The Expansive Reach Of Enterprise Content Management

It's been almost a decade since Business Solutions attended its first AIIM show and began covering the document management and imaging market. Since then, this market has given birth to new technologies like knowledge management, content management, portals, and Web imaging. In addition, document management and imaging technologies have been integrated into enterprise applications, like enterprise resource planning (ERP) and customer relationship management (CRM). In response to these changes, Business Solutions has introduced its first exclusive Enterprise Content Management (ECM) issue.

A Resource For ECM Information
Inside this issue, you'll find information about all types of ECM technologies. The cover feature examines how CD Solutions, a Shreveport, LA VAR, expanded its traditional document management and micrographics business to include Web imaging and integration (p. 12). You'll also read the latest on how forms processing has been integrated with other enterprise applications like e-commerce (p. 42) and sales force automation (SFA) (p. 20).

Leading scanner vendors Kodak and Ricoh provide their insights on which markets and applications have jumped on the bandwagon for color scanning (p. 26). This issue also covers some emerging areas of ECM, like content management/XML (extensible markup language) (p. 40), as well as application service providing (p. 36) and eCRM (e-based customer relationship management) (p. 30). Last but not least, this issue includes the Enterprise Content Management Buyer's Guide with corporate and product information from all types of hardware manufacturers, software developers, product distributors, and service providers.

ECM: Integral to AIIM
Because of our longstanding relationship with AIIM (the Association for Information and Image Management) International, Business Solutions has timed the release of our exclusive Enterprise Content Management issue around the AIIM 2001 Conference and Exposition. We've done this for two reasons: First and foremost, because AIIM 2001 is the premier event for learning about enterprise content management technologies. Second, we wanted to distribute this special ECM issue at the Channel Connection - a special event produced by AIIM and Business Solutions. The Channel Connection is designed for VAR and integrator attendees of the AIIM show. It offers amenities like a business lounge overlooking the show floor, one-on-one appointment scheduling with technology executives, and complimentary luncheons with renowned "Solution Selling" author Michael Bosworth. Also, VARs and integrators will be recognized at the Channel Connection Awards luncheon presentation. I encourage you to attend the Channel Connection and to use this guide in your selection and evaluation of new ECM products.