Print services selection in a networked computing environment
View Patent ↗Embodiments of the present invention provide an approach for selection of print services in a networked computing environment (e.g., a cloud computing environment). Specifically, in a typical embodiment, a request (e.g., comprising a print job) is received from a user, and a print template is identified. The print template generally comprises a set of parameters (e.g., paper size, colors, etc.) for printing the print job request. A location of the user will be determined, and a set of printers (e.g., within a predetermined proximity of the location) that is capable of printing the job in accordance with the set of parameters is identified. Thereafter, a particular printer will be identified from the set of printers based on a set of service level commitments (e.g., a desired distance from the location, a queue length, etc.). The job can then be sent to the particular printer for printing.
1. A computer-implemented method for selecting print resources in a networked computing environment, comprising:
receiving a request for printing a job from a user, the request received into a computer memory medium;
identifying a print template to associate with the job, the print template comprising a set of parameters for printing the job;
identifying a location of the user;
identifying a set of printers, within a predetermined proximity of the location, that is capable of printing the job in accordance with the set of parameters;
selecting a particular printer from the set of printers based on a distance of the particular printer from the location and a set of service level commitments; and
sending the job to the particular printer.
2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , the set of service level commitments comprising a time limit for printing the job with the particular printer.
3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , the set of service level commitments comprising a queue length of the particular printer.
4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , the distance being predefined by the user.
5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , the set of parameters comprising at least one of the following: a paper size, a page orientation, a page setup, a font type, or a color.
6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , the print template being selected by the user from a set of print templates.
7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , the print template being defined by the user.
8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , the networked computing environment comprising a cloud computing environment and the set of printers being made available via one or more cloud printing services.
9. A system for selecting print resources in a networked computing environment, comprising:
a memory medium comprising instructions;
a bus coupled to the memory medium; and
a processor coupled to the bus that when executing the instructions causes the system to:
receive a request for printing a job from a user, the request received into a computer memory medium;
identify a print template to associate with the job, the print template comprising a set of parameters for printing the job;
identify a location of the user;
identify a set of printers, within a predetermined proximity of the location, that is capable of printing the job in accordance with the set of parameters;
select a particular printer from the set of printers based on a distance of the particular printer from the location and a set of service level commitments; and
send the job to the particular printer.
10. The system of claim 9 , the set of service level commitments comprising a time limit for printing the job with the particular printer.
11. The system of claim 9 , the set of service level commitments comprising a queue length of the particular printer.
12. The system of claim 9 , the distance being predefined by the user.
13. The system of claim 9 , the set of parameters comprising at least one of the following: a paper size, a page orientation, a page setup, a font type, or a color.
14. The system of claim 9 , the print template being selected by the user from a set of print templates.
15. The system of claim 9 , the print template being defined by the user.
16. The system of claim 9 , the networked computing environment comprising a cloud computing environment and the set of printers being made available via one or more cloud printing services.
17. A computer program product for selecting print resources in a networked computing environment, the computer program product comprising a computer readable storage device, and program instructions stored on the computer readable storage device, to:
receive a request for printing a job from a user, the request received into a computer memory medium;
identify a print template to associate with the job, the print template comprising a set of parameters for printing the job;
identify a location of the user;
identify a set of printers, within a predetermined proximity of the location, that is capable of printing the job in accordance with the set of parameters;
select a particular printer from the set of printers based on a distance of the particular printer from the location and a set of service level commitments; and
send the job to the particular printer.
18. The computer program product of claim 17 , the set of service level commitments comprising a time limit for printing the job with the particular printer.
19. The computer program product of claim 17 , the set of service level commitments comprising a queue length of the particular printer.
20. The computer program product of claim 17 , the distance being predefined by the user.
21. The computer program product of claim 17 , the set of parameters comprising at least one of the following: a paper size, a page orientation, a page setup, a font type, or a color.
22. The computer program product of claim 17 , the print template being selected by the user from a set of print templates.
23. The computer program product of claim 17 , the print template being defined by the user.
24. The computer program product of claim 17 , the networked computing environment comprising a cloud computing environment and the set of printers being made available via one or more cloud printing services.
25. A method for deploying a system for selecting print resources in a networked computing environment, comprising:
providing a computer infrastructure being operable to:
receive a request for printing a job from a user, the request received into a computer memory medium;
identify a print template to associate with the job, the print template comprising a set of parameters for printing the job;
identify a location of the user;
identify a set of printers, within a predetermined proximity of the location, that is capable of printing the job in accordance with the set of parameters;
select a particular printer from the set of printers based on a distance of the particular printer from the location and a set of service level commitments; and
send the job to the particular printer.