Going to an OpenSource ECM World....

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mercredi 2 décembre 2009

Nuxeo in 2009

It's been a while that I didn't share some news about Nuxeo on this blog. I'll try to make up for it...

Let's go back to the future... In 2009.

Nuxeo 5.3
During October, Nuxeo announced availability of its new version of Nuxeo DM: the 5.3.
This version is the most complete Nuxeo that we've seen. Functionally richer, it covers more complex and extensive needs.

Among the list of new features, I will mention two of them

Open Social: When we met "clients", one recurrent need is the famous "portal". I put out the word "portal" between quotes because, as the term ECM, portal are not a friendly term and can explain anything at the same time. Here I talk about Widget/Gadget Portal like Google or Netvibes. We can arrange on a single page a set of small square to form a mosaic that meet the functional requirements of the customer. In other words how, in my application, can I aggregate content and applications from different sources ? (and if it looks like Google it's even better!)

To satisfy this need, Nuxeo has integrated http://www.opensocial.org/. This is THE reference (de facto standard) in terms of creating composite application. Nuxeo DM becomes both Open Social Gadgets client and server . Think about it when you customer want to add the famous Weather box. ;o)

Federated publishing : This need is more technical oriented and really important for integrator or any large company. To understand the usefulness, consider the example of a company which has 2 remote sites (geographically and functionally). One site is the head office while the other site is a production site. At head office, product team develop and creates all of new products documentation (product schema, manufacturing instructions, user guide...) and stores / shares then in ECM Repository. The production team uses this documentation everyday. A lack of documentation can generate the malfunction of production site. To avoid such unforeseen, we will create an 'master-slave "solution between the main ECM repository and a local one only for production. Between these two sites, we can create a link to share and distribute information. This practice guarantee and ensure high data availability.

You can find the announcement at http://www.nuxeo.com/en/about/news/nuxeo-dm-53

If you prefer video, you can find a webinar presenting the capabilities of Nuxeo at:

http://www.nuxeo.com/en/about/events/webinar_nuxeo_dm_53

Nuxeo and marketing
For over a year and to support its international expansion, Nuxeo has considerably improved its marketing presence. Concretely this means more events both on the web via webinars, videos, presentations, participating in social networks or concrete meetings.

Reminder : Nuxeo World http://www.nuxeo.com/fr/societe/actualites/nuxeo-world-2010

One of the highlights of this strategy was the appointment of Cheryl McKinnon as CMO (Chief Marketing Officer in English). You will say "yes, what's else?" I will answer that she was Director of Program Management, Enterprise 2.0 from Open Text (proprietary editor solutions content management world and a leader in this market ... and Nuxeo competitor) and secondly she is known and recognized in the international ECM community. If you want further evidence of the rise of open source document management, I think you have a new ;-)

Nb: If you want to follow Cheryl McKinnon

Blog: http://candyandaspirin.blogspot.com/
Nuxeo Blog : http://blogs.nuxeo.com/cmckinnon/
Twitter : http://twitter.com/CherylMcKinnon

Three axes of conquest
During 2009, we discover that Nuxeo is moving to 3 directions (which I consider important)

Semantic area
Apache Chemistry and CMIS
Nuxeo Cloud

Semantic area
To be honest, I'm not an expert in this area but I know how important it is to provide intelligence into data stored in content management system .

To get an idea of integrating this component in Nuxeo, I'll refer you to the various available resources . They are mainly from Olivier Grisel work at Nuxeo and Yerbabuena Software which has developed the first module Nuxeo in this area.

Article

Videos

Nb: If you want to follow Olivier Grisel: http://twitter.com/ogrisel or Yerbabuena http://twitter.com/yerbabuenasoft

Apache Chemistry and CMIS
Nuxeo has launched for several months now the Chemistry initiative : http://incubator.apache.org/chemistry/. This initiative seeks to become the open source implementation reference of CMIS standard. Due to the approaching end of CMIS public review, we can suspect that this part will be increasingly important in the coming months and will contribute to Nuxeo reputation.

NB : Have a look to jonontech.com blog :
http://jonontech.com/2009/11/26/cmis-jcr-and-osgi-for-idiots/

Nuxeo Cloud
You want an ECM Solution without worry of technical infrastructure ? You want a distributed system which can support easily high availability ? So take Nuxeo cloud

And tomorrow?
This post by Laurence Hart on his blog wordofpie.com inform us about Nuxeo main development axes. We can find Record Management and a catalog of application services (mail management, DAM, Cloud ...).

Voila Ladies and gentlemen, all I can summarize about Nuxeo. I remain at your disposal for further information and to share various news about Nuxeo.

See you soon!

vendredi 27 novembre 2009

Open Source ECM V2

As you can see, http://www.open-source-ecm.com/ has changed its look!

Lighter, larger, whiter, more simple, morecollaborative ... in other words more better!

So What's New ?

I changed the blue template for a white template. It's more ergonomic and allow an easy-reading. I drop "full-post" design for a preview one. Indeed on the homepage it is now possible to see the latest articles published on the blog (and not the long last one)... To go further, just click on "Read More" to see the whole article.

A menu bar appeared! Cruel missing in my previous blog, this bar will allow me to create links quickly and easily to a particular aspect of my blog. The 3 subject are currently "About", "My Interviews", "My Presentations".

To the right of the menu bar (this time properly integrated), we find a field of "quick search". Useful is not it?

A new mascot is also appearing! Tuxitecte (in english equivalent as Architect Tux) arrived from http://tux.crystalxp.net/fr.id.13668-tuxitecte.html site and was created by kami23 under creative commons license. You can find his works on the site http://jonkie.ch/index.html. Merci kami23!

In 2.0 section, you can find all my sharing space and "social networking" in My Universe Space. In this same category please subscribe to the RSS feed as a feed or as email.

The categories changed into "cloud" for better readability. We realize very quickly what are my interests. ^^

Each section is now "retweet". On my old version I tried Dzone and Digg indicators but I soon realized that these indicators (for the content of my blog) were not necessarily very convincing ...

The creation of comment is now simpler and clearer. By doing a little inventory of my old blog, I think the lack of simplicity was probably a brake ... I hope now that this mistake will now be corrected. Stay tuned...

Each post now has the famous "5 star ratings". I don't know you but for me I do it more and more. It become a reflex. If this works, these little stars will guide me a little setting up my articles.

Finally, each post also has links to various "favorites" to social tools & networks.

Now it's your turn, enjoy !

mercredi 25 novembre 2009

How to choose a *CM solution ?

Hello everyone,

The topic of the day is devoted to an old problem:

How to choose *CM solution (Content Management)?

(* represents a letter of your choice, but commonly an E or W)

This question implies many issues, include many methodologies and is unique to each project context. In other words it is not easy (or impossible) to standardize a single approach to the problem. Nevertheless it is possible to avoid major pitfalls and use best pratices. This is what we'll try to see later through a series of rules.

Note: This rules are from different feedback which you can fin as references at the end of this post. It engages only me and can't be THE good road to choose its solution ...

Rule No. 1: What are my needs ?
Need : I remind you that this is the basis ... Without a LITERAL definition of need, without use cases DIAGRAM described by LITERAL explanations , without a HISTORY of functional requirements it is necessary to start a project that will result in inadequatechoice ?
This point is the famous WHAT for "What is the future scope of my work?"

In document management project, you must identify documents type that the system must manage. What are their format, their average size, frequency of creation or modification, deletion. Who is responsible for this data ...?

Rule No. 2: What are my technical requirements?

Following the recommendation of my Enterpise Architect I must be able to retrieve information from an application. Is there a connector with this application or what's the feature which can help to retrieve this information?
From my architects, my future solution must be based on an EJB3 architecture and must be installed on Ubuntu Linux.
The operating service needs to monitor the future application via JMX.

When such constraints is known, it is easier (for both client and supplier) to choose an appropriate solution. These constraints could create a list of MUST-HAVE. It can be useful to discriminate when comparing offers. It's up to you to place your cursor on the importance of criteria (don't forget of course that few solutions satisfying all criteria)

Rule No. 3: Small streams make large rivers (translation of french proverb.)
Based on this principle or the famous KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid), it's best to start simply, quickly and humbly then verify, validate and begin to see in a second time how to extend the functionality and features offered. With this methodology, you can have quick feedbacks from your operational and this is priceless!

In the area of development this is called Agile Development :o)

Rule No. 4: To choose a solution, the rating scale/matrix you must ban!
To have performed the exercise as a consultant and as user grids are useful in fact... for nothing... Except to prove and say what you want!

For those who had never seen, here's a little description:

This is usually an Excel file with a list of criteria grouped into families, which themselves are clustered in groups, which themselves are grouped by category. Each critera has a weighting. Sometimes it's also considered for families, groups and categories ... This list represents the Y axis (from top to bottom).
Then on the X axis (left to right), we'll add different solutions. They have to pass with success or not the treatment of the matrix.
The intersection of critera line and solution column must be filled by a combination of score between 0 and 5.
Finally, in the bottom of the Excel sheet, there is the final grade. Resulting in average weights between products and notes, this note is responsible for the choice of solution. This "scientific" approach allow to find right choice without doubt!

Simple isn't it ? :o)

The main criticism of this practice comes from the "subjectivity" in the criteria selection, weighting and rating.

Example:

My need
The technical staff (designer of our products) need to share their good practices in a collaborative way.

Possible criteria
Wiki Integration in my CM System

Possible responses

Response from a consultant: For the solution X, there's a possibility to integrate a Wiki solution via the API.
Response from an editor: In my solution, One of our features can manage a wiki.
Answer from an integrator: With a little code, you can create a simple wiki system that you can connect to the solution Z DM system.

Now It's your turn. Post a score from 0 to 4.

In fact, do you ask what is the syntax of the engine? Do your colleagues want to learned a new syntax ? or do they simply want a simple (or rich) text editor, with the integration of media such as images ...?
Then you have to think how these contents are stored? How they can be reused, shared and indexed? and so on ...

Now you would put the same note?

This essentially limits the Matrix system ...

Rule No. 5: In a RFP don't require a matrix list of critera !
Corollary to the previous point, if you do not want wrong and subjective answers, don't ask to complete a grid. Simple...

Rule No. 6: With whom I want to work?
It's a simple rule but it's not always applied. Is not it easier to work with people we know and with whom we have create trust link, respect, honesty and efficiency?

Do not hesitate to meet different people who are involved both in choice phase, design phase or production. Those are the people who are foremost guaranteeing the success of your project.

Rule No. 7: You know your budget? Then don't hide it !
I know that this choice may be considered as crazy, but it will save your time! On the one hand you will know which suppliers are really interested in the project and on the other hand, it allows you to choose the product range wich best match your needs.

Note: As a fervent open-source addict, I want to remember that Open Source Solution is NOT a synonym of FREE!

Rule No. 8: Open Source or Proprietary same fight or in other language there's no prejudice you should have!
Although I am a strong supporter of open source, you can't exclude the choice of a solution due to this Proprietary approach(and vice versa!). In choosing a solution only your needs should count (and your budget of course ^^...)!
If the need is well covered by a proprietary solution and you can buy licences with your budget, why deprive yourselves?

Rule No. 9: A prototype you have to test !
Sometimes in the selection criteria, we find the words: "2.0 user Experience", or "Enriched Usability and Experience". If you have never installed or used the product how can you trust a note or a description. It is in these times that we see the usefulness of a prototype.

Small reminder: A prototype is not the final solution. It's a few days work and not your several months project result.

Prototype goal is to demonstrate the strengths and weaknesses of a product on a particular use case. In addition, you will see solution degree of mastery by an integrator, or product degree of adaptability by an editor. This is not the Supplier(Integrator or Editor) to show what the product can do but the product to show what he can do in your context. And if the prototype crashes it does not matter, it shows instead what it should really do.

Rule No. 10: I don't understand ...
You have trouble understanding the principles of content management project. Simply, call for help !

That's all folks. Don't hesitate to post a comment.

This entire article wouldn't have been possible without precious post and articles on the subject. Here are some selections:

[FR] BPMBulletin :

http://www.bpmbulletin.com/2009/11/23/5-facteurs-cles-de-succes-pour-mettre-en-oeuvre-une-application-ecm-bpm/

[ENG] BIG MEN ON CONTENT

http://bigmenoncontent.com/2009/11/03/8-dimensions-of-cms-technical-evaluation/

[ENG] BLEND INTERACTIVE

http://blendinteractive.com/blog/business/getting-good-rfp-response/

[ENG] CMS WATCH

[ENG] CONTENT HERE (My favourite!)

[ENG] JON ON TECH (MUST READ!)

http://jonontech.com/2009/04/12/which-comes-first-the-crew-or-the-cms/

lundi 23 novembre 2009

Wave & ECM : My feelings and opinions

Hello everyone!
If you don't live on another planet, you've probably heard about GOOGLE WAVE phenomenon. Having obtained the precious sesame since october, I've tested the tool and I'm now ready to explain my opinion about it.

I'm not going to get an n-th presentation of Google Wave. The resources on Internet (and google of course) are not lacking. So today I just want to share with you my recent thoughts on the relationship between ECM or CM in general with Google Wave ... Does Google Wave will crush ECM or marry to it ? Is it a white elephant or technological breakthrough?

Collaboration and Communication
First Wave is like Google's definition says:

Google Wave is an online tool for real-time communication and collaboration. A wave can be both a conversation and a document where people can discuss and work together using richly formatted text, photos, videos, maps, and more.

a tool to exchange information (in other words communicate...) between one or more persons synchronously (interactive) or asynchronous (Static) ...

Let's do a little inventory. In the category of collaboration tools and communication exist:

E-Mail : is a method of exchanging digital messages.
Forums: Exchange Place where users ask or answer a given question. The various contributions, accessible to everyone, from forming a thread (thread in english). Each forum addresses a specific theme.
Instant Messaging: allows the instant exchange of text messages between computers connected to the same computer network, and most commonly the Internet. Unlike email, this medium is characterized by the fact that messages are displayed in near-real time and enable an interactive dialogue.
Mailling List: is a specific use of email that allows the mailing of information to users who are enrolled.
Podcast: podcasting allows users to listen or download the automatic audio and video broadcasts for personal music players for an immediate or later viewing.
Wiki: This is a website that offers users the chance to make editing pages.
Collaborative Document Edition: Set of tools to create jointly in a group one or more documents.

Now put everything into a single application, add a strong dose of Mashup-based widgets, shake it all and you get a Collaborative Google Shake ie Google Wave!

Google Wave: A Genetically Modified Collaboration Tool .
That is what appears when you use Google Wave. This UFO is impossible to store in a box and that is what is surprising and disturbing at the same time most users. Deja vu for some, a revolution for others. And you, how you can see this UFO?

Google Wave: One ring to rule them all?
Compare that with the phone. 10 years ago, the phone was used to ... Call! Then it allowed us to send SMS, MMS, E-Mails ... It turned into portable music player, photo album, and movie theater ... Today it serves to locate us, to browse Internet or just playing ... Yes there's an app for that!

Well you can compare Google Wave Revolution to mobile phone Evolution . It will allow us to make a lot of stuff most brilliant (or not. It depends on the ideas ...) between you and me (why not!) Or between you and us (I have friends!) Or between you and us (because you also have friends) or within a community now, tomorrow or even later.

In content modeling we call this a primary or generic content (Does Google put a node into genetic heritage of a Wave ... Mystery ...) able to adapt and adjust.

Google Wave: ECM Killer?
And well, given its genetic heritage ... My answer is NO! (After I'm possibly go wrong ...)
Rather it is a very promising PLUS (meaning +) to make content management easier (?). Indeed the interest of a wave is that

Is not replicated on each client (as in every mailbox in the case of e-mails)
Is easily shareable (you can easily tell who has right or not being in a wave)
Is classifiable and therefore indexable and thus discoverable (it's still the job of google to find after all...)
Can be changed at will! (everybody can put his personal touch)
Can be synchronous or asynchronous (you're not there ... too bad I'll leave a message. You're here so we can go faster!)
Manage versions (Playback. .. I'd like to see who added what and when)
Is deployable at both in supplier and in my network safely behind my firewall!

Google Wave has taken some basic principles of content management (versioning, categorization, collaborative editing, user management ...) but can not be a "tool for content management" (as I said earlier we can't put in a box ...). Its raw material is the content! Remember : Content is everywhere and is everything! Wave can create and disseminate information easily and simply.

Google Wave in Business?
Google Wave will, of course, land in business like most Google tools. Who has never used a Gmail, a Google map, a Google Reader or Google for his professional usage? (Yes, you can excludes those without Internet at work...) But this will not immediately .. Firstly because it is a beta (a real one), partly because it requires that everyone starts to tame the monster to be a faithful companion and finally because we must invent new practices based (or not) on the ancient best-practice.

Who will benefit?
First, the small will still lucky for one simple reason.
Why do we invest in each tool like wiki + instant messaging + e-mail + collaboration tool + Forum ... One tool is clearly enough for my needs. Furthermore I have no infrastructure and I don't want! An SMEs / PMI offers should be available soon as is already the case for Google Apps.

Then Apps Creators
As for Iphone, Facebook and other means of communication in the wind, we'll see (and is already the case) full of gadgets, widgets and other add-ons to increase and enrich our user experience. It will be probably the same with some shiny and smarty User Interface.

After Third integrators
A good integration will be Archiving Application which can long-term preservation of waves ie how to archive information exchange between one or more persons. This will be less dependent on storage volume but probably more complex due to integrating external data sources.

Other integrations are those that we see recursively : office desktop tools, CM or ECM apps, business applications, security system...

And then WE... Because we are at the root of everything.

Finally
Once Windows providing all services through one operating system and softwares.

Now Google offers all services through Internet and Apps.

This becomes increasingly visible and palpable. Impressive for an integrator like me, normal for lambda users ... That is also the magic of computers!

Thank you for reading and see you soon.

PS: I still have 2 invitations Google Wave ... The first 2 to post a comment will be lucky! That is also the magic of the waves. The hunt for the invitation ...

jeudi 29 octobre 2009

Install and Test My Open Source ECM Family

Hello Folks,

Do you know one main advantage of OpenSource ECM Solution ? You can test it !

As ECM consultant / Integrator, I have to install, test, configure, use, modify many different solutions in differnt environment. But I have a BIG problem... I just have my XP dev machine and no test Server... Of course I can install all of this things in my computer... But I'm very limited by my hard disk space... And I prefer to dedicate my machine for dev only! I fed up sparing time... Futhermore I can't share my installation and best pratice configuration and my colleague can't help me and can't share their experience.

So what's the solution ? Virtualization of course!

That's why, since a few moment now, I start a collection of virtual OpenSource ECM Solution.

How ?

First, I have to find "Ready" VMWare Images. Indeed, I don't always have time to download and burn ISO images of operating systems and then create a VM image. It could be very long. So I was looking for a way to get VMWare images and then use them directly without having a VMWare Workstation installed on my computer. So I opted to retrieve images on sites like Http://www.thoughtpolice.co.uk/vmware/ I have an external 320GB hard drive and a good ADSL internet connection.

Then to use them, I download VMWare (FREE) Player http://www.vmware.com/products/player/

I have all I want to start my collection. All of this for 0 € free of taxes and legally!

Now what's the menu boss ? SHARING !

Below, you can find presentation (or simple HOW-TO) to install my collection of OpenSource CM Solution. You will also find some important links.
PS : This installation is only for test purpose!

Configure Your Virtual Server

Ubuntu 9.04

Simple Installation

Alfresco
EzPublish (Work in progress)
Drupal (Work in progress)
GateIn
Jahia
KnowledgeTree
Nuxeo

Advanced Installation

Alfresco (Work in progress)
Nuxeo (Work in progress)

In a near future(If all goes right...), I will share other presentations on specific aspect...(LDAP Connexion, Database configuration, continuous integration, clustering...)

With all my CM family, I can create my private network! Test combination, configuration, new version or just create prototype and share it.

Of course, I can't start all of this virtual machine at the same time. But it's enough to me :-)

Hope it will help you!

mercredi 14 octobre 2009

Interview : Daniel Tellez, CTO & Owner of Yerbabuena Software

Buenos dias a todo el mundo !

This time we make a travel to Spain.

Today, I have the honor and pleasure to interview Daniel Tellez, CTO & Owner of Yerbabuena Software.

Hello Daniel,

Hello Jean Marie. I'm very pleased to answer all your questions and to appear in your blog. I've been following your blog for some time because of your interesting posts about ECM, specially in the opensource world.

To begin this interview, I wanted to thank you for giving me a little of your time to answer this interview and to share your knowledge of open source ECM and specially Nuxeo.

First Daniel, what's the purpose and objectives of Yerbabuena Software ? What kind of services do you offer?

We, Yerbabuena Software, are a very young company, and we are very proud to count with a staff of young professionals who want to do very big things in their career. I tell you that because this is one of the main reasons because we have embarked in many interesting and great projects, like the one that will let us annotate semmantically and classify contents in Nuxeo, or access to its repositories through a smartphone.

Our mission and goals fit perfectly with all of these, and can be summarized in the next sentence: to be a leading and international company, reference in the field of development, research and innovation based on opensource enterprise content management solutions. This mission has not been chosen randomly, but has been the result of a hard but funny process or rediscovering of our ideas and goals. You can find a picture here, in the form of a roadmap that drives our actions to that goal:
http://translate.google.com/translate?client=tmpg&hl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.yerbabuena.es%2F2009%2F04%2Fmapa-estrategico.html&langpair=es|en

Sorry, we still have to translate it. ;-)

About our services portfolio, I have to say that our company provides mainly consulting, training and development services over opensource ecm software solutions. It is in this field where we can add more value to our ecosystem, and where we can deploy more freely our ideas and innovation, to apply them to our customers.

As Owner and CTO can you describe your work in Yerbabuena Software ? What's your role and your work day after day ?

In Yerbabuena Software we have a very horizontal organization. We are all folks, in and out of the office, in the most of times. So, my daily work is mainly to help my colleagues in the three development teams we have, to care for the methodologies used (always agile) and to provide a seamless connection between development and comercial sides.

Why did you choose CM ecosystem ? Is there some opportunities ?

Well, as I said before, we have a small company that knows perfectly the problems of small companies. In the earlier days of Yerbabuena Software, we had to face with all these problems, decisions and investments like all the companies do. How easy it looks when you are in college !

We thought it will be a good way to earn money to sell ECM solutions to SMEs, because we are convinced that this is not a field of software that could only fit in great organizations. All the companies have to manage papers and documents. We have seen very little companies with whole rooms full of boxes full of papers. Yes, very hard.

Web content management and opensource is a good entry point to begin to work with SMEs. Basically because of the simplicity of the WCM concepts and the cheaper costs of opensource. It can begin publishing news, events and descriptive web pages, and sooner the need to share and generate documentation comes through this tool, as so does the need to deliver it with other departments, with companies, with customers. Very soon the need of applying workflows, auditing, etcetera comes.

Actually we are jumping from SMEs to bigger organizations with large amounts of documents and users, like Diputación de Malaga (regional government of Malaga) or La Salle colleges.

Definitively, in Yerbabuena we are always researching these gaps not covered for common ECM providers, from earlier days by offering ECM to SMEs, until today, when we develop solutions for problems like accesibility and usability in reading documents ( http://translate.google.com/translate?client=tmpg&hl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.yerbabuena.es%2F2009%2F05%2Fprimera-beta-de-easyreader-desarrollada.html&langpair=es|en ), or increasing ubiquity in the access to the repository ( http://translate.google.com/translate?client=tmpg&hl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.yerbabuena.es%2F2009%2F07%2Fprimera-beta-de-yerbabuena-ercp.html&langpair=es|en).

What are the main trends in ECM in Spain?

Well, in the last months we are hearing very much noise around ECM like some time before, at least in Spain. This is good. The market of ECM is becoming bigger in Spain. And the companies that did know ECM before, are replanning its resources to change to a more opensource scenario. In these crisis days, harder in our country, the companies are realizing that it is not easy to justify licenses costs.

Now, we can see how many companies knows about the leading ECM providers in the open source side, like Nuxeo and Alfresco. The first mainly because of us ;-)

Now, let's talk about Nuxeo. Why did you choose to use Nuxeo for CM problematics?

When we began to plan our business strategy around document management, more or less in 2006, Alfresco was a little toy, while a french company called Nuxeo few years working with a very cool document management and web content management tool. We loved it. And we did many projects with that foundation. And we continue doing it. (Nuxeo CPS)

After, Nuxeo decided to switch to JavaEE technologies. This was a full reimplementation of the previous tool, maintaining all they learned before about ECM.

But we are an independent consultancy company, so we didn't take the JavaEE option given by Nuxeo 5, but we decided to take a look at the tools around ECM in this year. I will not go into much detail, but we couldn't find no one platform that fits so well than Nuxeo: we loved its architecture, we loved the real opensource policy, we loved that all of the CPSLovers like me didn't have to face many troubles to understand Nuxeo 5 concepts.

On the technical side, what are the advantages and disadvantages of this solution ?

The more important technical advantage of Nuxeo over any other document management system is its transparency and easyer way to fit it in any existing information system. This can be checked in many aspects, like:
- It is totally and really open source, like no other ECM application in the market.
- The active participation in CMIS technical committee of specification, in which the other big players in the ECM world participates also, like EMC, Microsoft, Alfresco, etcetera.
Nuxeo participates also in the development of Apache Chemistry, in partnership with Day Software.
- Nuxeo 5 provides different types of APIs, making easier the integration with third parties software.
- The use of standars and wide used technologies ensure the interoperability with other systems, the easy of access to the system to software professionals, the low chance to get into a vender lock-in strategy, etcetera.

Is very difficult for me to find a technical disadvantage over other content management systems. Maybe we could go into the typical discussion about the systems needed by JavaEE based technologies, more expensive than in others like Python or PHP.
But JavaEE has shown that it is a more reliable framework, resolving common problems for enterprise software.

Did you make some contribution ?

We started to contribute to Nuxeo 5 in the typical starting way: reporting issues and providing translations to the system, like iberian languages: castilian, gallego, catalá, euskera, portuguese and from others places like vietnamese.

Today, we have a very interesting project, commented before. We want to build two great components to Nuxeo 5: one rich interface to access document management repositories and most functions, and another component to annotate semmantically the contents and to automatically classify docs in Nuxeo 5. This is being the most important contribution for us in the project.

Like a non-technical contrib, we have to say that Yerbabuena have been, and still is, the main driver in the spanish-speaking community for Nuxeo 5 and one leader in evangelism of open source content management in this community and also in others like Viet Nam. To do it, we have participated in events and programs like Open Source World Conference last summer in Málaga, FOSS Bridge program or Open World Forum in Paris.

Personally, are you part of another open source community? Do you have examples of participation (Animation, articles, forums ...)?

Me and my colleagues have participated actively mostly in Nuxeo 5 and Nuxeo CPS projects. The main proofs of it can be viewed in the mailing lists of both projects.
Although Nuxeo CPS has lost great part of its strength as a community in favor of its elder brother Nuxeo 5, it continues to be an interesting project and a very powerful option for ECM and WCM, competing greatly with more popular platforms. So I participate yet in this project all the times I can by reporting new incidences or patches.

Our contributions feed also our blog posts, so I recommend you to visit frecquently ;-)

In the other hand, we have an own product, Bluesearch, that can be viewed as totally independent of ECM business line. This is a project oriented to marketing, which relates user profiles of mobile phones, so if they match in preferences or likes, it lets them connect to talk or so. This product is also totally open and our other great contribution to open source community.

To conclude this interview, what's your favorite blogs and links on IT in general?

Well, I follow many ECM related blogs, although in the latests days I prefer to use twitter to be in touch with the latest technologies and news. I know you also like twitter ;-) Here I can link you and interesting resource to follow the list of the main ECM gurus:
http://jonontech.com/2009/07/21/follow-forty-twitter-cms-gurus-in-three-clicks/

... BTW, Jean Marie... you are also here ;-D

In the blogsphere, I follow specially and recommend the Nuxeo one, the John Mancini's blog ( http://aiim.typepad.com/aiim_blog ), and the Word of pie ( http://wordofpie.com/ ), the three highly recommended, and of course yours ;-D

One last word before leaving?

Don't forget to visit our blog. We are starting publishing our only english blog, in the way you do it with http://www.open-source-ecm.com/ , and where we publish very frecquently our contributions to the community.

It's in http://blog.yerbabuenasoftware.com (english)
http://blog.yerbabuena.es (spanish)

And, of course, that the world of opensource ECM continue doing great!!

Thank you again Daniel for this interview and we wish you a nice and exciting journey on Open Source ECM Road!

Ps: As usual, you can download this interview at this url : http://www.scribd.com/doc/21070811/Open-Source-ECM-Interview-ENG-Daniel-Tellez-Yerbabuena

mardi 29 septembre 2009

Interview Laurence Hart, Senior Manager/Information Management Solution Lead at Washington Consulting

Hello Everybody !

For the next interview, we will go to U.S.A.

Today, I have the great privilege to interview Laurence Hart, Senior Manager/Information Management Solution Lead at Washington Consulting, Documentum Expert, blogger of www.wordofpie.com, ECM philosopher and twitter junkie.

Hello Laurence !

First of all as usual, let me thank you for the time you take to share your knowledge about ECM.

So Laurence, where content management experience has begun for you ? What was your first CM project and which solutions did you take?

Coincidently enough, I recently wrote about this very topic on my blog. My first system was a correspondence tracking system for the U.S. Air Force. I was brought onto the project as the database expert and was tossed the content management piece. It was DOCS Open from PC DOCS (later acquired by Hummingbird and then Open Text). We used a custom interface, but all of the content and search was powered by DOCS Open. cf. http://wordofpie.com/2009/09/08/my-first-content-management-application/

Nowadays, Is there an evolution of CM needs or is it the same as your first experience ?

The needs are the same, but the context and scale are changing. Users still need to track and manage their content, but now we are dealing with images and web content in addition to the scanned images and Word documents. Before, we were juggling between a network share and the new repository, now we are juggling SharePoint, multiple legacy repositories, and content stored in non-content focused business applications. I used to just worry about securing a document, but now I have to consider records management and eDiscovery when determining how to handle some content.

Sometimes I miss the old days.

Let's back to you for a moment, Can you tell us more about your position? What's your role and what are you doing day after day?

I run the Information Management Solution for Washington Consulting, Inc. I'm the leading subject matter expert for our company and I provide guidance to multiple projects and clients on how to address their needs. On good days, I'm sitting with clients and talking about how to solve their problems and designing solutions for them. Quite often, I am writing proposals and finding good people to work with on delivering solutions. I still keep my hands dirty by playing with the latest releases of software in the ECM space. I say it is to keep current, but I really do it because I find it relaxing and fun.

Could you present Washington Consulting ? What's the purpose and objectives? What kind of services do you offer?

We are a Management and Technology consulting firm located in Washington, DC. Information Management is a big piece of what we do, and that ranges from developing strategic roadmaps to "simple" Documentum and SharePoint work. However, we also have ERP implementations, Project Management Office (PMO) support, Organizational Change Management, and Business Process Reengineering (BPR) practices. They joy of my piece is that I get to work with all the different groups because everybody is trying to solve the content "problem".

You have worked with Documentum, since 2000. For my readers, who essentially love Open Source :o) , could you present this historical CM Solution (its history, its functionality and its architecture)?

No problem. Founded in 1991, Documentum has been one of the "big-three" ECM vendors for years, even as that membership has evolved. It is immensely scalable (I have a system with 40TB of content) and is free of proprietary languages or interfaces. It is very strong in core content management, RM, and BPM. It's collaboration efforts had been withering for a few years as eRoom grew old, but their new CenterStage product shows some promise. While they deliver on WCM and Digital Asset Management, those offerings are stronger when viewed in combination with the rest of their suite.

I think one area that shows great promise is their work with XML content. Their acquisition of X-Hive has really helped them here and I think that could become a big differentiators between the big ECM vendors, assuming that SharePoint doesn't wipe them all out.

Now if only they could simplify their license model.

Can you tell us what are the strengths and weaknesses of this solution from your point of view?

I think I covered that to some extent, but I think Documentum has two weaknesses, the user interface and the complexity. My most successful projects do not utilize the standard user interface. We use it as a content platform. This is also where it gets complex. I keep learning things about Documentum everyday. A Document expert is someone that knows enough to get through any client meeting and can then quickly look-up detailed answers to the things that they had to bluff their way through. I, and others in the community like Scott Roth and Johnny Gee, have forgotten more about Documentum than many with 3-4 years experience.

As for strengths, it is strong. I can throw users and content at it without fears that it will scale. I think that it's object-oriented approach to modeling content is flexible and powerful. They've extended this to allow custom behaviors on actions, and with version 6.x, they support aspects. Their is very little that the Documentum platform cannot do, as long as you understand the complexity.

Now let's start some philosophy :o), during this summer (and last years), you have post on your blog some information about your vision of ECM ? Could you resume your vision ? Why have you your personal ECM definition?

My vision for ECM is more than the tools. That is a problem with the AIIM definition, it talks about tools. Content is everywhere. We need it accessible from everywhere without emailing it to other companies or having to take it out of one system and placing it in another. ECM is a platform that provides content to users in the business context where they need it most. Users shouldn't know about Nuxeo, Alfresco, or Documentum. They should only know that if I scan this document, I can grab it and the presentation I made yesterday and share it with my business partner without worrying about the "how".

The technology isn't there yet, but we should be aiming for that target. When ECM was first coined 10 years ago, no vendor could state that they met the definition.

During this year, you also worked on CMIS. Why are you enthusiastic whith this future standard and Is it a revolution ?

I'm enthusiastic because the CMIS standard is the first step to making my vision for ECM complete. Applications need to access content without worrying about the specifics of the repository in which it is contained. It will allow legacy systems to stay in place longer and help separate the business application decision from the platform decision.

Is CMIS a revolution? That is a tough question. It is still early to tell as it is just approaching the Public Review stage. It is already starting to gain traction with vendors and customers, so I would say that it has the makings of a revolution. If Microsoft continues to support it, and incorporates it into SharePoint, then I see a revolution as being entirely possible.

What's your feelings about Open Source solution and open source move in CM ecosystem ?

I'm glad that Open Source is gaining ground. I think it will force the ECM "leaders" to focus more on simplicity and responding to users. I already see the vendors starting to be more responsive to user feedback than they had in the past. To be honest, I think the Open Source movement is a blessing for small to medium organizations that needed content management but couldn't afford the license fees. I am also beginning to strongly believe that the Open Source approach is the only way to deliver WCM systems that can keep up with the rapidly changing face of the Web.

For you what was the worst and best idea on content management area?

The worst idea is simple, moving everyone to a web interface in the 90s. Users had a tightly integrated desktop environment until IT management fell in love with using web interfaces for content management. Bad move. We are just now getting to the point where the integration is as tight with the desktop applications, and that seriously hurt user adoption across the board. The browsers and web applications just weren't advanced enough, but everyone fell in love with the sexy new kid on the block.

The best ideas are a toss-up. I think standards like ODMA and CMIS are some of the better ideas. XML has also been a great idea for changing the way content exists, but the adoption has been incredibly slow. The best idea may boil down to going electronic and forgetting about all of that microfiche.

Why have you started wordofpie.com ?

I started the blog back in 2007 because I wanted to rant about a recent Documentum conference. Luckily I started engaging in dialog with other bloggers and turned it into something far more constructive. Now I use it to expand on opinions initially shared on Twitter and to share news and other insights. I wish I had more time to write for it, but my day job and family keep me very busy.

Finally, can you recommend us weblinks or blogs about ECM or IT in general ?

For news and analysis, I keep close tabs on CMS Watch (www.cmswatch.com). I've met several of the analysts and they always give you their honest opinion. I enjoy reading the Big Men on Content (http://bigmenoncontent.com/) for their insightful view into events around the industry. They aren't as active since EMC hired them, but they always have some great reads. Billy Cripe's Fusion ECM blog (http://blogs.oracle.com/fusionecm/) and Cheryl McKinnon's Candy and Aspiring (http://candyandaspirin.blogspot.com/) are also favorites.

Oh, and I seem to recall enjoying your blog as well. :)

What would you say to conclude this interview?

Thanks for being patient with me in getting these responses and reading through them. If you've made it this far, it is fair to say that you have a passion for Content Management. Use that passion to help guide the industry towards your vision of ECM. You can sit by, watch things change, and point out issues, but don't stop there. Get involved. Offer solutions. Offer to help. It doesn't have to take much time. That is how I got involved with CMIS through AIIM. I saw a problem and realized that AIIM's iECM committee was chartered to find a solution. Go out and do the same thing so that our kids aren't solving the same content problems that we are solving today.

Many thanks, Laurence, for this interview. We wish you a nice and exciting journey on Open Source (or not) ECM Road! If you want to follow ideas and thinking of Laurence, you can follow this links :