News

IBM Modernizes Domino Business App Platform

• By David Ramel
• October 16, 2018

IBM has modernized Domino, its business app platform with roots in the Lotus Notes ecosystem that debuted in 1989.

Once primarily known as the server-side segment of Lotus Notes, Domino is a multi-faceted platform that offers app development -- using the rapid-application-development approach -- and more.

In revamping the 29-year-old platform, IBM has improved cloud support, mobile application development, analytics and boosted the collaboration capabilities that were a mainstay of Lotus Notes, which became IBM Notes in a 1995 acquisition.

Two of the most notable modernizations in the new IBM Domino v10 are mobile app development capabilities and the embrace of node.js.

The improved mobile development functionality comes in the new IBM Domino Mobile Apps, which is being previewed as a beta for which developers can sign up. Furthering the IBM/Apple business relationship, the offering lets developers create Apple iPad business apps. "IBM Domino also replicates data between the server and local version of your applications, so your team can be productive even without network connectivity," the company said.

Developers can also sign on to try out the new node.js support that comes in the IBM Domino AppDev Pack. "Domino developers can request early access to the world of JavaScript and Node.js through the IBM Domino AppDev Pack," IBM said. "As an add-on to IBM Domino V10, both JavaScript and Domino developers will be able to enhance, integrate, and easily build new applications using IBM Domino data."

Another new feature is the ability for developers to call any REST APIs from Domino applications, allowing the ability, for examples, to add Google Maps functionality, pull in Salesforce customer data or leverage IBM's Watson capabilities.

The new Domino v10 stems from a development agreement IBM entered into with HCL Technologies a year ago.