Abstract: When applications in multiple devices are collectively, remotely updated, the applications cannot be uniformly determined to be activated and stopped because the execution states are different between devices and between applications. A distribution system obtains identification information and version information on each of firmware and an application that are installed in a network device, switches between a first screen for distribution setting pertaining to the firmware and a second screen for distribution setting pertaining to the application, based on the information obtained, and displays the screen, and transmits, to the network device, any of the distribution setting pertaining to the firmware designated through the first screen and the distribution setting pertaining to the application designated through the second screen. The distribution setting of the application transmitted includes designation of the operating state of the application after distribution.

Abstract: In a case where a distribution system receives a distribution setting request for a content via WebAPI, the distribution system determines whether to permit the distribution setting based on information about a service which has requested the distribution setting, a status of a content distribution target device subjected of the distribution setting, information about the content to be distributed based on the distribution setting, and a distribution condition set in advance. In a case where the distribution system determines to permit the distribution setting, the distribution system applies the distribution setting. On the other hand, in a case where the distribution system determines not to permit the distribution setting, the distribution system cancels the distribution setting.

Abstract: When applications in multiple devices are collectively, remotely updated, the applications cannot be uniformly determined to be activated and stopped because the execution states are different between devices and between applications. A distribution system obtains identification information and version information on each of firmware and an application that are installed in a network device, switches between a first screen for distribution setting pertaining to the firmware and a second screen for distribution setting pertaining to the application, based on the information obtained, and displays the screen, and transmits, to the network device, any of the distribution setting pertaining to the firmware designated through the first screen and the distribution setting pertaining to the application designated through the second screen. The distribution setting of the application transmitted includes designation of the operating state of the application after distribution.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus comprises: a receiving unit that receives a request to store or acquire data from a client; a storing unit that stores the request as history information; a prediction unit that predicts a date/time at which the next request will be received based on the history information; and a notification unit that notifies the client if the next request has not been received by the date/time predicted by the prediction unit.

Abstract: An obtaining unit obtains, from a connected apparatus, performance data related to a function of the apparatus. If it is determined the apparatus includes a plurality of functions based on the obtained performance data, information of individual processes related to the plurality of processes is divided in the obtained performance data. The individual processes are used to generate a workflow.

Abstract: A job management apparatus, which managing, by record, a job based on content data which includes designations associated with a content used in variable data print processing, and a job ticket corresponding to the content data, comprising: a metadata extraction unit which extracts metadata from the content data; a metadata classification unit which classifies the extracted metadata as control metadata used to control processes of the job, and as display metadata used to make a display associated with the job; and a generation unit which generates first information used to display, by record, the job using values of the display metadata.

Abstract: Designation of paper and an operator as intended by an MIS while maintaining automation of job processing was not possible, since management of expendables in a POD device and management of performance information by the MIS were not coordinated. In view of this, the MIS acquires usable print sheet information including division management information from the POD device, and, based on a designation of paper designated by a job and a designation of paper associated with an operator relating to the job, selects appropriate paper that the operator is able to use, from the print sheet information provided by the POD device.

Abstract: Input data in which fixed data and variable data are mixed is processed in a system in which a plate offset press for processing fixed data and a plateless digital press capable of processing variable data are connected. A number of pages of fixed data to be printed in succession by the plate offset press is acquired. When the acquired number of pages of fixed data to be printed in succession by the plate offset press does not exceed a number of pages of fixed data to be printed in succession in the input data, a first job is generated to assign, for the plate offset press, pages of fixed data in the input data. A second job is generated to assign, for the plateless digital press, the remaining input data obtained by excluding the fixed data assigned for the plate offset press from the input data.

Abstract: It is determined whether fixed data used for a plurality of pages is merged with variable data different from the fixed data on a page-by-page basis or on a record-by-record basis. If it is determined that the fixed data is merged with the variable data on the page-by-page basis, the fixed data is merged with the variable data and print data composing printed pages into which at least one insertion page is inserted for every predetermined number of pages is generated.

Abstract: An apparatus for converting a job ticket that designates processing by referring metadata to a job ticket that designates processing in units of pages extracts a document hierarchical structure from input content data, and extracts attached metadata in correspondence with the document hierarchical structure. The apparatus associates the extracted metadata with pages in accordance with the extracted document hierarchical structure, and converts the job ticket referring metadata to the job ticket that designates processing in units of pages, based on a result of the association.

Abstract: Information regarding paper feed stages of a printing apparatus is acquired, a determination is made of whether there are more types of paper to be used in printing of a print job than the number of paper feed stages of the printing apparatus. When determined that there are more types of paper than the number of paper feed stages of the printing apparatus, based on a condition predetermined such that values of a parameter are considered to be the same in a certain range, papers having parameter values considered to be the same are designated as one set. A collation job is generated for discharging to one discharge stage of the collation apparatus the one set designated from the plurality of types of paper that have been disposed in the respective paper feed stages of the collation apparatus, and the generated collation job is sent to the collation apparatus.

Abstract: A job management apparatus, which managing, by record, a job based on content data which includes designations associated with a content used in variable data print processing, and a job ticket corresponding to the content data, comprising: a metadata extraction unit which extracts metadata from the content data; a metadata classification unit which classifies the extracted metadata as control metadata used to control processes of the job, and as display metadata used to make a display associated with the job; and a generation unit which generates first information used to display, by record, the job using values of the display metadata.

Abstract: Designation of paper and an operator as intended by an MIS while maintaining automation of job processing was not possible, since management of expendables in a POD device and management of performance information by the MIS were not coordinated. In view of this, the MIS acquires usable print sheet information including division management information from the POD device, and, based on a designation of paper designated by a job and a designation of paper associated with an operator relating to the job, selects appropriate paper that the operator is able to use, from the print sheet information provided by the POD device.

Abstract: An obtaining unit obtains, from a connected apparatus, performance data related to a function of the apparatus. If it is determined the apparatus includes a plurality of functions based on the obtained performance data, information of individual processes related to the plurality of processes is divided in the obtained performance data. The individual processes are used to generate a workflow.

Abstract: It is determined whether fixed data used for a plurality of pages is merged with variable data different from the fixed data on a page-by-page basis or on a record-by-record basis. If it is determined that the fixed data is merged with the variable data on the page-by-page basis, the fixed data is merged with the variable data and print data composing printed pages into which at least one insertion page is inserted for every predetermined number of pages is generated.

Abstract: This invention improves the operability in a process of compositing print jobs in a business-oriented printer. A client PC (1) acquires the print job attribute of an existing print job compositable with a print job of interest that the client PC (1) is going to submit to a server PC (2). The client PC (1) displays the preview of the print job on the basis of the acquired print job attribute. The user decides, on the preview image, the layout of the print job of interest after composition and submits the identifier of the composition target print job and the print job of interest to the server PC (2). The server PC (2) composites the two print jobs and updates print settings for cutting.

Abstract: Input data in which fixed data and variable data are mixed is processed in a system in which a plate offset press for processing fixed data and a plateless digital press capable of processing variable data are connected. A number of pages of fixed data to be printed in succession by the plate offset press is acquired. When the acquired number of pages of fixed data to be printed in succession by the plate offset press does not exceed a number of pages of fixed data to be printed in succession in the input data, a first job is generated to assign, for the plate offset press, pages of fixed data in the input data. A second job is generated to assign, for the plateless digital press, the remaining input data obtained by excluding the fixed data assigned for the plate offset press from the input data.

Abstract: When it is determined that no workflow can be generated, generating instruction information containing new workflow generation conditions is regenerated. The regenerated generating instruction information is transmitted to a processing content determination apparatus which is a transmission source of processing content information that is identified as a cause of denial in the determination. And, a workflow is generated based on processing content information re-received from the processing content determination apparatus.

Abstract: Permission determination of image formation is done using different criteria in accordance with the checked quality and attributes of an image to be formed. For example, whether to permit image formation is determined using different criteria between the case of forming an image to be charged or image which must be formed with high quality, and the case of forming another image. In addition, display corresponding to the attributes of an image to be formed and the state of an image forming apparatus is performed.

Abstract: Permission determination of image formation is done using different criteria in accordance with the checked quality and attributes of an image to be formed. For example, whether to permit image formation is determined using different criteria between the case of forming an image to be charged or image which must be formed with high quality, and the case of forming another image. In addition, display corresponding to the attributes of an image to be formed and the state of an image forming apparatus is performed.