ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

A report based on a dissertation created by James Kemp This report analyses the use of Enterprise Content Management Systems (ECMSs) in the Information Technology (IT) industry. An Enterprise Content Management System (ECMS) uses technologies, tools and methods to capture, manage, store, preserve and deliver content to support organisational processes. Recent studies estimate the ECMS market to be worth over $3 billion, with large vendors such as Open Text, EMC, Interwoven, Vignette and more recently Microsoft, IBM and Oracle entering the market. This report details primary and secondary research into this topic conducted over a six month period. First it describes how the effective capturing, managing, storing, preserving and delivering of information, content and documents can help IT organisations innovate, adapt and maintain competitive advantage. Second it presents a number of unique models, including a categorisation of current ECMSs and a depiction of the likely evolution of this technology. Third it explores and critically analyses the key advantages and barriers that arise when using ECMSs in the IT industry. A prediction of how ECMSs and related technologies will be used in future is presented prior t