Lotus's Notes: A Corporate Standard in Its Own Right

Strategic Insights -

Lotus's core product, Notes, has become a corporate standard with 20 million users worldwide and over 18,000 third-party developers. Despite initial predictions that it would be replaced by Microsoft Exchange, Notes has remained a strong competitor, with its client now more affordable and its interface undergoing a radical overhaul. The company's shift towards embracing the Web and partnering with other software applications has proven to be a winning formula.

Key Takeaways:

  • Lotus's Notes has reached 20 million users worldwide, a significant increase from its initial adoption.
  • Over 18,000 third-party developers have created applications for Notes, indicating its widespread acceptance in the market.
  • Microsoft Exchange, initially seen as a rival to Notes, is now described as a "partner application" rather than a direct competitor.
  • Notes was first developed in 1984 by Lotus, which was then the king of the spreadsheet market.
  • The initial version of Notes was expensive and primarily used by large companies, but it has since become more affordable, with prices dropping from around £250 per desktop to around £50.
  • Lotus has shifted its focus towards embracing the Web, and its client now allows users to access and edit documents and reports from anywhere using a standard browser.
  • The company has adopted a more open approach, allowing users to choose their preferred software applications, including Microsoft Back Office.
  • The release of Notes 5 will feature a significant overhaul of the interface, using a web-browser analogy, and is expected to be a major improvement over previous versions.
  • Notes 5 will offer a robust information management system, capable of handling mail, contacts, appointments, and information sources with ease.
  • The combination of Notes 5 and Domino on the server is expected to be an attractive option for small and medium-sized businesses.

Statistics:

  • 20 million: the number of users worldwide of Lotus Notes.
  • 18,000: the number of third-party developers working on applications for Notes.
  • £250: the initial price per desktop of Notes.
  • £50: the current price per desktop of Notes.
  • 1984: the year when Lotus began working on Notes.

Sources:

  • The Sunday Times, 1998