Multi-tiered constraint checking for managing print jobs

A method for managing a plurality of printing devices and processing a print job implemented in a print job management apparatus, the method comprising:

• (a) defining a virtual printing device, which includes a plurality of printing devices assigned thereto and defines a preset rule for splitting a print job submitted to the virtual printing device so that split portions of each print job are respectively printed by different printing devices assigned to the virtual printing device, the preset rule being independent of any print job submitted to the virtual printing device;
• (b) receiving an assignment of a print job to the virtual printing device, the print job specifying job ticket parameters representing printing requirements;
• (c) comparing the printing requirements with combined capabilities of the virtual printing device to detect any constrains representing incompatibilities between the printing requirements and the combined capabilities of the virtual printing device, wherein the combined capabilities of the virtual printing device are determined by capabilities of printing devices assigned to the virtual printing device and the preset rule;
• (d) if no constraint is detected, submitting the print job to the virtual printing device to print the print job in accordance with the preset rule defined in the virtual printing device;
• (e) if a constraint of a first category is detected, displaying an error message indicating that printing fails to proceed and indicating a nature of the detected constraint, without submitting the print job to the virtual printing device;
• (f) if a constraint of a second category is detected, displaying a warning message indicating a nature of the detected constraint and indicating a request for operator instruction;
• and
• (g) after step (f), if an operator instruction to proceed is received, submitting the print job to the virtual printing device.