Konica Minolta OpenAPI
Encyclopedia
Konica Minolta
OpenAPI is a proprietary API communication system that allows software application developers to create applications that communicate with Konica Minolta
MFPs
.
/XML
architecture, however a "wrapper" to abstract the SOAP
messages is provided to allow developers to use the Microsoft .NET Framework
instead. The wrapper is also available for Mono
, with no significant differences to the .NET
wrapper. The direct SOAP interface has also been used successfully from the Java language in commercial products and deployed on various other operating systems
including Linux
, Mac
, Novell OES 2 and Windows.
Despite being a SOAP
based technology, it differs from a traditional Open API
in that it is for communication between an application and an MFPs
rather than two web services. The application may be a web service, however this would be incidental only.
", it is a proprietary technology, and is not an Open Source
system.
between the speeds of 20 and 65 pages per minute. Not all models are supported, and different models have different levels of support for the API. Despite this, a part of the API is able to query the supported functions and version levels available from the MFP and a stated goal of the API is to allow communication to multiple different devices, without the concern over their exact model - as such, backwards compatibility and conformity across the range is strongly emphasised.
office. Different regions within the world have different license models for OpenAPI, ranging from "free, but unsupported - support with payment", to "only available at Konica Minolta's discretion".
Konica Minolta
is a Japanese manufacturer of office equipment, medical imaging, graphic imaging, optical devices, and measuring instruments. It is headquartered in the Marunouchi Center Building in Marunouchi, Chiyoda, Tokyo, with a Kansai office in Nishi-ku, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture...
OpenAPI is a proprietary API communication system that allows software application developers to create applications that communicate with Konica Minolta
Konica Minolta
is a Japanese manufacturer of office equipment, medical imaging, graphic imaging, optical devices, and measuring instruments. It is headquartered in the Marunouchi Center Building in Marunouchi, Chiyoda, Tokyo, with a Kansai office in Nishi-ku, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture...
MFPs
Multifunction printer
An MFP , multifunctional, all-in-one , or Multifunction Device , is an office machine which incorporates the functionality of multiple devices in one, so as to have a smaller footprint in a home or small business setting , or to provide centralized document...
.
Technology
Konica Minolta OpenAPI is based around a SOAPSOAP
SOAP, originally defined as Simple Object Access Protocol, is a protocol specification for exchanging structured information in the implementation of Web Services in computer networks...
/XML
XML
Extensible Markup Language is a set of rules for encoding documents in machine-readable form. It is defined in the XML 1.0 Specification produced by the W3C, and several other related specifications, all gratis open standards....
architecture, however a "wrapper" to abstract the SOAP
SOAP
SOAP, originally defined as Simple Object Access Protocol, is a protocol specification for exchanging structured information in the implementation of Web Services in computer networks...
messages is provided to allow developers to use the Microsoft .NET Framework
.NET Framework
The .NET Framework is a software framework that runs primarily on Microsoft Windows. It includes a large library and supports several programming languages which allows language interoperability...
instead. The wrapper is also available for Mono
Mono (software)
Mono, pronounced , is a free and open source project led by Xamarin to create an Ecma standard compliant .NET-compatible set of tools including, among others, a C# compiler and a Common Language Runtime....
, with no significant differences to the .NET
.NET Framework
The .NET Framework is a software framework that runs primarily on Microsoft Windows. It includes a large library and supports several programming languages which allows language interoperability...
wrapper. The direct SOAP interface has also been used successfully from the Java language in commercial products and deployed on various other operating systems
Operating system
An operating system is a set of programs that manage computer hardware resources and provide common services for application software. The operating system is the most important type of system software in a computer system...
including Linux
Linux
Linux is a Unix-like computer operating system assembled under the model of free and open source software development and distribution. The defining component of any Linux system is the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released October 5, 1991 by Linus Torvalds...
, Mac
Mac OS X
Mac OS X is a series of Unix-based operating systems and graphical user interfaces developed, marketed, and sold by Apple Inc. Since 2002, has been included with all new Macintosh computer systems...
, Novell OES 2 and Windows.
Despite being a SOAP
SOAP
SOAP, originally defined as Simple Object Access Protocol, is a protocol specification for exchanging structured information in the implementation of Web Services in computer networks...
based technology, it differs from a traditional Open API
Open API
Open API is a word used to describe sets of technologies that enable websites to interact with each other by using REST, SOAP, JavaScript and other web technologies...
in that it is for communication between an application and an MFPs
Multifunction printer
An MFP , multifunctional, all-in-one , or Multifunction Device , is an office machine which incorporates the functionality of multiple devices in one, so as to have a smaller footprint in a home or small business setting , or to provide centralized document...
rather than two web services. The application may be a web service, however this would be incidental only.
Name
Despite the name "Open APIOpen API
Open API is a word used to describe sets of technologies that enable websites to interact with each other by using REST, SOAP, JavaScript and other web technologies...
", it is a proprietary technology, and is not an Open Source
Open source
The term open source describes practices in production and development that promote access to the end product's source materials. Some consider open source a philosophy, others consider it a pragmatic methodology...
system.
Supported Models
Konica Minolta OpenAPI supports most new Konica Minolta MFPsMultifunction printer
An MFP , multifunctional, all-in-one , or Multifunction Device , is an office machine which incorporates the functionality of multiple devices in one, so as to have a smaller footprint in a home or small business setting , or to provide centralized document...
between the speeds of 20 and 65 pages per minute. Not all models are supported, and different models have different levels of support for the API. Despite this, a part of the API is able to query the supported functions and version levels available from the MFP and a stated goal of the API is to allow communication to multiple different devices, without the concern over their exact model - as such, backwards compatibility and conformity across the range is strongly emphasised.
Licensing model
Application developers wishing to use Konica Minolta OpenAPI should contact their local Konica MinoltaKonica Minolta
is a Japanese manufacturer of office equipment, medical imaging, graphic imaging, optical devices, and measuring instruments. It is headquartered in the Marunouchi Center Building in Marunouchi, Chiyoda, Tokyo, with a Kansai office in Nishi-ku, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture...
office. Different regions within the world have different license models for OpenAPI, ranging from "free, but unsupported - support with payment", to "only available at Konica Minolta's discretion".
Current use
OpenAPI is used by several of Konica Minolta's own applications, including many parts of the "PageScope" suite of software. Additionally however, the following third party companies have also developed software that uses OpenAPI to communicate with Konica Minolta MFPs:- SafeCom Go Konica Minolta (by SafeCom)
- Supervisor Net by Monitor Business Machines http://www.monitorbm.com
- Equitrac Integrated for Konica Minolta (by EquitracEquitracEquitrac is a global software company that provides document cost management and output management solutions for printers, copiers and multifunction devices. Its target markets are professional services firms, general office and enterprise plus hospitality and higher education...
) - Document Navigator (by KN)
- OnBase OnLine (by Hyland SoftwareHyland SoftwareHyland Software Inc. is the developer of the enterprise content management software suite called OnBase. Various applications of the suite are used by different industries, with the primary areas being healthcare, financial institutions, insurance, government, higher education and manufacturing...
) - PaperCut (by PaperCut Software)
- Pcounter (by A.N.D. Technologies)
- YSoft SafeQ (by Y Soft)
- Argos (by Sepialine)