Configurable document server

Abstract

A configurable document server is described. In some embodiments, the configurable document server can enable administrators to set an option that prevents documents from being routed to users when the configurable document server experiences some types of errors. When the configurable document server determines that such an error condition exists, it may prevent the routing of the corresponding document. By preventing documents causing errors from being routed, the configurable document server enables administrators to improve the accuracy of document workflow and thereby improve productivity of users.

1 . A method performed by a computer system for routing documents, comprising:
 receiving a configuration specification indicating how to handle documents with errors;   receiving a document at a document server;   determining whether the received document is associated with an error;   when the received document is associated with an error, preventing routing of the received document; and   when the received document is not associated with an error, identifying an intended recipient and routing the received document to the identified recipient.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the configuration specification is a configuration option that is set by an administrator of the document server to indicate whether documents with errors should be routed to intended recipients. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the received document is a facsimile document. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the received document is a facsimile document and the determining includes determining whether a transmission error occurred when receiving the document. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising causing a workflow engine to suspend a workflow task when the received document is associated with an error. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the received document is associated with an error when it cannot be converted from one format to another. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the received document is associated with an error when it cannot be converted from an SMS message to a facsimile document. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising causing a workflow engine to change a workflow task when the received document is associated with an error wherein the change includes notifying a user other than the identified recipient.