Abstract: A method for managing just-in-time print consumables for a print job can be performed on a computer server. The method includes estimating print consumable requirements for the print job. The method also includes ordering, over a network connection, the estimated print consumable requirements from a print consumable supplier such that the estimated print consumable requirements are received substantially close to a time that the print job is to be performed.

Abstract: A cache memory system and method for printers is described. In one exemplary implementation, a system includes a printer, memory, an input buffer and a control system. The memory contains one or more prior print job elements referenced by one or more previous print job tickets that were previously processed by the printer. The input buffer receives a new print job ticket referencing one or more new print job elements. The control system searches memory for any prior print job elements matching the one or more new print job elements referenced by the new print job ticket. The control system downloads one or more new print job elements not matching any of the one or more prior print job elements from a remote site. This permits the printer to retrieve the one or more prior print job elements that match the one or more new print job elements from memory instead of having to retrieve them from the remote site.

Abstract: An apparatus for importing and exporting computer based configuration data to and from text based files in which part of the data is encrypted for confidentiality. The apparatus allows the resulting text file to be selectively edited prior to an import, providing for flexibility on behalf of system administrators without compromising the security of encrypted data.

Abstract: A system receives a print job ticket, that references one or more print job elements, and each of the print job elements which contain contents that enable generation of a printable document. A control system examines the contents of the one or more print job elements to determine: (i) if one or more of the print job elements already exist in a local memory; and (ii) to determine a location in the local memory to store any of the one or more print job elements that do not already exist in the local memory.

Abstract: A cache memory system and method for printers is described. In one exemplary implementation, a system includes a printer, memory, an input buffer and a control system. The memory contains one or more prior print job elements referenced by one or more previous print job tickets that were previously processed by the printer. The input buffer receives a new print job ticket referencing one or more new print job elements. The control system searches memory for any prior print job elements matching the one or more new print job elements referenced by the new print job ticket. The control system downloads one or more new print job elements not matching any of the one or more prior print job elements from a remote site. This permits the printer to retrieve the one or more prior print job elements that match the one or more new print job elements from memory instead of having to retrieve them from the remote site.

Abstract: A method for managing just-in-time print consumables for a print job can be performed on a computer server. The method includes estimating print consumable requirements for the print job. The method also includes ordering, over a network connection, the estimated print consumable requirements from a print consumable supplier such that the estimated print consumable requirements are received substantially close to a time that the print job is to be performed.

Abstract: A port monitor is adapted to obtain pre-print and post-print information for each print job handled, to correlate that information and to store it for later transfer to a management server. Upon receiving a print job, the port monitor combines a unique job identifier to the print job, and sends the combination to a printer. The port monitor captures selected pre-print information related to the print job from the peripheral server. The port monitor may poll the printer to learn of the completion of the print job. Upon completion of the print job, the port monitor obtains post-print information from the printer. The port monitor correlates pre-print information and post-print information having like unique job identifiers. The correlated information is transferred to a storage module. Upon realization of a threshold, a data transfer module sends the print information to a report manager on a management server.

Abstract: A method, computer program and processing system for adapting the polling rate for collecting job information from a device facilitate polling a network-connected device for device and/or job information according to a polling rate which is adapted depending upon job progress information to obtain a desired balance between minimizing network traffic and obtaining a particular level of accuracy in collecting certain information from the device.

Abstract: An apparatus for importing and exporting computer based configuration data to and from text based files in which part of the data is encrypted for confidentiality. The apparatus allows the resulting text file to be selectively edited prior to an import, providing for flexibility on behalf of system administrators without compromising the security of encrypted data.

Abstract: An apparatus for importing and exporting computer based configuration data to and from text based files in which part of the data is encrypted for confidentiality. The apparatus allows the resulting text file to be selectively edited prior to an import, providing for flexibility on behalf of system administrators without compromising the security of encrypted data.