IBM Datacap
Input management with
IBM Datacap
With Datacap from IBM, you can lay the foundation for digital transformation. The solution enables the processing of data from unstructured or widely varying documents. Documents and files can be "collected" from all conceivable sources - from an organization's central scanner, emails and web interfaces to cloud services and mobile devices. The documents are then classified, the data extracted for further processing and distributed to the specialist systems. Find out how you can efficiently automate and process your incoming mail and document flow in Input Management.
A definition
What is IBM Datacap?
IBM Datacap is a Input management solution for the automated capture, processing and classification of documents and data. It uses OCR (Optical Character Recognition) to extract information from scanned documents, PDFs and images. Datacap helps companies to digitize paper processes, reduce errors and save time. It is often used in banks, insurance companies, public authorities and large companies that need to manage large volumes of documents.
Product history: IBM Datacap emerged from Datacap Inc., founded in 1988, and was acquired by IBM in 2010 to expand its ECM portfolio. Originally, the focus was on OCR and document recognition. Today, Datacap offers intelligent, automated document processing that can be flexibly integrated into company systems. The range of functions has been continuously developed to meet modern business requirements.
Six functions of IBM Datacap
Document capture
Data extraction
The input management solution uses OCR (Optical Character Recognition) to recognize printed text, ICR (Intelligent Character Recognition) to interpret handwritten content and OMR (Optical Mark Recognition) to identify marks or checkboxes. These technologies enable precise data extraction, minimize manual input and optimize the processing of e.g. invoices, forms and contracts.
Data classification & validation
Integration in ECM & ERP systems
Workflow automation
Expandability
The most important advantages of Datacap
- Automated document processing: IBM Datacap uses OCR to automatically capture and classify documents from diverse channels (multi-channel input management) and extract relevant data. This minimizes manual input, reduces errors and speeds up processes.
- Significantly reduce costs & increase efficiency: Automating document processing significantly reduces manual effort. This saves time, cuts costs and reduces errors - especially in document-intensive areas such as accounting, insurance or public authorities.
- Faster business processes: Thanks to Datacap, documents are captured, analyzed and forwarded in real time. This accelerates workflows in areas such as accounting, customer service and administration, shortens processing times and improves the speed of response within the company.
- Better compliance: Datacap ensures accurate and consistent document processing, reduces compliance risks and facilitates audits through complete traceability. Incorrect or missing data is automatically detected before it causes problems.
IBM Datacap
A look inside the tool
Import documents and view status
A clear user interface shows imported documents and their current processing status.
Left: Quick start for scanning/importing further documents.
Center: Task list - Which processing steps have been completed?
Right: Preview of the selected document.
View and validate documents
The imported documents can now be viewed and - as in this example - validated for correct page separation.
Left: Quick start for scanning/importing additional documents.
Center: Preview of the scanned pages. Next to it, input fields with which users can provide information to the system. In the example, the expected number of documents to validate the batch separation.
Right: Overview of the scanned pages. Users can manually combine or edit documents here if required.
Seamless integration
IBM Datacap can be seamlessly integrated into your IT architecture and optimizes document processing. It is particularly frequently used with IBM FileNet Content Manager to efficiently archive documents and extracted data. It offers Connectors to Microsoft SharePoint, for example, and can be linked directly to databases for master data maintenance and validation. Datacap processes content from emails, file systems and IBM FileNet and can also be used as a scanning solution. It can be connected to other systems via REST APIs in order to store or process data. The API-supported integration enables customized adaptation to existing business processes. This reduces manual tasks, automates processes and makes workflows more efficient.
Frequently asked questions
IBM Datacap
IBM Datacap can process a wide range of document types, including scanned paper documents, PDFs, emails with attachments, invoices, contracts and forms - both printed and handwritten. Using OCR, ICR and OMR, it recognizes text, barcodes and markers, even in unstructured or variable documents.
IBM Datacap offers more than classic OCR solutions and is specially designed for the mass processing of documents. As a powerful orchestration tool in input management, it controls processes, delegates tasks and provides specialist applications with exactly the information they need. In addition to text recognition (OCR, ICR, OMR), Datacap enables automatic classification, validation and integration into ERP, ECM and CRM systems. This enables scalable, customizable and fully automated document processing that helps companies to manage workflows efficiently and reduce manual processes.
IBM Datacap uses OCR (Optical Character Recognition) to recognize printed text, ICR (Intelligent Character Recognition) to process handwritten content and OMR (Optical Mark Recognition) to identify marks or checkboxes. These technologies convert document content into structured, searchable text. The recognized data is additionally validated and optimized with the help of AI and rule-based workflows.
Yes, IBM Datacap can be operated in cloud environments such as AWS, Microsoft Azure and the IBM Cloud. It supports on-premises, hybrid and pure cloud deployments and can be flexibly integrated into existing cloud infrastructures. Thanks to container technologies such as Docker and Kubernetes, Datacap can be used scalably and efficiently in the cloud.
IBM Datacap is available both individually and in the Cloud Pak for Business Automation (CP4BA). Licensing can be based on the number of users, document volumes or server instances, depending on your company's requirements. Choosing the right licensing model can be challenging - our team of experts will analyze your current licensing, identify optimization potential and create a cost-efficient model. Contact us now without obligation!
As an IBM Platinum Partner, we are one of the few certified providers authorized to provide official support. We offer you comprehensive services, including consulting, implementation, configuration, customization, troubleshooting and ongoing operation. Benefit from our expertise - contact us now!
Our partnership with IBM
As an IBM Platinum Partner, ISR is one of the top partners of the world's leading IT company. This partner status confirms our outstanding expertise and in-depth specialist knowledge.
Whether Informix, Cognos or FileNet - the close cooperation between IBM, ISR and CENIT has existed for decades. Our innovative solutions have already won the IBM Innovation Award several times. In addition, our colleague Christoph Sünderkamp has received the prestigious "IBM Champion" award for his expertise and commitment. When it comes to ECM, ISR is your specialist for IBM technologies - from consulting and configuration to seamless integration.
Customers where we use Datacap
Our references
Digitization of customer service / introduction of several OCR solutions
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We will reliably operate the IBM Datacap for you
IBM Datacap needs more than a one-off implementation to achieve its full potential - it needs reliable operation. We take over the continuous support of your solution so that your document processing functions smoothly at all times. Our service ranges from system monitoring and regular maintenance to adaptation to new business requirements. We ensure fast troubleshooting, optimum performance and seamless integration into your IT landscape - whether on-premise or in the cloud.
Our expertise
Your advantage
Our Datacap experts are on hand to provide you with comprehensive advice. From requirements analysis and tailored implementation to the optimization of your document-driven processes.
Our range of services includes:
- Strategic consulting: We evaluate existing processes and identify optimization and automation potential.
- Implementation & integration: We set up Datacap according to your requirements and connect it to ECM and ERP systems such as IBM FileNet, SAP technologies and Microsoft SharePoint.
- Customizing: We adapt your workflows to company-specific processes, configure the user interface and develop individual C# extensions.
- Support & maintenance: After going live, our support team takes care of technical support, possible bug fixes and regular performance optimization.
- Process optimization & automation: We analyze and optimize your current processes and identify automation potential to increase efficiency and reduce errors.
Contact us now at
We will be happy to advise you!
Angelina Jordan
Account & Marketing Manager
Business Process Automation
angelina.jordan@isr.de
+49(0)151 422 06 942