| Sharp OSA |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
| Enterprise Office Systems 19 N. Erie, Toledo, OH 43604 Phone: 419-244-0720 Fax: 419-244-0724 |
| Learn More |
| Featured Products |
| Keeping technology support simple. Go > |
| Scan both sides of a two-sided document in a single pass. Go > |
| How secure is your digital information? Go > |
Sharp OSA® Architecture
The Sharp OSA Platform opens the door to a broad array of value-added functionality. By bringing the power of
customization closer to the customer; this versatile development platform adds incredible flexibility to Sharp's
awarding winning line of MFPs.
It is designed to let network applications control the MFP through bi-directional communication. This allows users to
interact with business applications directly from the front panel of the MFP.
Best Development Platform
By bringing the point of customization closer to the customer, the Sharp OSA Platform enables Sharp, its channel
and program members to quickly bring solutions to market that tightly integrate Sharp MFPs with software
applications. More importantly, it offers a degree of customization that allows Sharp MFPs to better address unique
customer needs. This seamless integration promotes more streamlined customer workflows and business
processes.
The Sharp OSA Platform opens the door to a broad array of value-added functionality. By bringing the power of
customization closer to the customer; this versatile development platform adds incredible flexibility to Sharp's
awarding winning line of MFPs.
It is designed to let network applications control the MFP through bi-directional communication. This allows users to
interact with business applications directly from the front panel of the MFP.
Best Development Platform
By bringing the point of customization closer to the customer, the Sharp OSA Platform enables Sharp, its channel
and program members to quickly bring solutions to market that tightly integrate Sharp MFPs with software
applications. More importantly, it offers a degree of customization that allows Sharp MFPs to better address unique
customer needs. This seamless integration promotes more streamlined customer workflows and business
processes.
Best Development Platform
This flexibility transforms your MFP into a resource
designed to evolve with your business. The Sharp OSA
development platform allows developers to create custom
applications that are specific to your organization's routine
processes and procedures. With a Sharp OSA-enabled
Digital IMAGER™ you can start and finish a task directly at
the MFP, no need to return to your desktop which can
drastically reduce your ordinary document workflow and
increase efficiency.
designed to evolve with your business. The Sharp OSA
development platform allows developers to create custom
applications that are specific to your organization's routine
processes and procedures. With a Sharp OSA-enabled
Digital IMAGER™ you can start and finish a task directly at
the MFP, no need to return to your desktop which can
drastically reduce your ordinary document workflow and
increase efficiency.
Architecture
The Sharp OSA Platform is based on a client/server-based architecture that allows network applications to
communicate with the MFP and remotely control MFP functions and operation panel screens. All application code
runs on the network server. Communication is divided into two channels: a UI channel and a web service1 channel.
Figure 1. Dual-communication channels in OSA
As shown in Figure 1 above, the UI channel uses XHTML2 messages over an HTTP connection to define custom
UI screens and receive user input. The web service channel utilizes XML3/SOAP4 messages for applications to
control device functions and receive event notifications.
Inherent in the Sharp OSA web service architecture are certain advantages, they include:
Low cost implementation
Multiple MFPs talk to the same integrated application, minimizing installation and maintenance time. (provides for
central administration)
Resource efficiency
Application takes full advantage of server processing power and storage capabilities.
Ease of development
Application development is easier in server environment where common, well-known tools can be utilized, as
opposed to embedded Java.
Interoperability
Web Services is the standard for application to application communication.
No embedded development required
Sharp doesn't have to verify or be involved in each and every integration.
Download the Sharp Open System Architecture brochure
Download the Sharp Partner Program brochure
1. A web service is a collection of protocols and standards used to exchange data between software applications
and systems. Web services commonly use messages composed of XML elements within a SOAP wrapper for
interoperability between varying environments.
2. XHTML (Extensible Hypertext Markup Language) is a markup language that uses XML elements to describe data
within an HTML document.
3. XML (Extensible Markup Language) is a W3C initiative that allows information to be encoded with meaningful
structure and semantics that applications and humans can understand. XML is commonly used for defining data
that will be shared between disparate applications.
4. SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) is a standard messaging protocol used to encode the information in web
service request and response messages.
The Sharp OSA Platform is based on a client/server-based architecture that allows network applications to
communicate with the MFP and remotely control MFP functions and operation panel screens. All application code
runs on the network server. Communication is divided into two channels: a UI channel and a web service1 channel.
Figure 1. Dual-communication channels in OSA
As shown in Figure 1 above, the UI channel uses XHTML2 messages over an HTTP connection to define custom
UI screens and receive user input. The web service channel utilizes XML3/SOAP4 messages for applications to
control device functions and receive event notifications.
Inherent in the Sharp OSA web service architecture are certain advantages, they include:
Low cost implementation
Multiple MFPs talk to the same integrated application, minimizing installation and maintenance time. (provides for
central administration)
Resource efficiency
Application takes full advantage of server processing power and storage capabilities.
Ease of development
Application development is easier in server environment where common, well-known tools can be utilized, as
opposed to embedded Java.
Interoperability
Web Services is the standard for application to application communication.
No embedded development required
Sharp doesn't have to verify or be involved in each and every integration.
Download the Sharp Open System Architecture brochure
Download the Sharp Partner Program brochure
1. A web service is a collection of protocols and standards used to exchange data between software applications
and systems. Web services commonly use messages composed of XML elements within a SOAP wrapper for
interoperability between varying environments.
2. XHTML (Extensible Hypertext Markup Language) is a markup language that uses XML elements to describe data
within an HTML document.
3. XML (Extensible Markup Language) is a W3C initiative that allows information to be encoded with meaningful
structure and semantics that applications and humans can understand. XML is commonly used for defining data
that will be shared between disparate applications.
4. SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) is a standard messaging protocol used to encode the information in web
service request and response messages.
