UPDATED: IBM has improved the ability of its content management
software to handle XML-based documents, broadening the scope of data
types
the products can capture, manage and search.
The Armonk, N.Y., company issued versions 8.3 of DB2 Content Manager,
DB2
Document Manager and DB2 CommonStore IBM that use the performance and
integration perks of Project Cinnamon, part
of
the company’s endeavor to improve the speed and efficiency with which
XML
documents are processed.
Theresa O’Neil, IBM director of content management, said versions 8.3 include considerable improvements in their ability to help
administrators find specific documents in e-mail systems, databases or
file
systems at a time when compliance regulations like Sarbanes-Oxley permeate
the
business world.
O’Neil said IBM has applied its OmniFind
technology to offer automated indexing and searching tools in its content management software to help users pinpoint, corral and recall unstructured data, such as e-mails or structured XML files.
DB2 Content Manager 8.3 allows users to automate processes using
graphical tools and provides rapid document routing. In addition to the
product’s greater ability to let clients coordinate file retrieval, the
software also integrates with DB2 Records Manager. The tools help users
declare and
classify data across all forms of business content to help businesses keep
tabs on files for compliance.
Content Manager 8.3 also features more Web services
support for Microsoft .NET environments.
Complementary to Content Manager 8.3 is Document Manager 8.3, which includes new
records management integration and expanded language support. The
software
also boasts better keyboard accessibility and search, as well as new
single
sign-on perks between Content Manager and Document Manager to shore up
network security.
Lastly, IBM has bolstered its DB2 CommonStore archive and retention
management software for e-mails, attachments and messaging content with
new
search capabilities. New records management integration allows users
save
e-mails and attachments as records.
CommonStore 8.3 also manages, retains and disposes of messaging system
content to help comply with regulatory, legal and corporate policy
requirements. Included are new full-text indexing, searching and
retrieval
that let users access content, message body and attachments from client
interfaces or archive repositories.
The new products will go on sale March 25. IBM is also offering
Corporate
Information Asset Manager, a service that helps life sciences firms
identify
data that needs to be archived, retrieved or deleted, as well as Account
Opening to
help banks facilitate checking, savings and loan accounts services. These
two offerings give IBM 160 solution bundles spanning 12 vertical markets.
Such tools are crucial at a time when Sarbanes-Oxley, HIPAA and several
other records retention rules are forcing corporations to quickly
recall
files and other data from a variety of repositories.
Though Big Blue is easily the leader in content management in terms of
market share, the concern is competing with EMC
and standalone content management vendors such as
Interwoven and FileNet
, so
native
search capabilities are highly prized.
O’Neil, who noted that IBM has an installed base of 13,000 customers, said
IBM’s head start and leading market position put the company in the driver’s
seat with regard to EMC and pure-play vendors. She also said IBM doesn’t
take EMC lightly at a time when the information systems vendor is offering
corporations more solution bundles and services.
“We are taking steps to make sure we stay ahead of the curve and the
competition,” O’Neil said.
Content management isn’t the only area in which IBM is looking to win over
customers with expanded search features.
The outfit has begun
offering search tools as part of its WebSphere information integration
line’s push to delve more deeply into the lucrative enterprise search
market, where corporate employees struggle to find specific documents
from
large pools of data.
IBM Launching Search Tools For XML Documents
