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ECM TrendWatch, by Alan Pelz-Sharpe
Alan Pelz-Sharpe is a principal and analyst at CMS Watch, covering enterprise content management technologies and practices. An 18-year veteran of the document technology industry, we was formerly a strategist at Wipro and VP North America for analyst firm Ovum. See More by Alan Pelz-Sharpe Thoughts on Content Management as a Service
Are SaaS (Software as a Service) options viable for enterprise content management (ECM)? I hear that question with increasing frequency, and frankly, it's a difficult one to answer. There are plenty of vendor options out there - from pure plays like Spring CM, to hybrids like Xythos and Treno. But just because there are plenty of options doesn't means it's a particularly good idea. I can see the logic of Basic Content Services (BCS) being delivered through the SaaS model, but full-blown ECM deployments seem much more of a stretch. In the world of ECM we are typically looking at complex processes with integration into legacy systems -- it's hard to see the match up with SaaS. However, most people just want BCS options -- and the vendors need some way to compete against Microsoft's SharePoint. Moreover, with the entry of Salesforce.com later in the year, and strong indications that EMC|Documentum will also deliver a dedicated SaaS option, then clearly SaaS ECM will become a more prominent option to consider. But it's an option I think buyers need to consider cautiously and examine the providers' true motives: is it a best means of delivering ECM more effectively or a simply means of survival in a turbulent market? Alan Pelz-Sharpe is a principal analyst at CMS Watch. Write him at aps@cmswatch.com  E-MAIL | SLASHDOT | DIGG This is a public forum. CMP Technology and its affiliates are not responsible for and do not control what is posted herein. CMP Technology makes no warranties or guarantees concerning any advice dispensed by its staff members or readers. Community standards in this comment area do not permit hate language, excessive profanity, or other patently offensive language. Please be aware that all information posted to this comment area becomes the property of CMP Media LLC and may be edited and republished in print or electronic format as outlined in CMP Technology's Terms of Service. Important Note: This comment area is NOT intended for commercial messages or solicitations of business.
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