Information Systems:Limitations to IBM/Lotus Notes - Revision history

Norwinu at 06:49, 28 September 2017

2017-09-28T06:49:01Z

Norwinu at 05:11, 28 September 2017

2017-09-28T05:11:53Z

Norwinu: Created page with "==Overview== The IBM (Lotus) Domino/Notes platform is...'unpopular to many'. It is safe to say that while there are still companies that continue to use this software (to vari..."

2017-09-26T23:40:59Z

Created page with "==Overview== The IBM (Lotus) Domino/Notes platform is...'unpopular to many'. It is safe to say that while there are still companies that continue to use this software (to vari..."

New page

==Overview==
The IBM (Lotus) Domino/Notes platform is...'unpopular to many'. It is safe to say that while there are still companies that continue to use this software (to various extents), there is likely a very low uptake of new buy-ins. This article is not a recommendation for migration off of the Domino platform, but rather a discussion of its limitations. (Over time, they will become one and the same.-[[User:Norwinu|norwizzle]] ([[User talk:Norwinu|talk]]) 16:40, 26 September 2017 (PDT))

==Limitations==

* Hosted on the business server
:* What initially was a good idea (because we got more utility from a very expensive server by also using it to do mail), is now perhaps no longer one.
* Non-proprietary mail server structure necessitating a separate mail server software as a gateway for inbound/outbound external mail. Domino mail routing is proprietary, while 99% of other email uses the common protocols POP, IMAP and SMTP.

To be very continued...

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-{{quote |This article is highly opinionated. Frankly, it's hard to be objective about Notes.}}
+{{quote |This article is highly opinionated. Frankly, it's hard to have restraint when talking about Notes.}}
 ==Overview==
 At uniPHARM, Domino/Notes is used for email, calendaring, contacts, and rooms/resource management (reserving rooms for meetings).
-The IBM (Lotus) Domino/Notes platform - to put it nicely - does not have a great reputation. While there are still companies that continue to use this software, I am willing to bet that the rate of new setups is near-zero (e.g. no new companies that are looking for an email platform are buying into this platform). This page is not a recommendation for migration off of the Domino platform, but rather a discussion of its limitations. (Over time, I strongly suspect they will become one and the same anyway.-[[User:Norwinu|norwizzle]] ([[User talk:Norwinu|talk]]) 16:40, 26 September 2017 (PDT))
+The IBM (Lotus) Domino/Notes platform - to put it nicely - does not have a great reputation. While there are still companies that continue to use this software, I am willing to bet that the rate of new setups is near-zero (e.g. no new companies that are looking for an email platform are buying into this platform). This page is not a recommendation for migration off of the Domino platform, but rather a discussion of its limitations. (Over time, I strongly suspect these will become one and the same anyway.-[[User:Norwinu|norwizzle]] ([[User talk:Norwinu|talk]]) 16:40, 26 September 2017 (PDT))
 ==Limitations==
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 * Unnecessarily hosted on our single, critical business server
 :* What initially was a good idea (because we got more utility from a very expensive server by also using it to do email), is now perhaps no longer one.
-:* The Power8 server (and its predecessors) was acquired to run an ERP. It is built to run business logic, calculations, and database operations. It is less appropriate to buy a Power server to run a large Java app server (Domino)
+:* Bart, the Power8 server (and its predecessors), was acquired to run an ERP. It is built to run business logic, calculations, and database operations. It makes less sense using a Power server to run a compute- and memory-intensive app server (Domino). Process UPDALL taking up 80% of resources allocated to userspace and that's ok? We're just lucky the IBM i has excellent processor/memory management.
 :* Proprietary directory structure also means that Domino groups (Customer Service, IT Group etc.) have to be translated, and a lot of times this leads to errors with replies e.g. someone sends to abc@outside.com and cc's IT Group. When the outside sender replies back, their mail client will not recognize IT Group and try to send back to something non-existent like IT%Group@unipharm.com and error out.
 * Issues with function and usability, particularly with the desktop client (Notes), and Domino administration client. Countless issues.
 :* Large chunks of people's mail being deleted when they claim they did not actively do so.
 :* Random reports of mail not being delivered.
-:* Sending to the wrong contact when one was clearly selected.
+:* Domino mail router sending mail to the wrong contact when another was clearly selected.
 :* But when it comes to Lotus mail - it's always the user's fault right?
 * Cost
-:* It almost works against the entire argument listing this as a limitation, because usually cost is considered when there is parity amongst all alternatives with respect to other criteria.
+:* It almost works against the entire argument listing this as a limitation, because usually cost is considered when there is parity amongst all alternatives with regards to other criteria.
-:* Yet, we pay a hefty maintenance fee to IBM to support this software. Do you call Gmail or iCloud because your email doesn't work? No, because email always works.
+:* We pay a hefty maintenance fee to IBM to support this software. Do you call Gmail or iCloud because your email doesn't work? No, because email always works. PMRs because of issues setting up a new user or issues with groups. Seriously? There is such a thing as a Domino administrator. There is no such thing as a G Suite / Office 365 administrator (whether a certification or a job specialty). Both do email. Go figure that one out.
 :* Also, CAL-based licensing means the support fee goes up with increased number of users.
-:* Again, the cost is justified if we get more out of the software. Are we using Verse collaboration? No. Are we using Sametime for video/messaging/presence? No.
+:* Again, the cost is justified if we get more out of the software. Are we using Domino as an authentication backend? No. Are we using Domino database to house data? project collaboration tools? No. Are we using Sametime for video/messaging/presence? No.