Meaning
In information technology, batch processing refers to the working principle of an automatic, complete and usually sequential processing of commands or data. In the context of document creation and output management, batch processing means: data records are provided in an input file, which the text system processes into documents without the involvement of a user. As a rule, batch processing is triggered directly or indirectly by a specialist application, which also provides the necessary data, usually as an XML or CSV file.
Performance
Typically, batch processing involves producing a large number of similar documents, such as invoices, in a defined period of time. For example, only a limited production time is available for the creation of an insurance company’s annual statements, while the print often runs into the millions. For this reason, high processing speed or performance is of primary importance in batch processing. Suitable systems for document creation and output, such as the Serie M/, have their own batch processor. With the M/TEXT batch processor, for example, it is possible to define parallel work processes (threads) with a defined number of documents. In this way, performance can be individually adapted and optimized to the general conditions of the application in question. In addition, the Series /M is technically based on middleware, which opens up further options for software- and hardware-based scaling. You can find specific performance values for the Serie M/ in the ‘Performance’ data sheet.
The Serie M/ also differentiates between online and batch processing for the output processes of the Output Management M/OMS. While batch processes handle all documents selected at startup and then terminate automatically, online batches are processes that are permanently active and immediately process every new document that arrives.
Binding content in corporate design
When creating business documents, it is important that the company’s customer communication creates a uniform, unmistakable appearance and conveys correct, binding content. It should not matter whether the documents were created in batch processing, in background processing or in interactive dialog processing. The company’s corporate design should also always be recognizable across the various digital and physical output channels. This can be achieved most efficiently if a uniform central system handles all document creation and output management tasks throughout the company.
The Serie M/ is designed for batch processing as well as for dark processing and dialog processing and creates any type of business document on any desired target medium. This means that, in principle, the same document creation resources can be used throughout the company in all processing modes. Document templates, modules, graphics, etc. are only stored once in the system and control all document services of the company. In conjunction with template and application control, uniform content and layout specifications can thus be reliably implemented. This is because the administrator can define exactly where and to what extent the user may change and supplement documents in terms of content or form, or where only defined layouts and (legally) coordinated content may be used.
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