Patent ID: 8868730

Claim:
A method of controlling workflow loads on a plurality of secondary data server computers, implemented by a primary control server computer in communication with the secondary data server computers, the method comprising: initially directing workflow over a network to only an active first data server computer of the plurality of secondary data server computers; calculating at least one server capacity factor associated with the active first data server computer; after a first predetermined minimum load level of work to the active first data server computer has been reached, continue directing work to only the active first data server computer until a first predetermined maximum load level of work to the active first data server computer is reached; after the predetermined maximum load level of work to the active first data server computer is reached, determining, based upon the calculated capacity factor associated with the active first data server computer, if a second predetermined minimum load level of work can be maintained on an idle second data server computer of the plurality of secondary data server computers while still maintaining the first predetermined minimum load level of work on the active first data server computer if workflow is directed to the idle second data server computer; and directing workflow to the idle second data server computer when a determination is made that the second predetermined minimum load level of work can be maintained on the idle second data server computer only after the first predetermined maximum load level of work to the active first data server computer is reached and the arrival rate of workflow to the active first data server computer exceeds a predetermined arrival rate value.