IBM Updates Content Manager with V6R1

April 1, 2008 Alex Woodie

IBM updated its enterprise-strength content management system for i5/OS along with the launch of V6R1 two weeks ago. With Content Manager OnDemand for i5/OS Version 6.1, IBM delivered enhancements in the areas of storage, archiving, security, and programming interfaces, among others.

Content Manager OnDemand for i5/OS is used by larger organizations to streamline the capture of content and the distribution of documents in paper and electronic environments. The product is a variation of DB2 Content Manager for i5/OS, IBM’s “best of breed” document imaging and workflow solution. With the optional OnDemand component, users gain near real-time access to documents, as well as electronic bill presentment and payment capabilities and customer self-service access to bills, invoices, and statements. The software is tremendously scalable, but not inexpensive.

With version 6.1, IBM expanded the product’s scalability in virtualized environments, and added new features aimed at easing the administration of users. For starters, the software now supports the use of Independent Auxiliary Storage Pools (iASPs), which will give administrators more flexibility in Content Manager deployments. Likewise, its support for Tivoli Storage Manager (TSM) should help the product’s archiving functionality.

The new version also includes a new API for batch administration, more automation in the expiration and deletion of passwords and documents, and various new fields and file format specifications.

IBM reminded customers that the new version only supports the new Common Server format, and that customers using older versions of Content Manager OnDemand must first migrate their Spool File Archive environment to the Common Server format before upgrade to Version 6.1.

Content Manager OnDemand Version 6.1 became available March 21. For more information, see IBM US Software Announcement 208-055.