How to Implement Gateway Service something similar to Oracle API gateway Using Java and Java based Open Source frameworks only?

One-off Internet Print and Mail Service in US

• I want an internet service that is optimized to print and mail individual letters to individual addresses in low volumes. The Problem I?m Trying to Solve I do most of my personal and professional business online. Sometimes, however, I have to send an actual paper letter. (For example, to request that a credit card provider remove an unauthorized charge.) This is annoying, because I have to print the letter and then figure out how to load an envelope into the printer, figure out how to start and use the envelope printing service in Word, print the envelope, reprint it if I loaded the printer incorrectly, fold the letter and stuff the envelope, find and affix a stamp, and take the letter to a mailbox. Yeah, I know, it?s not that big a deal, but it?s an unfamiliar activity that disrupts my normal work style. And it?s a peeve. I?d like to find a solution. I realize that single item printing and mailing is relatively expensive on a per-piece basis, but an extra dollar or so is acceptable if it makes this annoying activity easier. What I Want A good solution would be a web site that allows me to upload a letter, type a destination address, and be done. The site will print and mail the document. (There could be some setup in which I enter my return address, credit card, default paper and envelope preferences, etc.) To be worth anything to me, a solution must: - send mail to addresses in the United States of America. - be usable from a Windows XP computer. - work with PDF documents. The solution I?m looking for should have all or nearly all of these features: - send the mail within one business day. - work with Word documents. - work with TIFF documents. - allow direct entry of an address (I don?t want to have to create and download a one-address mailing list) I don?t want: - a bulk mailing service. I typically want to send one custom-written letter to a single address. - a fulfillment service. These will send documents to a single address, but the documents are chosen from a stockpile kept at the fulfillment center. I need to send one-off letters that I create just before mailing them. An ideal solution would include: - direct integration into Word or Outlook. Type the letter, pop-up a dialog, type the address (or select it from the Address Book), click OK and the letter is sent over the internet automatically. - an Application Programmer Interface (API) using web services, COM/ActiveX, or .NET so I can write my own programs that access the service. - The ability to send a check. Alternatives An alternative solution that would also be good is something like the energyflow.com site which used to exist several years ago. Instead of downloading a PDF or Word document, you typed the text of the letter into the site. The site would add the address heading and an image of your signature. The site kept its own address book and allowed you to send a check or money order with the letter. The letter would go out at the end of the day, and you?d receive email confirmation. The site provided a simple API for business users. If this service still existed, I wouldn?t have to ask in Answers. The application does not have to be web-based. A Windows application that contacted the printing service over the internet behind the scenes would be acceptable and maybe even preferable. As long as it does the printing and mailing. A service that provides an API would be acceptable even if it lacks some of the other features if the API allows me to implement them myself. Note I am already aware of the Mailing Online service provided for the United States Postal Service by RGC Communications. This service is oriented towards mass-mailings and requires a downloaded mailing list. It also has a slow turn-around time, in some cases requiring over a week for a single letter.

• Answer:

  Dear Markdraughn, Thank you for the clarification. I am reposting the information below to make the answer official. PC2Paper One page letter costs $1.18 http://www.pc2paper.co.uk/mainpage.asp?ref=ga L-mail Price: $1.23 http://www.l-mail.com/ Here are two more services that you can try out. http://www.whatsinteresting.com/online_transmissions/remail_send_start.htm http://www.online-letter.bf-worldwide.com/ In order to find these services I used the following search terms in Google. letter online to snail mail ://www.google.com/search?hl=en&c2coff=1&rls=GGLD,GGLD:2004-23,GGLD:en&q=letter+online+to+snail+mail&spell=1 Best regards, Bobbie7