Abstract: Methods are disclosed that include receiving information regarding a print order, generating a plurality of possible workflows to complete the print order, determining what materials and resources will be required to complete the print order, estimating a cost for completing the print order for each workflow including estimating costs for shipping some or all of the print job based upon the materials and resources to be used, and choosing a workflow to use to complete the print order based at least in part upon the estimated cost for each workflow. Methods also include providing the estimated cost of completing a print job to the generator of the print order, submitting a bid based upon the estimated cost, and selecting a printing organization based upon the bids received.

Abstract: A system and method for creating a document containing secured personal identification information includes a database containing personal identification information; a classifier module for collecting and classifying the personal identification information; a memory module for storing the classified personal identification information; a password generator for associating a password combination with the classified personal identification information; a controller module for receiving and sending the classified personal identification information and the password combination to a processor; an encryptor in operative communication with the processor, for encrypting the classified personal identification information using the password combination; an encoder for converting the encrypted personal identification information into machine readable code; and a data recording system for creating a document containing secured personal identification information.

Abstract: A hierarchical architecture for a network printing system having a plurality of electronic printers and printing systems is provided. The hierarchical architecture decomposes each electronic printer and printing system's Digital Front End (DFE) and print engine into a hierarchical set of networked printer components communicating via a many-to-many network protocol. Print data is routed from component-to-component based on the receiving component's self-advertised function and availability. Adding duplicate printer components to the network environment scales or increases the reliability and performance of the network environment. A sufficiently large set of inexpensive printer components may be configured to achieve any desired level of reliability and performance through redundancy.