How to Migrate from IBM Content Manager

You know IBM Content Manager went out of support on September 30, 2018. And you’ve taken your next steps to replacing it by assessing your needs, as well as how you use IBM Content Manager today.

But there’s more to moving on from IBM Content Manager than simply making a list of must-have features. You also need to consider the process of migrating your documents. After all, you don’t want to wind up doing the manual work of saving and storing documents digitally all over again.

Here’s how to migrate from IBM Content Manager—the easy way.

1. Find the Right Replacement

The right replacement for IBM Content Manager needs to do more than just match the features of the software. It needs to offer a migration path that won’t cause headaches for your business.

Finding the right solution will be different, depending on what products you’re using today and what your long-term content management needs are.

Here are a few examples.

Replacing IBM Content Manager with WAF

If you’re using IBM Content Manager with the Workfolder Application Facility (WAF), then you’ll need to look for an integrated replacement solution.

WAF is typically used to scan paper documents and index them. It also captures images and stores them in the MO:DCA format. WAF uses integrated APIs to allow access to documents through green screen applications.

Many organizations have used WAF to index or view documents from another business application. This typically means having a developer embed API calls into their CL, RPG, and COBOL application code. For organizations with both the green screen and Windows environments, this has been a major perk. It’s allowed users to view documents stored on IBM i from Windows applications.

Replacing IBM Content Manager and WAF means finding a solution that can scan and index files and replicate those application connections from day one.

Replacing IBM Content Manager OnDemand and RDARS

If you’re using IBM Content Manager OnDemand and RDARS libraries, then you’ll need a replacement that can capture reports and store documents in a repository.

IBM Content Manager OnDemand is typically used to burst, capture, and index report documents. Here’s how it works. These reports get automatically processed when they reach an output queue. From there, they burst and get captured into a repository. RDARS libraries are typically used as database storage. 

Replacing IBM Content Manager OnDemand and RDARS means finding a solution that can handle the entire document lifecycle—capture, store, and distribute.

Choosing Your Replacement Solution

You’ve counted on IBM Content Manager for your document management needs for years. While it feels like a loss to see it go away, it’s also an opportunity for you to get a solution that can do more.

Webdocs from Fortra Document Management can do everything IBM Content Manager can do—and then some.

Here’s how Webdocs will build on the basics of IBM Content Manager:

• Quicker document searches, courtesy of more document index keys
• Seamless capture and retrieval for any type of document (including PDF)
• Easy integration with your business applications, so you can use Windows or IBM i
• Ability to view and markup documents in a browser
• Option to base your documents on IBM i, Windows, or the cloud

Plus, if you’re currently using Kofax solutions for capture, you can keep using them. Webdocs can be used to store the documents you capture in Kofax. (Or you can replace it with a capture solution from Fortra.)

2. Find the Right Partner

When it comes to software, you shouldn’t be in it alone. That’s why it’s important to find the right replacement from the right vendor—one who can be your partner in the migration process.

If you replace IBM Content Manager with Webdocs, you’ll get expert help in the migration process. After all, the Fortra team of experts helps organizations migrate from IBM Content Manager every day.

Migrating your documents might mean simply pulling existing IBM Content Manager documents into the Webdocs repository. Or it might mean converting your documents from MO:DCA and AFP to TIFF or PDF files.

Whatever your case may be, the Fortra experts can help you streamline the migration process. We understand the nuances of IBM Content Manager—and we know how to transition your document versions and annotations. That means you can turn the migration over to us and rest easy knowing your documents will be synced to Webdocs in no time.