Patent US 6,401,073

A workflow managing system includes a workflow server for automatically extracting a next workflow entrance location from an electronic document for management of the next workflow entrance location. The workflow server analyzes the entered electronic document to extract a document type candidate from the electronic document, classifies the electronic document in accordance with the document type, refers to a table showing a relationship between the document types and in-charge departments or in-charge users associated therewith at the time of circulating the classified electronic document, automatically extracts next workflow entrance location candidate information for circulation of the sorted document type candidates, sends the sorted electronic document to the user terminal of the next workflow entrance location candidate, receives a signal indicative of acquisition or remand of the document circulated from the document-circulated user terminal, judges accuracy or inaccuracy of the next workflow entrance location candidate information, and confirms the accuracy or inaccuracy of the circulation.