A scan description language (SDL) system and method are provided for
managing a scan job. The method comprises: scanning a document at a
scanning device; constructing a scan job using SDL commands; partially
performing the scan job at the scanning device in response to the SDL
commands; and, partially performing the scan job at a node connected to
the scanning device in response to the SDL commands. The scan job can be
constructed at a scanning device front panel, a connected web page, or a
client connected to the scanning device. Likewise, the scan job can be
initiated from a front panel of the scanning device, a connected client,
or a connected web page. Further, the scan job may be partially performed
a locally connected client, a network-connected client, a
network-connected server, a locally connected server, another scanning
device, or a telephone network-connected client.