Abstract: A system and method for creating and deploying distributed applications. A template defines a business process by means of validation, input, permission and workflow rules. The specific business process is performed by first creating a document that is a particular instantiation of the template. The document embeds all of the rules of the template along with data particular to that particular process. The document may then be assigned to a specific user, and be delivered over a wireless network. The user may view and/or update portions of the document and forward the document to a next participant in the process, all according to the embedded rules. Document updates may incorporate input from external sensors such as Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) and bar code scanners. After instantiation, the document is independent of the original template, with the document holding the actual results of the business process throughout the process.