BIDOC

What BIDOC does

BIDOC is a browser-based library automation software package developed and operated by FORREZ BV, a privately held Belgian company headquartered in Heverlee (Leuven), VAT BE 0478.435.672. The platform unifies seven fully integrated modules — Web OPAC, Catalogusmodule, Uitleenadministratie (circulation), Besteladministratie (acquisitions), Kardex (serials), Inventaris (inventory), and Collecties (collections) — on a single shared relational database, so data entered once is available across all modules and to patrons via the online public access catalog. The product is delivered entirely as a cloud-hosted service on FORREZ BV's secure European servers, with no per-workstation installation, automated daily backups, and native integrations for Belgian eID patron registration, RFID/SIP2 self-checkout, OpenVlacc bibliographic import, and XML Marc21 export.

The company serves 70+ active libraries in Belgium and the Netherlands across public libraries, schools, game libraries (spelotheken), documentation centers, abbeys and religious institutions, and other specialized information centers. Sales are conducted directly through FORREZ BV via a consultative, high-touch demo-request motion, with implementation, training, and ongoing support bundled into what is described as a recurring hosted-subscription service; pricing is not publicly disclosed. The platform is positioned around its 40+ years of stated sector experience, the unified-database architecture, and personal onboarding and migration of existing customer data as the core retention lever.

Strategic direction over the past five years has centered on a 2020 shift from on-premises installs to fully cloud-based delivery and the addition of RFID/SIP2 self-checkout integration, followed by a 2026 announcement that two young engineers are rebuilding the platform in a modernization project that promises full data migration for existing customers. No external funding, acquisitions, partnerships, named enterprise logos, or geographic expansion beyond Benelux are disclosed.

Name

BIDOC

Legal name

FORREZ BV

Website

https://bidoc.be

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

BIDOC is a cloud-hosted, browser-based library automation platform by FORREZ BV that unifies cataloging, circulation, acquisitions, serials, inventory, and collections in one shared database. It serves 70+ public libraries, schools, documentation centers, and abbeys in Belgium and the Netherlands.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Library Automation Software

NAICS

Software Publishers (513210)

SIC

Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)

akta.pro primary industry

Software/SaaS Subscriptions (Consumer & Prosumer) (CRAFAIAB)

Keywords

• Library automation software
• Integrated library system
• Bibliographic catalog management
• Library circulation management
• Library OPAC

Headquarters

HQ city

Linkebeek

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Software Subscription: Browser-based library automation software provided as a hosted service. FORREZ BV handles setup on their secure European servers, automatic daily backups, and ongoing support and updates. The service is delivered completely online with no local installations required.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels1 record

Core offering

BIDOC is a browser-based, fully cloud-hosted library automation platform offered by FORREZ BV that combines seven integrated modules — Web OPAC, Catalog, Circulation/Lending, Acquisitions/Ordering, Kardex (Periodicals), Inventory, and Collections — on a single shared database. It is delivered entirely online with no per-workstation installations, providing public libraries, schools, game libraries, documentation centers, abbeys, and other specialized institutions with cataloging, patron management, lending, reservations, ordering, inventory, and collection management from a single system.

Product overview

BIDOC is a unified, browser-based library automation platform offered by FORREZ BV, comprising seven fully integrated modules — Web OPAC, Catalogusmodule, Uitleenadministratie, Besteladministratie, Kardex, Inventaris, and Collecties — all sharing a single database. Delivered entirely online with no per-workstation installation, the platform serves 70+ libraries across Belgium and the Netherlands. All modules work from the same data: entered once and available everywhere.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• BIDOC Library Automation Platform An integrated, browser-based library automation software suite delivered entirely online by FORREZ BV, covering OPAC, catalog, circulation, ordering, periodicals, inventory, and collections from a single shared database. Targeted at public libraries, schools, game libraries, documentation centers, abbeys, and other specialized library institutions in Belgium and the Netherlands.

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature7 records

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Bibliotheca (now part of Axiell): Specialist vendor of RFID self-service, security, and library automation solutions for public and school libraries worldwide. Direct peer on RFID/SIP2 self-checkout functionality that BIDOC integrates, and adjacent in ILS-adjacent hardware/software.
• Koha: Open-source integrated library system with a large global community, used by libraries of all sizes including many small European institutions. Direct competitor on functionality (catalog, circulation, OPAC) and on cost, often displacing commercial vendors like BIDOC.
• Ex Libris (Clarivate): Vendor of Alma, Primo, and Aleph library service platforms serving academic, national, and public libraries. Closest direct competitor in integrated library automation SaaS, competing for replacement-cycle deals against BIDOC in Europe.

Broad incumbents

• SirsiDynix: Established library automation vendor offering Symphony, BLUEcloud, and Horizon SaaS solutions to public, school, and academic libraries. Comparable incumbent competing with BIDOC in the small-to-mid public library segment.
• OCLC: Global library cooperative offering WorldShare and WMS cloud-based library services, shared print, discovery, and metadata. Comparable as a broad incumbent that overlaps with BIDOC's library automation and cataloging capabilities, though at much larger scale and with global reach.
• Innovative (Clarivate): Vendor of Polaris, Sierra, and Vega library operating system serving public and academic libraries globally. Comparable as a SaaS-driven incumbent offering integrated ILS functionality that overlaps with BIDOC's seven modules.

Emerging players

• Mandarin Library Automation (Biblionix): Vendor of Mandarin M5 and Alexandria library automation systems used primarily by US K-12 and small public libraries. Comparable as an emerging SaaS ILS player targeting small, budget-conscious institutional customers like BIDOC.
• Soutron Global: UK-based SaaS provider of library and knowledge management systems for special, corporate, and public libraries. Comparable as a smaller, cloud-delivered ILS vendor competing in niche library segments similar to BIDOC.

Regional players

• Axiell Group: Nordic-headquartered vendor of library, archive, and museum software (Axiell Aurora, Arena, Quria), serving public and school libraries across Northern Europe. Comparable as a regional vertical SaaS with similar segment focus and European footprint.
• Civica (Spydus / Bibliotheca): UK-headquartered public sector software group offering Spydus library management and related library solutions primarily in the UK, Ireland, and Asia-Pacific. Comparable regional incumbent competing for small-to-mid public library contracts.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/openbare-bibliotheek-linkebeek

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about BIDOC