Aggregating device collection data

摘要

Data is transferred from an input record to an index. The input record has a recorded unique device identification and recorded device data for a device, such as a printer. The recorded unique device identification is either a serial number of the device or another persistent identifying designation for the device. The recorded device data includes recorded usage data for the device. The index has at least one enduring record. Each enduring record has an enduring unique device identification and enduring device data. The recorded unique device identification and recorded device data for a device are read from the input record. The index is searched for a match to the recorded unique device identification. If a match to the recorded device information is not found in the index, an enduring record for the device is created in the index. An enduring usage data is read from the index. A difference in usage data is calculated from the enduring usage data and the recorded usage data. The index is updated with the recorded device data. The index is updated with the recorded device data by replacing enduring device data from the index with the recorded device data. The updates to the index are tracked.