IBM Datacap Reviews

Vendor: IBM

3.8 out of 5

27 reviews
88% willing to recommend

366 followers

What is IBM Datacap?

IBM Datacap helps you streamline the capture, recognition and classification of business documents and extract important information. Datacap supports multiple-channel capture by processing paper documents on scanners, mobile devices, multi-function peripherals and fax. It uses natural language processing, text analytics and machine learning technologies, like those in IBM Watson, to automatically identify, classify and extract content from unstructured or variable documents. The software can reduce labor and paper costs, deliver meaningful information and support faster decision making.

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IBM Datacap is the #7 ranked solution in top Intelligent Document Processing (IDP) solutions. PeerSpot users give IBM Datacap an average rating of 7.6 out of 10. IBM Datacap is most commonly compared to Automation Anywhere: IBM Datacap vs Automation Anywhere. IBM Datacap is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 66% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a financial services firm, accounting for 19% of all views.

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Featured IBM Datacap reviews

DeekshithShetty

Software Development Senior Specialist at NTT Data

The OCR extractions are very good, almost 100% accurate now. The integration with other tools is very easy, with inbuilt actions to configure and directly export to multiple depositories. It is also good at image enhancement, including the removal of lines, which is helpful in processing and automation and ensures very little user intervention, thus saving time.

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Amena Khidr

Sales Manager - Government Sector at Summit Technology Solution

The standout feature of this intelligent product is its remarkable capability. This project we're currently engaged in revolves around streamlining workflows within both our company and the customer's company. It entails handling information from various documents with diverse formats and types, even when they contain the same data. The ability to connect this information with the appropriate database and recognize it irrespective of the format or source is an extremely valuable feature. Moreover, leveraging machine learning is crucial since our customer deals with an extensive archive of over five million documents. Machine learning can significantly alleviate the backlog by becoming well-versed in various scenarios they might encounter during their work once we've completed our application.

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Naeem Essop

Sr. IT consultant at HCM Consultant Group GmbH

One of the things that we wished for was to have an easier way to carry out the customizations. Currently, if you want to customize data, you need to have a developer with C# knowledge. If IBM could implement a no-code or low-code platform for Datacap, it would be easier to adjust it without needing a developer, which was always the most difficult part. The first line of support from IBM can also be improved. When we reached out to IBM to explain the problem that we had, we always had to go through a lot of hurdles. It was really not easy to get to the specialists that we needed. Dealing with the first-line support from IBM was always a very difficult thing. We had more experience, and we knew a lot more about the product than their first-line support did, and that's a really bad sign. So, the support and being able to extend it only by code are the main areas of improvement.

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IBM Datacap mindshare

As of March 2025, the mindshare of IBM Datacap in the Intelligent Document Processing (IDP) category stands at 4.7%, up from 4.4% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Intelligent Document Processing (IDP)

PeerAnalyst reports based on IBM Datacap reviews

Type	Title	Date
Category	Intelligent Document Processing (IDP)	Mar 3, 2025	Download
Product	Reviews, tips, and advice from real users	Mar 3, 2025	Download
Comparison	IBM Datacap vs ABBYY Vantage	Mar 3, 2025	Download
Comparison	IBM Datacap vs UiPath Document Understanding	Mar 3, 2025	Download
Comparison	IBM Datacap vs Automation Anywhere	Mar 3, 2025	Download

Title	Rating	Mindshare	Recommending
Automation Anywhere	4.2	2.8%	95%	548 interviews Add to research
ABBYY Vantage	4.0	17.8%	92%	50 interviews Add to research

Valuable Features

IBM Datacap's valuable features include resilience, multiple export formats, integration ease, automation of data entry, user interface consistency, scalability, extensibility, and support for unstructured data. It offers advanced OCR and image enhancement, reduces manual processes, and is supported by a flexible licensing model. Users appreciate its ability to integrate with FileNet and other services, as well as its adaptability through configurable rule sets and low-code development options. Datacap excels in capturing and classifying documents.

"The OCR extractions are very good, almost 100% accurate now."
"The OCR extractions are very good, almost 100% accurate now."
"The installation of the solution is very simple."

Room for Improvement

IBM Datacap faces challenges with OCR speed, user interfaces, and reporting functionalities. Improvements are needed in integrating AI technology and processing documents in parallel. Usability and support require enhancement, while interface complexity hinders user-friendly interactions. Arabic language support is lacking. Customization demands developers, slowing down user adaptability. The platform struggles with third-party integration and processing unstructured data. Cloud-based options and modernization of technology are desired, along with expanded workflow capacity. Resources and expertise availability are limited.

"There are times when external features impact services. For example, Windows patching or antivirus updates can affect production-level services."
"When a client's requirement is not available in Datacap, out-of-the-box actions should be simpler to implement and not very complex."
"The reading efficiency of the solution needs to be improved."

ROI

Users found IBM Datacap to be costlier than previous solutions like Kofax but appreciated the time and money saved through automated workflows. Despite higher initial costs, development costs decreased, aiding cloud migration plans. Automation reduced man-hours, enhanced error checking, and improved productivity by saving eight to 16 hours weekly, although it did not significantly lower operating costs. IBM's system fostered new roles to manage automation, ultimately providing a return on investment with reduced manual intervention.

Pricing

IBM Datacap users experience diverse pricing outcomes, with options like user-based, processor-based, and subscription models affecting cost structures. While some find pricing competitive, many consider it steep compared to alternatives like Kofax, which use page-based pricing. Costs fluctuate with client needs and regional factors, such as exchange rates. Buyers can purchase Datacap standalone or within the Cloud Pak for Business Automation. Some clients face additional expenses for integration and implementation.

"This solution is the most expensive in the market."
"This solution offers seamless integration with other enterprise products, which is my area of responsibility, focusing on government sector projects. Larger enterprise projects don't pose problems. It might be suitable for small businesses as well."
"This solution offers seamless integration with other enterprise products, which is my area of responsibility, focusing on government sector projects. Larger enterprise projects don't pose problems. It might be suitable for small businesses as well."

Popular Use Cases

IBM Datacap is primarily used for accounts payable automation and document digitization. Organizations utilize it for auto-classification, boundary detection, and extracting content from various document types, including invoices, insurance, banking forms, and more. Datacap automates data capture from tangible documents, integrates with FileNet, and facilitates workflow processes, improving efficiency and reducing human error. It is instrumental in transforming paper documents into electronic formats, verifying data, and storing information in centralized repositories.

Service and Support

IBM Datacap customer service receives mixed feedback. Some highlight knowledgeable support, quick responses, and strong relationship-building. Others express concerns about limited language options and outsourced support teams, leading to delays and lack of expertise. Documentation is extensive, but first-line support shows room for improvement. Users experienced slow response times, especially for critical issues, but some praise improved experiences, rating support between three and eight out of ten. Efforts to resolve issues are noted, though faster solutions are desired.

Deployment

IBM Datacap's initial setup can range from simple to complex, depending on customization and infrastructure. The process often requires expert assistance for optimal configuration. While installation is generally straightforward, deploying advanced features may take longer. Business requirements significantly impact setup time, with experiences varying from a few days to several months. Upgrades can be tedious, and partner support is recommended for seamless implementation. Users appreciate the potential value when resources and configurations are properly managed.

Scalability

IBM Datacap is highly scalable, able to serve zero to thousands of users with ease. Its integration with enterprise infrastructure enables large-scale document processing, such as handling thousands of documents daily. Additional servers can enhance performance, supporting expansion by adding nodes. Some users rate scalability favorably, while others suggest improvements. Deployment versatility across various applications is noted, though some complexities exist in integration and capacity scaling. Cost considerations are present when upgrading processing power and adding servers.

Stability

Some users find IBM Datacap stable and reliable, while others experience issues and bugs. Stability is often dependent on infrastructure and proper system implementation. Updates generally improve stability, though some versions have had performance problems. While some users praise the system's reliability when configured correctly, others note persistent issues requiring IBM support. Performance varies, with some finding it satisfactory and others encountering technical challenges. Regular updates and best practices help maintain stability.

These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.

Download our IBM Datacap Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.