Global enterprise printing and mailing
AssigneeKern International, Inc.
InventorsThomas J. Brock, Pramod C. Madala
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems, devices, and methods for global enterprise workflow management are disclosed. The system may include a communications module, memory, and processor for executing a method of managing job information. The system receives job information and uses a model to identify a desirable resource to execute the job. Then the system sends the job information to the identified resource for execution. The resource may send back information associated with the running and/or completion of the job. Various models may be used in identifying a desirable approach, including a cost model, a staffing model, and other models.
Claims19
A system for providing workflow management, comprising:
- a communications module configured to communicate with a plurality of resources located in a plurality of different countries, where the plurality of resources comprise an inserting device, sorting device, and printing device;
- a memory configured to store job information and model information comprising cost of materials, cost of print image, cost of labor, postal cost, hard costs, and history of cost, wherein the model information identifies a utilization rating of each of the plurality of resources located in different countries and a postal cost based on paper weight, wherein the utilization rating corresponds to a resource's excess available capacity, and wherein the memory comprising non-volatile memory for storing computer-executable instructions;
- and
- a processor configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to perform a method comprising:
- receiving the job information from a remote location, wherein the job information includes attribute of the paper weight;
- automatically determining, by the processor using the model information, a first resource of the plurality of resources with a higher utilization ranking than a second resource of the plurality of resources located in remote locations, wherein the resources are located in remote location in different countries;
- sending the job information to the first resource in the different country to cause the first resource to execute the job corresponding to the job information, wherein executing the job comprises:
- printing, using the printing device at the first resource, at least the job corresponding to the job information;
- and
- causing the printed job to be mailed;
- and
- receiving reporting information from the first resource, the reporting information being associated with the job information.
A method of workflow management using a plurality of resources located in remote locations in a plurality of countries, wherein the plurality of resources comprises an inserting device, sorting device, and printing device, the method comprising:
- receiving job information from a remote location;
- storing the job information in a memory, wherein the job information includes attribute of paper weight;
- using model information stored in the memory to automatically identify a desirable resource to execute a job corresponding to the job information, wherein the model information comprises at least one of cost of materials, cost of print image, cost of labor, postal cost, hard costs, and history of cost, and wherein the model information identifies a desirable resource from among the plurality of resources based on its higher rankings for machine utilization and material cost savings, wherein the machine utilization corresponds to a resource's used capacity, wherein the plurality of resources are located in remote location in different countries;
- sending at least part of the job information to the desirable resource, where the desirable resource comprises a printing device and an inserting device;
- receiving reporting information from the desirable resource indicating that the desirable resource has printed at least the job information using the printing device and caused the printed job to be mailed and
- displaying the reporting information on a visual display device in a near realtime manner.
A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing computer-executable instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform a method comprising:
- receiving job information from a remote location;
- storing the job information in a memory, wherein the job information includes attribute of paper weight;
- using model information stored in the memory to automatically identify a desirable resource from a plurality of resources located in a plurality of countries to execute a job corresponding to the job information, wherein the plurality of resources comprises an inserting device, sorting device, and printing device, wherein the model information comprises at least one of cost of materials, cost of print image, cost of labor, postal cost, hard costs, and history of cost, and wherein the model information identifies a desirable resource from among the plurality of resources based on its higher rankings for machine utilization and material cost savings, wherein the machine utilization corresponds to a resource's used capacity, wherein the plurality of resources are located in remote location in different countries;
- sending at least part of the job information to the desirable resource, where the desirable resource comprises a printing device and an inserting device;
- and
- receiving reporting information from the desirable resource indicating that the desirable resource has printed at least the job information using the printing device, the reporting information being associated with the job information.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.