Workflow automation at a multifunction printer via a composite document

The composite document wherein the workflow processing instructions are non-executable by a processor and, via their association with the encryption keys, are inseparable from the composite document.

A non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions, when executed on a processor of a multifunction printer, to implement a method of automating participant workflow at the multifunction printer, the method comprising:

• providing a publicly posted composite document that includes a plurality of parts, a map-file for each participant in a workflow associated with the publicly posted composite document, and a set of encryption keys associated with at least one of the plurality of parts and distributed via the map file to the participants, the set including at least one of an encryption key, a decryption key, a signature key, and a verification key, wherein at least one of the parts includes printer processing instructions;
• and
• upon receiving the publicly posted composite document (PPCD) at the multifunction printer, enacting the printer processing instructions via at least one application programming interface of the multifunction printer to automate at least some steps of the workflow at the multifunction printer.