For the last five years, IBM’s Domino client-server platform seemed forgotten by developers and everybody else, as there was no major release since 9.0 Social Edition. There were a few minor updates, however, broken down into feature packs and interim features, but nothing else able to make its users stick to it. And when they thought that it’s all over, something surprising happened!
Domino’s both development and support business was bought by Indian service company HCL, currently looking forward to building its own enterprise software business. As a side note, they have already acquired multiple IBM products as well, from which we mention Informix or the Rational portfolio. As for Domino, it’s expected to receive a well-needed breath of fresh air.
After the deal was completed, 300+ developers, as well as specialists, moved from IBM to HCL, not to mention that the company is planning to bring new members to its team.
Even more, they have made a couple of very important additions, like Jason Gary, a developer slowed down by IBM management in the past, who was appointed as Chief Technology Officer, and Richard Jefts, as general manager and vice president of Collaborative Workflow Platforms.
The two, alongside IBM offering manager Andrew Manby and worldwide sales responsible Uffe Sorensen recently gave an interview for Heise Online, talking about the company’s plans for the near future.
They managed to cover the platform’s strengths and minuses, but also the prospect of releasing a new version this fall – 10 -, while 2019 should bring us version 11.
Shortly after HCL managed to prove that Domino is back in the lead, the entire team decided that it’s time to actually start business again. Jason Gary is now planning to run it into multiple containers, so that specific, individual parts of it can be outsourced as open source, while other parts will be added in time. And this is not everything!
The plan is to also rewrite and modernize all their application development tools, so they can allow apps to be re-engineered by users. The existing Domino Designer can be considered overloaded, as not even the most experienced developers can be expected.
Finally, Domino will eventually be extended by Node.js, allowing Javascript applications based on Domino to run.
India-based HCL announced that they will prioritize customer requirements using the so-called # domino2025 jams. As a side note, in the past, Domino was pushed through by special requirements of some key accounts with a corresponding pressure on the sellers, but from now on, things will change.
HCL wants to listen to all customers, in order to prioritize the new features. In this direction, the first round of jams took place in December 2017, while the next one is scheduled for the fall.
Sure, there are a lot of plans right now and everybody seems enthusiastic, as the team is hungry for success and want to bring the old Lotus Notes – even though it has a new name – back to live again. But this won’t be easy, as their main mission will be to convince the customers that after a long waiting period, they can once again rely on the client. Also, the big test will happen after sales stabilize, as they’re looking forward to seeing if customers will write new applications with Domino again.
Ever since 1996, IB Systems has been an IBM Business Partner, offering a range of computer support services for IBM and both Lotus existing users and those new to these products. Thanks to their expertise, the company can offer custom Lotus Notes support and development, as well as installation guidance and many more.