Can you recommend a hosted Document (Content) Managing Service?

Question

We've migrated our issue tracking system and source control to hosted fogbugz (called fogbugz on-demand), and it's so much nicer because we don't have to worry about hardware, connectivity, backup etc.

Given this, we are thinking to migrate our document management software (currently using Alfresco on our own server) to hosting service as well.

However, my search didn't result in good candidates. We are thinking about getting an Amazon EC2 instance and deploy an Alfresco installation by ourselves, but we'd prefer a service if it'll come out of the box.

We like Alfresco, but it doesn't have to be Alfresco.. Do you guys have any recommendations? Thanks.

Answer 1

alfresco.com itself lists three hosting partners -- not necessarily a recommendation, I guess, but have you explored how those partners' offerings and prices suit (or don't suit) your specific requirements? Maybe if you do such exploration and communicate what different needs you have compared to those offerings, any advice you receive can be made more precise.

Answer 2

Hi, it's true that alfresco.com has listed 3 hosting providers but they are quite expensive in terms of pricing, i have hosted some of my applications on a Virtual server but later switched over to a US based company call Real time data services which provides Workgroup Servers for quickbooks hosting. they are very cost effective and efficient.

Answer 3

Sorry to hear that you already changed your Issue Tracking System. We were looking for a software that would be able to handle Project Management, Issue Tracking, HelpDesk and Document Management in one system. The main reason why we wanted it all in the same system was that it would be much more efficient to work with. Also, it is much easier to combine all of these without the need to create integration between the systems. So, after evaluating a lot of systems we ended up with VisionProject. It works great and we is possible to have as both hosted and installed, all depending on what you wish. You can use this only for 1 feature as well, so I would definitely recommend you to have a look.

Answer 4

You could have a look OpenERP, maybe you'll find what you need.

Answer 5

Hello

yes in regards to setting this environment up, you may want to consider a 2 part setup with Alfresco Content Services for IBM Lotus. I will include some details below on links that can assist your company further

lotus live- collaboration https://www.lotuslive.com/en/

contact me for more information Valerie- IBM [email protected] 289-333-7114

look forward in connecting with you further

Answer 6

There are some great answers here, but here's a few more questions that you may want to ask:

1. What are your security requirements for the documents? Putting "sensitive" documents onto an external server may expose you to legal action.
2. Why are you outsourcing? Often, outsourcing increases your total costs (which could be bad), but it lowers your HR costs (which may be good). Also, outsourcing may costs the same as insourcing, but you can spread out your hardware investment over time. Your boss may be much happier with speding $1000 / month for 3 years instead of spending $24000 this month and $300 / month over the next 3 years.
3. How much control do you need over your system? Should you be able to do anything and everything, or are you happy with the administrator's web interface? If this application is considered "business-critical", then it makes the most sense to have 100% control over the Alfresco instances and the hosted server. However, if this application does not generate revenue, you have a lot more options.
4. Finally, how much time do you have to devote to the "conversion"? It would be great if these sorts of tasks could be completed in a couple of hours, but often they require weeks of setup work and dozens of hours of unexpected maintenance. Make sure that the people who are sponsoring this conversion are aware of the potential costs.

Hope that helps!