Method and system for digitally imaging and processing mail

A system for processing incoming mail, the system comprising:

• a tagging device configured and arranged to tag a piece of incoming mail with an identification tag;
• an information extracting device to receive the piece of incoming mail from the tagging device, the information extracting device comprising an imager to image an envelope of the piece of incoming mail;
• an extractor configured and arranged to open the incoming mail after the envelope has been scanned and extract the incoming mail's contents;
• a scanner configured and arranged to scan the contents;
• and
• a processor configured and arranged to associate the information tag, envelope information, and contents of the piece of incoming mail and to provide routing instructions for the piece of incoming mail.

A system for processing incoming mail comprising:

• means for assigning an identification to a piece of incoming mail;
• means for obtaining information from an envelope of the piece of incoming mail;
• means for extracting a content of the piece of incoming mail;
• means for scanning the content;
• means for associating the identification, the information from the envelope, and the content;
• and
• means for routing the piece of incoming mail based on at least one of the information from the envelope or the content.