FileNet was founded in 1982 and released one of the first commercially successful document imaging solutions. At the time, the solution required custom software and hardware. Over the years, it has evolved into more of a software-based solution that today contains much more than just document imaging. FileNet was acquired by IBM in 2006 and has retained the FileNet moniker for the software product line. In its most recent form, it is called the IBM FileNet P8 4.0 Platform (FileNet P8 for short, but I've used FileNet and FileNet P8 interchangeably throughout this article).
FileNet P8 is a suite of enterprise software that is known for enabling businesses to integrate process and content management in one solution. The suite also contains products such as records management, electronic forms, and compliance management, just to name a few. As an example of the flexibility and integration capabilities provided, the IBM FileNet Business Process Framework provides a user interface that is built on a highly extensible and configurable framework that incorporates the core products in FileNet P8.
This article will focus on the core FileNet P8 functionality of business process and content management. Both products provide a mixture of thick-client and Web-based user interfaces to configure and use. Most standard uses of the software can be handled through this out-of-the-box functionality. However, a key feature of FileNet is the capability to access its functionality through APIs for Java, .NET, or XML Web services. This opens up the capability to create standalone applications (Web or desktop based) that use FileNet as the foundation.
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