Lotus
Announces Domino R5 Release for Linux
P.
Hayes - October 26, 1999
Event
Summary
BERLIN, Oct.
26, 1999 - At Lotusphere Europe 99, IBM's Lotus Development Corp. today announced
that Domino Release 5 (R5) server for the Linux operating system will be available
within 30 days. Lotus Domino R5 for Linux combines integrated collaborative
functionality with Linux' low cost-of-deployment and reliability benefits to
enable organizations worldwide to gain access to powerful messaging, knowledge
management and Web application development capabilities (Source: Lotus Press
Release)
Market
Impact
According to
a study performed in the 1st quarter of 1999 by International Data Corporation,
the market share for the Linux operating system grew by 212% in 1998 and will
continue to grow at 25% per year through 2003. The exploding Linux operating
system market has outpaced all other operating systems available today, including
NetWare, Windows NT and Unix. By targeting the Linux operating system Lotus
continues to provide support to multi-platform environments, including Windows
NT, NetWare and Unix. Lotus Notes Domino R5 will be among the first enterprise-based
applications to provide support for Linux. Given Domino's popularity, the Linux
operating system will be given a boost, as it will begin to be viewed more strongly
as an enterprise ready, low cost system (see Figure 1). Lotus will not make
Domino R5 Linux available for another 30 days and will ship it in the quarterly
R5 update.
Figure 1:
Domino for Linux Pricing
| Product |
Retail
Pricing |
| Domino R5
Mail Server |
$695 + Client
Access Licenses |
| Domino R5
Web Application Server |
$1,795 + Client
Access Licenses |
| Domino R5
Enterprise Server |
$4,995 + Client
Access Licenses |
User
Recommendations
Given that
Linux is an "Open-Source" operating system with multiple, free Unix based SMTP
mail services such as Sendmail and Red Hat packaged mail services, the need
for Notes on Linux is minimal. The advantage of Notes is strong database functionality
and workflow. Presently most Linux mail and Internet Server usage are predominantly
chosen for stability and cost. Given the high cost of Notes as an enterprise
solution, users should fully evaluate alternatives presently on the market.
If your business requires strong database and groupware functionality, Notes
is an extremely viable solution. If not, examine other alternatives.