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IBM Mail Next explained - so far


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IBM Mail Next was finally explained a bit better today. Here is what you need to know about IBM Mail Next function and architecture. Subject to change.

IBM Mail Next was formerly called Project Sequoia. Special Note: you apparently have to buy IBM SmartCloud Engage to get half of it to work. SocialBizUg also closed the side chat to submitting questions only. They could have provided both options of rolling chat and also submitting quesitons.

(I can say that much of this was already available in Domino through a business partner that made FewClix. See my posts on FewClix here.)
There will be a Design Advisory Program (I guess deprecating the Design Partner Program).
Now for the specs of IBM Mail Next:

  • Empowered mail (?) that helps you focus on top priorities
  • Tune in important and tune out yammering
  • Enterprise search with full-text, hit highlighting, faceted search and near real-time indexing
  • Optimized for mobile and web
  • Delivered in the cloud first. On your infrastructure later
  • Powered by Domino and integrated with social sharing
  • "Do you remember that email you sent to someone asking them to do something?" Yes that is why it was sent to them.
  • Any user can identify and take action on new and urgent matters at a glance
  • Calendar bar along bottom (simple, plain and easy to understand)
IBM Mail Next calendar bar
  • Socialize your inbox content and conversations in two clicks or less. Whatever that means
  • Saved searches (been around forever in Domino but under utilized)
  • Google look and feel for email avatar (initials used if picture not there)
IBM Mail Next inbox look
  • Chat is included in searches as well
  • Offline capabilities are not clear
  • All browsers will be supported but demos I saw were in Chrome


Architecture information plus the image below. IBM is recommending you move to the cloud. I am not sure what that has to do with any of this.
  • HTML5 application and apache web server
  • Side search service
  • Mail Service on Domino
  • Another server on side for SmartCloud Engage
IBM Mail Next Architecture


Release timeline estimates
  • Q2 of 2014 IBM Mail Next Preview 1
  • SocialBIzxUg webcast on Jul 24 2014 for a deep dive
  • Q3 of 2014 IBM Mail Next Preview 2
  • Q4 of 2014 IBM Mail Next GA for version 1 of web and mobile

See my previous posts on IBM Mail Next. Customers supposedly embrace the social mail concept, even though mail has always been social