MailRules is a patent-pending push/pull technology that provides the infrastructure and tools to enable e-business communities. MailRules simplifies e-business on the Internet by using mail rules. This infrastructure enables companies to integrate , manage and automate business processes by exchanging business documents , data and information among applications within or across organisational boundaries using email as the transport layer.

Some of the main features available within MailRules are:

Features	Benefits	Advantages
Automate file transfer using mail.	Transfer specified files and / or directories at regular scheduled intervals. Example: Weekly sales figures , Monthly price list updates.	Staff are freed from laborious/time consuming transfers of data that can be handled by an automated process , removing human error in specifying filenames and destination addresses.
Update information on remote computers without user intervention.	Using “Advanced Rules” , the sender specifies where files are saved on the destination PC. No action is required on the destination PC. Example: Update Excel spreadsheets remotely , with total control and feedback on success.	Once MailRules is set up on each PC , full control of file delivery and external processes is available to a central “Administrator”. No more site visits are required.
File Backup using the Internet.	Send a current copy of specified files and/or directories to an external email address.	By sending critical files to an external email address an off site backup is available in the event of data loss on the main site. Secure work on Notebooks and remote computers.
Remote working without a WAN connection	By using MailRules at two sites a copy of specified files can be transferred at set times so that an up to date copy of these files is available at the required site.	Instead of requiring a laptop to work at home on files from the office , these files can be sent home by email at 5:30pm and sent back to the office at 2am the next morning
Update software remotely	For companies that distribute software updates , MailRules will allow timely updates to this software. (Assuming a method exists that allows the application files to be updated)	Traditionally, software updates are distributed on electronic media or require clients to apply the updates themselves from a web site download. Both reduce cost and errors. Client sites will be automatically updated (rather than sitting in the client’s in-tray).
Mail Data Server operation	Recipients and attachments can be specified in an external data source such as a text file. Using this feature an email ‘request’ can be sent to a MailRules PC specifying a file to send by return email and if required an alternate recipient.	MailRules can be used in place of an FTP server to provide a file retrieval service to staff and customers. Cost effective and secure , no holes in a firewall.
Automate repetitive tasks or computer processes over the Internet using the scheduler	MailRules can optionally run an external command upon receipt of an email with sender and / or subject that matches a MailRules rule. By scheduling MailRules to send a particular message at a certain time remote processes can be initiated.	Processes can be started on remote sites without the need to go on site to set them running , take control of process , secure and cost effective.
Launch specific applications on receiving mail.	MailRules can be set to launch an application with the attachment of an email as its subject , e.g. send a .doc file and have Microsoft Word launched automatically to display the newly received document , with the correct viewer.	Client’s will see the new information presented in the correct format as soon as it arrives on their PC.
Launch specific applications prior to sending mail.	Attachments for an e-mail message may be generated by running an application , the output of which automatically becomes the attachment.	Information sent as an attachment can be created from current data by running some form of data extraction or report. Right information at the right time for better management decision making , secure and cost effective.
Continually check directories or folders for updated information to be transferred	In place of scheduling transmission of a file for a certain time , it is possible to set a checking interval (say 10 minutes) and at this interval check for files in a given location and send any files found.	Allows files to be transmitted simply by copying or moving them to a given directory or desktop folder. Totally automated process , no staff intervention required.
Integrates with Microsoft Outlook MAPI , Microsoft Exchange , Microsoft Outlook Express , or POP/SMTP pop3	MailRules will integrate with a wide range of e-mail systems , in particular Microsoft MAPI based email and POP/SMTP based systems.	MailRules operates across a broad range of email platforms ensuring high levels of connectivity between companies and even within companies. Simplifying this complex issue of e-business computer to computer communications.
Compress entire directories before sending mail and expand automatically at destination.	Email sent between two MailRules sites is automatically compressed before sending , and expanded at the destination.	Compressing attachments significantly reduce the average email transmission times.
Data Synchronisation.	MailRules can monitor a directory and update any changed files to a remote location. This can operate in one or both directions.	In the one-way configuration , maintain a master copy of files and have the files distributed to one or more satellite locations. In two-way configuration maintain integrity of files , specifically useful for e-business structures between a financial system and a web-site. This helps maintain the total security of a financial system from Internet attack , whilst passing the appropriate tables to the web-site to maintain data accuracy for customers. The web-site can be re-built very quickly should the unfortunate happen by way of a ‘hacker’ attack. XML can aslo be used as a standard for transfer
File size independent	Transmit file attachments of any size , optionally broken into multiple sections. Practical limits may exist depending on the individual communications configuration. MailRules can provide feedback on success of delivery. No success , automated re-send capability.	As MailRules runs unattended , large files are transmitted without the user having to wait for transmission to complete , providing increased productivity and cost savings. If transmission is known to be unreliable , attachments may be broken into multiple sections to reduce the time spent re-transmitting data.
Overcomes ISP/Corporate file size transmission limits and mailbox file size limits.	MailRules can be configured with a maximum attachment size. If the combined size of all attachments combined into a single compressed file is greater than this size the single compressed attachment will be broken into sections of the specified size and transmitted as individual messages. At the destination MailRules PC , these sections will be combined back into a single compressed archive and decompressed back into the constituent files. In addition for mailboxes , it can be specified that after the first section is sent , subsequent sections are only sent once the preceding section is confirmed to have been received and saved.	One of the reasons for implementing this feature was to overcome the maximum file size limitation imposed by some ISPs and corporate email policies. This overcomes a mailbox file size limit by insuring that only one section of a message is present in the mailbox at a time. Previous sections will have been saved to disk and will be combined into a single file when all sections are received.
Mail Merge	Create a Mail Merge based on the results from any query to a Microsoft Access Database or from details stored in a delimited text file.	Personalise messages to your branches or customers. Use the query results to select your recipients , save the mail merge source files for later re-use.
Store Attachments based on Sender and/or Subject Rules	Inbound rules specify where to save attachments based on Sender and/or Subject or Alias. Example: All files from one sender may be saved to a single location whereas files from another user may be further divided by subject and saved to corresponding locations. Copies of advertisements from agencies can be directed to the ‘desktop’ of the correct person in the newspaper or magazine company.	Flexibility is provided for specifying the destination for received files.
The body of an e-mail can be saved as a file automaticaly.	Generally MailRules is used to save attachments to specific locations. In addition it can save the body of a message as a file.	Sometimes data will be incorporated in the body of an email rather than as an attachment and must be saved for further processing. Also this file can be auto incremented with a new name. Ideal for Unix Systems or Order Entry Systems.
Automatic distribution of information to a Remote PC with Password Control	Use the optional ‘Automatic File Saving’ feature for centralised administration. With this feature ‘head office’ can send any files and specify where those files will be saved on the destination computer.	Once a destination MailRules PC is configured to accept advanced rules (including password protection) a transmitting MailRules site can specify the location to store files and external processes to run all without any user intervention on the destination PC.
‘Surefire’ Delivery (MailRules Professional edition feature only - patent pending)	MailRules PCs can communicate to determine if a file has been transmitted successfully and re-transmit where required.	In standard email transmission , files are not transmitted when delivery fails and the sender may not even be aware of the failure!
Check file time stamp/version (inbound and outbound mail).	MailRules will check the time/date/version details of any file before transmission or receipt to ensure that the file contents have changed.	No economic sense to resend the same file or update an application with the same data.
Automated Modem dialling.	MailRules will automatically dial the modem , connect to the Internet , check for any email , send any email , at a specified time , and disconnect , without any user interaction. MailRules will utilise ‘Dial-up Networking” to automatically connect to an ISP or other mail server.	Send and receive email at the most economical or appropriate times.
Logged Activity , action taken by MailRules is recorded in a daily log file.	Log file available for analysis to pinpoint problem areas in the mail network , not just MailRules.	Technical or MailRules staff can analyse problems remotely , and provide a fix.
Checks for the availability of a ‘operational’ virus scanner is installed on computers.	MailRules can check that a computer has a virus application available on a computer , and whether it is actually running. If not , warnings are displayed.	Helps ensure that computers have these applications before any mail is sent to a computer.
Features	Benefits	Advantages
Allow multiple POP account checking.	MailRules will check mail providers for multiple accounts for the same computer. Example: Emails from sales may be sent to sales@widget.com. Emails from suppliers may be sent to purchases@widget.com. MailRules interprets multiple accounts and applies standard inbound , outbound business rules to them.	Allows you to assign different external email adresses for different jobs.
Co-exists with existing Mail Client. Only require one email address per computer.	Allows you to receive standard emails with your existing email client (e.g Outlook) and run business processes with MailRules.	Reduces the need for complex mail structures on a computer. Allow you to secure your business processes.
Encryption	Ensure any email and attachment is as secure as possible using either a standard (zip encryption) or enhanced (Triple DESS encryption).	Send highly sensitive information across the Internet and keep it safe.
Compression	Send email and attachments in as small a file size as possible.	Reduce transmission costs to a minimum.
Process received data immediately to maintain current information	With MailRules’ ability to run an external command upon receipt of a message , data files received via e-mail can be processed immediately into data stores (databases , accounting packages etc)	Generally , data received from external sources is stored in some intermediate location for a period before being incorporated into the operational data stores. MailRules can ensure the information is entered immediately.
Generate data files and reports with current data	With MailRules’ ability to run an external command before transmitting an email the generation of attachments can be performed by MailRules from current data. Example: A factory works until 6 pm. Office staff leave at 5 pm. In order to capture all data for a day , reports need to be generated after 6 pm. MailRules can be scheduled to send data through at 9 pm. MailRules will be set to run the report generating application immediately prior to sending the email and include the newly generated report as an attachment.	Where data is continuously changing , MailRules’ ability to run an external command before transmission allows attachments to be generated from current data rather than sending a report that may be out of date.
Intelligent scheduling	MailRules can be set to determine when a scheduled transmission has been missed. For example typically where the PC has been shut down during a period where transmission was scheduled. Upon restarting MailRules can send any missed transmissions.	In the case where MailRules is not running at the time a scheduled transmission is due the transmission can be sent the next time MailRules is started so that data is delivered as soon as possible to the destination.
Adheres with existing Firewall security structures	Email based , so no avenue for unauthorised access to corporate fileservers.	The computer applications and data on any corporate fileservers are secure from ‘hacker’ attack by utilising existing Firewall structures currently in place. MailRules does not leave a ‘hole’ in a firewall.
Wildcards on Inbound & Outbound Rules	Can receive files with multiple extentions and apply rules to them. Do not have to memorise specific naming conventions.	Inbound and Outbound Rules can use the ‘?’ and ‘*’ wildcard characters to provide more flexibility in Subject , Sender and Files fields.
Prioritisation of Inbound & Outbound Rules	Control the order in which Rules are processed.	Rules may utilise the same information or data attachments , and now one can control which MailRules rule needs to procede first.
Store Sent Files in a ‘Done’ Folder (raw or compressed).	Ability to audit transfers.	Maintain a record of all Outbound Rules executed.
Audible Notification of Inbound Rules.	Hear when data or information pertaining to an Inbound Rule has arrived at the Desktop.	A client or user may have a manual task that cannot be controlled by MailRules , which needs to be completed upon completion of the MailRules process.
Allow symbolic representation of Destination Folder.	Clients can control the destination folder by utilising [Desktop] or [My Documents] to represent the folder they want information placed into without having to know the precise path to the folder.	Simplifies the process of knowing the drive map of a particular remote computer.
Datasource (MailRules Professional edition feature only)	Create email addresses for MailRules from an external source.	Do not have to re-enter already captured data in other forms within a database.
Reporting (MailRules Professional edition feature only)	Obtain a report highlighting the completion status of the automated processes controlled by MailRules.	See at a glance the success or failure of the rules.
Administration (MailRules Professional edition feature only)	Allows technical staff to control remote MailRules database structures without having to visit the remote site.	Significant savings on time and effort.
Atomic Clock synchronisation	Computers located in different times zones communicate at correct times have their time clocks in sync.	By synchronising the system time , MailRules in an Internet distributed environment can activate business processes at the correct time.
Alias Names	Allows users to allocate folders with ‘Alias’ names regardless of where on the computer storage facilities the folder is situated.	The folders where data or information is to be stored will be in the same place for all recipients , regardless of actual physical location.