Electronic Document Presentment for Disaster Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional mail systems are unreliable in disaster scenarios, leading to delays and inefficiencies in delivering critical documents like bills and statements, as backup systems often require duplicate resources, are not easily adaptable, and may not match the capacity or format needs of the primary system.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an electronic document presentment system that stores and delivers documents electronically, using existing data files, converting them into compatible formats for delivery via email, web, or voice announcements, which can operate standalone or complement print-based systems, reducing the need for duplicate resources and enabling faster recovery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional backup mail system is used, then document delivery can continue during disaster, but the system requires duplicate resources and high ongoing costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses electronic copies of documents stored in digital format rather than physical paper copies. The backup system stores electronic versions of bills and statements that can be quickly generated and distributed without requiring duplicate printing equipment, physical storage space, or manual handling infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical paper-based mail system with an electronic delivery system. Instead of using physical printers, paper storage, and manual mailroom operations, the system uses electronic file transmission through existing communication networks, eliminating the need for duplicate mechanical infrastructure.
2Reliability
If a traditional backup mail system is used, then document delivery can continue during disaster, but activation and capacity scaling are slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-storing electronic document templates and customer data in digital format before disasters occur. The system maintains ready-to-use electronic files that can be immediately transmitted when needed, eliminating the time required to physically assemble and mail documents during emergency situations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables dynamic scaling of document delivery capacity by leveraging the inherent scalability of electronic systems. The backup system can quickly adjust to varying document volumes by processing electronic files through software-based workflows that can be rapidly scaled up or down without physical infrastructure constraints.
3Reliability
If a traditional backup mail system is used, then document delivery can continue during disaster, but the system requires extensive idle resources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing an electronic backup system that can serve multiple functions beyond disaster recovery. The same electronic document management infrastructure can be used for routine electronic billing, customer service operations, and archival purposes, ensuring resources are actively utilized rather than remaining idle during normal operations.
4Productivity
If electronic document presentment is used, then delivery speed and efficiency are improved, but adaptability to different document types must be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses parameter changes by implementing flexible electronic document formats that can be dynamically adjusted to accommodate different document types. The system can modify document parameters such as layout, content structure, and delivery format based on the specific requirements of bills, statements, notifications, or other communications while maintaining electronic delivery advantages.
Data Source
AI summary
The disaster recovery techniques, for presentment of a company's bills, statements or the like, provide electronic document presentment in the event of a disaster that impacts the company's print mail delivery operation or other existing mailing system(s). Files containing electronic documents are received, from a system associated with the print mail delivery operation, and the documents are stored in a database. Preferably, the systems use the company's existing data files. The files may be converted to a format compatible with one or more electronic delivery methodologies, if necessary. The disaster recovery systems present notice and/or data from the documents to the company's customers electronically, for example as e-mail (notice or message containing some or all of the document data), as a document attachment to an e-mail, via a web site, and possibly via telephone voice announcement.