With regulatory compliance the key market driver, IBM Corp. last month launched updated versions of its DB2 content and document management software portfolio. According to Big Blue, the new offerings are part of its long-term strategy to construct an integrated information management platform that supports diverse repository environments.
The enhanced products include IBM DB2 Content Manager 8.3, DB2 Document Manager 8.3 and DB2 CommonStore 8.3. The products are integrated with the latest version of IBM Records Manager, a product IBM says automates the processes of records creation and management.
The new software offerings are designed to help enterprises streamline compliance efforts, according to IBM. Document Manager 8.3 includes security measures via single sign-on capabilities and integrates with standard office and CAD applications – IBM said this allows enterprises to save documents as corporate records.
IBM’s main competitors in the content and information management space include database companies, such as Oracle Corp. and Microsoft Corp., and enterprise content management vendors including EMC Corp./Documentum and Hummingbird Ltd. The solutions are based on IBM’s “Project Cinnamon,” an XML initiative the company launched last summer to speed up the process of creating a content management system and simplify changes to XML document definitions once the system is up and running.
Having deployed an IBM content management solution since October 2003, Judy Burton, project manager for Toronto-based Tarion Warranty Corp., said the IBM technology allows the firm to have a central repository for data. Currently, the Content Manager solution is installed on IBM servers running DB2, Burton said.
Tarion is responsible for administering the Ontario New Home Warranties Plan Act, legislation that outlines the warranty protection new home and condominium builders must pro