A system and method are provided for performing forecasting with respect to total demand data collected in a print production environment. Another embodiment of the present invention provides for a common set of base tooling from which the masteruniversal base is created as well as additional custom bases with customized selection and quantity of embedded Platform ASIC functions. A sensor in proximity to the location detects the energy level at the location during first and second intervals. The coupling device comprises two coupling elements, one of the coupling elements having undercut recesses in which the second coupling element engages. The headers may be exchanged in conjunction with print data moving through the multiple processes and may be generated and exchanged for synchronization and control independent of any print data.