07/10/2006

IBM today announced the availability of IBM Lotus Notes on Linux, the industry's first business-grade collaboration software to support Linux on the desktop.

ebizQ received the following details:

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.

As organizations of all sizes become increasingly attracted to the openness and flexibility of the Linux desktop, the need for secure and re-usable applications grows as well. Using Eclipse, a platform-independent development environment, IBM has delivered its first mainstream business application for the Linux desktop while ensuring that all applications built in this environment will work with future versions of Notes for the Windows and Macintosh platforms. The Eclipse development model, embraced by IBM, will continue to play a key role in speeding up product delivery schedules and will provide Business Partners with the opportunity to save time and money with the ability to re-use applications and run them on multiple client platforms. Now, with end-to-end support for Linux on the Notes and Domino collaboration platform, this offering is expected to accelerate IBM's collaboration software on Linux growth, currently at over 200% per year.

According to an Evans Data Corporation survey of 400 developers, the number of Linux developers is expected to surpass Windows developers in the near future. With today's announcement, customers will be able to take advantage of the same reliable, flexible and secure benefits on the desktop that they can currently benefit by running Linux on multiple systems. Linux is easy to install and configure on the desktop and will help Lotus Notes users integrate standardized software applications that are available for no charge or at a low cost from a wide array of Business Partners and independent software vendors (ISVs). IBM Lotus Notes on Linux is also a significant development for the small to medium business (SMB) community. Since many SMBs and start-ups do not have the same level of legacy infrastructure as many enterprise organizations, the Linux environment is a particularly appealing option from a flexibility and cost standpoint. 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 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 develop Linux-based applications. The 'Migrate to the Penguin' initiative will now offer Business Partners up to $20,000 for migrating customers from Microsoft Exchange to IBM Lotus Notes and Domino on Linux desktop.

"With Linux as the fastest growing operating system in the world in terms of unit share, we are challenged with making sure we keep up with our customer's evolving Linux demands," said XX BP. "IBM continues to support our efforts by delivering Linux-based technology and resources on an ongoing basis to help us address the specific needs of our customers. Enterprise Linux-support on the desktop has not existed to date so we've been anticipating the arrival of Lotus Notes on Linux. We share IBM's excitement about the Eclipse Rich Client Platform, as it enables software developers to create applications that work across operating systems without modification."

As of today, the expanding base of Linux users will be able to run Lotus Notes on Linux similar to the way users can run the technology on Windows or Macintosh. The underlying technology is based on the Eclipse open source framework and is the same technology to be used in the upcoming version of Lotus Notes code-named 'Hannover.' In addition, Linux users can now experience the full power of the Lotus Notes 7 collaboration platform including over 120 features unique to the version. This most recent version of Lotus Notes allows users to manage an increasing volume of information and work more efficiently.

A couple of these features include:

• Memory Functions that will automatically save and return to open documents and applications upon shut down and restart, which will give users additional mobility without worrying about losing data or hindering productivity



• Visual indicators to help users organize and manage their in-box by highlighting high priority messages, as well as differentiating between group emails and messages targeted for specific users

IBM Lotus Notes on Linux is now available as part of version 7 and supports Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4, Update 3 with support for Novell SUSE Linux Desktop For Enterprise 10 to be delivered to customers within approximately 90 days. There will be no additional cost associated with the use of Notes on Linux for currently licensed Notes users.