Abstract: A system of hardware, software and a business method that enables printer and copier vendors to outsource network printing. The method is implemented on a local area network including a server PC, a plurality of connected client PCs, and a plurality of printers each networked through a secure network connection device that communicates only with Secure Print Servers. The business method comprises the steps of running Assessment Software over a test interval to determine a customer's printer cost per page, making an outsourcing proposal to the customer based on the customer's printer cost per page and a predetermined rationalization of printer layout, conducting a network survey to determine the customer's network characteristics, and installing print job tracking software on secure print servers attached to the customer's network. The print job tracking software captures all print traffic and automatically sends print job data to a secure web-site database for review by Dealers and Customers.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of automatically forwarding hard copy image products to a designated recipient, comprising the steps of: analyzing a digital image and developing a unique ID with respect to the image based on the analysis; storing the unique ID and associated order informations with respect to the image in a storage database, the order informations including additional information and a designated recipient for receiving a hard copy image product made using the digital image; printing the digital image on to a medium using a first printer so as to obtain the hard copy image product; scanning the hard copy image product subsequently by a scanning device and analyzing the digital image so as to obtain the unique ID and accessing the database for obtaining the order informations using the unique ID.