Image forming apparatus with sheet-handling device preparatory operation control

An image forming apparatus comprising:

• an inputting unit that inputs a plurality of print jobs;
• a storage unit that stores the plurality of print jobs inputted by the inputting unit, the print jobs comprising at least a first print job and a second print job that is executed later than the first print job;
• an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet based on one of the print jobs stored in the storage unit;
• at least two sheet-handling devices, each of which is adapted to carry out sheet-handling, post-processing, or both sheet-handling and post-processing on the sheet having the image formed thereon;
• a determining unit that analyzes the print jobs inputted by the inputting unit, determines a timing of start of execution of each of the print jobs, and determines a predetermined sheet-handling device from the at least two sheet-handling devices to be used in executing each of the print jobs;
• and
• a control unit that is operable when the predetermined sheet-handling device used for the second print job needs to start a preparatory operation preliminarily, to cause the predetermined sheet-handling device to start the preparatory operation before execution of one of the print jobs, that is to be executed immediately before the second print job, is completed, according to a predetermined timing of start of execution of the second print job and a time period required for the preparatory operation of the predetermined sheet-handling device.