Is it possible to set a content rule so that when new content is created (as opposed to being uploaded), the General Property field Name is generated automatically, such as a number?
Then all other content created after that, the number is incremented.
Basically, we after some sort of automatic document ID allocation.
You might be better of creating a custom content wizard. The issue with content rules is that they get executed after the content item has been authored by the user and when it gets saved in the space. So your users are going to have to fill something in to the name field.
Using a custom content wizard you can hide the Name property field and write your own custom code to generate / look up the unique ID and pre-populate the name property. This should be wrapped in a user transaction.
Content rules can still be used to update the name field post upload to cater for content uploaded / emailed / ftp'd to the repository.
Details of how to customise the create content: http://wiki.alfresco.com/wiki/Customising_The_Create_Content_Wizard.
Thanks - I'll try the content rules wizard, as we are currently still playing around with the online demo service, while we try and get the actual system up and running on local server.