#dominoforever :: Observations from the event
by Volker Weber
A few thoughts in no particular order:
- The Domino V10 event was part of a larger IBM Think event in Frankfurt. It occupied one of four floors of Kap Europa and as far as I can tell it was "sold" out to fire capacity. I did not count seats and rows but I guess there were about 250 to 300 people present. It was close enough to launch on 10/10 at 10:10 to take this opportunity that presented itself. Domino will be available tomorrow, but certain capabilities like the iPad client are still in preview/beta stage.
- This was an event for the faithful. Some people attended because they still bleed yellow although they have since left the platform.
- There was a strange disconnect between IBM and HCL. Richard Jefts, Jason Gary, Barry Rosen, and Francois Nasser were in attendance, but IBM clearly did not want to share the limelight with the people who have built Domino V10. It was all about what IBM did.
- On the same token, IBM was very unhappy with my piece for heise online. Although it is factually correct and provides a positive outlook, they did not like the fact that I talked so much about what HCL is doing, without giving credit to the customer and community engagement that IBM has shown over the last twelve months.
- IBM talked mostly about Domino as an application platform, and a recurring theme was how Domino apps can be integrated into other platforms like Microsoft Teams, Office 365, or Slack. In the past you would have only seen integration in Workspace or Connections. This is a good change.
- One of the things I learned is that you can now run your apps on Domino Utility Server and license the server only by its capacity instead of by the number of users accessing it. This licensing also works for internal users and not only for external. If IBM gets this right, they can save a few servers from being decomissioned. And every surviving Domino Server keeps apps running.
- Key performance indicators for IBMs success with Domino V10 isn't only the amount of revenue it is bringing in, but also how many customers who are no longer on active maintenance can be convinced to reinstantiate their license. Eventually they will not only have to stop the bleeding, but also show growth with new apps on the platform.
- "This would have been nice five years ago", said one business partner. The sentiment I got in many discussions when people felt they were not within earshot of certain IBMers was "not too little, but too late". I just don't know. Domino is a good platform, and once it can live without its own directory (maybe in V11?), it may find a good place. Having a solid backend to a modern app is a good thing.
I don't know where this is going. But I see some very dedicated people pushing as hard as they can. Both at IBM and at HCL. Work together!
#dominoforever @vowe fantastic to see our friend Volker at the v10 rollout - please read https://t.co/iAlh6bC0M5 pic.twitter.com/FyM5Vz92Jt
— Richard Jefts (@RichardJefts) October 9, 2018
Comments
Wie bitte? Das war der positivste Artikel zu dem Thema seit Jahren und man ist damit nicht zufrieden? Hoffentlich knarzt es da nicht wirklich so im Gebälk, wie das gerade klingt. Ich fand auch, dass HCL viel zu wenig Erwähnung fand. Wo sie doch gerade alles daran setzen, die Suppe wieder auszulöffeln.
Die gestellten Panel-Diskussionen hätte man sich auch sparen können und lieber statt dessen kurze Gast-Vorträge einfließen lassen, wie z.B. Apple das tut.
Erst mal, danke Dir, Volker, dass Du über all die Jahre am Thema geblieben bist und daher eine super Perspektive beleuchten und kompetent berichten kannst.
Nachdem IBM mir nämlich mein Business vermiest hat, hatte ich definitiv keine Lust mehr als Don Quichotte durch die Kundenräume zu schleichen.
Insofern vermisse ich meinerseits von der IBM immer noch eine Entschuldigung (und vielleicht hab ich die auch verpasst, mag sein) für ihr absolut miserables Verhalten gegenüber denjenigen von uns, die ihr lange Zeit vernachlässigtes Produkt über viele Jahre bei Kunden platziert und verteidigt haben. Das nennt sich allgemeinhin "Verantwortung übernehmen" ...
IBM really needs to eat a giant piece of humble pie. HCL did what they couldn't. Let's all cheer HCL on.
I am always happy to read such articles from a real expert who is a friend of Domino but realistic enough to see the situation as it is. And I agree that this Domino 10/HCL initiative comes far too late.
Good observations. We at HCL of course viewed the event during our work day as recorded video.
I can't speak to the unhappiness of IBM with your article; but if one wanted to compose a list of "blamees" yours is woefully short. It may have been the heise article where you lauded the "alpha animal" .. suffice it to say that you are very wrong to admire that trait in this larger history.
If you think customers were frustrated I can only say you don't know what frustration is. But real focus must be given to the fact that times are better now; the moves are real and accurate, honed by lessons learned. Real development is happening and for some it is NOT too late but just in time.
#dominoforever .. and forever is a long time.