Anything that's going on, and sometimes Lotus Noteshttp://giuliocc.dominodeveloper.net/en-usFri, 12 Feb 2010 03:14:38 AM -0700 Fri, 12 Feb 2010 03:14:38 AM -0700 Laurette Rynne Qantas to drop Notes after more than a decade.
At that time, we only had to say the word "help" and we would get a Lotus rep. I'm now working at another customer fighting off an overseas driven migration, and we barely get a response back from a logged help desk call to IBM.

I think an absolute failure to sell the newer versions/features of Lotus Notes is behind the companies leaving Notes. CIOs, Chief Architects and anyone making decisions do not (in Australia) spend any time going to Lotus information sessions/mini conferences. In fact, I would be surprised if anyone outside the Notes Development/Admin teams in most major companies in Sydney even get told about these things. It's almost as if IBM were so confident that the "Notes community" would keep fighting the fight for them that they stopped participating at all.

The politics would not mean nearly so much if IBM were actually in the fight, at the ground level, rather than just re-signing the license and walking away - no knowledge of what's even happening.

For at least the last 4 years ago we've pleaded with IBMers at Lotusphere and the local LCTY attempts to have anything even vaguely resembling LotusFusion again - something remotely similar to the Notes heydays. We have been constantly asking for IBM/Lotus to step in and protect our jobs/investment in their technology and it appears that they have done very little. Is it any wonder that we are looking to other technologies now to secure our livelihoods?]]>
At that time, we only had to say the word "help" and we would get a Lotus rep. I'm now working at another customer fighting off an overseas driven migration, and we barely get a response back from a logged help desk call to IBM.

I think an absolute failure to sell the newer versions/features of Lotus Notes is behind the companies leaving Notes. CIOs, Chief Architects and anyone making decisions do not (in Australia) spend any time going to Lotus information sessions/mini conferences. In fact, I would be surprised if anyone outside the Notes Development/Admin teams in most major companies in Sydney even get told about these things. It's almost as if IBM were so confident that the "Notes community" would keep fighting the fight for them that they stopped participating at all.

The politics would not mean nearly so much if IBM were actually in the fight, at the ground level, rather than just re-signing the license and walking away - no knowledge of what's even happening.

For at least the last 4 years ago we've pleaded with IBMers at Lotusphere and the local LCTY attempts to have anything even vaguely resembling LotusFusion again - something remotely similar to the Notes heydays. We have been constantly asking for IBM/Lotus to step in and protect our jobs/investment in their technology and it appears that they have done very little. Is it any wonder that we are looking to other technologies now to secure our livelihoods?]]> http://giuliocc.dominodeveloper.net/dx/02012010040914PMBLO27T.htm?opendocument&comments#02122010031438AMBLOF7P.htm Tue, 2 Feb 2010 04:38:09 PM -0700 Andrew Q Qantas to drop Notes after more than a decade. http://giuliocc.dominodeveloper.net/dx/02012010040914PMBLO27T.htm?opendocument&comments#02022010043809PMBLO2RW.htm Tue, 2 Feb 2010 04:35:03 PM -0700 Andrew Q Qantas to drop Notes after more than a decade.
I know from working on site at Qantas once (1999), they really had a poor recruitment drive and hired cheap IT people who knew nothing about lotus notes.

So the blame is really their HR. Caltex on the other hand had their own people (own staff) who knew more than their EDS outsourcer and ditched them for Fujitsu in 2003]]>
I know from working on site at Qantas once (1999), they really had a poor recruitment drive and hired cheap IT people who knew nothing about lotus notes.

So the blame is really their HR. Caltex on the other hand had their own people (own staff) who knew more than their EDS outsourcer and ditched them for Fujitsu in 2003]]> http://giuliocc.dominodeveloper.net/dx/02012010040914PMBLO27T.htm?opendocument&comments#02022010043503PMBLO2PY.htm Tue, 2 Feb 2010 11:17:12 AM -0700 Colin Williams Qantas to drop Notes after more than a decade. http://giuliocc.dominodeveloper.net/dx/02012010040914PMBLO27T.htm?opendocument&comments#02022010111712a.m.BLOQMB.htm Tue, 2 Feb 2010 05:35:35 AM -0700 Henning Heinz Qantas to drop Notes after more than a decade.
Unfortunately IBM is in a very comfortable position. Their revenues decline slowly. Even when companies move to Exchange they sometimes keep Notes in some way. Or even better they drop Notes and move to Exchange but buy Connections. For them it probably is even better to not invest and just keep things rolling. If you invest now, you immediately lose money and no guarantee that investments will pay off. With a trend of slowly declining revenues you can earn money for many years to come.

The ones that will get into trouble are IBM Lotus Business Partners, Developers and Administrators that have a high investment in Lotus technologies.

This does not mean that IBM will not change their strategy. If IBM really wants something they can throw tons of resources at any problem and act quite fast.

For years IBM has been praising that everything is fine and IBM is doing great with Lotus. As long as IBM does not come out with something better I have no hope that something will happen. To be clear. There are people that are still bullish about IBM Lotus and they earn real money and are very busy with clients.]]>
Unfortunately IBM is in a very comfortable position. Their revenues decline slowly. Even when companies move to Exchange they sometimes keep Notes in some way. Or even better they drop Notes and move to Exchange but buy Connections. For them it probably is even better to not invest and just keep things rolling. If you invest now, you immediately lose money and no guarantee that investments will pay off. With a trend of slowly declining revenues you can earn money for many years to come.

The ones that will get into trouble are IBM Lotus Business Partners, Developers and Administrators that have a high investment in Lotus technologies.

This does not mean that IBM will not change their strategy. If IBM really wants something they can throw tons of resources at any problem and act quite fast.

For years IBM has been praising that everything is fine and IBM is doing great with Lotus. As long as IBM does not come out with something better I have no hope that something will happen. To be clear. There are people that are still bullish about IBM Lotus and they earn real money and are very busy with clients.]]> http://giuliocc.dominodeveloper.net/dx/02012010040914PMBLO27T.htm?opendocument&comments#02.02.2010053535BLOHXS.htm Tue, 2 Feb 2010 03:59:28 AM -0700 Giulio Qantas to drop Notes after more than a decade.
I would Lurv to skyte about migrations from Exchange to Notes. But that is not happening. All we get down here is news of mass migrations going the other way, usually govt depts. Positive news is extremely rare and believe me i look for it.

Finally, I would like to live blissfully ignorant of the fact the Lotus is suffering a slow demise in Asia pacific. But I would rather "shake the tree" and be proven wrong with some un-ambiguous evidence of a good trend, or cause such a stink that it may stir some reaction that reverses the situation.

My opinions are from local observation, info from many colleagues, monitoring job advertisements, and any media info I can get my hands on. And when I put it all together, I get a grim picture.

So.. it's not Disney land everywhere y'know, and I make no excuses for making it apparent either.]]>
I would Lurv to skyte about migrations from Exchange to Notes. But that is not happening. All we get down here is news of mass migrations going the other way, usually govt depts. Positive news is extremely rare and believe me i look for it.

Finally, I would like to live blissfully ignorant of the fact the Lotus is suffering a slow demise in Asia pacific. But I would rather "shake the tree" and be proven wrong with some un-ambiguous evidence of a good trend, or cause such a stink that it may stir some reaction that reverses the situation.

My opinions are from local observation, info from many colleagues, monitoring job advertisements, and any media info I can get my hands on. And when I put it all together, I get a grim picture.

So.. it's not Disney land everywhere y'know, and I make no excuses for making it apparent either.]]> http://giuliocc.dominodeveloper.net/dx/02012010040914PMBLO27T.htm?opendocument&comments#02022010035928AMBLOG3Q.htm Mon, 1 Feb 2010 11:45:33 PM -0700 Henning Heinz Qantas to drop Notes after more than a decade.
And for the press. Many of you run blogs. There should be nothing to hold you back writing about positive things in the IBM world. If there are hundreds of migrations from Exchange to Domino then write about it.]]>
And for the press. Many of you run blogs. There should be nothing to hold you back writing about positive things in the IBM world. If there are hundreds of migrations from Exchange to Domino then write about it.]]> http://giuliocc.dominodeveloper.net/dx/02012010040914PMBLO27T.htm?opendocument&comments#01.02.2010234533BLOB52.htm Mon, 1 Feb 2010 10:28:11 PM -0700 Giulio Qantas to drop Notes after more than a decade. http://giuliocc.dominodeveloper.net/dx/02012010040914PMBLO27T.htm?opendocument&comments#01022010222811BLO9LN.htm Mon, 1 Feb 2010 09:28:31 PM -0700 Adam Osborne Qantas to drop Notes after more than a decade. http://giuliocc.dominodeveloper.net/dx/02012010040914PMBLO27T.htm?opendocument&comments#02012010092831PMBLO8FD.htm Mon, 1 Feb 2010 08:47:14 PM -0700 Giulio Qantas to drop Notes after more than a decade.
A good question that I open to anyone to respond to. My only thoughts are to not fall into the trap of fighting fire with fire.

It takes a concerted effort to "win minds" and independent referrals. As the "communal memory" is frighteningly short, it requires a long term commitment. Frankly, unless anyone else can deny it, IBM Asia/Pac has been too quiet for too long in trying to reverse the trend in the region.

I don't know why this is the case. It could be a situation where Asia/Pac hands are tied and cannot make moves without the blessing of their North American counterparts.

In any case, at the end of the day someone is not doing their job, or not doing it successfully.

But I am not so naive to expect IBM are obligated to justify it to me or anyone else. But at the end of the day, the net result is destruction of the user base of their product within the region..

So, even though LS10 was a great event about the direction of the technology, it still makes ZERO difference, if people are still moving away from it.

I have spoken to a few people around the traps, and many of us have seen the writing on the wall for at least 2 years now. We're all moving onto other technologies which appear to have more robustness in their future employment prospects.

I'm always happy to be proven wrong on my points.]]>
A good question that I open to anyone to respond to. My only thoughts are to not fall into the trap of fighting fire with fire.

It takes a concerted effort to "win minds" and independent referrals. As the "communal memory" is frighteningly short, it requires a long term commitment. Frankly, unless anyone else can deny it, IBM Asia/Pac has been too quiet for too long in trying to reverse the trend in the region.

I don't know why this is the case. It could be a situation where Asia/Pac hands are tied and cannot make moves without the blessing of their North American counterparts.

In any case, at the end of the day someone is not doing their job, or not doing it successfully.

But I am not so naive to expect IBM are obligated to justify it to me or anyone else. But at the end of the day, the net result is destruction of the user base of their product within the region..

So, even though LS10 was a great event about the direction of the technology, it still makes ZERO difference, if people are still moving away from it.

I have spoken to a few people around the traps, and many of us have seen the writing on the wall for at least 2 years now. We're all moving onto other technologies which appear to have more robustness in their future employment prospects.

I'm always happy to be proven wrong on my points.]]> http://giuliocc.dominodeveloper.net/dx/02012010040914PMBLO27T.htm?opendocument&comments#01022010204714BLO7MK.htm Mon, 1 Feb 2010 08:05:31 PM -0700 Gregg Eldred Qantas to drop Notes after more than a decade. http://giuliocc.dominodeveloper.net/dx/02012010040914PMBLO27T.htm?opendocument&comments#02012010080531PMBLO6TH.htm Mon, 1 Feb 2010 06:29:53 PM -0700 Giulio Qantas to drop Notes after more than a decade.
@2 Well, the sense of hestiation in David Hall's quote sounds like they're gonna run a trial and make more decisions after that.

Also, I have noticed that "The Australian" are reluctant to post any positive news in this area for Lotus.

If this trend of bad media is to change, IBM are gonna have to pull up their socks and start investing in a local effort to win hearts and minds.. that's providing they're interested in doing it.

@3. LOL.. Payback is a biatch, however the real payback would be a good pounding in the media about unambiguous TCO of hybrid sites.

I recently investigated a migration project and it seems you need at least 3 windoze servers to replace just 1 domino server ?!?!?! So, I am struggling to see the cost benefit on paper. Add to that you will need to also get other M$ bits like SQL Server and so forth to emulate similar functionality.

So....Last time I did my math 3 is NOT less than 1.

All together... sigh!]]>
@2 Well, the sense of hestiation in David Hall's quote sounds like they're gonna run a trial and make more decisions after that.

Also, I have noticed that "The Australian" are reluctant to post any positive news in this area for Lotus.

If this trend of bad media is to change, IBM are gonna have to pull up their socks and start investing in a local effort to win hearts and minds.. that's providing they're interested in doing it.

@3. LOL.. Payback is a biatch, however the real payback would be a good pounding in the media about unambiguous TCO of hybrid sites.

I recently investigated a migration project and it seems you need at least 3 windoze servers to replace just 1 domino server ?!?!?! So, I am struggling to see the cost benefit on paper. Add to that you will need to also get other M$ bits like SQL Server and so forth to emulate similar functionality.

So....Last time I did my math 3 is NOT less than 1.

All together... sigh!]]> http://giuliocc.dominodeveloper.net/dx/02012010040914PMBLO27T.htm?opendocument&comments#01022010182953BLO4XQ.htm Mon, 1 Feb 2010 06:20:19 PM -0700 Phil Salm Qantas to drop Notes after more than a decade. Link } Lotus truly needs to take this seriously and understand what is motivating customers to move. If we're still seeing this happen when corporate coffers are tight, what is going to happen when the economy turns around?

Couple this with Volker's observations on the image Lotus conveys when they post the Lotusphere OGS in a format that looks like it originated in 1980 ({ Link } and it doesn't put a smile on a Lotus fan's face.]]> Link } Lotus truly needs to take this seriously and understand what is motivating customers to move. If we're still seeing this happen when corporate coffers are tight, what is going to happen when the economy turns around?

Couple this with Volker's observations on the image Lotus conveys when they post the Lotusphere OGS in a format that looks like it originated in 1980 ({ Link } and it doesn't put a smile on a Lotus fan's face.]]> http://giuliocc.dominodeveloper.net/dx/02012010040914PMBLO27T.htm?opendocument&comments#02012010062019PMBLO4RR.htm Mon, 1 Feb 2010 05:26:31 PM -0700 Turtle Qantas to drop Notes after more than a decade.
I quote a friend of mine: "they'll spend millions of dollars to replace a system that works just fine, and they'll end up with a system that... works just fine."

I doubt Qantas (or any other airline) has the kind of money to fund whimsical decisions like this right now.

Cue the sound of IBM Corporate redesignating their travel preferences to United and Singapore Airlines, and Virgin Blue for Oz domestic flights.

Payback's a bitch, ain't it?]]>
I quote a friend of mine: "they'll spend millions of dollars to replace a system that works just fine, and they'll end up with a system that... works just fine."

I doubt Qantas (or any other airline) has the kind of money to fund whimsical decisions like this right now.

Cue the sound of IBM Corporate redesignating their travel preferences to United and Singapore Airlines, and Virgin Blue for Oz domestic flights.

Payback's a bitch, ain't it?]]> http://giuliocc.dominodeveloper.net/dx/02012010040914PMBLO27T.htm?opendocument&comments#02012010052631PMBLO3Q5.htm Mon, 1 Feb 2010 05:22:36 PM -0700 Stephan H. Wissel Qantas to drop Notes after more than a decade.
Can you spell "politics"

There are a number of outsources who are in bed with the dark side (so much for vendor neutral services), so be aware whom you contract with.]]>
Can you spell "politics"

There are a number of outsources who are in bed with the dark side (so much for vendor neutral services), so be aware whom you contract with.]]> http://giuliocc.dominodeveloper.net/dx/02012010040914PMBLO27T.htm?opendocument&comments#02012010052236PMBLO3MP.htm Mon, 1 Feb 2010 05:17:04 PM -0700 Colin Williams Qantas to drop Notes after more than a decade. http://giuliocc.dominodeveloper.net/dx/02012010040914PMBLO27T.htm?opendocument&comments#01022010051704p.m.BLO3J8.htm Thu, 21 Jan 2010 04:52:00 PM -0700 Graham Dodge What is old ? Its all about perception ... And a solution.
If Lotus Australia do all of the work and pay for all of the coffee at LCTY they they can (and will) fashion the content and the timing of the event to suit themselves - and I don't blame them for doing so. If you want to see a different kind of event then why not take the lead *personally* and see what you can come up with.

Buy me a coffee and I'm happy to help :)

.]]>
If Lotus Australia do all of the work and pay for all of the coffee at LCTY they they can (and will) fashion the content and the timing of the event to suit themselves - and I don't blame them for doing so. If you want to see a different kind of event then why not take the lead *personally* and see what you can come up with.

Buy me a coffee and I'm happy to help :)

.]]> http://giuliocc.dominodeveloper.net/dx/01212010030237PMBLOV27.htm?opendocument&comments#21012010045200PMBLO32K.htm Tue, 19 Jan 2010 03:13:08 AM -0700 Giulio This year’s phat number. 18,378
I don't know who started it but it doesn't seem to have run out of puff yet. I will say though that this year is a better effort than last year on the "clarity-meter".]]>
I don't know who started it but it doesn't seem to have run out of puff yet. I will say though that this year is a better effort than last year on the "clarity-meter".]]> http://giuliocc.dominodeveloper.net/dx/01182010083048PMBLO7BB.htm?opendocument&comments#19012010031308BLOF6R.htm Tue, 19 Jan 2010 02:04:04 AM -0700 Henning Heinz This year’s phat number. 18,378 http://giuliocc.dominodeveloper.net/dx/01182010083048PMBLO7BB.htm?opendocument&comments#19.01.2010020404BLODTL.htm Mon, 18 Jan 2010 10:33:31 PM -0700 Giulio This year’s phat number. 18,378
Although I am sure it's a real number, context is everything. Saying IBM picked up 18,000ish new notes customers implies they did not have Notes before. I would even accept if they left Notes and came back to it.

But if they are counting upgrades then that's a firfie. Again..Almost a straight number but would like some clarification to eliminate it's "phatness"...]]>
Although I am sure it's a real number, context is everything. Saying IBM picked up 18,000ish new notes customers implies they did not have Notes before. I would even accept if they left Notes and came back to it.

But if they are counting upgrades then that's a firfie. Again..Almost a straight number but would like some clarification to eliminate it's "phatness"...]]> http://giuliocc.dominodeveloper.net/dx/01182010083048PMBLO7BB.htm?opendocument&comments#18012010223331BLO9PZ.htm