a system for processing electronic documents includes an existing business system connected to a separate control system . the resulting composite system provides a framework that enables a flexible and customizable process definition for handling incoming documents . within the process definition all the processing steps which are desired for handling an incoming electronic document can be predefined . processing steps like checking the signature and authorizing an incoming legal document can be implemented in the control system and steps like posting a goods receipt or an invoice are implemented in one of the connected business systems . the content of the incoming document is evaluated to determine which business process may be used to carry out the necessary processing steps for the incoming electronic document . the assigned business process and a related process flow sequence define the processing steps to be implemented .