Konica Minolta OpenAPI

Konica Minolta OpenAPI is a proprietary API communication system that allows software application developers to create applications that communicate with Konica Minolta MFPs.

Technology

Konica Minolta OpenAPI is based around a SOAP/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.

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.

Name

Despite the name "Open API", it is a proprietary technology, and is not an Open Source system.

upported Models

Konica Minolta OpenAPI supports most new Konica Minolta MFPs 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 Minolta 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:
* OnBase OnLine (by Hyland Software) cite web | title = Hyland Software's "OnBase OnLine" works with OpenAPI | url = http://www.outputlinks.com/HTML/NEWS/konica_ondemand_041707.SHTML | accessdate = 2008-05-15]
* Pcounter (by A.N.D. Technologies) cite web | title = Pcounter Embedded Software Terminal for Konica Minolta | url = http://www.pcounter-europe.com/v-pcounter-konica-minolta-embedded-software-terminal.html | accessdate = 2008-05-15]
* Doucment Navigator (by KN) cite web | title = The Power of Change (Konica Minolta Solution Business) | url = http://www.konicaminolta.eu/fileadmin/CONTENT/Press_Center/Business_Solutions/PDF/ELC/OL_PRESS_ELC_19.10.07.pdf | accessdate = 2008-07-07]

References