System, method, and computer program product for workflow processing using internet interoperable electronic messaging with mime multipart content type

Abstract

A client computer in a communications network with a server computer assembles a record set that has a MIME declaration header with a multipart content type and a content sub-type indicative of a workflow media type. The first client computer also assembles a binary file having therein an encoded workflow specification. The record set is then transmitted with the binary file to the communications network. A second client computer on the communications network receives both the record set and the binary file and begins decoding the workflow specification. The second client computer uses an application program to execute the decoded workflow specification so as to perform all or a portion of the workflow process that is specified therein. The workflow specification is optionally written in eXtensible Mark-up Language (XML).