IBM Datacap
Input Management with
IBM Datacap
With IBM Datacap, you lay the foundation for digital transformation. The solution enables the processing of data from unstructured or highly variable documents. The collection of documents and files is possible from all conceivable sources – from an organization's central scanner, via emails and web interfaces, to cloud services and mobile devices. Subsequently, documents are classified, data is extracted for further processing, and distributed to the relevant business systems. Discover how you can efficiently automate and process your incoming mail and document flow within Input Management.
A Definition
What is IBM Datacap?
IBM Datacap is a Input Management Solution for automated capture, processing, and classification of documents and data. It utilizes OCR (Optical Character Recognition) to extract information from scanned documents, PDFs, and images. Datacap assists organizations in digitizing paper-based processes, reducing errors, and saving time. It is frequently deployed in banks, insurance companies, government agencies, and large enterprises that manage high volumes of documents.
Product History: IBM Datacap originated from Datacap Inc., founded in 1988, and was acquired by IBM in 2010 to expand its ECM portfolio. Initially, the focus was on OCR and document recognition. Today, Datacap offers intelligent, automated document processing that can be flexibly integrated into enterprise systems. Its functional scope has been continuously developed to meet modern business requirements.
Six Functions of IBM Datacap
Document Capture
Data Extraction
This input management solution utilizes OCR (Optical Character Recognition) for recognizing printed texts, ICR (Intelligent Character Recognition) for interpreting handwritten content, and OMR (Optical Mark Recognition) for identifying marks or checkboxes. These technologies enable precise data extraction, minimize manual input, and optimize the processing of documents such as invoices, forms, and contracts.
Data Classification & Validation
Integration with ECM & ERP Systems
Workflow Automation
Extensibility
Key Benefits of Datacap
- Automated Document Processing: IBM Datacap leverages OCR to automatically capture, classify, and extract relevant data from various channels (multi-channel input management). This minimizes manual input, reduces errors, and accelerates processes.
- Significant Cost Reduction & Efficiency Increase: Automating document processing substantially reduces manual effort. This saves time, lowers costs, and minimizes errors – particularly in document-intensive sectors such as accounting, insurance, or public administration.
- Faster Business Processes: With Datacap, documents are captured, analyzed, and routed in real-time. This accelerates workflows in areas such as accounting, customer service, and administration, shortens processing times, and improves enterprise responsiveness.
- Enhanced Compliance: Datacap ensures accurate and consistent document processing, reduces compliance risks, and facilitates audits through comprehensive traceability. Erroneous or missing data is automatically detected before it can cause issues.
IBM Datacap
A Look Inside the Tool
Import Documents and View Status
A clear user interface displays imported documents and their current processing status.
Left: Quick start for scanning/importing additional documents.
Middle: Task list – What is the progress of each processing step?
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 scanned pages. Adjacent input fields allow users to provide information to the system, such as the expected number of documents for validating batch separation.
Right: Overview of scanned pages, where users can manually combine or edit documents as required.
Seamless Integration
IBM Datacap seamlessly integrates into your IT architecture, optimizing document processing. It is frequently combined with IBM FileNet Content Manager to efficiently archive documents and extracted data. It provides connectors to, for example, Microsoft SharePoint, and can be directly linked to databases for master data maintenance and validation. Datacap processes content from emails, file systems, and IBM FileNet, and can also serve as a scanning solution. Through REST APIs, it can connect with other systems to store or further process data. This API-driven integration facilitates tailored adaptation to existing business processes, thereby reducing manual tasks, automating operations, and enhancing workflow efficiency.
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. Utilizing OCR, ICR, and OMR, it recognizes text, barcodes, and markings, even within unstructured or variable documents.
IBM Datacap offers more than conventional OCR solutions and is specifically designed for high-volume document processing. As a powerful orchestration tool in input management, it controls processes, delegates tasks, and provides business applications with precisely the information they require. Beyond text recognition (OCR, ICR, OMR), Datacap enables automatic classification, validation, and integration into ERP, ECM, and CRM systems. This facilitates scalable, customizable, and fully automated document processing, assisting enterprises in efficiently managing workflows and reducing manual processes.
IBM Datacap utilizes OCR (Optical Character Recognition) for printed text recognition, ICR (Intelligent Character Recognition) for processing handwritten content, and OMR (Optical Mark Recognition) for identifying marks or checkboxes. These technologies convert document content into structured, searchable text. With the aid of AI and rule-based workflows, the recognized data is further validated and optimized.
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. Leveraging container technologies like Docker and Kubernetes, Datacap can be utilized scalably and efficiently in the cloud.
IBM Datacap is available both individually and as part of the Cloud Pak for Business Automation (CP4BA). Licensing can be based on user count, document volume, or server instances, depending on your organization's requirements. Selecting the appropriate license model can be challenging – our team of experts analyzes your current licensing, identifies optimization potential, and develops a cost-efficient model. Contact us now for a no-obligation consultation!
As an IBM Platinum Partner, we are one of the few certified providers authorized to offer official support. We provide comprehensive services, including consulting, implementation, configuration, custom adaptations, troubleshooting, and ongoing operations. Benefit from our expertise – contact us now!
Our Partnership with IBM
As an IBM Platinum Partner, ISR is among the top partners of the world's leading IT company. This partner status confirms our outstanding expertise and profound specialized knowledge.
Whether Informix, Cognos, or FileNet – the close collaboration between IBM, ISR, and CENIT has spanned decades. Our innovative solutions have received multiple IBM Innovation Awards. Furthermore, our colleague Christoph Sünderkamp was honored with 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.
Our Datacap Clients
Our References
DekaBank: Development and Operations within CP4BA
Digitalization of Customer Service / Implementation of Multiple OCR Solutions
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We handle it for you
Reliably operate IBM Datacap
For IBM Datacap to unleash its full potential, it requires more than a one-time implementation – it demands reliable operation. We provide continuous support for your solution, ensuring your document processing functions seamlessly at all times. Our services range from system monitoring and regular maintenance to adaptation to new business requirements. We ensure rapid troubleshooting, optimal performance, and seamless integration into your IT landscape – whether on-premise or in the cloud.
Our Expertise
Your Advantage
Our Datacap experts provide comprehensive consulting. This includes everything from requirements gathering and customized implementation to the optimization of your document-driven processes.
Our range of services includes:
- Strategic Consulting: We evaluate existing processes and identify potential for optimization and automation.
- Implementation & Integration: We configure Datacap according to your requirements and integrate it with ECM and ERP systems such as IBM FileNet, SAP technologies, and Microsoft SharePoint.
- Customization: We adapt your workflows to company-specific processes, configure the user interface, and develop individual C# extensions.
- Support & Maintenance: After deployment, our support team provides technical assistance, resolves potential issues, and performs regular performance optimization.
- Process Optimization & Automation: We analyze and optimize your current processes, identifying automation potential to increase efficiency and reduce errors.
Get in touch with us now
We would be pleased to advise you.
Angelina Jordan
Account & Marketing Manager
Document Logistics
angelina.jordan@isr.de
+49(0)151 422 06 942