not the file is valid this validation may take the form of comparing certain attributes of the transferred file that is associated with the data field compared to the corresponding information within the file system of the target system if the file is not valid the process proceeds to step 512 where an error message is sent to a predetermined recipient alerting the recipient that there is an error in the file this error message could be sent back to the data management server a user at the target computer system or some other affiliated user at this point the application adapter process may proceed to preprocess all records within the transfer file in step 513 and store that information for later validation this is a useful process in that it allows the process to continue giving the file a second chance at validation so that the process is not simply aborted if it is truly invalid and the application adapter can not process the file the process returns to step 504 where the application adapter awaits another transfer file if however the field entry is found to be valid the target system data is updated in step 514 whether it be located in file storage or the target database optionally a file management application may be applied to the file in step 516 so that the file is properly stored the process is then complete and returns to step 504 with respect to the application adapter where the application adapter awaits another transfer file returning again to fig3 once the application adapter process is completed if the file is found to be invalid in step 320 an error message is sent in step 322 and the process returns to the polling routine in step 306 where the data management.