>but i want to put the bulk or all of the processing on the server while they continue to work after they make their selections and press the submit button. The server should pick up from there....any ideas on how to do this and have the server to automatically check a particular directory and start the processes throughtout the day and return to the user the status if they ask?

Well, DCOM can move the process from the client to the server, and if you use Queued Components using COM+ (MTS too?) you will be able to create asyhncunous COM calls.