Managing inventory effectively is critical for ensuring smooth operations in print production. With machine integration in GCP, paper stock consumption can now be tracked and updated automatically, reducing manual effort and improving accuracy. This article explains how the setup works and how you can configure it within GCP.
How automated stock consumption works
When machines are connected through APIs, GCP can receive stock consumption data for each job. This data is then used to automatically update paper stock levels in your inventory.
Each machine requires its API credentials to be integrated.
Stock consumption data is pulled from jobs processed by the machine.
GCP uses this data to adjust stock levels for the corresponding paper sheets in your inventory.
This setup ensures that your stock records remain accurate and aligned with real-time production.
Configuring SKUs in GCP inventory
To enable automated stock consumption, you first need to configure your paper sheet SKUs in GCP:
Add each product with its name and category.
Update the minimum and maximum stock levels.
Set the current stock levels.
Create a reference ID for each SKU.
The reference ID must match the way SKUs are defined in your machine API. For example, if a paper type is named “Mohawk eggshell” in your HP machine, the same reference ID should be used in GCP for that SKU.
Monitoring stock activity
Once the reference IDs are configured:
Stock will start being consumed automatically as jobs are processed.
By selecting “View SKU activity,” you can see real-time stock consumption linked to job IDs.
For example, if three sheets are consumed for a job, the stock level updates instantly, such as from 770 to 767.
This ensures you always have visibility of stock usage without manual updates.
Getting started
If your machines support API integrations and you would like to set up automated stock consumption, please contact the GelatoPine support team for assistance.
Creating API Credentials in PrintOS
Follow these steps to generate your Key/Secret in PrintOS:
Open PrintOS and click the application switcher in the top-right corner.
Select Marketplace.
Go to the Application Connectors tab.
Click the Add Connector tile.
Enter a descriptive name in the Description field, for example My Application API Key.
From the Filter by Application dropdown, choose the application you need the credentials for.
From the Role dropdown, select the role required by the API you plan to use.
Print Beat data access
Jobs Enquiries
Click Add to generate the Key/Secret.
Return to the Application Connectors tab to view your Key/Secret.
Testing Your API Key
After generating your credentials, confirm that they are working correctly:
Go to the HP Developers test page.
Paste your key and secret into the appropriate fields.
From the options, select Jobs: Get Jobs print attempts by Marker – GET.
Click Submit Request at the bottom of the page.
If the request is successful, you will receive a response from the Print Beat API, verifying that your credentials are valid.
FAQ
Do I need to configure all SKUs?
Yes, SKUs must be set up in GCP with reference IDs that match the machine definitions for stock to be tracked automatically.
Can I still update stock manually?
Yes, you can continue to make manual updates if needed, but automatic updates ensure greater accuracy.
Where can I see consumption details?
You can monitor updates in the “View SKU activity” section, where stock movements are displayed with corresponding job IDs.