Enterprise content management (ECM) is a set of capabilities for capturing, storing, activating, analyzing and automating business content, used to provide new value from data that was previously unstructured and unavailable.
With enterprise content management, an organization can take full advantage of the customer information and company knowledge embedded in its content. When effectively managed across the organization, this content can be used to engage customers, automate business processes and enhance collaboration.
Why enterprise content management is important to your business
Content is the currency that fuels and funds digital transformation. Content possesses useful information about customers—their behaviors, sentiments and value to the organization—but only if you can harness it. Collectively, content buried in repositories, file shares and cloud folders across the enterprise represents the knowledge of the organization.
As content grows at unprecedented speeds, organizations are taking concrete steps to streamline their processes relating to content services. “Content chaos”—the lack of digitized content and the inability to access the right content at the right time—is a pervasive barrier to businesses today.
Now, more than ever, ECM software is an essential element on the journey to becoming a digital business.
Keep your head in the cloud
Get the weekly Think Newsletter for expert guidance on optimizing multicloud settings in the AI era.
Organizations that are serious about digital transformation can start with the basics. First, capture the content, classify it and apply governance rules. Then, control who can access it and provide tools to find it. Finally, put the content in motion for business processes and collaboration.
Successful adoption of ECM begins with an assessment of the enterprise. Where are paper documents slowing down results? Where is business content located in the enterprise? Is it in file shares, cloud repositories or an ECM system? And what is your strategy for governance, compliance and document retention?
ECM solutions are scalable and often start with a department or line-of-business application. Once all stakeholders are engaged and have provided input, develop a vision and measurable goals for a management solution. Then, after thorough testing and user training, deploy the solution. Often, the success of the solution spreads to other departments, which will lobby to be the next ECM project.
ECM is best deployed as an enterprise solution. Once the first project has been completed, many elements and procedures can be reused, making subsequent projects less expensive and faster to deploy. Many businesses develop a shared-services strategy to maximize their investment in people, content and technology.
Resources
Learn which content services provider is the right fit for your company with this report from Omdia Universe.
Unlock the power of content with IBM Content Services for efficient governance, storage and analysis. Simplify content management across your organization and accelerate your digital transformation journey.
Transform the way your business handles content with IBM FileNet Content Manager. Enhance collaboration, accelerate processes and deliver exceptional customer experiences with a scalable and secure content management platform.
Effortlessly manage both electronic and physical records while ensuring regulatory compliance with IBM Enterprise Records. Streamline records processes, automate retention policies, and maintain data security to reduce errors and enhance organizational efficiency.
Discover how hybrid cloud and AI solutions are reshaping business strategies. Learn from industry experts, explore strategic partnerships, and dive into case studies that demonstrate how to drive innovation and optimize operations with scalable, future-ready technologies.
Simplify content capture, storage and compliance with IBM Cloud Pak for Business Automation, enabling seamless workflows and optimized document management.
Redefine enterprise content management with IBM Content Manager, a robust and flexible solution.
IBM ECM System Monitor is a proactive health monitoring solution to manage your BA applications.