A reliable end to end enterprise DMS and BPM system

I have used this software for past 10 years and implemented this solution to multiple clients who have stored documents from multiple business units like HR, Accounts payable, IT, Contracts, etc. I have designed applications to allow access to documents only to certain groups. I have designed multiple workflow applications for HR help desk. document approval process.

Pros

FileNet provides both document management and business process management functionalities. FileNet provides robust out of the box tools for end users (IBM Content Navigator) and for admins(ACCE) to store and classify documents. It has a great set of connectors for data migration to and from Kofax, XML import/export, Emails, Sharepoint, scanners, file systems, etc. Perfectly works with Oracle, DB2, SQL, MSSQL databases, IBM WebSphere, WebLogic, JBoss application servers, allows to configure data model and user permissions as detailed as you may need. It provides tools to design workflow with integration with core applications.

Cons

Collaborating documents with external users force you to send the document via email or requires the external users to have FileNet license. Other ECM products solve this problem easily like Box.com. Cloud deployment is not well practiced.

A reliable solution for a enterprise-level company

Pros

Platform is easily adjustable, has wide out-of-box capabilities of operating and integration. It allows to solve many hidden sub-problems that may be not obvious while developing a new ECM system. here's where File Net has you covered and good practices were already implemented before. IBM FileNet has a great set of connectors for data migration to and from Adobe, Cofax, XML import/export; perfectly works with Oracle, DB2, MsQL databases, IBM WebSphere, Tomcat application servers, allows to configure data model and user permissions as detailed as you may need.

Cons

Some components of platform cannot be modified so creating system architecture should be performed carefully to avoid future support difficulties. For some configuration you may need experienced IBM FileNet specialists because platform has its specific. Support and maintenance of the system also should be well prepared to easily detect problems in future (good logging mechanism, user activity journal, reporting, export configuration).

Powerful Platform Requiring Heavy Customization

We used the FilleNet primarily as a repository to save and retrieve company' files, and as a replacement to the widely used shared network folders. The system has helped to a certain extent to implement a business classification and taxonomy, which led to better access control to files as compared to network shared folders. Our attempt to automate some processes, E.g. Contract Drafting and approval, has failed. We also used the platform to build (using Technological Partner) a Correspondence Management System, which has also failed to achieve basic use cases as Tracking Correspondences, Report on ownership or status of correspondences,...etc. We finally decided to replace the FileNet with cost effective solution that has most of the required functionalities out of the box.

Pros

No doubt FileNet is one of the leading content services platform. Its list of features offering is continuously extended to catch up with the latest relevant technology, to name a few: AI, Deep learning, Robotics...etc. Whether you are looking to automate your Accounts Payable, Project Management deliverable, or complex case management, IBM FileNet has one or multiple modules that can help you do just that. The FileNet has a robust framework to create taxonomies and metadata schema. used together, the Content Manager, Content Navigator and the the IBM Watson, they form a complete and reliable Content Archiving/Retrieval platform. The FileNet is an Enterprise level solution that's been around since the 80's, it has been fine tuned over the years to become a very robust, stress proof, less prone to glitches and downtime. IBM has also developed strategic partnership with most of the leading Business Application' providers, and offers native integration with most of them. The Licensing scheme is flexible.

Cons

Interestingly, one of FileNet's strengths is also one of its main weakness: it is very modular. Although modularity can be beneficial to pick Only required features, it needs greater effort to: - Understand what modules are required to achieve the use cases,(not as straight forward as we may think). - Make the modules work together. It is comparable to building a car out of spare parts. The solution implementation also requires heavy customization which requires expertise that is not necessary available on demand. The cost of customization is quite significant with no guarantee of success. The quality of the final product is proportional to the expertise of the customization' technological partner, which is often way below tenant expectation after heavily investing in on of the best Content Services platforms. It worth also mentioning that once you select a technological partner, you are somehow locked and tied to him, finding another partner capable and willing to support on a heavily custom solution is quit difficult, with little chances of success. The cost of maintaining the licenses added to the mandatory AMC drives the TCO up, to one of the most costly solutions in the market.

robust tool and platform for enterprise content management

ability to integrate enterprise content and manage them in a systematic fashion

Pros

this is one of the best ECM tools available in the market that can be leveraged by both medim and large organizations - it is fairly comprehensive and scalable, easy to be adminstered upon.

Cons

some times too many changes are being made by IBM in an upgrade/next version release and this can be a little challenging to cope with

Best Content Manager in the Market

Always remind that content is the currency that fuels and funds digital transformation

Pros

It's a product easy to use and easy to admin. Setup and support are key factors to select a product. I highly recommend it specially if you are in the government or military. Average user adaptation is perfect for enterprise and mid-size companies.

Cons

Price is not cheap and for small businesses it's not a realistic solution. Not because it's bad but it's expensive compared with other content management competitors.

It's one of the best ECM products available

Pros

It's a very stable product that's easy to use. It's also very scalable and can be easily customized to meet specific needs

Cons

Installation of the product is very complex to carry out. Even though it's easy to use, learning takes time. Lastly, it's very costly to setup

Faculty Professor

Pros

IBM is a large company and has a complete suite of software and services. IBM also has wonderful support team

Cons

It does not address specific needs of our ecosystem. It also is not very intuitive and at time difficult to use b

Not the best ecm software but it does it's work

Pros

It has good interface, nice tool for managing documents and metadata, it can be integrated with other platforms

Cons

I have looked and didn't find like a cellphone app to use it without having to acces it from the computer

High Quality IBM Product

Pros

You are aboe to customize based on business requirements of every organization. It's flexible and secure

Cons

Install and configuration is complex, it's a complex tool to learn and the cost is high so tha is a disadvantage