July 28, 2021

A Business Process Automation Review: MFiles vs OpenText?

Is your Richmond-area organization taking advantage of business process automation software to simplify tasks and further advance your staff’s efficiency? If not, you’re probably wasting precious time and financial resources.

With the innovations of business process automation, you can computerize repetitive, regimented tasks, thus making your business workflows more efficient, sparing laborious hours, and guaranteeing your staff can focus on activities that develop the organization.

Now, we're examining two of the frequently used enterprise content management (ECM) software obtainable today for business process automation: M-Files and OpenText. We will assess both, side-by-side and give insight to how we utilize these tools at Wave.

But first, let's start with a primer on what business process automation is and how it works.

What is business process automation?

Business process automation (BPA), also known as business process management (BPM), is the utilization of robotic technology to ease routine, rules-based tasks such as sending archives, data entry, training a new staff member, sending payments, or processing accounts payable dealings.

Advanced automation platforms utilize innovative features like artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and robotic process automation (RPA) to deal with these repetitive tasks on your staff’s behalf.

By mechanizing tasks that would normally dissipate relevant man-hours, your priceless human resources can turn their attention to other areas of the business where they can be more beneficial.

Automation also decreases the chance of human error, imprecision, and process bottlenecks - all these take away from a business’ bottom line.

How do I know which processes I can automate?

Not all business process is suitable for business process automation. The proper task is the particular that’s done recurrently and can be construed by user-defined regulations and actions.

What to search for in a process that can be mechanized:

  • Does it require that it be regularly done the same way across the organization?

  • Is it a routine, repeatable process?

  • Is it critical that the task is perfect?

  • Does the process entail an enormous amount of work?

  • Does it require numerous people to do?

  • Is it time-sensitive?

  • Does there need to be an audit trail for this process?

M-Files vs OpenText Comparison



M-Files

OpenText Documentum

Pricing

By quote

By quote


Prices vary between Documentum and AX

Deployment

Cloud, SaaS, Web-Based

Cloud, SaaS, Web-Based

Support

Email/Help Desk

Forum

Knowledge Base

Phone

Chat

Email

Phone

Chat

Training

In-person

Online

Webinars

Documentation

Videos

In-person

Online

Documentation

Features

Access Controls

Android/iOS Mobile app

Archiving & Retention

Audit Trail

Collaboration Tools

Compliance Tracking

Content Management

Customizable Templates

Digital Asset Management

Document Management

Drag & Drop

Electronic Signature

Encryption

File Conversion

File Recovery

Full-Text Search

Governance

Offline Access

OCR

Search/Filter

Real-time Sync

Version Control

Workflow Management

Access Controls

Administration

Advanced File Versions

Analytics

Business application

Capture

Collaboration

Content Security

Content management

Delivery models

File Sharing

Governance

API

Metadata Search

Microsoft Office 365 Integration

Records Management

SAP Payment Automation

Security, 2FA, SSO

Workflow Automation



M-Files Pros and Cons

M-Files is a robust ECM service that advances both on-premise, cloud solutions, or a hybrid version depending on your business needs. It offers automation technology to streamline your business processes and workflows in addition to intelligent information management.

At Wave, we often use M-Files as a one-way information receiver for a client's distinct tools and data. In this manner, we can help our clientele experiencing rapid development, the capacity to unite all of their procedures and information, and experience greater agility during digital formation.

M-Files is a great, extensible software for customers who don't already have a hulking ECM like OpenText Documentum already installed in their organization.

However, with MFiles it's essential to keep in mind that constructing automation demands the investment of an add-on called a 'vault'. M-Files accessible vaults are Document Management, Contract Management, Back Office, HR, Project Management, GDPR, and QMS.

Pricing is set on a case-by-case basis depending on the characteristics your business requires.

OpenText Pros and Cons

OpenText is an Enterprise Information Management (EIM) software that allows organizations to better utilize enterprise data, industrialize156] monotonous processes, generate a more expandable business model, and reduce risks correlated to information governance and intellectual property.

It can be deployed on-premises in a data center or via the cloud.

At Wave, we normally see OpenText platforms utilized by using one of the following methods: with Documentum as a deeply rooted ECM or with Application Extender (AX) which works as a downsized, construct-as-you-go replacement to Documentum.

Documentum comes fully loaded and prepared to solve any organizational complication you possess. The problem with Documentum is that the UI is a bit complicated, it calls for serious subsistence, and upgrades, in addition to the tool itself, are pricey.

For organizations that have formerly put forth the investment in Documentum and aren’t inclined to remove the application and make a fresh start, Wave can aid with software upgrades and improvements in such a way that enterprises can get the most out of their ECM environment.

With Application Extender, the user experience and user interface (UI/UX) are fairly dissimilar from Documentum which several customers like.

It's a terrific option for enterprises who aren’t keen to put money on Documentum, and it is possible to be reinforced to figure out any business problem.

The problem with AX is that it by no means completely loaded once purchased like Documentum, instead, connectors and extras will be necessary to be built in to create better functionality and build automated processes.

Similar to M-Files, the cost of Documentum and Application Extender are fixed on a case-by-case basis influenced by the features your business needs.

Let Wave Help You Deploy and Optimize Your BPA Software

If your organization is new to business process automation, or you’ve initiated automating workflows but desire to greatly improve your software to accomplish more, Wave can help.

Wave assists companies similar to yours day-to-day to perform automation cloud, SaaS or on-premise solutions, content management systems (CMS), and enterprise resource planning (ERP) tools.

We assist our customers to streamline their work throughout the entire lifecycle, computerize tiring, repetitive work, and incorporate the entire technology infrastructure to take away siloes and create long-lasting upgradeability for theirbusiness.

Already using a legacy software, and have no desire to start all over again? Not a problem!

Wave can go hand-in-hand with your company and enhance your current business applications via add-ons, assimilations, and connectors so you can get more from your current technology infrastructure without having to start from scratch with a new service provider.

We're comfortable working with ECM tools like M-Files, OpenText and Microsoft Sharepoint, or every other content services platform you're currently implementing.

If you have any inquiries about how Wave can help support digital transformation and business process automation in your Richmond company, contact us today.