A
system and method for distributing information. The inventive
system is a
client-
server architecture with
software agents running on both the
client and
server systems. The invention saves time, incorporates email distribution in any application that is print capable, and allows
electronic document delivery in multiple formats in addition to the native
application document format. The
system uses an application's print mechanism running on a
client for electronic distribution of documents via email. In the illustrative embodiment, the
client agent receives user interfaces from the
server that allows document routing by presenting available services (such as print, email, fax, publish, etc.). The user first selects "print" from their application, such as a word processor application. The file is then intercepted by a port monitor that is launched by the printing sub-system of the
network operating system. The port monitor launches an agent that transfers the file and retrieves a
user interface from the server that presents the user with a
list of document service selections. One of these selections is "Electronically Distribute Document." When the user chooses this selection, the user is provided with a
user interface to input destination email addresses. After the user fills out the proper destination information and selects "send", the
client agent transmits the destination information to the
server agent. The
server agent then attaches the printed file, which can be in different formats from the original format, postscript format (.PS), or
portable document format (.PDF) depending on the user options, and emails it to the email destinations specified by the user in the destination field.