In accordance with an embodiment, described herein is a system and method for receiving content to be parsed, and configuring a network of parsing devices for use in parsing the content in accordance with templates. The system comprises a management server in communication with the parsing network, and the management server is configured to determine a parsing assignment for one or more parsing devices within the parsing network. The parsing network comprises a plurality of parsing devices, each comprising or associated with an endpoint for enabling communication with the management server. The parsing assignment indicates content items to be parsed by the parsing devices and associated templates for use by the parsing devices.