The Forrester Wave™: Enterprise Content Management Suites, Q4 2009

In Forrester's 70-criteria evaluation of eight enterprise content management (ECM) suite vendors, we found that IBM, Oracle, EMC, and Open Text lead due to breadth and depth of functionality and a continued focus on end-to-end ECM needs. Strong Performer Microsoft lacks depth in certain areas of ECM, with a focus on business content rather than transactional or persuasive, but its lighter footprint and collaboration functionality continue to give it market momentum. Other Strong Performers include Hyland Software — traditionally focused on imaging and archiving but expanding into records management and workflow — and HP, which has leveraged its 2008 TOWER Software acquisition and offers document management, imaging, and records. Finally, Contender Alfresco Software, with an open source offering, lacks overall ECM suite breadth, but it's gained traction with enterprises looking for an ECM alternative with a lower-cost entry point.