Automation of services under FileNet might be extended thanks to the release of a new update by IBM, it has been reported.

Software Development Times (SDTimes) asserts that optimizing and automating processes is an area of focus in the latest version of FileNet Active Content Edition.

The move comes as part of an overall focus from the firm on business process management (BPM).

By making use of FileNet – which could allow access to files via a document viewer from different areas of a company network – the publication claims that firms can adopt a document-centric approach to handling BPM.

SDTimes reports that IBM”s vice president of WebSphere sales, Steven Worrall, says this includes efforts to provide business users with mashups through which they can more effectively collaborate with their IT departments.

Mr Worrall adds that further investment is to be placed on BPM in the future as IBM looks to enhance its offering in the sector.

As well as the potential to access information via a document viewer, IBM explains that FileNet comes with a number of features to allow administrators to organize unstructured content in a more orderly fashion.

These include the option of adding meta data to files as a means of identifying them on the network, along with allowing "active management of enterprise content" irrespective of where on the system it is located.