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Abstract

For large users of business forms having multiple use locations, a system and method are provided for eliminating or minimizing warehousing of pre-printed (paper) forms, minimizing the number of paper forms necessary, eliminating or minimizing redundant entry and processing of data, and minimizing forms distribution costs. The forms are designed at a central location, forms automation platform, and any form can be created in a number of different printer formats. The forms may be stored in display images. A central library facility functions as a central respository for business forms in electronic format, which have been transmitted from the forms automation platform. The forms are distributed to specified use locations by the central library depending upon the needs of the various use locations. Forms may be printed directly at a use location, or at a manufacturing facility remote from the use location and then subsequently delivered to the use location. The forms may also be delivered from a warehouse owned by a forms vendor (rather than the user). The same forms exist in electronic and paper media. The forms are up-dated, and are automatically released, on scheduled release/update dates, to computers located at each of the end user sites.

Other References

• IBM Fawn brochure, IBM Corporation, White Plains, New York; Jun., 1989; Four page document
• InformationWeek, Aug., 1988 "Taming the Forms Monster"
• Kerrigan, "Electronic Form Systems . . . "; Business Forms & Systems, vol. 26, No. 10, May, 1988, p. 42
• Fan et al, "FormPlus; A Form Authoring Toolkit": Proceedings of the 14th Int'l. Computer Software & Applns. Conference, 1990; pp. 255-26