An information processing apparatus includes a print management unit configured to allocate a plurality of print data sets to a plurality of image forming apparatuses, respectively, the plurality of print data sets being obtained by dividing one print data set; a separator data generation unit configured to generate, for each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses, print data for a separator, the print data for the separator including management information that includes information regarding a particular print data set among the plurality of print data sets and information regarding a particular image forming apparatus among the plurality of image forming apparatuses to which the particular print data set is allocated; and an output unit configured to output, for each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses, the particular print data set and the print data for the separator to the particular image forming apparatus.

An image reading apparatus includes an imaging device, a first communication device capable of communicating at a first communication speed according to a first communication protocol, a second communication device capable of communicating at a second communication speed lower than the first communication speed according to a second communication protocol different from the first communication protocol, a first processor to separately transmit a first image acquired by imaging a first surface of a medium by the imaging device, and a second image acquired by imaging a second surface of the medium by the imaging device, via the first communication device, and a second processor to transmit a combined image acquired by combining the first image and the second image via the second communication device.

An image forming system includes a plurality of image forming apparatuses, a print request receiving portion, a dividing portion, and a print job transmitting portion. The print request receiving portion receives a print request for a print object. The dividing portion, when a total number of pages to be printed is equal to or greater than a preset smallest number of pages, divides the print object into a plurality of page groups. The print job transmitting portion generates a plurality of divided print jobs that respectively correspond to the plurality of page groups divided by the dividing portion, and transmits the plurality of divided print jobs to the plurality of image forming apparatuses, respectively.

Systems and methods of managing print procurement systems based on item-specific interest levels and supplier-influenced thresholds are disclosed herein. An example method includes: receiving a request to view ordering information for a fixed plurality of physical items associated with a time period. In response, the method includes: displaying a respective user interface (UI) object for each physical item of the fixed plurality (e.g., a first UI object for a first physical item includes a visual representation of an aggregate interest level during the time period as compared to a threshold interest level, and the aggregate interest level reflects a quantity requested by two distinct users). While displaying the respective UI objects, the method includes: receiving an indication that the threshold interest level for the first physical item has been satisfied; and, in accordance with receiving the indication, updating the first UI object to indicate that the threshold interest level for the first physical item has been satisfied.

An image reading apparatus includes an imaging device, a first communication device capable of communicating at a first communication speed according to a first communication protocol, a second communication device capable of communicating at a second communication speed lower than the first communication speed according to a second communication protocol different from the first communication protocol, a first processor to separately transmit a first image acquired by imaging a first surface of a medium by the imaging device, and a second image acquired by imaging a second surface of the medium by the imaging device, via the first communication device, and a second processor to transmit a combined image acquired by combining the first image and the second image via the second communication device.

Systems and methods of managing print procurement systems are disclosed herein. An example method includes displaying, ordering information for a fixed plurality of items that include a respective user interface (UI) object for each item. The fixed plurality of items are associated with a first time period that spans a start date and an end date for indicating an interest level in items of the fixed plurality of items. The respective UI objects includes a visual representation of an aggregate interest level for each item during the first time period as compared to a threshold interest level for each item. While displaying the respective UI objects, the method includes receiving a first indication that a second user is modifying ordering information for a first item and updating a first UI object for the first item to indicate that the second user is modifying ordering information for the first item.

An advertisement system includes a distribution member computer that causes a printer to print the test image data received from a posting server and transmits read data obtained by reading an image of a printed matter obtained by printing test image data by the printer to a posting server, and the posting server including an evaluation unit that evaluates printing quality of the printed matter based on the read data and a decision unit that determines whether to distribute the advertisement data to the distribution member computer based on an evaluation result by the evaluation unit.

An information processing apparatus includes a print management unit configured to allocate a plurality of print data sets to a plurality of image forming apparatuses, respectively, the plurality of print data sets being obtained by dividing one print data set; a separator data generation unit configured to generate, for each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses, print data for a separator, the print data for the separator including management information that includes information regarding a particular print data set among the plurality of print data sets and information regarding a particular image forming apparatus among the plurality of image forming apparatuses to which the particular print data set is allocated; and an output unit configured to output, for each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses, the particular print data set and the print data for the separator to the particular image forming apparatus.

Systems and methods of managing print procurement systems are disclosed herein. An example method includes displaying, ordering information for a fixed plurality of items that include a respective user interface (UI) object for each item. The fixed plurality of items are associated with a first time period that spans a start date and an end date for indicating an interest level in items of the fixed plurality of items. The respective UI objects includes a visual representation of an aggregate interest level for each item during the first time period as compared to a threshold interest level for each item. While displaying the respective UI objects, the method includes receiving a first indication that a second user is modifying ordering information for a first item and updating a first UI object for the first item to indicate that the second user is modifying ordering information for the first item.

Systems and methods of managing print procurement systems based on groups associated with item-specific interest levels and supplier-influenced thresholds are disclosed herein. An example method includes displaying, in an available-groups user interface (UI), respective representations for each of a first and a second buy group. Each buy group includes a respective fixed plurality of physical items associated with a respective time period. The example method further includes displaying a first and second object that includes data reflecting recent changes to respective interest levels associated with a respective buy group. Receiving a request to view a UI for the first buy group and, in response, displaying the first buy group UI. While the first buy group UI is displayed, receiving a request to view the available-groups UI and, in response, displaying the available-groups UI with an updated first and second object.