System, computer program product and method for managing documents

Abstract

A system, method and computer program product for managing documents. The system includes a document manager that is configured to search for application services providers (ASPs) over a network and based on a user input. The document manager can search documents within the ASPs, retrieve documents and URLs, store documents and data, format documents, generate and issue unified bills from a plurality of bills from a plurality of ASPs. The document manager can provide consulting advice to the user regarding document managing, and can manage the documents stored on a user storage device, for example by transferring these documents to a ASP storage device after storage time periods associated with the documents.

1 . A method for managing documents, comprising the steps of: 
 receiving a request from a remote user;    selecting an application service provider based on said request;    forwarding said request to said application service provider; and    receiving information from said application service provider indicating information of a document provided from said application service provider to said user.