Strategic Alliance Between Lotus Development Corp. and Hewlett-Packard Co.

Strategic Insights -

Lotus Development Corp. and Hewlett-Packard Co. announced a strategic alliance to integrate electronic messaging, groupware, and network and system management products, as well as sales, marketing, consulting, and support services. This alliance aims to deliver feature-rich, manageable, enterprise-wide messaging and groupware solutions, featuring a series of products and services starting with the anticipated shipment of a Lotus Notes/HP server bundle. The partnership will also result in improved interoperability between Lotus Notes and HP OpenMail environments, with a common integrated messaging and groupware solution based on Lotus Communications Server (LCS)/Notes.

Key Takeaways:

  • The strategic alliance will focus on integrating electronic messaging, groupware, and network and system management products.
  • The partnership will deliver feature-rich, manageable, enterprise-wide messaging and groupware solutions.
  • A series of products and services will be released, starting with the shipment of a Lotus Notes/HP server bundle next month.
  • Lotus is developing Lotus NotesView, an HP OpenView-based monitoring facility, and has selected HP's OpenView integrated network and system management software as its exclusive development platform.
  • HP has committed to the Lotus Communications Server (LCS)/Notes as its future integrated groupware and messaging standard.
  • The two companies will continue to collaborate to incorporate the key functionality and features of OpenMail in the future LCS/Notes solution.
  • HP and Lotus will develop an interoperable solution for Lotus Notes and HP OpenMail, called the OpenMail Exchange Facility for Lotus Notes, which will be available in the first quarter of 1995.
  • Both companies plan to sell and support the current and evolving LCS/Notes products.
  • Lotus NotesView is an SNMP-based extension of HP OpenView that enables customers to better manage and monitor Lotus Notes replication and mail routing facilities.
  • The partnership aims to integrate OpenMail, HP OpenView, and Lotus Notes environments.
  • HP has been delivering PA-RISC-based computers since 1986 with high reliability, data integrity, data availability, and system availability.
  • HP is recognized as the leader in providing excellence in global service and support for open systems, while Lotus has pioneered and leads the industry in supporting mission-critical groupware applications.

Statistics:

  • HP has committed to the Lotus Communications Server (LCS)/Notes as its exclusive, future integrated groupware and messaging standard.
  • The open-source nature of the LCS/Notes makes it a highly scalable and customizable solution for organizations of all sizes.
  • The shipment of the Lotus Notes/HP server bundle is planned for next month.
  • The promotion of a bundle of Lotus Notes Release 3.2 with each HP 9000 Series 800 HP-UX system is scheduled to begin in December 1994 and continue for six months through May 1995.
  • The OpenMail Exchange Facility for Lotus Notes will be available in the first quarter of 1995.
  • HP has computer revenue of $15.6 billion in its 1993 fiscal year.

Sources:

  • Lotus Development Corp. and Hewlett-Packard Co. Tuesday announcement
  • Willem P. (Wim) Roelandts, senior vice president and general manager of the Computer Systems Organization, Hewlett-Packard
  • Jim Manzi, Lotus president and chief executive officer
  • Blane Woodard, manager of technical systems at Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co.