Abstract: A records manager manages life cycle phases of records managed by a host application program. The records manager is in communication with the host application program over a network and includes a file plan database, a record management engine and an application program interface. The file plan database includes at least one file plan object, with each file plan object having a life cycle rule. The record management engine is configured to manage life cycle states of the record. The application program interface is in communication with the record management engine and is configured to transmit to the host application program over the network indications of changes in the life cycle phases.

Abstract: A records manager manages life cycle phases of records managed by a host application program. The records manager is in communication with the host application program over a network and includes a file plan database, a record management engine, and an applications program interface. The file plan database includes at least one file plan object, with each file plan object having a life cycle rule. The record management engine includes filing means and determining means. The filing means files record identifiers within the file plan objects in accordance with record profile data received over the network. The determining means tracks changes in the life cycle phases for the records from the life cycle rules. The applications program interface is in communication with the record management engine, and is configured to transmit to the host application program over the network indications of the changes in the life cycle phases.