Although document and content management applications maintained a high profile last year, the market saw a lot of change, with several mergers and acquisitions among vendors. In large part, this was in answer to enterprises demand for interoperability among document, content and digital rights management systems. The products in this category also reflect an acknowledgment that organizations are doing more with less, as the products and services have lower requirements for management and customization than previous-generation systems.
WINNER
Documentum 5
Documentum Inc.s Documentum started as a pure document management platform and then added high-end Web content management. Version 5 adds collaboration capabilities and impressive digital asset management features. Although this all-encompassing approach to enterprise software systems doesnt always work, in the case of Documentum 5, it works very well indeed. A significant upgrade to an already-powerful enterprise system, Documentum 5 has improved security options, better standards support, broad development options, and much easier deployment and customization capabilities.
FINALISTS
Interchange Suite 3.0
Context Media Inc.s Interchange Suite 3.0 is all about integration. The product uses XML and Web services standards such as SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) to make it possible to integrate disparate document management, content management and digital asset management applications into a unified system. The suite is composed of three solid components—Content Server, which maintains the connections among the various platforms and systems; Distribution Console, which makes it possible to deliver content to partners and employees; and Integration Console, which provides a view of all the different content.
Vignette 7
Ease of deployment and customization is a key element in Version 7 of Vignette, which has long been considered a leader in high-end Web content management but also one of the most complex systems to customize, use and deploy. Vignette Corp. has completely redesigned its namesake content management system so that it is now standards-based, and it has done so without risking the portability of legacy Vignette applications. Vignette 7 also adds improved security features and extensive analytical capabilities. And while Vignette 7 lives up to its expensive heritage, it is also available in a componentized model that makes it easier for companies to implement only the features they need.
Excellence Awards Winners and Finalists: