Program, matching system, matching device, matching method, shipping base determination system, shipping base determination device, shipping base determination method, data using system, data using device, and data using method

Abstract

The present invention appropriately performs matching between a print applicant and a print organization.　Provided is a program causing a computer to perform matching between a print organization 14 and a customer who is a print applicant, wherein the program causes a server 106 to perform: request specification acquisition processing for acquiring, from the customer, required specification data indicating a required print specification and delivery location data indicating a delivery location of a printed product, and matching processing for performing matching between the customer and the print organization 14. In the matching processing, the matching between the customer and the print organization 14 is performed on the basis of installation place data indicating a place where the printer of the print organization 14 is installed, the required specification data, and the delivery location data.

Description

Program, matching system, matching device, matching method, shipping base determination system, shipping base determination device, shipping base determination method, data utilization system, data utilization device, and data utilization method

[0001] The present invention relates to a program, a matching system, a matching device, a matching method, a shipping base determination system, a shipping base determination device, a shipping base determination method, a data utilization system, a data utilization device, and a data utilization method.

[0002] In recent years, printing devices such as inkjet printers have come into widespread use. A known management system for the printing industry is configured to connect a server to a client terminal, a printing company terminal, and a subcontractor terminal, each equipped with a browser, via a communication network, and to extract subcontractors based on subcontractor selection information from the terminals (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] In recent years, printing devices such as inkjet printers have become widely used. In printing organizations that use printing devices to print, it is desirable to manage inventory so as not to run out of consumables such as ink. In response to this, a known configuration is known in the art for ordering new ink bottles based on the amount of ink consumed in the ink bottles provided in the inkjet printer (see, for example, Patent Document 2). Patent Document 2 discloses a configuration in which, when a value related to the consumption of ink in an ink bottle reaches a predetermined threshold, information related to the consumption of ink in the ink bottle is sent to a server, thereby ordering ink bottles.

[0004] Furthermore, in recent years, printing devices with various performance capabilities have become widely used. When a user wishes to purchase a printing device, they typically need to select a printing device suited to their intended use from among the various performance capabilities. Conventionally, in product sales over the Internet, a method has been known in which the user is prompted to select the intended use of the product, and information on products suited to the selected intended use is searched for and displayed, allowing the user to easily select a product (see, for example, Patent Document 3).

[0005] JP 2002-230372 A JP 2022-45015 A JP 2001-350791 A

[0006] The information for selecting a subcontractor disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes the quality of the printed matter (product quality), which is the product produced by printing. However, in the printing industry, when requesting a printing organization to perform printing and selecting a printing organization from among multiple printing organizations, it is desirable to select a printing organization in a more appropriate manner. For example, it is desirable to more appropriately match printing organizations with printing requesters. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a program, matching system, matching device, and matching method that can solve the above-mentioned problems.

[0007] Furthermore, when ink inventory is managed using conventional methods, for example, if a user uses more ink than expected, the timing of ordering ink may be delayed. Even after ink is ordered, it may take a long time for the user to receive the ink, depending on the distance between the ink receiving location and the ink shipping location, or the ink transportation method. In this case, the ink may not arrive in time and the ink inventory may run out. As a result, a shortage of ink causes downtime in which the printing device cannot be used. Therefore, there has been a demand for more appropriate inventory management and other management of ink used in printing devices in printing organizations. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a program, a shipping base determination system, a shipping base determination device, and a shipping base determination method that can solve the above problems.

[0008] Furthermore, when introducing a printing device through a new purchase or replacement, users often decide on the model of printing device to introduce based on their past printing experience. When introducing a commercial printing device, users often compare the features, performance, and cost of candidate printing devices and primarily decide on the printing device based on past experience. The intended use of the printing device may also be determined based on experience. However, when deciding on a printing device in this manner, it is difficult to determine whether the printing device is suitable for the expected printing content and usage situation. For example, simply referring to the operating status of the printing device makes it difficult to determine whether the printing device is being utilized to its full potential. Furthermore, if an over-specified printing device is introduced, it is usually difficult to notice that it is over-specified. Furthermore, it is difficult to obtain data that allows users to compare the results of the same print job on a different model (other model) with the actual printing device. Furthermore, even if users refer to other installation examples, the print content typically differs in those installation examples, so it is not necessarily the best decision for their company. Therefore, a method for selecting the optimal printing device for a company has been sought. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a data utilization system, a data utilization device, a data utilization method, and a program that can solve the above-mentioned problems.

[0009] The inventors of the present application conducted extensive research into methods for matching printing organizations with print clients. They found that in the printing industry, it is important to consider the physical delivery of printed materials, which are commercial products, as well as the overall business flow, including the operational status of the printing equipment (printer operational status) at the printing organization that receives the print order and the delivery of the printed materials after printing. For example, depending on the combination of the print organization that receives the print order and the print client, the printing organization's production location for the printed materials may be geographically distant from the desired delivery location specified by the print client. In this case, the possibility of delivery delays increases due to factors such as delivery method, traffic congestion, accidents, bad weather, and disasters. Furthermore, when a large number of printed materials are ordered, the printing organization's operational efficiency increases, increasing production volume and proportionally increasing delivery costs. Furthermore, when a printing organization is busy or when an order for printed materials requires a large number of man-hours, delivery times may be longer. Therefore, when matching printing organizations with print clients, it is preferable to consider factors other than the quality of the printed materials.

[0010] Furthermore, the inventor of the present application has, through further intensive research, discovered the features necessary to achieve such effects and arrived at the present invention. In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is a program for causing a computer to perform a matching between a printing organization, which is an organization that performs printing using a printing device, and a print requester who wishes to perform printing, the program causing the computer to perform a required specification acquisition process that acquires, from the print requester, required specification data indicating the required specifications of the printing requested by the print requester and delivery location data indicating the location where the printed output will be delivered, and a matching process that matches the print requester with the printing organization, the matching process being characterized in that the print requester is matched with the printing organization based on installation location data indicating the location where the printing device of the printing organization is installed, the required specification data, and the delivery location data.

[0011] In the matching process, by having a computer perform matching based on the required specification data, installation location data, and delivery location data, it is possible to match printing organizations and printing requesters with consideration of the required specifications for the printed matter that will be the print product, and matters related to the delivery of the printed matter. By performing matching based on the required specification data, it is possible to appropriately assign printing requesters to printing organizations that can perform printing with the desired quality. Furthermore, by performing matching based on the installation location data and delivery location data, it is possible to appropriately assign printing requesters to printing organizations with consideration of the entire business flow, including the delivery of the printed matter. Therefore, with this configuration, it is possible to appropriately match printing requesters with printing organizations. Furthermore, operation data indicating the operating performance of the printing device may be acquired from the printing device. By performing matching based on the operation data, it is possible to appropriately assign printing requesters to printing organizations that have operating margins and wish to accept orders. Furthermore, this reduces the waiting time of each printing organization, improving the operating rate and improving the operating time of the printing organization.

[0012] In this configuration, the operational data is data related to the operation of the printing device at present or for a specific recent period, and may include data indicating at least one of the remaining ink amount, print length, print time, print data, print mode, ink purchase history, ink ejection amount, and print area.

[0013] In this configuration, it is also possible to have the computer perform a process to acquire data other than the above. For example, it is possible to have the computer perform a history data acquisition process to acquire print history data indicating the history of printing performed by the printing device in the past. The print history data is data related to the past operations of the printing device. The print history data may include data indicating at least one of the remaining ink amount, print length, print time, print data, print mode, ink purchase history, ink ejection amount, and print area. In this case, the matching process further matches the print requester with the printing organization based on the print history data. This allows for more appropriate matching between the print requester and the printing organization.

[0014] Alternatively, the computer may further acquire performance data indicating the performance of the printing device. In this case, the matching process further matches the print requester with the printing organization based on the performance data. The performance data is data corresponding to the specifications of the printing device model. By using the performance data, the type of printing that the printing organization can perform can be more accurately understood. This also allows for a more accurate determination of whether the printing organization can perform printing that meets the requirements indicated by the requirements data. Therefore, this configuration allows for more appropriate matching between the print requester and the printing organization by reflecting the performance of the printing device used by the printing organization. Alternatively, the computer may further acquire schedule data indicating the future planned use of the printing device owned by the printing organization. In this case, the matching between the print requester and the printing organization is further based on the schedule data. By more accurately understanding the reservation status of each printing organization's equipment, i.e., the type and volume of work that each printing organization can accept from now on, the rationality and reliability of the matching can be improved.

[0015] Furthermore, the matching process may determine the timing of scheduled maintenance, which is maintenance performed periodically on the printing device, based on the printing history data, and then match the printing requester with the printing organization taking the scheduled maintenance timing into consideration. This configuration allows the printing organization to accurately determine the timing when the printing device cannot be operated due to scheduled maintenance. Therefore, this configuration allows the printing organization to more appropriately determine the time when the printing device can deliver the printed materials (delivery time) by taking into consideration the period when the printing device cannot be operated. This also allows for more appropriate matching between the printing requester and the printing organization.

[0016] It is also conceivable that a printing organization may additionally perform pre-processes and post-processes before or after the printing process performed by the printing device. Pre-processes and post-processes are examples of pre- and post-processes performed before or after the printing process performed by the printing device. In this case, the required specifications and delivery date may be affected not only by the printing device but also by the performance (specifications), presence or absence of malfunctions, and maintenance timing of devices related to the pre- and post-processes. Therefore, in this case, the computer may further perform a pre- and post-process data acquisition process to acquire pre- and post-process data indicating the presence or absence of pre- and post-processes. In this case, the matching process matches the print requester with the printing organization based on the pre- and post-process data. This configuration allows for a more accurate understanding of the printing content that can be performed by the printing organization, including factors related to the pre- and post-processes. Furthermore, by taking factors related to the pre- and post-processes into account, delivery dates for printed materials can be predicted with greater accuracy. Therefore, this configuration allows for more appropriate matching between the print requester and the printing organization.

[0017] In this configuration, the required specification data can be data indicating at least one of the desired print data, number of prints, print media, print size, color, delivery date and time, ink type, ink and print media combination, resolution, and print mode. This configuration allows the content and quality of the print desired by the print requester to be more appropriately understood. Furthermore, by using this required specification data, it is possible to more appropriately determine the experience and feasibility of each printing organization with respect to the print quality desired by the print requester. It is also possible to determine whether the printing organization is good or bad at achieving the print quality desired by the print requester. Therefore, this configuration allows for more appropriate matching between print requesters and printing organizations.

[0018] Furthermore, the required specifications acquisition process may further cause the computer to acquire print requester data indicating the print requester's past behavior. In this case, the matching process matches print requesters with printing organizations based on the print requester data. The print requester data can also be considered as data associated with the behavior of print requesters who have previously received orders. Furthermore, such print requester data may include data indicating comments received from print requesters when they received past orders. For example, the print requester data may include data indicating at least one of requests, complaints, and compliments from the print requester. Furthermore, it is more preferable to use data indicating comments received from print requesters when they previously performed printing similar to the print content indicated by the required specifications data. Furthermore, the print requester data may include data indicating the print requester's characteristics or trends associated with the print requester. This configuration allows the printing organization selected through matching to more appropriately provide printed materials that match the print requester's intentions.

[0019] Furthermore, the matching process may present the results of matching under multiple conditions, each of which differs in the conditions considered when delivering printed materials, based on the installation location data and delivery location data. In this case, the multiple conditions may include at least the delivery distance, delivery time, delivery cost, delivery method, and greenhouse gas emissions. In this case, matching may be performed for each of these conditions, and the matching results may be presented for each condition. This configuration allows for matching proposals to be made according to the priority order desired by the print requester, etc.

[0020] The matching process may also match the print requester with the printing organization by further considering the traffic conditions along the route for delivering the print to the location indicated by the delivery location data. In this case, traffic conditions may be considered based on at least one of the weather, delivery time, and traffic congestion. Regarding weather, for example, the weather forecast may be considered. Regarding traffic congestion, it is preferable to consider the current traffic congestion situation and traffic congestion forecasts. Furthermore, delivery of the print requires shipping and receiving of the print. Therefore, the matching process may also consider at least one of the available shipping time for the printing organization to ship the print and the available receiving time for the print requester to receive the print, when matching the print requester with the printing organization. This configuration allows for a more accurate prediction of whether delivery within the delivery deadline is possible. The available shipping time and available receiving time may take into account the business hours, holidays, and other factors of the printing organization and the print requester.

[0021] The matching process may also involve assigning multiple printing organizations to a single print requester. This configuration allows for more diverse matching between print requesters and printing organizations. In this case, matching may be performed so that the number of deliveries desired by the print requester is distributed among multiple printing organizations. This configuration allows for appropriate matching between print requesters and printing organizations even when a single printing organization is unable to print all of the deliveries. Depending on the content of the print product desired by the print requester, multiple processes may be required to complete the print product. In this case, multiple printing organizations may be assigned to a single print requester by allocating the processes to multiple printing organizations. In this case, the matching process may assign multiple printing organizations to a single print requester such that, of the multiple processes performed when executing the print desired by the print requester, a first process is performed by a first printing organization, and a second process, different from the first process, is performed by a second printing organization different from the first printing organization. This configuration also allows for appropriate assignment of multiple printing organizations to a single print requester.

[0022] In this configuration, the required specification acquisition process is a process of acquiring required specification data and delivery location data via a management organization that manages multiple printing organizations. In this case, the matching process notifies the printing organization and the printing applicant via the management organization of the matching results. This configuration allows appropriate matching between printing applicants and printing organizations for multiple printing organizations. In this configuration, the management organization is a franchisor in a franchise organization that provides print output services. The printing organization is a franchisee in the franchise organization. In this case, the required specification acquisition process may be a process of acquiring required specification data and delivery location data via the franchisor in the franchise organization. This configuration allows the franchise organization to appropriately assign printing applicants to franchisee printing organizations. Furthermore, the present invention can also be configured with a matching system, matching device, matching method, and the like having similar features to those described above. In these cases, the same effects as those described above can be obtained.

[0023] The inventors of the present application also conducted extensive research into how to manage ink used in printing organizations. They came up with the idea of ​​taking into account not only the amount of ink consumed by the printing organization but also the operational history of the printing device. More specifically, they came up with the idea of ​​calculating the remaining time, which is the time until the ink runs out at the printing organization, based on ink volume data indicating the amount of ink held by the printing organization and operational data indicating the operational history of the printing device. This configuration allows the timing of an ink shortage at the printing organization to be accurately predicted. The inventors of the present application also came up with the idea of ​​identifying multiple ink-holding locations that can ship ink to the printing organization, which is the ink delivery destination, and then determining from among these locations a shipping location from which to ship the ink to the printing organization. More specifically, they came up with the idea of ​​determining the shipping location by taking into account the transportation time from the ink-holding location and the remaining time. This configuration increases the likelihood of obtaining ink in a shorter time, even when the printing organization has little ink remaining. This more appropriately prevents ink shortages at the printing organization. Therefore, this configuration allows for more appropriate inventory management of ink used in the printing organization's printing devices. In this case, it is also conceivable that multiple printing organizations could share ink with each other by treating printing organizations other than the printing organization to which the ink is delivered as ink holding bases.

[0024] Furthermore, the inventor of the present application has, through further intensive research, discovered the features necessary to achieve such effects and arrived at the present invention. In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is a program for causing a computer to perform a process of determining a shipping base from which ink is to be shipped to a printing organization that performs printing using a printing device, the program causing the computer to perform the following processes: a data acquisition process of acquiring ink amount data indicating the amount of ink held by the printing organization and operation data indicating the operation history of the printing device from the printing organization; a remaining time calculation process of calculating a remaining time until the ink runs out at the printing organization based on the ink amount data and the operation data; an ink holding base identification process of identifying an ink holding base that is a base that has ink in stock for the printing device; a transportation time calculation process of calculating a transportation time for the ink from the ink holding base to an installation location of the printing organization where the printing device is installed; and a shipping base determination process of determining the shipping base based on the remaining time and the transportation time.

[0025] By calculating the remaining time based on ink volume data and operation data, it is possible to accurately predict when a printing organization will run out of ink. Furthermore, by calculating the ink transport time from the identified ink-reserving location to the installation location of the printing device and determining an ink shipping location from among the ink-reserving locations based on the remaining time and transport time, a more appropriate shipping location can be selected. Therefore, this configuration can more reliably prevent ink shortages from occurring in the printing organization. This also allows for more precise management of the ink inventory used by the printing organization's printing devices. Furthermore, in the ink-reserving location identification process, it is possible to identify printing organizations other than the printing organization to which the ink is delivered as at least some of the ink-reserving locations. This configuration allows for the ink shipping location to be determined from a wider variety of ink-reserving locations. This also makes it possible to select a shipping location with a shorter transport time than if the printing organization were not treated as an ink-reserving location.

[0026] The operational data in this configuration may include data indicating at least one of the following: remaining ink volume, print length, print time, print data, print mode, ink purchase history, ink ejection volume, and print area. Using such operational data allows for the estimation of ink consumption in the printing device using data that is easily available from the printing device. This also allows for more accurate calculation of remaining time in the remaining time calculation process. The operational data is operational performance data related to the operation of the printing device in the current or most recent period. The operational data can also be considered data necessary for calculating ink consumption in the printing device.

[0027] Furthermore, in the shipping base determination process, it is preferable to determine a shipping base by taking into account at least one of the available shipping time for the ink-receiving base and the available receiving time for the printing organization to receive the ink. The available shipping time, for example, takes into account the business hours and holidays of the ink-receiving base that is a candidate for the shipping base. Furthermore, the available receiving time, for example, takes into account the business hours and holidays of the destination printing organization that will receive the ink. This configuration allows for more accurate prediction of the time required for the ink to arrive at the printing organization. This more reliably prevents downtime at the destination printing organization, where the printing device cannot be used due to a shortage of ink. Furthermore, in the transportation time calculation process, it is preferable to calculate the transportation time according to the transportation method. This configuration allows for more accurate estimation by taking into account differences in transportation time depending on the transportation method, such as car, train, airplane, ship, or foot. Furthermore, the capabilities of each transportation method can also be considered, such as the characteristics of the business operator requesting transportation. For example, by taking into account differences in collection and delivery times for postal services and various delivery companies, as well as differences in the time required for sorting, it is possible to more appropriately estimate transportation time, which varies depending on the business operator.

[0028] Furthermore, in the shipping base determination process, it is preferable to determine the shipping base taking into consideration the traffic conditions on the route for delivering ink from the ink-receiving base to the installation location of the printing device. With this configuration, the shipping base can be determined taking into consideration the possibility of delays due to traffic conditions. Possible traffic conditions include the weather and the time of delivery. With this configuration, it is possible to take into consideration the possibility of delays due to the weather and the time of transportation. Furthermore, in the shipping base determination process, the shipping base can be determined taking into consideration the ink expiration date. With this configuration, it is possible to determine as the shipping base an ink-receiving base that holds ink with an expiration date appropriate for the ink usage at the printing organization to which the ink is to be delivered. The ink expiration date is the expiration date of the ink held by the ink-receiving base from which the ink is procured. It is also more preferable to further consider the expiration date of the ink held by the printing organization to which the ink is to be delivered.

[0029] The shipping base determination process may also receive an instruction from a user to select a priority condition from among multiple conditions prepared in advance, and determine a shipping base based on the selected condition. The multiple conditions may include multiple conditions such as transportation cost, transportation method, transportation time, transportation distance, and greenhouse gas emissions. This configuration allows a shipping base to be selected based on the user's desired priorities. The shipping base determination process may also determine multiple shipping base candidates and have the user select one from the multiple candidates, thereby determining a shipping base. Multiple candidates may also be determined for each of the multiple conditions. For example, multiple shipping base candidates may be determined for each of the multiple conditions such as transportation cost, transportation method, transportation time, transportation distance, and greenhouse gas emissions. In this case, the multiple shipping bases for each condition may be listed in order of priority.

[0030] Furthermore, as described above, the ink supply location identification process may identify a printing organization other than the printing organization to which the ink is delivered as at least some of the ink supply locations. This other printing organization also consumes ink when using printing devices. Therefore, the shipping location determination process preferably determines a shipping location by taking into account at least one of the time until the ink runs out, the amount of ink consumed, and the amount of ink in stock at this other printing organization. This configuration allows for the selection of a shipping location by taking into account the circumstances of both the printing organization that will serve as the ink supply location and the printing organization to which the ink is delivered, preventing downtime for either party.

[0031] Furthermore, depending on the remaining ink supply time at a printing organization, there may be enough time to purchase ink from an ink seller, such as an ink manufacturer, and thus no need to ship ink from another printing organization. Therefore, the ink-holding location identification process may identify multiple locations as ink-holding locations, including ink sellers and printing organizations other than the printing organization to which the ink is delivered. This configuration allows the selection of an ink shipping location from a wider variety of ink-holding locations. In this case, the user may be prompted to decide between purchasing ink from the ink seller (direct purchase) or having ink shipped from another printing organization (ink rental). Furthermore, the user may be prompted to compare direct purchase and ink rental for each of several criteria, including transportation cost, transportation method, transportation time, transportation distance, and greenhouse gas emissions. This configuration allows the selection of a shipping location that best meets the user's desired priorities.

[0032] Furthermore, when ink is shared between printing organizations, it is also possible to provide some kind of incentive to the printing organization that serves as the shipping base. For example, the computer may further execute an incentive providing process that executes a process of providing an incentive to the printing organization that serves as the shipping base. The incentive may be to provide ink, media, etc. to the printing organization that serves as the shipping base.

[0033] In this configuration, the printing organization is a franchisee in a franchise organization (franchise group) that provides print output services. The ink-holding location identification process identifies, as at least some of the ink-holding locations, locations of a franchisee other than the franchisee to which the ink is delivered. This configuration allows ink to be shared among franchisees in a franchise organization. The franchisor may also manage the ink inventory and ink consumption of each franchisee. A franchisor is a management organization that manages multiple printing organizations. Regarding ink sharing, the franchisor may centrally manage multiple franchisees and issue instructions to each franchisee to send and receive ink. This configuration allows ink to be shared among franchisees in a franchise organization under the management of the franchisor. This makes it possible to optimize ink inventory management at franchisees and reduce costs within the franchise organization.

[0034] When ink is shared within a franchise organization, the ink shipping base may be determined taking into account the franchisee's wishes. In this case, it is preferable to give priority to the decision of the franchisor, who is responsible for managing the franchise organization, so that the franchisor can make the final decision. In this case, first, in a shipping base determination process, the user of the franchisee to whom the ink is to be delivered selects a shipping base. Furthermore, a shipping base designation process is further performed by the computer, in which an instruction to designate a shipping base is received from the franchisor. If a shipping base is designated by the franchisor, the shipping base designation process determines the shipping base by prioritizing the franchisor's designation, regardless of the user's selection of the shipping base. Ink sharing between franchisees is not limited to being under the management of the franchisor, and may be decided between the franchisees themselves. Furthermore, the present invention can also be configured with a shipping base determination system, shipping base determination device, shipping base determination method, and other configurations having similar features to those described above. In these cases, the same effects as those described above can also be achieved.

[0035] The inventors of the present application have also conducted extensive research into a method for determining which printing devices to introduce into a printing organization, which is an organization that performs printing using printing devices. They have devised a method for determining which printing devices to introduce by referring to the printing history of printing performed on printing devices already in use by the printing organization. Furthermore, rather than simply referring to the printing history, they have devised a method for creating an operational forecast that shows the printing capabilities of candidate printing devices when actually introduced, and for determining which printing devices to introduce based on the operational forecast. This configuration allows for a more appropriate determination of which printing devices to introduce into a printing organization.

[0036] Furthermore, the inventors of the present application have conducted further intensive research and have found the characteristics necessary to obtain such effects, which have led to the present invention. In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a data utilization system that utilizes data acquired from a printing device in a printing organization, which is an organization that performs printing using the printing device, and includes a computer that utilizes data acquired from the printing device, and the computer performs the following: a history data acquisition process that acquires printing history data indicating a history of printing that has been performed in the past by a printing device in use that is the printing device used by the printing organization; a printing capacity derivation process that derives the printing capacity of the printing organization based on the printing history data acquired in the history data acquisition process; an operation prediction derivation process that derives an operation prediction, which is the printing capacity of the printing organization when a candidate printing device, which is a printing device of a model different from the in-use printing device, is introduced into the printing organization; and an introduction printing device determination process that determines an introduction printing device that is the printing device suitable for introduction into the printing organization, and the operation prediction derivation process derives the operation prediction for a plurality of models of the candidate printing device, and the introduction printing device determination process determines the introduction printing device from among a plurality of models of printing devices including the candidate printing device based on the operation prediction.

[0037] By using printing history data in the printing capacity derivation process, the printing capacity of the printing organization can be appropriately derived. Then, in the operation prediction derivation process, an operation prediction corresponding to the printing capacity when a candidate printing device of a different model than the printing device currently in use is introduced is derived, and in the introduction printing device determination process, an introduction printing device is determined from multiple candidate printing device models based on the operation prediction, thereby more appropriately determining the printing device to be introduced into the printing organization. In the operation prediction derivation process, the operation prediction is derived based on the printing capacity derived in the printing capacity derivation process. In this case, the operation prediction is derived using the same printing conditions as those used to derive the printing capacity in the printing capacity derivation process. This configuration allows the operation prediction to be more appropriately derived.

[0038] In this configuration, the printing history data is data related to the past operation of the printing device. The printing history data can be data indicating at least one of the following: remaining ink volume, print length, print time, print data, print mode, ink purchase history, media purchase history, ink ejection volume, print area, resolution, print media, error details, maintenance frequency, and printing cost. Using such printing history data allows for more appropriate derivation of printing capabilities in the printing capability derivation process. Furthermore, printing capabilities indicate at least one of print area per unit time, print length per unit time, time required for a specific print, print speed, ink ejection volume used for a specific print, print media, productivity, image quality, and color. Considering such printing capabilities allows for a more appropriate introduction of the printing device in the introduction printing device determination process.

[0039] Furthermore, in the process for determining the printing device to be introduced, it is conceivable to further consider the planned printing content, which is the content of printing planned to be performed by the printing organization, when determining the printing device to be introduced. This configuration allows the process for determining the printing device to be introduced to more appropriately determine the printing device to be introduced. The planned printing content may consider at least one of the desired delivery date, the number of prints, and other requirements. The other requirements may consider at least one of the color, various comments, and special circumstances or requests. Furthermore, in the process for deriving the operation forecast, it is conceivable to perform a simulation using reference print data. In this case, in the process for deriving the operation forecast, this simulation may predict at least one of the print area per unit time, print length per unit time, time required for a specific print, print speed, and ink ejection volume used for a specific print. This configuration allows the process for determining the printing device to be introduced to appropriately derive an operation forecast that is useful in the process for determining the printing device to be introduced.

[0040] It is also conceivable that a printing organization may further perform pre-processes and post-processes of the printing process performed by the printing device. The pre-processes and post-processes are examples of pre-processes and post-processes performed before or after the printing process performed by the printing device. In this case, it is preferable to determine the printing device to be introduced in the introduction printing device determination process by further considering at least one of the capabilities of the pre-process and post-process devices used in the pre-process and post-processes and the connectivity between the pre-process and post-process devices and the printing device. This configuration allows the introduction printing device to be more appropriately determined in the introduction printing device determination process. Furthermore, printing organizations use printing devices in connection with their business. Therefore, it is conceivable that the introduction printing device determination process may further consider at least one of the number of employees belonging to the printing organization and the employees' working hours to determine the printing device to be introduced. This configuration allows the introduction printing device to be selected more appropriately in the introduction printing device determination process. It is also conceivable that the introduction printing device to be introduced in the introduction printing device determination process may further consider the installation location of the candidate printing device to be introduced and the size of the candidate printing device to be introduced. This configuration allows the introduction printing device to be more appropriately determined in the introduction printing device determination process.

[0041] Here, the historical data acquisition process may be a process in which a management organization that manages the printing organization acquires the printing historical data. This configuration allows the printing historical data to be used and managed appropriately. This also allows the printing capability to be appropriately derived using the printing historical data. In this configuration, the printing organization is a franchisee in a franchise organization that provides print output services. Furthermore, the management organization is a franchisor in the franchise organization. The franchisor, which is the management organization, acquires the printing historical data from the franchisee, which is the printing organization. This configuration allows the franchisee's printing capability to be appropriately derived using the printing historical data. Furthermore, the historical data acquisition process may be a process in which a party other than the management organization for the printing organization acquires the printing historical data. For example, the historical data acquisition process may be a process in which a seller that sells a printing device to the printing organization acquires the printing historical data. This configuration also allows the introduction of a printing device to be more appropriately determined in the introduction printing device determination process. In this case, the printing device seller may also propose candidate printing devices to the printing organization. With this configuration, when a printing organization introduces a new printing device or replaces it with a new one, the results of the process for deciding which printing device to introduce can be effectively utilized.

[0042] Furthermore, depending on the results of the operation prediction derived in the operation prediction derivation process, it may be optimal to reintroduce or add a printing device of the same model as the currently used printing device. In such cases, the printing device to be introduced may be determined as the printing device to be introduced in the introduction printing device determination process from among multiple models of candidate printing devices and a printing device of the same model as the currently used printing device. This configuration allows the introduction printing device to be more appropriately determined in the introduction printing device determination process. Furthermore, the present invention can also be configured as a data utilization device, data utilization method, program, etc. having the same characteristics as those described above. In these cases, the same effects as those described above can be obtained.

[0043] According to the present invention, it is possible to more appropriately match printing applicants with printing organizations. Furthermore, according to the present invention, it is possible to more appropriately manage ink used in printing devices at printing organizations. Furthermore, according to the present invention, it is possible to more appropriately determine printing devices to be introduced into a printing organization.

[0044] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a printing system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a management organization 12 and a printing organization 14. FIG. 2(a) shows an example of the configuration of the management organization 12. FIG. 2(b) shows an example of the configuration of the printing organization 14. FIG. 3(a) is a flowchart showing an example of the matching operation. FIG. 3(b) shows a modified example of the configuration of the printing base 112. FIG. 3(b) is a diagram showing the matching operation performed by the server 106. FIG. 4(a) shows an example of candidate combinations between customers and printing organizations 14. FIG. 4(b) shows an example of matching results. FIG. 4(b) is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between a management system 20 for franchise organizations used by franchise organizations and a dashboard system 30. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a printing system 10b according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a management organization 12b and a printing organization 14b. FIG. 7(a) shows an example of the configuration of the management organization 12b. FIG. 7(b) shows an example of the configuration of the printing organization 14b. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of ink lending in the printing system 10b. FIG. 11(a) shows an example of the configuration of the management organization 12c. FIG. 11(b) shows an example of the configuration of the printing organization 14c. FIG. 12(a) is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of determining an ink shipping base in the management organization 12b. FIG. 12(b) shows a modified example of the configuration of the printing base 112c.

[0045] First Embodiment A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of a printing system 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The printing system 10 is a system that performs printing using printing devices (printers) and includes a management organization 12 and multiple printing organizations 14. The management organization 12 manages the printing organizations 14. The printing organizations 14 perform printing using the printing devices. Except as described below, the printing system 10 may have the same or similar features as known printing systems. Furthermore, the printing system 10 of this example is a franchise organization in which the management organization 12 serves as the franchisor (headquarters) and the printing organizations 14 serve as franchisees (affiliated stores), providing print output services through the printing organizations 14. The printing system 10 is also an example of a matching system that matches customers who wish to perform printing with the printing organizations 14. The customers are an example of people who wish to perform printing. The matching operation performed by the printing system 10 will be described in more detail below. The printing system 10 can also be considered an example of a data utilization system that utilizes data obtained from printing devices in the printing organization 14 .

[0046] FIG. 2 shows an example of the configuration of the management organization 12 and the printing organization 14. FIG. 2(a) shows an example of the configuration of the management organization 12. FIG. 2(b) shows an example of the configuration of the printing organization 14. FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b) show the main parts of the configuration of the management organization 12 and the printing organization 14 that are related to the matching operation, which will be described later. The management organization 12 and the printing organization 14 may further have various components necessary for providing print output services in a franchise organization. In addition, the management organization 12 and the printing organization 14 are staffed by employees, managers, and other personnel necessary for running the organization.

[0047] The management organization 12 in this example includes a PC 102, a DB 104, and a server 106. The PC 102 is a computer used by users belonging to the management organization 12. The PC 102 is an example of an input / output computer that inputs information to the user and outputs information to the user. The PC 102 in this example controls, for example, the DB 104 and the server 106 in response to user operation. The PC 102 displays information stored in the DB 104 to the user in response to user operation, and also causes the server 106 to perform information processing using the information stored in the DB 104 in response to user operation. The DB 104 is a database that stores data related to the operations of the franchise organization, and stores various data obtained from multiple printing organizations 14 via the server 106. The DB 104 stores, for example, printer information, which is information indicating the status of printing devices in the printing organizations 14. The DB 104 of this example also stores, as printer information, for example, print history data showing the history of printing performed in the past by the printing devices in the printing organization 14, and operation data showing the operation results of the printing devices.

[0048] The server 106 executes information processing related to the franchise organization's business. The server 106 in this example is an example of a computer that uses data acquired from printing devices. For example, the server 106 communicates with the printing organization 14 via a wide area network such as the Internet to acquire printer information and the like from the printing devices of the printing organization 14 and store the information in the DB 104 as needed. The server 106 also causes the PC 102 or the like to display information based on the information stored in the DB 104 in response to instructions from a user operating a computer other than the server 106, such as the PC 102. The server 106 in this example acquires printing history data, operation data, and the like from the printing devices of the printing organization 14 as needed. The printing history data, operation data, and the like are examples of data included in printer information. The server 106 may acquire the printing history data, and the like, via another computer, such as the computer of the printing organization 14, rather than acquiring the printing history data, and the like, directly from the printing devices. In this case, the printing history data, and the like, can also be considered as data acquired from the printing devices of the printing organization 14. Furthermore, with regard to the printing history data, the server 106 may perform predetermined processing on data acquired from a printing device or computer of the printing organization 14, and store the generated data in the DB 104. In such a case, the server 106 can also be considered to acquire the printing history data from the printing device of the printing organization 14.

[0049] For ease of illustration and explanation, FIG. 2A illustrates the configuration of the management organization 12 as one PC 102, one DB 104, and one server 106. However, the management organization 12 may have multiple PCs 102, multiple DBs 104, and multiple servers 106. A configuration combining multiple DBs 104 can be considered a single virtual database, and a configuration combining multiple servers 106 can be considered a single virtual server. It is also possible to realize at least some of the functions of the DB 104 and server 106 of the management organization 12 using a server provided by a cloud server provider. In this case, too, the operations realized by linking the configuration directly provided by the management organization 12, such as the PC 102, with the cloud server can be considered to be the operations of the management organization 12. It is also possible to use a single computer that serves both the DB 104 and server 106 of the management organization 12.

[0050] The printing organization 14 has multiple printing bases 112 and a management unit 114. The printing bases 112 are bases where printing is performed within the printing organization 14. The printing bases 112 in this example also have a PC 122 and multiple printing devices 124. The PC 122 is a computer used by users belonging to the printing organization 14. The PC 122 is an example of an input / output computer that inputs information from the user and outputs information to the user. The PC 122 in this example controls the printing device 124 located at the same printing base 112 as the PC 122 in response to user operation. The PC 122 controls the operation of the printing device 124, for example, by supplying print data indicating an image to be printed to the printing device 124. The PC 122 may also send information to the management organization 12 or obtain information from the management organization 12 by communicating with the server 106, DB 104, etc. of the management organization 12. For example, the PC 122 may display information based on the printer information stored in the DB 104. This configuration allows the printing organization 14 and the management organization 12 to work together to manage the printing device 124. The printing device 124 is a printer that performs printing in the printing organization 14. A suitable printing device 124 is an inkjet printer for color printing that uses multiple colors of ink.

[0051] In this example, the printing base 112 is a base where a printing device 124 is installed, from which the server 106 of the management organization 12 obtains printer information. The printing device 124 at the printing base 112 transmits printer information, etc., to the server 106 in response to a request from the server 106. Information transmission from the printing base 112 to the server 106 may also be performed via a computer such as the PC 122. In this case, the PC 122, etc., obtains information from the printing device 124 in response to a request from the server 106 and provides the information to the server 106. The specific configuration of the printing base 112 is not limited to the configuration shown in the figure and may vary in various ways. For example, the number of printing devices 124 controlled by the PC 122 may be one, three, or more. Furthermore, one printing base 112 may have multiple PCs 122. The number of PCs 122 and printing devices 124, as well as the number of printing devices 124 controlled by one PC 122, may vary from one printing base 112 to another. It is also possible that the printing device 124 also functions as the PC 122. In this case, the PC 122 and the printing device 124 can be considered to be integrated. The number of printing bases 112 is not limited to the number shown in the figure and can be changed as appropriate.

[0052] As described above, the printing organization 14 of this example further includes a management unit 114 in addition to the multiple printing locations 112. The management unit 114 is configured to manage the multiple printing locations 112 and includes a PC 126. The PC 126 is also a computer used by users belonging to the printing organization 14. The PC 126 can also be considered an administrator's computer that manages the entire printing organization 14. Like the PC 122, the PC 126 can communicate with the server 106, DB 104, etc. of the management organization 12 to send information to or retrieve information from the management organization 12. Similarly, the PC 126 can display information based on printer information, etc., stored in the DB 104. The specific configuration of the printing organization 14 is not limited to the configuration shown in the figure and can vary in various ways. As described above, the printing system 10 of this example (see FIG. 1) includes multiple printing organizations 14. The specific configuration of the printing organization 14 may differ from one printing organization 14 to another. For example, the number of printing locations 112 in a printing organization 14 may differ from one printing organization 14 to another. For example, a printing organization 14 may have only one printing location 112. It is also possible to omit the management unit 114 in at least some printing organizations 14. In this case, one of the printing locations 112 in the printing organization 14 may also function as the management unit 114. According to this example, by having the management organization 12 manage printer information and the like of the printing devices 124, print output services using the printing devices 124 of multiple printing organizations 14 can be appropriately performed.

[0053] Next, the operation of matching a customer with a printing organization 14 performed in the printing system 10 of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 illustrates an example of the matching operation performed in the printing system 10. FIG. 3A is a flowchart illustrating an example of the matching operation. In this embodiment, the operation illustrated in FIG. 3A is the operation of the server 106 of the management organization 12. The server 106 executes the operation illustrated in FIG. 3A according to a predetermined program. As a modification of the operation of each part of the printing system 10, at least a portion of the operation illustrated in FIG. 3A may be executed by another computer. In this case, one of the computers in the printing system 10 executes the operation illustrated in FIG. 3A according to a predetermined program. In this case, the server 106 and the like can be considered an example of a matching device. The matching device can also be considered a matching engine or the like that performs matching processing. The operation of the server 106 and the like can be considered an example of the operation of a matching method. The operation illustrated in FIG. 3A may be an operation executed in response to a customer's request for printing from a franchise organization that provides print output services. Such a matching operation can also be considered an operation of determining the printing organization 14 that will execute the printing order received from the customer. As described above, the printing system 10 in this example is a franchise organization that provides print output services. The customers are not customers of a specific printing organization 14, but customers of the services provided by the franchise organization.

[0054] In the operation shown in FIG. 3A , the server 106 first acquires operational data of the printing device 124 from the printing device 124 of the printing organization 14 (S102). The operation of step S102 in this example is an example of the operation of the operational data acquisition process. Furthermore, the server 106 in step S102 may acquire the operational data from the DB 104 rather than directly from the printing device 124. In this case, the operational data stored in the DB 104 is data previously acquired from the printing device 124. Therefore, acquiring this operational data from the DB 104 can be considered as acquiring operational data from the printing device 124. The specific content of the operational data will be described in more detail later. Furthermore, the server 106 in this example acquires operational data of the printing device 124 from multiple printing organizations 14 for each printing organization 14. This configuration allows the operational status of the printing device 124 to be understood for each printing organization 14. This also allows, for example, the busyness of each printing organization 14 to be understood for each printing organization 14.

[0055] Following the operation of step S104, the server 106 acquires installation location data indicating the location where the printing device 124 is installed in each printing organization 14 (S104). The operation of step S104 in this example is an example of the operation of installation location data acquisition processing. In step S104, the server 106 acquires pre-prepared installation location data from the DB 104. The server 106 may also acquire the installation location data directly from the printing device 124. The installation location data is also data included in the printer information. The server 106 in this example acquires installation location data of the printing device 124 for each printing organization 14 from multiple printing organizations 14. The specific content of the installation location data will be described in more detail later.

[0056] Following the operation of step S104, the server 106 acquires the customer's wishes, such as the required printing specifications, from the customer (S106). The operation of step S106 in this example is an example of the operation of a required specification acquisition process. In step S106, the server 106 acquires the customer's wishes from the customer by communicating with another computer and accepting input from this computer. The other computer here refers to, for example, a computer operated by the customer. The other computer may also be a computer operated by a member of the management organization 12 or the printing organization 14 in accordance with the customer's wishes. In this case, the server 106 acquires the customer's functions through the person operating this computer. The server 106 in this example also acquires from the customer, as the customer's wishes, required specification data indicating the required printing specifications requested by the customer and delivery location data indicating the location where the printed product, the printout, will be delivered. The specific content of the required specification data, etc., will be described in more detail below.

[0057] Following the operation of step S106, the server 106 matches the customer with the printing organization 14 (S108). The operation of step S108 in this example is an example of the operation of the matching process. In step S108, the server 106 matches the customer with the printing organization 14 based on the operation data, installation location data, required specification data, and delivery location data acquired in steps S102 to S106. This configuration allows matching between the customer and the printing organization 14 to take into account the operation status of the printing device 124 at each printing organization 14, the required specifications for the printed material, and factors related to the delivery (shipping) of the printed material. Matching based on operation data allows customers to be appropriately assigned to printing organizations 14 that have operational slack and are willing to accept orders. This also reduces the waiting time of each printing organization 14, improving the utilization rate and improving the operating time of each printing organization 14. Furthermore, matching based on required specification data allows customers to be appropriately assigned to printing organizations 14 that can perform printing at the desired quality. Furthermore, by performing matching based on installation location data and delivery location data, it is possible to assign an appropriate printing organization 14 to a customer, taking into consideration the entire distribution chain, including the delivery of printed materials. Therefore, according to this example, it is possible to appropriately match customers with printing organizations 14. Furthermore, by matching customers with printing organizations 14 as described above, it is possible to optimize the overall operations of the franchise organization. It is also conceivable that this matching will make it easier for the management organization 12 to manage and supervise the franchise organization. Furthermore, the server 106 in this example performs matching processing using a method of making a determination using a pre-prepared database, a method using artificial intelligence (AI) such as machine learning, or the like.

[0058] The server 106 may also match customers with printing organizations 14 by taking into account factors other than those described above. For example, the use of print history data included in the printer information is possible. The print history data is data indicating the history of printing operations performed by the printing device 124 in the past. The print history data can also be considered as data related to the past operations of the printing device 124. The operation of acquiring print history data is an example of the operation of a history data acquisition process. By using the print history data, the server 106 can match customers with printing organizations 14 by further considering factors related to printing operations performed in the past by the printing organization 14. The specific content of the print history data will be described in more detail later. Furthermore, if there is schedule data, separate from the above-mentioned operation data, that contains future plans for the use of the printing devices 124 owned by each printing organization 14, the server 106 preferably acquires this data instead of or in addition to the operation data. By more accurately understanding the reservation status of each printing organization 14's equipment, i.e., the type and amount of work each printing organization 14 can accept from now on, the rationality and reliability of the matching can be improved.

[0059] It is also conceivable that the printing organization 14 may further perform pre-processing and post-processing of the printing process performed by the printing device 124. In this case, the server 106 may further acquire information related to the pre-processing and post-processing. For example, in a modified configuration of the printing base 112 shown in FIG. 3B, the printing base 112 further includes a pre-processing machine 132, which is a device that performs pre-processing, and a post-processing machine 134, which is a device that performs post-processing. The pre-processing machine 132 performs pre-processing, etc., on media as a pre-processing. The post-processing machine 134 performs processing, etc., on media as a post-processing. The pre-processing and post-processing are examples of pre- and post-processing performed before or after the printing process performed by the printing device 124. Furthermore, the pre-processing machine 132 and the post-processing machine 134 are examples of pre- and post-processing devices, which are devices used in the pre- and post-processing. In this case, it is conceivable that, with respect to the printing organization 14, not only the printing device 124 but also matters related to the pre- and post-processing devices may be related to the required specifications, delivery date (delivery time), etc. Therefore, in this case, it is preferable that the server 106 further acquires pre- and post-process data indicating the presence or absence of pre- and post-processes. The pre- and post-process data may also include data indicating information other than the presence or absence of pre- and post-processes. Furthermore, the pre- and post-process data is not limited to data directly indicating the presence or absence of a process, but may also include data indicating the presence or absence of pre- and post-processes by indicating items related to the pre- and post-processes. In this case, the pre- and post-process data may include data indicating at least one of the performance (specifications) of the pre- and post-process devices, the presence or absence of a malfunction, and the timing of maintenance, as items related to the pre- and post-processes. The operation of acquiring pre- and post-process data is an example of the operation of the pre- and post-process data acquisition process. In this case, the server 106 matches customers with the printing organization 14 based on the pre- and post-process data. This configuration allows for more accurate prediction of delivery dates for printed materials, etc.

[0060] Next, the various data used in this example will be explained in more detail. The operational data in this example may include data indicating at least one of the following: remaining ink volume, print length, print time, print data, print mode, ink purchase history, ink ejection volume, and print area. The operational data here refers to data related to the operation of the printing device 124 in the current or a specific recent period. Furthermore, remaining ink volume refers to the remaining ink volume in the current or a specific recent period. Print length and print time refer to the length of the area printed in the current or a specific recent period and the time required for printing. Print data and print mode refer to the print data and print mode settings used in the current or a specific recent period. Ink purchase history refers to the purchase history of ink purchased by the printing organization 14 in the current or a specific recent period. Ink ejection volume and print area refer to the amount of ink ejected during printing in the current or a specific recent period and the area of ​​the area printed. Furthermore, operational data can also be considered data for determining the busyness of the printing organization 14. This operational data allows for more appropriate matching of customers with printing organizations 14 by taking into account the operational status of the printing devices 124 at each printing organization 14 .

[0061] In this example, the required specification data is data indicating the content of the print desired by the customer. The required specification data can be data indicating at least one of the following: desired print data, number of prints, print media, size of the prints, color tone, delivery date and time, ink type, ink and print media combination, resolution, and print mode. Of these items, the desired print data is print data indicating the image to be printed. The number of prints is the number of prints to be delivered. The print media is the type of media to be used for printing. The print size is the size of the prints to be delivered. Color tone is the color tone to be expressed in the prints. The delivery date and time is the date and time of delivery. The ink type is the type of ink to be used for printing. The ink and print media combination is the combination of ink and media to be used during printing. The resolution and print mode are the resolution and print mode used as printing conditions. Using such required specification data, the content and quality of the print desired by the customer can be properly understood. In addition, in franchise organizations and the like that provide print output services, the performance of the printing devices 124 owned by each printing organization 14 may vary. Also, the media and inks that can be used may differ from printing organization 14 to printing organization 14. For example, if a customer requests printing on three-dimensional media, only some printing organizations 14 may be able to print on it. Furthermore, the achievable delivery time may also differ from printing organization 14 to printing organization 14. In contrast, this example allows each printing organization 14 to determine its experience and ability to achieve the customer's desired print quality. Furthermore, by using such required specification data, it is possible to determine whether each printing organization 14 is good or bad at achieving the customer's desired print quality. Furthermore, based on the customer's desired print quality and the customer's desired delivery date and time, it is possible to more appropriately determine which printing organization 14 can perform the desired print by the customer's desired delivery time.

[0062] It is also possible to use data other than the required specification data as data related to the customer. For example, in step S106, the server 106 may further acquire customer data indicating the customer's past behavior. In this case, in step S108, the server 106 matches the customer with the printing organization 14 based on the customer data. This configuration allows for more appropriate matching tailored to the customer. The customer data is an example of print requester data. The customer data can also be considered as data regarding the behavior of customers who have previously placed orders. For example, data indicating comments received from customers when placing past orders can be used. More specifically, data indicating at least one of customer requests, complaints, and compliments can be used. It is more preferable to use data indicating comments (requests, complaints, compliments, etc.) received from customers when previous printing similar to the print content indicated by the required specification data as the customer data indicating customer comments. Furthermore, data indicating customer characteristics or trends associated with customers can also be used as customer data. By configuring in this way, the printing organization 14 selected by matching can provide printed materials that are more in line with the customer's wishes.

[0063] Furthermore, the installation location data may include data indicating the address or location information of the location where the printing device 124 is installed. For example, data indicating the address or the like registered in DB 104 in association with the printing device 124 may be used as the installation location data. In the printing system 10, account information for each printing organization 14 may be managed. In this case, the address of the printing organization 14 and the address of the printing base 112 may be registered in DB 104 in association with the name of the business operating the printing organization 14. These addresses or the like may be used as the installation location data. Furthermore, data indicating location information other than an address may also be used as the installation location data. For example, data utilizing map data provided by an Internet service may be used. The installation location data is not limited to address-format data, and may include, for example, data indicating latitude and longitude. Furthermore, the installation location data is not necessarily limited to data that can identify an exact address, and data that can provide approximate geographical information may also be used.

[0064] The printing history data may include data indicating at least one of the following: remaining ink volume, print length, print time, print data, print mode, ink purchase history, ink ejection volume, and print area. Print history data is easily obtainable and provides information that allows for accurate estimates. Of the above items, remaining ink volume is a history of the remaining ink volume from past prints. Print length and print time are a history of the length of the printed area and the time required for printing in past prints. Print data and print mode are a history of the print data and print mode settings used in past prints. Ink purchase history is a history of ink purchases by the printing organization 14. Ink ejection volume and print area are the ink ejection volume and the area of ​​the printed area in past prints. Using such printing history data, it is possible to more appropriately determine the experience and feasibility of each printing organization 14 with respect to the printing content indicated by the required specification data. It is also possible to more appropriately determine whether each printing organization 14 is good or bad at the printing content indicated by the required specification data, as well as to predict the time required for delivery. The server 106 matches customers with the printing organization 14 based on the printing history data, taking these factors into consideration. It is also possible to use, for example, data indicating the history of past maintenance performed on the printing device 124 as the printing history data. In this case, the server 106 determines the timing of scheduled maintenance, which is maintenance performed periodically on the printing device 124, based on the printing history data. The server 106 then matches customers with the printing organization 14, taking the timing of scheduled maintenance into consideration. This configuration makes it possible to appropriately determine the times when the printing device 124 cannot be operated due to scheduled maintenance. Therefore, this configuration makes it possible to more appropriately determine the delivery date that the printing organization 14 can achieve, taking into account the periods when the printing device 124 cannot be operated.

[0065] It is also possible to use data other than the above as data for determining whether the printing content indicated by the required specification data can be realized. For example, the server 106 may further acquire performance data indicating the performance of the printing device 124 owned by each printing organization 14 when acquiring the printing history data. In this case, in step S108, the server 106 matches the customer with the printing organization 14 based on the performance data. The performance data corresponds to the specifications of the printing device 124 model. By referencing the printing history data and the performance data, it is possible to more appropriately understand the range of printing services that can be performed by the printing organization 14. This also makes it possible to more appropriately determine whether the printing organization 14 can perform printing that meets the required specifications indicated by the required specification data.

[0066] Next, the matching operation performed by the server 106 in step S108 will be described in more detail. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the matching operation performed by the server 106, showing a simplified example of the matching operation when the number of printing organizations 14 and customers is two. FIG. 4( a) shows examples of candidate combinations of customers and printing organizations 14. FIG. 4( b) shows an example of the matching results. In FIG. 4, when there are multiple printing organizations 14, each designated as printing organizations A and B in the figure, matching is performed between multiple customers, designated as customers 1 and 2, and the printing organizations 14. As shown in FIG. 4( a), for example, four types of candidate combinations of customers and printing organizations 14 can be considered: a combination of printing organization A and customer 1, a combination of printing organization A and customer 2, a combination of printing organization B and customer 1, and a combination of printing organization B and customer 2. In response to this, the server 106 matches customers and printing organizations 14 based on the operation data, required specification data, installation location data, delivery location data, etc., as described above. In this way, the server 106 determines (selects) for each customer the printing organization 14 that will print the content desired by the customer. Also, Figure 4(b) shows an example of the matching result when printing organization B is selected for customer 1 and printing organization A is selected for customer 2.

[0067] Here, if a printing organization 14 is selected based solely on the order amount without performing the above-described matching, it is usually difficult to perform optimal matching that takes into account the entire supply chain, including the delivery of the printed matter to be delivered. In contrast, in this example, matching is performed based on operational data and required specification data, etc., so that a printing organization 14 that can perform the printing desired by the customer can be more appropriately selected. Furthermore, matching is performed based on installation location data and delivery location data, so that appropriate matching can be performed that takes into account the time and cost required to deliver the printed matter. This allows the appropriate allocation of a printing organization 14 to a customer, taking into account the entire supply chain, including the delivery of the printed matter.

[0068] Furthermore, the time and cost required for delivery may be influenced by factors other than the distance between the installation location of the printing organization 14 and the delivery location. Therefore, in the matching process, it is preferable to further consider factors other than delivery distance based on the installation location data and delivery location data. For example, the server 106 may match customers with the printing organization 14 by further considering traffic conditions along the route for delivering printed materials to the location indicated by the delivery location data. In this case, it is possible to consider at least one of weather, delivery time, and traffic congestion conditions regarding traffic conditions. Regarding weather, for example, weather forecasts may be considered. Furthermore, it is preferable to consider weather factors, particularly those related to heavy snowfall and typhoons. Regarding traffic congestion conditions, it is preferable to consider current traffic congestion conditions and traffic congestion forecasts. Regarding traffic conditions, it is also possible to consider, for example, the impact of disruptions to transportation such as trains and airplanes, and the impact of traffic congestion on vehicle transportation. Furthermore, in order to deliver printed materials, it is necessary to send and receive the printed materials. Therefore, in the matching process, the printing organization 14 may further consider at least one of the available shipping time when the printing organization 14 can ship the printed matter and the available receiving time when the customer can receive the printed matter, when matching customers with the printing organization 14. This configuration allows for more accurate prediction of whether delivery within the deadline can be made. The available shipping time and available receiving time may take into account the business hours, non-business days, holidays, etc. of the printing organization 14 and the customer.

[0069] In this example, the server 106 matches customers with printing organizations 14 based on instructions received via another computer, such as a computer operated by the customer. The server 106 presents the matching results to the user (e.g., the customer) of the other computer by displaying them on the screen (monitor) of that computer. The server 106 may perform matching based on multiple conditions, each of which differs when considering the delivery of printed materials, based on the installation location data and delivery location data, and present the results to the user. In this case, the multiple conditions may include at least delivery distance, delivery time, delivery cost, delivery method, and greenhouse gas emissions. This configuration allows for more appropriate matching between customers and printing organizations 14 based on desired conditions. It is also possible to perform matching for each of these conditions and present the matching results for each condition. This configuration allows for matching proposals based on the priority desired by the customer, etc. The server 106 may also rank the matching results by displaying a ranking or a score. For example, it is possible to use multiple items corresponding to the above multiple conditions and display printing organizations 14 with the highest matching degrees for each item. The server 106 may also present the matching results in a manner that allows the results to be sorted according to the priority of the items. This configuration allows the matching results to be presented in a format that is easy to view and understand. This also allows for more appropriate matching to be performed in accordance with the needs of the person instructing the matching. The server 106 may also present the matching results by, for example, displaying the selected printing organization 14 on a map.

[0070] Furthermore, depending on the printing content desired by a customer, it may be preferable to have multiple printing organizations 14 share the printing load. Therefore, the server 106 may perform matching by allocating multiple printing organizations 14 to one customer. In this case, for example, matching may be performed by allocating the number of deliveries desired by the customer to the multiple printing organizations 14. With this configuration, even when it is difficult for one printing organization 14 to print all of the deliveries, it is possible to appropriately match customers with printing organizations 14. For example, if a customer desires to print 1,000 units, but all printing organizations 14 are busy and unable to deliver 1,000 units, it is conceivable to match customers with printing organizations 14 in such a way that a first printing organization 14 prints a portion of the orders (e.g., 500 units), a second printing organization 14 different from the first printing organization 14 prints a portion of the remaining orders (e.g., 300 units), and a third printing organization 14 different from the first and second printing organizations 14 prints the remaining orders (e.g., 200 units). This allows the franchise organization to more appropriately prevent missing out on orders from customers.

[0071] Depending on the content of the printed matter desired by a customer, multiple processes may be required to complete the printed matter. In such cases, it is possible to assign multiple printing organizations 14 to a single customer, one for each process required to complete the printed matter. In this case, during the matching process, the server 106 assigns multiple printing organizations 14 to a single customer so that, of the multiple processes required to execute the printing desired by the customer, a first printing organization 14 performs a first process, and a second printing organization 14, different from the first printing organization 14, performs a second process. For example, if a certain printed matter requires first performing process A and then process B to be completed, and at least a first and a second printing organization 14 are located geographically close to the customer's base where the product will be delivered, it is possible to assign one of processes A and B to the first printing organization 14 and the other to the second printing organization 14, depending on the characteristics of the first and second printing organizations 14, etc. For example, a customer may be matched with a printing organization 14 by assigning the second printing organization 14 to perform step A and the first printing organization 14 to perform step B, in a combination of a first printing organization 14 that is weak at step A but good at step B, and a second printing organization 14 that is good at step A but not so good at step B. A similar matching process may also be performed for a combination of a first printing organization 14 that does not have the equipment necessary for step A and a second printing organization 14 that does not have the equipment necessary for step B. A similar matching process may also be performed for a combination of a first printing organization 14 that is currently busy but will have some free time in the future, and a second printing organization 14 that is expected to become busy at some point in the future and can perform up to step A, but if it performs up to step B, it will not be able to meet the customer's desired delivery date. Even in these cases, multiple printing organizations 14 can be used to appropriately receive orders from customers. This also allows the franchise organization to more appropriately prevent missing out on orders from customers.

[0072] Next, a supplementary explanation will be provided regarding each of the above-mentioned components. As can be understood from the above explanation, the server 106 in this example is a computer managed by the management organization 12. Therefore, the operation of the server 106 is an operation carried out by the management organization 12, which is the administrator of the franchise organization, by collecting various data. The matching between customers and printing organizations 14 performed by the server 106 is an operation carried out under the management of the administrator of the franchise organization. As described above, the server 106 in this example communicates with a computer operated by a customer or the like and receives input from that computer to acquire required specification data and delivery location data. The computer operated by a customer or the like receives the customer's request using various known input methods. The operation of the server 106 to acquire the required specification data and delivery location data can also be considered a process operation for acquiring the required specification data and delivery location data via the management organization 12. As described above, the server 106 in this example presents the matching results to the customer or the user of that computer by displaying them on the screen of the other computer. The server 106 also notifies the printing organization 14 assigned to the customer of the matching result. Such operation of the server 106 can be considered as an operation of notifying the printing organization 14 and the customer of the matching result via the management organization 12. With this configuration, it is possible to match customers with printing organizations 14, targeting multiple printing organizations 14 that are franchisees of a franchise organization, in accordance with the needs of both the customer who will order the print output service and the franchise organization that will receive the order.

[0073] As described above, the management organization 12 in this example acquires printer information and the like from the multiple printing organizations 14. The management organization 12 may acquire other data as printer information in addition to the data described above. For example, the server 106 of the management organization 12 may acquire printing device-related information, which is various information related to the printing devices 124, from the printing devices 124 owned by the multiple printing organizations 14 and store the information in the DB 104. Furthermore, the server 106 may transmit the printing device-related information stored in the DB 104 to information display devices such as computers and tablet terminals of the management organization 12 and the printing organizations 14 in response to requests from these information display devices. The server 106 then displays information based on the printing device-related information on the information display devices. This configuration is an example of a dashboard system that visualizes information related to the printing devices 124. The various data used by the server 106 can also be considered to be data based on information acquired by the dashboard system. The dashboard system can also be considered to be a system that visualizes various data acquired from the printing devices 124 by displaying them. In this case, it is preferable that the management organization 12 be able to view the dashboard of the printing organization 14 in relation to the use of the data stored in DB 104. The dashboard of the printing organization 14 is a display screen for information based on printing device-related information regarding the printing devices 124 used in each printing organization 14. The dashboard system is realized by executing a data collection program (software, app) provided by a seller of the printing devices 124, on a computer such as the server 106. The seller of the printing device 124 here does not refer to a retailer or the like that sells various home appliances, but rather refers to a manufacturer that manufactures and sells the printing device 124, or a seller or the like that is closely related to the manufacturer of the printing device 124, such as a dealer directly operated by the manufacturer.

[0074] As described above, the management organization 12 may implement at least some of the functions of the DB 104 and the server 106 using a server or the like provided by a cloud server provider. For example, the dashboard system may be a system implemented by a server and database outside the franchise organization managed by the management organization 12. In this case, the server 106 of the management organization 12 communicates with the server and database of the dashboard system as needed to acquire printer information, such as print history data and operation data, related to the printing device 124 used by the printing organization 14. Such an operation of the server 106 acquiring print history data and operation data via the dashboard system is also an example of an operation of the server 106 acquiring print history data and operation data from the printing device 124. The dashboard system may also be a system provided by a provider other than the franchise organization managed by the management organization 12. The management organization 12 may also store data used to manage the franchise organization, other than data available through the dashboard system, in the DB 104 using a server or the like provided by a cloud server provider other than the franchise organization. For example, the management organization 12 may use a management system for franchise organizations provided by a provider other than the franchise organization. In this case, the server 106 of the management organization 12 obtains at least a portion of the data used for matching from the printing device 124 of the printing organization 14 via the dashboard system or the management system for the franchise organization. In this case, the relationship between the management system for the franchise organization and the dashboard system is as shown in FIG. 5.

[0075] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the management system 20 for franchise organizations used by franchise organizations and the dashboard system 30. The diagram shows a configuration in which data used to manage franchise organizations, including data available through the dashboard system 30, and other data, are stored in separate databases. The management system 20 manages franchise organizations by linking with the dashboard system 30, and includes a database (DB) 104a that stores data other than data available through the dashboard system 30. The management system 20 is a system used by multiple franchise organizations, and is used by users of multiple different franchise organizations, for example, as distinguished by headquarters accounts 1 and 2 in the diagram. Headquarters account 1 is an account for the management organization 12 (see FIG. 1) of a first franchise organization. Headquarters account 2 is an account for the management organization 12 of a second franchise organization different from the first franchise organization. The DB 104a also inputs and outputs data to and from the servers 106 (see FIG. 2) of the management organizations 12 of headquarters accounts 1 and 2.

[0076] As described above, the dashboard system 30 visualizes information related to the printing device 124 (see FIG. 2 ) of the printing organization 14, and includes a database 104b that stores various data acquired from the printing device 124. In the illustrated configuration, the dashboard system 30 is used by users of multiple different printing organizations 14, as distinguished by franchisee accounts 1-4 in the figure. The franchisee accounts 1-4 are accounts of franchisees of franchise organizations managed by either headquarters account 1 or 2. The franchisee accounts 1-4 can also be considered accounts held by affiliated organizations (affiliated companies) of headquarters account 1 or 2, prepared by the headquarters for the franchise organization management system 20, for use in the dashboard system 30. In the illustrated configuration, of the franchisee accounts 1-4, franchisee accounts 1 and 2 are accounts of printing organizations 14 belonging to the franchise organization managed by headquarters account 1. The franchisee accounts 3 and 4 are accounts of printing organizations 14 belonging to the franchise organization managed by headquarters account 2.

[0077] Furthermore, the combination of one headquarters account (either headquarters account 1 or 2) and its affiliated store accounts in FIG. 5 corresponds to the printing system 10 shown in FIG. 1. For example, the management organization 12 corresponding to the headquarters account includes a PC 102 (see FIG. 2) and a server 106. The server 106 acquires data necessary for the matching operation from DBs 104a and 104b external to the management organization 12. The management organization 12 may also have a DB 104 separate from DBs 104a and 104b. The DB 104 of the management organization 12 is used, for example, for data that is not stored in the external DBs 104a and 104b. It is also conceivable that the server 106 is not a component of the management organization 12 of a specific franchise organization, but is used by multiple franchise organizations. In this case, the server 106 can also be considered to be a component external to the management organization 12. The overall configuration including the management system 20, dashboard system 30, and the like shown in FIG. 5 can also be considered a matching system that performs the above-mentioned matching operation.

[0078] Furthermore, in the management system 20, it is desirable that the management organization 12 be able to view data in the dashboard system 30 accounts of the printing organizations 14 under its umbrella. This configuration allows the management organization 12 to appropriately manage the status of the printing devices 124 of each printing organization 14. In this case, users who access DB 104a using headquarters accounts 1 and 2 can access DB 104b via DB 104a and use various data (e.g., printing history data, operation data, etc.) stored in DB 104b. This configuration allows the management system 20 to use the dashboard system 30 and appropriately manage the printing organizations 14 that are users of the dashboard system 30. Furthermore, accounts of the management organization 12, such as headquarters accounts 1 and 2, may be able to directly access the dashboard system 30.

[0079] As can be understood from the above description, the DB 104b of the dashboard system 30 stores and manages information about the printing devices 124 owned by the printing organizations 14, which are users of the dashboard system 30. It is also conceivable that the DB 104b further stores various types of information about the printing organizations 14. For example, it is conceivable that the printing organizations 14, which are users of the dashboard system 30, register their own account information in the system when creating an account. In this case, the printing organizations 14 register their own business name (company name), address information, etc. as account information. The DB 104a of the management system 20 stores and manages data generated using the information stored in the DB 104b of the dashboard system 30 and various information related to the franchise organization (e.g., customer information). In this case, the DB 104a stores customer information, which is collected as data about the printing devices 124 and linked to the printing history data stored in the DB 104b. Possible customer information includes the customer's name and delivery destination (delivery address, etc.). DB 104a may store customer information in a format that is not linked to print history data or specific print jobs. DB 104a may also store information about printing devices 124 of printing organization 14 that is not handled by dashboard system 30.

[0080] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5 , when the management system 20 and the dashboard system 30 are considered separately, of the data used in the above-described matching operation, the printing history data, installation location data, and performance data are data managed by the dashboard system 30. When performing the matching operation, the server 106 acquires these data from the DB 104b of the dashboard system 30. The server 106 may communicate with the DB 104b of the dashboard system 30 via the DB 104a of the management system 20. Furthermore, of the data used in the matching operation, the required specification data and delivery location data are data managed by the management system 20. When performing the matching operation, the server 106 acquires these data from the DB 104a of the management system 20. Alternatively, of the data stored in the DB 104b of the dashboard system 30, copies of the data used in the matching operation (such as the printing history data, installation location data, and performance data) may be stored in the DB 104a of the management system 20, and this data may be used as is or with some processing.

[0081] Furthermore, in the configuration shown in FIG. 5 , the management system 20 can be considered a system higher than the dashboard system 30, which uses data from the dashboard system 30. As described above, the management organization 12 of the management system 20 can view the dashboard system 30 account data of the printing organizations 14 under its umbrella. The management organization 12 calculates the distance between each printing organization 14 linked to the same franchise headquarters and the customer based on the address information registered in the dashboard system 30 as the printing organization 14's account information and the customer's address, etc., entered by the customer. The address, etc., registered in the management system 20 may be used as the customer's address. The server 106 of the management organization 12 matches customers with printing organizations 14 based on the data stored in DBs 104 a and 104 b to find a combination that meets the customer's requirements and is geographically closest. The server 106 then presents the matching results to the customer, etc., by displaying the matching results on a computer screen. The greater the distance between the location of the printing device 124 (e.g., the address of the printing organization 14) and the delivery location (e.g., the customer's address), the greater the transportation costs (e.g., distance, time, risk of accident, etc.) of the printed materials to be delivered. In contrast, by matching customers with printing organizations 14 as described above, the distance between the location of the printing organization 14 and the delivery location becomes closer, allowing the printing organization 14 to do business with customers in closer proximity. This also brings benefits such as reduced transportation costs. Furthermore, by allowing customers to place orders with printing organizations 14 in closer proximity, delivery times can be shortened and the risk of delivery delays due to unforeseen problems can be reduced.

[0082] As described above, the server 106 that performs the matching process receives input from a computer operated by the customer, etc., to obtain the customer's preferences and match the customer with a printing organization 14. In contrast, a variation of the matching operation could involve matching based on instructions from a franchisee rather than from the customer. Printing organizations 14 under the same franchise often use printing devices 124 of the same model or with equivalent performance. Furthermore, customers of the printing organizations 14 often have similar needs regarding the specifications of the printed materials they order from the printing organizations 14. In this situation, if the server 106 of the management organization 12, which serves as the headquarters of the franchise, matches customers with printing organizations 14, and a customer of one printing organization 14 changes to a customer of another printing organization 14, the printing organization 14 will lose customers and suffer a disadvantage. Therefore, it is preferable to match multiple customers with printing organizations 14 so that customers can be swapped between multiple printing organizations 14. This configuration allows the management organization 12 to propose customer swaps to multiple printing organizations 14. The customer can receive the same print output service from a nearby printing organization 14 as before the customer was replaced. In this case, the server 106 displays, on the screen of a computer accessing the franchise management system 20, potential combinations that can reduce costs by switching customers between multiple printing organizations 14, based on the results of matching that takes into account factors such as the distance between the customer and the printing organization 14. The franchise management organization 12 can provide sales advice, such as customer replacement, to its affiliated printing organizations 14 based on these proposed candidates. This operation of the management organization 12 can also be considered as an operation of visualizing mismatches between customers and printing organizations 14 and providing advice to the printing organizations 14 to improve those mismatches.

[0083] In the above embodiment, the management system 20 for a franchise organization is primarily used to match customers with printing organizations 14. However, the management system 20 can be used for various purposes related to the operation of a franchise organization other than matching. For example, the management system 20 can visualize the address information of customers and printing organizations 14 by mapping them on a map, thereby recruiting new businesses to join the franchise organization and making proposals for developing new customers. Furthermore, the data stored in the DB 104a of the management system 20 can be made public not only to the management organizations 12 corresponding to headquarters accounts 1, 2, etc., but also to the printing organizations 14. Sharing data among multiple printing organizations 14 in the same franchise organization allows customer information to be shared among the printing organizations 14. Furthermore, various data stored in the DB 104b may be shared among multiple printing organizations 14 by further permitting the printing organizations 14 to access the DB 104b of the dashboard system 30 via the DB 104a of the management system 20. This allows, for example, multiple printing organizations 14 to check the availability of the printing devices 124 of each printing organization 14 based on the operation data of the printing devices 124. This also makes it possible, for example, to create a sharing economy for printing devices 124 among multiple printing organizations 14 in the same franchise organization.

[0084] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example of matching customers with printing organizations 14 has been described, mainly in relation to a franchise organization. However, similar matching as described above can also be performed in a configuration including multiple printing organizations 14 other than a franchise organization. In this case, a management organization 12 that manages the multiple printing organizations 14 may also be provided. The relationship between the management organization 12 and the printing organizations 14 other than a franchise organization can be, for example, the relationship between a parent company and a subsidiary, or the relationship between a headquarters and a factory in a corporate organization. Furthermore, the management organization 12 may not be an organization that manages the printing organizations 14, but may simply be an organization that manages data such as operational data and print history data. In this case, the multiple printing organizations 14 can be, for example, various associations or federations. Furthermore, as described above, when matching customers with printing organizations 14, the customer is an example of a person requesting printing. However, in a configuration other than a franchise organization, the person requesting printing can also be someone other than a customer. For example, a person requesting printing can be a person who requests printing from a department corresponding to the printing organization 14 within an organization such as a corporate organization. Furthermore, the person requesting printing can also be considered an orderer who requests printing from the printing organization 14. The printing organization 14 can also be considered as a supplier that accepts printing orders from those who wish to print.

[0085] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which an inkjet printer is used as the printing device 124 of the printing system 10. However, a printer other than an inkjet printer may also be used as the printing device 124 of the printing system 10. For example, a 3D printer may be used.

[0086] Second Embodiment A second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 6 shows an example of the configuration of a printing system 10b according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The printing system 10b is a system that performs printing using a printing device (printer) and includes a management organization 12b and multiple printing organizations 14b. The management organization 12b manages the printing organizations 14b. The printing organizations 14b perform printing using the printing devices. Except as described below, the printing system 10b may have the same or similar features as known printing systems. Furthermore, the printing system 10b of this example is a franchise organization (franchise group) in which the management organization 12b serves as the franchisor (headquarters) and the printing organizations 14b serve as franchisees (affiliated stores), and the printing organizations 14b provide print output services. Furthermore, the printing system 10b is an example of a shipping base determination system that determines a shipping base from which ink will be shipped to the printing organizations 14b. The operation of determining the ink shipping base will be described in more detail below. Printing system 10b can also be considered an example of a data utilization system that utilizes data obtained from printing devices of printing organization 14b.

[0087] FIG. 7 shows an example of the configuration of the management organization 12b and the printing organization 14b. FIG. 7(a) shows an example of the configuration of the management organization 12b. FIG. 7(b) shows an example of the configuration of the printing organization 14b. FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b) show the main parts of the configuration of the management organization 12b and the printing organization 14b that are related to the operation of determining the ink shipping base, which will be described later. The management organization 12b and the printing organization 14b may further have various components necessary for providing print output services in a franchise organization. In addition, the management organization 12b and the printing organization 14b are staffed by employees, managers, and other personnel necessary for running the organization.

[0088] In this example, the management organization 12b includes a PC 102b, a DB 105b, and a server 106b. The PC 102b is a computer used by users belonging to the management organization 12b. The PC 102b is an example of an input / output computer that inputs information to the user and outputs information to the user. In this example, the PC 102b controls the DB 105b and the server 106b in response to user operation. In response to user operation, the PC 102b displays information stored in the DB 105b to the user and causes the server 106b to perform information processing using the information stored in the DB 105b in response to user operation. The DB 105b is a database that stores data related to the operations of the franchise organization and stores various data obtained from multiple printing organizations 14b via the server 106b. The DB 105b stores, for example, printer information, which is information indicating the status of printing devices in the printing organization 14b. The DB 105b in this example also stores, as printer information, for example, print history data showing the history of printing performed in the past by the printing device in the printing organization 14b, and operation data showing the operation record of the printing device.

[0089] The server 106b executes information processing related to the franchise organization's business. The server 106b in this example is an example of a computer that uses data acquired from printing devices. For example, the server 106b communicates with the printing organization 14b via a wide area network such as the Internet to acquire printer information and the like from the printing device of the printing organization 14b and store the information in the DB 105b as needed. The server 106b also causes the PC 102b or the like to display information based on the information stored in the DB 105b in response to instructions from a user operating a computer other than the server 106b, such as the PC 102b. The server 106b in this example acquires printing history data, operation data, and the like from the printing device of the printing organization 14b as needed. The printing history data and operation data are examples of data included in printer information. The server 106b may acquire the printing history data, etc., via another computer, such as the computer of the printing organization 14b, rather than acquiring the printing history data, etc., directly from the printing device. In this case, the printing history data, etc., can also be considered as data acquired from the printing device of the printing organization 14b. Furthermore, with regard to the printing history data, the server 106b may perform predetermined processing on data acquired from a printing device or computer of the printing organization 14b, and store the generated data in the DB 105b. In such a case, the server 106b can be considered to acquire the printing history data from the printing device of the printing organization 14b.

[0090] For ease of illustration and explanation, FIG. 7A illustrates one PC 102b, one DB 105b, and one server 106b as the configuration of the management organization 12b. However, the management organization 12b may have multiple PCs 102b, multiple DBs 105b, and multiple servers 106b. Furthermore, a configuration combining multiple DBs 105b can be considered a single virtual database, and a configuration combining multiple servers 106b can be considered a single virtual server. It is also possible to realize at least some of the functions of the DBs 105b and servers 106b of the management organization 12b using a server provided by a cloud server provider. In this case, too, the operations realized by linking the configuration directly provided by the management organization 12b, such as the PC 102b, with the cloud server are referred to as the operations of the management organization 12b. It is also possible to use a single computer that serves both the DBs 105b and servers 106b of the management organization 12b.

[0091] The printing organization 14b also has multiple printing bases 112b and a management unit 114b. The printing base 112b is the base where printing is performed in the printing organization 14b. The printing base 112b in this example also has a PC 122b and multiple printing devices 124b. The PC 122b is a computer used by users belonging to the printing organization 14b. The PC 122b is an example of an input / output computer that inputs information from the user and outputs information to the user. The PC 122b in this example also controls the printing device 124b, which is located at the same printing base 112b as the PC 122b, in response to user operation. The PC 122b controls the operation of the printing device 124b, for example, by supplying print data indicating an image to be printed to the printing device 124b. The PC 122b may also transmit information to or acquire information from the management organization 12b by communicating with the server 106b, DB 105b, etc. of the management organization 12b. For example, the PC 122b may display information based on printer information stored in the DB 105b. This configuration allows the printing organization 14b and the management organization 12b to work together to manage the printing device 124b. The printing device 124b is a printer that performs printing in the printing organization 14b. A color inkjet printer that prints using multiple color inks can be suitably used as the printing device 124b.

[0092] In this example, the printing base 112b is a base where a printing device 124b is installed, from which the server 106b of the management organization 12b obtains printer information. The printing device 124b at the printing base 112b transmits printer information and the like to the server 106b in response to a request from the server 106b. Information transmission from the printing base 112b to the server 106b may also be performed via a computer such as a PC 122b. In this case, the PC 122b obtains information from the printing device 124b in response to a request from the server 106b and provides it to the server 106b. The specific configuration of the printing base 112b is not limited to the configuration shown in the figure and may vary in various ways. For example, the number of printing devices 124b controlled by the PC 122b may be one or three or more. Furthermore, the number of PCs 122b at one printing base 112b may be multiple. Furthermore, the number of PCs 122b and printers 124b, and the number of printers 124b controlled by one PC 122b, may differ for each printing base 112b. It is also possible for a printer 124b to also perform the functions of a PC 122b. In this case, the PC 122b and printer 124b can be considered to be integrated. The number of printing bases 112b is not limited to the number shown in the figure and can be changed as appropriate.

[0093] As described above, the printing organization 14b in this example further includes a management unit 114b in addition to the multiple printing locations 112b. The management unit 114b is configured to manage the multiple printing locations 112b and includes a PC 126b. The PC 126b is also a computer used by users belonging to the printing organization 14b. The PC 126b can also be considered an administrator's computer that manages the entire printing organization 14b. Like the PC 122b, the PC 126b can also communicate with the server 106b and DB 105b of the management organization 12b to send information to or obtain information from the management organization 12b. Similarly, the PC 126b can also display information based on printer information stored in the DB 105b. The specific configuration of the printing organization 14b is not limited to the configuration shown in the figure and can vary in various ways. As described above, the printing system 10b (see FIG. 6) of this example includes multiple printing organizations 14b. The specific configuration of each printing organization 14b may differ. For example, the number of printing locations 112b in a printing organization 14b may differ from one printing organization 14b to another. For example, a printing organization 14b may have only one printing location 112b. It is also possible to omit the management unit 114b in at least some printing organizations 14b. In this case, one of the printing locations 112b in the printing organization 14b can be considered to double as the management unit 114b. According to this example, the management organization 12b manages printer information and the like for the printing devices 124b, thereby enabling appropriate print output services to be performed using the printing devices 124b of multiple printing organizations 14b.

[0094] Next, the operation of determining a shipping base from which ink is shipped to the printing organization 14b in the printing system 10b of this example will be described. In the following, in relation to the operation of determining an ink shipping base, first, the accommodation of ink between printing organizations 14b will be described. In this case, the ink is the ink used in the printing device 124b of each printing organization 14b. Ink is an example of a consumable item consumed by printing at the printing organization 14b. The accommodation of ink means moving ink between multiple printing organizations 14b by having another printing organization 14b send ink to the printing organization 14b that places an order for ink (the ordering printing organization 14b). The other printing organization 14b that sends ink is a different printing organization 14b from the ordering printing organization 14b to which the ink is to be delivered.

[0095] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the ink supply operation in the printing system 10b. In the illustrated operation, first, one of the multiple printing organizations 14b, which are franchisees in the franchise organization, becomes the ink orderer and places an order for ink with the management organization 12b, which is the franchisor of the franchise organization (S102). The printing organization 14b manages its ink inventory to prevent ink shortages and orders ink from the management organization 12b when the ink inventory falls below a predetermined amount. In addition, in response to the ink order from the printing organization 14b, the management organization 12b determines a shipping base from which to ship the ink to the printing organization 14b (S104). In this example, the management organization 12b determines the ink shipping base from among multiple bases, including printing organizations 14b other than the ink orderer. The operation of the management organization 12b to determine the shipping base will be described in more detail later. FIG. 8 also shows an example in which one of the printing organizations 14b other than the ink orderer is determined as the shipping base. In this case, in step S104, the management organization 12b issues a request for accommodation to the printing organization 14b determined as the shipping base, which is a request for shipping ink to the printing organization 14b that placed the order.

[0096] The printing organization 14b serving as the shipping base receives a request for ink from the management organization 12b (S106) and ships ink to the ordering printing organization 14b in accordance with the request (S108). The ordering printing organization 14b then receives the ink shipped from the shipping base printing organization 14b (S110). This configuration allows ink to be appropriately lent among multiple printing organizations 14b. In this case, the management organization 12b receives an ink order from the ordering printing organization 14b and issues a request for ink lent to the shipping base printing organization 14b, thereby allowing the management organization 12b to manage the ink lent. The operation of the management organization 12b to determine the shipping base in step S104 can be performed, for example, as shown in FIG. 9.

[0097] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the management organization 12b to determine an ink shipping base, and shows an example of the operation performed by the management organization 12b in step S104 of FIG. 8. The operation shown in FIG. 9 is an operation executed in response to an ink order from the printing organization 14b, which is the ink ordering source. The operation shown in FIG. 9 in this example is the operation of a server 106b owned by the management organization 12b. The server 106b executes the operation shown in FIG. 9 in accordance with a predetermined program. This program is a program that causes a computer to perform processing to determine a shipping base. The server 106b is an example of a shipping base determination device. The operation of the server 106b is an example of the operation of a shipping base determination method. In a modified example of the operation of the printing system 10b, it is possible that at least a portion of the operation shown in FIG. 9 is executed by another computer. In this case, too, one of the computers in the printing system 10b executes the operation shown in FIG. 9 in accordance with a predetermined program. This program is installed on the computer that executes the program. It is also possible to use a mobile information device (mobile device) as at least a portion of the computer that executes the program.

[0098] In the operation shown in FIG. 9 , the server 106b first accepts an order for ink from the printing organization 14b (S202). The operation of step S202 in this example is an example of an order acceptance process. Following step S202, the server 106b acquires data to be used in subsequent processes from the printing organization 14b (S204). The operation of step S204 in this example is an example of a data acquisition process. Also, in step S204 in this example, the server 106b acquires ink volume data indicating the amount of ink held by the printing organization 14b and operational data indicating the operational performance of the printing device 124b from the printing organization 14b that ordered the ink. The server 106b acquires the ink volume data from a computer or the like that manages inventory at the printing organization 14b. At the printing organization 14b, a computer or the like in the management unit 114b manages the ink inventory at the printing organization 14b. The server 106b then acquires the ink volume data by communicating with this computer or the like. The server 106b may acquire ink volume data from the printing device 124b of the printing organization 14b. The server 106b may also acquire operational data from the printing device 124b of the printing organization 14b. The server 106b may also acquire operational data from the printing device 124b via a computer, such as the PC 122b at the printing base 112b of the printing organization 14b. The server 106b may also acquire operational data, etc., from the DB 105b rather than directly from the printing device 124b. In this case, the operational data, etc. stored in the DB 105b is data that has been acquired in advance from the printing device 124b. Therefore, even when acquiring operational data, etc., from the DB 105b, the server 106b can be considered to be acquiring operational data, etc., from the printing device 124b.

[0099] The operational data in this example is data necessary to calculate the ink consumption of the printing device 124b. Furthermore, the operational data may include data indicating at least one of the following: remaining ink volume, print length, print time, print data, print mode, ink purchase history, ink ejection volume, and print area. By using such operational data, it is possible to appropriately estimate the ink consumption of the printing device 124b using data that is easily available from the printing device 124b of the printing organization 14b. The operational data here refers to data related to the operation of the printing device 124b in the current or specific most recent period. Furthermore, of the above items, the remaining ink volume refers to the remaining ink volume in the current or specific most recent period. The print length and print time refer to the length of the printed area and the time required for printing in the current or specific most recent period. The print data and print mode refer to the print data and print mode settings used in the current or specific most recent period. The ink purchase history refers to the purchase history of ink purchased by the printing organization 14b in the current or specific most recent period. The ink ejection amount and print area are the amount of ink ejected during printing currently or in a specific recent period and the area of ​​the printed area. It is conceivable that data indicating matters other than ink volume data be used as operational data. Data indicating matters other than ink volume data is data indicating matters that cannot be understood from ink volume data alone.

[0100] Following the operation of step S204, the server 106b calculates the remaining time, which is the time until ink runs out in the printing organization, based on the ink volume data and operation data acquired in step S204 (S206). The operation of step S206 in this example is an example of an operation of a remaining time calculation process. Calculating the remaining time based on the ink volume data and operation data as described above makes it possible to appropriately predict when ink shortages will occur in the printing organization 14b. In step S206, the server 106b calculates the average ink consumption amount in the printing organization 14b based on the operation data. Then, the server 106b calculates the remaining time based on the ink volume indicated by the ink volume data and the average ink consumption amount. The operation of calculating the average ink consumption amount in the printing organization 14b based on the operation data is an example of an operation of predicting future ink usage based on data indicating the operation history of the printing organization 14b. Furthermore, the operation of the server 106b calculating the remaining time is an example of an operation of calculating the time until ink runs out based on the current ink volume and predicted future ink consumption. The server 106b may calculate the remaining time based on the ink volume data and operation data using, for example, a method using artificial intelligence (AI) such as machine learning. This configuration allows for more accurate calculation of the remaining time. In this case, it is possible to use an AI model created by further considering at least one of the time of receipt of the ink order, the season, the print data, and the customer's attributes. The customer attributes refer to the attributes of the printing organization 14b, which is the customer in the ink order. The server 106b may also calculate the remaining time based on the order details (order details) received in step S204. This configuration allows for more accurate calculation of the remaining time while taking into account the order details from the printing organization 14b in real time. The server 106b may also calculate the remaining time based on the printing organization 14b's past history of ink purchases (purchase history). This configuration allows for more accurate calculation of the remaining time by taking into account the printing organization 14b's past behavior.

[0101] Following the operation of step S206, the server 106b identifies ink-holding locations that have stock of the ink specified in the order received in step S202 (S208). The ink specified in the order received in step S202 is the ink to be used in the printing device 124b of the ordering printing organization 14b. The operation of step S208 in this example is an example of the operation of an ink-holding location identification process. The server 106b identifies a printing organization 14b other than the ordering printing organization 14b as at least some of the ink-holding locations. This allows the selection of a shipping location that shortens transportation time compared to when the printing organization 14b is not treated as an ink-holding location. Furthermore, as described above, the printing organization 14b in this example is a franchisee of a franchise organization. Treating the printing organization 14b as an ink-holding location means identifying a location of a franchisee other than the ordering franchisee as part of the ink-holding locations. In step S208 of this example, the server 106b selects ink distributors as well as other printing organizations 14b other than the ordering printing organization 14b as ink supply locations. The server 106b identifies the printing organizations 14b that stock the ink specified in the order received in step S102 based on the printer information and other information stored in the DB 105b.

[0102] Following step S208, the server 106b calculates the transport time from the ink-receiving location identified in step S208 to the ordering printing organization 14b (S210). The operation of step S210 in this example is an example of a transport time calculation process. The transport time from the ink-receiving location to the ordering printing organization 14b is the time it takes for the ink to be transported from the ink-receiving location to the location (installation location) where the printing device 124b of the ordering printing organization 14b is installed. In step S210, the server 106b calculates the transport time based on the ink-receiving location and the address of the ordering printing organization 14b. The server 106b in this example also determines the transport means available for transport from the ink-receiving location to the delivery destination and calculates the transport time based on the transport means. Transport means may include, for example, cars, trains, airplanes, ships, and walking. This configuration allows for more accurate estimation of transport times that vary depending on the transport means. Furthermore, the capabilities of each transport means may also be determined by considering the characteristics of the business entity requesting the transport. For example, by taking into account differences in collection and delivery times for postal services and various delivery companies, as well as differences in the time required for sorting, it is possible to more appropriately estimate transportation times, which vary depending on the company.

[0103] Following the operation of step S210, the server 106b determines a shipping base from among the ink-reserving bases identified in step S208 to ship the ink to the ordering printing organization 14b based on the remaining time and transportation time calculated in steps S206 and S210 (S212). The operation of step S212 in this example is an example of the operation of a shipping base determination process. This configuration allows the ink shipping base to be appropriately determined based on the time until the ordering printing organization 14b runs out of ink. The operation of the server 106b to determine the shipping base in step S212 will be described in more detail later. Following the operation of step S212, the server 106b requests the ink shipping base determined in step S212 to ship the ink to the ordering printing organization 14b (S214). The operation of step S214 in this example is an example of the operation of a shipping request process. As can be understood from the above description, in this example, the printing organization 14b may also be the shipping base. In this case, the request for shipping to the printing organization 14b is an example of an accommodation request for requesting accommodation of ink among the multiple printing organizations 14b. In step S214, the server 106b receives a response from the shipping base indicating acceptance of the shipping request, thereby completing the operation of requesting shipping.

[0104] Following the operation of step S214, the server 106b grants an incentive to the shipping base (S216). The operation of step S216 in this example is an example of the operation of the incentive granting process. In this example, granting an incentive to a shipping base is an operation performed when the printing organization 14b becomes a shipping base. The operation performed by the server 106b in step S216 is an operation that executes a process of granting an incentive to the printing organization 14b that becomes a shipping base. A possible incentive for the printing organization 14b that becomes a shipping base is to provide ink, media, etc. In this case, granting the incentive can also be considered as granting the right to receive ink, media, etc. Furthermore, the ink, media, etc. may be provided to the printing organization 14b that becomes a shipping base after the ink arrives at the printing organization 14b that ordered the ink. In step S212, the server 106b may also determine that an ink-providing base other than the printing organization 14b, such as an ink distributor, is the shipping base. In this case, the server 106b does not grant an incentive to the shipping base.

[0105] Through the above operations, the server 106b in this example determines the ink shipping base and requests the shipping base to ship the ink. According to this example, the ink shipping base for the ordering printing organization 14b can be determined from among various ink-retaining bases, including the printing organization 14b. This more appropriately prevents ink shortages at the ordering printing organization 14b. Furthermore, in this example, the supply of ink between the multiple printing organizations 14b that are franchisees of the franchise organization is appropriately managed by the management organization 12b, which is the franchisor. Furthermore, the inventory of ink used at the franchisee printing organizations 14b is also appropriately managed by the franchisor.

[0106] Here, the operation of the server 106b in determining a shipping base will be described in more detail. As described above, the server 106b in this example determines a shipping base from among the ink-reserving bases to ship ink to the ordering printing organization 14b based on the remaining time calculated based on the ink volume data and operation data and the transportation time from the ink-reserving base to the ordering printing organization 14b. The server 106b can also be considered to determine a shipping base based on the ink volume data, operation data, and transportation time. The above parameters used to determine a shipping base can also be considered to be parameters for preparing the ink to be used by the ordering printing organization 14b at the appropriate time. The server 106b can also be considered to determine a shipping base based on preset conditions, etc., as the ink-reserving base located in the most suitable location for shipping ink to the ordering printing organization 14b. The server 106b may also determine a shipping base by taking into account factors other than the remaining time and transportation time. For example, the server 106b may determine a shipping base by taking into account transportation costs, etc. In this case, transportation time can be considered as one of the factors for determining transportation costs. The server 106b then determines the ink-receiving base that minimizes transportation costs as the shipping base. Furthermore, when delivering ink, in addition to transporting the ink, it is also necessary to send and receive the ink. Therefore, the server 106b may determine the shipping base by taking into consideration at least one of the available shipping times when the ink-receiving base can send the ink and the available receiving times when the ordering printing organization 14b can receive the ink. The available shipping times take into consideration the business hours and holidays of the ink-receiving bases that are candidates for the shipping base. The available receiving times take into consideration the business hours and holidays of the destination printing organization 14b that will receive the ink. This configuration allows for more accurate prediction of the time required for the ink to arrive at the printing organization 14b. By determining a shipping base that can ship ink at the most convenient time, it is possible to more accurately prevent downtime, in which the printing device 124b becomes unusable due to ink shortages.

[0107] The server 106b may also determine the shipping base by taking into account traffic conditions along the route for delivering ink from the ink storage base to the installation location of the printing device 124b. This configuration allows the shipping base to be determined while taking into account the possibility of delays due to traffic conditions. In this case, the traffic conditions may be determined by taking into account weather, the time of delivery, and the like. For example, heavy snowfall or a typhoon may increase the likelihood of delivery delays due to weather. Delivery delays may also be increased during consecutive holidays such as the New Year holidays and Golden Week, Obon, vacation season, and daylight saving time. Therefore, the server 106b may determine the shipping base by taking into account at least one of the weather and the time of the transportation period. In this case, the weather may be determined by taking into account weather forecasts. It is particularly preferable to take into account factors related to heavy snowfall and typhoons. It is preferable to take into account current traffic congestion conditions and traffic congestion forecasts regarding traffic congestion. Considering traffic conditions may also be considered to include the impact of disruptions to transportation services such as trains and airplanes, and the impact of traffic congestion on vehicle transportation. The server 106b may also determine the shipping base by taking into account the expiration date of the ink. This configuration allows the shipping base to be an ink-holding base that holds ink with an expiration date appropriate for the usage of the ordering printing organization 14b. In this case, the server 106b may consider the expiration date of the ink at the ink-holding base from which the ink is procured as the ink expiration date. Furthermore, the expiration date of the ink held by the ordering printing organization 14b may also be considered as the ink expiration date.

[0108] In addition, the server 106b in this example executes a process for determining a shipping base based on instructions received via another computer, such as a computer operated by a user belonging to the management organization 12b. The server 106b presents the results of the determined shipping base to the user of the other computer by displaying them on the screen (monitor) of the other computer. In this case, the server 106b may receive an instruction from the user to select a priority condition from multiple pre-prepared conditions and determine a shipping base based on the selected condition. The multiple conditions may include transportation cost, transportation method, transportation time, transportation distance, and greenhouse gas emissions. This configuration allows for more appropriate determination of a shipping base that matches the user's desired priorities. The server 106b may also determine multiple shipping base candidates and allow the user to select one from the multiple candidates to determine the shipping base. In this case, multiple candidates may be determined for each of the multiple conditions. For example, multiple shipping base candidates may be determined for each of the multiple conditions, such as transportation cost, transportation method, transportation time, transportation distance, and greenhouse gas emissions. In this case, it is conceivable to list the multiple shipping bases for each condition with an order of priority. The server 106b may order the multiple shipping bases for each condition by displaying a ranking or a score. The server 106b may also display the multiple shipping bases so that they can be rearranged according to the priority of the conditions. Such a function can also be considered a sorting function according to the priority of the conditions.

[0109] As described above, the server 106b identifies a printing organization 14b other than the ordering printing organization 14b as at least some of the ink-receiving locations that are candidates for the shipping location. The printing organization 14b identified as the ink-receiving location also consumes ink by using the printing device 124b. Therefore, it is preferable that the server 106b determine the shipping location for the printing organization 14b identified as the ink-receiving location by taking into account at least one of the time until the ink runs out, the amount of ink consumed, and the amount of ink in stock at the printing organization 14b. This configuration allows for more appropriate determination of the shipping location by taking into account the circumstances of both the printing organization 14b that serves as the ink shipping location and the ordering printing organization 14b that is the ink delivery destination, so as to avoid downtime at either location. For example, if the first candidate printing organization 14b for the shipping location is busy and consumes a large amount of ink, it is possible to determine a second candidate printing organization 14b that is different from the first candidate as the shipping location. As described above, the server 106b in this example presents the results of the determination of the shipping base to the user by displaying them on the screen of another computer. The server 106b may also present the determined shipping base, etc., on a map. In this case, the server 106b displays the location of the ordering printing organization 14b and the location of the shipping base on the map. In this case, it is also preferable that the server 106b display these locations along with the transportation time. This configuration allows the results of the determination of the shipping base to be presented in a format that is easy for the user to understand.

[0110] As described above, the server 106b in this example selects ink distributors as ink supply locations in addition to other printing organizations 14b. Depending on the remaining ink supply time at the ordering printing organization 14b, there may be time to purchase ink from the ink distributor, making it unnecessary to ship ink from the other printing organization 14b. In such cases, the server 106b preferably selects the ink distributor as the shipping location. This configuration allows ink to be delivered to the ordering printing organization 14b without requiring the other printing organization 14b to handle the process. Furthermore, if the ink supply locations include an ink distributor, the person ordering the ink may be allowed to decide whether to purchase ink from the ink distributor (direct purchase) or ship ink from the other printing organization 14b (indirect ink supply). In this case, a comparison of direct ink purchase and ink supply may be displayed for each of several criteria, including transportation cost, transportation method, transportation time, transportation distance, and greenhouse gas emissions. This configuration allows a shipping base to be more appropriately determined in accordance with the user's desired priorities. Furthermore, if direct purchase offers greater benefits in terms of cost, delivery time, etc., the server 106b may recommend direct purchase rather than ink lending in the process of determining a shipping base.

[0111] Next, a supplementary explanation will be given regarding each of the components described above. As can be understood from the above explanation, the server 106b in this example is a computer managed by the management organization 12b. Therefore, the operation of the server 106b can be considered to be an operation performed by the management organization 12b, which is the administrator of the franchise organization, by collecting various data. The operation of determining the ink shipping location using the server 106b is an operation performed under the management of the administrator of the franchise organization. Also, as described above, the printing organization 14b in this example orders ink from the management organization 12b when the ink it owns in inventory falls below a predetermined quantity. The printing organization 14b orders ink from the management organization 12b via a computer operated by a user belonging to the printing organization 14b. The server 106b communicates with the computer of the printing organization 14b and accepts input from this computer to receive the ink order. The server 106b notifies the printing organization 14b of the determined shipping location by displaying it on the screen of the printing organization 14b's computer, etc.

[0112] As described above, the management organization 12b of the printing system 10b of this example acquires printer information and the like from multiple printing organizations 14b. The management organization 12b may acquire additional data as printer information in addition to the data described above. For example, the server 106b of the management organization 12b may acquire printing device-related information, which is various information related to the printing devices 124b, from the printing devices 124b owned by the multiple printing organizations 14b and store the information in the DB 105b. Furthermore, in response to requests from information display devices such as computers and tablet terminals of the management organization 12b and the printing organizations 14b, the server 106b transmits the printing device-related information stored in the DB 105b to these information display devices. The server 106b then displays information based on the printing device-related information on the information display device. This configuration is an example of a dashboard system that visualizes information related to the printing devices 124b. In this case, the various data used by the server 106b can also be considered data based on information acquired by the dashboard system. The dashboard system can also be considered a system that visualizes various data acquired from the printing device 124b by displaying it. In this case, it is preferable that the management organization 12b be able to view the dashboard of the printing organization 14b regarding the use of data stored in the DB 105b. This configuration allows the management organization 12b to appropriately manage the status of the printing device 124b of the printing organization 14b. The dashboard of the printing organization 14b can be considered a display screen for information based on printing device-related information regarding the printing device 124b used by the printing organization 14b. Furthermore, the server 106b of the management organization 12b acquires operational data and ink volume data by using the dashboard system. In this case, the server 106b may acquire data indicating the amount of ink already delivered to the printing organization 14b. The server 106b uses the dashboard system to predict ink usage at the printing organization 14b. This configuration allows the ordering printing organization 14b to more appropriately identify ink-providing locations that can provide ink.The dashboard system is realized by executing a data collection program (software, app) provided by the seller of the printing device 124b or the like on a computer such as the server 106b. The seller of the printing device 124b here does not refer to a retailer that sells various home appliances or the like, but rather refers to a seller that is closely related to the manufacturer of the printing device 124b, such as a manufacturer that produces and sells the printing device 124b or a retail store directly operated by the manufacturer.

[0113] As described above, the management organization 12b may have multiple DBs 105b and multiple servers 106b. The combined configuration of multiple DBs 105b can be considered a single virtual database. The combined configuration of multiple servers 106b can be considered a single virtual server. Furthermore, at least some of the functions of the DBs 105b and servers 106b of the management organization 12b may be realized using a server provided by a cloud server provider. In this case, the dashboard system may be a system realized by a server and database outside the franchise organization managed by the management organization 12b. In this case, the server 106b of the management organization 12b communicates with the server and database of the dashboard system as needed to obtain printer information, such as print history data and operation data, related to the printing device 124b used in the printing organization 14b. The operation of the server 106b obtaining print history data and operation data via the dashboard system is also an example of the operation of the server 106b obtaining print history data and operation data from the printing device 124b. Furthermore, the dashboard system may be a system provided by a business operator other than the franchise organization managed by the management organization 12b. As can be understood from the above explanation, in this example, the management organization 12b, which is the franchisor, manages the ink inventory and consumption at the multiple printing organizations 14b, which are each franchisee of the franchise organization. Furthermore, the management organization 12b also centrally manages matters such as ink supply and demand, issuing instructions to each printing organization 14b to send and receive ink. This makes it possible to optimize ink inventory management at franchisees and reduce costs at the franchise organization.

[0114] Furthermore, as described above, when ink is shared between printing organizations 14b, the server 106b may determine the ink shipping base taking into account the wishes of the printing organizations 14b. In this case, it is preferable to give priority to the management organization 12b in determining the shipping base, allowing the management organization 12b to make the final decision. In this case, the server 106b first prompts the user of the ordering printing organization 14b to select a shipping base during the process of determining the shipping base. The server 106b also receives an instruction to designate a shipping base from the management organization 12b. The operation of receiving an instruction to designate a shipping base from the management organization 12b is an example of the operation of the shipping base designation process. Then, when a shipping base is designated by the management organization 12b, the server 106b determines the shipping base by prioritizing the designation by the management organization 12b, regardless of the user's selection of the shipping base. For example, the server 106b may stop ink sharing between printing organizations 14b and designate the ink seller as the shipping base based on an instruction from the management organization 12b. When ink is sent from an ink seller to an ordering printing organization 14b, the ink may be sent to the printing organization 14b via the management organization 12b based on instructions from the management organization 12b. Furthermore, the sharing of ink between printing organizations 14b may be decided between the printing organizations 14b. Even when the sharing of ink between printing organizations 14b is decided, it is preferable that the management organization 12b, which is responsible for managing the franchise organizations, appropriately manages the necessary information.

[0115] Furthermore, as described above, in this example, by determining the printing organization 14b, which is a franchisee of the franchise organization, as the ink shipping base, it becomes possible to more appropriately ship ink to the ordering printing organization 14b. In this regard, if the franchise organization is operated only in an area with a well-developed distribution network, such as Japan, it may seem sufficient to ship ink directly from the ink seller to the ordering printing organization 14b without accommodating ink between printing organizations 14b. However, even in such cases, depending on the location of the ordering printing organization 14b, it may be preferable to accommodating ink between printing organizations 14b. Furthermore, franchise organizations may operate over a wide area, including multiple countries, and it may be difficult to appoint an ink seller for each country. As a result, cross-border ink delivery may be required, which may result in long ink delivery times. Furthermore, even when a franchise organization is operated within a single country, depending on the size of the operation area and the status of the distribution network, ink delivery may be long if ink is shipped only from the ink seller. In contrast to this, according to this example, ink is shared between neighboring printing organizations 14b, so that ink can be delivered in a shorter time to the printing organization 14b that needs ink.

[0116] In this case, it is possible to have a printing organization 14b operating in an area where there are no ink vendors or management organizations 12b, or in an area far from such locations, stock a larger amount of ink. In this case, the printing organization 14b functions as an ink warehouse that cooperates with the management organization 12b. The ink lending history can also be used as a reference for proposing, for example, replacement of the printing device 124b used by the printing organization 14b or the introduction of optional items. For example, the management organization 12b could suggest a more productive model of printing device 124b or the purchase of an optional external ink supply to a printing organization 14b that frequently borrows ink. This configuration can appropriately improve the capabilities of the printing organization 14b. Proposals for replacement of the printing device 124b or the introduction of optional items could be made by a sales company, such as the manufacturer of the printing device 124b, rather than the management organization 12b. In this case, the sales company cooperates with the management organization 12b to propose to the printing organization 14b the replacement of the printing device 124b or the introduction of optional items. This configuration can increase the success rate of sales of the printing device 124b by the sales company.

[0117] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the operation of ink sharing and the like within a franchise organization has been described. However, ink sharing and the like can also be performed in organizations other than franchise organizations as long as they have multiple printing organizations 14b. In this case, a management organization 12b that manages the multiple printing organizations 14b may also be provided. Examples of management organizations 12b and printing organizations 14b other than franchise organizations include, for example, the relationship between a parent company and a subsidiary, or the relationship between a headquarters and a factory in a corporate organization. In this case, ink sharing and the like may be performed between multiple subsidiaries or multiple factories. Furthermore, the management organization 12b may not be an organization that manages the printing organizations 14b, but may simply be an organization that manages data such as operational data and printing history data. In this case, the multiple printing organizations 14b may be, for example, various associations, alliances, or other organizations. Furthermore, ink sharing between companies may also be ink sharing between group companies. In the above embodiment, an inkjet printer is used as the printing device 124b in the printing system 10b, but the printing organization 14b may further include a printing device other than an inkjet printer as the printing device 124b. For example, a 3D printer may be used as the printing device 124b.

[0118] Third Embodiment A third embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 10 shows the configuration of a printing system 10c according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The printing system 10c is a system that performs printing using a printing device (printer) and includes a management organization 12c and multiple printing organizations 14c. The management organization 12c manages the printing organizations 14c. The printing organizations 14c perform printing using the printing devices. Except as described below, the printing system 10c may have the same or similar features as known printing systems. Furthermore, the printing system 10c of this example is a franchise organization in which the management organization 12c serves as the franchisor (headquarters) and the printing organizations 14c serve as franchisees (affiliated stores), providing print output services through the printing organizations 14c. The printing system 10c is also an example of a data utilization system that utilizes data acquired from the printing devices of the printing organizations 14c.

[0119] FIG. 11 shows an example of the configuration of the management organization 12c and the printing organization 14c. FIG. 11(a) shows an example of the configuration of the management organization 12c. FIG. 11(b) shows an example of the configuration of the printing organization 14c. FIGS. 11(a) and 11(b) show the portions of the configuration of the management organization 12c and the printing organization 14c that are related to the use of data, which will be described below. The management organization 12c and the printing organization 14c may further include various components necessary for providing print output services in a franchise organization. In addition, the management organization 12c and the printing organization 14c are staffed by employees, managers, and other personnel necessary for running the organization.

[0120] In this example, the management organization 12c includes a PC 102c, a DB 104c, and a server 106c. The PC 102c is a computer used by users belonging to the management organization 12c. The PC 102c is a computer for inputting and outputting information to and from the user. In addition, the PC 102c in this example controls the DB 104c and the server 106c in response to user operation. In response to user operation, the PC 102c displays information stored in the DB 104c to the user. In response to user operation, the PC 102c also causes the server 106c to perform information processing using the information stored in the DB 104c. The DB 104c is a database that stores data related to the franchise organization's business, and various data acquired from multiple printing organizations 14c via the server 106c is stored in the DB 104c. For example, the DB 104c stores printer information, which is information indicating the status of printing devices of the printing organization 14c. The DB 104c of this example also stores print history data indicating the history of printing that has been performed in the past by the printing devices of the printing organization 14c.

[0121] The server 106c processes information related to the franchise organization's business. The server 106c in this example is an example of a computer that uses data acquired from a printing device. For example, the server 106c communicates with the printing organization 14c via a wide area network such as the Internet to acquire printer information and the like from the printing device of the printing organization 14c and store it in the DB 104c as needed. The server 106c also displays information based on the data stored in the DB 104c on the PC 102c or the like in response to instructions from a user operating a computer other than the server 106c, such as the PC 102c. The server 106c in this example also acquires printing history data from the printing device of the printing organization 14c. The printing history data may be considered to be included in the printer information. The server 106c may also acquire the printing history data via the printing organization 14c's computer or the like, rather than directly from the printing device. In this case, the printing history data may also be considered to have been acquired from the printing device of the printing organization 14c. Furthermore, with regard to the printing history data, the server 106c may perform predetermined processing on data acquired from a printing device or computer of the printing organization 14c, and store the generated data in the DB 104c. In such a case, the server 106c can also be considered to have acquired the printing history data from the printing device of the printing organization 14c.

[0122] For ease of illustration and explanation, FIG. 11A illustrates the configuration of the management organization 12c as one PC 102c, one DB 104c, and one server 106c. However, the management organization 12c may have multiple PCs 102c, multiple DBs 104c, and multiple servers 106c. Furthermore, a configuration combining multiple DBs 104c can be considered a single virtual database, and a configuration combining multiple servers 106c can be considered a single virtual server. Furthermore, the management organization 12c may implement at least some of the functions of the DBs 104c and the servers 106c using a server provided by a cloud server provider. In this case, the operations implemented by linking the components directly provided by the management organization 12c, such as the PC 102c, with the cloud server can also be considered operations of the management organization 12c. Furthermore, the management organization 12c may use a single computer that combines the DBs 104c and the servers 106c.

[0123] The printing organization 14c has multiple printing bases 112c and a management unit 114c. The printing base 112c is a base where printing is performed within the printing organization 14c. In addition, the printing base 112c in this example has a PC 122c and multiple printing devices 124c. The PC 122c is a computer used by users belonging to the printing organization 14c. The PC 122c is a computer for inputting and outputting information to and from the user. In addition, the PC 122c in this example controls the printing device 124c installed at the same printing base 112c as the PC 122c in response to user operation. The PC 122c controls the operation of the printing device 124c by supplying print data including images to be printed by the printing device 124c to the printing device 124c. In addition, the PC 122c communicates with the server 106c, DB 104c, etc. of the management organization 12c to send information to or obtain information from the management organization 12c. In this case, the PC 122c may display information based on the printer information stored in the DB 104c. With this configuration, the printing organization 14c can manage the printing device 124c in cooperation with the management organization 12c. The printing device 124c is a printer that performs printing in the printing organization 14c. A color inkjet printer that prints using multiple colors of ink can be suitably used as the printing device 124c.

[0124] In this example, the printing base 112c is a base where a printing device 124c is installed, from which the server 106c of the management organization 12c obtains printer information and print history data. The printing device 124c at the printing base 112c transmits printer information and the like to the server 106c in response to a request from the server 106c. Information transmission from the printing base 112c to the server 106c may be performed via a computer such as a PC 122c. In this case, the PC 122c obtains information from the printing device 124c in response to a request from the server 106c and transmits it to the server 106c. The specific configuration of the printing base 112c is not limited to the configuration shown in the figure and may vary. For example, the number of printing devices 124c controlled by the PC 122c may be one, three, or more. Furthermore, one printing base 112c may have multiple PCs 122c. Furthermore, the number of PCs 122c and printers 124c, and the number of printers 124c controlled by one PC 122c, may vary for each printing base 112c. It is also possible for a printer 124c to also perform the functions of a PC 122c. In this case, the PC 122c and printer 124c can be considered to be integrated. The number of printing bases 112c is not limited to the number shown in the figure and can be changed as appropriate.

[0125] As described above, the printing organization 14c of this example further includes a management unit 114c in addition to the multiple printing locations 112c. The management unit 114c is configured to manage the multiple printing locations 112c and includes a PC 126c. The PC 126c is also a computer used by users belonging to the printing organization 14c. The PC 126c is also a computer used by the administrator of the entire printing organization 14c. Like the PC 122c of the printing location 112c, the PC 126c also communicates with the server 106c and DB 104c of the management organization 12c to send information to or retrieve information from the management organization 12c. Similarly, the PC 126c may display information based on printer information stored in the DB 104c. The specific configuration of the printing organization 14c is not limited to the configuration shown in the figure and can vary in various ways. As described above, the printing system 10c (see FIG. 10) of this example includes multiple printing organizations 14c. The specific configuration of each printing organization 14c may vary. For example, the number of printing locations 112c in each printing organization 14c may vary. For example, a printing organization 14c may have only one printing location 112c. It is also possible to omit the management unit 114c in at least some printing organizations 14c. It is also possible for one of the printing locations 112c in a printing organization 14c to double as the management unit 114c. According to this example, the management organization 12c manages printer information and the like for the printing devices 124c, thereby enabling appropriate print output services to be performed using the printing devices 124c of multiple printing organizations 14c.

[0126] Next, a method for utilizing data acquired from the printing device 124c will be described in more detail. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation utilizing data acquired from the printing device 124c. FIG. 12(a) is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation utilizing data acquired from the printing device 124c. The flowchart shown in FIG. 12(a) illustrates an operation for determining a printing device 124c to be introduced into the printing organization 14c using print history data as an example of utilizing data acquired from the printing device 124c. The printing device 124c to be introduced into the printing organization 14c refers to a printing device 124c purchased to replace or add an existing printing device 124c. Furthermore, the operation shown in FIG. 12(a) in this example is performed by the server 106c of the management organization 12c. The server 106c executes the operation shown in FIG. 12(a) in accordance with a predetermined program. In a modified example of the operation of the printing system 10c, at least a portion of the operation shown in FIG. 12(a) may be executed by another computer in the management organization 12c or the printing organization 14c. In this case, one of the computers in the printing system 10c executes the operation shown in Fig. 12(a) in accordance with a predetermined program. The server 106c is an example of a data utilization device that utilizes predetermined data in the printing system 10c. The operation of the server 106c is an example of the operation of a data utilization method.

[0127] The operation shown in FIG. 12(a) is an example of an operation for determining an introduced printing device, which is a printing device 124c suitable for introduction to one of the printing organizations 14c in the printing system 10c. The server 106c selects one of the printing organizations 14c in accordance with a user's instructions and performs the operation shown in FIG. 12(a). The operation described below is an operation for determining an introduced printing device to be introduced to one of the printing organizations 14c in the printing system 10c. In this operation, the server 106c first acquires printing history data from the printing device 124c of the printing organization 14c (S102). The operation of step S102 in this example is an example of the operation of a history data acquisition process. In step S102 in this example, the server 106c acquires printing history data previously stored in the DB 104c. The printing history data stored in the DB 104c is data acquired from the printing device 124c of the printing organization 14c. Therefore, the operation of the server 106c acquiring the printing history data from the DB 104c can be considered to be the acquisition of the printing history data from the printing device 124c via the DB 104c. In other words, the operation of step S102 can be considered to be the operation of the server 106c acquiring the printing history data from the printing device 124c. The operation of the server 106c acquiring the printing history data is also an example of a process in which the management organization 12c acquires the printing history data. In this example, the printing history data is a history of printing operations previously performed by the currently used printing device, which is the printing device 124c used by the printing organization 14c. The printing history data can also be considered to be data related to the past operations of the printing device 124c. In step S102, the server 106c may acquire the printing history data directly from the printing device 124c of the printing organization 14c, or may acquire the printing history via a PC 122c or the like at a printing base 112c of the printing organization 14c.

[0128] Following the operation of step S102, the server 106c performs a process to derive (calculate) the printing capacity that can be operated by the printing organization 14c (S104). The operation of step S104 in this example is an example of a printing capacity derivation process. In step S104, the server 106c derives the printing capacity based on the printing history data acquired in step S102. The printing capacity may be calculated in terms of the printing speed per unit time (e.g., per hour) or the printing area. The printing capacity of the printing organization 14c is data that quantifies the printing performance of the printing organization 14c. The server 106c may derive the printing capacity by using a data table prepared in advance or by using artificial intelligence (AI) such as machine learning.

[0129] Following the operation of step S104, the server 106c further derives an operation forecast, which is the printing capacity that can be achieved if the candidate printing device is introduced, by assuming a candidate printing device as a printing device 124c to be introduced into the printing organization 14c (S106). The operation of step S106 in this example is an example of an operation forecast derivation process. The candidate printing device is a printing device 124c of a different model from the printing device currently in use. In step S106, the server 106c derives the operation forecast based on the printing capacity derived in step S104. In this case, the server 106c derives the operation forecast with reference to the current printing capacity. The server 106c also derives the operation forecast based on the current printing capacity achieved by using the currently in use printing device and the difference in performance between the currently in use printing device and the candidate printing device. In step S106 in this example, the server 106c derives operation forecasts for multiple different models of candidate printing devices. The server 106c also derives the operation forecast using the same printing conditions used to derive the printing capacity in step S104. Using the same printing conditions means using conditions for printing the same content. Printing the same content means printing something that can be considered the same as the print result in terms of the required print quality, etc. Furthermore, in this example, multiple printing devices 124c, including successor models of the currently used printing device, are selected as the candidate printing devices. In other words, the operation forecast derived in step S106 is a prediction of the printing capacity when the currently used printing device is replaced with a candidate printing device, such as a successor model. The printing capacity derived in step S104 prior to the operation of step S106 corresponds to the printing capacity obtained when the same model (legacy model) as the currently used printing device is introduced. The server 106c derives the operation forecast under the same printing conditions based on performance data indicating the performance of each model of the currently used printing device and the candidate printing device. In addition, the server 106c may derive the operation forecast by using a data table prepared in advance, or by using artificial intelligence (AI) such as machine learning.

[0130] Following the operation of step S106, the server 106c determines the printing device to be introduced from among multiple models of printing devices 124c, including the candidate printing device, based on the operation prediction derived in step S106 (S108). The operation of step S108 in this example is an example of a printing device to be introduced determination process. The determination of the printing device to be introduced in step S108 does not ultimately determine the printing device 124c to actually be introduced, but merely selects a printing device 124c suitable for the printing organization 14c. The determination of the printing device to be introduced in step S108 can also be considered as determining the model of printing device 124c to be proposed for introduction to the printing organization 14c. The server 106c may also determine the printing device to be introduced using a method such as using a pre-prepared data table or a method using artificial intelligence (AI) such as machine learning.

[0131] In this example, the server 106c proposes the printing device selected in step S108 to the printing organization 14c. For example, the server 106c may propose the introduction of the printing device 124c by notifying a person in charge of the printing organization 14c of the selection result of the printing device to be selected. The operations of the server 106c described above may also be performed in response to instructions from the printing organization 14c. For example, the server 106c may perform the above operations by displaying a screen for communicating with the server 106c on a web browser or dedicated application program on a computer within the printing organization 14c, such as the PC 122c of the printing base 112c or the PC 126c of the management department 114c, and accepting instructions from a person in charge of the printing organization 14c. In this case, the server 106c proposes the printing organization 14c by displaying the printing device selected in step S108 on a computer screen within the printing organization 14c. The server 106c may also perform the above operations in response to instructions from a person in charge of the management organization 12c. In this case, it is conceivable that a proposal for the printing device to be introduced is made to the printing organization 14c via a person in charge within the management organization 12c.

[0132] Next, the operations described above will be explained in more detail. The printing history data in this example may include data indicating at least one of the following: remaining ink volume, print length, print time, print data, print mode, ink purchase history, media purchase history, ink ejection volume, print area, resolution, print media, error details, maintenance frequency, and printing cost. Using such printing history data allows the printing capacity to be appropriately derived in step S104. Furthermore, the printing history data is easy to obtain and provides information that enables accurate estimation. Of the above items, remaining ink volume is a history of the remaining ink volume during past printing. Print length and print time are a history of the length of the area printed during past printing and the time required for printing. Print data and print mode are a history of the print data and print mode settings used during past printing. Ink purchase history and media purchase history are a purchase history of the ink and media purchased by the printing organization 14c. The ink ejection amount, printing area, resolution, printing media, and error details are histories of the ink ejection amount, printing area, resolution during printing, media used, and details of errors that occurred during printing in the past. The number of maintenance operations is a history of past maintenance operations performed on the printing device 124c. The printing cost is a history of costs incurred during printing. It is considered that the printing cost should take into account at least the costs based on the amount of media and ink consumed during printing. Furthermore, the printing cost may also take into account the cost of electricity consumed by the printing device 124c, etc.

[0133] In step S104, the server 106c derives printing capabilities indicating at least one of the print area per unit time, print length per unit time, time required for a specific print, print speed, ink ejection volume used for the specific print, print media, productivity, image quality, and color. By deriving such printing capabilities, the capabilities of the printing organization 14c can be evaluated using easy-to-understand indicators. These printing capabilities can also be considered capabilities that can be appropriately derived based on print history data. Of the above items, the print area and print length per unit time refer to the print area and print length that can be performed per unit time by the printing organization 14c. The time required for a specific print is the time required to perform a predetermined specific print by the printing organization 14c. The print speed is the maximum printing speed that can be performed by the printing organization 14c. The ink ejection volume used for the specific print is the amount of ink ejected when a predetermined specific print is performed by the printing organization 14c. The print media refers to the type of media that can be used by the printing organization 14c. Productivity refers to the efficiency of printing by the printing organization 14c. The image quality and color tone are those that can be produced by printing performed by the printing organization 14c.

[0134] In step S106, the server 106c performs a simulation using the reference print data to derive an operation prediction. In this case, the server 106c can be considered to function as a simulator that derives the operation prediction. The server 106c simulates what kind of printing can be performed using the reference print data. Through the simulation, the server 106c predicts, as the operation prediction, at least one of the print area per unit time, print length per unit time, time required for a specific print, print speed, and ink ejection amount used for a specific print.

[0135] As described above, in step S108 of this example, the server 106c determines the printing device to be introduced based on the operation forecast. Furthermore, in step S108, the server 106c may determine the printing device to be introduced based on conditions other than the operation forecast. For example, the server 106c may determine the printing device to be introduced by further considering the planned print content, which is the content of the printing planned to be performed by the printing organization 14c. The planned print content may consider at least one of the desired delivery date, the number of prints, and other requirements. The other requirements may consider at least one of the color tone, various comments, and special circumstances or requests. Furthermore, as described above, the printing organization 14c of this example is a franchisee of a franchise organization that provides print output services. The printing organization 14c uses the printing device 124c to perform printing in response to orders from customers, etc. The planned print content is the content of the printing service ordered by the printing organization 14c. The content indicated by the order data may also be considered to be the volume of the ordered work. Among the planned print content, the number of prints and other requirements are examples of items that indicate the print content. It is preferable that the planned print content not only consider the print content of prints already received, but also the results of predicting future order volumes. In this case, the server 106c predicts future order volumes based on past order volumes. This configuration makes it possible to determine the printing device to be introduced that is more suitable for the printing organization 14c. For example, if the current order volume and future predicted order volume for the printing organization 14c are low, it can be assumed that the printing speed requirements for that printing organization 14c are low. Therefore, by determining the printing device to be introduced based on the order volume, it is possible to more appropriately select the printing device to be introduced that is suited to the required production volume, which is the amount of printing that can be performed per unit time in the printing organization 14c.

[0136] Furthermore, the production volume of the printing organization 14c may be affected by factors other than the capacity of the printing device 124c. For example, some printing devices 124c can operate automatically even when a user is not present, while others cannot. In other words, depending on the model of printing device 124c, the printing device 124c may not operate without a user (worker, operator). As a result, even if the printing device 124c in the printing organization 14c has spare capacity, production volume may not be increased due to a lack of personnel. Furthermore, even if the model is capable of automatic operation, a user may be required to prepare print data in order to operate the printing device 124c continuously. In this case, to operate the printing device 124c continuously, an employee of the printing organization 14c must prepare for the next print run during working hours. Furthermore, for example, if the printing device 124c is stopped on a day when the printing organization 14c is closed, the printing device 124c may appear to have spare capacity. Therefore, in step S108, the server 106c preferably determines the printing device to be installed by further considering either the number of employees belonging to the printing organization 14c or the working hours of the employees. The number of employees and working hours refer to the number and working hours of the employees belonging to the printing organization 14c who operate the printing device 124c to provide print output services. This configuration allows the selection of an installation printing device that is more suited to the on-site situation. Furthermore, even if the printing organization 14c has spare capacity, it may be possible to select an installation printing device with higher performance than the printing device currently in use. For example, selecting an installation printing device that can be operated automatically at night or on holidays can increase the printing capacity of the printing organization 14c. Furthermore, changing the printing device 124c used in the printing organization 14c can increase the production capacity of the printing organization 14c without increasing the number of employees.

[0137] Furthermore, the printing organization 14c may be limited in the number of available printing devices 124c due to the installation location of the printing device 124c at the printing base 112c. Therefore, in step S108, the server 106c may further consider the installation location of the printing device 124c. For example, the server 106c may further consider the size of the candidate printing device and the size of the installation location of the candidate printing device when deciding on the printing device to be introduced. Furthermore, the strength and levelness of the floor at the installation location and the route for transporting the printing device 124c to the installation location at the printing base 112c may also be considered.

[0138] It is also possible that the printing organization 14c may further perform pre-processing and post-processing of the printing process performed by the printing device 124c. In this case, in step S108, the server 106c may determine the printing device to be introduced by further considering the pre-processing and post-processing. The printing base 112c of the printing organization 14c further includes a pre-processing machine 132c and a post-processing machine 134c, as shown in FIG. 12(b), for example. FIG. 12(b) shows a modified configuration of the printing base 112c. The pre-processing machine 132c is a device that performs a pre-processing. The pre-processing machine 132c performs, for example, pre-processing of media as a pre-processing. The post-processing machine 134c is a device that performs a post-processing. The post-processing machine 134c performs, for example, processing of media as a post-processing. The pre-processing and post-processing are examples of pre- and post-processing that are performed before or after the printing process performed by the printing device 124c. The pre-processing device 132c and the post-processing device 134c are examples of pre-processing devices used in pre-processing and post-processing. In this case, in step S108, the server 106c determines the printing device to be installed by further considering at least one of the capabilities of the pre-processing devices in the pre-processing and post-processing and the connectivity of the pre-processing devices and the printing device 124c. This configuration allows for a more accurate estimation of the productivity (efficiency) of the final product when pre-processing and post-processing are required to complete the final printed product. The capabilities of the pre-processing devices refer to the capabilities of the pre-processing device 132c to perform pre-processing and the capabilities of the post-processing device 134c to perform post-processing. Furthermore, the capabilities of the pre-processing and post-processing refer to the processing capacity per unit time. Furthermore, the connectivity between the pre-processing and post-processing devices and the printing device 124c refers to the connectivity between the pre-processing and the printing process and the connectivity between the printing process and the post-process. The connectivity between the pre- and post-processing devices and the printing device 124c can also be considered as a balance between the processing capacity of the printing device 124c and the capabilities of the pre-processing device 132c and post-processing device 134c.

[0139] As described above, the server 106c in this example executes a process for determining an installation printing device based on instructions received from a person in charge at the printing organization 14c via a computer within the printing organization 14c. The server 106c then displays the determined installation printing device on the screen of the computer within the printing organization 14c. In addition, in step S108, the server 106c may determine multiple models of installation printing device. It is preferable that the server 106c ranks the multiple models of installation printing device on the results display screen and displays them to the user. The ranking may be performed by displaying a ranking, a score, or the like.

[0140] The server 106c may also display the selected printers in a format that shows options for each condition. These conditions may include multiple criteria, such as print size, print speed, print quality (resolution), printable media, color, ink type, and greenhouse gas emissions. The server 106c displays multiple models of printers in a manner that allows the user to sort the multiple criteria according to the priority order. In this case, the server 106c displays the printers based on a data table or the like that associates these multiple criteria with the performance of each printer 124c model. In this case, the DB 104c may store a data table for each printer 124c model that indicates the seller, printer size, printable size, print speed, resolution, printable media, color, ink type, greenhouse gas emissions, connections to other devices, options, power consumption, and the like.

[0141] Furthermore, as described above, the candidate printing device in this example is a printing device 124c of a different model than the printing device currently in use at the printing organization 14c. However, when considering introducing the optimal printing device 124c for the printing organization 14c, depending on the results of the operation prediction derived in step S106, it may be optimal to re-introduce or additionally introduce a printing device 124c of the same model as the currently in use printing device. In such a case, in step S108, the server 106c may determine the printing device 124c of the same model as the currently in use printing device as the printing device to be introduced. Furthermore, the server 106c determines the printing device to be introduced from among multiple models of candidate printing devices and the printing device 124c of the same model as the currently in use printing device.

[0142] Next, we will provide additional information regarding the components described above. As described above, the server 106c in this example determines the appropriate printing device to be introduced to the printing organization 14c. The selected printing device can be selected based on factors such as increasing the printing speed in the printing process of the printing organization 14c and reducing the idling time of the printing device 124c. Increasing the printing speed increases the order volume of the printing organization 14c, enabling it to perform more work. Reducing the idling time of the printing device 124c also helps to optimize the workload. Furthermore, when using an inkjet printer as the printing device 124c, ensuring a certain level of operation can prevent nozzle clogging. The selection of the printing device to be introduced should be made taking into consideration the balance between order volume (sales), working hours, load on the printing device 124c, maintenance costs, etc., as well as maximizing the profits and productivity of the printing organization 14c. It is also desirable to focus on factors that are likely to meet the needs of the printing organization 14c's customers.

[0143] As described above, the printing system 10c in this example is a franchise organization that provides print output services. In such a franchise organization, it is difficult for the franchisor management organization 12c to determine whether the printing device 124c installed by the franchisee printing organization 14c is a suitable model for the printing services provided by the franchise organization. Even if the management organization 12c were to understand the operating status of the printing device 124c of the printing organization 14c, it would be difficult to determine whether the printing device 124c is being used to its full potential. Furthermore, there is a risk that the printing organization 14c is using a printing device 124c with over-specified specifications. Furthermore, it is difficult to obtain data for comparison purposes from printing the same content on other models of printing device 124c. Therefore, in a conventional franchise organization, when the management organization 12c proposes a printing device 124c to be introduced to the printing organization 14c, the management organization 12c compares the features, performance, cost, etc. of various models of printing device 124c and, based on experience, proposes a printing device 124c that is suitable for the printing organization 14c's business needs. In this case, the management organization 12c selects the printing device 124c to propose to the printing organization 14c based on product information obtained from the official website of the seller of the printing device 124c, information on product comparisons, information obtained at showrooms and exhibitions, etc.

[0144] In contrast, the server 106c in this example can appropriately derive the printing capabilities of the printing organization 14c by using the printing history data acquired from the printing organization 14c. The server 106c then determines which printing device to install based on the derived operation forecast, etc., allowing the printing organization 14c to select a suitable printing device to install. By installing the printing device 124c proposed by the management organization 12c, the printing organization 14c can appropriately improve its productivity (efficiency). The management organization 12c proposing the printing device 124c to be installed to the printing organization 14c can be considered to be the management organization 12c recommending an appropriate printing device 124c to the franchisee. By recommending an appropriate printing device 124c, the management organization 12c can also more easily manage and supervise the franchisee. Furthermore, as can be understood from the above explanation, the management organization 12c in this example acquires printing history data from multiple printing organizations 14c. The server 106c can also use print history data acquired from other printing organizations 14c in the process of determining which printing device to propose to a certain printing organization 14c. The operation of this server 106c can be considered to be an operation that uses print history data acquired from multiple printing organizations 14c in the process of determining which printing device to propose to one printing organization 14c. This process can also be considered to be a process of determining which printing device to propose by taking into account the operating history of the other printing organizations 14c.

[0145] As described above, in the printing system 10c of this example, the management organization 12c acquires printer information from multiple printing organizations 14c. The management organization 12c may acquire other data besides print history data as printer information. For example, the server 106c of the management organization 12c may acquire printing device-related information, which is various information related to the printing devices 124c, from the printing devices 124c of the multiple printing organizations 14c and store the information in the DB 104c. In response to requests from information display devices such as computers and tablet terminals of the management organization 12c and the printing organizations 14c, the server 106c transmits the printing device-related information stored in the DB 104c to these information display devices. The server 106c then displays information based on the printing device-related information on the information display device. This configuration for displaying information based on the printing device-related information is an example of a dashboard system that visualizes information related to the printing devices 124c. In this case, the printing history data used by the server 106c can be considered data based on the printing data and operational performance acquired by the dashboard system. Such a dashboard system can also be considered a system that visualizes various operational and historical data acquired from the printing device 124c. The printing system 10c of this example can also be considered an example of a management system for a franchise organization that utilizes such a dashboard system. Furthermore, regarding the use of data stored in the DB 104c, the management organization 12c preferably can view the printing organization 14c's dashboard. The printing organization 14c's dashboard is a display screen for information based on printing device-related information regarding the printing device 124c used by the printing organization 14c. Furthermore, the server 106c of this example uses the functionality of such a dashboard system to display the selected printing device on the information display device of the printing organization 14c. The server 106c may also display the operation forecast of the selected printing device and the operation record of the printing device currently in use on the information display device, in association with the selection of the selected printing device. This configuration allows users to easily and appropriately understand the results obtained by introducing the selected printing device.Furthermore, it is preferable that the server 106c displays the comparison between the operation forecast and the operation results, etc., on the information display device using a graph, etc. In this case, regarding the efficiency, etc., it is possible to use, for example, a graph showing the operation schedule of the printing device 124c.

[0146] The dashboard system of this example is realized by a computer such as the server 106c executing a data collection program (software, app) provided by the seller of the printing device 124c. The seller of the printing device 124c in this case is not a retailer selling various home appliances, but rather a seller closely related to the manufacturer of the printing device 124c, such as a manufacturer that produces and sells the printing device 124c or a directly managed retail store of the manufacturer. It is also possible to use an in-house program created by the management organization 12c as the data collection program. This reduces the possibility of information leakage.

[0147] As can be understood from the above explanation, the determination of the printing device to be introduced in this example can also be considered to be a match between the printer who will perform printing and the printing device 124c to be introduced in the franchise printing system 10c. Furthermore, the collection of printing history data for the printing organization 14c by the management organization 12c can also be considered to be the franchise organization's administrator collecting the printing history data of the person it manages. Matching between the printer and the printing device 124c can also be performed in a printing system 10c of a type other than a franchise organization. In this case, the printing system 10c is configured in a type other than a franchise organization, with a management organization 12c that manages the printing organization 14c and a printing organization 14c that performs printing. Examples of such a management organization 12c and printing organization 14c include, for example, the relationship between a parent company and a subsidiary, or the relationship between the headquarters and a factory in a corporate organization. Furthermore, the management organization 12c may not be an organization that manages the printing organization 14c, but may simply be an organization that manages data such as printing history data. In this case, the printing organization 14c can be an organization such as a union or association. In these cases, the printing system 10c may also use the functions of the dashboard system to collect data such as print history data.

[0148] In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the process of acquiring data such as print history data from the printing device 124c was primarily performed by the server 106c of the management organization 12c. In this case, the process of acquiring data such as print history data is performed by the management organization 12c in the printing system 10c. In contrast, in a modified version of the operation of the printing system 10c, the process of acquiring data such as print history data could be performed by someone other than the management organization 12c. For example, a seller selling the printing device 124c to the printing organization 14c could acquire the print history data. Even in this configuration, the person who acquires the data can manage the print history data so that it is accessible to the management organization 12c, the printing organization 14c, etc., allowing the print history data, etc. to be appropriately used by the management organization 12c, the printing organization 14c, etc. This also allows the appropriate determination of the printing device to be introduced, similar to the operation described in the above embodiment.

[0149] In this case, the seller of the printing device 124c may also utilize the collected data in sales activities for the printing device 124c. More specifically, the manufacturer or retailer that sells the printing device 124c may use the data collected from the customer printing organization 14c to determine the printing device to be introduced, in the same or similar manner as the operation of the server 106c described in the above embodiment. In this case, the result of determining the printing device to be introduced may be used to propose the printing device 124c when the printing organization 14c newly introduces or replaces the printing device 124c. In this case, the sales department of the seller of the printing device 124c may also use the dashboard system. With this configuration, the results of comparing the current actual operating status of the printing device 124c with the operating forecast for when a new printing device 124c, such as a successor model, is introduced, and may be used in sales activities for the printing device 124c.

[0150] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which an inkjet printer is used as the printing device 124c of the printing system 10c. However, a printer other than an inkjet printer can also be used as the printing device 124c of the printing system 10c. For example, a 3D printer can also be used.

[0151] The present invention can be suitably used, for example, in a program that causes a computer to match printing organizations with people wanting to print. The present invention can also be suitably used, for example, in a program that causes a computer to perform a process for determining a shipping base from which ink will be shipped to a printing organization. The present invention can also be suitably used, for example, in a data utilization system.

[0152] 10...printing system, 102...PC, 104...DB, 106...server, 112...printing base, 114...management department, 12...management organization, 122...PC, 124...printing device, 126...PC, 132...pre-processing machine, 134...post-processing machine, 14...printing organization, 20...management system, 30...dashboard system 10b...printing system, 102b...PC, 104b...DB, 106b...server, 112b...printing base, 114b...management department, 12b...management organization, 122b...PC, 124b...printing device, 126b...PC, 14b...printing organization 10c...printing system, 102c...PC, 104c...DB, 106c...server, 112c...printing base, 114c...management department, 12c...management organization, 122c...PC, 124c...printing device, 126c...PC, 132c...pre-processing machine, 134c...post-processing machine, 14c...printing organization

Claims

1. A program that causes a computer to match a printing organization, which is an organization that performs printing using a printing device, with a person who wishes to print, the program causing the computer to perform a required specification acquisition process that acquires from the person who wishes to print required specification data indicating the required specifications of the printing requested by the person who wishes to print and delivery location data indicating the location where the printed product will be delivered, and a matching process that matches the person who wishes to print with the printing organization, the program causing the computer to match the person who wishes to print with the printing organization, based on installation location data indicating the location where the printing device of the printing organization is installed, the required specification data, and the delivery location data.

2. The program described in claim 1, further comprising causing the computer to perform an operation data acquisition process to acquire operation data indicating the operating performance of the printing device from the printing device, and in the matching process, matching between the person wishing to print and the printing organization is further performed based on the operation data, and the operation data is data regarding the operation of the printing device in the present or a specific recent period, and includes at least one of remaining ink, print length, print time, print data, print mode, ink purchase history, ink ejection volume, and print area.

3. The program described in claim 1 further comprises causing the computer to perform a history data acquisition process to acquire print history data indicating the history of printing performed in the past by the printing device, and in the matching process, matching between the person wishing to print and the printing organization is performed further based on the print history data, and the print history data is data regarding the past operation of the printing device and includes at least one of remaining ink, print length, print time, print data, print mode, ink purchase history, ink ejection amount, and print area.

4. The program described in claim 1, further comprising causing the computer to perform a process of acquiring performance data indicating the performance of the printing device from the printing device, and in the matching process, matching between the printing applicant and the printing organization is further performed based on the performance data.

5. The program described in claim 1, further comprising causing the computer to perform a process of obtaining schedule data from the printing organization indicating future plans for use of the printing device owned by the printing organization, and in the matching process, matching between the person wishing to print and the printing organization is further performed based on the schedule data.

6. The program described in claim 3, characterized in that in the matching process, the timing of regular maintenance, which is maintenance that is performed periodically on the printing device, is determined based on the printing history data, and the printing applicant and the printing organization are matched taking into account the timing of the regular maintenance.

7. The program described in claim 1, further comprising causing the computer to perform a pre- and post-process data acquisition process to acquire pre- and post-process data indicating whether or not a process is to be performed before or after the printing process performed by the printing device, and further comprising matching the printing applicant with the printing organization based on the pre- and post-process data in the matching process.

8. The program according to claim 1, characterized in that the required specification data includes at least one of the desired printing data, number of prints, printing media, size of the printed matter, color tone, delivery date and time, type of ink, combination of ink and printing media, resolution, and printing mode.

9. The program described in claim 8, characterized in that in the required specification acquisition process, print requester data indicating matters related to the past behavior of the print requester is further acquired, and in the matching process, matching between the print requester and the printing organization is further performed based on the print requester data.

10. The program described in claim 1, characterized in that in the matching process, the results of matching under multiple conditions, which differ from one another and are taken into consideration when delivering the printed product, are presented based on the installation location data and the delivery location data, and the multiple conditions include at least one of delivery distance, delivery time, delivery cost, delivery method, and greenhouse gas emissions.

11. The program described in claim 1, characterized in that in the matching process, the matching between the printing requester and the printing organization is performed by further taking into consideration the traffic conditions of the route for delivering the printed product to the location indicated by the delivery location data.

12. The program described in claim 1, characterized in that in the matching process, the matching between the person wishing to print and the printing organization is performed by further taking into consideration at least one of the shipping time when the printing organization can ship the printed product and the receiving time when the person wishing to print can receive the printed product.

13. The program according to claim 1, characterized in that in the matching process, matching is performed in which a plurality of printing organizations are assigned to one printing applicant.

14. The program described in claim 13, characterized in that in the matching process, a plurality of printing organizations are assigned to one printing requester such that, of a plurality of processes to be performed when executing the printing desired by the printing requester, a first process is performed by a first printing organization, and a second process different from the first process is performed by a second printing organization different from the first printing organization.

15. The program described in claim 1, characterized in that the required specification acquisition process is a process of acquiring the required specification data and the delivery location data via a management organization that manages multiple printing organizations, and in the matching process, the matching results are notified to the printing organizations and the printing requesters via the management organization.

16. The program described in claim 1, characterized in that the printing organization is a franchisee in a franchise organization that provides printing output services, and the required specification acquisition process is a process of acquiring the required specification data and the delivery location data via a franchisor in the franchise organization.

17. A matching system that matches a printing organization, which is an organization that performs printing using a printing device, with a person who wishes to print, comprising a computer that executes a matching process, wherein the computer executes a required specification acquisition process that acquires from the person who wishes to print, required specification data indicating the required specifications of the printing requested by the person who wishes to print, and delivery location data indicating the location where the printed product will be delivered, and a matching process that matches the person who wishes to print with the printing organization, and wherein the matching process matches the person who wishes to print with the printing organization based on installation location data indicating the location where the printing device is installed in the printing organization, the required specification data, and the delivery location data.

18. A matching device that matches a printing organization, which is an organization that performs printing using a printing device, with a person who wishes to print, comprising: a required specification acquisition process that acquires from the person who wishes to print required specification data indicating the required specifications of the printing requested by the person who wishes to print and delivery location data indicating the location where the printed product will be delivered; and a matching process that matches the person who wishes to print with the printing organization, wherein in the matching process, the matching device matches the person who wishes to print with the printing organization based on installation location data indicating the location where the printing device of the printing organization is installed, the required specification data, and the delivery location data.

19. A matching method for matching a printing organization, which is an organization that performs printing using a printing device, with a person who wishes to print, comprising: a required specification acquisition process for acquiring from the person who wishes to print required specification data indicating the required specifications of the printing requested by the person who wishes to print and delivery location data indicating the location where the printed product will be delivered; and a matching process for matching the person who wishes to print with the printing organization; and the matching process for matching the person who wishes to print with the printing organization based on installation location data indicating the location where the printing device of the printing organization is installed, the required specification data, and the delivery location data.

20. A program that causes a computer to perform a process for determining a shipping base from which ink is shipped to a printing organization, which is an organization that performs printing using a printing device, the program causing the computer to perform the following processes: a data acquisition process that acquires, from the printing organization, ink volume data indicating the amount of ink held by the printing organization and operation data indicating the operating history of the printing device; a remaining time calculation process that calculates the remaining time until the ink runs out at the printing organization based on the ink volume data and the operation data; an ink holding base identification process that identifies an ink holding base that is a base that has ink in stock for use with the printing device; a transportation time calculation process that calculates the transportation time for ink from the ink holding base to an installation location of the printing organization where the printing device is installed; and a shipping base determination process that determines the shipping base based on the remaining time and the transportation time.

21. The program according to claim 20, characterized in that in the ink-holding location identification process, a printing organization other than the printing organization to which the ink is delivered is identified as at least a part of the ink-holding location.

22. The program according to claim 20, wherein the operational data includes at least one of remaining ink amount, print length, print time, print data, print mode, ink purchase history, ink ejection amount, and print area.

23. The program according to claim 20, characterized in that in the shipping base determination process, the shipping base is determined taking into consideration at least one of the shipping time when the ink-holding base can ship ink and the receiving time when the printing organization can receive ink.

24. The program according to claim 20, characterized in that in the shipping base determination process, the shipping base is determined taking into consideration traffic conditions on the route for delivering ink from the ink-holding base to the installation location.

25. The program according to claim 20, characterized in that, in the shipping base determination process, the shipping base is determined taking into consideration the expiration date of ink.

26. The program according to claim 20, characterized in that, in the shipping base determination process, an instruction is received from a user to select a priority condition from a plurality of pre-prepared conditions, and the shipping base is determined based on the selected condition.

27. The program described in claim 20, characterized in that in the ink-holding location identification process, a printing organization other than the printing organization to which the ink is to be delivered is identified as at least a part of the ink-holding locations, and in the shipping location determination process, the shipping location is determined taking into consideration at least one of the time until the ink runs out, the amount of ink consumed, and the amount of ink in stock at the other printing organization.

28. The program according to claim 20, characterized in that in the shipping base determination process, a plurality of candidates for the shipping base are determined, and the shipping base is determined by having the user select one from among the plurality of candidates.

29. The program according to claim 20, characterized in that in the ink-holding location identification process, a plurality of locations are identified as the ink-holding locations, including an ink seller that sells the ink and a printing organization other than the printing organization to which the ink is delivered.

30. The program described in claim 20, characterized in that the printing organization is a franchisee in a franchise organization that provides printing output services, and in the ink-holding location identification process, a location of the franchisee other than the franchisee to which the ink is to be delivered is identified as at least a part of the ink-holding location.

31. The program described in claim 30, further comprising causing the computer to perform a shipping base designation process to receive an instruction to designate the shipping base from a franchisor in the franchise organization, and in the shipping base determination process, having a user of the franchisee to which ink is to be delivered select the shipping base, and when the shipping base is designated by the franchisor in the shipping base designation process, the shipping base is determined by giving priority to the designation by the franchisor regardless of the selection of the shipping base by the user.

32. The program according to claim 20, further causing the computer to execute an incentive granting process for granting an incentive to the printing organization serving as the shipping base.

33. A shipping base determination system that determines a shipping base from which ink is shipped to a printing organization, which is an organization that performs printing using a printing device, comprising a computer that executes a process for determining the shipping base, the shipping base determination system performing the following processes on the computer: a data acquisition process that acquires from the printing organization ink volume data indicating the amount of ink held by the printing organization and operation data indicating the operating history of the printing device; a remaining time calculation process that calculates the remaining time until the ink runs out at the printing organization based on the ink volume data and the operation data; an ink holding base identification process that identifies an ink holding base that is a base that has ink in stock for use with the printing device; a transportation time calculation process that calculates the transportation time for ink from the ink holding base to the installation location where the printing device is installed in the printing organization; and a shipping base determination process that determines the shipping base based on the remaining time and the transportation time.

34. A shipping base determination device that determines a shipping base from which ink is shipped to a printing organization, which is an organization that performs printing using a printing device, comprising: a data acquisition process that acquires from the printing organization ink volume data indicating the amount of ink held by the printing organization and operation data indicating the operating history of the printing device; a remaining time calculation process that calculates the remaining time until the ink runs out at the printing organization based on the ink volume data and the operation data; an ink holding base identification process that identifies an ink holding base that is a base that has ink in stock for use with the printing device; a transportation time calculation process that calculates the transportation time for ink from the ink holding base to a location of the printing organization where the printing device is installed; and a shipping base determination process that determines the shipping base based on the remaining time and the transportation time.

35. A shipping base determination method for determining a shipping base from which ink is shipped to a printing organization, which is an organization that performs printing using a printing device, comprising: a data acquisition step for acquiring from the printing organization ink volume data indicating the amount of ink held by the printing organization and operation data indicating the operating history of the printing device; a remaining time calculation step for calculating the remaining time, which is the time until the ink runs out at the printing organization, based on the ink volume data and the operation data; an ink holding base identification step for identifying an ink holding base, which is a base that has ink in stock for use with the printing device; a transportation time calculation step for calculating the transportation time for ink from the ink holding base to a location of the printing organization where the printing device is installed; and a shipping base determination step for determining the shipping base based on the remaining time and the transportation time.

36. A data utilization system that utilizes data acquired from a printing device of a printing organization, which is an organization that executes printing using a printing device, comprising a computer that utilizes data acquired from the printing device, wherein the computer performs the following operations: a history data acquisition process that acquires printing history data indicating a history of printing performed in the past by a printing device in use that is a printing device used by the printing organization; a printing capacity derivation process that is a process for deriving the printing capacity of the printing organization, the printing capacity derivation process deriving the printing capacity based on the printing history data acquired in the history data acquisition process; an operation prediction derivation process that derives an operation prediction, which is the printing capacity of the printing organization when a candidate printing device for introduction that is a printing device of a model different from the printing device in use is introduced to the printing organization; and an introduction printing device determination process that determines an introduction printing device that is a printing device suitable for introduction to the printing organization, wherein in the operation prediction derivation process, the operation prediction is derived for a plurality of models of the candidate printing device for introduction, and in the introduction printing device determination process, the introduction printing device is determined from among a plurality of models of the printing device including the candidate printing device for introduction based on the operation prediction.

37. The data utilization system of claim 36, wherein the printing history data is data regarding past operations of the printing device in use, and includes at least any one of remaining ink, print length, print time, print data, print mode, ink purchase history, media purchase history, ink ejection amount, print area, resolution, print media, error content, maintenance frequency, and printing cost.

38. The data utilization system according to claim 36, characterized in that the printing capability indicates at least one of the following: printing area per unit time, printing length per unit time, time required for a specific print, printing speed, ink ejection amount used for a specific print, printing media, productivity, image quality, and color tone.

39. A data utilization system according to claim 36, characterized in that in the process of determining the printing device to be introduced, the printing device to be introduced is determined by further taking into consideration the planned printing content, which is the content of printing planned to be performed by the printing organization.

40. The data utilization system of claim 36, characterized in that in the operation prediction derivation process, a simulation is performed using reference printing data to predict at least one of the following as the operation prediction: printing area per unit time, printing length per unit time, time required for a specific print, printing speed, and ink ejection amount used for a specific print.

41. The data utilization system described in claim 36, characterized in that in the process of determining the printing device to be introduced, the printing device is determined by further taking into consideration at least one of the capabilities of the pre- or post-process devices used in the pre- or post-processes, which are processes performed before or after the printing process performed by the printing device, and the connectivity between the pre- or post-process devices and the printing device.

42. A data utilization system as described in claim 36, characterized in that in the process of determining the printing device to be introduced, the printing device to be introduced is determined by further taking into consideration at least one of the number of employees belonging to the printing organization and the working hours of the employees.

43. The data utilization system described in claim 36, characterized in that in the process of determining the printing device to be introduced, the printing device to be introduced is determined by further taking into consideration the installation location of the candidate printing device to be introduced and the size of the candidate printing device to be introduced.

44. A data utilization system according to claim 36, characterized in that said history data acquisition process is a process in which a management organization that manages said printing organization acquires said print history data.

45. The data utilization system according to claim 44, wherein the printing organization is a franchisee in a franchise organization that provides print output services, and the management organization is a franchisor in the franchise organization.

46. ​​A data utilization system according to claim 36, characterized in that said history data acquisition process is a process in which a distributor who sells said printing device to said printing organization acquires said print history data.

47. A data utilization system as described in claim 36, characterized in that in the process of determining the printing device to be introduced, the printing device to be introduced is determined from among the multiple models of candidate printing devices to be introduced and the printing device of the same model as the printing device in use.

48. A data utilization device that utilizes data acquired from a printing device of a printing organization, which is an organization that performs printing using a printing device, comprising: a history data acquisition process that acquires printing history data indicating a history of printing performed in the past by a currently used printing device that is a printing device used by the printing organization; a printing capacity derivation process that is a process for deriving the printing capacity of the printing organization, the printing capacity derivation process deriving the printing capacity based on the printing history data acquired in the history data acquisition process; an operation prediction derivation process that derives an operation prediction, which is the printing capacity of the printing organization when a candidate printing device for introduction, which is a printing device of a model different from the currently used printing device, is introduced to the printing organization; and an introduction printing device determination process that determines an introduction printing device that is a printing device suitable for introduction to the printing organization, wherein in the operation prediction derivation process, the operation prediction is derived for a plurality of models of the candidate printing device for introduction, and in the introduction printing device determination process, the introduction printing device is determined from among a plurality of models of the printing device including the candidate printing device for introduction based on the operation prediction.

49. A data utilization method that utilizes data acquired from a printing device of a printing organization, which is an organization that executes printing using a printing device, comprising: a history data acquisition step, using a computer, of acquiring printing history data indicating a history of printing performed in the past by a printing device in use that is a printing device used by the printing organization; a printing capacity derivation step, which is a step of deriving the printing capacity of the printing organization, the printing capacity derivation step being based on the printing history data acquired in the history data acquisition step; an operation prediction derivation step, which derives an operation prediction, which is the printing capacity of the printing organization when a candidate printing device for introduction that is a printing device of a model different from the printing device in use is introduced to the printing organization; and an introduction printing device determination step, which determines an introduction printing device that is a printing device suitable for introduction to the printing organization, wherein in the operation prediction derivation step, the operation prediction is derived for a plurality of models of the candidate printing device for introduction, and in the introduction printing device determination step, the introduction printing device is determined from among the plurality of models of printing devices including the candidate printing device for introduction based on the operation prediction.

50. A program that utilizes data acquired from a printing device of a printing organization, which is an organization that executes printing using a printing device, comprising: a history data acquisition process that acquires printing history data indicating the history of printing performed in the past by a printing device in use that is the printing device used by the printing organization; a printing capacity derivation process that is a process for deriving the printing capacity of the printing organization, the printing capacity derivation process deriving the printing capacity based on the printing history data acquired in the history data acquisition process; an operation prediction derivation process that derives an operation prediction, which is the printing capacity of the printing organization when a candidate printing device for introduction that is a printing device of a model different from the printing device in use is introduced to the printing organization; and an introduction printing device determination process that determines an introduction printing device that is a printing device suitable for introduction to the printing organization, wherein in the operation prediction derivation process, the operation prediction is derived for a plurality of models of the candidate printing device for introduction; and in the introduction printing device determination process, the program causes a computer to determine the introduction printing device from among a plurality of models of printing devices including the candidate printing device for introduction based on the operation prediction.

Images