FileNet
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Enterprise software |
| Founded | 1982 |
| Founder | Ted Smith |
| Defunct | 2006 |
| Fate | Acquired by IBM |
| Headquarters | Costa Mesa, California , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Lee Roberts (CEO and Chairman) |
| Products | FileNet P8 Platform, Enterprise Content Management (ECM), Business Process Management (BPM) solutions |
| Owner | IBM |
| Parent | IBM |
FileNet Corporation, which became part of IBM in 2006, specialized in developing enterprise software focused on content management and automating business processes. Its premier offering, the FileNet P8 Platform, provides a flexible architecture for enterprise solutions and is also available as a fully packaged product.
Based in Costa Mesa, California, FileNet delivered Enterprise Content Management (ECM) and Business Process Management (BPM) solutions through direct sales as well as via resellers, system integrators, and software developers.
1980s
Established in 1982 by Ted Smith, previously associated with Basic 4, FileNet leveraged 2.6GB laserdiscs—vastly exceeding the then-standard 150MB disk drives—to archive scanned images. This was combined with workflow software to transform traditional paper-based procedures. The company developed its proprietary 64-laserdisc jukebox (OSAR: Optical Storage and Retrieval), the FileNet Distributed Operating System (FDOS), and servers powered by Motorola 68000 processors equipped with 8 to 32 MB of RAM.
The networking architecture was built on Xerox Network Standard (XNS) supported by Network Clearing House (NCH) directory services. Initial deployments began in 1985 with FDOS version 1.6; later versions enhanced workflow scripting and transitioned to Windows platforms by the late 1980s.
1990s
During the early 1990s, FileNet released the more open WorkFlo Business System—Series 6500—which operated on IBM RS/6000 AIX servers. Networking protocols moved to TCP/IP while proprietary application protocols were maintained. The software was also adapted to run on System V, Release 4 for the Intel 80486-based Olivetti LSX5000 hardware. Furthermore, FileNet expanded its reach to PC users through WorkForce Desktop software, replacing older dedicated workstations.
Acquisitions
To enhance its electronic document management and workflow portfolio, FileNet acquired several firms:
- Saros Corporation in 1995, specializing in electronic document management
- Watermark Software, known for document imaging products Watermark Enterprise and Ensemble, along with a Windows-based COLD solution named Greenbar (discontinued in 1999)
- Shana, a Canadian company focused on eForms technology
FileNet introduced an "Integrated Document Management" suite that unified document imaging, electronic document management, COLD, and workflow capabilities, complemented by an entry-level system called Workgroup. By the mid-1990s, its WorkFlow Business System evolved into Visual WorkFlo featuring a graphical user interface.
Panagon
In 1998, FileNet rebranded its product lineup under the Panagon name, which included:
- Panagon Image Services (previously IMS)
- Panagon Content Services (formerly Saros Mezzanine)
- Panagon Report Manager (the COLD service formerly known as Greenbar)
- Panagon Desktop (a new client interface)
- Panagon Web Services (a web-based interface replacing Saros @Mezzanine)
- Panagon eProcess (workflow automation built upon Visual WorkFlo)
2000s
In January 2001, FileNet launched Acenza to penetrate the applications market; however, following limited success it was renamed FileNet Case Manager for Image Management (CMIM).
Development
In January 2002, the introduction of BrightSpire, which was subsequently renamed FileNet P8 ECM, marked the launch of a robust Enterprise Content Management solution that combined document management, web content management, and workflow functionalities.
By April 2002, FileNet had acquired eGrail Corporation, headquartered in Bethesda, to strengthen its Web Content Management (WCM) capabilities. The next year saw the addition of electronic forms functionality through the purchase of Shana Corporation.
Also in 2003, FileNet enhanced its compliance offerings by releasing P8 Records Manager, designed to meet regulatory requirements and records management challenges.
The year 2004 brought the debut of the Team Collaboration Manager application on the P8 platform, enabling seamless virtual collaboration across various teams and geographic locations.
Towards the end of 2005, FileNet expanded its P8 ECM content management features by acquiring Canada's Yaletown Technology Group. This acquisition introduced Email Manager (formerly eCW) and broadened compliance tools with Records Crawler (previously Universal File Importer). Additionally, Business Process Management was improved through the integration of Business Activity Monitor (BAM), offering real-time event tracking to boost operational agility.
IBM completed its acquisition of FileNet in 2006; by early 2008, a version of the P8 client compatible with the iPhone was released.
P8 Versions and Editions
| Version | Release Date | Ownership |
|---|---|---|
| 3.5.x | December 21, 2005 | FileNet |
| 4.0.x | March 15, 2007 | IBM |
| 4.5.x | December 12, 2008 | IBM |
| 5.0.x | December 16, 2010 | IBM |
| 5.1.x | August 26, 2011 | IBM |
| 5.2.0 | April 12, 2013 | IBM |
| 5.2.1 | October 28, 2014 | IBM |
| 5.5.0 | December 7, 2017 | IBM |
| 5.5.1 | June 28, 2018 | IBM |
| 5.5.2 | December 13, 2018 | IBM |
| 5.5.3 | June 1, 2019 | IBM |
| 5.5.4 | December 10, 2019 | IBM |
| 5.5.5 | June 6, 2020 | IBM |
Notes
References
- Todd R. Groff and Thomas P. Jones, FileNet: A Consultant's Guide to Enterprise Content Management, Butterworth-Heinemann, 2004.