System and Method for Managing Postal Accounting Data Using Transient Data Collectors

摘要

Methods and systems using a single centralized database to manage postal accounting data are provided. The central database may interface with remote postal meters by way of one or more transient data collectors, which cache data from associated meters and transmit the data to the central database. The data collectors also validate postage accounts to the associated meters. The use of local transient data collectors allows for a single centralized database to be used without requiring data replication among databases local to each computer that manages postal meters.

主权项

1. A method of communicating between a postal meter and a remote application server, comprising:
removing stored data from a transient data collector cache, the cache being stored in a computer-readable medium in a computer system in communication with a postal meter and a remote application server; validating an account in use at the postal meter with the remote application server; requesting a current postage balance for the account from the application server; receiving a budget amount for the account from the application server; opening a persistent connection to the application server from the transient data collector; receiving transaction data at the transient data collector from the postal meter; and providing the transaction data to the application server from the transient data collector.