Workflow Management Apparatus Job ID Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional work flow management systems fail to confirm the completion of work flows and acquire detailed information on job histories when multiple devices connected via LAN execute processes, as they lack the ability to track which device performed specific tasks within the work flow.
Innovation Solution
A work flow management system and method that includes a network-connected apparatus and devices, where job history information is acquired and stored with a unique job ID, allowing the apparatus to manage and track job histories across multiple devices, enabling the tracking of work flow execution through various devices and retrieval of detailed job information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If work flow management is performed by independent apparatus not connected with other devices, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to track work flow completion across multiple devices deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a work flow management apparatus that acts as an intermediary between multiple independent devices. This centralised management apparatus receives work flow information from each device, maintains comprehensive work flow histories, and provides unified management functionality. The intermediary structure enables cross-device work flow tracking without requiring complex direct connections between all devices.
2Productivity
If work flow is executed through multiple connected devices, then productivity is improved, but the ability to acquire detailed job history information deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges work flow management functions from multiple independent devices into a single centralized work flow management apparatus. This apparatus aggregates work flow information, job histories, and process details from all connected devices, maintaining comprehensive records while enabling efficient multi-device execution. The merging approach preserves detailed information across distributed systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The work flow management apparatus provides universal management capabilities that apply across all connected devices. It performs multiple functions including receiving work flow information, storing job histories, acquiring detailed process information, and providing unified access to work flow status. This multi-functional design enables detailed information acquisition regardless of which specific device executed the job.
3Device complexity
If job history information is stored only by executing devices, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to confirm work flow completion across LAN deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The work flow management apparatus serves as an intermediary that receives and stores work flow information from executing devices. This centralised storage structure provides reliable confirmation of work flow completion by maintaining comprehensive records that can be accessed to verify job status across all devices in the LAN network.
Data Source
AI summary
A work flow management system, a work flow management apparatus and a management method capable of managing the work flow through a plurality of devices are provided. The work flow management system includes a work flow management apparatus, and the desired job history information included in the job history information having the performance information of the job executed by the device in accordance with the work flow information is acquired from the device based on the job ID specifying the job. Even with the work flow through a plurality of devices, therefore, the job history information can be acquired thereby to manage the work flow.