66includes, for example, subfields661,662, and663which represent different color printing options that print provider14is capable of offering as print services12. Finishing options field67includes, for example, subfields671,672,673which represent different finishing options that print provider14is capable of providing as printing services12. Delivery options field68includes, for example, subfields681,682,683which represent different delivery options that print provider14is capable of providing as print services12.

Additional file formats, print medium sizes, print medium types, printing quality options, printing layout options, color printing options, finishing options, and delivery options, as are well known in the art, may be represented by additional subfields of file format options field62, print medium size options field63a, print medium type options field63b, printing quality options field64, printing layout options field65, color printing options field66, finishing options field67, and delivery options field68, respectively. Selecting and/or completing various subfields of input fields60, therefore, identifies attributes of print services12as provided by print provider14in a manner similar to how selecting and/or completing various subfields of input fields50identifies attributes of print job16as specified by customer18. Print provider14, however, may select and/or complete multiple subfields within each input field60to specify the different options available with print services12.

In one exemplary embodiment, when print provider14selects a specific subfield, print provider14may also select other subfields per the specific subfield. When print provider14selects a specific print medium type, for example, print provider14may also select various print medium sizes per the specific print medium type. In addition, print provider14may specify or select a range of various subfields for a specific input field60.

It is to be understood thatFIGS. 5 and 6are simplified illustrations of one exemplary embodiment of customer interface26and print provider interface24, respectively. The illustrative presentation of input fields50and60including the respective subfields, for example, has been simplified for clarity of the invention. The subfields may be presented, for example, as open fields, pulldown menus, toggle selections, and/or highlighted or framed selections. In addition, customer interface26and/or print provider interface24may be presented, for example, in one or more screens or views. Furthermore, customer18and/or print provider14may generate job ticket40and register printing capability36by responding to query-based systems or applications. It is understood that such alternatives are within the scope of the present invention.

By interacting with customer interface26and print provider interface24, customer18and print provider14generate job ticket40and register printing capability36, respectively. In one exemplary embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 7, job ticket40includes a plurality of job ticket attributes70which define print job16. Job ticket attributes70include, for example, a customer identification attribute71, a file format attribute72, a print medium size attribute73a, a print medium type attribute73b, a number of copies attribute74, a printing quality option attribute75, a printing layout attribute76, a color printing option attribute77, a finishing option attribute78, and a delivery option attribute79. Job ticket attributes70coincide with selections as specified in input fields50of customer interface26.

Customer identification attribute71includes, for example, the name and the address of customer18as specified in customer identification filed51of customer interface26. File format attribute72includes the format of the file from which print job16is to be printed as specified in file format field52of customer interface26. Print medium size attribute73aincludes the size of medium upon which print job16is to be printed as specified in print medium size field53aof customer interface26. Print medium type attribute73bincludes the type of medium upon which print job16is to be printed as specified in print medium type field53bof customer interface26. Number of copies attribute74includes the number of copies included in print job16as specified in number of copies field54of customer interface26. Printing quality option attribute75includes the printing quality of print job16as specified in printing quality option field55. Printing layout attribute76includes the layout of how print job16is to be printed as specified in printing layout field56of customer interface26. Color printing option attribute77includes whether print job16is to be printed in color as specified in color printing option field57of customer interface26. Finishing option attribute78includes the finish to be applied to print job16as specified in finishing option field58of customer interface26. Delivery option attribute79includes how and within what time frame print job16is to be delivered to customer18as specified in delivery option field59of customer interface26.

In one exemplary embodiment, when data file44of print job16is submitted with job ticket40, print managing system controller28infers or determines a number of job ticket attributes70. Print managing system controller28determines, for example, file format attribute72, print medium size attribute73a, and printing layout attribute76of print job16from data file44. Customer18, therefore, need only enter those job ticket attributes70which are not determined by print managing system controller28. As such, it is not necessary for a customer18to enter all job ticket attributes70.

In one exemplary embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 8, printing capability36includes a plurality of printing capability attributes80which define print services12. Printing capability attributes80, include, for example, a print provider identification attribute81, a file formats attribute82, a print medium sizes attribute83a, a print medium types attribute83b, a printing quality options attribute84, a printing layout options attribute85, a color printing options attribute86, a finishing options attribute87, and a delivery options attribute88. Printing capability attributes80coincide with selections as specified in input fields60of print provider interface24in a manner similar to how job ticket attributes70coincide with selections as specified in input fields50of customer interface26.

InFIG. 9, a flow diagram illustrating one exemplary embodiment of a method of managing print services12of print providers20, including print job distribution according to the present invention, is illustrated generally at 100. Reference is also made toFIGS. 1–8. At step110, at least one print provider14of the plurality of print providers20registers a respective printing capability36for print services12with print managing system controller28and, at step112, customer18generates and submits job ticket40for print job16to print managing system controller28.

In one exemplary embodiment, data file44for print job16is associated with job ticket40and submitted to print managing system controller28in step112. Print providers20register printing capability36with print managing system controller28via print provider interface24and Internet communication link32, as illustrated inFIG. 2and described, and customer18generates and submits job ticket40to print managing system controller28via customer interface26and Internet communication link32, as illustrated inFIG. 3and described above.

Preferably, print providers20register printing capability36at step110before customer18generates and submits job ticket40at step112. It is, however, within the scope of the present invention for print providers20to register printing capability36after customer18generates and submits job ticket40. It is also within the scope of the present invention for print providers20to re-register and/or update printing capability36in print managing system controller28, as described above. In addition, it is also within the scope of the present invention for customer18to re-generate and/or re-submit job ticket40to print managing system controller28.

Next, in step114, after print managing system controller28receives job ticket40, print managing system controller28compares job ticket40of print job16with print services12, including printing capability36, of print providers20to determine if print provider14has print services12to fulfill print job16.

To compare job ticket40with printing capability36, job ticket attributes70of print job16, as specified by customer18, are compared with printing capability attributes80of print services12, as provided by print providers20. Thus, print providers20having printing capability36to fulfill job ticket40and, therefore, complete print job16are determined. Accordingly, only those print providers20which have printing capability36to fulfill job ticket40are identified in step114.

When printing capability36of print providers20is registered with print managing system controller28in step110, print managing system controller28stores printing capability36in print managing data storage system42, as described above. As such, print managing system controller28retrieves printing capability36from print managing data storage system42when comparing job ticket40with printing capability36in step114.

Next, in step116, print managing system controller28distributes job ticket40for print job16to print provider14based on print provider14having printing capability36to fulfill print job16, as determined in step114. In one exemplary embodiment, print managing system controller28also distributes data file44for print job16to print provider14with job ticket40.

Then, in step118, print provider14completes print job16and, in step120, delivers completed print job16to customer18. Delivery of completed print job16to customer18from print provider14is also represented by dashed line19inFIG. 1.

InFIG. 10, a flow diagram illustrating a portion of a method of managing print services12of print providers20is illustrated generally at100′. Method100′ represents another exemplary embodiment of a portion of method100. As such, method100′ includes steps110,112,114, and116of method100as illustrated inFIG. 9and described above.

After print managing system controller28distributes job ticket40to print provider14in step116, method100′ includes step117. In step117, whether print provider14is able to fulfill print job16is assessed. Print provider14a, for example, may be unable to fulfill print job16if, for example, print provider14aunderestimated an ability to complete print job16and/or accepted print job16with an intention of subcontracting all or part of print job16to another print provider14, such as print provider14b.

If print provider14is able to fulfill print job16, steps118and120are performed as outlined above. If, however, print provider14is unable to fulfill print job16, either wholly or partially, step119is performed. In step119, print managing system controller28reprocesses job ticket40and redistributes job ticket40as job ticket40′ to another or additional print provider14. Transfer or redistribution of print job16and, more specifically, job ticket40from one print provider14to another print provider14is also illustrated inFIG. 4.

Next, in step121, the other or additional print provider14completes print job16. Then, in step120, completed print job16is delivered to customer18, as described above.

By registering printing capability36in print managing system controller28, print providers20can optimize use of print services12. More specifically, by registering and updating printing capability36in print managing system controller28, print providers20can receive print jobs16requiring their respective print services12and/or distribute print jobs16, either wholly or partially, to other print providers20. Thus, print managing system10allows print providers20to essentially advertise print services12to customers22as well as other print providers20. In addition, by defining Internet communication link32between print providers20and print managing system controller28, print jobs16can be efficiently and automatically distributed to print providers20.

Print Services Statistical Analysis

In one exemplary embodiment, print managing system controller28performs statistical analysis for print services12of print provider14. Statistical analysis for print services12includes collecting and analyzing data associated with providing print services12. More specifically, statistical analysis for print services12includes, for example, defining a statistical model, determining a type of data required by the statistical model, collecting the data required by the statistical model, and generating statistics using the data. Thus, statistical analysis for print services12considers, for example, cost data, production data, and profile data related to print services12and/or print job16. As such, print managing system controller28automatically generates statistics for print services12and reports the statistics to print providers20. It is understood that print managing system controller28can perform statistical analysis for print services12of one or more print providers20.

In one exemplary embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 11, print services12include processing equipment such as printing equipment122and finishing equipment124, material and supplies126, and other resources with which print provider14provides printing services, finishing services, delivery services, and/or other print processing services. Materials and supplies126include, for example, print medium and marking material used by printing equipment122. Marking material, as used herein, is defined to include ink and/or toner used by printing equipment122of print services12.

In one exemplary embodiment, a data file46for print services12is associated with printing capability36. Thus, data file46for print services12is registered with printing capability36and uploaded to print managing system controller28via Internet communication link32. As such, print managing system controller28stores data file46for print services12in print managing data storage system42(FIG. 1) for subsequent processing. Data file46includes operational parameters of print services12provided by print provider14. Operational parameters of print services12include, for example, specifications such as an amount of marking material consumed to create a single dot when printing an image with print services12.

In one exemplary embodiment, data file46for print services12also includes a print services cost48aand a print services consumables requirement48bfor print services12provided by print provider14. Print services cost48aincludes, for example, a cost of equipment, materials and supplies, labor, and other resources necessary for providing print services12. As such, data file46includes an operational cost of equipment such as printing equipment, finishing equipment, and other processing equipment included in print services12, a unit cost of materials and supplies such as print medium and marking material included in print services12, a cost of finishing services included in print services12, a cost of delivery services included in print services12, and other costs included in and associated with print services12. Print services consumables requirement48bincludes, for example, a type and an amount of materials and supplies necessary for providing print services12. As such, data file46includes a type and an amount of print medium, marking material, finishing supplies, and other materials and supplies used with print services12.

To perform statistical analysis for print services12, print managing system controller28collects print services data90of print services12provided by print provider14and collects print job data93of job ticket40and data file44for print job16. Print services data90and print job data93include, for example, cost data, production data, and profile data of print services12and/or print job16. In one exemplary embodiment, print services data90and print job data93are based on printing capability36of print services12, data file46for print services12which includes print services cost48aand print services consumables requirement48b, job ticket40for print job16, and data file44for print job16. In one exemplary embodiment, print managing system controller28stores print services data90and print job data93in print managing data storage system42(FIG. 1) for subsequent processing.

In one exemplary embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 12, print services data90includes cost data91of print services12and production data92of print services12. Cost data91of print services12includes data based on costs associated with providing print services12and production data92includes data based on production with print services12.

Cost data91of print services12includes, for example, an operating cost911of print services12, a revenue912of print services12, and a profitability913of print services12. Operating cost911of print services12represents a cost for print provider14to provide print services12. As such, operating cost911is based on print services cost48awhich includes a cost of equipment, materials and supplies, labor and other resources necessary for providing print services12determined as described in detail in above-incorporated U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/685,496. Revenue912of print services12represents a gross income produced by print services12. Profitability913of print services12represents a net income produced by print services12. Thus, profitability913considers revenue912of print services12and operating cost911of print services12.

Production data92of print services12includes, for example, a consumption921of print services12and a productivity922of print services12. Consumption921of print services12represents a consumables requirement of print services12provided by print provider14. As such, consumption921is based on print services consumables requirement48bwhich includes a type and an amount of materials and supplies necessary for providing print services12determined as described in detail in above-incorporated U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/686,848. Productivity922of print services12represents an effectiveness of print services12in fulfilling print jobs16such as a turnaround time and/or a rate of producing print jobs16. Thus, productivity922includes, for example, quantity and volume information of print jobs16as well as date information on receiving and completing print jobs16.

In one exemplary embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 13, print job data93includes cost data94of print job16, production data95of print job16, and profile data96of print job16. Cost data94of print job16includes data based on a cost to fulfill print job16, production data95of print job16includes data based on production of print job16, and profile data96includes data based on attributes of print job16.

Cost data94of print job16includes, for example, a cost941of print job16and a profitability942of print job16. Cost941of print job16represents a cost for print provider14to fulfill print job16including a cost to customer18. As such, cost941includes a cost of equipment, materials and supplies, labor, and other resources necessary to fulfill print job16determined as described in detail in above-incorporated U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/685/496. Profitability942of print job16represents a net income generated by print job16. Thus, profitability942of print job16considers cost941of print job16.

Production data95of print job16includes, for example, a consumption951of print job16and a productivity952of print job16. Consumption951of print job16represents a consumables requirement of print job16. As such, consumption951includes a type and an amount of print medium, marking material, finishing supplies, and other materials and supplies consumed to fulfill print job16determined as described in detail in above-incorporated U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/686,848. Productivity952of print job16represents a rate of producing print job16and includes an amount of time required to complete print job16.

Profile data96of print job16includes, for example, a customer identification961for print job16and print job attributes962of print job16. Customer identification961for print job16includes a name and an address of customer18. Customer identification961is included with job ticket40for print job16, as illustrated inFIG. 7and described above. Print job attributes962of print job16define characteristics of print job16, as illustrated inFIG. 7and described above.

Based on print services data90and print job data93, print managing system controller28automatically performs statistical analysis for print services12of print provider14. In one exemplary embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 14, print managing system controller28analyzes print services data90and print job data93and generates statistics97for print services12and print job16. As such, statistics97are generated using print services data90and/or print job data93.

In one exemplary embodiment, print managing system controller28generates statistics97in response to a query98submitted, for example, by print provider14. As such, print managing system controller28reports statistics97to print provider14via Internet communication link32. Thus, print provider14can study or interpret statistics97and make business decisions for print services12accordingly. Print provider14, for example, may order additional printing equipment, order additional supplies, eliminate specific services, etc.

In one exemplary embodiment, print managing system controller28receives query98from a system administrator99. As such, print managing system controller28reports statistics97to system administrator99via Internet communication link32. System administrator99may include, for example, an entity overseeing multiple print providers20.

In one exemplary embodiment, statistics97are generated using statistical models which consider one or more variable elements of print services12and/or print job16. As such, print services data90and print job data93required by the statistical models are determined and collected by print managing system controller28. In one exemplary embodiment, when submitting query98, print provider14and/or system administrator99can specify which statistical model is to be used to generate statistics97. With the statistical models, print provider14and/or system administrator99can analyze various aspects of print services12and/or print job16.

Statistical models can be defined to analyze, for example, financial and production information of print services12and/or print job16such as revenue or profit per type of print job, revenue or profit per customer, revenue or profit per equipment piece, consumables per print job, turnaround time per print job, percentage of print jobs completed on time or within budget, equipment downtime, etc. It is understood that a variety of types and variations of statistical models can be defined based on print services data90and print job data93and that such statistical models are within the scope of the present invention.

FIGS. 15 and 16are graphs illustrating one illustrative embodiment of statistical models using print services data90and print job data93. InFIG. 15, a histogram statistical model190represents, for example, the frequency of occurrence of color printing and, inFIG. 16, a histogram statistical model192represents, for example, the frequency of occurrence of black and white printing. Histogram statistical model190and histogram statistical model192are generated by extracting production data92of print services data90and profile data96of print job data93. More specifically, color print jobs and black and white print jobs, as identified by print job attributes962of profile data96, are tabulated per month, as identified by productivity922of production data92. Thus, with statistical models190and192, print provider14and/or system administrator99can assess, for example, the feasibility of adding additional color printing equipment and/or the need for ordering additional materials and supplies, for example, for the month of December.

InFIG. 17, a flow diagram illustrating another exemplary embodiment of a method of managing print services12of print providers20, including print services statistical analysis according to the present invention, is illustrated generally at200. Reference is also made toFIGS. 11–16. At step210, at least one print provider14of the plurality of print providers20registers a respective printing capability36for print services12, including print services cost48aand print services consumables requirement48bwhich represent a respective cost and consumables requirement of print services12, with print managing system controller28. At step212, at least one customer18of the plurality of customers22generates and submits a respective job ticket40for a respective print job16to print managing system controller28.

In one exemplary embodiment, data file46for print services12, including print services cost48aand print services consumables requirement48b, is associated with printing capability36and registered with print managing system controller28in step210. In addition, data file44for print job16is associated with job ticket40and submitted to print managing system controller28in step212. Print providers20register printing capability36with print managing system controller28via print provider interface24and Internet communication link32, as illustrated inFIG. 2and described above. Customer18generates and submits job ticket40to print managing system controller28via customer interface26and Internet communication link32, as illustrated inFIG. 3and described above.

Next, in step214, print managing system controller28collects print services data90and/or print job data93. More specifically, cost data91of print services12and production data92of print services12, as described above, are collected and cost data94of print job16, production data95of print job16, and profile data96of print job16, as described above, are collected.

Next, in step216, print managing system controller28analyzes print services data90and/or print job data93. To analyze print services data90and print job data93, print managing system controller28generates statistics97of print services12and/or print job16using print services data90, print job data93, or print services data90and print job data93.

Then, in step218, print managing system controller28presents or reports statistics97of print services12and/or print job16to print provider14and/or system administrator99. Statistics97are presented to print provider14and/or system administrator99, for example, in tabular and/or graphical form. In one exemplary embodiment, statistics97are presented to print provider14and/or system administrator99from print managing system controller28via Internet communication link32, as illustrated inFIG. 14.

By collecting and analyzing print services data90and print job data93, print managing system10automatically monitors financial and production information of print services12of print provider14. Thus, by generating statistics97of print services12and print job16using print services data90and print job data93, and reporting statistics97to print provider14and/or system administrator99, print managing system10allows print provider14and/or system administrator99to analyze various aspects of print services12, including key performance indicators, and make business decisions accordingly. In addition, by defining Internet communication link32between print providers20, print managing system controller28, and system administrator99, statistics97of print services12can be efficiently and automatically reported to print providers20and/or system administrator99.