Physical on demand
A software system that performs the creation of compact discs (CDs) containing full product files (executables, binaries, etc.) is described. This system allows clients to produce, on demand, software CD's as required for purchases and avoid maintenance of stock of product. A method of providing software CD's also is described.
1. A method for remote manufacturing of software media from a network, comprising:
providing an interface that includes a prompt for selection of a digital file;
receiving an input order to purchase a selected digital file, the input order including a file identifier related to the selected digital file and an order identifier related to the input order;
verifying the order identifier based upon particular information related to the input order, verifying the order identifier including verifying a version of the selected digital file, which includes selecting an active version of the selected digital file;
selecting a production facility for manufacture based upon particular determined information related to the order by:
determining the production facility geographically close to a delivery location provided in the input order;
determining a time to manufacture based upon a current production schedule at the production facility; and
determining the time to deliver from a production facility to a location identified in the input order based upon identified shipping constraints; and
processing a delivery of the selected digital file based upon the selected production facility, establishing a physical-on-demand image, processing the delivery including:
establishing a physical-on-demand image;
establishing a case image;
adding files to physical-on-demand server; and
completing the product from physical-on-demand server.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the verifying the order identifier step includes verifying at least one of the following: a file identifier; a version identifier related to the digital file; a uniform resource locator for the file; or a customer identifier associated with the user.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising providing an output for verification of the order.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein processing the delivery of the file includes receiving a completion file from a production site and sending a match instruction to a warehouse to assemble the physical-on-demand for shipment.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein verifying the order identifier includes sending an error if the order size is greater than two physical-on-demand carriers.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein verifying the order identifier includes blocking a hard copy backup when a physical-on-demand is ordered.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein processing the delivery of the file includes signaling the preparation of a packaging slip in the local language of the shipping locale as determined in the selecting the production facility step.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein processing the delivery of the file includes determining if an order is a reship, and processing the reship as a new order with a zero balance due.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein processing the delivery of the file includes uploading a physical-on-demand image, a jacket image, and an insert image to associate with the physical-on-demand.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving an order includes receiving a platform type.
11. The method of claim 1 , further comprising assigning a sku number to the product based on the production facility selected for manufacture.
12. An apparatus for remote manufacturing of software media from a network, the apparatus comprising a server with a processor and a memory and further comprising:
a selection module stored in the memory, the selection module comprising program code which when executed by the processor causes the server to provide a prompt at an interface, the prompt for selection of a file;
a receive module stored in the memory, the receive module comprising program code which when executed by the processor causes the server to perform operations of receiving an order in response to the prompt for purchase of the selected file, the order including a file identifier related to the file and an order identifier related to the order;
an order verifying module stored in the memory, the order verifying module comprising program code which when executed by the processor causes the server to perform operations of
verifying the order identifier based upon particular information related to the order, and
verifying a version of the selected file which includes selecting an active version of the selected file
a selecting module stored in the memory, the selecting module comprising program code which when executed by the processor causes the server to perform operations of selecting a production facility for manufacture based upon particular determined information related to the order by:
determining a production facility geographically close to a delivery location identified in the order;
determining a time to manufacture based upon a current production schedule at the production facility; and
determining a time to deliver from the production facility to a location identified in the order based upon identified shipping constraints; and
a processing module stored in the memory, the processing module comprising program code which when executed by the processor causes the server to perform operations of processing a delivery of the file based upon the module for determining of time to deliver and providing an output for verification of the order, processing the delivery including:
establishing a physical-on-demand image;
establishing a case image;
adding files to physical-on-demand server; and
completing the product from physical-on-demand server.
13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the order verifying module further comprises program code which when executed by the processor causes the server to perform operations of verifying one or more of the following: a file identifier; a version identifier related to the file; a uniform resource locator for the file; or a customer identifier.
14. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the selection module further includes program code which, when executed by the processor, causes the server to perform operations of further comprising assigning a sku number to the product based on the production facility selected for manufacture.
15. An apparatus for remote manufacturing of software media from a network, the apparatus comprising:
a server with a processor and a memory and program code which, when executed by the processor causes the server to perform operations of
providing an interface that includes a prompt for selection of a digital file;
receiving an input order to purchase a selected digital file, the input order including a file identifier related to the selected digital file and an order identifier related to the input order;
verifying the order identifier based upon particular information related to the input order, verifying the order identifier including verifying a version of the selected digital file, which includes selecting an active version of the selected digital file;
selecting a production facility for manufacture based upon particular determined information related to the order by:
determining the production facility geographically close to a delivery location provided in the input order;
determining a time to manufacture based upon a current production schedule at the production facility; and
determining the time to deliver from a production facility to a location identified in the input order based upon identified shipping constraints; and
processing a delivery of the selected digital file based upon the selected production facility, establishing a physical-on-demand image, processing the delivery including:
establishing a physical-on-demand image;
establishing a case image;
adding files to physical-on-demand server; and
completing the product from physical-on-demand server.
16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the program code, when executed by the processor, also causes the server to perform operations of verifying one or more of the following: a file identifier; a version identifier related to the file; a uniform resource locator for the file; or a customer identifier.
17. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the program code, when executed by the processor, also causes the server to perform operations of providing an output for verification of fulfillment of the order.
18. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the program code, when executed by the processor, causes the server to perform operations that includes blocking a hard copy backup when a physical-on-demand is ordered.
19. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the program code, when executed by the processor, causes the server to perform operations that includes signaling the preparation of a packaging slip in the local language of the shipping locale as determined in the selecting the production facility step.
20. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the program code, when executed by the processor, causes the server to perform operations that includes uploading a physical-on-demand image, a jacket image, and an insert image to associate with the physical-on-demand.
21. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the program code, when executed by the processor, causes the server to perform operations of assigning a sku number to the product based on the production facility selected for manufacture.