Patent Publication Number: US-2013253960-A1

Title: Management system, method and device having an output generator

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of, and claims the benefit and priority of, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/207,425, filed on Sep. 9, 2008, and the entire contents of such application are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is related to the following commonly-owned, co-pending patent applications: U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/207,449, filed on Sep. 9, 2008; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/207,448, filed on Sep. 9, 2008; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/207,442, filed on Sep. 9, 2008; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/536,593, filed on Jun. 28, 2012; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/612,117, filed on Sep. 12, 2012; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/857,686, filed on Apr. 5, 2013; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/871,998, filed on Apr. 26, 2013. 
    
    
     COPYRIGHT NOTICE 
     A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains or may contain material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the photocopy reproduction by anyone of the entire patent document in exactly the form it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrights whatsoever. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Often, web based applications need to send documents to users. Typically, documents are sent via email and/or web download. Occasionally, web based application servers cause fax transmissions to occur. However, these server-initiated fax transmissions suffer from certain drawbacks. 
     First, these fax transmissions appear to come from a central source (i.e., a fax number associated with the application server). However, if the server is providing a web based application used by multiple different companies, each of these companies may want their fax transmissions to appear to come from their company with their specific set of assigned phone numbers (e.g., the fax transmissions may be going to customers of the company). 
     Second, transmission charges associated with web based fax transmission are incurred by the company that owns the application server. This then creates additional overhead for the application server company and/or a billing burden for the application server company trying to recover these fax transmission fees. 
     In addition, many companies use business software systems, such as customer relationship management (CRM) software systems. The companies separately use other software systems, such as financial software systems. They use their business software systems to periodically generate reports, which include specific types of information. To effectively run their businesses, these companies have to periodically update their separate software systems with the information from these reports. 
     The reports are not importable into the separate software systems. As a result, these companies must perform manual steps to input information into their separate software systems. This results in a labor burden. In addition, the manual steps have risks of human error. Also, the lack of automation has the risk that updates might not occur regularly in accordance with an optimal schedule. 
     Therefore, there is a need to overcome, or otherwise lessen the effects of, these disadvantages and shortcomings. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure provides methods and apparatus for delivering documents via fax transmission that overcome these problems. A web based application server transmits a document to a distribution management system. The distribution management system then translates the document if necessary (e.g., from a proprietary format to a PDF and a fax) and sends the translated document to one or more destinations such as email inboxes, printers, and fax machines. 
     For fax deliveries, the distribution management system sends the document to a particular client device that is associated with the fax destination. For example, the client device that actually transmits the fax may reside at a company, and the fax machine may be at a customer of that company. In this manner, fax transmissions appear to come from the correct source (not the distribution management system), and transmission charges associated with the fax are incurred by the appropriate company (not the company associated with the distribution management system). 
     The business management system or system, in one embodiment, enables users to generate and manage customer accounts, vendors, invoices, transactions, records, data and activities related to a business, including, but not limited to, an insurance agency management business. The system, in one embodiment, incorporates customer relationship management (CRM) functionality and structure. 
     In one embodiment, the system includes an output generator. The output generator produces business data files in a format which is importable into a separate, software-based system of the user. Depending upon the embodiment, the business data files can include financial data files, and the separate system can include a software-based financial management system which incorporates an accounting system. The outcome generator is configurable to automatically feed the business data files to a network access device accessible to the user. The user can retrieve the data files from the device and import them into the separate system. 
     In one embodiment, the business management system includes a data storage device storage device configured to store different categories of business data related to a business. The data storage device stores a plurality of data fields related to the customers, vendors and invoicing of the business. The data storage device is accessible, over a network, by a processor and one or more network access devices or electronic devices. The electronic devices each have at least one data storage destination, or they are each associated with at least one data storage destination. 
     The system has a first connection instruction set stored within the data storage device. The first connection instruction set is installable onto each of the electronic devices. The system has a second connection instruction set stored within the data storage device. The second connection instruction set is executable by the processor to establish and maintain a connection with each of the electronic devices without requiring input from users. 
     The system has a plurality of instructions stored within the data storage device. The instructions are executable by the processor to: (a) receive a plurality of settings and (b) send an output data file to the data storage destinations in accordance with the settings. The output data file has a format which is importable into a separate software-based system, including, but not limited to, an electronic financial management system. 
     In one embodiment, the settings include:
         (a) a path setting associated with the data storage destinations of the electronic devices;   (b) an output setting which specifies at least one of the categories of the business data to be included within the output data file;   (c) a schedule setting which specifies how often the electronic devices are to receive the output data file; and   (d) a user permission setting which specifies a permission to change at least one of the settings.       

     In one embodiment, the schedule setting specifies a recurring frequency for the processor to send the output data files to the data storage destinations. In one embodiment, the output data file has a plain text format. The plain text format is associated with a plurality of other data fields separated by breaks. In one embodiment, the output data file includes a Comma Separated Value (CSV) data file. In one embodiment, the output data file includes General Ledger (GL) accounting data. 
     In one embodiment, the instructions are executable by the processor to: (a) receive a selection of at least one of the categories of business data; (b) store a data file template based on the selection; and (c) generate the output data file according to the data file template. 
     In one embodiment, the instructions are executable by the processor to: (a) receive a selection of at least one of a plurality of file descriptor categories; (b) generate file descriptor data corresponding to the selection; and (c) send the file descriptor data in association with the output data file. 
     In one embodiment the business data includes different categories of financial data, the output data file includes General Ledger data, the output setting specifies at least one of the categories of the financial data to be included within the output data file, and the separate system is a financial management system. The instructions are executable by the processor to send the output data file to the data storage destination in accordance with the settings. The output data file has a format which is importable into a software-based financial management system. 
     Additional features and advantages of the present invention are described in, and will be apparent from, the following Brief Description of the Figures and Detailed Description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  is a high level block diagram of an example communications system. 
         FIG. 2  is a more detailed block diagram showing one example of a computing device. 
         FIG. 3  is a flowchart showing one example of a system for delivering documents. 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic block diagram illustrating one embodiment of the system coupled to a network accessible to electronic network access devices or electronic devices. 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic block diagram illustrating one embodiment of the system coupled to a network accessible to electronic network access devices or electronic devices within region A and electronic network access devices or electronic devices within region B. 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic block diagram illustrating one embodiment of the system coupled to a network accessible to a single electronic network access device or electronic device. 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic block diagram illustrating one embodiment of the business management system or system having the distribution management system, business management instructions, output generator and business data fields. 
         FIG. 8  is a view of one example of one embodiment of the home interface of the system. 
         FIG. 9  is a view of one example of one embodiment of the configure interface of the system. 
         FIG. 10  is a view of one example of one embodiment of the device registration interface of the system. 
         FIG. 11  is a view of one example of one embodiment of the device registration interface of the system, illustrating examples of registered network access device or electronic devices. 
         FIG. 12  is a view of one example of one embodiment of the associate interface of the system. 
         FIG. 13  is a view of one example of one embodiment of the device available interface of the system. 
         FIG. 14  is a view of one example of one embodiment of the network path interface of the system. 
         FIG. 15  is a schematic block diagram illustrating one embodiment of the system coupled to a network accessible to electronic network access devices or electronic devices, illustrating the output of a General Ledger (GL) data file in tabular format followed by the importing of such data file into a financial management system. 
         FIG. 16  is a view of one example of one embodiment of the data file mapping interface of the system. 
         FIG. 17  is a view of one example of one embodiment of the spreadsheet version of the tabular data file output by the system. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Business Management System 
     The present system is most readily realized in a network communications system. A high level block diagram of an exemplary network communications system  100  is illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The illustrated system  100  includes one or more client devices  102 , one or more application servers  106 , one or more database servers  108  connected to one or more databases  110 , a distribution management system  112 , and one or more fax machines  120 . As described in more detail below, each of these devices may communicate with each other via a connection to one or more communications channels  116 . The communications channels  116  may be any suitable communications channels  116  such as the Internet, cable, satellite, local area network, wide area networks, telephone networks, etc. It will be appreciated that any of the devices described herein may be directly connected to each other and/or connected over one or more networks. 
     A detailed block diagram of an example computing device  102 ,  106 ,  108  is illustrated in  FIG. 2 . Each computing device  102 ,  106 ,  108  may include a server, a personal computer (PC), a personal digital assistant (PDA), and/or any other suitable computing device. Each computing device  102 ,  106 ,  108  preferably includes a main unit  202  which preferably includes one or more processors  204  electrically coupled by an address/data bus  206  to one or more memory devices  208 , other computer circuitry  210 , and one or more interface circuits  212 . The processor  204  may be any suitable microprocessor. 
     The memory  208  preferably includes volatile memory and non-volatile memory. Preferably, the memory  208  and/or another storage device  218  stores software instructions  222  that interact with the other devices in the system  100  as described herein. These software instructions  222  may be executed by the processor  204  in any suitable manner. The memory  208  and/or another storage device  218  may also store one or more data structures, digital data indicative of documents, files, programs, web pages, etc. retrieved from another computing device  102 , 106 ,  108  and/or loaded via an input device  214 . 
     The example memory device  208  stores software instructions  222 , screen files  224 , and documents  226  for use by the system as described in detail below. It will be appreciated that many other data fields and records may be stored in the memory device  208  to facilitate implementation of the methods and apparatus disclosed herein. In addition, it will be appreciated that any type of suitable data structure (e.g., a flat file data structure, a relational database, a tree data structure, etc.) may be used to facilitate implementation of the methods and apparatus disclosed herein. 
     The interface circuit  212  may be implemented using any suitable interface standard, such as an Ethernet interface and/or a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface. One or more input devices  214  may be connected to the interface circuit  212  for entering data and commands into the main unit  202 . For example, the input device  214  may be a keyboard, mouse, touch screen, track pad, track ball, isopoint, and/or a voice recognition system. 
     One or more displays, speakers, and/or other output devices  216  may also be connected to the main unit  202  via the interface circuit  212 . The display may be a cathode ray tube (CRTs), liquid crystal displays (LCDs), or any other type of display. The display generates visual displays of data generated during operation of the computing device  102 ,  106 ,  108 . For example, the display may be used to display screen files received from the application server  106 . The visual displays may include prompts for human input, run time statistics, calculated values, data, etc. 
     One or more storage devices  218  may also be connected to the main unit  202  via the interface circuit  212 . For example, a hard drive, CD drive, DVD drive, flash memory drive, and/or other storage devices may be connected to the main unit  202 . The storage devices  218  may store any type of data used by the computing device  102 ,  106 ,  108 . 
     Each computing device  102 ,  106 ,  108  may also exchange data with other computing devices  102 ,  106 ,  108  and/or other network devices  220  via a connection to the communication channel(s)  116 . The communication channel(s)  116  may be any type of network connection, such as an Ethernet connection, WiFi, WiMax, digital subscriber line (DSL), telephone line, coaxial cable, etc. Users  118  of the system  100  may be required to register with the application server  106 . In such an instance, each  118  user may choose a user identifier (e.g., e-mail address) and a password which may be required for the activation of services. The user identifier and password may be passed across the communication channel(s)  116  using encryption built into the user&#39;s browser, software application, or computing device  102 ,  106 ,  108 . Alternatively, the user identifier and/or password may be assigned by the application server  106 . 
     A flowchart of an example process  300  for delivering documents is presented in  FIG. 3 . Preferably, the process  300  is embodied in one or more software programs which are stored in one or more memories and executed by one or more processors. Although the process  300  is described with reference to the flowchart illustrated in  FIG. 3 , it will be appreciated that many other methods of performing the acts associated with process  300  may be used. For example, the order of many of the steps may be changed, some of the steps described may be optional, and additional steps may be included. 
     In general, the process  300  causes an application server  106  to transmit a document to the distribution management system  112 . The distribution management system  112  then translates the document if necessary. For example, the distribution management system  112  may translate the document to and/or from a proprietary format, a spreadsheet format, a delimited format such as a comma separated values (CSV) format, a word processing format, a PDF format, and/or a fax format). The distribution management system  112  then sends the document and/or the translated document to one or more destinations such as email inboxes, printers, and fax machines  120 . For fax deliveries, the distribution management system  112  sends the document to a particular client device  102  that is associated with the fax destination. For example, the client device  102  that actually transmits the fax may reside at a company, and the fax machine  120  may be at a customer of that company. In this manner, fax transmissions appear to come from the correct source (not the distribution management system  112 ), and transmission charges associated with the fax are incurred by the appropriate company (not the company associated with the distribution management system  112 ). 
     More specifically, the application server  106  begins the example process  300  by dynamically delivering an application to a plurality of client devices (block  302 ). Preferably, the application server  106  may transmit data indicative of screen displays to a framework application running on the client device  102 . For example, the application server  106  may transmit data indicative of screen displays for an insurance agency application to the client device  102 . In response to users  118  at the client devices  102 , the application server  106  receives events and data from the framework applications running on the client devices  102 . For example, a user  118  may click a mouse on a drop down menu at the client device  102 . As a result, the client device  102  sends an event to the application server  106 . The application server  106  then responds to the client device  102  with data to populate the drop down menu. If the user  118  selects an item from the drop down menu, the client device  102  sends data indicative that selection to the application server  106 . In this back-and-forth manner, the business logic of one or more applications is delivered from the application server  106  to the client devices  102 . 
     When executing these applications, the application server  106  may retrieve data from a local database  107  and/or a remote database  110  via a database server  108 . For example, the application server  106  may retrieve the data to populate the drop down menu in the example above. In another example, the application server  106  may store data entered by a user  118  in a database  107 ,  110  for later retrieval and display at a client device  102 . 
     Often, the application server  106  may need to send one or more documents to a plurality of users  118  (block  304 ). For example, the application server  106  may need to send a monthly report to several different users  188 . Next, the distribution management system  112  determines one or more delivery modes for the document by looking up previously stored user preferences (block  306 ) and looks up any necessary routing information (block  308 ). 
     Some users  118  may want to have the report delivered directly to their local printer  228 . Accordingly, the distribution management system  112  sends the print job directly to the associated client device  102  (block  310 ). The distribution management system  112  is given access to each user&#39;s printers via the framework application running on that user&#39;s client device  102 . 
     Some users  118  may want to have the report delivered via email and/or to a fax machine  120 . Preferably, one distribution management system  112  is used by multiple companies (e.g., hundreds). For example, the application server  106  may be serving a software application used by ABC Co. and XYZ Co. Each of these companies may need to send documents to their customers. For example, ABC Co. may need to send a monthly report to ABC Co. Customer, and XYZ Co. may need to send a monthly report to XYZ Co. Customer. 
     Preferably, communications from the distribution management system  112  to a customer should appear to come from the company associated with that customer, not from the distribution management system  112 . Accordingly, emails are sent to directly to users  118  from the distribution management system  112  via the network  116  using an “from” email address indicative of the company associated with the customer (block  312 ). However, to prevent the email from being captured by a spam filter, the email address is not spoofed. For example, the sender&#39;s email address may be documents_for_abc@dms.com for documents that need to appear to come from ABC Co. and documents_for_xyz@dms.com for documents that need to appear to come from XYZ Co. In other words, the example email messages are actually being sent from the “dms.com” domain. However, the full email address of the sender changes depending on the destination. 
     In addition, the “reply” email address changes depending on the destination. However, in this case, spam filters are generally not an issue. Therefore, the reply email address is set to the actual companies email address. For example, the reply email address may be user@abc.com for documents that need to appear to come from ABC Co. and user@xyz.com for documents that need to appear to come from XYZ Co. 
     In order to make faxes of documents appear to come from the company associated with a customer, the distribution management system  112  routes faxes through a fax card  122  in a client device  102  of the company (blocks  314  and  316 ). The distribution management system  112  is given access to each user&#39;s fax card (if installed) via the framework application running on that user&#39;s client device  102 . Preferably, the framework application is downloaded from the application server  106  and installed on the client device  102 . 
     An example of a complete fax communication path  124  is illustrated in  FIG. 1 . In this example, the application server  106  sends the document to the distribution management system  112  via the Internet. As an example, this document may be a monthly report in a proprietary format or a word processing format. If necessary, the distribution management system  112  then converts the document. For example, the distribution management system  112  may convert the proprietary file to a PDF for delivery to a printer and/or an email inbox, and the distribution management system  112  may convert the proprietary file to a fax document for delivery to a fax machine. The distribution management system  112  then sends the document and/or translated document to the appropriate client device  102  via the Internet. Once the document is received by the client device  102 , the client device  102  faxes the document to the destination fax machine via an installed fax card  122  and a telephone network. In this manner, ABC Co. is the source of the fax transmission and incurs the associated fax charges. 
     In summary, persons of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that methods and apparatus for delivering documents have been provided. The foregoing description has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the exemplary embodiments disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. It is intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description of examples, but rather by the claims appended hereto. 
     In one embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the business management system  400  or system  400  includes a plurality of computer-readable instructions  402  and business data fields  404 . The business data fields  404  are fillable with business data, including, but not limited to, customer data, vendor or supplier data, and invoicing data. The system  400  is accessible, over network  406 , by the processor  408 . The system  400  is also accessible, over network  406 , by one or more electronic network access devices or electronic devices  410 . In the example illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the user is an insurance agency management company with a central data center. The company&#39;s data center has a data center server  412  accessible by a plurality of computers  414 . The server  412  is coupled to the system  400  through the network  406 . 
     In the example illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the user is an insurance agency management company with a data center  416  in region A, such as the West Coast of the USA. The insurance agency management company also has a data center  418  in region B, such as the East Coast of the USA. The company&#39;s region A data center has a region A server  420  accessible by a plurality of computers  414 . The region A server  420  is coupled to the business management system  400  through the network  406 . The company&#39;s region B data center has a region B server  422  accessible by a plurality of computers  424 . The region B server  422  is coupled to the business management system  400  through the network  406 . 
     In the example illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the user is an insurance agent. The agent&#39;s computer  414  is coupled to the business management system  400  through the network  406 . 
     In one embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the business management system  400  includes the distribution management system  112  described above, including all of the logic, structure, elements and functionality of the distribution management system  112 . In one embodiment, the distribution management system  112  includes the computer-readable instructions  402  which, in turn, include the business management instructions  426  and the output generator  428 . 
     The output generator  428 , in one embodiment, includes the device-side instruction set or device-side module  430  and the system-side instruction set or system-side module  432 . The data storage device of the system  400  stores a downloadable copy of the device-side module  430 . The device-side module  430 , described in detail below, is installable onto one or more of the network access devices  410 . Using client-server terminology, the devices  410  have the roles of clients, and the device-side module  430  is installable on the client-side. The system-side module  432 , described in detail below, resides in the data storage device of the system  400 . Using client-server terminology, the processor  408  has the role of the server, and the system-side module  432  is installable on the server-side. 
     In one embodiment, the device-side module  430  includes a data interface program or channel computer program loadable into the memory or data storage device of the network access device  410 . The system-side module  432 , residing within the system  400 , includes a counterpart channel computer program executable by the processor  408 . When the device-side module  430  is installed on a device  410 , it is executable to interact with the system-side module  432 . The interaction enables the system processor  408  to feed output files to the device  410  without requiring a login or other action from the user. 
     In one embodiment, the communication or connection modules  430  and  432  are associated with a channel or data port. Based on the instructions of the modules  430  and  432 , the system processor  408  establishes and maintains a connection with the device  410 . The system processor  408  sends, pushes or otherwise feeds the output files through the data port to the device  410 . 
     In one embodiment, the network access device  410  has a Microsoft Windows® operating system. The operating system implements a set of communication protocols, such as the TCP/IP protocol suite on which the Internet runs, which includes the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and the Internet Protocol (IP). The system processor  408 , as directed by connection modules  430  and  432 , functions with the TCP/IP stack of the device  410  and the system-side connection module  432  to maintain or persist a connection with the device  410 . With each output from the generator  428 , the system processor  408  sends output files to the device  410  through a data port determined by the TCP/IP stack implementation on the device  410 . 
     In one embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the system  400  is an insurance agency management system accessible over the network  406 . The insurance agency management system  400  provides data structures, graphical user interfaces and modules for use by insurance agents or insurance agency firms or companies. The insurance agency management system  400  has modules and data fields to facilitate the management of communications, information flow, business data (including, but not limited to, financial data), insurance-related transactions and activities involving the agent, the agent&#39;s clients or customers, insurance policies, insurance claims, insurance carriers and other vendors. 
     In this embodiment, the system  400  is operable by the system processor  408  to generate a plurality of graphical user interfaces accessible by one or more electronic devices  410  used by insurance agents. The example home interface  434 , shown in  FIG. 8 , displays a vertical menu  436  of insurance management modules, including the insurance accounts module  438 , general ledger module  440 , reports/marketing module  442 , procedures module  444 , configure module  446 , utilities module  448  and email module  450 . Each of these modules has a plurality of business data fields  404  associated with the purpose of the module. The data fields  404  are configured to receive, or be filled with, a variety of different types or categories of business data. Each category of business data is associated with one of these modules. The accounts module  438  enables the agent to view, edit and enter business data related to the agent&#39;s client accounts. The general ledger module  440  enables the agent to view, edit and enter business data related to finances, in particular financial data, including, but not limited to, accounting data, related to the agent&#39;s insurance agency business. The reports/marketing module  442  enables the agent to view business data contained in reports related to the agent&#39;s insurance agency business. The procedures module  444  enables the agent to view, edit and enter business data set forth in operating procedures related to the agent&#39;s insurance agency business. The configure module  446  enables the agent to customize features, settings and options of the system  400 . The utilities module  448  enables the agent to use designated utilities, and the email module  450  enables the agent to send and receive emails for client and insurance carrier communications. The example home interface  434  also displays horizontal menus of the following modules: File, Edit, Areas, Home, Locate, Actions, On Demand, Access, Links, Help, New, and Print. 
     In one embodiment, to enable or configure the output generator  428 , the user takes the steps described as follows: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE A 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 CONFIGURATION STEP 
                 DESCRIPTION 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 1: Client-Install Step 
                 Install or load a copy of the device-side 
               
               
                   
                 module 430 onto a desired device as 
               
               
                   
                 described in detail below. 
               
               
                 2: Registration Step 
                 Register the loaded device as described in 
               
               
                   
                 detail below. 
               
               
                 3: Path Step 
                 Specify one or more network paths or data 
               
               
                   
                 storage paths for the registered device as 
               
               
                   
                 described in detail below. 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     In the Client-Install Step 1 of Table A, referring to  FIG. 7 , the user chooses or otherwise selects a computer, server or other network access device to connect to the output generator  428  of the system  400 . After making that choice, the user installs a copy of the device-side module  430  onto the selected device. In one embodiment, the system  400  displays a download link (not shown) to the user. The user clicks the download link, and the system  400  enables the selected device to store a copy of the device-side module  430  onto the hard drive, memory device or other data storage device of the selected device. As described above, the device-side module  430 , when stored on the selected device, functions as a data interface enabling automatic data feeds from the system  400  to the selected device. 
     In the Registration Step 2 of Table A, the user may select the configure module  446  illustrated in  FIG. 8 . When the user selects the configure module  446 , the system  400  displays the configure interface  452  illustrated in  FIG. 9 . The configure interface  452  displays an output generator setup link  454  named, “Data Service Setup.” When the user selects the output generator setup link  454 , the system  400  displays the device registration interface  456  as illustrated in  FIG. 10 . The device registration interface  456  displays a device setup link  458  coupled to a device registration section  460 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 10-11 , the device registration section  460  includes a network address section  462 , a device name section  464  and a detail section  466 . The network address section  462  includes selectable add, edit, delete and print symbols  468  enabling the user to add, edit, delete or print one or more network addresses of one or more of the devices. 
     In the example illustrated, the user registered two Internet Protocol (IP) addresses for two registered devices. In this example, the devices are servers of the user&#39;s insurance agency management firm. One server is located at the firm&#39;s West Coast data center, and the other server is located at the firm&#39;s East Coast data center. The first IP address is 172.16.39.18, and the second IP address is 192.168.59.1. 
     The system  400  displays an associate interface  470 , illustrated in  FIG. 12 . The associate interface  470  enables the user to associate the IP addresses with desired servers. In the example illustrated in  FIG. 12 , the user placed a checkmark in box  472  to start the process of associating IP address, 192.168.59.1, with a desired server. After the user selects the Finish button  474 , the system  400  displays the device available interface  476  as illustrated in  FIG. 13 . The device available interface  476  displays the devices which have been registered as described above. In the example illustrated in  FIG. 13 , the device available interface  476  displays the East Coast server as an available or registered device. By adding a checkmark to box  478 , the user associates the 192.168.59.1 IP address with the East Coast server. The user would carry out the same process to associate the 172.16.39.18 IP address with the West Coast server. 
     In the Path Step 3 of Table A, continuing with the example illustrated in  FIGS. 10-13 , the user specifies the network paths or storage location paths for the registered devices. A path can lead to a local storage device of a registered device, or a path can lead to a network-based storage device of a registered device. In this example, the registered devices are the East Coast server and West Coast server of the insurance agency management firm. 
     Referring to  FIG. 14 , when the user clicks the network path link  480 , the system  400  displays the network path interface  482 . The network path interface  482  displays a network path setup section  484  which includes a network path management section  486  and a network path detail section  488 . The management section  486  includes a plurality of path fields and management links  490 . The management links  490  include selectable add, edit, delete and print symbols. 
     The user uses the links  490  to enter one or more network paths or data storage paths. In this example, the user entered the following network paths: 
     (a) \\fs-California\SomeFolder\ 
     (b) \\fs-Iowa\SomeFolder\ 
     (c) \\fs-NewYork\SomeFolder\ 
     These paths specify data storage destinations within data recording mediums. The data recording mediums are within, or associated with, the registered devices  410 . In one embodiment, the data recording mediums are hard drives, memory devices or other data storage devices of the registered devices  410 . In such embodiment, the paths specify locations or destinations within the directories or folders of the registered devices  410 . 
     The interface  482  also enables the user to associate each of the paths with one of the registered devices  410 . In the example illustrated, the user elected to associate the \\fs-Iowa\SomeFolder\ path with the East Coast server. The same process would apply for associating paths with the West Coast server. After the user has specified the desired network paths for the registered devices  410 , the user has completed the process of enabling or configuring the output generator  428  for use. 
     In the example described, the regional configuration for the East and West Coast data centers conforms to the architecture illustrated in  FIG. 5 . This type of architecture can provide increased data exchange efficiency for a firm with multiple offices or data centers located relatively far apart. For example, the firm may have a main information technology (IT) center on the West Coast of the USA, and the firm may have a satellite IT center on the East Coast of the USA. The West Coast IT center serves the client computers of the insurance agents on the West Coast, and the East Coast IT center serves the client computers of the insurance agents on the East Coast. If all of the client computers on the East Coast had to exchange data with the server on the West Coast, the data exchange process could be relatively lengthy. Having regional servers serve their associated client computers can decrease the data exchange time and facilitate data access for the insurance agents. 
     The architecture illustrated in  FIG. 5  can also enhance security for a firm with IT centers designated for different functions. For example, a firm may have server X which manages personal insurance policies and server Y which manages commercial insurance policies. If the output generator  428  were active for both servers, the system  400  could separately feed output data to the different servers. This would prevent server X from receiving commercial-related output, and this would prevent server Y from receiving personal-related output. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7 and 15 , in one embodiment, an insurance agency management firm uses the system  400  to generate invoices, billings, statements and perform other activities related to insured parties, insurance providers, insurance agents and other parties involved with the business. The system  400  receives business data from the agency users, and the system  400  populates its business data fields  404  with the received business data. 
     In one embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the business data fields include financial data fields  405 , which are filled with financial data, including invoice-related data, provided by the users. In some circumstances, the agency management firm has a financial management system or financial software system  494 . Depending upon the type of financial software system  494 , the system  494  may include or incorporate an online or offline, software-based accounting system or accounting module. The output generator  428  is operable to feed tabular financial data files to the registered devices. The user can then import those tabular data files into the financial software system  494 . 
     In other circumstances, the agency management firm has an additional software-based system other than, or in addition to, a financial management system. Depending upon the type of the additional software-based system, the additional system may include or incorporate an online or offline, software-based system. The output generator  428  is operable to feed tabular business data files to the registered devices. The user can then import those tabular data files into the additional software system. 
     In one example, a national insurance agency management firm may have a main office and multiple satellite offices. The main office may have a main financial software system  494  with accounting functionality. Each satellite office uses the insurance agency management system  400 . The main office may require the satellite offices to submit their financial data to the main office once per month or once per quarter. The output generator  428  enables the satellite offices to produce their financial data in a tabular format which is directly importable into the main financial software system  494 . 
     Depending upon the embodiment, the financial data can include accounting information, accounting records or other data related to insurance policy management. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 15 , the output generator  428  is operable to output financial General Ledger (GL) data in the form of tabular GL files, such as Comma Separated Value (CSV) export data files  492 . Because of the tabular format, the user is able to electronically upload, transfer or otherwise import the tabular GL data files into the user&#39;s financial software system  494 . 
     In one embodiment, the system-side module  432  of the output generator  428  includes a plurality of computer-readable instructions related to managing the GL data files output by the output generator  428 . The system processor  408 , executing such instructions, generates a plurality of graphical user interfaces which enable the user to manage the production and output of these GL data files. In one embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 16 , the system  400  displays the data file specification interface or data file mapping interface  496 . The user may access the data file mapping interface  496  by clicking on the Import/Export link  498  within the Accounting module  500 . The mapping interface  496  enables the user to define a plurality of different templates for GL data files to be generated by the output generator  428 . 
     In one embodiment, the system  400  stores one or more customizable, selectable data file templates. The user may select the Add symbol  502  to select a customizable, pre-stored data file template. The selectable edit symbol  504  enables the user to customize the template. For customization purposes, the data file mapping interface  496  enables the user to customize several categories of file data, including, but not limited to: (i) the GL Account Balance categories set forth in Table B below; (ii) the Totals categories set forth in Table C below; and (iii) the File descriptor categories set forth in Table D below. The GL Account Balance and Totals categories provide a plurality of data fields. In one embodiment, each such category corresponds to a different column in the tabular output file. The following tables B-D provide a list of the categories of data which the user can add to, or exclude from, the customizable template: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE B 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 GL ACCOUNT BALANCE FIELDS 
                 DESCRIPTION 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 Account - Subaccount 
                 Displays Account + “-” + 
               
               
                   
                 Subaccount for line detail. 
               
               
                 Account Description 
                 General Ledger Account 
               
               
                   
                 Description matching the 
               
               
                   
                 information accessible through 
               
               
                   
                 the following link path at the 
               
               
                   
                 home interface 434: Configure 
               
               
                   
                 &gt; Accounting &gt; Chart of 
               
               
                   
                 Accounts 
               
               
                 Account Group Code 
                 Account group code matching 
               
               
                   
                 the information accessible 
               
               
                   
                 through the following link path 
               
               
                   
                 at the home interface 434: 
               
               
                   
                 Configure &gt; Accounting &gt; Chart 
               
               
                   
                 of Account Groups associated 
               
               
                   
                 to GL Account 
               
               
                 Account Group Description 
                 Account group description 
               
               
                   
                 matching the information 
               
               
                   
                 accessible through the 
               
               
                   
                 following link path at the home 
               
               
                   
                 interface 434: Configure &gt; 
               
               
                   
                 Accounting &gt; Chart of Account 
               
               
                   
                 Groups associated to GL 
               
               
                   
                 Account 
               
               
                 Account Level 
                 “Title” vs. “Subaccount”. 
               
               
                 Account Status 
                 Displays “Active” or “Inactive” 
               
               
                   
                 matching the information 
               
               
                   
                 accessible through the 
               
               
                   
                 following link path at the home 
               
               
                   
                 interface 434: Configure &gt; 
               
               
                   
                 Accounting &gt; Chart of 
               
               
                   
                 Accounts. 
               
               
                 Accounting Month 
                 Accounting Month 
               
               
                 Agency Code 
                 Agency code matching the 
               
               
                   
                 information accessible through 
               
               
                   
                 the following link path at the 
               
               
                   
                 home interface 434: Configure 
               
               
                   
                 &gt; Structure &gt; Agencies 
               
               
                 Agency Name 
                 Agency name matching the 
               
               
                   
                 information accessible through 
               
               
                   
                 the following link path at the 
               
               
                   
                 home interface 434: Configure 
               
               
                   
                 &gt; Structure &gt; Agencies 
               
               
                 Amount 
                 Displays debit or credit amount 
               
               
                   
                 under a single column. If 
               
               
                   
                 “Debit”, then positive; else 
               
               
                   
                 negative. 
               
               
                 Branch Code 
                 Branch code matching the 
               
               
                   
                 information accessible through 
               
               
                   
                 the following link path at the 
               
               
                   
                 home interface 434: Configure 
               
               
                   
                 &gt; Structure &gt; Branches 
               
               
                 Branch Name 
                 Branch name matching the 
               
               
                   
                 information accessible through 
               
               
                   
                 the following link path at the 
               
               
                   
                 home interface 434: Configure 
               
               
                   
                 &gt; Structure &gt; Branches 
               
               
                 Credit 
                 Displays “Credit” amount. If 
               
               
                   
                 “Debit”; displays blank. 
               
               
                 Debit 
                 Displays “Debit” amount. If 
               
               
                   
                 “Credit”; display blank. 
               
               
                 Department Code 
                 Department code matching the 
               
               
                   
                 information accessible through 
               
               
                   
                 the following link path at the 
               
               
                   
                 home interface 434: Configure 
               
               
                   
                 &gt; Structure &gt; Departments 
               
               
                 Department Name 
                 Department name matching the 
               
               
                   
                 information accessible through 
               
               
                   
                 the following link path at the 
               
               
                   
                 home interface 434: Configure 
               
               
                   
                 &gt; Structure &gt; Departments 
               
               
                 Group Type 
                 General Ledger Account Type 
               
               
                   
                 Code matching the information 
               
               
                   
                 accessible through the 
               
               
                   
                 following link path at the home 
               
               
                   
                 interface 434: Configure &gt; 
               
               
                   
                 Accounting &gt; Chart of 
               
               
                   
                 Accounts. 
               
               
                 Profit Center Code 
                 Profit Center code matching the 
               
               
                   
                 information accessible through 
               
               
                   
                 the following link path at the 
               
               
                   
                 home interface 434: Configure 
               
               
                   
                 &gt; Structure &gt; Profit Centers 
               
               
                 Profit Center Name 
                 Profit Center name matching 
               
               
                   
                 the information accessible 
               
               
                   
                 through the following link path 
               
               
                   
                 at the home interface 434: 
               
               
                   
                 Configure &gt; Structure &gt; Profit 
               
               
                   
                 Centers 
               
               
                 Subaccount 
                 Subaccount matching the 
               
               
                   
                 information accessible through 
               
               
                   
                 the following link path at the 
               
               
                   
                 home interface 434: Configure 
               
               
                   
                 &gt; Accounting &gt; Chart of 
               
               
                   
                 Accounts 
               
               
                 Title Account 
                 Account matching the 
               
               
                   
                 information accessible through 
               
               
                   
                 the following link path at the 
               
               
                   
                 home interface 434: Configure 
               
               
                   
                 &gt; Accounting &gt; Chart of 
               
               
                   
                 Accounts for “Title” or “Regular” 
               
               
                   
                 accounts. 
               
               
                 Title Account Description 
                 Account description matching 
               
               
                   
                 the information accessible 
               
               
                   
                 through the following link path 
               
               
                   
                 at the home interface 434: 
               
               
                   
                 Configure &gt; Accounting &gt; Chart 
               
               
                   
                 of Accounts for “Title” or 
               
               
                   
                 “Regular” accounts. 
               
               
                 Region Code 
                 Region code matching the 
               
               
                   
                 information accessible through 
               
               
                   
                 the following link path at the 
               
               
                   
                 home interface 434: Configure 
               
               
                   
                 &gt; Structure &gt; Regions 
               
               
                 Region Name 
                 Region name matching the 
               
               
                   
                 information accessible through 
               
               
                   
                 the following link path at the 
               
               
                   
                 home interface 434: Configure 
               
               
                   
                 &gt; Structure &gt; Regions 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                 TABLE C 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 TOTALS FIELDS 
                 DESCRIPTION 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 Amount Balance 
                 Total of single “Amount” 
               
               
                   
                   
                 column. Should be 0.00 if in 
               
               
                   
                   
                 balance. 
               
               
                   
                 Credit Account Balances 
                 Total credits. 
               
               
                   
                 Debit Account Balances 
                 Total debits. 
               
               
                   
                 Total Record Count 
                 Counts the total number of 
               
               
                   
                   
                 detail lines in the Export file. 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE D 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 EXPORT FILE DESCRIPTORS 
                 DESCRIPTION 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 Batch # 
                 Batch Number for Export File. 
               
               
                 Batch Description 
                 Batch Description for Export file. 
               
               
                 Criteria Date 
                 Criteria date (based on format). 
               
               
                 Criteria Month 
                 Criteria month (based on format). 
               
               
                 Entered Date 
                 Batch entered date. 
               
               
                 Entered Date &amp; Time 
                 Batch entered date + time. 
               
               
                 Entered By 
                 Batch entered by login. 
               
               
                 File Description 
                 Mapping File description. 
               
               
                 File Destination 
                 File destination 
               
               
                 File Name 
                 File name 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Using the data file mapping interface  496  and the customizable categories set forth in Tables B-D above, the user can define different data file templates, for example, templates X, Y and Z. For each template, the mapping interface  496  enables the user to enter a data output request or batch processing request. As a batch process, the system  400  feeds the output data files to the registered devices without requiring input or action from the user. The mapping interface  496  enables the user to specify a one-time data feed to the registered devices or automated, recurring data feeds to the registered devices. In one embodiment, for each template, the mapping interface  496  enables the user to specify the following batch settings for generating GL data files: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE E 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 BATCH SETTING 
                 DESCRIPTION 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 Cancel Batch 
                 The cancel batch setting prevents a data file 
               
               
                   
                 from being generated. A user may provide this 
               
               
                   
                 input if a batch is entered with erroneous 
               
               
                   
                 criteria. 
               
               
                 Export Batch 
                 The export batch setting causes the system 400 
               
               
                   
                 to immediately output a data file for the selected 
               
               
                   
                 batch. 
               
               
                 Finalize Batch 
                 The finalize batch setting protects an exported 
               
               
                   
                 batch so that it is not modifiable or cancelable. 
               
               
                 Modify Next 
                 The finalize next scheduling/recurrence setting 
               
               
                 Scheduling/Recurrence 
                 cancels or reschedules one-time or recurring, 
               
               
                   
                 future production requests for the selected 
               
               
                   
                 batch. 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     In one embodiment, the system  400  performs a General Ledger Consolidation (GLC) each time the output generator  428  outputs a GL data file. If, for example, the user sets the generator  428  to generate GL data files on a weekly basis, the system  400  would perform a GLC each week. In this embodiment, the system&#39;s most recently generated data file would include a comprehensive set of GL data, incorporating the data of the previous data file as well as any data changes or new data arising after the previous data file. 
     In one example, the user customizes a template with the following data categories for the column headings: Batch #, GL Account #, Agency, Branch, Department, Profit Center, Debit, Credit and GL Account Group Code. The output generator  428  produces a CSV data file populated with the financial GL data for such categories. The output generator  428  feeds that CSV file to a folder of a registered device. The user opens the folder, then opens the CSV file, and then saves a version of that file in Microsoft® Excel spreadsheet format as illustrated in  FIG. 17 . The example spreadsheet  506 , shown in  FIG. 17 , sets forth the GL data in a tabular, editable format. The user can import the CSV file or Excel spreadsheet file into the user&#39;s financial software system  494 . 
     It should be appreciated than any suitable software program can be run to view or edit the saved CSV data files. The format of the data file generated by the output generator  428  is tabular or otherwise configured for arrangement in rows and columns. In one embodiment, the data file has a plain text form including a plurality of data fields separated by breaks. The breaks can include commas or other symbols or suitable data dividers. In the plain text form, the user can open the data file and edit the data in the data file through a suitable editor or word processor, whether stored locally on the electronic device&#39;s hard drive or accessible over a network, including, but not limited to, Microsoft® Excel, online Google® Sheets or any suitable CSV editor. 
     In one embodiment, the system  400  has a user control or permission module. The permission module provides different privileges or rights associated with different users or user categories. The rights determine whether a user can create, set or change any of the system&#39;s configurable options described above. For example, an administrator user may have all available rights, including the right to register new network access devices; the right to remove devices from registration; the right to add, edit or delete data storage paths for devices; the right to add, edit or delete the data file templates for the output files; the right to add, edit or delete the batch processing settings for the output files; and the right to add, edit or cancel the rights of other users. A user other than the administrator may have a limited version of these rights based on the decisions made by the administrator. 
     Methods 
     In one embodiment, the system  400  is implemented as a method. The method includes some or all of the functionality, steps and logic of the system  400 . In one embodiment, the method includes the following steps:
         (a) electronically storing different categories of business data and a plurality of computer-readable instructions;   (b) electronically executing the computer-readable instructions to:
           (i) receive a plurality of settings, the settings including:
               (x) a path setting associated with a data storage destination, wherein the data storage destination is associated with an electronic device;   (y) an output setting which specifies at least one of the categories of the business data to be included within an output data file;   (z) a schedule setting which specifies how often the data storage destination is to receive the output data file; and   
               (ii) send the output data file to the data storage destination in accordance with the settings, the output data file having a format which is importable into another system.   
               

     Network 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4-6  and  15 , the network  406  can be any suitable type of network. Depending upon the embodiment, the network  406  can include one or more of the following: a wired network, a wireless network, a local area network (LAN), an extranet, an intranet, a wide area network (WAN) (including, but not limited to, the Internet), a virtual private network (VPN), an interconnected data path across which multiple devices may communicate, a peer-to-peer network, a telephone network, portions of a telecommunications network for sending data through a variety of different communication protocols, a Bluetooth communication network, a radio frequency (RF) data communication network, an infrared (IR) data communication network, a satellite communication network or a cellular communication network for sending and receiving data through short messaging service (SMS), multimedia messaging service (MMS), hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP), direct data connection, Wireless Application Protocol (WAP), email or any other suitable message transfer service or format. 
     Hardware 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4-7  and  15 , in one embodiment, the system  400  includes a single server. In another embodiment, the system  400  includes multiple servers, each of which implements a different part of the system  400 . In one embodiment, each of the one or more servers includes: (a) a processor (such as the processor  408 ) or a central processing unit (CPU); and (b) one or more data storage devices, including, but not limited to, a hard drive with a spinning magnetic disk, a Solid-State Drive (SSD), a floppy disk, an optical disk (including, but not limited to, a CD or DVD), a Random Access Memory (RAM) device, a Read-Only Memory (ROM) device (including, but not limited to, programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM)), a magnetic card, an optical card, a flash memory device (including, but not limited to, a USB key with non-volatile memory, any type of media suitable for storing electronic instructions or any other suitable type of computer-readable storage medium. 
     In one embodiment, each of the one or more servers is a general purpose computer. In one embodiment, the one or more servers function to deliver webpages at the request of clients, such as web browsers, using the Hyper-Text Transfer Protocol (HTTP). In performing this function, the one or more servers deliver Hyper-Text Markup Language (HTML) documents and any additional content which may be included, or coupled to, such documents, including, but not limited, to images, style sheets and scripts. 
     The network access devices  410  can include any device operable to access the network  406 , including, but not limited to, a server, personal computer (PC) (including, but not limited to, a desktop PC, a laptop or a tablet), smart television, Internet-enabled TV, person digital assistant, smartphone, cellular phone or mobile communication device. In one embodiment, each network access device  410  has at least one input device (including, but not limited to, a touchscreen, a keyboard, a microphone, a sound sensor or a speech recognition device) and at least one output device (including, but not limited to, a speaker, a display screen, a monitor or an LCD). 
     Software 
     In one embodiment, the servers and network access devices each include a suitable operating system. Depending upon the embodiment, the operating system can include Windows, Mac, OS X, Linux, Unix, Solaris or another suitable computer hardware and software management system. In another embodiment, one or more of the network access devices includes a mobile operating system, including, but not limited to, Android, BlackBerry, iOS, Windows Phone and Windows RT. 
     In one embodiment, each of the network access devices has a browser operable by their processors to retrieve, present and traverse the following: (a) information resources on the one or more servers of the system  400 ; and (b) information resources on the World Wide Web portion of the Internet. 
     In one embodiment, the computer-readable instructions, algorithms and logic of the system  400  (including the computer-readable instructions and logic) are implemented with any suitable programming or scripting language, including, but not limited to, C, C++, Java, COBOL, assembler, PERL, Visual Basic, SQL Stored Procedures or Extensible Markup Language (XML). The output generator  428  of the system  400  can be implemented with any suitable combination of data structures, objects, processes, routines or other programming elements. 
     In one embodiment, the data storage device of the system  400  holds or stores web-related data and files, including, but not limited, to HTML documents, image files, Java applets, JavaScript, Active Server Pages (ASP), Common Gateway Interface scripts (CGI), XML, dynamic HTML, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), helper applications and plug-ins. 
     In one embodiment, the graphical interfaces of the system  400  are Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs) structured based on a suitable programming language. The GUIs include, in one embodiment, windows, pull-down menus, buttons, scroll bars, iconic images, wizards, the mouse symbol or pointer, and other suitable graphical elements. In one embodiment, the GUIs incorporate multimedia, including, but not limited to, sound, voice, motion video and virtual reality interfaces. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the processor of each network accesses device  410  is programmed to extract or parse data from an interface of the system  400 . In one embodiment, the system  400  includes an extract Application Programming Interfaces (API) which is downloadable to the network access devices  410 . The API facilitates data communication between the network access devices  410  and the system processor  408 , enabling the processors of the network access devices  410  to automatically extract the output data files from the system  400 . 
     Additional embodiments include any one of the embodiments described above, where one or more of its components, functionalities or structures is interchanged with, replaced by or augmented by one or more of the components, functionalities or structures of a different embodiment described above. 
     It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.