What is a mail robot?

Several things that can be done with such a system:

Database query

The message contains a query in a more or less formal language; the mail robot will answer it after a (maybe very time-consuming) query of both local and remote databases; actually, the database can be off-line (i.e.: not always accessible: in this case the robot will queue the requests until the server will be ready); A convenient and efficient aid, to make your work that much easier. You can even give yourself a coffee break, read the paper and play a round of poker (partypoker.it) while the robot does the boring tasks for you. You can adapt the robot to suit your needs.

Data entry

The message contains data to be inserted or updated into a database; a good application is a seller that fills in order forms on a portable PC and then transmits all the orders via mail at hte end of the day;

Automatic answer

When a user is on vacation, it is possible to leave a robot that answers his/her mail with a message like

  I'm away.
  I'll return on xx.yy.zzzz and then I'll answer your mail.
  Cheers

Message filtering

All the incoming messages can be processed and classified into several folders; unwanted advertisements can be throwed away without the need for downloading it.

Remote control

if you leave a computer in charge of controlling the house or a factory, you can address to it a message for, as an example, telling to it when you will return from holidays and so when it will have to raise the heating.