Devices and methods for print job tracking using assignable mobile devices

An electronic device comprising:

• an input/output device configured to read a code associated with a print machine and a code associated with a print job located at the print machine;
• a network interface configured to:
• send an indication of the code associated with the print machine to a print service provider controller to link the print machine to the electronic device such that subsequent communication to the print service provider controller from the electronic device can be understood by the print service provider controller as relating to the print machine;
• send an indication of the code associated with the print job;
• and
• receive workflow instructions associated with the print job from the print service provider controller, wherein the workflow instructions comprise instructions indicating a subsequent processing step for the print job after completion of a current workflow step;
• and
• a display configured to display a representation of workflow instructions that guides a worker in advancing the print job to the subsequent processing step.

An article of manufacture comprising:

• at least one tangible, machine-readable medium at least collectively storing processor-executable instructions, the instructions comprising:
• instructions to determine an allocation of a mobile electronic device to a print service provider worker or a print machine, or both, based at least in part on historical print service provider production floor data;
• instructions to link the mobile electronic device to the print service provider worker or the print machine, or both;
• instructions to receive a code associated with a print job from the mobile electronic device;
• instructions to determine workflow instructions associated with the print job, wherein the workflow instructions comprise instructions indicating a subsequent processing step for the print job after completion of a current workflow step;
• and
• instructions to send the workflow instructions to display on the mobile electronic device a representation of the workflow instructions that guides a worker in advancing the print job to the subsequent processing step.