CLIPS implementation of the automated document distribution system

The processing and distribution of documents in a large corporation requires a set of routing procedures for each type of document. Some of these documents may require managerial review and signature release authority to leave the organization. The document must be routed through the different levels of the organization according to the document procedures. The availability of the signers and reviewers becomes a delay factor in the routing of the document. The authors describe an approach to solving this problem using artificial intelligence (AI) and expert system concepts, coupled with distributed computer networking to distribute the documents. An automated documentation distribution system (ADDS) that satisfies large-corporation requirements for document processing and distribution and that also handles the signature release authority has been prototyped. The design project has been implemented using two approaches, a conventional approach using the C language and an AI approach using the C language integrated production system (CLIPS)