8 Best Free and Open Source Document Management Software Solutions

The ability to automate and customize the system as per your requirements makes Free Document Management System as must-have for the companies who wish to work on the go!

The ability to automate and customize the system as per your requirements makes Free Document Management System as must-have for the companies who wish to work on the go!
Here is an option to create smart workplaces, keep your data organized, and ensure that the right person accesses it at just the right time. Managing documents is a key pain point and a priority for most organizations, irrespective of the industry they belong to. Although the organizations have the physical storage repositories and cloud servers as secondary storage to manage files, the inability to find the content and poor mobility are cited as the biggest challenge. The cloud servers are being deployed for just 20% but 80% of the documents are still being saved on-premises. And this baggage keeps piling up as the data grows; in their effort to consolidate the number of storage repositories, they often rely on enterprise file sharing vendors like Box, DropBox, Egnyte and ShareFile.

Why is it important to structure data?

Senior management though still fumble with the document management across multiple repositories as a primary concern. Out of the many suggested approached to de-escalate the repository types, the best solution is indeed a document management fabric that sits on top of distributed file storage. Documents at the workplace including resumes, marketing brochures, project proposals, technical documents, HR guidelines, training material, sales documents, legal documents are indispensable. But the more we rely on paperwork, the more we need to find a proper place to store, manage and retrieve their documents. This postulates the need to have a document management system.

Why is DMS important?

• Document Management Systems automates the traditional idea of storing and retrieval of the files.
• As the digital data grows exponentially with the increasing business operations, increasing workforce, there has been an incremental increase in the business data and related content. Companies have to create and maintain massive amounts of business documents, contracts, proposals, sales decks, marketing material, blog posts, HR guidelines, training manuals, onboarding material etc. Plus, there is a persistent need to organize these documents, for a faster retrieval at a later stage.
• The most effective options seem to be the files stored in cloud apps like Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, Box, files stored on your desktop, email attachments and so on.
• Saving files at various locations can be precarious and are often difficult to locate in times of immediate need.
• Document Management relieves you from the hectic browsing through the hundreds of folders, searching in your disorganized and massively populated inbox, searching through your cloud files, etc., which all seems like a monstrous search mission which is impossible to crack in limited time.
• Free Document Management Software makes it pretty easy and fast to clean up the digital mess, to reduce the reliance on paper, to improve the overall office efficiency, easy access to information, secure + safe, scalable, quickly searchable, for better accuracy, Reduced Storage & Supply Costs and provides a Competitive Advantage.

Which Document Management System to Choose?

An efficient document management system should have the following essential features:

• It brings all digital content together to one single place.
• It should always be scalable to accommodate ample documentation
• It should enable employees within a team to set up their accounts and access/manage documents according to need and assigned permission.
• It should enable advanced searching.
• It should have a way to protect the information stored in the system from outsiders without proper consent to access that information.
• It should have a pretty quick content management system to store all of the company’s files and document PDFs, excel sheets, guides, training documents and videos and images etc.
• It should be responsive and must be accessible under load without leaks.
• It should help the teams to collaborate, share, track and manage all the company documents, files, and other content in one place.
• It must allow you to create workplace documents like – project proposals, sales decks, training documents, how-to guides, company policies, media kits, process documentation, fact sheets, competitive research, e-books, case studies etc. and provides a safe and robust place to store these documents.
• DMS must give the chance to the team to simultaneously collaborate and create smart documents in real-time.
• It must have a content library that automatically saves the images, files and digital content you add to your documents (or workspaces) so that you can access and reuse them easily.

Features of Open-Source Document Management System

• Document Searching – Safe and Powerful search, Document content and metadata search, Advanced search on all document attributes and Scalable Document Search Engine
• Document Indexing – Indexing of all documents, Custom Automatic Document Numbering, Content recognition and indexing, Indexing Meta Data, Indexing all revisions, OCR in different languages (Vienna Advantage DMS currently covers 27 languages), Supports innumerable formats, and Extendable metadata fields
• Document Processing – Create Documents using Templates, Link Document to records in System, Link to ERP/ CRM system, Forward, Move, Share Documents, Email Documents, Revise Documents, Inbuilt Document Editors for various file types and Check-In and Check-out documents
• Document Input – Scanner, Email, Manual Upload, Bulk Upload, Automated Process for Mass Uploading, Mobile Applications and Web Services
• Workflow Automation – Rule-based processing on incoming documents, Setup individual rules and document actions, Automatic and Manual workflow, Document Routing, Business Process Modelling with Customized Windows, Reports, Configure multi-level approvals, Automatic creation of records based on documents and Update records based on documents
• Document Security – Audit Trail, User and Roles, Advanced Access rights, Encrypted Documents on the file system, Indexing all revisions, Supports SSL and Modify Ownership
• User Dashboard – Workflow Inbox, Document inbox, Alerts and Notifications, Reporting Dashboard, Follow-ups and Chat, Inbuilt Calendar, Email, SMS, Customization, Guest Access and Document Tracking, Create customized Windows and Records, Generate Custom Fields and Reports, Add custom Document Attributes, Describe custom workflow and Create Custom Dashboard Reports.

More Features that can be incorporated in a DMS and go beyond the basic ones:

• Inbuilt Word Processor
• Supports multiple languages
• Multi Tenants
• Collaboration Portal
• Deploy on-premises or on cloud
• OCR in 27 languages
• Supports SSL
• Modify Ownership

List of Document Management Systems:

OpenDocMan

It is a free and open source document management system transcript in PHP to help the organizations in sorting out their document management issues.

Main Features of OpenDocMan:

• It has options for E-mail notification
• It helps in creating customized document properties
• It assists in Powerful Document Management Workflow
• Automated document review
• It has automated file expiration process
• Category wise quick search
• Secure URL feature to make necessary changes to the URL parameters
• Controlled user access control for each file
• It has facility to approve or reject a new document
• Access control for three user types: User, Admin, and Super-Admin
• Document Preview In-Browser
• No limit on the number of users that can connect
• Users can get both email and phone support from the company
• Workflow Approval is customized
• This software supports Multiple Language including; Chinese, English, Dutch, Portuguese, German, Croatian, Spanish and Turkish
• It has full audit trail reporting facility
• Files can be uploaded in batches

OpenKM

It works as a content management software for enterprises and is used to store, manage and track all the information that is required to be stored. It assists in adequate distribution of electronic documents, yielding greater effectiveness and the ability to reuse information and to control the flow of the documents. This facilitates knowledge creation and improves business decision making, thus boosting workgroups and enterprise productivity through shared practices, better customer relations, improved product time-to-market, faster sales cycles and better informed decision making.

Main Features of OpenKM:

• It helps manage enterprise content
• It can acquire information from any digital source.
• It facilitates organizations to locate the documents in time.
• Facility to upload the documents in bulk
• Folders can be uploaded and downloaded as ZIP files
• Documents can be locked and unlocked with easy Passwords
• Managing the favourites
• Every user can manage their personal documents
• There is a Recycle Bin for each user
• Users are notified by Emails
• It has facilities to message and chat
• Management of Metadata
• Unique document identifier
• Document templates are available
• Item categories can be categorized and catalogued
• Multiple files can be managed
• It has a text to speech converter
• It has user-tags that can be used for multiple tasks

SeedDMS

It is based on PHP and MYSQL/SQLite and can run on multiple platforms linux, MacOS and Windows. This is a powerful solution to manage document for an enterprise. It is also compatible with its predecessor LetoDMS.

Main Features of SeedDMS:

• It is completely based on the web-based UI
• It can access the web
• It involves multiple user management
• It has the facility to preserve all former document versions
• Managing Groups is Easy
• It allows for external authentication
• Any updates or changes are notified
• Workflow for document review and approval
• It provides control lists access
• It supports multiple languages
• This software also features Full-text search

VIENNA Advantage

It is an enterprise level commercial open source ERP/CRM that works intelligently for safe retrieval and storage of the documents so that they can be accessed on time with proper authentication. They are into productivity costing, marketing and sales, warehouse management, manufacturing, financial management, time and expenses, human resource (HRM), project management, service requests and order management.

Main Features of VIENNA Advantage:

• This app has Intuitive interface
• It features secure encryption
• It works on an Enterprise-level workflow
• It is comprehensive and accommodates many features
• It works on Multi-tenants
• This app works on Built-in Business process management
• It has Built-in Workflow automation
• Its Built-in word processor gives it extra advantage
• It re-routes the documents automatically
• It lineates role-based alerts
• It supports multiple languages
• It involves document input, search, indexing & processing
• It is scalable and secure
• Generating Reports and analytics

Krystal DMS

This document management software helps in easing administrative tasks, sparing enough time for customer interaction.

Main Features of Krystal DMS:

• It has multilingual support
• Facility to tag with metadata
• Simple and easy access
• Folders are cleanly structured
• Instant search and retrieval of documents
• Access defined using ACL templates
• The workflow is automated
• Text is indexed
• There is an option to rate the document
• The discussion board enables team forums
• It analyses and published detailed audit reports
• Bulk uploads are possible
• It provides access to the latest version
• It also facilitates document sharing facility
• It has built in facility for scanning, capturing and storing the documents easily

Mayan EDMS

This applications helps users with advanced search and categorization capabilities to enable efficient storage and retrieval of files when required. The files can be authenticated while storage via role based access control. This platform is web based, free and open-source and application on multiple platforms. It does not require any initial investment and the cost of ownership is very low.

Main Features of Mayan EDMS:

• It is built upon responsive design
• It facilitates document versioning
• It has efficient permission system
• Retention policies to set compliance with the existing company laws and policies
• Facility to restore documents moved to trash
• It provides the permission of controlled panel
• This software also provides automatic rule-based links & easy reference
• It is easy to manage document workflows effectively with this software

Kimios

It is an open source software to management documents, assisting the digital workflow and help in efficient storage, modification, tracking and withdrawal of documents.

Main Features of Kimios:

• It facilitates quick and easy search
• There is facility to access documents from any browsers
• It is possible to create, edit, collaborate and upload from anywhere with remote access
• It helps in efficient document Indexing
• It supports all types of content
• Managing metadata is easy
• Integration with Microsoft Office
• It can easily connect to any storage infrastructure
• It can be plugged to any 3rd party software
• It is secure, has custom document versions and facilitates document trash management

Nuxeo

Nuxeo application helps create simple content applications to uplift customer experiences, improve decision making and accelerate the products to market.

Main Features of Nuxeo:

• It has extensible API
• It has advanced metadata tools, Native workflow, Effective analytics, Office365 Integration, Content Federation, New Adobe CC Connector and is User-centric
• It works on elastic search – the new search technology
• It works on enhanced Annotation Capabilities
• It also has a strengthened AI Framework
• This software has Pluggable Accelerated Transfer for Upload Services

Google Drive

Google Drive is a platform for cloud storage and backup that allows users to access files, documents, images, and more, keep them safely, and work together on projects. Files can be viewed, shared, changed, collaborated on, and more using the Google Drive platform, which is accessible from home, the workplace, and other locations.

Main Features of Google Drive:

• Users can edit files collaboratively with team
• Every user receives 15GB free storage
• Share files with anybody from any device, inside & outside of organization
• Wide collection of editing tools
• Third party integrations available
• Voice recognition technology to facilitate typing
• Can edit the docs in offline mode also
• Automatically document saving to avoid losing content

Microsoft Sharepoint

Microsoft Sharepoint is a collaborative content management system (CMS) tool. Typical CMS functions like case and contract management, document and digital asset management, reporting, and analytics are all provided by the Sharepoint. Users can produce, manage, and evaluate all kinds of material from a single, central area thanks to all these features working together.

Main Features of Microsoft Sharepoint:

• Users can store, edit, share, and organize documents with version control
• The platform offers interactive scorecards and dashboards
• It can be used by users to generate content reports
• OCR (Optical Character Recognition) technology to make documents searchable
• Users can utilize the reports to identify problems and create solutions related to
• Stay organized with discussion boards, calendars, and document libraries
• Seamless integration with Microsoft apps & services like Microsoft Sway & Office 365 tool
• Ability to handle both unpublished and published content on websites

Confluence

Confluence is a document & project management tool that facilitates the creation, exchange of ideas, arrangement, and examination of project documents within organizations. The system provides on-premises and cloud-based deployment options. Users can produce documents including research reports, meeting notes, and product specifications using Confluence’s editor tool. Managers can now examine and discuss comments directly in documents thanks to the solution.
Main Features of Confluence:

• Robust documentation features like rich formatting, flexible page hierarchy, and intuitive editor
• Powerful content formatting tools like Macros
• Publish, arrange, and access company information
• Access and search pertinent content
• Enables managers to work together in closed groups and limit access to sensitive information
• Easy integration with several third party tools like Jira

Conclusive: Importance of Document Management System

Now we know that a document management system can help in structuring the digital mess, making it available to the employees, clients, partners or other stakeholders, which is not easy. These can essentially help in reducing the storage space, enhanced security, improved regulatory compliance, easier retrieval, better collaboration, better backup, and disaster recovery. Overall, open-source document management software is a great way to manage projects, create proposals, create client-facing material, share meeting agendas, brainstorm, and most importantly share and manage information and knowledge.

Top FAQs

What is document management software?

DMS or Document Management Software are tools that automate the process of managing and organizing documents of different formats including videos, spreadsheets, audios, images, PDFs, Word files, etc. In other words, the tool enables companies to store, share, track, and edit these documents.

What are the types of document management software

DMS or document management software is beneficial to all the industries that maintain & organize confidential information. There are majorly three types of DMS, namely –

Server Based DMS – Majorly installed on workstations locally, connected to LAN
Web Based DMS – The DMS tool that can be accessed on the web without installing any software
Cloud Based DMS – Majorly used by companies that require lower dependency on IT support teams and require better accessibility

What are the key features of document management software?

Some of the top open source features for a DMS (document management software) are document processing, indexing, searching, workflow automation, document input, and user dashboard.