Lotus is simplifying its licensing model and integrating its
software with Microsoft technology in an attempt to make life
easier for users.
Lindsay ClarkThe IBM company admitted that buying its software could end up
being an onerous task for large corporations, but was attempting to
rectify the situation by placing its products in six broad pricing
"buckets", with extensive discounts for enterprise users.
"We are no longer a one-product company and as a result we have
failed to provide a price taxonomy that's simple for customers,"
said Jeff Papows, outgoing Lotus CEO. "We will make specific price
points much simpler for customers to understand."
Tom Austin, vice-president with the GartnerGroup, said: "This
should reduce the pain that some users feel. Their pricing will
begin to look a lot more like Microsoft Backoffice and Enterprise
licensing."
Lotus also announced that it would allow users to view the
knowledge management service available on its Domino server product
from a Microsoft Outlook desktop client. This will allow users to
standardise on a single user interface, simplifying training and
making the use of Lotus technology consistent with Microsoft Office
products, Austin said.
"Many users say that they prefer the Outlook user interface and
that it is superior to Notes," he said. "Despite what Lotus says,
Microsoft has the monopoly on Office productivity tools and Outlook
fits into the Office way of doing things."
Austin said a particular advantage would be offline working,
where Domino is superior in replicating diaries and e-mail while
users are not connected to company networks. "For the first time,
Domino promises to make Outlook work well for people that want to
work offline," he said.
To meet the needs of a growing number of businesses using
handheld devices and Wap mobile telephones, Lotus said it would
release MobileNotes, a scaled down Notes client that would allow
users to access information on Domino servers while on the
move.
nIncoming Lotus CEO Al Zollar has spoken in public for the first
time since Papows announced his resignation. After more than 20
years with IBM he said he had no regrets about leaving the
company.
"Anybody that has the opportunity to lead a brand as significant
as Lotus would jump at the opportunity. I believe that I can bring
a lot of experience from marketing, strategy and sales to help take
the company to the next level. We still have a great deal ahead of
us."
Zollar will take charge of Lotus during Febuary.