Printing device connectivity manager for a digital front end

A method for managing printing operations within a printing system, the method comprising:

• translating a print job into a file format at a digital front end (DFE), wherein the DFE is connected to a plurality of printing devices;
• detecting a printing device from the plurality of printing devices, wherein the printing device processes the print job according to the file format;
• determining a printing connectivity module from a plurality of printing connectivity modules within a printing device connectivity manager at the DFE to communicate with the printing device, wherein the printing connectivity module includes a plurality of application programming interfaces (APIs) to interact with the printing device;
• sending the print job to the printing device via the printing connectivity module;
• receiving the print job at the printing device at an application module connected to the printing connectivity module;
• and
• processing the print job by a print engine at the printing device.

A printing system comprising:

• a plurality of printing devices, wherein a printing device of the plurality of printing devices includes an application module;
• a digital front end (DFE) connected to the plurality of printing devices, wherein the DFE manages printing operations to the plurality of printing devices;
• a printing device connectivity manager of the DFE to manage communications with the plurality of printing devices;
• and
• a printing connectivity module of a plurality of printing connectivity modules within the printing device connectivity manager, the printing connectivity module connected to the application module at the printing device, wherein the printing connectivity module includes a
• plurality of application programming interfaces (APIs) to interact with the printing device, wherein the DFE exchanges information with the printing device via the printing connectivity module.