IBM Delivers Lotus Notes for Linux PCs

Contact:  Jennifer Snyder


     IBM Software Group                                   

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     Kevin Ruane
     Text 100 
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     kevinr@text100.com


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

IBM DELIVERS LOTUS NOTES FOR LINUX PCs, 

FIRST LEADING COLLABORATION ENVIRONMENT FOR THE LINUX DESKTOP 

 

Competitive Program Offers IBM Business Partners and Developers up to
$20,000 for Lotus Notes on Linux Desktop Migrations

 

ARMONK, NY. July 10, 2006 -- IBM today announced the availability of IBM
Lotus(r) Notes(r) on Linux(r), the industry's first business-grade
collaboration software to support Linux on the desktop. Lotus Notes on Linux
now provides millions of Lotus Notes users worldwide with software that
enables an open desktop alternative to proprietary desktop operating
systems. 

 

The openness and flexibility of the Linux desktop combined with widespread
availability of server software running on Linux has increased demand for
tested and market-proven, desktop applications such as Lotus Notes. For the
first time, IBM is delivering business-grade e-mail, group scheduling and
thousands of high-value Notes applications that run on the Linux desktop.
Combined with server support for Intel and mainframe Linux, IBM now offers
end-to-end support for Linux on the Lotus Notes(r) and Domino(r) 7
collaboration platform.

 

According to a recent Evans Data Corporation survey of 400 developers who
have worked or are currently working with Open Source software, Linux is
expected to surpass Windows as the primary operating system for developing
applications. With today's announcement, customers will be able to take
advantage of the same security, flexibility and reliability benefits on the
desktop now obtained by running Linux on the server. Linux is easy to
install and configure on the desktop and will help Lotus Notes users
integrate a wide array of software applications that are available for no
charge or at a low cost from a variety of Business Partners and independent
software vendors (ISVs). 

 

IBM Lotus Notes on Linux is also a significant development for small and
medium sized businesses (SMB). Since many SMBs and start-ups have the
opportunity to start fresh without incumbent infrastructures in place, the
Linux environment is a particularly appealing option from a flexibility and
cost standpoint. In addition, Lotus Notes applications are available to
solve a wide range of business challenges, from help desk operations to
business process workflow. The ability to run Lotus Notes on Linux provides
SMBs with an enterprise-level collaboration environment that can scale to
fit their needs. 

 

Delivery of Lotus Notes on Linux Desktop Expands Scope of 'Migrate to the
Penguin' Rewards 

 

In addition to addressing Linux customer demand, the arrival of Lotus Notes
on Linux presents a new level of opportunity for the hundreds of IBM
Business Partners who implement Linux e-mail and collaboration, and develop
Linux-based applications. The 'Migrate to the Penguin' initiative offers
Business Partners up to $20,000 for migrating customers from Microsoft
Exchange to IBM Lotus Notes and Domino on Linux desktop.

"IBM Lotus Notes on Linux lends credibility to our mission of delivering
open-based technology to customers," said Avinash Singh, Chief Operating
Officer, Birlasoft. "Our practice helps IBM customers take advantage of this
open world by securing the porting and testing of current applications
safely so they work across a variety of platforms.  IBM's use of the Eclipse
framework as a client development platform brings significant value to our
customers and it allows us to create customized solutions efficiently and
cost-effectively." 

As of today, the expanding base of Linux users will be able to run Lotus
Notes 7 on Linux. The underlying Eclipse technology is also being used in
the upcoming version of Lotus Notes, code-named 'Hannover.'  The open-source
Eclipse platform enables vendors to write desktop software that works across
operating systems, without the extra work of recoding, and is the same
technology being used by the IBM Lotus Sametime client.

Linux users can now experience the Lotus Notes 7 collaboration platform
which includes more than 100 new and existing features to help manage an
increasing volume of information and work more efficiently. These features
include: 

*         Enterprise-Level Messaging System -- Designed to be the most open
and interoperable enterprise collaboration platform on the market. This
release offers customers the greatest choice in collaboration architecture. 

*         Rich Calendaring and Scheduling System -- Includes centralized
management of conference rooms and meeting resources such as audio-visual
equipment. 

*         Expanded Mobile Support -- Increased support available for the
mobile user by providing the same offline capabilities as Windows.

 

IBM Lotus Notes on Linux is now available as part of version 7 and supports
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4, Update 3.  Support for Novell SUSE Linux Desktop
for Enterprise 10 is expected to be available for delivery to customers
within approximately 90 days from Novell SuSE Linux Desktop 10 availability.
Current Lotus Notes licensed users can run their existing licenses on Linux
desktop. 

 

For more information about IBM, go to: www.ibm.com. 

 

 

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