sub send_outlook_mail
{
    #use OLE and Outlook to send an email message

    my $to = shift || croak "required parameter (to address) missing";
    my $subject = shift;
    $subject = "" if not defined $subject;
    my $body = shift;
    $body = "" if not defined $body;
    my $cc = shift;
    $cc = "" if not defined $cc;
    
    #get new Outlook instance
    my $mail = new Win32::OLE('Outlook.Application');
    croak "Unable to start Outlook instance: $!" if !defined $mail;
    
    my $item = $mail->CreateItem(0);
    croak "Unable to create mail item: $!" if !defined $item;
    
    $item->{'To'} = $to; 
    $item->{'CC'} = $cc;
    $item->{'Subject'} = $subject;
    $item->{'Body'} = $body; 
    
    #rest of args are file attachments
    foreach my $attach (@ARGV)
    {
    #    print STDERR "File attachment: $attach\n";
        #make sure the attachment is really there
        croak "Missing attachment $attach: $!" if !-e $attach;
    
        my $attachments = $item->Attachments();
        $attachments->Add($attach);
    }
    
    #send it
    $item->Send();
    
    my $error = Win32::OLE->LastError();
    carp "Win32::OLE error: $error" if $error;
    
} #sub send_outlook_mail