Softdocs
Softdocs provides the Etrieve cloud-based document management and process automation platform, serving more than 1,000 higher education, K-12, and government organizations across the U.S. and Canada with integrated eForms, e-signatures, workflow automation, and AI-powered document processing.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1998
- HeadquartersColumbia, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Softdocs does
Softdocs is a privately held software company founded in 1998 and headquartered in Columbia, South Carolina, that builds the Etrieve platform, a cloud-based SaaS suite for document management and process automation targeting three public-sector verticals: higher education, K-12 school districts, and government agencies. The platform consolidates four core capabilities — document management, no-code workflow automation, electronic forms (eForms), and e-signatures — alongside AI-assisted Intelligent Document Processing (IDP) that uses machine learning, natural language processing, and OCR for automated document classification and data extraction. The platform is hosted on Microsoft Azure Government Cloud and integrates natively with more than 80 systems across the higher-education and government stack, including Ellucian Banner/Colleague/Ethos, Workday, Oracle PeopleSoft, Jenzabar, Anthology, Tyler Technologies, and Salesforce.
Softdocs serves more than 1,000 organizations with a 97%+ annual renewal rate, generating revenue primarily through annual subscriptions to the Etrieve Platform, Etrieve Forms, and Etrieve Document Signatures (the last billed in predictable tiers without per-signature envelope fees), supplemented by fixed-fee outcome-based implementation services. The company pursues a hybrid go-to-market combining direct enterprise sales, inside sales for mid-market accounts, and channel leverage through statewide procurement contracts such as the State of South Carolina term contract and the California Community Colleges partnership, plus the Salesforce AppExchange marketplace. The company has expanded beyond the U.S. into Canada (Manitoba, Ontario, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island) and holds a stacked compliance posture — SOC 2 Type II, SOC 3, NIST 800-53, FedRAMP via Azure, TX-RAMP Level 2, CJIS, HIPAA, FERPA, and WCAG 2.2 AA — that is purpose-built to clear public-sector procurement gates. Notable customers include the University of Massachusetts System, Villanova, Boston College, Pepperdine, Katy ISD (96,000+ students), Las Vegas Police Department, and Cherokee Nation.
Softdocs firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Softdocs
- Legal name
- Softdocs
- Website
- https://softdocs.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1998
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Softdocs provides the Etrieve cloud-based document management and process automation platform, serving more than 1,000 higher education, K-12, and government organizations across the U.S. and Canada with integrated eForms, e-signatures, workflow automation, and AI-powered document processing.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Softdocs industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Document Management and Process Automation Software
- NAICS
- Software Publishers (5132)
- SIC
- Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) & Document Automation (BPAEAPAD)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Library/Media Center & Digital Resource Management Systems (EDAJAMAN)
Keywords
Where Softdocs is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Columbia
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Softdocs business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Operations
Revenue model
- Etrieve Platform Subscription: Cloud-based SaaS annual subscription model for the Etrieve platform encompassing document management, workflow automation, eForms, and eSignatures. Pricing is based on tiers with predictable costs rather than per-signature envelope fees.
- Etrieve Forms: Annual subscription providing unlimited electronic signatures within form workflows. No envelope fees, overage costs, or usage metering.
- Etrieve Document Signatures: Discrete license for ad hoc PDF signatures. Can be used standalone or with the Etrieve platform. Pricing based on tiers with predictable costs. Designed to replace DocuSign, Adobe Sign with consistent pricing.
- Professional Services: Fixed-fee, outcome-based implementation engagements structured around clear milestones rather than open-ended hourly arrangements.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Etrieve Platform - Full Suite |
| Subscription | Annual | Etrieve Forms |
| Subscription | Annual | Etrieve Document Signatures |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Implementation Services |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
Softdocs product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Softdocs sells the Etrieve platform, a cloud-based SaaS document management and process automation system for education (higher education and K-12 districts) and government agencies. The platform unifies document management, no-code workflow automation, electronic forms (eForms), e-signatures, and AI-powered Intelligent Document Processing (IDP) under one security model hosted on Microsoft Azure. The company also delivers fixed-fee, outcome-based implementation services alongside the software.
Product overview
Softdocs offers the Etrieve platform, a unified cloud-based SaaS document management and process automation platform for education and government organizations. The platform consists of core products including Document Management, Workflow Automation, eForms, and eSignatures (both Etrieve Forms Signatures and Etrieve Document Signatures), along with AI-powered Intelligent Document Processing (IDP) and Intelligent Transcript Processing. The platform also includes Print Customization for document output control and Etrieve Library with over 120 pre-built form templates. Additional modules include the Web Capture App for batch processing. All components integrate with existing ERP, SIS, and identity management systems including Ellucian Banner/Colleague/Ethos, Workday, PeopleSoft, Jenzabar, Anthology, and Salesforce.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Etrieve: The primary cloud-based document management and process automation platform from Softdocs, encompassing document management, workflow automation, electronic forms, e-signatures, and integrations.
- Etrieve Library
- Etrieve Document Signatures
- Etrieve Forms
Products and services
- Document Management Secure document repository for storing and managing student records, HR, finance, and other documents within an integrated cloud-based platform. Designed for education and government organizations.
- Workflow Automation No-code drag-and-drop workflow designer that transforms, simplifies, and enforces key business processes with conditional routing and automated approvals for education and government institutions.
- eForms No-code electronic form designer for building user-friendly forms to securely capture precise data. Includes drag-and-drop fields, pre-built templates, and WCAG accessibility compliance for education and government users.
- Etrieve Document Signatures Electronic signature capability for ad hoc PDF documents using drag-and-drop fields, tamper-evident documents, and full audit log. Enables signing contracts, vendor agreements, and approvals without building a form. Can be used standalone or with the Etrieve platform.
- Intelligent Document Processing (IDP) AI-powered document capture technology that automates data extraction, classification, and validation using machine learning, NLP, and OCR to maximize business value from every document. Designed for high-volume document processing.
- Intelligent Transcript Processing Converts document-based transcripts into structured data with speed and accuracy, specifically designed for educational institutions to streamline transcript handling and integration with SIS systems.
- Print Customization Connects printing processes with document management to control content from capture to distribution, enabling document formatting and delivery automation for educational and government institutions.
- Etrieve Library Pre-built form template library with over 120 templates for common processes in HR, finance, contracts, student services, and more. Previously known as EdCloud.
Quantifiable outcome
- Save nearly a million sheets of paper and reclaim 500 square feet of space in nine months
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Softdocs
Customer profileNamed customers19 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Softdocs technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration12 records
AI capability6 records
Feature12 records
Softdocs partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- SalesforcecoreOfficial Softdocs connector available in Salesforce AppExchange. Enables CRM integration for document management within Salesforce workflows.
- Microsoft AzurecoreSoftdocs Etrieve platform is hosted on Microsoft Azure Government Cloud, which is FedRAMP certified. Partnership provides cloud infrastructure with robust security and compliance alignment with SOC 2, NIST 800-53, and GovRAMP standards.
- ElluciancoreDeep integration with Ellucian Ethos for bi-directional API-based data sources in eForms, Ellucian Colleague for student and financial data integration. Roger Williams University uses Colleague integration for refund workflows.
- Pepperdine UniversitycorePepperdine expanded PeopleSoft-Softdocs integration to computer asset management process. Uses eForms with PeopleSoft data to associate department information with employees for asset tracking.
- PeopleSoft (Oracle)coreIntegration with Oracle PeopleSoft for ERP data including HR, finance, and asset management. Pepperdine uses PeopleSoft integration for computer asset management.
- WorkdaycoreIntegration with Workday for HR and financial data synchronization with document management and workflow automation.
- AnthologycoreIntegration with Anthology Student for document management and process automation for colleges and universities using Anthology student information systems.
- JenzabarcoreIntegration with Jenzabar SIS/ERP systems for seamless data flow between student information systems and document management.
- Tyler TechnologiescoreIntegration with Tyler Technologies ERP for government customers. City of Topeka selected Softdocs specifically for Tyler Technologies ERP integration.
- State of South CarolinacoreStatewide term contract enabling all public colleges, universities, school districts, and governmental units in South Carolina to procure Softdocs via state contract.
- California Community CollegescorePartnership to provide document management and process automation solutions to colleges across the California Community Colleges system.
- SCIM Identity ProviderscoreSCIM support for real-time user provisioning and deprovisioning via integration with identity providers for automatic permission updates when users change roles or leave organizations.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Softdocs competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- OpenText (Documentum): OpenText's Documentum and Content Suite are legacy ECM incumbents serving many large universities and government agencies; they compete broadly with Etrieve but are not vertical-specialized to education.
- Box: Box offers cloud content management with workflow and e-signature (Box Sign) capabilities increasingly sold into education and government, overlapping Etrieve's higher-ed and K-12 deals.
- Adobe (Document Cloud / Acrobat Sign): Adobe Acrobat Sign and broader Document Cloud are commonly embedded alternatives to Etrieve's e-signature and PDF workflows inside education and government Microsoft/Adobe estates.
- DocuSign: DocuSign is the named incumbent Softdocs attacks on pricing (no per-envelope fees) and now competes more directly as it expands into Intelligent Agreement Management and broader workflow automation.
- Microsoft (SharePoint / 365): SharePoint, OneDrive, and Power Automate form the default document management and workflow stack across education (M365 Education) and government tenants — a baseline 'good enough' competitor Softdocs must displace.
Direct peers
- DocuWare: DocuWare provides cloud document management and workflow automation to mid-market and public-sector customers with similar subscription + fixed-fee implementation economics to Etrieve.
- Tyler Technologies: Tyler Technologies sells ERP, public-safety, and document-centric software to state and local government (City of Topeka chose Softdocs specifically for Tyler ERP integration), making it both an integration partner and a competitor in adjacent government modules.
- Hyland (OnBase): Hyland's OnBase is one of the most entrenched higher-education and government document management / ECM platforms in North America and is the closest direct competitor to Softdocs' Etrieve in the same RFPs.
- Laserfiche: Laserfiche sells cloud and on-prem document management, workflow automation, e-forms, and e-signature to education and government with a channel-led motion that directly overlaps Softdocs' vertical focus.
Emerging players
- ABBYY: ABBYY's IDP / OCR and content capture platform overlaps directly with Softdocs' Intelligent Document Processing and Intelligent Transcript Processing capabilities.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Softdocs social profiles
Digital presenceSoftdocs compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance9 records
Softdocs financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Softdocs leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles14 records
Softdocs funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Softdocs M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Softdocs
What does Softdocs do?
Softdocs sells the Etrieve platform, a cloud-based SaaS document management and process automation system for education (higher education and K-12 districts) and government agencies. The platform unifies document management, no-code workflow automation, electronic forms (eForms), e-signatures, and AI-powered Intelligent Document Processing (IDP) under one security model hosted on Microsoft Azure. The company also delivers fixed-fee, outcome-based implementation services alongside the software.
Is Softdocs a public or private company?
Softdocs is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Softdocs founded?
Softdocs was founded in 1998. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Softdocs based?
Softdocs is headquartered in Columbia, United States, in the North America region.
How does Softdocs make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Etrieve Platform Subscription is the primary driver. The others are etrieve Forms, etrieve Document Signatures and professional Services.
Who are Softdocs's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are OpenText (Documentum), Box, Adobe (Document Cloud / Acrobat Sign), DocuSign and Microsoft (SharePoint / 365). Direct peers are DocuWare, Tyler Technologies, Hyland (OnBase) and Laserfiche. ABBYY is listed as an emerging player.
Does Softdocs have an API?
Yes. Softdocs offers API-based integrations through bi-directional API data sources for populating field options and pre-populating field values. The platform supports API access for integrations with major systems including ERP, CRM, and SIS platforms.
What industry is Softdocs in?
Softdocs's product category is Document Management and Process Automation Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAEAPAD, Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) & Document Automation, with a secondary code of EDAJAMAN, Library/Media Center & Digital Resource Management Systems. Its NAICS code is 5132 and its SIC code is 7372.