Patent ID: 7962050

Claim:
A services manager system associated with a consumables supplier that manages and fills customer orders associated with at least one printer device for consumable supplies under an associated service contract, the services manger system comprising: a processor; and a supply control module including a memory with a series of programmable instructions executable by the processor for: receiving printer usage data from at least one printer device indicative of consumption of at least one consumable supply; calculating for each printer device of the at least one printer device based on the received print usage data associated with the printer device an allowed amount of at least one consumable supply that can be ordered for the printer device by a customer based on a service contract, wherein the service contract includes terms for providing consumable supplies by the supplier to a customer possessing the printer device; receiving a customer order request for ordering an amount of a consumable supply for a printer device of the at least one printer device under the service contract associated with the printer device; and processing the customer order request for filling the order request; wherein the supply control module limits the amount of the requested consumable supply which can be processed for filling when the requested amount exceeds the allowed amount calculated for the consumable supply for the printer device.