As many of you are already aware, IBM announced ND8.5.3.
http://www-01.ibm.com/software/lotus/notesanddomino/nd85.html
Beyond the typical fixes, we now have access to Connections Profiles and Files as Domino customers. This is all in an effort to help businesses on their road to becoming social businesses. This is great because there are Notes plugins for these features, bringing this content to the users at no additional cost.
We already have access to Portal at no additional cost if it is used to drive content for Notes clients and not a Portal implementation. (limited use for ND customers)
What about Activities? I would love to see activities added to the list of entitled software, but we need to take these things one step at a time. Thanks IBM!
ND 8.5.3 also brings us an improved Traveler experience for the Droid community. With greater attention to the Android platform, we now have support for newer devices and better overall security through feature leveling across platforms like partial device wipes.
It has been hinted that this is likely the last major release in the 8.5.x code stream. This means it will soon be time to look for ND9?
We also heard that IBM has a new offering, the XWork Server. This is an application only (XPages driven) server that allows you to deploy up to 4 applications (not just 4 NSF files, mind you) within the limits of this flat fee license. This means that there is no abacus required as you try to calculate your PVUs. Ed Brill covered this in a recent blog post.
http://edbrill.com/ebrill/edbrill.nsf/dx/introducing-ibm-xwork-server
There are numerous applications that I can think of for this server. I believe this could be a good thing for IBM. This reminds me of a recent conversation on LinkeIn where someone had suggested that IBM separate apps from mail in the Domino product line-up. Offering an applications only approach to maybe embrace (SHUDDER) another email platform along side of Domino as your RAD environment.
Buried in the Inbox, besides these important announcements, LS12 is ramping up.
Heads up: Get out your social calendar. It's time to add Lotusphere 2012 to your agenda!
Lotusphere, IBM's premier collaboration event, kicks on on Sunday, January 15, 2012. As in past years, Lotusphere 2012 promises to be content-rich.
Whether you are interested in Social Business strategy or product features and capabilities, the event promises to offer something for just about everyone. Attend and:
- Listen in on over 300 sessions
- Pick up technical tips and tracks
- Hear about best practices and see live examples
- Tour the Solutions Showcase and see real-world solutions firsthand
- Socialize with your peers, Business Partners and IBMers
Are you ready to expand your social circle?
Register for Lotusphere 2012 today: http://www-01.ibm.com/software/lotus/events/conference/index.html
I look forward to seeing you in Orlando!
Did we already start collecting session abstracts? Where have I been?!?
Well, kids… this is definitely a very short summary of this busy week in the Lotus camp. Good luck, and happy socializing.
Hey Dave,
ReplyDeleteGreat overview! Sounds like you are still in the Lotus camp. Have you seen a lot of customers installing IBM Connections? Just curious, if you have seen a lot of XPage apps out there as well.
I just attended a seminar on IBM Connections last week in West Chester. I can see the value of including elements of Connections into Notes/Domino especially Files. I like the drag and drop feature from email to the new sidebar plugin for 8.5.3.
@Usha - Yes... after a short (4 month or so) flirtation with the "Seattle Shade of Blue", I came to the realization that this is who I am... professionally. I have been seeing a lot of really great companies adopt Connections 3.x. I am not sure if I can name them, but I can tell you the size of the companies ranges from a few thousand on up. The value of social tools in the enterprise is undeniable, yet still many are interested in these technologies as part of marketing plans, sales, or PR only. While this is an obvious use of public social networks, this is not the value statement of why to adopt social inside an organization. Connections provides an enterprise class internal set of social tools with which you can improve you business processes and enhance your ability to respond to the ever changing business landscape in-which you compete. More companies are starting to realize this significant difference in being a social company and it is an exciting time to be involved in Connections. I am glad you found the seminar in WC. Was it part of the social biz roadshow?
ReplyDeleteBTW: How is the fam, work.. etc? Glad to hear from you.