fig1 the platform 100 includes two applications 132 162 and four different repositories 110 120 140 and 150 in alternate embodiments the platform 100 can include different numbers of applications or hosts on which the applications reside and or repositories further the types of repositories that exist in the platform 100 can include in alternate embodiments a different array of repositories than that shown for example in one alternate embodiment the platform could have two repositories that are printers rather than simply one and no archive or network the repository 140 that is a network can include a variety of different types of networks including an internet or an intranet network some of the applications or repositories can be external devices that are not strictly part of the platform 100 but are in communication with the platform each of the applications 132 162 includes a respective application program interface api respectively apis 134 and 164 the apis 134 164 allow the respective applications 132 162 to communicate with the repositories 110 120 140 and 150 effectively the apis 134 164 translate between the respective communication protocols required by the repositories and the communication protocols utilized by the applications the data communicated between the applications 132 162 and the repositories 110 120 140 and 150 can include a variety of different types of.