Abstract: A device management application (DMA) contacts printing devices connected to a computer network to obtain the device type, configuration parameters, and configuration settings from the printing devices. The device type, the configuration parameters, and the configuration settings are stored for each of the printing devices in a nested hash table. The configuration settings are grouped for each of the printing devices by device type in a working file, such as an XML tree that has leaf nodes for each configuration parameter of each different device type group. These methods identify the most common configuration settings for each of the configuration parameters in the leaf nodes, and map the most common configuration settings for the configuration parameters to configuration setup files for each the device type group. The configuration setup files are then deployed to the printing devices.

Abstract: A method and system suitable for use with a plurality of multifunction devices (MFDs) for managing one or more print queues associated with the plurality of MFDs, the system including a user interface application for permitting users to electronically communicate with a queue managing service (QMS); wherein the QMS automatically detects, identifies, and analyzes the one or more print queues associated with the plurality of MFDs in order to provide a status of the plurality of MFDs and continuously notify the users of the updates relating to the one or more print queues.

Abstract: A print management system and method for optimizing cost associated with one or more rendering devices (e.g., printers) in a customer environment. A service cost associated with a rendering device can be included in the print management system so that end-users can have the option to perform rendering at a lower service cost rendering device when rendering a complex print document. The service cost and the rendered volume can be recorded by an asset management unit and a helpdesk unit. A real time feedback related to an alternate rendering device can be provided so that the end-user can cancel the current print job and resubmit the print document at the lower cost, comparable, reliable rendering device. Also, automatic job redirection can also be provided by automatically redirecting the rendering job to the lower cost reliable rendering device based on end-user approval or pre-approval.

Abstract: A print management system and method for optimizing cost associated with one or more rendering devices (e.g., printers) in a customer environment. A service cost associated with a rendering device can be included in the print management system so that end-users can have the option to perform rendering at a lower service cost rendering device when rendering a complex print document. The service cost and the rendered volume can be recorded by an asset management unit and a helpdesk unit. A real time feedback related to an alternate rendering device can be provided so that the end-user can cancel the current print job and resubmit the print document at the lower cost, comparable, reliable rendering device. Also, automatic job redirection can also be provided by automatically redirecting the rendering job to the lower cost reliable rendering device based on end-user approval or pre-approval.

Abstract: A method and system suitable for use with a plurality of multifunction devices (MFDs) for managing one or more print queues associated with the plurality of MFDs, the system including a user interface application for permitting users to electronically communicate with a queue managing service (QMS); wherein the QMS automatically detects, identifies, and analyzes the one or more print queues associated with the plurality of MFDs in order to provide a status of the plurality of MFDs and continuously notify the users of the updates relating to the one or more print queues.