ICANN has developed a system for the batching of applications for new generic top-level domains (gTLDs) if required. According to the Applicant Guidebook if the number of applications significantly exceeds 500, applications will be processed in batches.
Click here for additional details about how the batching process will work. A video demonstration on the batching system will be available in early April 2012 on the new gTLD microsite.
Applicants will be contacted directly and informed of next steps if batching is necessary.