ISW snaps up Domino Doc competitor

Independent software vendor (ISV) and IBM premier partner ISW has acquired Document ONE, a document management program, from New Zealand based developer Document ONE Pty Ltd.

The document-management developer had sold the rights to the software for an undisclosed amount and passed on responsibility for supporting its existing client base in Australia and New Zealand, said ISW executive director Tim Royle.

ISW, which works with Lotus, Websphere, Rational and Tivoli, said it would sell Document ONE as a replacement for IBM's document management software Domino Doc, which has been discontinued.

"IBM is now plugging either a websphere portal framework or a product called Filenet," said Royle.

"Filenet tends to be a more enterprise level software, it's very expensive.

"We are keen to let users in Australia and New Zealand know that this is a low-cost alternative, particularly customers clinging onto Domino Doc which is now unsupported by IBM."

Royle said ISW was offering a "good deal" on Document ONE and offered data migration services. "We don't know how many customers are out there but we can save them a lot of hassle," he said.

Royle said the software engineering firm was "considering setting up a channel" around Document ONE and was inviting inquiries. IBM partners were most welcome as was "anyone who sees an opportunity for the software", said Royle.

"Whether they're more of a content or document management consultant or more on the technical side we have the skills to implement, integrate and support, so we will take inquiries from anyone in the business," said Royle.

"The product integrates nicely with Microsoft Outlook, there is extensive Microsoft Office capability as well, so it's not just hardcore IBM customers that will be interested in the product. Obviously anyone sitting there based on a Domino Doc product should talk to us."

ISW's flagship products included Workflow Express, CRM application Businessworks and "enterprise to-do list" ActionsManagement. Royle said Document ONE would be integrated with its products to provide a broader offering.

"When you deploy a CRM solution, how do you store and approve company documents and procedures? This provides a stronger broader solution," said Royle. "It's a very good product and we've got a lot of experience in it and we are happy that we are taking over development of it."

Kathy Speirs, managing director of Document ONE Pty Ltd, had decided to stop working and had closed the company after selling rights to the software, said Royle.