Method and computer-readable medium for formula-based document retention

US7801863B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Microsoft Corporation · US

Inventors

• Kevin Brown · Issaquah, US
• Jason Cahill · Woodinville, US
• Adrian Brown · Sammamish, US
• Ethan Gur-esh · Seattle, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 4, 2005
• Grant date: Sep 21, 2010
• Expiry date: Sep 2, 2025

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06Q10/10
• WIPO field: IT methods for management
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A method and computer-readable medium are provided for formula-based document retention. According to the method, a retention formula and a retention action are defined for one or more items. The retention formula is utilized to calculate a retention date for each item. The retention action specifies the action that should be taken on or after the retention date. The retention date for one or more items is initially calculated using the retention formula for the items. A retention service may be periodically executed to identify any items having a retention date earlier than the current date. If any items are identified that have a retention date earlier than the current date, the retention service recalculates the retention date for these items utilizing the corresponding retention formula. If the recalculated retention date for any item is still prior to the current date, the retention action for the item is executed.