Characteristics of IDCM Systems

Abstract

The last chapter reviewed the challenges of managing documents in business and government enterprises, where there is, as yet, no attempt to integrate different document and Web content systems. The IDCM planning model introduced in Chapter 1 proposes an integrative solution architecture to tackle an environment in which enterprises wish to manage different document systems and content distribution together. Here, we wish to elaborate on this model. The IDCM model proposes a management framework and defines key subsystems relevant for organizations wishing to plan and implement an IDCM solution. Before we commence our discussion on the management framework in Part 2, we discuss the nature and characteristics of the subsystems relevant to IDCM solutions. Consequently, this chapter describes the characteristics of the various subsystems available to help businesses plan integrative strategies for document and Web content management. It reviews the overall functionality offered by these subsystems and their applicability to the IDCM model. Later, in Part 3, we explore some of this functionality in more detail, and how it might be applied to managing documents and Web content.