Dispatcher and Distributor’s Point of View

Report dispatchers have different needs. They would like all reports of a user packaged in one bundle. If this is physically impossible, they want the minimum number of bundles per user.

The dispatchers want bundles printed according to their distribution network. Let’s consider this issue further. When regular printing takes place (without a report distribution system), the entire report must be printed in order to print the last user in the report.

Suppose, for example, that a report is sorted according to branches, and the newest branch in the bank (branch 812) appears last in all reports. Furthermore, the courier who delivers the material to this new branch must leave before all the other couriers, because the branch is located very far away.

In this case, unwanted delays occur when the printer is busy printing reports which could be printed at a later time (all the report pages before those of branch 812), instead of printing reports (for branch 812) which are needed immediately. What is needed is he capability to print bundles according to distribution priorities derived from the delivery schedule.

A bank, for example, has a distribution organization. Reports belonging to different recipients located in the same area are packaged together and special couriers have to leave not later than a specified time in order to reach their destination in time. The following is a simplified example:

Assume that the distribution area is divided between distribution couriers and destination points as follows:

Each courier takes a few packages containing reports to be distributed within that courier’s area. The courier should not leave after the specified time. (In the above example, management is physically located in the same building where reports are printed. Management reports are not delivered, but most be ready for pickup by 7:30 A.M.)

As we can see from the diagram, the preferred printing order from the point of view of the dispatchers and distributors is: Courier #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 and Management. Printing in this order increases the probability that the reports get to their destination on time.

The order described above is the normal preferred printing order. However, it is sometimes necessary to print in a different order. For example: The airport is about to be closed very early because of weather conditions. Therefore, the airport courier should leave earlier, so those reports should be printed first. A solution for such requirements can be very helpful to the data center in providing high level service to its customers.