Next Steps for Replacing IBM Content Manager

The time has come to replace IBM Content Manager. It's already out of support.

The only problem is: you don’t know where to start.

There are so many content management solutions on the market today. It’s hard to know exactly how to choose the right one for your business. And it’s hard to know which one will be the best replacement for IBM Content Manager.

Highland Telephone found themselves in that same situation. Read their story to see how they found a replacement.

Consider this your guide to finding the best possible content management system for your business.

How to Choose a Content Management System

You’ve probably been using IBM Content Manager for years—and you know the ins and the outs of the software. It’s been a trustworthy home for your business documents, and it’s played a critical role in your processes.

Luckily, you don’t have to start all over from scratch with content management. Instead, take this opportunity to build on your existing content management structure. Follow these three steps to find the replacement that will make migrating a breeze.

Step 1: Define Your Document Management Needs

Consider your documents—and their future.

Will you be keeping them on IBM i? Do you want the flexibility to move them to other platforms (or into the cloud) in the future?

Here’s how to tell.

Keep Them on IBM i if…

You’re at an IBM i shop looking to leverage your existing investment in IBM i.

In this case, you should look for a solution that’s compatible with IBM i. I’d also recommend looking for one that allows you to improve your document capture processes beyond simple image and report capture.

Get a Cross-Platform Solution if…

Your organization is growing and diversifying infrastructures with other platforms and the cloud.

In this case, you should look for a solution that’s compatible across platforms. You’ll probably need to capture documents from Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PPT), as well as email messages and pictures or video from smartphones.

Step 2: Evaluate What You’ve Been Doing

The right replacement solution for you will depend on which IBM Content Manager products you’re using today.

You might be using the standard IBM Content Manager for iSeries product. You might also be using the Workfolder Application Facility (WAF) to manage your document-related processes. And you might be using the RDARS library or IBM Content Manager OnDemand for storage.

You should also evaluate exactly how you’ve been using IBM Content Manager. Do you primarily use to store documents or manage documents throughout their processes? What you’ve been doing should influence the top traits you look for in your next content management system.

At the same time, consider what IBM Content Manager can’t do that you wish it could. When it comes to process automation, there’s a lot that IBM Content Manager is lacking. For instance, it would be nice to automatically capture emails into your content management system. So, you might want to consider automation tools when you look for a replacement.

Step 3: Look for a Replacement Solution

When you know what documents and processes are most critical for your business, it makes it a whole lot easier to find a solution.

Take your list of content management needs and your list of what you’re doing with IBM Content Manager today. This will be your list of must-haves. Use it as you start researching replacement solutions to make sure you’re finding the best long-term solution for your business.

Webdocs from Fortra Document Management can do everything that IBM Content Manager can do—and more. Plus, it’s compatible with IBM i, Windows, and the cloud. And the Fortra team of experts are pros at migrating IBM Content Manager documents and data. Learn more >