Alfresco offers document and knowledge management, records and web content management, imaging, collaboration tools and workflow orchestration. These ECM capabilities are all stored in the same scalable repository. This is a distinct advantage over other ECM products, most of which need multiple repositories for support. The repository can replace shared network drives, which pose their own problems.
Alfresco provides simple to use Wizards and the rules and actions for all interfaces are managed in the server. These features significantly aid productivity and ease of use. The intelligent virtual file system is simple to use and Alfresco has superior search and folder-browsing capabilities.
For collaboration, there are per-configured smart-space templates and forums using threaded discussions. Users will find it easy to share information and ideas and many less false starts learning the software.
Alfresco is a fairly new offering, with a long list of new features and upgrades still being developed. But for ease of use and ECM attributes, Alfresco seems to be superior to most other products. It takes less than an hour for a user to learn the software and customize it to their requirements and preferences. French and German are among the languages other than English that are supported.