According to an aspect multiple records are stored in a database server. A set of records are retrieved by querying the database server. A first file is formed to contain the retrieved set of records. The first file is sent by email to a user, and a second file, with at least one of the set of records modified, is received from the user by email. The received modifications contained in the second file are propagated to the database server, upon receipt of the second file. Users may accordingly be able to effect modifications to multiple records in a single email exchange. According to another aspect, the updates are effected by using a SOA server storing a process definition to interface (send and receive emails) with the user and propagate the changes. The SOA server may contain a workflow block to interact with users based on email exchange.