According to the International Data Corporation (IDC), the amount of new data generated in 2028 will be nearly 400 zettabytes. In 2025, the figure is around 150 zettabytes, so that’s a huge jump in less than 3 years.
Not sure how much data that really is? Consider this: One zettabyte is equivalent to 250 billion DVDs’ worth of data.
Much of the data surge comes from enterprise data — everything from marketing content to compliance records. Businesses need tools to manage that data effectively. That includes solutions for document management, workflow automation, and content creation.
Whether you need tools to support robust content marketing and content strategy, want to scale content creation and management to optimize content for search, or need secure workflows that support version control and reduce content sprawl, ECM software, platforms, and services can help.
No two businesses create or manage content the exact same way, so ECM solutions target a variety of needs. Here are 9 top enterprise content management solutions from three main categories:
- Microsoft SharePoint
- OpenText Content Suite
- Contentful
- DocuWare
- Laserfiche
- M-Files
- Stellar Content
- CreatorIQ
- WordPress
Document and Content Management Solutions
In this first category, we’ve got platforms designed to handle content lifecycles at enterprise scales. They’re foundational systems that help centralize, control, and govern large content libraries, including documents, media, and web assets.
Microsoft SharePoint
Microsoft launched the first version of this product in 2001 under the names Portal Server and Team Services. Today, SharePoint is part of Microsoft’s broader suite of Office tools and provides an intranet platform for document and content management. Many enterprise organizations use SharePoint to replace traditional file services and support search and document governance abilities.
SharePoint was originally created to help businesses move beyond disorganized file servers and give teams a hub for collaboration and streamlined document access.
How it supports enterprise content management
SharePoint supports ECM with a central workspace where teams can store, manage, and collaborate on documents within the broader Microsoft ecosystem. It can support enterprise content by:
- Providing intranet portals and share teams sites for collaborative project work
- Integrating with Microsoft Office apps for seamless document creation and updates
- Letting organizations publish intranet content and share documents with controlled access, including with vendors or clients
- Enhancing document control with version history and metadata tagging
- Helping users find documents and information quickly via search and discovery tools
- Creating document governance with role-based access and permissions
How much of the process does it handle — and what part?
SharePoint focuses on the management and publishing stages of enterprise content. It doesn’t generate ideas or draft copy for you, but it does give your teams a structured hub for storing, editing, and sharing documents as they work through content creation processes. Version control is baked in for optimal control, but analytics are limited compared to some other platforms.
Microsoft SharePoint may be best for large organizations that need a centralized document hub to streamline collaboration and everyday business content management.
OpenText Content Suite
OpenText Corporation’s foray into content management began in the early 1990s with an effort to create search functionality for the Oxford English Dictionary by indexing it. By the 2000s, the product had evolved and was rebranded as Content Suite. OpenText is based out of Waterloo, Ontario, and provides information management and ECM solutions.
Content Suite was developed from those early origins to address the growing complexity of enterprise information governance and offer organizations a way to manage compliance, reduce risks, and control sprawling content cycles.
How it supports enterprise content management
At its core, OpenText Content Suite is designed to support information governance and compliance, helping enterprises maintain control of complex content environments. It offers:
- The ability to consolidate documents, records, and other digital assets into a secure repository
- Team workflows with audit trails, task routing, and approval structures
- Tools for distributing content to business systems like Microsoft or Oracle
- Automations for archiving and document retention
- Access controls, encryption, and other security to support compliance with HIPAA, GDPR, and other data regulations
- The ability to connect with other enterprise apps to support daily content workflows
How much of the process does it handle — and what part?
OpenText Content Suite addresses the storage, maintenance, and compliance side of content management. It doesn’t help with creative work, but it does automate governance tasks like archiving and regulatory reporting. By handling these types of back-end tasks at scale, it reduces the need for manual oversight and helps enterprises focus on strategy and content creation instead of risk management.
OpenText Content Suite may be best for enterprises in highly regulated industries, like health care or finance, that need robust governance functions related to content.
Contentful
Contentful was founded in 2013 in Berlin, Germany. It’s a headless CMS solution with API-first infrastructure built to address the limitations of traditional CMS platforms, which often tie content to one website or channel. By decoupling content from presentation, Contentful lets teams publish once and deliver across websites, apps, or emerging touchpoints for better omnichannel flexibility.
How it supports enterprise content management
Contentful supports ECM by providing an API-driven, flexible platform to deliver content consistently across all your digital channels. That includes:
- Content models that help you plan and create reusable content blocks
- Roles, permissions, and versioning support for editorial workflows
- Delivery of content to websites, apps, and other digital locations
- A single source of truth for your content
- Role-based access for greater control over content creation and editing
- Enterprise-grade hosting in secure cloud environments
How much of the process does it handle — and what part?
Contentful helps with publishing and updating content. It doesn’t offer creation or editing support, but its headless, API-first design makes it easy for teams to deliver content quickly and consistently across multiple channels. This can reduce manual effort and help marketing teams complete omnichannel initiatives faster.
Contentful may be best for agencies or enterprises running omnichannel marketing campaigns that need to push consistent content across traditional and emerging platforms.
Specialty ECM Tools
These solutions target specific content management challenges, like automating document-heavy workflows or digitizing paper records.
DocuWare
DocuWare was founded in 1988 in Germering, Germany, and has expanded to become a global company today. It focuses on document management and workflow automation for businesses of all sizes, offering cloud and on-premises deployment options.
How it supports enterprise content management
DocuWare supports ECM by digitizing and streamlining document-centric processes. Its offerings include:
- Document capture
- Indexing for quick retrieval of documents
- Secure storage in searchable repositories
- Automated workflows for approvals, invoicing, and HR documentation
- Integration with business apps like ERP and CRM systems
- Role-based permissions and compliance features for data security
How much of the process does it handle — and what part?
DocuWare covers the storage and workflow automation part of document and content management. It doesn’t support ideation or content creation, but it can remove manual burdens from teams by automating paper-based or repetitive approval processes. It’s an effective tool for turning high-volume manual tasks into more efficient digital workflows.
DocuWare may be best for mid-sized to large organizations that want to automate paper-heavy processes like invoices or contracts.
Laserfiche
Laserfiche was founded in 1987 in Long Beach, California, and is known for its enterprise content management and business process automation software. The platform helps organizations reduce reliance on paper and streamline complex workflows.
How it supports enterprise content management
Laserfiche helps enterprises manage content with:
- Electronic document capture and digitization tools
- Centralized storage with metadata for search and retrieval
- Workflow automation for compliance-heavy processes
- Business process management tools for designing and monitoring tasks
- Security features such as role-based access, audit trails, and encryption
How much of the process does it handle — and what part?
Laserfiche focuses on the storage, workflow, and compliance stages. It doesn’t play a role in creative drafting or publishing, but it automates repetitive processes and helps organizations maintain control over sensitive or regulated documents.
Laserfiche may be best for public sector organizations, universities, or enterprises with strict record retention needs.
M-Files
M-Files as a product was initially developed around 2002, and it secured a first venture round in 2013. It offers a metadata-driven approach to document management, organizing content based on what it is rather than where it’s stored.
How it supports enterprise content management
M-Files supports enterprise content management features like:
- Metadata tagging for intuitive search and organization
- Version control and check-in/check-out functionality
- Secure cloud, on-premises, or hybrid deployment options
- Workflow automation for document approval and contract management
- Integrations with Microsoft 365, Salesforce, and other enterprise tools
How much of the process does it handle — and what part?
M-Files primarily supports the storage and updating phases of content management. It doesn’t create content, but it makes locating, securing, and updating documents faster and more reliable. Its metadata-first design takes the burden off teams by reducing duplication and improving search across systems.
M-Files may be best for enterprises that need advanced searchability and compliance across large, complex document libraries, like legal or engineering firms.
Enterprise Services and Content Providers
These solutions move beyond organization, storage, and document workflows to scaling and optimizing content creation.
Stellar Content
Founded as Crowd Content and recently rebranded, Stellar Content has expanded from a marketplace for content creation to a full-service content partner. Today, the company offers flexible service tiers ranging from self-service access to professional writers to enterprise-level support that helps businesses optimize content for Bing, Google, and other search engines, manage brand reputation, and drive conversions.
How it supports enterprise content management
Stellar offers enterprise content management by combining content creation, strategic oversight for content projects, and analytic SEO analysis and recommendations. It offers a variety of services and features that help businesses of all sizes scale content creation.
For example, Stellar’s offerings meet unique business and enterprise needs by providing varying levels of flexibility and control like:
- Self-Serve options that connects you directly with high-quality writers and lets you manage the workflow
- Hybrid tier that provides partial team support
- Fully Managed options which connect you with a complete content creation team to outsource the entire process akin to an Enterprise level service tier
With Stellar’s enterprise offerings, you can expect:
- Expert content strategy and support to help companies scale quality content quickly
- SEO analysis that looks at impressions versus reach and other factors to track visibility and performance and make strong content recommendations
- Written content as well as visual media like video and infographics for broader search visibility and increased audience engagement
How much of the process does it handle — and what part?
Stellar Content can handle nearly the entire content lifecycle, from ideation and drafting through analytics and updating. During the rebrand, it brought on an SEO expert so it could specialize in AI overview citations and other optimization techniques. With results documented in case studies, such as helping brands like 1-800 Contacts capture top rankings and win featured snippets, Stellar positions itself as an end-to-end enterprise content creation solution.
Stellar Content may be best for enterprises that need a mix of content creation strategy and want a full-service partner, especially those targeting visibility in search engines and AI-driven results.
CreatorIQ
Launched in 2014 and headquartered in Los Angeles, CreatorIQ is a software platform designed to help enterprises manage influencer and creator marketing at scale. It focuses on providing visibility into performance metrics and campaign management.
How it supports enterprise content management
CreatorIQ supports ECM by extending content management to external influencers. It includes:
- A centralized platform for discovering, vetting, and onboarding influencers
- Campaign management tools that track deliverables and performance
- Analytics dashboards to measure ROI and campaign impact
- Secure workflows to ensure content compliance and brand safety
How much of the process does it handle — and what part?
CreatorIQ covers the collaboration, publishing, and analytics stages of content management specifically for creator-driven campaigns. It doesn’t draft or ideate content internally, but it gives marketing teams the infrastructure to manage influencer deliverables at scale.
CreatorIQ may be best for large brands that rely on influencer marketing or user-generated content.
WordPress
WordPress began in 2003 as a blogging tool and has evolved into the most widely used content management system in the world. It’s an open-source platform supported by a massive ecosystem of plugins and developers.
How it supports enterprise content management
WordPress supports enterprise content management with a flexible publishing framework that offers thousands of integrations. You can use it for:
- Content creation and editing
- Role-based permissions and collaboration across teams, including external partners
- Extensive plugin support for search engine optimization, analytics, and workflow enhancements
- Scalable publishing infrastructure that supports enterprise website pages and blogs
How much of the process does it handle — and what part?
WordPress primarily supports the creation, editing, publishing, and updating stages of content management. It doesn’t provide strategy or analytics out-of-the-box, but its plugin ecosystem makes it easy to get analytics and support DIY SEO. WordPress provides enterprises with some autonomy over the publishing process while supporting customization for many use cases.
WordPress may be best for organizations that want flexibility and control over publishing infrastructures.
Choosing the Right Mix of ECM Solutions
You don’t have to choose a single enterprise content management solution. In fact, many organizations rely on a combination of platforms and specialty tools to meet their needs.
For example, enterprises with heavy content marketing needs might use Stellar Content to develop blog posts and thought leadership articles to be published via WordPress. Stellar could also create scripts for influencers managed with CreatorIQ. Likewise, a global health care company might run OpenText Content Suite for compliance and records governance while using DocuWare to digitize paper-heavy HR workflows and Stellar to create medical white papers to act as marketing collateral for health care technology products.
